“Netherfield’s staff were also unharmed, but the house did not fare so well," Mr. Bingley informed them. “Much of the roof has been torn from Netherfield, as well as many windows."
Elizabeth and her sisters gasped. “Oh, no!”
"Yes. There will, no doubt, be more damage discovered in the light of day," Mr. Bingley said. “We have come to beg shelter with you.”
Mr. Darcy spoke up. “We, of course, also have my sister and her companion, Mrs. Annesley, who can act as chaperone.”
Jane and Elizabeth looked at each other for a moment, then silently came to an agreement.
“Yes, of course, we are happy to extend hospitality to you,” Jane said.
“Thank you very much,” Mr. Bingley said. “Arrangements have been made for the bulk of Netherfield’s servants, but we do have our personal servants with us. We are also expecting Mr. and Mrs. Oliver, Cook, and her assistant. We were given to understand that our butler and housekeeper are cousins to your own. However, if housing Cook and her assistant will be too much, we will seek other arrangements for them.”
“No, indeed, I am sure we can accommodate everyone,” Jane assured him.
“Indeed,” Elizabeth added, “having Netherfield’s cook here may prove invaluable if Longbourn or Netherfield has tenants who are displaced due to storm damage. Our cook willappreciate the help preparing meals for tenants requiring assistance.”
“My thoughts exactly, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said, smiling at her.
She smiled back at him and said, “Please, go to Miss Darcy and Mrs. Annesley so they may come in and make themselves comfortable.”
“Thank you,” Darcy replied. "We appreciate your hospitality."
Mr. Bingley then turned to Mr. Hill. “There is quite a bit of debris in Longbourn’s drive. Might I prevail on you to round up some help so we may clear a path for the carriages?”
“Yes, sir, I will see to it now,” replied Mr. Hill.
The gentlemen bowed to the ladies and exited. Jane turned to Mrs. Hill and asked her to have more tea prepared.
As Darcy walked back outside with Bingley, all he could see was the image of Miss Elizabeth in her dressing gown with her hair flowing loosely down her back. He had looked up and caught sight of her sitting in the brightly lit window as he and Bingley had approached the front door. She was a vision! Now, however, her hair was pinned up. She was dressed and presentable, but no less beautiful!Was her face a bit flushed?He hoped they had not made her uncomfortable with their arrival and request to stay. The ladies certainly could not have anticipated their sudden—
“Darcy?”
Darcy looked at Bingley.
“Did you hear anything I just said?”
“Ah, no. Sorry, Bingley.”
“I said, although I knew we were coming here late, it never once crossed my mind . . . ” Bingley paused, looking over his shoulder to make sure he was not being overheard. “ . . . theymight not be dressed to receive visitors. I feel terrible for disturbing them.”
"I do, too, but we did not have the option to choose a more convenient time,” Darcy said, looking back in the same direction Bingley had.
Bingley sighed. “No, we did not.”
They were joined by some of Longbourn’s men. They let the men decide where they wanted the debris moved, then Darcy and Bingley helped with the process. Before long, they had a path cleared for the carriages.
When they walked into the entrance hall, the housekeeper showed them into the drawing room, where they joined the ladies.
“Please forgive us for coming unannounced and intruding on your evening,” Bingley said.
“Not at all, sir. You cannot help the position you find yourselves in. We are happy to open our home to you,” Miss Bennet replied, taking a seat next to Miss Mary. “Gentlemen, do be seated.”
“Thank you,” Darcy said.
“Indeed, we thought we had a terrible experience with the storm, but you all obviously had it much worse,” Miss Elizabeth said. “After the ordeal, Mrs. Hill insisted we have some brandy in our tea. It certainly helped to calm us. She will bring tea here in a moment. We can have it prepared with brandy as well if you would like.”
Ah . . . the brandy is the reason for the slight flush in her cheeks.Darcy looked at his sister and Mrs. Annesley. Georgiana was still quite shaken. Mrs. Annesley was, too, but less so.
