Page 31 of Longbourn’s Son (Pride and Prejudice Variation #22)
“Based on my knowledge of your family, Miss Bennet, you have no cause for concern. Your brother is as fine a young man as I have been privileged to meet; many young gentlemen have little concern for either their estate or their family. Your sisters, too, are marvelous young ladies. All the same, it is true that every man and woman must make his or her own choices in life. Wickham had a fine father but an extravagant and self-indulgent mother, and regrettably he was inclined to follow his mother’s path.
There are those who are raised with many opportunities and excellent guidance who still choose to be fools.
On the other hand, I have met common soldiers who have managed to rise above very difficult circumstances to become brave, generous men. ”
He stopped, surprised at his own words. He had thought them many times before, caught as he was between the two worlds of the pampered upper class and the sufferings of an army at war. He had not, however, ever expressed these rather radical thoughts to a gently bred lady.
Jane Bennet, to his relief, did not look horrified, but rather thoughtful. “That is very wise, sir. I can do my best as the eldest sister of my family, but I cannot force any of them to do anything.”
/
“I must thank you for your kindness in hosting this ball, Mr. Bingley,” Charlotte Lucas said. “It is a delight for all of us who live here in Meryton.”
“It is my pleasure, Miss Lucas,” Bingley answered, passing her a plate of sliced ham.
He had, with difficulty, refrained from asking Miss Bennet to dance another set with him, and had focused on the plainer women who often did not have dance partners.
He had partnered with Miss Lucas for the supper set, which meant he would spend supper with her.
“Thank you,” Charlotte said, helping herself to a slice of ham and cutting it into dainty bites. “I believe you grew up in London; do you enjoy living out in the country, or do you find it dull?”
“Oh, I like both town and country very much,” Bingley replied after he had swallowed a bite of fish. “Darcy has kindly hosted me at Pemberley several times, so living in the country is not entirely new to me. I am, I suppose, a lucky man in that I am largely happy wherever I am.”
“That is fortunate indeed,” Charlotte agreed.
“I have only been to London a few times in my life and certainly the parks and shops, the theater and the opera, are exciting and enlivening. However, I am always pleased to return home, though I realize that Netherfield may not yet feel like home to you.”
“Oh, but it does, I assure you!” Bingley exclaimed. “It is a fine mansion and the land is good; I am most grateful to Darcy, who has given me excellent advice on how to oversee the estate. I find myself very comfortable and settled here, Miss Lucas.”
“Have you had the opportunity to do any shooting? My father was not certain whether the pheasants have thrived while the mansion stood empty.”
“We have gone shooting several times and have always been successful; I believe that some of our birds are being served here for supper, though they may be at the other end of the table. Would you like for me to obtain some for you?”
“Would you? I do enjoy pheasant!”
/
“Is the baby well?” Mr. Bennet asked solicitously, pulling out the chair for Mrs. Hurst as she hurried into the dining room.
Louisa took her seat and nodded gratefully. “Yes, he is well. Poor Christopher is teething and fussier than usual at night. Fortunately after I rocked him in my arms for a few minutes, he fell fast asleep.”
Mr. Bennet passed her a plate of rolls and waited for her to select one. “You are a very good mother, Mrs. Hurst.”
“Thank you,” the lady responded gratefully. “Christopher is extremely important to me.”
“That is obvious, and I honor you for your love and attention to the little one.”
Man and woman, widower and widow, gazed at one another and something unspoken but powerful passed between them.
“You will be out of mourning in the spring, I believe, Mrs. Hurst?” Mr. Bennet said huskily.
“In March, yes,” she said gravely.
“When that time comes, would you welcome the formal attentions of an old man with six nearly grown children?”
“You are hardly old and your children are delightful. I suggest that we continue to pursue knowing one another these next few months, but I believe yes, in March I would very much welcome your attentions, Mr. Bennet.”
/
“I find Macbeth a fascinating character study,” Elizabeth said, “but as a woman, his wife is of even greater interest to me.”
Darcy had danced with Miss Mary for the supper sets and was overjoyed when his partner guided him to a place near Miss Elizabeth, who had danced with Samuel Lucas.
Miss Mary and the Lucas heir immediately struck up a conversation about a tenant family living between Longbourn and Lucas Lodge, which allowed Darcy to focus on Miss Elizabeth
“Her vaulting ambition certainly brought her entire family to ruin,” Darcy mused.
“Yes,” Elizabeth agreed, a thoughtful pucker forming in her brow.
“Do you suppose it is the nature of mankind to always wish for more? Lady Macbeth’s situation was already an excellent one as wife of one of King Duncan’s most honored generals.
She had wealth, comfort, and prestige, and yet she longed for greater power.
Of course, it is merely a play, and perhaps it is not legitimate to compare Macbeth and his wife to real people. ”
“Shakespeare’s works are remarkable for drawing out the great sins of mankind, I believe.
There are those who have killed and murdered for power, Miss Elizabeth, as you well know.
However, I believe it is far more common, but still insidious, for men and women to disdain the needs of others in order to look to their own wealth and satisfaction. ”
“Like Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth murmured.
“Yes, and like many a gentleman who takes all he can from his holdings without considering the needs of the land and the tenants. It does not take long for an estate to deteriorate if the master does not invest in drainage and tenant homes and the like.”
“Yes, and caring for one’s estate, or one’s family, or one’s church – if one is a parson – or one’s kingdom – if one is a king – is a long term affair.
It is not merely a case of sacrificing for a day or a week or a month.
A wealthy gentleman must decide year after year to continue to devote himself to the needs of his estate and his family.
I know that you are a most faithful master of Pemberley, and a wonderful brother to Miss Darcy. I honor you for it.”
To Darcy’s surprise, he felt a strange exultation at his companion’s words. Many women fawned over him, but Elizabeth Bennet’s words truly warmed his heart. It was not his looks or his money which she admired, but his dedication to his sister and his lands.
“Thank you,” he said gratefully, smiling down at her.
Elizabeth, for her part, found her heart beating faster.
Mr. Darcy was truly a handsome man, and when he looked at her, it quite took her breath away.
It was a pity that – but no, she would not grieve over him.
She admired him very much, but his focus was on Pemberley, and hers on Longbourn and her siblings.
Besides, it was unlikely that the nephew of an earl would choose to pursue a woman of little fortune and poor connections.
She needed to remember that and not make herself foolishly unhappy over this man.
For now, she would merely relish the company of a sensible, interesting gentleman.
“What think you of Shakespeare’s comedies, Mr. Darcy?” she asked brightly.
/
“Well, Darcy,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said, “will you be going to London and then Pemberley, or will you remain here in Hertfordshire to court the lovely Miss Elizabeth?”
Darcy sighed and patted his stallion, who was walking down a wide path toward Netherfield’s only trout stream. He and his cousin had risen late after the previous night’s ball, but earlier than anyone else. Both had desired fresh air and private speech and had decided on a mid-morning ride.
He was tempted to prevaricate but there was no reason to, after all.
“I will be going to London and then Pemberley.”
The colonel’s eyebrows flew up in surprise. “You have decided that Miss Elizabeth is not a candidate for the role of Mrs. Darcy?”
“I have not,” Darcy returned glumly. “Actually, the more I speak with the lady, the more impressed I am. However, during our dance last night, she made it very clear that she considers herself bound to Longbourn for at least a little longer as her younger siblings still require her guidance and care. I can hardly blame her for that, when I too would sacrifice almost anything for Georgiana.”
“So you are giving up.”
Darcy glared at his cousin. “For now, yes. Keep in mind, Richard, that only a few weeks ago I was still considering marrying Anne, though I was unenthusiastic about it. Thanks to your excellent advice, I feel entirely freed from taking that particular path. Now I find myself greatly attracted to a young lady, but I truly do not know my own heart; perhaps this is merely some strange infatuation, brought about by my new freedom to marry as I wish. It seems wise to retreat to Pemberley for the winter to consider my own feelings. I am certain I have not raised any expectations in Miss Elizabeth and thus will not break her heart.”
Richard snorted at this. “I am quite certain that Miss Elizabeth has no idea you are at all interested in her. You are not precisely a demonstrative soul, my friend!”
“That is true enough,” Darcy agreed, and felt a sudden shudder of uncertainty in his soul. Was this the right decision, to leave Miss Elizabeth Bennet behind? But how could he make an offer when he knew she felt obligated to be a support to her younger siblings?