“Cousin Liam, you moved out of Netherfield Park just this morning, did you not?” Elizabeth verified. When Darcy nodded it was so, she looked at her father. “We should send Brian or John and some of their men to make sure Miss Bingley only packs what is hers and that she does not harass the staff and servants while she moves out.”
“That is a good suggestion,” Bennet agreed. He turned to speak to Johns, who nodded and made for the stables with three other guards.
“What is thisLiambusiness, Fitz?” Richard enquired with a grin.
“Did you ever bother to check if our cousin liked being called Fitz?” Mary asked, arms akimbo. “He does not, so Lizzy suggested Liam based on the fact it is still part of his familiar name, and not one he objects to, and Liam agreed he preferred that name over Fitz.”
The grin was wiped off Richard’s face. “We should have checked with you before naming you Fitz, sorry Cousin,” he stated contritely.
“I think we should return to the house,” Bennet opined.
Andrew whispered something in Jane’s ear. She nodded vigorously. “Bennet, may Jane and I remain outdoors? I have a particular question to ask of her,” Andrew requested.
He did not even need to ask if Jane approved, as Bennet saw the unbridled joy in his eldest’s looks aimed at her suitor. “Iapprove. Biggs, you will remain where you can see, but not hear them. They have ten minutes. Hilldale, I expect to see you in my study soon.”
The ladies who were in the house had watched all from the study as the windows from that room gave them an unimpeded view. “Why are Andy and Cousin Jane remaining?” Georgiana asked innocently.
“Come, Dear,” Lady Elaine said as she turned her niece away from the window, “all will be revealed soon enough.”
Becca was the last to exit the study. Her heart was full of joy for her eldest.
Chapter 21
Seeing that he was still in a stupor as a result of everything that had just occurred—the eviction, the ruination of his name, and the loss of Darcy’s friendship, but more importantly, his former friend’s support—Bingley did not pay attention to his squirming sister on the opposite bench. He was oblivious to the fact she was still bound and gagged, but could not regret the quietude in the cabin of the coach.
A sound kick to his shin reminded him that his sister was present in the conveyance with him. It was then that Bingley noted that Caroline’s arms were still bound and the gag was in her mouth. As much as he did not desire to hear what she had to say, Bingley knew he could not leave her in this state.
He first untied the rope holding her arms behind her back. The thanks he received was a hard slap to his one cheek. She removed the gag herself.
“How dare you allow those people to treat me in this infamous fashion?” Miss Bingley screeched. “If it were not for your failure, we would both be engaged to a Bennet now!”
Based on his sister’s screeching, Bingley could tell that she had ignored what Mr Bennet said about giving in to a compromise. He was at fault for going along with his younger sister’s scheme. He tried to ignore the voice, which remindedhim he was a willing participant and had wanted to hold and kiss Miss Bennet’s beauty regardless of what Caroline had ordered.
Mr Bennet had had the right of it. If they had joined the Hursts in travelling to London, they would not be ruined now. He decided not to dignify his sister’s wrongheaded accusations with a response. Now, thought was required.
A way to keep his money, or the lease, was imperative. Thanks to the massive bills for Caroline’s overspending over the years, he had had to dip into the principal of his fortune to meet his annual expenses. Hence, he could little afford the thousands of pounds he would now lose if he was not refunded the money for the eleven months remaining on the lease.
“Do not ignore me!” Miss Bingley screamed.
The coach turned onto Meryton’s main street, and seeing the sign for the law offices of Frank Phillips, Bingley had an idea. Still ignoring his sister, he struck the ceiling, and his coachman halted the team of four pulling them.
Bingley alighted and told the footman to close the door. Then he turned to the coachman. “Peters, drive Miss Bingley back to the estate, return, and wait here for me,” he instructed. As soon as he stood back, the coachman flicked the ribbons, and the equipage was on its way.
After he watched his coach turn onto the road to Netherfield Park, Bingley entered the law practise. “I am here to see Mr Phillips,” Bingley told the clerk.
“Allow me to ask if Mr Phillips is available to receive you, Sir. You do not have an appointment, do you?” Bingley confirmed he did not. The clerk walked to a door at the opposite end of the office, knocked once, and disappeared inside. A few minutes later, he exited and showed the gent into Mr Phillips’s office.
Phillips was fully aware why Mr Bingley was in his office, but he would allow the man to explain on his own. “How may I be of service to you, Mr Bingley?” Phillips enquired. He indicated a chair before his desk.
“I would like you to sue Mr Bennet on my behalf. He is attempting to evict me from Netherfield Park and steal my money,” Bingley began after seating himself.
“Mr Bingley, do you remember how I begged you to read everything in the lease before you signed and executed it, right here, in this very office? Have you perused your copy of the document?” Phillips asked.
“When the butler told us about the clauses regarding the furniture, I did read the lease, which was after the fact. I do not remember it all verbatim, but I do not believe we have done anything to contravene the terms.” Bingley paused while he cogitated. “By the by, why did you not reveal that Mr Bennet is my landlord?”
“Becausemy clientchose not to list his name in the contract, and more than that, it was completely irrelevant. As you had never met the Bennets before you took the lease, how would knowing the name have changed things?” Phillips demanded.
Knowing that what the solicitor said was the truth, Bingley had to think of another line of attack. “How can Mr Bennet evict me on a whim and keep my money just because I was attracted to his eldest daughter? That cannot be legal and is the reason I want to bring suit against him.”
