A/N : Thankyou for all the reviews and follows and likes. I am trying to improve my writing with the help if your reviews. Thankyou for all the love and hate.
Elizabeth entered the breakfast room and the warm aroma of sweet bread greeted her. Her father was the only one at the table. Swiftly serving herself some eggs and hot rolls, she settled into her seat.
"How was your walk today Lizzy? Has our estate cropped up something new?, " Mr. Bennet asked with a twinkle in his eye.
"Have you heard about our fruit orchard?", Lizzy replied.
"Yes, yes, Mary did drop a hint as to her whereabouts. I do love preserves, the more the better", Mr. Bennet laughed.
"And may I inquire as to the path your feet wandered off to?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"The East boundary of Longbourn Papa. The drains on the east farm were slated for a remodel, now our brick making site is ready for further work. We can start that operation as soon as the men uncle Gardiner sent for arrive", Elizabeth informed.
"That is very admirable Lizzy. But the houses for the workers are yet to be built. I suppose you want the plans for those?", Mr. Bennet asked Lizzy.
"I would very much like to, Papa!" said Lizzy excitedly. "I can finish them within the fortnight. I don't want to be underfoot while Mama is planning her tea!" she added with good humour. Lizzy smiled, enjoying the familiar banter with her father.
"Very well, Lizzy. I look forward to seeing your plans actualized," Mr. Bennet laughed, getting up from the table and said ,"Come to my study once you are done with your breakfast and bring Jane ".
He paused at the door and added, "I have a letter from your Uncle Gardiner." With that, Mr. Bennet exited the room, leaving Elizabeth to finish her breakfast with a sense of anticipation.
Soon, Elizabeth was joined by Jane. Jane had hardly entered when she began, "Lizzy, Mary mentioned how Mr. Darcy spoke about you. Though I agree with her in spirit, I rather believe he had a headache. Did you not see how many times he flinched when he passed close to the orchestra?"
"Oh, I did see him flinch", replied Lizzy, "but I always thought it was due to his proximity to Miss Bingley! Honestly, whoever gave her that perfume must have had a vendetta—it smells like meat gone bad!" Lizzy stated with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Lizzy! That was quite harsh. You should not have said so", Jane admonished gently.
"Ah, but you never said I was wrong! Just that I should not have said so. Very well, I shall suffer in silence!" Lizzy declared dramatically, her tone playful.
Jane couldn't help but smile at her sister's theatrics, shaking her head with affectionate exasperation
"Good morning, Jane, Elizabeth," Mary nodded as she sat next to Lizzy with her plate in hand.
"How are you today? So, you informed Jane about Darcy the Dreadful!" Lizzy teased.
"I did not realize it was meant to be a secret. I apologize," Mary responded, her eyes dulling as she began to eat her eggs with a blank expression.
"Mary, I was just teasing you!" Lizzy smiled reassuringly.
Mary slowed her pace and, after a moment, "I know, so was I!" she smiled back broadly.
"Mary! How devious of you!" Lizzy exclaimed, her eyes twinkling. "But in all seriousness, make no mention of it to Mama. She will drag Mr. Darcy's name through the mud if she knew."
There were noises of affirmation all around as they continued their breakfast in companionable silence.
Soon, Jane and Lizzy excused themselves, as they were needed by their father. Lizzy noticed the flash of hurt in Mary's eyes at the usual exclusion. Not one to miss such a detail, Lizzy quickly gave Mary a peck on the cheek before following Jane to their father's study.
"Well," Mr. Bennet said as Jane and Lizzy entered the room, "As I mentioned I received a letter from your Uncle Gardiner. He has included a note for both of you. Jane, here is your list of new ventures. According to Gardiner, this time we are looking into investing in more serious projects that can aid the army and the Crown."
Mr. Bennet handed Jane the list. She took it from her father and sat down to review the details.
"These look quite promising," Jane murmured, glancing up at her father before promptly beginning to work on it.
Lizzy watched as Jane's brow furrowed in concentration, her sister already absorbed in the task. Mr. Bennet, satisfied, turned his attention to Lizzy, a twinkle in his eye.
Lizzy watched her sister for a moment, then turned to her father,"And what does Uncle Gardiner require of me?"
"Your uncle has acquired some expensive and very fashionable fabrics," Mr. Bennet informed her. "Chinese silk, I have been told. Your Aunt Gardiner believes they will be in high demand during the season."
Lizzy delicately felt the fabric against her palm, admiring its beauty and delicate texture as she surveyed the assortment packed in the carton.
"Do you think you can replicate it?" Mr. Bennet asked, his curiosity evident. "Your aunt has sent a crate full of cotton fabric for you, so practice away."
"Yes, I am certain I can, and I will enjoy the activity for sure," Lizzy replied, her enthusiasm evident.
"Jane dear, you might want to listen to this," Mr. Bennet addressed Jane, drawing her attention away from the investment papers spread out in front of her.
"Your Uncle Gardiner managed to pull off a miracle! It's because of this that he requests your presence in London." said Mr. Bennet.
"What do you mean, Papa? What miracle?" Lizzy asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Well my dear, one of your Uncle's acquaintance is a sailor on a merchant ship. They were attacked by pirates but were able to best them in the skirmish. The sailors seized a great deal of treasure, and your Uncle Gardiner was able to purchase some of it from a few of the men."
"It all sounds so fantastical Papa", Jane exclaimed, her eyes wide with amazement."It must have cost a great deal of money to buy such treasures," Lizzy mused. "I suppose Uncle believes in my gift so much that he's invested heavily in it. Am I expected to create more of the same by replicating these items?"
"Yes, precisely," Mr. Bennet replied, nodding thoughtfully. "We can replicate jewels, gold, and other valuable items. Do you recall how we tested this with the Bennet family jewels? The replicas were indistinguishable from the originals, identical in both appearance and material. They are, in fact, real."
Elizabeth pondered this for a moment before asking. "So, are we to accompany the Gardiners when they return to London after Christmastide?"
"Yes," Mr. Bennet affirmed. "Furthermore, your aunt wishes to invite Mary. Do you think it is a sound idea? I feel, she is rather too much like me, too much of an introvert to truly appreciate and enjoy society.
" Mary is merely shy, she is yet to come into her own. And you my dear Papa are a hermit ", Lizzy teased Mr. Bennet.
Mr. Bennet laughed and agreed with her.
"Papa, it would be lovely to have Mary with us," Jane interjected warmly. "She could use the time splendidly to hone her talent on the pianoforte. She will be delighted to have a music master, and I am sure Uncle Gardiner will enjoy assisting her with her talent."
Mr. Bennet considered Jane's words, his expression softening at the thought. "Very well, I will speak will Gardiner about a music Master, Jane" he conceded. "And perhaps then, it won't be all that bad for Mary."The remainder of the letter contained detailed instructions for the preparations needed for Elizabeth and Jane's debut in London. The conversation then shifted to discussing their plans for the upcoming journey.
At Netherfield, Darcy had slipped away after an early breakfast, ostensibly to attend to estate matters. However, his mind was preoccupied with the snippets of conversation he had overheard regarding Bingley between Miss Elizabeth and Miss Jane Bennet.
As he rode toward Longbourn, Darcy felt a mix of curiosity and anticipation. The home of the woman who had so thoroughly captivated his thoughts lay ahead. Keen to know more about her surroundings, he made his way toward the estate.
He arrived at the east fields of Longbourn, a place he had previously visited during a tour of the Netherfield estate farms. He recalled the state of disrepair of the drains at the border, estimating that it would take several months to fix them.
However, to his surprise, the drains were now in pristine condition, their direction altered to better manage water flow. The once flooded field was being repurposed into a brick-making site.
'Remarkable', Darcy thought, impressed by the Bennet's swift and effective improvements.
His earlier assumptions about the Bennet family began to waver. This level of efficiency and foresight was unexpected, challenging his initial impression of Mr. Bennet as an idle fellow. As Darcy observed the fields and work, he felt the need to learn more about Mr. BennetHe decided to ask his valet to gather information about the Bennet family and Longbourn.
As he turned to leave, Darcy paused for a final glance at Longbourn. The fields were lush, the orchard heavy with fruit, the gardens in full bloom, and several hothouses were visible in the distance.
Where did Miss Bingley get her information from? Darcy wondered, his brow furrowing. There's no way Longbourn earns less than £5000 a year. Perhaps the £2000 figure was circulated for appearances. But why? Why would that be necessary? Wouldn't more income mean more suitors? It wasn't like his situation, he hid his real income to safeguard himself from fortune hunters.
The discrepancy puzzled him as Darcy took in the prosperous scene. The estate was far more thriving than he had been led to believe. It didn't add up. With a contemplative glance at Longbourn, he turned his horse and rode back.