Page 65

Late in the morning, after finishing her share of the mending, Elizabeth walked from Longbourn to Netherfield to visit Jane.

Everyone understood that Miss Darcy and her brother would be present for the entirety of Lizzy’s visit.

It was almost noon when she walked across the last pasture before reaching the gravel drive that led to the front door of the neighbouring manor house.

The young woman was on the stile at the edge of the pasture that allowed her to cross that last fence when a carriage appeared on the drive travelling away from the manor house. Recognizing the Bingley carriage, Elizabeth was unable to see who was in the coach when it passed her.

Frowning, the young woman continued down the last step and hurried along the drive to the front door. Before she reached the door, it opened and Jane stood there, waving her sister to come inside. Just as her sister reached the door, Jane declared, “Oh Lizzie, there is disaster in London.”

Stepping into the entry hall at Netherfield, Elizabeth hugged Jane to assure herself that her sister was well. Then she asked, “What has occurred?”

Leading Elizabeth into the dining room where they could speak without being overheard by servants or other guests, Jane explained, “As Charles and I discussed our plans for the afternoon, two postal carriers arrived with letters for my husband. The first came from the bank Charles uses in London and the second came from Mr Hurst. The attorneys wrote that Miss Bingley had accessed her dowry and had withdrawn three quarters of the value. In his letter, Mr Hurst begged Charles to come to London as quickly as possible.”

Elizabeth recognized that Jane was very upset, so she did not press for more detail.

After a few moments, the older sister continued, “Lizzy, Mr Hurst fears that Miss Bingley has lost her dowry. Charles never finished his cup of tea but left as soon as his valet packed a small trunk. He will be in London this afternoon.”

Still holding her sister’s hand, Elizabeth asked, “Jane, whatever does this mean?”

Mrs Bingley confided, “I fear Caroline’s disaster will affect our home. Charles feels responsible for his sister, and he may never cast her out. If she has lost her fortune, I dread to think she will return to live under our roof for years.”

Dismissing her worries about the future, Elizabeth hugged her sister close and assured Jane, “Charles loves you, Jane. He will find a way forward.”

“We do not want to say anything to Mr Darcy and his sister,” Jane said. “They know you were coming but please say nothing about Caroline.”

Leading Elizabeth to the parlour, the sisters found Mr Darcy, Georgiana, and Mrs Annesley sitting at a table discussing a book.

Everyone rose from their chairs and greeted the newest arrival.

Georgiana’s eyes sparkled when she saw her brother become more animated with the arrival of Miss Elizabeth in the room, but the young girl made no comment on the appearance of the other woman at such an early hour.

“Mr Darcy, I am pleased to see you,” Elizabeth said. The party of five discussed the weather, news from Derbyshire, and plans for a tea in the afternoon. They made no mention of the letter that sent Mr Bingley hurrying to London before Mrs Bingley led her guests into the dining room for luncheon.

After the pleasant meal, Elizabeth suggested that Miss Darcy and she take a walk to one of the Netherfield farms where new colts were in the pastures. It was natural for Mr Darcy to accompany his sister and Miss Elizabeth on this excursion.

~~~

Close to one of the clock, an elegant carriage with a coat of arms on the door panels pulled to a stop in front of Netherfield.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh leaned forward in the seat and peered out of the window of the carriage.

The day was warm enough for the leather curtains to be raised while travelling outside of London.

The countryside smelled better than the streets of the metropolis of London that are covered with horse apples.

Nonetheless, the lady sniffed with disapproval at the scene before her.

The private drive leading to the manor had been neat, lined by fences built from local stone to confine flocks of sheep within the pastures.

The large house consisted of symmetrical lines of brick interspersed with windows arranged around a single front door.

In her eyes, the house was simple and plain.

‘There’s nothing to draw the eye to the line of the roof and not a single gargoyle. This the house is entirely Georgian design. It looks the other manor homes built in the last fifty years. Surely a sign of poor taste in the man who owns the place,’ she opined.

With a look of disapproval on her face, she wondered, ‘Why would Darcy be here?’

The carriage stopped and the footman jumped off the back of the carriage to come and open the door for the sister of his employer.

When he reached the door, Lady Catherine hissed, “Go to the door. Inquire if Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy is present before I step out. Tell the master of the house that Lady Catherine de Bourgh has come to call. Hurry!”

The footman walked to the door and knocked. A house servant appeared at the door, causing Lady Catherine to lean back. She did not want to appear too anxious to find her nephew if Darcy appeared at the door.

After a few minutes, the earl’s footman reappeared beside the carriage and reported, “My lady, Mrs Charles Bingley bids you enter the house while she sends a footman to fetch Mr Darcy from his constitutional.”

“Why is my nephew walking on the estate at this time of the day? What is the man thinking?” Lady Catherine questioned. After a moment, her frown deepened and she ordered, “Open the door. Help me down.”

Once her feet were on the gravel walkway, Lady Catherine motioned toward a valise in the well of the carriage. She ordered the footman, “Bring that case and follow me.”

The woman turned away from the carriage, not giving a thought to the horses that pulled the carriage from London or the men who guided the carriage.

The three-hour journey from the city had been aided by dry roads for once.

The driver would wait until her ladyship was behind closed doors but then he would drive to the back of the house to seek water for the horses.

The Fitzwilliam footman following the woman into the house knew to seek the coachman and carriage in the stable area when her ladyship decided to depart for the next house or back to London.

The coachman’s thoughts focused on the horses.

‘If one of the horses goes lame, his Lordship will hear it was his sister’s thoughtless orders that were the reason.

The countess urged the earl to limit his sister’s command of the carriages, but the man always defers to his sister.

The de Bourgh team still remains in poor shape after a fortnight of proper care,’

The veteran servant knew the Earl of Matlock felt more protective of his horses than his own daughter. He hoped, ‘Perhaps his lordship will rouse himself to protect his horses from his sister’s thoughtlessness.’

~~~

The footman raced along the pathways leading from Netherfield toward the nearest farm, Pheasant Ridge.

In a short time, the young man saw the party of walkers that consisted of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Miss Georgiana Darcy and Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy.

The trio turned back toward the young man when they heard him approaching so he slowed to a walk and took deep breaths to calm his racing heart.

When he reached the trio who were waiting patiently but with some surprise on their faces, the footman said, “Excuse me Miss Elizabeth, Miss Darcy.”

The footman addressed the gentleman. “Mr Darcy, Mrs Bingley asks that you return to the house with all haste.”

“What has happened?” asked a bemused Fitzwilliam Darcy.

“Sir, there is a carriage at the door. A lady – Catherine Bourgies or some such name – says she is your aunt, and it is urgent that she speak to you sir,” the footman informed the gentleman.

The gentleman’s demeanour changed instantly, and Darcy asked, “Lady Catherine de Bourgh?”

“Yes, sir. That is the name her footman used. Her carriage has a large crest on the side and there were a footman and coachman.”

“Was there anyone else with the lady? A younger woman?” asked Darcy to determine if his cousin was present.

The footman shook his head. “No other lady entered the house. There could have been a lady’s maid in the carriage, but I didn’t see anyone else.”

Warily, Georgiana asked, “William why would Aunt Catherine come here?”

Hearing the tone in the younger woman’s question, Elizabeth wondered if Miss Darcy was frightened of her aunt. Glancing toward the man and considering the expression on his face, Elizabeth decided the gentleman was displeased to learn that his aunt was present in Hertfordshire.

“I cannot imagine why Lady Catherine would appear at Netherfield,” Darcy assured his sister. “What’s more, I have no notion of how she learned that I was here. And I prefer that she not learn that you are present.”

He paused to think for a moment, exchanged a glance with Elizabeth who merely inclined her head, indicating that she would follow his lead without question in this situation.

“I shall walk back to the manor immediately to speak with our aunt,” Darcy told the others.

Then he addressed the young woman who had captured his attention so completely this spring.

“Miss Elizabeth, will you walk back with my sister? Perhaps you can complete our walk at a leisurely pace? Enter Netherfield quietly and retire to her room above stairs. Again, I would prefer that my Aunt Catherine not know that my sister is here.”

Nodding toward the footman, Elizabeth added, “Hill can walk with us and when he enters the room where you are gathered, you will know Miss Darcy is safe in her room.”

~~~