Page 15 of Five Gentlemen at Netherfield (Pride and Prejudice Variations)
“I think so, certainly,” Bingley said eagerly. “I am not certain if you are aware that I am leasing a nearby estate and have only been in the area for a few weeks.”
“Is Miss Fairchild replacing your former governess?” Darcy asked softly, and Elizabeth turned a startled look on him and then said, “No, she is our first governess. In the past, it was not thought necessary, but with our new situation in life, my father decided that a governess would not be amiss. Mary, in particular, is eager to improve her ability on the pianoforte, and Miss Fairchild is an expert on the instrument.”
“That is admirable of Miss Mary,” Darcy said approvingly. “My own sister practices several hours a day and is remarkably adept for one so young.”
“It is admirable,” Elizabeth said with a chuckle, “and I am confident that Miss Fairchild will prove a great boon to my sister, if not to me. While I play the pianoforte, I do not practice enough to be considered greatly accomplished.”
“I know you enjoy walking and reading. What else do you enjoy?”
Elizabeth tilted her head and said, “I like to play chess, even against my father and Jane, both of whom beat me nearly every time. I enjoy needlework as well. It might be easier to tell you what I do not enjoy.”
“Very well,” Darcy said solemnly, “what do you dislike, Miss Elizabeth?”
She laughed and said, “Well, now I am forced to think. Erm, I cannot sketch well, and thus do not enjoy it. Perhaps if I had more determination, like Mary, I could overcome my deficiency, but I do not see any point in struggling with something that I cannot do with any degree of ease and which I do not like doing.”
“But surely,” Darcy said, and then paused, his brow knit, before continuing slowly, “surely it is good to battle one’s weaknesses on occasion? If an individual always gave up on something simply because it was difficult, he or she would not develop perseverance.”
“Oh, I agree entirely,” Elizabeth responded promptly, “but I would argue that not all skills are equally important. In your case and Mr. Bingley’s, for example, it is vital that you learn to manage an estate well.
I believe that learning to read and write and do sums is valuable for me.
But you need not become an expert in lawn billiards, and I do not need to learn how to ride a horse.
Neither is vital for us to perform our duties in life. ”
“What do you consider the duty of a lady?”
“It depends on a woman’s position in life.
My mother, for example, is responsible for working with the servants to arrange for meals and various other activities required for the smooth running of Longbourn.
My sisters and I visit tenant families when there are problems, and we also assist with preparing gifts for Boxing Day.
We are not members of high society in London, but I daresay the ladies there must learn how to organize balls and grand dinners.
It might be that some ladies genuinely need to be able to ride a horse, whereas I have the option of walking on my own two feet or riding in a carriage. ”
The conversation continued cheerfully along for ten minutes, and then the door opened to reveal a gentleman of some fifty years, whose looks and expression matched Miss Elizabeth in quite a startling manner.
The visiting gentlemen rose, and Miss Bennet introduced them to her father, Mr. Bennet, who welcomed them with easy courtesy before saying, “Mr. Darcy, I understand from Jane that you are an excellent chess player. Would you be interested in giving me a game?”
There was nothing for Darcy to do but acquiesce, though he was aware of some disappointment at being separated from Miss Elizabeth. On the other hand, he looked forward to inspecting his host’s library, and he did enjoy chess.
“Lead the way, Mr. Bennet.”
***
On the Road to Netherfield Hall
An Hour Later
“They are such charming ladies, are they not?” Bingley said enthusiastically as he and his companions made their way back toward Netherfield Hall. Darcy patted Phoenix on his glossy neck and said, “They are indeed. You are fortunate to have such pleasant neighbors, Bingley.”
“Does your cheer mean that you won your chess game with Mr. Bennet?” Richard asked, and Darcy chuckled and said, “I did not. He is as good as Miss Bennet, which is saying a great deal, and I lost two games in a short time. But I enjoyed myself very much. Moreover, Mr. Bennet is a bibliophile and has a marvelous library, and will be sending a servant to Netherfield in the next few hours with a packet of books for my use.”
“No wonder you like him so much!” the colonel exclaimed, and Bingley added, “I can only be grateful as I am well aware that for an enthusiastic reader, Netherfield’s library is pathetic.”
“It is pathetic in the extreme,” Darcy agreed with a laugh and then fell silent as they approached the horse and foot bridge which led across the stream.
The waters had subsided somewhat in the last days, but the stream was still a boisterous one, and he wished to concentrate while his stallion crossed.
By tomorrow, the main bridge should be repaired, and he would be able to take a carriage to Longbourn.
It was a most appealing thought, because in addition to Mr. Bennet and his library, Miss Elizabeth Bennet lived there, and the more Darcy interacted with her, the more he admired her, and the more he was drawn to her.
He had truly never felt this way about a woman.
Was this what it was like to be in love?