Darcy joined his guests for breakfast, eager to return to his son and wife as soon as he had done his duty. Regarding the motley crew, he observed that some people never changed, whilst others had altered significantly.
“I say you should not have been so eager to wed, Jane. With your beauty, you could have married a duke since Lydia has secured a future count.”
Both Lydia and Jane swivelled their heads towards the Bennet matriarch and exclaimed simultaneously, “Mother!”
An uncomfortable silence descended upon the party. Darcy was searching his mind for a safe topic when Bingley spoke.
“Dear Jane, I have been contemplating an important matter for quite some time, though I have yet to broach the subject with you. As of this moment, any qualms I may have harboured have been laid to rest, and I am finally ready to proceed.”
“Yes?” Jane prompted him with raised eyebrows.
“What say you we give up the lease on Netherfield and move closer to Elizabeth?”
“I say yes,” Jane agreed, smiling.
Darcy was certain that her hand had moved beneath the table to squeeze Bingley’s knee. Or at least, he hoped it was his knee… By the absolutely besotted expression covering his friend’s face, he could not be certain.
“Why would you ever consider giving up Netherfield?” Mrs Bennet protested with derision clouding her prettyish face. “It is the grandest house in the neighbourhood.”
Bingley managed not to acknowledge his mother-in-law, not a twitch suggesting he had heard anything she said. All his attention centred upon his wife.
“Good, because I have found an estate not ten miles from Pemberley. With your consent, I shall begin investigating the house, the grounds, and the profitability at once.”
“I have heard nothing more preposterous in my life!” Mrs Bennet cried.
To Darcy’s astonishment, the serene and compliant Jane Bingley completely disregarded her mother and beamed at her husband.
“Please do. I am eager to see it. Oh, what is the name of this estate? Darcy might know something about it.”
“It is Beeley Hall in Cavendish village. Do you know it, Darcy?”
“Yes, it is modest compared to Netherfield Park—about the size of Longbourn, or perhaps a little larger.”
Jane clapped her hands together and beamed. “It sounds perfect. Oh, I do hope the house, grounds, and prospects are adequate. I would love to live close to Lizzy and watch Master Fitzwilliam grow into his breeches.”
“You will do no such thing,” Mrs Bennet complained.
Jane turned to her mother with a fierce glare. “The decision has been made.”
What could Mrs Bennet have done to provoke the amenable Mrs Bingley to gainsay her mother so forcefully and display a pronounced wish to move far away? It could not have been merely her invidious remark about the lady’s husband. He had better have a private conversation with Bingley.
“Would you mind joining me in my study once you have finished breakfast, Bingley?”
“Not at all. I was about to suggest the same, and I am quite full.”
Darcy rose and Bingley followed.
“What do you think about Beeley Hall?” Bingley questioned as soon as they were seated.
“It is a well-managed estate that yields about two and a half to three thousand a year. It is less than what you are accustomed to, but the expense will not deplete your capital completely. If you invest what you have left prudently, you should be able to live comfortably.”
Bingley grinned. “I should think so. My wealth is growing nicely. My father was one of the original investors in the Middleton Railway, and the introduction of the steam locomotive last year has doubled my profit.”
“Interesting. I have shares there, too, and I agree. It is quite the lucrative business.”
“So, when can we inspect Beeley?”
Darcy would prefer to remain at home with Elizabeth, but Bingley was, in some manner, his charge.
