Before she could say more, the butler announced the next caller, a Mr Smithington. Miss Bingley lost interest in the caller and went back to speaking to her sister and ignoring the country mushroom.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“What do you mean I may not accompany you to Longbourn to return Mr Bennet’s call?” Miss Bingley screeched when her brother broke the unwelcome news to her.
The butler had mentioned in passing that it was bad form to return the initial call with anyone besides the master of the estate. As sure as he was Caroline would not be happy, Bingley thought she would not want to do anything to cause the Bennets to think badly of her, just in case they were the family she thought they were.
“Caroline, I am told that is the way of the gentry, and Hurst confirmed it. You do not want to alienate the family of a duke before you even meet them, do you?” Bingley queried innocently.
“If that is how it must be, I suppose I will wait for the assembly to meet the Miss Bennets.” Miss Bingley huffed but alighted from the coach without argument.
It did not take Bingley long to discover which was the largest estate in the area. It was Longbourn. It was about a mile from the gateposts through an expansive park, to the house, which, to his untrained eye, looked to be at least two to three times the size of Netherfield Park’s manor house. It seemed the house had been renovated or added onto at some point based on the difference in the growth of ivy that climbed the walls.
A footman had the step ready, and the door opened almost before the carriage came to a complete halt. Bingley alighted and was about to raise the knocker when the door was opened by a man, he assumed was the butler. He handed the retainer his card.
“Please wait here,” Hill indicated the entrance hall. “I will see if the master is accepting callers.” It was a brief time before the butler returned and guided the caller to the study.
Bingley heard voices—which sounded feminine—from a door they passed, but it was closed, so he had no idea who was within. So far, he had not seen any daughters, which wasdisappointing. He reminded himself that in another day he would meet them at the assembly.
Bennet was standing behind his desk when Hill announced his caller. The two men bowed to one another. Bennet indicated one of the chairs before his desk, and he took his seat behind it.
Looking around, Bingley could see the room was much larger than the study in his leased home. He saw many books on the shelves, which reminded him about how well stocked the library at his estate was. He cared not for books, but he was sure Darcy would be happy to find a decent collection of books to peruse.
There was no missing the younger man’s disappointment that he had met no one else, which was Bennet’s intention. His other family members meeting Mr Bingley at the assembly was soon enough.
The fifteen minutes passed quickly, and thereafter; Bingley was being shown out by the butler. On his way out, he noticed the largest footman he had ever seen—the man made Darcy’s man, Thompson, look small, and he was anything but—stationed in front of the door where he had heard female voices. Even if he had desired to take awrong turnand enter the room, Bingley was sure the huge man would not allow him to do so.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
So that he would not arrive at Bingley’s leased estate too early, Darcy would depart London a little before midday after delivering Giana and Mrs Annesley to Matlock House, and taking some time to greet his relatives. His aunt and uncle had mentioned they were to see some family members in a sennight or so.
Knowing they would always watch over Giana, Darcy did not question when, who, or where. He had seen a cryptic grin on Richard’s face but thought no more of it as he began his journey.
As had been his wont since the disaster he had almost caused, his thoughts went to dark places again once he was on his way to Hertfordshire. He was not alone because his valet, Carstens, was seated in the corner of the rear-facing bench. As he usually did, his man made it seem as if he was asleep, leaving it up to his master to speak or not.
There was a stop to rest the horses about two hours out of London. Although he did not eat at the inn, Darcy used the privy and checked on Zeus, his stallion, who was tethered to the coach and was led behind as they travelled. At that moment, the Darcy House groom, who had been sitting on the box with the coachman was making certain the horse was well and giving him some water. Darcy was not concerned the stallion was tired as the coachman, was keeping a steady pace of around five miles an hour so there would be no need to change the team. Soon enough, they were on their way for the less than two hours to their destination.
After the inn, Darcy must have dropped off, because the next thing he knew was feeling his coach slow and make a turn. He saw the gateposts with the name of the estate on them, which meant they had turned onto the drive of the estate his friend had leased.
Even though he had expected it would be thus, Darcy had to school his features to hide his anger at seeing the shrew waiting next to her brother to welcome him. She would not be well pleased because one of the many things he decided was that he was doing her no favours by not making his opinions of her clearly known. One could argue that in a manner of speaking he was leading her on.
Instead of his footman, Bingley opened the door once the step was in place. “Welcome to Netherfield Park, Darce,” Bingley stated excitedly.
Before Miss Bingley could say anything or grasp his arm, Darcy addressed Bingley. “May we defer the greetings until I have warmed myself in my chamber? I will wash and change and then join you,” he stated.
As much as Miss Bingley wanted to grasp her Mr Darcy’s arm, she did not want to anger him. She could tell he was not in the best of moods, so she regulated her behaviour. He would see what a good hostess she was. “If you prefer, I will show you to your suite, which is on the family floor,” Miss Bingley cooed.
“That is against protocol, and, as I am not a member of your family, I will not feel easy in a family chamber. If you can instruct the housekeeper to direct me to a guest suite, I would be grateful,” Darcy said evenly.
Not wanting to argue with him, Miss Bingley agreed with Mr Darcy at once. “I told you, Charles,” she prevaricated.
There was no missing the look of surprise on Bingley’s countenance. Darcy was certain the opposite was true. “There are guest suites prepared; Mrs Nichols will show you to one,” Bingley stated.
The housekeeper told the footmen where to bring Mr Darcy’s trunks.
“Bingley, will you come to my suite in about twenty minutes?” Darcy requested.
Bingley nodded. He hoped Darcy was not angry with him because Caroline had tried to place him in family rooms. Once he nodded, the housekeeper led the guest to where he would be residing, on the guest floor.
