Page 9 of The Fire at Longbourn (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

Longbourn

“There is a great deal to be done,” Bennet said, removing his spectacles and putting them in the pocket of his coat.

It was, he supposed, another tiny gift from God that he had been wearing his spectacles when the fire broke out and had carried them out of Longbourn on his person.

He had but one pair and found it difficult to read without them.

“Indeed,” he continued mournfully, staring out the window toward the small wilderness that lay alongside the woods, “it is difficult to know where to start. What are your thoughts, Elizabeth?”

His second daughter, stepped up beside him, cogitated for a minute and then said, “I suppose the first question is where are we to eat and sleep? I am certain that our aunt and uncle Phillips are willing to house us indefinitely, but it will not be easy as their home is not truly large enough.”

“Nor do I wish to burden them so,” her father agreed.

Emma Phillips had birthed two sons within three years of her marriage and never conceived again.

Her two married sons lived in London and were working as solicitors, and Bennet was quite certain that his sister-in-law, for all her hospitality, enjoyed having her home to herself.

Mrs. Bennet was not the easiest of companions in the best of times, and now, with her ankle swollen, her house partially destroyed, and great uncertainty about the near future, she would be an exceptionally difficult houseguest.

“There are the servants to think of as well,” Elizabeth mused. “It was exceedingly kind of our neighbors to house our people, but we need to get them back here as soon as possible.”

“Here?” Bennet repeated in confusion.

Elizabeth, brow furrowed with thought, turned and said, “There are still servant quarters in the attic of the west and front wings, and in the stables. There is a vast amount of work to be done with cleaning carpets and furniture, with doing something with the east wing, though I do not know what exactly.”

“The kitchen is destroyed, my dear,” Mr. Bennet pointed out gently. “How would food be prepared?”

“But the summer kitchen is not,” his daughter returned and then, at the sight of her father’s startled face, continued, “I know it is not ideal, but there is water readily available, and the men can bring wood for the stove…”

“I am not certain that our cook is willing to put up with such a situation in late autumn, soon to be winter.”

“Then she can take a position elsewhere,” Elizabeth said calmly. “We cannot force her to stay in our employ, nor do I imagine that those living here at Longbourn can reasonably expect elaborate meals for some weeks, possibly months.”

“Your mother will be most displeased,” Bennet said drily.

Elizabeth shook her head and said, “Mother cannot stay here, nor should Mary, I think. Mother will be fractious, and Mary needs quiet as she recovers from her injuries. Perhaps they can stay with the Phillips, though that is not ideal. But I think that you and I, Jane, and Lydia can move back here soon.”

Her father snorted and said, “Lydia will complain endlessly, Lizzy, and you know that!”

His daughter’s eyes flashed at these words, and she exclaimed, “I expect she will, but given that Lydia almost certainly burned down the east wing, she should be willing to assist, and if she does not, that is on your shoulders! You have allowed her to become selfish and spoiled and…”

She trailed off, bit her lip, and looked down at the rug under her feet. “I am sorry,” she muttered. “I should not have said that. This whole situation has been…”

She was surprised, and relieved, when Mr. Bennet took both her hands in his own and said, “I know. You are correct. I have been indolent and idle, and I have not taken the time to restrain the antics of your silly, and foolish, sisters. I have also failed by not saving for such a disaster such as this. It will take a great deal of money to repair the east wing.”

“If I may say so, sir,” Elizabeth began, and then stopped at the sight of the two horsemen passing below her on the gravel drive that led to the stables. “Oh, there are Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy!”

Mr. Bennet, pleased at the distraction, said, “Come along, Lizzy. I wish to thank them again for their assistance last night.”

/

On the Road to Longbourn

A Few Minutes Earlier

“It would be a generous thing to do, Bingley,” Darcy said.

Bingley brightened at these words and said, “Do you truly think so? The hunting lodge at Netherfield is sturdy and well built, but it is hardly meant for delicate ladies. Perhaps I should instead invite the Bennets to stay at Netherfield until repairs can be made?”

Darcy’s breath hitched at these words, and he was quite certain that he blanched.

It had been hard enough when Miss Elizabeth had stayed at Netherfield when Miss Bennet had fallen ill.

Darcy had been forced to draw upon his considerable self-control to keep from encouraging Miss Elizabeth by paying her too much attention.

If she stayed at Netherfield for weeks on end, it would be impossible for him to ignore her appropriately, though close proximity to the lady’s mother could only make him more aware of the Bennets’ unsuitability.

The mistress of Longbourn was crass, vulgar, and openly on the hunt for wealthy husbands for her daughters, and while the elder two were charming, the younger two daughters were noisy and flirtatious.

“It is your decision, of course,” Darcy said carefully, “but I suspect there might be friction between Miss Bingley and Mrs. Bennet; the former is keeping house for you, and the latter is used to being mistress of an estate.”

“I suppose that is true,” Bingley agreed with a frown. “Well, we will see what Mr. Bennet has to say.”

The two men lapsed into silence as they directed their horses along the lane which led to the stables.

When they were passing the untouched west wing, Darcy happened to catch sight of Mr. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, who were staring down at them from the first floor.

Mr. Darcy had excellent vision, and in the few seconds while Miss Elizabeth was in view, he observed her puffy eyes and pale face.

Truly, this must be devastating for her.

When they arrived at the stables, they swung down from their horses, handed them off to a stable boy, and began walking toward the front door of the mansion. They were met at the front door by Mr. Bennet, who greeted them with obvious pleasure.

“Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, many thanks for taking the time to visit today. Would you care to come in? Much of the house is burned or in disarray, but the back sitting room is nearly untouched.”

“Thank you, sir,” the younger man said, eagerly climbing the stairs with Darcy in his wake. Bennet guided them through the vestibule and down the hall of the west wing, and from there into the sitting room where Elizabeth was seated at a small writing table inscribing notes in a ledger.

“Miss Elizabeth,” Bingley said, looking around in vain for the young woman’s elder sister. “I hope you are well today?”

A moment later, he felt rather foolish; of course the lady was not well! Her house had partially burned down only the day before!

“I am well enough, sir,” Elizabeth replied, curtseying toward Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, who had silently taken his place next to his friend. “Naturally we are distressed at the state of our home, but at least no one was badly hurt.”

“May I inquire as to how Mrs. Bennet and Miss Mary are feeling today?” Darcy rumbled. As usual, his stomach was doing odd flips in the presence of Miss Elizabeth, but he hoped that his tone was even enough.

“Mrs. Bennet has a sprained ankle, and Mary has a broken arm and a serious headache,” Mr. Bennet explained, gesturing for the gentlemen to take seats on the dainty furniture; the room was generally used by the Bennet ladies, and thus its accouterments were light and feminine.

Bingley took a seat across from Mr. Bennet and got directly to the point.

“Mr. Bennet, as you probably know, Netherfield boasts a house near the eastern border of its estate, which my predecessor used as a hunting lodge since it is near a marsh where pheasants breed aplenty. I would be pleased to allow your family to live there while Longbourn is repaired and rebuilt. The lodge is not large, but it is sturdy and comfortably furnished, though I fear there are only five bedchambers. Alternatively, it would be my honor to have you all live at Netherfield for a time. Perhaps that would be more convenient since the lodge is farther away from Longbourn, though the latter would have the benefit of being more private.”

Bennet gazed at the younger man with awed gratitude. “Mr. Bingley, that is exceedingly kind of you, but I cannot imagine putting you to so much trouble.”

“Nonsense, sir,” Bingley insisted. “You and your fellow landowners have welcomed me and my household with great kindness. I am confident that if our roles were reversed, you would be equally eager to assist.”

Mr. Bennet sighed inwardly; if Netherfield burned down, he would doubtless be sympathetic, but he would not put himself out in such a way. He really was loathsomely lazy.

“Elizabeth and I were just discussing whether we might be able to live at Longbourn,” he said, looking at his daughter. “The kitchen is destroyed, of course, but the outdoor kitchen is serviceable. What do you think, Lizzy?”

“I think that Mr. Bingley is uncommonly generous,” the lady said, bestowing a smile on the young man. Darcy felt his throat tighten and was surprised to realize that he was jealous; he wished for Miss Elizabeth to look upon him with that kind of admiration!

“It would not do for our family to descend upon Netherfield, though,” Miss Elizabeth continued, “though it is kind of you to offer. The lodge would, I think, be an excellent place for Mary and my mother; they both need quiet and peace, and if there is room for a few servants, I daresay they will be comfortable enough. Perhaps Kitty can stay there to help in their care, while you and the rest of us girls live here.”

Mr. Bennet felt his shoulders relax at these sensible words.

“That is very wise, my dear. Yes, it would not do for Mary to be exposed to the sounds of hammers and the like while she recovers, and your mother will likely be lame for a few days. Yes, Mr. Bingley, I accept your very gracious invitation. Thank you.”

“It is my honor and pleasure, sir,” Bingley returned.

He was, he realized now, disappointed that the Bennets would not be moving into Netherfield.

He had thoroughly enjoyed those few days when Miss Bennet had been laid up with sickness because he had the opportunity of spending more time with her!

But Longbourn was close to Netherfield, and he intended on visiting frequently to lift up Miss Bennet’s spirits.

Darcy, on the other hand, could only be relieved.

He had a thoroughly bizarre inclination to take Miss Elizabeth into his arms, which was, of course, absurd and entirely inappropriate.

But he hated to see the drawn look in her eyes, and the sadness in her beautiful mouth and …

she was looking at him. Had he missed something?

“Mr. Darcy, I wished to thank you, most profoundly, for your assistance yesterday,” she said. “My father tells me that we would likely have lost Longbourn without your able leadership, not to mention your hard work.”

Darcy had been correct; it was truly a pleasure to enjoy Miss Elizabeth’s admiring gaze.

“Erm, it was my honor to assist,” he said. “I only regret that we could not save the east wing.”

“No lives were lost, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth said softly, “and much of our home was saved. I am greatly distressed at the events of yesterday, but I am also grateful for all we gained; not just part of our home, but the knowledge that we are surrounded by good and faithful friends.”