Thanks to her indecision as to which of her gowns to pack, it was past noon by the time Miss Bingley exited her benighted dwelling and made her way down to the rented carriage.
So her companion would not forewarn her brother, Miss Bingley had given the lady some days off to go visit her sister. Since she would be alone in the conveyance, she paid the maid of all work five pounds to be her escort to her destination. The girl would ride back to London once Miss Bingley had alighted at Netherfield Park.
About two hours out of London, the coachman had stopped at the Bull and Spectacles Inn. Miss Bingley had demanded a private parlour where she and the maid had taken refreshment.
She heard a knock on the door thinking the driver was about to tell her they were on their way. “Beggin’ yer pardon, Miss Bingley,” the Coachman stated, hat in hand. “One o’ the ‘orses be lame. The inn ‘as an ‘orse fir me to rent, but ‘e just come back an must rest two ta four ‘ours ‘afore we can depart.”
Even though she was annoyed by the delay, as long as she got there, Miss Bingley cared not. “Just come inform us when it is time to depart,” she said and waved the man away dismissively.
The coachman would have asked the annoying and rude lady to pay the cost of the rental of the horse, but he had taken three times his usual rate from her already.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Had Elizabeth not promised Anne she would attend the assembly, she would have been at Oak Hollow with her friend and not in the new Bennet coach being used to convey her parents, Mary, Kitty, and herself to the assembly hall in Meryton.
Lydia was at home with Mrs. Annesley and Miss Jones. At fourteen she still had another two years plus before she came out locally.
At least she would finally meet Giana’s brother. It was well known in the neighbourhood the three gentlemen resident at Netherfield Park would attend, two of them eligible, which excited many of the mothers and daughters in the area. Several local young ladies were imagining being paired with one of the wealthy men.
With Jane married to Andrew and Mary engaged to Richard, some thought it was their turn now. Elizabeth could not but help smile at the thought of the machinations of some of her neighbours.
She could not imagine wanting to connect herself to a man unknown just because he happened to be wealthy. She would marry for love and respect, or not at all.
“Mama, did you hear about a regiment of militia being stationed in Meryton next month?” Kitty asked.
“Yes, both my sister and Lady Lucas have informed me.”Fanny looked at her two unattached daughters. “I know wealth is not your main concern, but please know that there are many unscrupulous men who join the militia. If they knew you girls have twenty thousand pounds each, they would swarm like honeybees do when they detect pollen.”
“Take heed of your mother’s words,” Bennet reinforced. “We are not saying all men in the militia are dishonourable. However, most are very poor, and their wages are only two or three pounds per month. There are men in these regiments who would seduce a girl without the intention of ever marrying her.”
“Lizzy, we know you are not easily worked on, but Kitty dear, you are too trusting at times. Please promise me you will never be alone with any of the soldiers or officers once they arrive,” Fanny beseeched.
“You know I am a good girl, Mama and Papa,” Kitty insisted. “Besides, I do not find men in scarlet coats to my liking.”
“Once they arrive there will always be more than one of us when we walk into Meryton and we will have at least one footman with us,” Elizabeth assured her parents.
“It is good Lyddie is not out,” Kitty stated, “she has opined how she would enjoy being courted by an officer.”
The Bennet coach stopped at the entrance to the hall and the footman placed the step and then opened the door. Bennet stepped out and handed his wife and three daughters out.
The Darcy conveyance arrived just as the Bennet one was being driven to the back where the equipages for those who came in one were held.
Darcy noticed the coach which had been ahead of his own. It was a large, comfortable looking one, similar to his own. It was not a conveyance he expected to see in this neighbourhood of medium to small estates. He was about toask Richard how someone hereabout could afford a coach and four like he had seen when the footman opened the door and the three men alighted.
By the time the three entered the hall, it was only a few minutes until the first set was to be called.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
It was well after eight by the time Miss Bingley’s rented carriage arrived at her brother’s leased estate.
As planned, she had the coachman and his man offload her trunks and depart as soon as may be. She pointedly ignored the footman who had approached. Once the conveyance was well on its way, Miss Bingley climbed the stairs to the small stone veranda where the double front doors were.
Her brother’s footman followed her, still not understanding why the woman had arrived without notice and left a heap of trunks in the drive.
Miss Bingley used the knocker to make her presence known.
Mr. Nichols, the butler opened the one door partially. “May I be of assistance, madam?” he enquired.
“Stand aside, I am to be mistress here,” Miss Bingley blustered.
