Jane and Elizabeth saw Mrs Nichols on their way inside, and they both stopped and greeted Mrs Hill’s younger sister warmly.
When the Bennets and Hursts arrived in the drawing room, introductions were made between the Hurst parents and the three Bennets present. With that done, Leticia invited them to be seated.
“Mr Bennet, as the new owner, I must thank you for the care you showed to this estate before I purchased it,” Hurst began. “Harold told me that you did so in return for Mr Morris selling you land which used to belong to your estate. However, thanks to you, we found a very well-run estate and happy tenants, staff, and servants.”
“Please call me Bennet, like I invited your son to do. The only quandary now is if I use Hurst, which one of you will respond?” Bennet responded.
“Then, Bennet, call me Harold or Harry,” he invited.
“Address me as Hurst,” the elder Mr Hurst allowed.
“How long will you be here?” Bennet enquired. “That is, if you are willing to share that information.”
“The reason for our sojourn in the neighbourhood is that we want our son to be at least six months of age before we travel again. Also, we do not want to return north in the middle of the winter with him at this age,” Harold explained. “We plan to be in residence for at least five months.”
“We wanted to meet with you in advance because as we will be in company at neighbourhood events, we do not want to have to act like we are indifferent strangers meeting for the first time. If your neighbours note we know one another, they may only have questions about how or where we met. In addition, I must also thank you for respecting my desire to keep my ownership of this estate from becoming public knowledge,” Hurst stated.
“It was no hardship to keep your confidence,” Bennet acknowledged.
“I suggest that the truth will suffice,” Elizabeth said. “We met you two on…” She recited the meetings and what they had discussed as if she were reading everything from a sheet of paper.
“It slipped my mind that I had met you briefly at Gardiners, Miss Elizabeth. You were there as well, were you not, Miss Bennet?” Hurst verified.
“Yes, Mr Hurst, I was with Lizzy that time. I was not there with Papa and Lizzy, but I met the younger Mrs Hurst here,” Jane confirmed. “I agree with Lizzy; we can tell the truth but not mention we previously met your son and daughter-in-law.”
“Bennet, your girls are very intelligent. The best stories are those built around truth,” Hurst owned.
“Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, Louisa told me of your prowess on the harp and pianoforte. She also mentioned that you told her there is a younger sister, one who is even better at the keyboard,” Leticia remembered. “Will we meet her and hear her play soon?”
“I am sure we can arrange a call and bring Mary with us, or you may call at Longbourn whenever you chuse,” Bennetallowed. “If you visit us at our estate, I must warn you…” He related facts about his wife and two youngest daughters, not being very complimentary to them.
Louisa and Harold shared a look. They could not imagine speaking of one another in such a disrespectful manner.
Tea service arrived and interrupted the conversations. After tea, Jane and Elizabeth exhibited for the Hursts. The older couple, not having heard them, and even though they had been told of how well the two girls played, were astounded by their talents.
When he had a chance, Harold approached Bennet where they could speak in relative privacy. “You may tell me if my question is out of bounds, but have you attempted to correct your wife and youngest daughters’ behaviour? I am sure you have educated them so they know how to behave in polite society, have you not?”
The younger Hurst’s words hit Bennet like the kick of astallion’shind legs. He had been putting off contacting Gardiner regarding employing a governess, knowing just how much his wife would caterwaul.
He felt ashamed. Here he had been denigrating Fanny, Catherine, and Lydia, and he had done nothing to correct things. “I must think,” was all Bennet said.
Harold was pleased. He had estimated that Bennet was an intelligent man who could be somewhat obstinate. His approach of asking questions and not making accusations had been designed to make the man think, and it seemed that aim had been realised.
The three Bennets departed shortly thereafter.
Chapter 12
As was his habit on arriving home from the offices in the warehouse, after greeting his wife and two children—which now included greeting Maddie’s belly, as she was with child again—Edward Gardiner made for his office in the house to see if there was any correspondence which needed his urgent attention.
He had been in the office for less than a half hour when, missive in hand, he entered the drawing room where his beautiful and enceinte wife was sitting and darning some of his socks.
“Was there nothing which required your attention from the epistles on your desk?” Maddie enquired.
“There were one or two, but there was also this letter from Bennet.” He lifted the missive. “Even though he has been building dowries for the girls, I never expected to see him do this. Here, Maddie, take and read it for yourself so you will know I am not funning you.” He handed his wife the pages.
Maddie unfolded the paper and began to read.
5 September 1804
