“That may still be remedied. You need only pay a little more attention to life around you.”
“Are you certain Jane can preserve her composure during such a meeting?”
“Yes, I am certain. I believe the young lady is far more resilient than you imagine. Besides, my impression is that Mr Bingley returns with considerable pleasure and is prepared to make certain decisions. And his first thought is Longbourn, where he still believes Jane resides.”
“Do not tell me you purchased Netherfield merely to witness that meeting,” Mr Bennet said laughingly, though he observed his uncle with great attention. Lately, he believed him capable of almost anything.
“No,” Uncle Thomas answered. “I wanted a place for you—for us. Still, I confess that after meeting your family, I gave a great deal of thought to this problem.”
“You mean my family?”
“No, you, my indolent nephew, who believes his library to be the whole world. I knew perfectly well that you would never consent to move to some distant and unfamiliar place. And for you, distant means thirty miles!”
“You are mocking me! And as my uncle, perhaps you have the right. Still—”
Both spoke in the same amused tone, though beneath their laughter lay genuine admiration and affection.
“Netherfield was my salvation. Elegant enough, and less than three miles from Longbourn, it seemed a gift from Heaven. You already know the house and have likely admired the library yourself. But I confess I should very much like to see the faces of those two gentlemen tomorrow when they discover the new owners of Netherfield Park are our splendid Elizabeth and Jane.”
“Two gentlemen?” Mr Bennet asked in surprise.
“Yes, I have a feeling Mr Bingley will not travel without company.”
“And that company would be?”
“A certain Mr Darcy,” Thomas replied, leaving his nephew entirely perplexed.
“Mr Darcy? But Uncle, that gentleman is not particularly liked in my family.”
“Nephew,” Thomas answered in a mysterious tone, “as I told you before, you ought to observe your daughters more carefully and take greater interest in the workings of their hearts.”
Chapter 10
Bingley was on his second glass of brandy when his friend joined him at their club. He did not usually drink at noon, but the news he had just received had disturbed him so much that he needed something to calm both his anxieties and his hopes.
“You will never believe what has happened,” he said before Darcy had even sat down in the large leather armchair.
Darcy smiled. It was not uncommon to find Bingley in a state of excitement, and generally it concerned a new lady. “A new lady?” he asked with slight amusement.
But Bingley slowly shook his head. “Absolutely not!” He continued with unusual vehemence, very unlike his ordinary manner. “I have received a letter from Netherfield.” So absorbed was he in his own thoughts that he did not notice the sudden change in Darcy’s face, where sadness and a small light of hope appeared at the same time.
“Wait one moment, my friend. I need a glass of brandy myself,” Darcy said.
Only then did Bingley properly look at him. “What has happened?” he asked, struck by the torment visible in his friend’s expression.
Darcy, who rarely hesitated and could generally utter even the most disagreeable truth without difficulty, paused with the glass still in his hand. “It is indeed about Netherfield that I have long wished to speak to you. But first, tell me your news.”
“My news is both simple and complicated. It appears Mr Oswald has found a buyer for Netherfield Park.”
“Oh? And is that good news or bad?”
“Both, if such a thing is possible. I am sorry not to return there, but I have already made a decision, and I intend to resolve my situation even if I never live at Netherfield again.” Hope entered his voice, and his excitement visibly increased as he spoke.
“Then it is good news,” Darcy answered, already suspecting that his friend’s proposed journey to Hertfordshire was intended for something more important than a farewell to Netherfield. “Does this decision concern a certain lady living in the neighbourhood?”
Bingley flushed, then paled, before a wistful smile appeared upon his face. “Yes! Though I know you do not—”
“Please stop,” Darcy interrupted gently. “My friend, I have spent many months reflecting upon our stay at Netherfield and most particularly upon our sudden departure.” Darcy’s silences were nothing unusual, but this time even Bingley could perceive the heaviness that hung over him. “I made a great mistake when I advised you last November not to continue a certain attachment.”
