“You are not the first to remark on that fact,” Mrs Devon noted. She rang for tea.
“Bennet, we will not sport with your intelligence and make it seem like we are ignorant of your situation. We have heard of your being subjected to a compromise and what occurred recently,” Devon broached. “The knowledge did not reduce our desire to know you and your family.”
“It is not surprising you have heard of the situation already. This is a small and unvarying community where very little of note occurs. You can imagine the excitement the whole situation generated,” Bennet related. “As my mother has said, regardless of how it happened, I have been blessed with adaughter, one who I will love and protect for as long as I am able before some man steals her away, one dayfarin the future.”
“It is admirable that you do not take the sins of the mother out on her daughter,” Becca remarked.
“Are we not all deserving of a chance to show who we are and not be blamed for that over which we had no control?” Bennet posed. “I am Jane’s father and will be until I draw my final breath in the mortal world.”
The man exuded intelligence, and Becca was impressed by his answers, especially his attitude towards his innocent daughter. The arrival of tea ended conversation for a short time.
Mrs Devon prepared his cup to his specifications, handing it to Bennet along with a plate with some treats he had selected from the abundance before him. Based on the tea service and the variety of treats, Bennet’s opinion that they were from the upper levels of society and reasonably wealthy was reinforced. Once everyone had enjoyed their tea and treats, Mrs Devon rang, and two maids and a footman came to remove the tea service.
“I am glad to see you are restoring Netherfield Park to what it should be. I am afraid the previous owner was distracted by his primary property and did not dedicate resources needed for this estate.”
Devon inclined his head at the compliment.
Bennet added, “The other area he neglected was his library; I hope you will restore it as well. I know it is not my concern, but I am a bibliophile.”
“So am I,” Becca blurted out before she could stop herself. “Papa is allowing me to restock the library. If you can point me to a good bookshop I would appreciate it. It will be some time until we are in London and have access to the shops there.”
“It would be my pleasure, Miss Devon. Between my late father and myself, we have several duplicates in my library. When your family calls on us, you are welcome to peruse the tomes,” Bennet stated keenly. He saw that he had reached the end of the time for a polite call and stood. “I hope I will have the pleasure of introducing you to my mother and to my daughter, if she is awake, at Longbourn soon.” Bows and curtsies were exchanged as Bennet prepared to leave.
Devon escorted his guest out. After Bennet retrieved his accoutrements, the two men walked out onto the veranda. “A good-looking stallion you have there,” Devon noted.
“Plato was my late father’s mount. He does very well for me too,” Bennet explained.
The two men shook hands. Devon waited until Bennet had mounted and turned his horse towards the gateposts. “Estimable fellow that,” he said when he returned to the drawing room. He turned to his eldest daughter. “His horse is named Plato. I have a feeling he is one who enjoys the Greek classics like you.
“When will we call on the Bennets?” Becca enquired nonchalantly. Was it silly that on so short an acquaintance she had felt a spark? She hoped to come to know Mr Bennet better, to discover who he really was.
“On Monday or Tuesday coming,” Mrs Devon stated.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Beth Bennet was looking forward to meeting the Devons after Thomas’s report upon his return from Netherfield Park. Based on hearing that Mrs Devon had a son only slightly younger than Thomas, Beth guessed she and Netherfield Park’s mistress were of a similar age. She was looking forward topossibly making a new friend in the neighbourhood. Unlike Thomas, who was a little more reticent, Beth enjoyed socialising.
Her curiosity was satisfied on Monday morning when the Devons were announced soon after the accepted hour for calls arrived. “Bennet, will you introduce us to your mother?” Devon requested once Hill had announced them.
Bennet did as was asked, and once everyone had taken seats, Beth rang for tea. It was not many minutes after the tea service was cleared away that the two matrons were seated on a settee getting to know one another. Devon and Bennet were speaking of the autumn harvest, and the sisters were speaking quietly to one another.
“Mr Bennet, you mentioned your library,” Becca reminded him during a break in the conversation between the two fathers.
“Indeed I did. If your father will join us, I will happily show you the collection. I do not have a formal library as you do at Netherfield Park; my books are in my study,” Bennet responded.
Becca looked at her father with an arched eyebrow. “As long as the Bennets do not object to our presence beyond fifteen minutes, I will join you,” Devon agreed.
“Please do not stand on ceremony with us,” Beth interjected. “Besides, it will give me more time to get to know your wife. Unless you need to be somewhere at a specific time, please remain as long as you need. I know how Thomas gets when he discovers a fellow lover of the written word. Jane may wake, and you will be able to meet her as well.”
Devon looked to his wife. “We have no prior engagements, you and Becca, and I dare say, Connie, too, will enjoy your time in the library,” Mrs Devon agreed.
The youngest Devon nodded her agreement enthusiastically,
Bennet stood and led Devon and his daughters to his study. The three guests stood and took in the sight which met them on entering Bennet’s domain. It was not a small room, but also not the largest one they had ever seen either. Except for where the door, windows, and fireplace were, there was no other open space as the walls had floor-to-ceiling bookcases. If there were not enough books on the shelves, there were three or four piles of books on the floor.
The two windows, which had a settee just in front of them, looked out onto the small park, which, besides the flower beds, had several large old oaks, all verdant.
“The piles on the floor are duplicates of tomes which are found on the shelves. You are welcome to any of them for your library, and if any of you would like to borrow a book from the shelves, please help yourselves. The only ones which do not leave my study are the first editions of four of Shakespeare’s plays, and the ancient copies ofThe IliadandThe Odysseythere.” Bennet pointed to a shelf behind his desk. “It is in the original Greek.”
