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It was better to be contrite than to receive the wisdom of the Rev Fordyce. Again.

“Now tell me, what was her news. You have been here for close to 30 minutes and still have not shared the details.”

“Netherfield Park is let at last.”

Elizabeth’s face did not hide her indifference.

“That hardly seems worthy of scampering round the district.”

“The other part of the news is that it is a single gentleman from the north that has taken up the lease. A rich single gentleman. The last time such a gentleman arrived in Meryton a Bennet daughter left married to him. Rather than sharing such potential wealth among other families, our mother is hoping to hoard it all herself. She was talking about how this was a good thing for ‘her girls’.”

“She said girls plural?”

“She did, but we both know that it was nothing but a slip of the tongue. Lydia will be encouraged to meet the gentleman as soon as possible. It was always likely that she would be allowed into society this year, at an age younger than any of the rest of us. Now there is no doubt in my mind that she will be at the Michaelmas Assembly. Poor Kitty cannot even make her entry into local society without being overshadowed by Lydia.”

“I will not gainsay a word, it is nothing but the truth. Are we sure he is single?”

“Yes, according to the servants. Mrs. Goulding’s cook is sister to the housekeeper at Netherfield Park and she heard it from her sister direct.”

“If the servants are sure, then there is little doubt.”

When they went downstairs it was to discover Mrs. Bennet had received a fresh letter from Jane.

“That is disappointing.”

Lydia played her role and asked Mrs. Bennet the question.

“What is Mama?”

Mary and Elizabeth rolled their eyes at the antics. Their mother’s way of disseminating information always followed the same pattern.

“It is confirmed that the brother of Jane’s new husband has made a full recovery. Six months ago he was at death’s door and now he is back riding with the local hunt.”

It took a special kind of person to take a miraculous recovery and turn it into a disappointment. Mrs. Bennet was not unique, she would find many similar souls in Dante’s 4th circle of hell, the avaricious and the prodigal jousting for eternity.

The last year had been very disjointed in Meryton and throughout the district, it seemed every month delivered a shock to a neighbourhood long used to the gentle rhythms of the seasons. It had started with the Uptons leaving Netherfield Park. It was an estate they had been using less and less, preferring to spend their time split between London or Bath. They had made the decision to close the house completely. The couple had no children and so there was no one to reside there. The estate had been put up for sale but the Uptons were unrealistic in the asking price and it had sat empty for months. The rumour circulating the district was that it was available to lease, although a sale was still preferred.

A gentleman had ridden out from London to view the property, and had quickly recognised that the estate was worth nothing like the asking price. Rather than even bother to go through the motions he had not ridden the land, he knew he was not going to make an offer. As a result he had stopped in the village of Meryton for luncheon before the return ride to the capital. As he approached the Inn none other than Miss Jane Bennet had left the offices of Mr. Philips, the man he knew only as the leasing agent. In reality Jane had been visited her aunt in their residence upstairs. Upon talking to Philips and discovering that she was his niece Francis Oliphant made a snap decision.

“Whilst Netherfield Park is unrealistically priced, I do find the countryside of Hertfordshire to be pleasing. I will take a room at the Inn for a fortnight and I would ask you to compile a list of available estates in the area.”

He did not push during that first meeting but the beauty of Miss Bennet had captured his attention. A few shillings spent buying drinks for the patrons of the Inn had been all it took to find out her circumstances. As soon as Mrs. Bennet knew of his interest there was only ever going to be one outcome.

“There is nothing we can do about this news now. Instead we should prepare for the single gentleman leasing Netherfield Park.”

Ignoring her three oldest daughters Mrs. Bennet focused her attention on Lydia. It was exactly as Elizabeth had predicted.

--

“Lizzie, what is the matter?”

Elizabeth took several deep breaths. She was not going to cry but she was close to shrieking in rage and needed to calm down.

“Not here. My room when we get home.”

Elizabeth had no recollection of the two remaining dances. She was partnered for both of them, spoke to the gentleman during each dance, but it was all a blur. It seemed the evening dragged on for ages, longer than she thought possible, but eventually their carriage was called and the returned home.

“Lizzie, I was afraid you were going to strike me when you first walked over. What on earth happened?”