Page 24 of Darcy's Guarded Heart
“Indeed, my uncle, Mr Bennet, has trained me. I have been his right-hand man for quite some time.”
“That seems rather a waste of time,” Mr Darcy remarked, “since you cannot inherit.”
“It would surprise me that a gentleman would consider a good knowledge of estate management a waste of time,” Thomas responded.
Mr Darcy and Thomas stared at one another, and Elizabeth could not help but think they were akin to two bulls preparing to charge at one another. Well, perhaps this tea had finally awakened Thomas from his illusion that there was anything in the character of Mr Darcy worth admiring.
“Let us not quarrel,” Miss Darcy interjected. “I think it is very interesting that Thomas has such a great many interests. Pray, will you share with the table the story you told me at Lucas Lodge about the time your pigs got loose from the stable? It was so very amusing that my sides hurt from laughing.”
Elizabeth smiled at the young woman, grateful for her diversion. But she could not suppress her curiosity. How was such a charming young woman related to a disagreeable man like Mr Darcy?
Chapter Twelve
Elizabeth
“Goodness, gracious, the man is entirely insufferable,” Elizabeth declared as they ascended into the carriage and prepared to depart. The rain had slowed to a drizzle and was now entirely gone, though the roads looked less than agreeable. Still, they had spent enough time at Netherfield for one afternoon, at least for Elizabeth’s liking.
“I cannot disagree with you, Elizabeth. It appears he has taken a particular aversion to me, and by extension, the rest of the family,” Thomas responded, surprising Elizabeth, who had not perceived him capable of being critical of Mr Darcy due to some loyalty he had developed towards Mr Bingley.
“Pray, Thomas, do not speak ill of him,” Jane urged. “He is a dear friend of the family and it is unkind to disregard him. We scarcely even know him.”
“Oh, Jane,” Thomas sighed, “it seems you remain steadfast in your determination to see the good in everyone. It is one of the qualities I admire most about you,” he continued, “but if you will excuse me, I shall take my leave now and take us home, avoiding any further defence of Mr Darcy. Besides, I am certain you two have much to discuss concerning a far more agreeable gentleman.” He winked at them before closing the carriage door. A moment later, the vehicle swayed slightly as he mounted the front, and they drove away.
“He is quite right. Instead of spending our time discussing Mr Darcy, we ought to reflect upon Mr Bingley,” Elizabeth remarked, “who is, indeed, most amiable.”
Jane flushed at once and brightened with a radiant smile. “I must confess, I am quite taken with him. He is charming, he is kind, and I absolutely adore him. He has already invited me for a stroll the day after tomorrow!”
“How wonderful!” Elizabeth replied.
“A promenade with Miss Bingley, of course,” she added. “She will act as chaperone, to make it proper. We would not want the townsfolk talking.”
“Indeed, a man like Mr Bingley is nothing if not proper,” Elizabeth said.
“He has informed me of all details concerning his home in Sheffield. He possesses horses and hounds, and his townhouse is utterly delightful.” Jane continued to make a full report on all she had learned about Mr Bingley, his preferences, his pastimes, and down to his favourite desserts.
“He resides in a townhouse, you say?” Elizabeth enquired. “How pray does he keep horses?”
“He has rented stables. However, he intends to move them here to more suitable lodgings,” Jane explained.
“Has he then resolved to purchase Netherfield Park?” Elizabeth questioned, eager to draw more of her sister’s thoughts regarding the young man’s intentions.
“He is contemplating such a venture, but he wishes first to ascertain Mr Darcy’s assessment of the matter,” Jane replied.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Of course he does. Nothing may transpire without the mighty Mr Darcy’s approval.”
“Pray, do not speak unkindly of him, Elizabeth. Mr Darcy enjoys ownership of the largest estate that has belonged to his family for many generations, and his uncle is an earl. He possesses considerable knowledge regarding the stewardship of such lands, and given his youth, he has executed a commendable job of it since taking control of the estate.”
“Many gentlemen assume their parents’ estates at a tender age,” Elizabeth pointed out.
“Mr Darcy was but one and twenty. It was not solely the estate he undertook. He also assumed the guardianship of his sister,” Jane said with evident sympathy.
“And his mother?” Elizabeth asked, though she understood, if he had taken over the estate, it was likely that his father had died whilst Mr Darcy was still young.
“His mother died even before his father. Mr Darcy was but a boy when she died, and poor Georgiana likely remembers her not at all,” Jane replied.
“How terrible,” Elizabeth exclaimed, feeling a twinge of sympathy for Mr Darcy. Mr Wickham had left out the fact Mrs Darcy too had died, no doubt because he assumed such information would allow for consideration for Mr Darcy to build.
She recalled he had mentioned his father’s death but had not spoken of being so very young at the time. “How dreadful for both Miss Darcy and Mr Darcy!”
