“No more than I had Lizzy tell your father. In her letter, Felicity only names her son and eldest grandson. I just today received a note from the Dennington Lines that my sister and her family are on their way. I would expect them to reach London in the next sennight to fortnight. When they arrive, all of the questions will be answered.” Henry paused. “Jane, without going into the amounts involved, I will tell you that even if you never marry, you will never want for anything. I do not ask you to lie to your parents, like I have never asked it of your next three younger sisters, so all I ask is to only answer direct questions from your parents without volunteering more than they want to know. I am very happy to have you as part of the circle of my great-nieces. I will tell you that I never expect Lydia to wake to the facts. I, we, are all concerned she will ruin herself.”
Rather than trying to find a positive which was not there, Jane spent a long, hard time thinking about Lydia. “I am afraid you are correct. She will do anything Mama asks, no matter how dishonourable. I am worried that if more officers come to Meryton, she will indeed ruin herself,” Jane stated as she shook her head.
“Brava, Janey. That is the most unforgiving speech that I ever heard you utter. Good girl! It would vex me, indeed, to see you being duped by Lydia’s non-existent character,” Elizabeth exclaimed.
That Jane was able to see past her desire to ascribe good to everyone impressed Henry. He would not change who his heir was, but if this continued, he would increase Jane’sportion to match what he had set aside for Mary and Kitty. He was well pleased that his eldest Bennet great-niece had finally awoken to see the reality of who her parents and younger sister were.
The sisters remained and took turns reading to Uncle Henry for two hours before they asked for their horses to be saddled. Before they departed, when asked, Jane gratefully told Uncle Henry she would not refuse a mare as she had in the past.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
That afternoon Jane joined her next three younger sisters in riding to the stables at Netherfield Park. Jane did not ask why they went to the neighbouring estate, although she suspected it belonged to Uncle Henry. Not knowing would allow her to answer the question—if it were asked of her—about who owned the estate honestly.
Lizzy led them to the stables, and there Jane was shown four mares. The last one she saw was a bay. She was very calm, was between fourteen and fifteen hands high, and had a white blaze on her nose and forehead. Jane loved the way her black mane, tail, and lower legs looked against her reddish-brown colour. Lizzy told her the mare was named Penelope from Greek mythology.
“If she is not too expensive, I would like to have her,” Jane stated as she rubbed the mare’s nose. She was only four, so Jane would have her as her mount for many years.
“I am sure Uncle Henry will work out a good price with the owner of Netherfield Park,” Elizabeth said as she fought to school her features.
A groom joined them on their ride back to Longbourn; he led Nellie back.
Elizabeth intended to suggest that her father allow Nellie to retire and be put out to pasture. As it would not cost him funds or effort, she was certain that he would allow it.
As the four Bennet sisters were departing, a coach arrived in the drive.
Chapter 15
Darcy was looking out of the window of the coach as it was slowing down to stop at the estate Bingley was considering leasing.
He had not been looking at anything in particular when he saw what looked like a group of women riding away from behind the manor house, where he assumed the stables were. He could not make out the features of any of the ladies on the mounts, but he could see that they were being accompanied by a footman or groom who was leading a rather old-looking horse behind them.
‘At least they are not riding alone,’ Darcy thought as the group disappeared from view. Richard and Bingley had been looking at the house on the other side of the carriage, so they had not noted the riders, and Darcy decided not to mention them.
A man was waiting for them in the drive. “Mr Bingley, I presume. I am Mr Phillips, the leasing agent for this estate,” Phillips said as he bowed.
“I am indeed Charles Bingley. With me I have two friends who are experienced with estate management. The Honourable Mr Richard Fitzwilliam of Rivington in Surrey and Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire.”
It was a surprise to Darcy that rather than the solicitor fawn over himself and Richard, all he did was give a polite bow.
“Before we proceed, there are some terms in the lease which are non-negotiable. If they are unacceptable to you, I would rather know now so that I do not waste your time or youmine,” Phillips stated.
This was shocking to Darcy. Rather than use any means necessary to have Bingley sign the lease so the tradesman could earn his commission, the man was about to enumerate some terms which may cause someone considering leasing the estate to change his mind. Against his own inclinations, Darcy was impressed.
Bingley looked at his two friends; each one nodded his head. “I will hear what you have to say,” Bingley allowed.
“I suggest we repair to the drawing room where we may discuss this inside rather than in the drive,” Phillips stated. He turned and led the three men up the broad stone steps to a nice sized veranda before entering through the double doors.
Richard placed a hand on his cousin’s arm to hold him back. “You must find it rather surprising to find a tradesman withintegrity, William,” he said quietly.
The rebuke had been disguised, but Darcy nevertheless felt the sting. Why had he made some asinine comment about those in active trade, always wanting to grab whatever they could? He had been trying to justify his excluding Bingley. Had he become an arrogant horse’s arse as Andrew and Richard accused him of being?
The butler relieved the cousins of their outerwear and directed them to the drawing room where Bingley and the agent were waiting.
Phillips waited for the other two men to be seated. “The lease only covers the house and the home farm. You have access to the steward who will help you with the tenant relations, but you have no authority over the tenants. Except for the fenced area surrounding the dower house, you may hunt on any of Netherfield Park’s land, that is not part of a farmer’s lease; there is more than enough for hunting available, and to my knowledge the coveys of pheasant have long been undisturbed. The other condition the landlord hasno flexibility with is the staff and servants. The butler and housekeeper, Mr and Mrs Nichols, as well as all of those working here, are employed by the owner. You may, of course, expect them to fulfil their duties fully, correctly, and respectfully, but they may not be sacked, verbally or physically abused. Another item which is not up for discourse is that neither the interior décor, which includes the furnishings, nor the gardens may be changed in any way. Any contravention of this will result in immediate eviction, and the remainder of your money paid on the lease will be forfeit. One last thing; anything wilfully broken in the house will be paid for by you at twice the cost of replacement. Your personal servants are, of course, your responsibility. I will give you some time to speak, and you may let me know if you still want to tour the house and estate.” Phillips stood and walked out of the drawing room. A footman pulled the door closed.
“Caroline will not be happy,” Bingley predicted.
“Why? Because, your younger sister will not be allowed to abuse servants like she does at Hurst House, even though those who are employed by the Hursts are not her servants? Also, I believe she is not the mistress there,” Richard shot back. “You should be thankful you will have an excuse to stop her applying her gaudy stamp on this house, and if I were you, I would make sure breakables are far out of her reach.”
