Page 11 of Hidden Desires

At Bingley’s nod, he turned and motioned for Jane. “We should go before Mrs. Bennet starts to worry. Look for me in the morning. This next repair is a large one, and I want an early start. Shall I have someone take you to the library?”

He lifted his arm as if to wave Bennet off, but a sudden flinch betrayed the effort. The hand fell back to his side, and his mouth set in a tight line.

“Go home,” he said, the pain clear in his voice. “I will have the butler send someone. Thank you, and I look forward to tomorrow.”

Bennet and Jane left Netherfield and returned to Longbourn. The scent of supper met them at the door as the family gathered at the table.

The meal began in good spirits, but within minutes, the mood shifted.

“With all this time at Netherfield, it’s a wonder the Longbourn tenants remember who you are,” Mrs. Bennet complained, fixing him with a sharp look.

“Soon, your daughters will suppose you are dead and run from the stranger knocking at our door. You are there so much I am surprised anyone here still recognizes you.”

Bennet looked up to find his wife watching him eat. The three youngest kept their eyes on their plates, though their stiff postures betrayed their interest.

“My absence serves a noble cause,” he said. “Netherfield needs repairs, and I have the time and skill to help. I am sorry, but I could not do less. You may recall that his accident happened on our land.”

“So now Mr. Bingley’s clumsiness is our fault?” she cried. “Proper care would have prevented his injury. And what does Jane think about being turned into a nursemaid for someone who cannot stay on his feet?”

“Jane’s visits strengthen her friendship with Miss Bingley and help her brother recover,” he said, a smile tugging at his lips. “And she seems to enjoy the time spent with him, even with his sister doing her best to interfere.”

He glanced at his eldest, whose face turned a deep crimson.

“Papa,” she said, “my only concern is Mr. Bingley’s recovery. Miss Bingley and I are working together to make him comfortable.”

“In any case,” her father said, his grin unchanged, “I am going back tomorrow. I will return the next day as well. And the day after that. Unless you have some tasks for me here.”

Mrs. Bennet said nothing. Years of marriage had taught her that once her husband set his mind to something, no plea or protest would turn him aside.

* * *

Bennet rose with the first calls of the birds the next morning. After a quick breakfast, he walked to the stable, where a groom waited beside a saddled horse. He accepted the reins and stepped to the animal’s side but paused when Elizabeth entered the building.

“Why are you taking him?” she asked, offering the horse an apple, which it took with a soft neigh. “Is someone using the carriage? And where is Jane? She has not missed a chance to tend to Mr. Bingley since you started going over there. I hope Miss Bingley is not too disappointed.”

“Your sister chose to stay home. She gave no reason, but I suspect it has something to do with that woman’s constant grumblings about the people of Hertfordshire.

I think she wants a day free from hearing her nag Bingley to return to London.

She keeps telling him life there far exceeds anything the country can offer. ”

He paused, and his voice shifted. “Jane is an angel, but it seems she is finding it difficult to keep a gracious heart toward Bingley’s sister.”

“I was spared the dubious pleasure of spending much time with her,” Elizabeth replied with a faint curve of her lips. “Our few meetings left me struggling to offer anything close to Jane’s courtesy. I cannot understand how she endures the constant insults.”

Bennet’s lips spread into a wide grin. “Anyone meeting you would know within the first minute that you do not share her patience. I am glad I chose to attend that assembly. Sir William’s retelling of your argument with Mr. Darcy still makes me laugh.”

Elizabeth stepped back and eyed him. “Argument? We did not speak to each other. The discussion, if that is what you choose to call it, consisted of the man insulting me and my walking away.”

An impish smile touched her lips, and she glanced toward the library windows. “With all the books you own, one of them must be a dictionary. When you return tonight, look up the definition of argument. I believe it requires two or more people.”

“It does,” Bennet said and laughed, “but both of them do not have to speak, do they?”

When Elizabeth said nothing, he continued. “Sir William never said you exchanged words. He only described the look you gave Mr. Darcy after he voiced his opinion.”

He shook his head. “He swears it was clear the man knew at once what he had done. His face turned the brightest shade of red, and he moved across the hall, as far from you as possible. So, while you said nothing, everyone agrees you won the encounter.”

“How are the repairs coming?” she asked, eager to change the subject. “Jane says you are a master at solving the issues, though most do not amount to much.”

“None were beyond fixing, though a few made me think. Working with Bingley helps. He is easy to get along with, even when we disagree, which is not often.”

“Are you surprised?” she asked, a chuckle in her voice. “With his manners and agreeable nature, anything less would shock me.”

Bennet laughed and lifted his hands. “We talked about his plans while we waited for Mr. Jones. He confessed he had no experience running an estate and did not know which repairs to start with, but he seemed determined not to let that stop him.”

“Mr. Bingley is a remarkable man,” Elizabeth said. “Few in his position would admit such a shortcoming, much less speak of it.”

“The remark came after I asked whether he was prepared for the work ahead,” Bennet said.

A smile touched his mouth. “As it turns out, my doubts were misplaced. Rather than slow progress, he helps me resolve problems. He listens, thinks before he speaks, and does not waste time disputing things he does not understand.”

“He reminds me of Lydia,” Elizabeth said, then broke into laughter at the frown that crossed his face. “Or not.”

“I know this is only a guess,” Bennet said as he mounted the horse, “but I suspect he is thinking about purchasing the estate.”

“Where did that come from?” she asked, glancing around as though to be sure Jane was not near. “Has he dropped any hints?”

Bennet shook his head. “No, but he pays close attention to the tenants, which is not easy from his seat in the garden. He asked what help they need, not only for this year’s harvest but for next spring’s planting.”

“You discussed that on your first visit,” she reminded him. “Perhaps he wants to make sure they have what they need before he returns to town.”

“Anything is possible,” Bennet said. “When I asked whether he planned to buy, he changed the subject, though not without smiling.”

“Did Miss Bingley hear?” Elizabeth asked. “Jane says she wants him to forget about Netherfield and return to London for good.”

Her brows rose when her father laughed. “She was elsewhere. Jane was the one who objected. She feared my directness might drive the man off to a place where the neighbors know how to mind their own business.”

“Please tell me you soothed her fears and promised to be more cautious.”

“I told her that if one honest question was enough to send him away, I would hesitate to give him permission to court my eldest daughter.”

“Papa, how could you?” she said, though her voice carried more amusement than outrage.

Bennet smiled. “How is everything here?” he asked, gathering the reins and nudging the horse forward. His attempt to change the subject earned a frown, but it passed.

“I know I have neglected Longbourn, but I promised to help Bingley. Mr. Darcy should arrive today or tomorrow, so my work will be done in another day or two. There is no point telling your mother; she finds too much joy in complaining that I am not home. Perhaps her mood will lift when she learns Bingley invited us to supper on Friday.”

“And how long do you plan to keep the invitation a secret?” she asked, concern rising in her voice. “Although Mama enjoys sharing supper with friends, she might not appreciate hearing of it at the last moment.”

A smile tugged at his mouth, and he tilted his head. “He asked yesterday, but your mother was in such a mood I could not get a word in edgeways. I will tell her tonight, which gives her three days to prepare.”

He studied her, a mild scowl forming at the corners of his mouth. “As for you, please show him some courtesy. Try to forget about the assembly.”

“Perhaps I should stay home. You and Mama can take Jane. She is the one he most wants to see. That way you will not need to worry about what I might say or do if Mr. Darcy has not finished insulting me.”

“I trust you, Lizzy, no matter how much the man stirs your temper. Lydia is a greater concern. Can she control herself for a few hours?”

“I doubt she will care enough to try. With you at Netherfield, she assumes she can spend every day in Meryton. The girl shows no fear of punishment and drags Kitty along. Then again, when was the last time Kitty refused one of Lydia’s demands?”

“I will speak to her tonight. I could threaten to keep her at Longbourn until she shows better judgment, but will she listen?”

“Their visits to town do not cause as much mischief as they once did.” Her smile grew and lifted his brow. “Mary often goes with them now.”

She gave a slight shrug. “When I asked about this newfound interest in Meryton, she said she wanted to spend more time out of doors and explore the neighborhood.”

“That is unusual. Have you asked what brought on the change?”

“I have. She laughed and told me I was imagining things. This is only a guess, but on the night we visited Aunt Phillips, members of the regiment were also invited, and one showed interest in Mary. It seems my prim and proper sister has discovered the world may contain things more engaging than sermons and the works of Mr. Fordyce.”

“We can only hope. That man’s pompous advice has held her attention long enough. Speak to her about what happened that night and offer some guidance on how to receive a young man’s interest. Who knows what might come of it?”

“Yes, Papa.” She stepped back as he settled into the saddle.

He guided the horse toward the path. “But make sure Lydia does not lead her astray. We want Mary to spread her wings, not follow her sister’s example.”

“I will keep her out of trouble.”

She gave a wave as he rode from the estate. “And I hope Mr. Darcy does not bring any with him,” she added on her way across the garden.