Page 4

CHAPTER 4

A Few Years Later

3 SEPTEMBER 1811

U nder Bennet’s guidance, Longbourn flourished.

The estate became a symbol of growth and stability—a marked contrast to its former neglect.

Over the past five years, Bennet had taken steps to safeguard his family’s future, setting aside small sums annually for each of his daughters.

Beyond financial preparations, he made significant improvements at Longbourn and even purchased additional properties outside the entail.

These investments were intended to ensure continued income for his widow and any daughters who remained unmarried, providing them with security despite the limitations imposed by the estate’s inheritance structure.

After his brother, Mr. Philips, a country attorney, had ensured the entail granted Mrs. Bennet the right to reside there rent-free for the duration of her life, the dower house was refurbished for this purpose.

Other steps, including naming the girls’ uncles as their guardians, had been taken to guarantee that the heir of Longbourn could seize none of the funds intended for Bennet’s unmarried daughters, ensuring that they were held in separate accounts from the estate’s funds.

These were invested with Mr. Gardiner and earning well over the four per cent per year guaranteed in the funds .

In addition, Bennet had struck an agreement with the owner of Netherfield to share the rents, provided his family assisted in managing the tenants.

This responsibility fell primarily to Elizabeth.

Jane and Mary had gradually taken on more of the obligations for the Longbourn tenants to allow Elizabeth greater focus on those at Netherfield.

With Lydia away at school, Catherine made an effort to be of some assistance in these matters; but having never fully recovered from a severe illness in childhood, her health remained delicate, and she was often obliged to remain near home.

Although her father had taken on much of the management of Longbourn, Elizabeth remained his assistant and shared in his estate duties.

In this role, she was often in her father’s confidence, and he had confessed to her that morning that he received a letter from the heir to Longbourn informing him of his intention to visit.

It was this she was contemplating as she rode.

The letter made it clear that the writer was something of an oddity.

He appeared to be apologising for his eventual role in displacing the Bennet daughters from Longbourn, an inevitability given the entail.

His gesture of reconciliation came in the form of an “olive branch,” which Elizabeth quickly deduced to mean he intended to marry one of them.

When she shared her conclusion with her father, he agreed but reassured her that he would never force any of his daughters into a marriage they did not desire.

Recalling the disagreement that had resulted in Bennet and Collins breaking ties all those years ago, Bennet did not want to depend on that man to do anything for his family upon his death.

Elizabeth’s mind was whirling with all that her father had revealed that morning.

It was difficult at times to be the one her father turned to in matters like these.

The position rightfully belonged to his wife but, despite the improvements in the family, Mrs. Bennet remained flighty.

Instead, Bennet continued to turn to his second daughter to provide the intellectual companionship his wife did not .

That morning, Elizabeth had attempted to persuade her father to inform her mother of their impending guest. Although Mr. Collins was not expected for more than two months, she believed it wise to give her mother ample notice.

Bennet, however, disagreed—preferring a shorter warning to limit his exposure to her inevitable complaints.

He remained undecided whether to encourage the visit at all or to write and suggest a delay in his cousin’s journey.

Lost in these thoughts, she found herself rather startled at the sound of hoofbeats near her.

She jerked her head around and saw three riders approaching.

Recognising one of the gentlemen, she waved.

Mr. Morris, Netherfield’s steward, called to the lady in greeting, “Miss Elizabeth, I am glad to see you about this morning. Are you going to call upon the tenants of Netherfield today?”

Although the gentlemen dismounted, Elizabeth did not.

“I am. Mrs. Johnson is close to her confinement, and I intended to check on her this morning.” She did not speak to the other gentlemen, but looked at them with interest. “There are a few others who need some attention as well, but she is my primary concern.”

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet?” the taller of the two gentlemen blurted out as he stepped nearer, surprising both men who accompanied him.

At her nod, he continued.

“I visited Longbourn with my father several years ago and have continued corresponding with your father these last several years. I hoped to call on him while I was in the neighbourhood today. Will he be available?”

Elizabeth turned her attention towards the speaker.

“Are you Mr. Darcy?” she asked, taking a moment to examine the gentleman.

He was the tallest of the three and rather well favoured.

Attempting to hide the blush caused by this thoughts, she spoke again quickly.

“My father has spoken of you occasionally, well, nearly every time he received a letter from you, I suppose. I know it has been several years, but still, I would offer my condolences on the loss of your father. ”

By this time, Darcy was standing near Elizabeth and asked if he could assist her from the horse.

She nodded in agreement and felt surprised by the jolt of energy she experienced when he briefly touched her to help her down.

Their eyes locked for a moment, but Elizabeth swiftly looked down, feeling her cheeks heat again and hoping to hide her discomposure from him.

Darcy, too, found himself affected by the young lady.

Although they had not met during his previous visit, her father’s letters had spoken of her often enough to pique his interest. He had not expected to see her in person, and her sudden appearance momentarily stole his breath.

The brief sensation of her touch lingered, stirring something within him, and the sight of her blush delighted him more than he cared to admit.

He had never before been aware a woman’s blush—but now that he had, he found himself wanting to make it happen again.

Unlike his memories of the lady’s mother, her hair was dark.

She was, naturally, shorter than he, the top of her head reaching just to his chin, and her figure was undeniably pleasing.

Although not the classical beauty so prized by the ton, she was lovely—and then she looked at him.

Her eyes, a vivid emerald green, flashed with intelligence and humour.

They drew him in completely, transforming her from merely lovely into something far more captivating.

He stepped away as he acknowledged her words.

“I thank you, Miss Bennet. He passed away not long after our visit here, but he was pleased to have seen his old friend again. He mentioned it several times in the months after our visit, and after he became ill, he hoped I would maintain the correspondence between Longbourn and Pemberley.”

“Although he was saddened by his friend’s death, my father was pleased that you maintained the connection,” Elizabeth affirmed, then looked up at him with an impish grin.

“You were of immeasurable help when I attempted to convince him to modernise at Longbourn. Often, you espoused the method I was attempting to persuade him to implement. Having your support, even without your knowing it, enabled Longbourn to prosper.”

Darcy burst forth with a laugh at this statement surprising nearly everyone present.

Elizabeth smiled broadly at her success, not knowing how rare it was for Darcy to laugh, but his friend merely stared wide-eyed at him.

Mr. Morris was less surprised at Elizabeth’s wit, having become accustomed to it, but was a little surprised that the stern man apparently did possess a sense of humour.

That Elizabeth Bennet was the one to make him display it did not shock the steward whatsoever.

“I am glad to have done some good. I did not know that my input would have such an effect, but am infinitely pleased to have been of use. Tell me, what improvements did I champion?” Darcy asked as he contained his laughter.

Before Elizabeth could reply, Mr. Morris stepped forward to perform the introductions.

“Miss Elizabeth, it is clear that you already know Mr. Darcy, or at least have heard of him, but allow me to introduce Mr. Charles Bingley as well. Mr. Bingley is considering taking the lease of Netherfield, and he and Mr. Darcy have ridden from London to examine it before making a decision.”

Elizabeth acknowledged the introduction, speaking for a moment to Mr. Bingley before turning again to Mr. Darcy to answer his question.

“Father was reluctant to modernise the tenants’ cottages and replace the thatch roofing with slate. It was an expensive endeavour, but soon after I suggested it, you mentioned in one of your letters about doing the same. He was finally convinced when you extolled the benefits of it several times over the next few months.”

The two spoke for several minutes as Elizabeth intelligently described some changes made at Longbourn over the last few years.

Mr. Morris occasionally contributed to the discussion, while Mr. Bingley merely looked on.

He had never seen his friend engage in any conversation with a female and was surprised at his holding a prolonged discussion about farming practices in the middle of a field with a young lady of marriageable age.

She was a rather pretty young lady as well, Bingley considered as he listened to them.

Eventually, a noise from the horses seemed to make the pair aware of how long they had been speaking.

Elizabeth’s cheeks heated when she realised she had been conversing for some time with a relative stranger, or one who ought to have been a stranger.

Yes, they had a tenuous connection through her father, but despite Mr. Morris’s participation, Elizabeth suddenly considered the possible impropriety of this entire exchange.

“Forgive me, gentlemen, for keeping you from your responsibilities. It is growing late in the morning, and I am expected home before too much longer,” she said, ducking her head again in embarrassment.

Darcy looked at the position of the sun in the sky.

“As much as I have enjoyed our conversation, Miss Elizabeth, I suspect you are correct about how long we have been here. If we are to return to London today, we will need to leave the area soon. You also had an errand to complete, if I recall. Did I understand you will visit one of Netherfield’s tenants?”

Elizabeth offered a nod, briefly explaining the agreement between the masters of the two estates.

After a moment of silence, she again indicated her need to depart.

Taking her meaning, Darcy stepped forward to assist her.

Flushing prettily, she hesitated for only a moment before agreeing, and Darcy gently placed his hands on her waist to help her into the saddle.

As soon as they touched, they both felt that same jolt of energy pass between them, their eyes meeting again.

However, this time, Elizabeth held his gaze for a moment longer .

Her cheeks warmed, but she smiled at him, her expression softening as she said, “Thank you, sir. I believe my father would enjoy a visit from you before your departure from our neighbourhood.”

Darcy nodded in acknowledgement, and then he watched her leave, the groom a short distance behind her, before mounting his horse a moment behind the other two gentlemen.

They made their way back to the manor house with the steward, finishing their business with him, before receiving directions to Longbourn.

Their visit was brief—only Bennet was at home to visitors, and he had a meeting scheduled shortly after their arrival.

Darcy introduced his friend to Bennet, and again, Bingley had little to contribute to the conversation, which centred mainly around Netherfield and what having someone lease it might mean for the estate.

However, the conversation was short, and Darcy promised to pay a longer call when he returned near Michaelmas with his friend.

Soon the two men began their trek back to London.

They were well on their way towards town when Bingley sidled his horse up beside Darcy and punched him in the arm.

“Darcy, you have been holding out on me! You spoke as though you have known Miss Elizabeth Bennet for years and I have been wondering for hours why you have never mentioned her to me. This is simply priceless. No one will believe me!” Bingley smirked, clearly delighted with the incident.

“I demand to know the details. How do you know her, and exactly what is the relationship between the two of you?”

Darcy gave him a flat look.

“We have not met before today,” he replied curtly, his tone clipped with irritation.

“And it has scarcely been ‘hours’ since the encounter, Bingley.”

Bingley, unable to suppress his surprise, blinked in disbelief.

“You met the lady only today?” he asked, raising an eyebrow and remaining quiet for a moment as he reflected on the meeting.

“But you were not even properly introduced. How did you know who she was? ”

Darcy flushed, surprising his friend.

“I met Mr. Bennet five years ago. He and my father attended Cambridge together and kept up the acquaintance through letters. Miss Elizabeth Bennet was in London when I visited, so today was the first time we met. After my father’s death, I continued writing to Mr. Bennet; I suppose her father has shared something about me from my letters. Likewise, I have heard much of her from his own letters, so I feel as though I know her better than I actually do. Perhaps she felt the same.”

For several moments, Bingley considered his friend’s words.

Finally, he spoke again.

“Do you think Miss Darcy might want to join us when we return so that she can meet the Misses Bennet? I know you did not originally intend to have her accompany you, but perhaps now you will reconsider the matter. You have often said she needs the company of ladies her own age.”

Bingley was again surprised when his friend’s face darkened.

“I do not believe Georgiana will want to come to Hertfordshire. She is staying with my aunt at Matlock and will remain there at present.”

“Is all well with her?” Bingley asked.

Darcy considered what he had said, wondering if he had somehow revealed more intended.

He shook his head.

“No, she is well enough, just…” he sighed.

“I suppose this is a difficult time for any girl. She is not a child, yet not quite a woman. She is stuck in between. At her age, I was away at school, surrounded by young men my own age. Georgiana attended school for a year, but she did not seem to fit in there. I hope my aunt might be able to help her find her place in society.”

“She has always been rather quiet,” Bingley offered.

Darcy nodded, thinking back over the events of that summer.

After the attempted elopement with George Wickham and her realisation that she had been manipulated by those she trusted, including her companion, Georgiana had become even more withdrawn.

Darcy was concerned about her and had confided in his Aunt Matlock, who offered to spend some time with her to see what could be done.

No one else knew of this, other than his cousin Richard, and Darcy was determined to keep it this way.

A new companion, a Mrs. Annesley, had been hired for Georgiana, and Lady Matlock insisted that Darcy spend time away from his sister.

To say that he had been unhappy about this was an understatement.

He argued with his aunt, but she finally persuaded him that his overbearing behaviour was the last thing his sister needed.