“Louisa, I would never injure you by suggesting it,” said Gerald. “But I also know your sister. This business has the capacity to lead to much discord.”
“And yet, I am convinced it is for the best—for Caroline as much as for the rest of the family.”
Gerald nodded, though he did not relinquish his hold on her hand. “Then what is your plan?”
Louisa smiled and turned back to the window. “Perhaps we should wait to see what happens. I should not wish to act with precipitous haste.”
“Which means you will manipulate events to your own liking,” jested Gerald.
“I am insulted you would consider me capable of such behavior!” cried Louisa.
“Do not profess insult, my dear,” replied he. “You are far more devious than anyone—even Caroline—gives you credit.”
“Not at all,” replied Louisa. “I am just unwilling to allow Caroline to have her way for nothing more than her own selfish reasons.”
Gerald chuckled but did not reply.
When they arrived at Netherfield, Gerald stepped from the carriage and handed her down, escorting her into the estate. With a few words, he retreated to the study—there was not much work to do on the estate in the winter, but she knew he would at least check in with the steward to ensure that all was well. Louisa, after a moment’s consideration, summoned the housekeeper to have a few words with her.
Mrs. Nichols was as efficient as ever. Louisa knew the woman preferred her as the mistress of the estate—Caroline had been demanding, insolent, and, at times, dismissive of the servants. She had no power to relieve Mrs. Nichols of her duties—the estate’s owner employed the woman, not Charles. That was forthe best, for Caroline had often lamented the servants’ sloth, though Louisa had seen nothing of it.
When Mrs. Nichols departed, leaving Louisa alone in the room, she sat at the pianoforte, playing quietly. The activity had always soothed her. Caroline was the superior performer between them and had never been shy about reminding Louisa of her dominance. Louisa had never made an issue of it—when others heard her play, she received enough appreciation for her efforts to more than satisfy her.
While she played, Louisa considered what she might do. Now that she had confirmation of Jane Bennet’s affection for Charles, Louisa had no more compunction about the relationship between them. It was true that Jane was not what they might have wished for, but the most important consideration was that it was Charles’s choice to make. Caroline had interfered enough—it was time to allow Charles to come to the point if that was what he wished.
The question was what she should do on the matter. There were several ways she might handle it, but Louisa did not know which would prove best.
In the end, she opted to wait and act based on the situation. It would not be long before Charles discovered their presence in Hertfordshire, and when he did, Louisa suspected he would make for Netherfield with all haste. If he did not act as she expected, she could act then.
Chapter II
Customary though it was to return morning visits in polite society, Elizabeth was unconvinced that the situation warranted it.
“Mrs. Hurst was so good as to visit us, Lizzy,” said Jane, sounding quite reasonable. “We shall not stint in returning her civility.”
In this, Mrs. Bennet was, to the surprise of no one, an enthusiastic supporter. “Of course, you must go, Jane. Perhaps while you are at Netherfield, you may gain some intelligence of Mr. Bingley.”
Knowing her sister was determined, Elizabeth protested little, and she could own to curiosity about how the woman would behave. Would her civility survive a day’s absence, especially when she had witnessed the Bennet family’s excesses yet again? Despite her behavior the day before and her assurances that she would not allow her brother to further bruise Jane’s tender heart, Elizabeth thought she was justified in holding her suspicion until Mrs. Hurst proved herself. She even thought Mrs. Hurst herself would acknowledge it, little though such an opinion might have been possible only a day before.
To Elizabeth’s relief, Mrs. Bennet declined to join them, instead shooing her daughters out of the house with instructions to pay every appearance of civility to their neighbor. That was unnecessary, of course, but they all remained silent on the matter.
Kitty and Lydia’s willingness to gowas, perhaps, surprising, given the winter season and the inadvisability of a walk to Meryton; she supposed they were wild to be away from the house for a time. What was not surprising was their entreaties to stay in Meryton for the duration of the visit to Netherfield, butin this, Jane and Elizabeth united in denying any such appeal. That did not put the girls in good spirits, and they spent the remaining time in the carriage casting aggrieved looks at their elders. Elizabeth found she could tolerate their displeasure with cheer.
Contrary to any suspicion Elizabeth might have had of a return to incivility, Mrs. Hurst welcomed them to Netherfield, and her husband was even present, though not inclined to join the conversation. That he was a lone man in a room of women rendered his reserve understandable, though Elizabeth knew it was his custom to remain silent in such situations.
For a time, their conversation remained polite but uninspiring, with comments on the weather, the roads, and some mention of their recent doings dominating. From there, they moved on to matters of the estate, though there was not much of the latter of which to speak, especially as Mr. Hurst had excused himself not long after the visit began.
“There was not much to do concerning the house,” said Mrs. Hurst. “Mrs. Nichols has been the housekeeper at Netherfield for some years and knows her business.”
“We are well aware of Mrs. Nichols’s qualities,” said Elizabeth. “Before becoming the housekeeper at Netherfield, she was a maid at Longbourn.”
Mrs. Hurst regarded her with interest. “I do not think I have heard that before.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “It is common knowledge in the community.”
That became a discussion of servants, tenants, and townsfolk. In a small neighborhood such as that surrounding Meryton, it was not unusual for there to be many connections among those who served the gentry. There were several connections from Longbourn’s tenants who possessed service positions at the various estates in the neighborhood, and therewere many such ties in reverse. Mrs. Hurst appeared to know something of this, which Elizabeth supposed was not surprising—her husbandwasa gentleman, after all.
It was some time later when the elder ladies had gathered around the pianoforte—Kitty and Lydia knew nothing of the instrument and were only interested in music as it pertained to their ability to dance. Mrs. Hurst sat at the instrument first, entertaining them with a few songs, then she ceded her position to Mary, who was more than eager to accept. After a time of this, Mrs. Hurst turned to Elizabeth.
