Page 34 of Five Gentlemen at Netherfield (Pride and Prejudice Variations)
Study
Netherfield Hall
Eleven O’clock in the Morning
Caroline Bingley pulled her shawl closer to her body and hurried down the corridor toward her brother’s study.
This part of the house was not as well heated as the drawing room and bedchambers, and she was annoyed at her brother’s summons so early in the day.
She had no use for country hours and often enjoyed breakfast in bed.
On the other hand, it was entirely possible that this summons had to do with the upcoming London Season, which would begin in a little more than a month.
Surely Charles knew that it was time to leave the country for Town, preferably forever.
She had been as eager as anyone for Charles to own an estate, but Netherfield Hall had not proven as congenial as she had hoped.
Well, the Hall was well enough, but the society!
She had no use for the families who formed the so-called gentry in this area, and with the house empty of noble and highborn guests, the situation was well-nigh intolerable!
No, Charles must give up Netherfield and search for another estate, one closer to the Matlocks or the Darcys…
She opened the door to her brother’s study and found him standing against a window, staring out over a dull patchwork of fields and leafless trees.
He turned slowly and deliberately. “Caroline, good morning.”
“Good morning, Charles. If this is about the Season, the sooner we…”
“It is not about the Season,” her brother interrupted and gestured to the chairs near the well-built fire. “Please sit down.”
She did so thankfully.
Bingley sat down as well and said without preamble, “As you know, Caroline, you will achieve your majority tomorrow.”
She smiled. “I will, and if you are wishful of giving me a present, all I want is for us to return to London. I am so tired of the company, or lack thereof, especially those tiresome Bennets! Indeed…”
“You may certainly return to London,” Charles interrupted coolly.
“I do not care. What I do care about is the situation we find ourselves in, where you stalk around my house insulting our neighbors even though I asked you to stop doing that weeks ago. I have decided that I will hand over your dowry to you, and you can either convince the Hursts to return to London so you can stay with them, or you can hire a companion and rent your own house or apartment.”
Caroline blinked. What had he just said?
“What?” she asked aloud.
“You heard me,” her brother said, his brow furrowed. “You are rude and proud and arrogant, and you have refused to change your ways. I cannot make you change, but I am not obligated by law or honor to support you when you have eight hundred pounds a year for yourself.”
“But I … I ... do not be absurd, Charles! I need that money for gowns and hats and to pay my maid … I cannot possibly support myself on a mere eight hundred a year! Moreover, you are the one refusing to accept reality, that Netherfield was a great mistake and the company here is entirely bumptious and … and … where are you going?”
Bingley had risen from his seat during her diatribe and was now at the door.
He turned back when she finished speaking and said, “I have no intention of arguing with you. Two days from now, I will escort you to London and arrange with our man of business to turn your fortune over to you. You can either convince the Hursts to leave for Town as well, or you can stay in Grillon’s hotel with your maid, but I am washing my hands of you. ”
“Charles! Charles! Stop! Stop! I know what it is! It is that sly Jane Bennet, is it not? She has convinced you to send me away so that she can worm her way further into your affections. You simply cannot marry her, Brother! She is not…”
“Caroline!” Bingley thundered, so loudly that Miss Bingley quieted, her eyes wide.
“Caroline,” the gentleman continued more calmly, “Miss Bennet has nothing to do with this. I asked for her hand in marriage some weeks ago and was rejected on the grounds that we do not know one another well enough to wed. It seems almost certain I will not marry Miss Bennet because she will not have me, but she had no part in this decision. It is mine alone.”
“She refused you?” Caroline demanded, goggling.
“Yes,” Bingley replied, and there was heartache on that handsome countenance. “Yes.”
***
Louisa’s Bedchamber
Netherfield
An Hour Later
“You simply must speak to Charles!” Caroline Bingley said for the fifth time. “He has gone entirely mad!”
Louisa Hurst leaned forward in her wingbacked chair and held her hands out toward the roaring fire.
“We must return to London,” she said with more firmness than was usual.
Caroline huffed and said, “I know that very well, of course, with the Season starting in a few weeks. Really, it should be obvious to Charles that he belongs in London, away from these vulgar country folks, but...”
“I mean, that Hurst and I and you should return to London,” Louisa interrupted, turning her head to glare at her sister. “It is apparent that Charles intends to stay here.”
Caroline pointed her nose skyward. “Nonsense, Louisa! You know perfectly well that our brother must leave, and he has always been amenable in the past to a little judicious persuasion.”
Louisa rose to her feet and shook her head.
“Sister, I realize that you were still young when our father died, so perhaps you do not remember, but our mother could usually convince her husband to do what she wanted, but only usually . Sometimes Father would grow stubborn, and our mother would give way. Charles is very much like Father, Caroline. He has obviously decided to stay here, and arguing with him will only make him more determined. Moreover, you may wish to be entirely cut off from our brother’s fortune, but I do not! ”
This last sentence seemed to penetrate her sister’s thick head, and Caroline, after opening and closing her mouth a few times, finally said ungraciously, “Oh, very well. I certainly will be pleased to shake the dust of this place off my feet, and likely Charles will calm down soon and make his own way to London, do you not think?”
“Perhaps,” Louisa said, relieved to have averted a genuine tantrum on the part of her sister. “Perhaps.”
***
17 th February, 1812
Cheapside,
Dear Nieces,
Our darling boys have sore throats this morning and are incredibly fussy, so I will write in haste. I am enclosing letters from your two suitors. Your uncle and I are pleased to act as go-betweens, so do not worry about that.
With love,
Madeline Gardiner
***
15th February, 1812
Dear Miss Elizabeth,
Once again, I find myself astonished and full of admiration.
Your letter gave me great hope that you might be willing to accept my hand in marriage one day, but it also brought me up short.
For as long as I can remember, I have been considered a tremendous prize, and the thought of having to win someone is still somewhat stunning to me.
Stunning and good because you demand more than high connections and wealth. You demand an honorable husband who will treat you and your family well, who will carry the mantle of his responsibility with sober determination.
I struggled to decide what to write about and have decided that while protestations of love might be most enjoyable for me, it would be best for you to learn more about my situation in life. Some of this you likely already know, and if so, forgive me for repeating myself.
I am an orphan and my only sister, who turned sixteen last autumn, is my ward, though I share her guardianship with Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Georgiana is tall, and pretty, and good tempered, but she is also exceedingly shy.
I am aware that some call her proud and arrogant because of that timidity when in the company of strangers, but that is unfair to her.
Pemberley, the estate which I own, is a large and wealthy one.
I hope that I am doing a good job overseeing the land and people, but if so, I stand on the shoulders of giants.
My grandfather and father were both intelligent and diligent men, along with being sober and industrious.
I was taught from an early age that it was my responsibility, as an only son, to work hard, to avoid gambling and excessive drinking.
You mentioned the villain Wickham in your last letter.
Sadly, he did not learn what he needed to regarding both gaming and drinking.
I would enjoy inviting you and your family to Pemberley someday. I realize that is not truly possible at this time with your father’s illness, but I would like you to walk the halls and paths of the estate. I am confident you would find it lovely.
I continue to pray for Mr. Bennet and you all.
God’s blessings on you,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
***
15th February, 1812
Dear Miss Mary,
I genuinely do not care what my parents wish for in terms of my marriage. That sounds harsh, but I do not intend it to be. I simply know myself well and would not be happy with most of the ladies presented to me as possible brides.
It is all rather tiresome, if I am entirely truthful. I am not a prince or a duke. I am not even a first son. Why should I not marry a lady who will, I hope, find me a comfortable husband even as I desire a convivial wife?
You spoke harshly of yourself, and while I suppose I can understand it somewhat, I must say that I disagree with you on every count.
You call yourself plain. You are not, Miss Mary.
Your sisters are remarkably handsome, yes, but it is, if I may say so, the kind of beauty which strikes a man violently in the eye and perhaps heart, whereas your prettiness is a gentler thing.
I like the way your hair curls, and your lips curve up when you are happy.
I like the way you look on those around you with affection in your eyes.
You are a kind sister and devoted daughter and a thoughtful woman, and I admire that greatly.
You asked about Town and the country. I am, I think, the sort of happy fellow who is cheerful more or less everywhere, except in the middle of battle, when my fellows are dying around me … and I have experienced all three.
A grim turn of events in this letter, I know, but my military career has profoundly affected my view of the world.
I am a light-hearted fellow in many ways, in part because I have not had the responsibility of either my cousin Darcy or my brother Zachary Stanton, who are both first sons.
But I have also known battle, and death, and destruction.
I have seen an earl’s son tremble in fear, and cannon boys running toward the front lines in amazing displays of courage.
I think less of the nobility of blood than most men, I believe.
May the Lord bless you and your family, especially Mr. Bennet.
Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam
***
20th February, 1812
Dear Uncle and Aunt Gardiner,
I am not certain if I should be writing to you at all, but I feel I must because Jane and Lizzy and Mary will not tell you what it is actually like here at Longbourn.
I worry a great deal about all three of my older sisters, but Lizzy most of all.
She has so many responsibilities! Mr. Wallace is doing his best, truly he is, and I know he is a help, but so many people will not go to him because they know Lizzy is smart and hardworking.
Also, Mamma simply will not step up and do anything, and in addition to this, she also often tells Lizzy to do things that Mr. Wallace or the servants should manage on their own.
Now I know Lydia and I are not doing much either, though I am accompanying Mary to visit the tenants sometimes, and I have even read to Father a few times, but he always says he prefers Lizzy to read to him.
Mary and Jane also spend a significant amount of time sitting with Mother in her dressing room because she does not want to be alone.
I just worry! Lizzy looks so pale and tired and worn.
Anyway, I thought you should know on the state of things here at Longbourn.
With love,
Kitty Bennet
***
24th February, 1812
Gracechurch Street
Kitty,
Thank you for your letter. You are correct that something needs to be done.
Love,
Mr. Edward Gardiner
***
24th February, 1812
Gracechurch Street
Mr. Darcy,
Would you be kind enough to call on me at your convenience?
Sincerely,
Mr. Edward Gardiner
***
4th March, 1812
Dear Miss Elizabeth,
I wish to formally invite you to visit Pemberley along with the Gardiners and as many of your family as you like. I assume Mr. Bennet is not able to journey so far, but if the rest of your family would choose to come, I would welcome them with pleasure, and you with joy.
I have told my sister of our courtship, and she is both overjoyed and eager to meet you.
My cousin Richard also plans to accompany me to Pemberley, and he would be delighted if Miss Mary accompanied you.
With respect,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
***
10th March, 1812
Dear Mr. Darcy,
After consulting with my uncles and sisters, I have decided that yes, I would like to visit you at Pemberley. Mary will also come, as she is nearly as worn out as I am. As for my other sisters and my mother, we are not quite certain who will stay and who will leave.
Many thanks.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Bennet