~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
All of the Bennet sisters, except for the youngest, were visiting Uncle Henry when an express was brought in by the cook-housekeeper. She handed it to Miss Lizzy, knowing that was what the master would tell her to do regardless.
Elizabeth read the note from Uncle Henry’s valet. “The ship arrived today. They will be on their way by now,” Elizabeth reported.
“To Purvis Lodge, we will go. You girls came on your horses, so my coachman will drive me in my phaeton,” Henry stated excitedly. He was about to meet Felicity again after more than fifty years!
Chapter 16
Henry and his great-nieces arrived at Purvis Lodge before the family from one of the territories of the United States did.
Jane and Elizabeth went over the preparations with the housekeeper and butler and reminded them that other than Mrs Felicity Taylor, none of those who would reside in the home were used to the customs those living in England took for granted. Mr Mercury and Mrs Austin, the butler and housekeeper, said they were prepared and would not take offence when there was a clash of cultures.
The manor at Purvis Lodge was smaller than Longbourn, which was why Henry intended to ask his sister if she would like to live at the dower house with him. It would give the Taylors at this estate more space, and it would allow Henry time to come to know his older sister again. He had made sure that everything his sister and her family would need was available to them.
To that end, being certain that his family members all rode, Henry had made sure that the stables were well stocked with riding horses. He knew not if Felicity still rode, but he remembered that she used to love the sport before her wedding and departure from England. He was aware that some females, especially those who grew up out of the main large cities, rode astride. He wondered how soon it would take for some in the area to be scandalised by his newly arrived great-nieces.
“Everything is prepared for the Taylors,” Elizabeth reported. She found Uncle Henry in the drawing room.
“I did not doubt you would make sure all was done before they arrived,” Henry praised. “I hope Janey will not close herself off to the possibility of liking Roger just because your mother wants to push them together.”
“You have not heard?” Elizabeth smiled widely.
“What has Fanny done now?” Henry shook his head.
“She has given Jane a choice. Either shecatchesCousin Roger or the new tenant of Netherfield Park. Aunt Hattie knows the estate has been leased, but she knows not the name or anything else about the man; hence, Mama knows nothing about him either. They assumed he was wealthy enough since he was able to afford the lease for a year,” Elizabeth revealed.
“His name is Bingley. Poor man. It is sad,” Henry stated, “that my new tenant cannot come to a house which he has legally leased without raising all this speculation! My hope is that your father will make sure Fanny leaves him be.”
“In Mama’s mind, the interest on her dowry would not be enough for herself, so any unmarried daughters are a threat to her future comfort,” Elizabeth opined.
“I wish I could refute your words, but I have never before seen the abject selfishness I have in your parents. It is a sorry thing that they are unable to put the needs of their children ahead of their own,” Henry said sorrowfully. “But today is not a day for maudlin thoughts. I am to see the sister I thought I would never meet on the mortal coil again. I am sorry now I did not ask your Uncle Gardiner to have his men seek them years before I did.”
“There is nought you can do to change the past, so I recommend you look forward to the pleasure of seeing your sister and meeting her son and the rest of her family,” Elizabeth suggested.
“You are always a wise one, Lizzy,” Henry responded. “I will concentrate on that thought.”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Why did you lease an estate that is not in Derbyshire?” Miss Bingley screeched after her brother told her and the Hursts of the estate he had leased in Hertfordshire.
“Caro, did you not hear Charles say that he did exactly what Messrs Fitzwilliam and Darcy recommended?” Mrs Hurst asked.
Miss Bingley opened her mouth to yell at her older sister for interrupting her venting of her spleen directed at their brother. Before she did so, she remembered Charles’s words, and he had indeed said that he had acted on a recommendation by Mr Darcy. Mr Fitzwilliam was a good second choice, but she was determined to become Mrs Darcy because he was far wealthier than his cousin, even if the latter was the son of an earl, albeit only the second son, and besides, Mr Fitzwilliam did not own a house in town.
What would Mr Darcy think if he heard that she had disagreed with him? She could not have that. “I was only teasing you, Charles,” Miss Bingley dissembled. “Of course, Mr Darcy is correct.”
“There are some particular clauses in the lease, all of which Darcy and Fitzwilliam said were good things,” Bingley pressed.
“And what, pray tell, would they be?” Miss Bingley demanded.
Bingley related the special terms, and when he mentioned no abusing or sacking servants, his sister almost lost her temper. What pushed her over the edge was the no redecorating or changing of furniture stipulation.
“How am I to show Mr Darcy what a perfect mistress I will be of his homes if I am not allowed to decorate in the fashion to which he is accustomed? How could you agree to such a thing? It is insupportable; Iwillmake the rooms fashionable!” Miss Bingley insisted. “What will Mr Darcy think seeing rooms which were decorated, if it can be called that, bysome country bumpkin?”
“Caroline, Fitzwilliam and Darcy toured the house and the estate with me. Both of them mentioned that the way Netherfield Park’s house is decorated is the same style theirs are, and they found it very appealing,” Bingley shared.
Caroline Bingley was horrified! How was it that one as high in society and wealthy as Mr Darcy approved of country décor and had his houses in the same style? She would have much work to do once he offered for her. For now, she could not say anything against his tastes. Once they were married, then she would be free to express her true opinions.
