Although he disagreed with most of what Lord Matlock said, Collins would not contradict the great man. He decided he needed to return to the parsonage to plan. He was about to give a low bow when Miss de Bourgh’s words about treasonpenetrated the fog in his brain.
He gave an almost normal bow and took his leave.
He had to come up with a plan, so he would know how to act to protect his birthright from the grasping Bennets.
Chapter 27
On the Friday morning, three days after Bennet proposed to Lulu, Bingley rode to Longbourn alone. He took care to ride at an easy pace and kept to the road and lane and did not ride across the fields so he would be as clean as possible when he reached his destination.
The rest of the Netherfield Park party, except for Aunt Hildebrand, who was meeting with the housekeeper with regards to the upcoming ball they were planning, would be on their way to Longbourn within the next hour or so, making sure she could join them. Because Lulu and Bennet had expressed a preference not to have the ball before their wedding, the date of the ball would be Friday the fifteenth day of November. Their plan was to have a fortnight alone at Longbourn after their wedding breakfast. To that end, the Bennet sisters and their companions and footmen-guards would reside at Netherfield Park for the fortnight and return to Longbourn after the ball. With three companions and the footmen-guards in the house, Bennet had been satisfied that all propriety would be observed with the unofficial courtships taking place.
Bingley’s aim this day was to remove the word ‘unofficial’ and offer Miss Bennet a courtship. If his request was granted and Bennet gave his blessing, it would not change the equation when the Bennet sisters moved to the estate he was leasing due to all the chaperonage that would be present at Netherfield Park.
Even had Bingley been of a mind to breach propriety, hewas well aware he would not survive trying to get past Biggs, Johns, and their men, who would be guarding the family floor where all the ladies would be sleeping. He would join Darcy and Fitzwilliam on the guest floor while Jane and her sisters were guests in the house.
His thoughts of the arrangements for after the wedding faded as his horse approached Longbourn’s front door. By the time he had dismounted, Peter, the groom was holding Bingley’s gelding’s reins.
Hill opened the door before Bingley was able to use the knocker. The butler took his hat, gloves, and greatcoat. “Is Mr Bennet in the study?” Bingley enquired.
“He is, Mr Bingley, please go ahead,” Hill said with a bow.
“Come,” Bennet called out when he heard a knock. He doubted it was one of his girls and was proved correct when Bingley marched in, his back straight, a resolute look in his eyes. ‘And so it begins,’ he thought.
“Bennet, I would like your permission to address Miss Bennet in private,” Bingley requested evenly.
“Have Lulu and I inspired you to propose? If you do, I think Jane may ask you for more time,” Bennet opined. “I know you to be an honest, honourable, and resolute man, so if Jane agrees to whatever you ask, I will not stand in your way.”
“I appreciate your encouraging words, but no. I plan to request a courtship,” Bingley responded. “I would not take this step if I did not think we will end up married one day, but the last thing I want to do is rush Miss Bennet.” Bingley paused. “Did I ever tell you that before I matured, I used to only consider the look of a woman?” He saw Bennet shake his head. “I realised how shallow that was, and that what is inside a person is so much more important than the outer shell. It was Miss Bennet’s character, generosity, intelligence, and compassion which caught my eye. That she is a beauty is anadded benefit.”
“You will do well for my Jane. On Tuesday you welcomed me to your family; I believe it will be me welcoming you to mine soon.” Bennet stood. “Wait here, and I will send Jane to you. No more than ten minutes, and need I tell you about the door? One of thesmallmen will be in the hallway outside the door.”
In less than five minutes after her father exited the study, Jane entered and partially closed the door. “Good morning, Mr Bingley. Papa said you would like to see me,” Jane sang.
“May we sit?” Bingley inclined his head to the settee between the windows. After a nod from Miss Bennet, he led her to the seat. Once she was seated and comfortable, he sat, keeping a proper distance between them. “Miss Bennet, I do not think I am deluding myself when I say that we enjoy one another’s company.”
“No, Mr Bingley, you are not,” Jane agreed.
“My opinion is that we are very well suited; however, we have only known one another for a few weeks, and the last thing I want is to pressure and rush you to make a decision you are not ready to make. I respect you far too much for that. My aim is for us to get to know one another much better to see if we, like I believe we do, well and truly suit. To that end, Miss Jane Bennet, would you honour me by accepting an official courtship with me?”
“Like you, I think we will do well together. That being said, I am very pleased you respect me enough to allow me the time I need because at this point, although I enjoy your company and there are the beginnings of tender feelings, a courtship is perfect for us to reach the point when we will both know. Like Papa, all of us sisters will only marry for love built on respect, and we have the latter already.
“In other words, yes, Mr Bingley, I will be happy to be courted by you,” Jane accepted.
“Even though you are of age, I will ask your father for his blessing, though he did say he would not deny it.” Bingley took each of Jane’s hands in one of his own. He lifted one and then the other, leaving a lingering kiss on the top of each one.
Jane felt frissons of pleasure each time his lips touched her uncovered skin. Yes, she did not believe it would take very long to fall in love with this man.
As he had promised he would, Bennet gave his blessing to the courtship without delay. The congratulations were flowing when the rest of the party from Netherfield Park arrived.
‘God has been very good to us,’ Hildebrand opined silently with her eyes lifted to the heavens. ‘First, there was the miracle that Lulu was engaged to a man who loved her for herself. A man who saw her for the wonderful woman she is and not her birthmark. Now, Charles has found an estimable woman, who is as beautiful on the inside and possibly more so than on the outside.’
As happy as they were for Bingley, Fitzwilliam and Darcy each looked at the Bennet sister with whom he was falling in love and hoped that one day in the not-too-distant future it would be his turn.
Had they been soothsayers, they would have been able to tell that Elizabeth and Mary were having very similar thoughts about each of them.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
A little later during the visit, Bennet was sitting with Lulu on the sofa in the drawing room. He leant his head close to hers. “I received this letter from Maddie Gardiner, the girls’ aunt. You may read it as it offers their wishes for our happinessand they are asking something about the wedding.” He handed it to his love and she began to read.
