“Are we agreed you will meet us at Curzon Street at nine on the morrow given my house is closer to the road leading to Hertfordshire?” Bingley verified.
“We will be there. It seems I will need at least two coaches with our personal servants as well as the two companions,” Darcy estimated.
After going over a few more details Bingley turned to take his leave, but stopped himself. “I hope you will succeed in wooing Miss Elizabeth; I think I will enjoy being your brother.”
“As would I being yours my friend, as would I,” Darcy responded.
Not long after Bingley took his leave an excited Giana returned to inform her brother that with her parents’ blessing, Tiffany would join them on the morrow.
Chapter 30
It was three coaches rumbling through Meryton on the way to Netherfield Park around one on Wednesday afternoon. The residents were used to seeing one fancy carriage, but not two followed by a third which was not much less fancy than the two lead conveyances. There were three horses of quality being led by some of the outriders, of whom there were ten.
Those on the main street of the market town watched as the convoy of coaches turned onto the road which led to Netherfield Park. That confirmed what the denizens had heard about the estate not being abandoned by Mr. Bingley and the house having been reopened.
The more charitable matrons were pleased for Miss Bennet that her young man had returned. A second, much smaller group, less caring about the feelings of others, hoped what they had heard was not true, thus leaving the field open for their own daughters.
What Darcy could not yet know was thanks to his buying all of Wickham’s debts of honour the miscreant owed to his fellow officers, his reputation had been rehabilitated in the area to those who had still thought him a proud, disagreeable man. To Darcy, the amount his cousin had pledged in his name was a pittance in the scheme of things; to those who would be made whole, it was very substantial.
The arriving residents were met by the Nicholses, and even the normally stoic butler had a half smile on his face in welcome for Mr. Bingley’s return.
They and a small core of servants were not affected by the former mistress’s decision to close the house, but those who had expected employment for at least a year had been, and the Nichols had felt for them. Within a day or two of the order being issued, it had been rescinded and the best news of all was Miss Bingley would no longer be the mistress. It had been with great pleasure the Nichols had informed all those who Miss Bingley had unceremoniously sacked that they were employed as before, for at least the remainder of the one-year lease term. The fact the master would pay them as if they had not missed any time off work only cemented their opinions that Mr. Bingley was one of the best masters.
Louisa Hurst led Lady Tiffany and Miss Darcy to their suites with a shared sitting room between their bedchambers. Their suite was across the hall from the one Richard and William were in. The two companions were placed in bedchambers located either side of her respective charge’s.
Within an hour, everyone had washed and changed, and all met in the main drawing room on the first floor. “My coach is ready, I am to Longbourn. Would anyone care to accompany me?” Bingley informed those in the drawing room.
“Charles, you should go on your own,” Mrs. Hurst opined. “When you are there you should request permission for all of us to call on the morrow to offer our congratulations in person. I think it may be too much for all of us to descend on the Bennets without prior warning, notwithstanding Mrs. Bennet’s reputation as a stellar hostess.”
“You know what, Lulu, you have the right of it,” Bingley agreed. He turned on his heel to gather his outerwear before boarding his conveyance.
Mrs. Hurst glowed with pleasure. It had been some years since her brother had used that term of endearment which he once used all the time.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“He is come, Janey,” Kitty stated. She had been sitting and working on her sampler with the rest of her sisters, mother, and Mrs. Buxton when she heard a noise in the drive.
Her mother had requested her second to youngest daughter, who was closest to the window which fronted the drive, to give an unobtrusive look to see who was arriving at their home.
“Byhe, I assume you mean my fiancé,” Jane verified trying not to sound too enthusiastic but failing spectacularly.
“Yes, it is Mr. Bingley,” Kitty confirmed.
One look from the companion had Kitty seated and working with her needle and thread again.
That was how Bingley found the ladies. Mrs. Bennet watching her brood with a loving look, the five Miss Bennets working on their samplers and the companion watching her two charges like a mother hen.
“Mrs. Bennet, ladies,” Bingley greeted all and bowed, his eyes never leaving his fiancée for an instant.
“Your business is completed, I assume,” Fanny stated. She made no illusion to Miss Bingley and her disgusting assertions.
“Yes, Mrs. Bennet, it is. How very good to see all of you looking so well,” Bingley responded. No one in the room was under any illusion to whom the remark was truly directed. “Are the two Mr. Bennets in the study?”
“They are,” Fanny averred, “My Mr. Bennet is educating Mary’s William on the running of the estate.”
“Before I go to greet them, I wonder if it would be an imposition to bring a large party with me when I call on the morrow?” Bingley requested. He then clarified. “The Hursts are with me as is my friend Darcy. In addition, Darcy’s cousins, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lady Tiffany Fitzwilliam as well as Miss Darcy are with us and all would like to come convey their wishes of happiness to Miss Bennet.”
“Of course, Mr. Bingley, any of your friends will always be welcome here,” Fanny replied.
