Page 9 of The Bennet Heir

Chapter Eight

A s Elizabeth suspected, Charlotte and Jonathan were already seated at breakfast when she arrived. The meal was served a little later than usual, due to the late evening the night before, and the younger girls were still at Lucas Lodge.

“You took a rather long walk this morning, Eliza,” Charlotte said pointedly when Elizabeth entered the breakfast room, her skirts clearly dirty and her hair blowsy from her quick walk.

“I apologise for my tardiness, Charlotte, Jonathan. I happened upon Mr. Darcy on my walk, and we spoke longer than intended. Horace was with me, and Mr. Darcy kept a respectful distance, but we lost track of time,” Elizabeth blurted, settling into her usual spot beside her brother and across from his wife.

Charlotte and Bennet exchanged a brief glance. While they trusted Elizabeth’s judgement and did not doubt Mr. Darcy’s proper behaviour, they were well aware that appearances could be easily misinterpreted. Even if Mr. Darcy had maintained an appropriate distance, the mere sight of the two of them conversing, even in a public location, could ignite gossip.

“It is unlikely many people were out and about this early this morning after last evening. However, moving forward, you must be more cautious, especially since Mr. Darcy will be a guest here at Longbourn for the next several days,” Charlotte said gently to her sister. “You know there are those in Meryton who would use even the slightest provocation to blacken your name.” Although Charlotte did not name her, Elizabeth’s stepmother was the most likely one to use any excuse to find fault with the stepdaughter she blamed for a majority of the problems both in her marriage and at present.

Elizabeth lowered her gaze, a tinge of guilt in her voice. “I know, Charlotte. I truly only meant to stay for a moment, but before I knew it, we were deep in conversation.”

Charlotte, giving her a knowing look, reached across the table to pat her hand. “It’s early enough that the only ones likely to have seen you are our tenants, and you needn’t worry about them. However, moving forward, you must be more cautious. Do not remain in Mr. Darcy’s company for long without a chaperone.”

Elizabeth nodded, a touch of uncertainty lingering.

“Mr. Darcy would likely do the honourable thing if you were discovered, but I would rather not put him in that position,” Bennet interjected. “He has expressed a considerable interest in you—and you in him—but I would not want that choice taken away from either of you. With him staying here, always ensure there is a chaperone present. Mary, Kitty, or your grandmother will do. If you venture outside to the garden, you should have a footman accompany you. I will have the Hills arrange for someone to be available over the next few days until a more permanent arrangement can be made. And Lizzy,” her brother added with a raised brow, “you must promise me not to slip away on your own at any time, even if you have Horace with you.”

Elizabeth nodded, and the conversation shifted to a discussion of the tenants and other estate business. At least once a week, the three of them spent an extended period at the morning meal as they discussed any news they had learned. Likewise, after any gathering in town, they shared together what they heard from their friends and neighbours.

“Sir William mentioned that we might expect a regiment of the militia to winter in or around Meryton. A colonel paid him a visit a few days ago, inquiring about possible places to house his officers and a fallow field where the men could make camp,” Bennet mentioned.

Charlotte and Elizabeth frowned. “At only fifteen and thirteen, Mary and Kitty ought to be too young to be approached, but I will still put them and our staff on guard. Elizabeth, a company of militia in the area means that you will need to be even more cautious as well,” Charlotte stated.

“I worry more about the officers than I do the rest of the men. Charlotte, you might attempt to speak with Mrs. Bennet to warn her, even if it will do little good. It is likely Sir William spoke to all the men last night, but I do not think it occurred to him to issue a warning. I will speak to Goulding and Long and a few of the others when I see them and will suggest that your father speak to the shopkeepers as well. With so many strangers in our town, I would not like to see any of our friends harmed by someone running up more credit than they can afford to repay,” Bennet said.

“Is that truly a concern?” Elizabeth asked.

“In London, I saw several shops fail because of unpaid debts. The shops in Meryton allow us to purchase on credit because we have consistently paid our debts. Our stepmother is no longer allowed to purchase on credit after her bills went unpaid several months in a row. She was eventually able to pay the shopkeepers, but after that incident, her brother and the shopkeepers agreed that if she or your sister Lydia could not pay in coin, they would not be allowed to make the purchase. Jane is equally aware of the expectations, but she does not attempt to circumvent them,” Bennet replied.

Elizabeth paused thoughtfully before replying, “So Mrs. Bennet no longer has access to any of the Longbourn accounts. Shortly after Uncle Philips found her a cottage, she tried to charge dresses for herself, Jane, and Lydia to the estate. When it was refused, she caused quite a scene. I had forgotten about it, but I am certain I mentioned it to you at the time.”

Bennet nodded, sighing heavily as he replied. “I heard about it from her, as well as Uncle Philips, the dressmaker, and several others who witnessed it. Mrs. Bennet was upset that I caused her the mortification of not being allowed to make purchases as she had always done, and I had to remind her that it was her choice to move away from Longbourn and of the conversation we had when she did. Despite knowing exactly what to expect, she hoped that I would behave more as Father had and would give in to her demands. It did not occur to her that I would go to the shopkeepers directly to tell them what I would and would not pay for. That incident was not the first, nor was it the last.”

“She was bragging last night that since Mr. Bingley appeared so interested in her Jane, that once the two of them were wed, she would be able to live ‘the life she deserved’ once again,” Charlotte informed them.

“I was able to speak to Jane briefly,” Elizabeth replied. “She was, of course, mortified by her mother speaking so boldly of her prospects though she would never contradict her mother. I believe she likes Mr. Bingley, but given what Mr. Darcy has said about the man, I worry that his sister will do all she can to draw him away from Netherfield.”

“Abandoning an estate he has leased for two years would be a poor financial decision,” Bennet interjected. “Under the terms of the lease, he is responsible for Netherfield’s care and upkeep for the duration of the agreement. If he neglects his duties or vacates prematurely, he forfeits any claim to its income and incurs a penalty.”

Charlotte raised a brow. “You seem well-informed about his lease.”

He shrugged. “Philips drafted it and sought my advice before finalising. Bingley leased Netherfield to learn estate management since it is not for sale. The owner, who comes of age soon, may decide its future then.”

Both women exchanged surprised glances, intrigued by this revelation. “Who is the owner of Netherfield?” Elizabeth asked. “Is it anyone we know?”

Bennet remained surprisingly closed-mouthed about the matter, stating only that the owner had yet to reach the age of majority, and that under the terms of the will, nothing could be revealed until that time. If either lady thought the answer odd, there was little else they could say, for it was obvious that Bennet would reveal no more in the matter.

When Bennet departed a short time later, Charlotte and Elizabeth exchanged a glance. “This is the first I have heard of Netherfield’s heir. I am surprised that Jonathan seems to be in his uncle’s confidence. I seem to recall that your grandfather lived there many years ago, but he died before you were born. Since then, I have heard nothing of the owner or an heir,” Charlotte said quietly.

Elizabeth shrugged. “It is likely of no matter. The heir is young, it seems, and for whatever reason, his identity is to be kept secret. I do wonder if it is one of the young men who live nearby although I suppose it could be no one we have ever met. It is possible that even Jonathan knows only what he has shared with us and does not know the man’s identity.”

Charlotte nodded her agreement, but intended to speak to her husband more privately about the matter later.

Elizabeth retreated to her chambers to change into a clean gown and reflect on the events of the past days. Foremost in her mind were the conversations she had shared with Mr. Darcy, beginning the evening at the assembly and since then. Meeting him in person had far exceeded any expectations she had formed of him previously. Although she had admired him from a distance and recognised his handsome features, it was his intellect, wit, and surprising warmth that captivated her now that they had met.

As she smoothed her gown and sat by the window, her thoughts lingered on their conversation from that morning. His words were thoughtful, his manner respectful, and his quiet humour disarmed her. The image of his steady gaze remained vivid in her mind, and she marvelled at how easily they could fall into meaningful conversation.

Elizabeth could not deny the flutter of excitement and curiosity Mr. Darcy awakened in her. Yet, she resolved to tread cautiously, unsure what might come of their acquaintance. He had asked to call on her, yes, but already there were obstacles in their path. Would they be able to come to know each other better while in Meryton, or would she need to travel to London to maintain the acquaintance due to the intervention of his friend and his friend’s sister? While he was already familiar with her uncle, would he hesitate to visit a lady residing in Gracechurch Street? Might her circumstances influence his intentions?

She was not na?ve about the weight of family expectations amongst the ton . Although she had yet to meet Lord or Lady Matlock, their prominence in London society was undeniable since she had seen their names mentioned in the London newspaper from time to time. Would they view her as a suitable match for their nephew, or would they see her as a threat to his standing? These questions pressed on her as she considered the depth of their fledgling acquaintance. A few conversations did not constitute a courtship, yet she could not help but wonder what path lay ahead.

Drawing the curtains to let in the morning light, Elizabeth shook off her musings. Dwelling too long on uncertainties would do no good. If Mr. Darcy truly wished to pursue her, he would find a way to bridge the gaps between their worlds. For now, she would focus on the present, uncertain but hopeful, ready to meet whatever came next with an open heart.

She returned downstairs and joined Charlotte in the morning room where they worked on their sewing. Although it was only October, they had begun months earlier to ensure there would be enough items for the Christmas boxes prepared for the tenants of both Longbourn and Netherfield. As Elizabeth stitched, her thoughts drifted back to their breakfast conversation. She wondered again whether she knew the owner of Netherfield and if that connection explained why the Bennet family had always taken an interest in its tenants.

“Charlotte, how did you know that you wanted to marry my brother?” Elizabeth asked, startling her friend with the suddenness of the question.

Charlotte took a moment to consider the question. “I knew Jonathan when we were younger,” she began thoughtfully. “Of course, I was several years his junior so our interactions were limited before he went away to school. But one of my earliest memories of him was shortly after you were born. He was fifteen, and I remember visiting a few days later. Your brother was holding you, and you were so small in his hands. "He was so gentle with you—a stark contrast to the lively, boisterous boy I had always known, always running with his friends or riding horses through the fields. I was only seven at the time, but something about that moment left a lasting impression on me."

She paused again, her expression softening. “He did not return to Longbourn often after that, but after your father died, he came back and immediately took charge of managing the estate. Once your family was ready to receive visitors again, I was here often. Although we did not spend much time together, I saw him frequently, and he always had a kind word for me. But it was not until we danced at the assembly, after his mourning period, that I felt... something more. It was a small, quiet feeling, but I felt it physically. We spoke for hours that night, and afterward, he started calling on me. Two weeks later, he proposed, and by then, I was certain—I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.”

Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you, Charlotte. I know that Mrs. Bennet always felt that Jonathan proposed to you so quickly because he wanted to be rid of her. It did not matter that the two of you tried to appease her; she wanted things to remain as they always had been, with her having unlimited access to Longbourn’s funds to spend as she wished. She did not like that she was obligated to remain in mourning for a full year when my sisters and I could end ours after six months. It was Grandmama who told us what was expected and refused to let her end hers early, forcing her to remain in mourning for a full year. Still, Mrs. Bennet was angry at Jonathan for not giving in to her demands, particularly when she wanted to purchase an entirely new wardrobe just three months after Papa’s death, not even waiting for the half mourning period.

“When Jonathan proposed to you, she threw a tantrum that went far beyond any even Lydia had ever thrown. She insisted that she would not allow another to take her place as mistress of the estate and that she would not allow you to succeed her. She threatened all manner of actions, which led to Jonathan locking her in her room for a day and taking the cost of the items she broke from her pin money. Mrs. Bennet was furious about that, but she soon realised Jonathan was not like Papa—he would do precisely what he said. A few days later, he had servants move her from the mistress’s chambers to another room, and she sulked for days.”

Elizabeth stopped abruptly when she saw the look on Charlotte’s face.

“You knew about all of this, did you not?”

“Jonathan mentioned she was difficult, but not to this extreme. I knew she had not given up the mistress’s chambers willingly, and after we were wed, I had to keep my rooms locked whenever I was not in them. Several times, she attempted to sneak into my rooms, intending to cause harm to my belongings. After our wedding, she had several fits, which, as you know, led to her moving to the Philips’ home. Needless to say, our relationship remains… tense,” Charlotte finished, a faint hint of frustration in her voice.

“Papa did his second wife no favours in the way he treated her,” Elizabeth agreed. “I spent most of my time with Grandmama, for Mrs. Bennet wanted nothing to do with me after she wed Papa. Her behaviour towards Jonathan and me grew worse after she gave birth to three more girls. She resented me, in particular, I think, because I was here, and Papa gave me some attention. Jane was always included, but after a while, Mrs. Bennet began to refuse to allow Jane to join me or play with me at all. She tried to keep us apart as much as possible.”

Elizabeth paused, reflecting on the long years of tension before continuing. “As you know, Mrs. Bennet’s temper grew worse with every girl child, and she became more impossible to live with. Papa merely gave in to her demands, keeping me separated from the other girls and allowing her to do whatever she wished. It was as though he could not bear to confront her, so he let her have her way. She often said that I was an inconvenience, and it was clear she resented my presence at the estate. I was happy living with Grandmama, which frustrated Mrs. Bennet further.”

Sighing, there was a trace of bitterness in her voice as she continued. “Papa paid me more attention when I became useful on the estate. Grandmama had already started teaching me the role of the mistress which Mrs. Bennet had refused to learn. When Papa heard that, he brought me into his study more often, where I helped him by… acting as a secretary, I suppose. He dictated letters to me, and I gradually began writing them myself with only a little input from him. Soon, I was writing to Jonathan about estate matters, and he advised me after Papa decided he could no longer teach me. Instead, I spoke to the tenants, received advice from Jonathan and Grandmama, and then the three of us made decisions. Papa spent more and more time in his study and in his books to the point that he became unconcerned with matters of the estate as long as he had books to read and something to drink. We never informed him how we had improved the estate’s income, and we used the additional funds to invest in dowries for the younger girls.”

“But not Jane or Lydia?” Charlotte asked.

“Jane has some money set aside from her father, and Jonathan added small amounts to it through the years. Lydia had a dowry equal to Mary and Kitty’s when she left, but Jonathan has stopped adding to it, choosing instead to focus on Mary and Kitty since they will be far more likely to marry well,” Elizabeth said.

“Whereas Lydia is far more likely to ruin herself,” Charlotte interjected. “It is my hope that the rest of you girls marry before she does so. I worry about what will happen if she continues to run wild as she does presently.”

“Mr. Darcy hinted that were I to shed the Bennet name, I might escape ruin should Lydia do as we fear,” Elizabeth said, her cheeks flushing even as she said the words.

Charlotte raised her brow and considered her sister carefully. “That may be true, but even at that, you cannot completely separate from your family, not without cutting off the rest of us.”

“I would never wish to do that,” Elizabeth affirmed. “While I have little compunction about never seeing Mrs. Bennet again, I would not wish to be cut off from the rest of you.” Elizabeth flushed again. “However, it is pointless to consider at this moment. I have no understanding with any gentleman at present and should not even be speaking in this foolish manner. Forgive me, Charlotte.”

Charlotte reached over and placed her hand across her sister’s. “It is not foolish to speak of your hopes towards Mr. Darcy, at least not in the privacy of your home with your sister and friend. He has expressed some interest, has he not, so it is not as though your comments are wholly without foundation.”

Elizabeth nodded at this, appreciating her friend’s wise counsel.