This pacified the matron, and she departed soon thereafter. Later that afternoon, Mr Bennet announced his intention of going out. The girlsthought nothing of it. Their father often rode the fields and called upon the tenants. They went about their business, unaware of his true purposes.
That evening, as they dined on venison, roasted potatoes, and apple tarts, Mr Bennet cleared his throat. “I called upon our new neighbour this afternoon.”
The chatter at the table ceased. Everyone stared at Mr Bennet with wide eyes. Kitty and Lydia burst into giggles, though they were quickly hushed by their governess. Miss Lane nodded approvingly at her charges, the grey curls that poked out of her mob cap bobbing.
“Will you tell us about him, Father?” Mary’s soft voice carried through the now quiet dining room. Elizabeth glanced around at the others. Even Tommy looked interested in what their father had to say about the new tenant at Netherfield.
“Mr Bingley appears to be a kind, amiable man.” Mr Bennet paused and took a bite of potato, chewing thoughtfully. “He has reddish-brown hair with some rather unruly curls. His eyes are green and he seems eager to be pleased with everyone and everything in the area.”
“Is he tall?” Kitty asked.
“Oh, moderately so.” Mr Bennet frowned slightly. “He is taller than I.” He shook his head in mock disgust. Mr Bennet was of average height and often declared he should have liked to have grown a few more inches. “I believe he is just the sort of young man a sensible father could not object to—should he have the misfortune to favour one of my daughters.” His tease prompted laughter from the girls.
“Will he be an amiable acquaintance?” Jane sounded somewhat hopeful, and Elizabeth gave her sister a sidelong glance.
“I believe he will be a most amusing companion.” Mr Bennet wiped his mouth before continuing. “Mr Bingley has promised to return my call in two days.”
Jane and Elizabeth exchanged a glance. The former had a look of anticipation on her face. Elizabeth leaned closely and said, “Tell me, Jane, are you excited?” She raised a knowing eyebrow.
“It is the first time in a long while that we have had a new neighbour.” Jane blushed, giving away her attempt at deflection.
“And the fact that he is an eligible young man has nothing to do with it?”
“Hush, you. We both know that none of the local gentlemen will offer for us. You and I have been out for some time and have nothing to show for it. I shall take this opportunity to know Mr Bingley. Perhaps we might suit.” Jane picked up her glass and took a sip, effectively ending the conversation.
The first visit Mr Bingley paid to Longbourn came but three days after he had taken possession of Netherfield Park. He arrived at Longbourn in a fine curricle drawn by spirited bays. He was warmly received by the ladies of the house. The gentleman extolled the beauty of the country and the felicity of their neighbourhood, all whilst surreptitiously observing Jane. Jane shyly returned his glances, and Elizabeth watched it all with great amusement.
The moment Mr Bingley and Jane’s eyes met, his smile widened, his speech grew somewhat more earnest, and he lingered longer than any mere courtesy demanded. Jane, composed and gentle, spokewith her usual grace and sincerity, her pale blue gown catching the soft light from the drawing-room window as she offered him tea.
From that afternoon onward, Mr Bingley became a frequent caller. Though Mrs Philips was beside herself with elation when she learned of it, Jane bore the attentions with a quiet composure, and as she had been acting as mistress of Longbourn, it naturally fell to her to extend an invitation for Mr Bingley to dine. He accepted with such eagerness that even Mr Bennet took notice, remarking drily that “the young man might as well propose next time and save himself the trouble of so many calls.”
At dinner, Mr Bingley proved the most amiable of guests. He praised the local countryside—declaring Hertfordshire to be “quite the most charming part of England I have yet seen”—and spoke warmly of Sir William Lucas, the Gouldings of Haye Park, and the Longs of Meryton. His conversation was animated, and though his eyes often sought Jane’s, he never neglected the rest of the party, endearing himself even to the youngest Bennet girls, who were granted the privilege of dining with their company once a week—as long as they behaved themselves. Tommy, much to his irritation, was not allowed to dine with the others. Mr Bingley, upon meeting the lad, made sure to speak with him before he was taken upstairs.
“Everyone I have met thus far,” he said one night as they lingered over dessert, “has received me with such warmth that I scarcely feel myself a stranger. I am quite resolved to make Netherfield my home—possibly permanently. In fact, I have written to my sisters and a particular friend of mine, urging them to join me for the autumn. I believe they will find the neighbourhood as agreeable as I do.”
This news was met with great interest, particularly from Lydia, who enquired after his sisters and their expected time of arrival. Mr Bingley answered with good humour and the hope that they would arrive soon.
Mr Bingley’s visits continued with gratifying regularity. Whenever he came, his countenance brightened at the sight of Jane, and though he addressed all the family with due politeness, there was no concealing where his interest truly lay. Jane, for her part, was increasingly affected by his manner, though in her soft and modest way, she betrayed no presumption, even to Elizabeth.
It was the evening before the Meryton assembly that Mr Bingley arrived at Longbourn uncharacteristically solemn. After speaking with Mr Bennet in private, he requested a walk with Miss Bennet in the garden. Elizabeth, tasked with being their chaperone, slowed her pace until they had turned the corner into the walled little wilderness.
The golden light of October dappled the gravel path as they strolled amongst the late-blooming roses. She took a seat on a stone bench, content to wait there until they were done. With a start, she realised she could hear them speaking.
There was a pause, and then, with a touch of nervous sincerity, Mr Bingley spoke. “Miss Bennet,” said he, “these weeks in Hertfordshire have been more delightful than I could have imagined. Your family’s kindness, your conversation, your presence… I must own I have grown most sincerely attached to you. With your permission—and your father’s already obtained—I should be honoured to enter into a courtship.”
Jane did not immediately answer, but when she spoke, her voice was infused with admiration and emotion.
“I would be pleased, Mr Bingley,” she replied gently. “Very pleased.”
The couple fell silent for a moment, and Elizabeth waited somewhat impatiently for them to return. After a few minutes, they came back, Jane’s arm looped through her suitor’s. Both bore expressions that needed no explanation.Mama would have been beside herself with delight,Elizabeththought, smiling with quiet affection. Even Mr Bennet’s look of satisfaction said more than words.
Thus, by the time of the Meryton assembly, it was generally observed that Mr Bingley’s attentions to Miss Bennet were of the most serious kind—and no one was in the least surprised.
The skies above Kent were ashen and low. The carriage wheels left deep furrows in the damp earth as he descended, greeted not by a servant but by the steward himself, who informed him that the early September harvest had begun in earnest. Lady Catherine, the steward noted with some pride, continued her keen interest in every detail of estate management.
Darcy’s journey from Derbyshire had been made in thoughtful silence. He had left Georgiana under the careful care of Mrs Annesley and Fitzwilliam. His cousin would ride to Matlock two days after Darcy’s departure before going to Linden Grange.
Georgiana would be in the best hands with her new companion. His sister had improved since Ramsgate, no longer so pale or withdrawn, but every effort on Darcy’s part to draw her into conversation was met with silent tears and trembling. He bore it with patience, but the weight of his helplessness settled heavily on his shoulders.
