Chapter 1
"Come, girls! Quickly! We must make haste to Mrs. Long's."
Elizabeth Bennet had just returned from a walk when the sound of her mother's voice drew her attention. She saw her being handed into the carriage, followed by Kitty and Lydia. Earlier, Mama had declared her intention of calling on Lady Lucas and Mrs. Long. These three ladies came together on a regular basis to commiserate over the unwed state of their daughters and to bemoan the lack of eligible young gentlemen in the area. However, Elizabeth knew the tenor of today’s discussion would be different. There was a young man recently moved into the neighborhood. Her good friend Charlotte Lucas would be here soon to take tea with her and Jane, and would no doubt have news of their new neighbor. With that thought in mind, Elizabeth hurried through the garden gate, into the house, and took the servant stairs up to her bedchamber.
A bit later, Elizabeth entered the drawing room with a book in hand. The light that flooded the space from two large, opposingwindows, together with the floral and striped fabrics of certain pieces of furniture, made the room bright and cheerful. She found her other sisters sitting on the couch and joined them. Jane was bent over her embroidery hoop, and Mary was reading.
“Is that Shakespeare?” Mary asked, nodding to the book in Elizabeth’s hands.
Elizabeth smiled. “Yes, Shakespeare’s sonnets. I like to spend time with the Bard now and then.”
Mary chuckled softly.
Their butler, Mr. Hill, announced Charlotte, and they stood to welcome her. After a warm exchange of greetings, Mary excused herself to practice at the pianoforte.
“This weather is very peculiar, is it not?" Charlotte remarked. "So many unseasonably warm days! Though I am sure I shall hear no complaints from you, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth giggled. “Indeed, you shall not! I take every opportunity to enjoy this lovely weather.”
“I can attest to that,” Jane said. “She most certainly has.”
Mrs. Hill brought tea, and Jane served them.
Elizabeth turned to her friend. “Charlotte, you must tell us about your trip to town. How was it?”
“It was very enjoyable,” Charlotte said with enthusiasm. “Although my mother was determined that a great deal of shopping be done, Maria and I were equally determined to at least take in a play or tour an exhibit while we were there. Fortunately, we were able to attend a production ofRomeo and Juliet. We thoroughly enjoyed it.”
“Jane and I are to go to London in a few weeks’ time to visit our Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. We hope to follow your example, Charlotte, and avail ourselves of the entertainments on offer,” Elizabeth replied.
“A very sensible plan indeed! We ladies must take our pleasure where we can," Charlotte said with a soft chuckle. “Oh! BeforeI forget, I would like to invite you and your family to join us Tuesday evening. We are to host a dinner at Lucas Lodge.”
“Thank you for your kind invitation," Jane said. "I do not believe we have any fixed engagements. We would be delighted to join you.”
“Splendid.” Then, with a smirk, Charlotte asked, “So, have you heard aught of our new neighbor?”
“Only that he is a young man and unmarried,” Jane replied.
“He is indeed,” Charlotte confirmed. “His name is Mr. Bingley. He is very wealthy, and he has taken a lease on Netherfield Park. His late father was in trade and very successful. It is my understanding that Mr. Bingley attended Cambridge. Clearly, his father made sure his son had a gentleman’s education.” She paused for dramatic effect. "And, by all accounts, Mr. Bingley is very amiable and very handsome."
“Hmm . . . I assume your father has made his acquaintance?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes, he has, sometime last week, I think.”
“I wonder if Papa has called on him yet,” Jane said, glancing at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth gave her sister a rueful smile. "Knowing Papa, if he has, he will not tell us until the very last minute.”
“You are probably right, Lizzy. It may be that we will not meet Mr. Bingley until the assembly on Saturday, if he comes.”
“He expressed to my father his intention of attending the assembly. He also mentioned that he enjoys dancing,” Charlotte said.
“Excellent! There are never enough young men to dance with. If he simply partners as many young ladies as possible, I shall think very well of him and bestow high marks for gallantry!” Elizabeth teased.
When Charlotte took her leave, Elizabeth and Jane went out to walk in the garden. The conversation with Charlotte on both their minds.
“This Mr. Bingley sounds very interesting, does he not?” Elizabeth asked.
“I dread the embarrassing things Mama will do and say in his presence,” Jane lamented.
