Page 46 of New World Tea Company
“The carriage? Shall we have the carriage in London?” asked Caroline hopefully.
“No, Caroline. My carriage will return to Netherfield the same day it leaves you at Olive Street.”
~~~
Around the table, breaking their fast, Mrs Bennet asked again about investments in the New World Tea Company. When Mr Bennet refused, Mrs Bennet pressed, “But sir, Mr Wickham pays such wonderful profits. The girls and I should have new shoes and bonnets every month.”
Her husband responded saying, “Mrs Bennet, women do not understand business. You must leave it to gentlemen to manage this matter. And Mr Collins is certainly not educated in profits and investments.”
“And Sir William Lucas?” the wife inquired. “He was very successful in business before purchasing Lucas Lodge.”
“He was certainly happier at the mercantile than being a landowner,” Mr Bennet replied.
In the last few weeks, Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary paid closer attention to their parents’ conversations and realized their parents possessed a good understanding of their neighbours.
“Mr Bingley advised them not to make the investment in New World Tea Company,” commented Jane. “But Mr Darcy said something I did not understand.”
“But Mr Darcy would not endorse Mr Bingley’s admonition,” said Elizabeth. “I wonder why he would not speak out?”
Mary said, “John is concerned that his father seems taken with Mr Collins and his words about Mr Wickham’s company.”
Mr Bennet said nothing as he observed his daughters discussing the opportunities to invest in the New World Tea Company. He did not object to anything in their conversation, so he allowed them to keep their opinions.
Later in the parlour, without their father present, Elizabeth asked Jane, “Do you think that Mr Darcy would not speak against Mr Wickham for some particular reason?”
“A reason?” asked Jane. “I cannot imagine so, but I shall ask Mr Bingley when next we are in company.”
Elizabeth decided,‘There must be some reason Mr Darcy holds back from endorsing Mr Bingley. Mr Wickham must have some hold over Mr Darcy. Perhaps I shall ask him next time we meet.’
~~~
Two days after the ball, the Netherfield party joined multiple neighbours for tea at Longbourn. The men gathered in Mr Bennet’s office for port or brandy to exchange remarks for many minutes. At some point, Mr Bennet indicated to his visitors that they should join the ladies in the parlour for more traditional refreshments. Leaving the small library, Mr Bennet noticed his second daughter standing on the stairs between the office and the parlour. Disregarding the acceptable social custom, Elizabeth asked Mr Darcy for a moment of his time. Mr Bennet allowed the interview because Sir William Lucas and Mr Rushing remained in the hallway discussing matters of importance to act as unofficial chaperones for the couple.
Her position on the second step put Elizabeth at Darcy’s eye level for the first time in their acquaintance. Her face and toneserious, Elizabeth said, “Mr Darcy, I must ask an impertinent question.”
His interest piqued, Darcy managed to hide his smile and inclined his head as the young woman took a deep breath. Then Elizabeth asked, “Does George Wickham have a hold over you?”
The surprise on the man’s face was genuine, and he did not attempt to hide the feeling in his voice when he replied, “Miss Bennet, the man has no claim or hold over me.”
Watching her companion closely, Elizabeth asked, “Do you believe the man’s story of great riches each year distributed among his–what did he call them–shareholders? Is he making other people richer?”
His face grew emotionless before Darcy replied, “I am unaware of Mr Wickham’s business dealings, so it would be inappropriate for me to express an opinion.”
“Horse feathers and balderdash, Mr Darcy!” Elizabeth declared, her eyes flashing and lips pressed close together as she stared the man down. “You are an educated man who understands business. Others would listen to your opinion.”
However, Fitzwilliam Darcy responded to the young woman as he would to his sister, who was still a child in many ways. “Miss Elizabeth, I believe you have outstripped impertinence. This is a matter for men, not young ladies. My opinion of Wickham’s business is not relevant. Mr Bingley and your father share the same opinion, but Mr Bennet is not declaring his opinion publicly.”
“My father speaks to his friends and shares his opinion forcefully…I am certain.”
“But he is doing so privately, and I have encouraged Charles–Mr Bingley–to do the same,” Darcy continued. “Again, this is a concern for gentlemen, not ladies.”
Refusing to back down, Elizabeth asked, “Have you spoken to any gentlemen privately about Wickham?”
“No, and I shall not,” he said tersely. “My opinion was asked at the ball by a very ill-mannered man, and my reply was ignored. Today, no one here is a close acquaintance except for Bingley. In this instance, he has finally listened to my counsel to refrain from discussing Mr Wickham’s business.”
He frowned, a visage that sent many men scurrying away and sometimes made his sister cry, but Elizabeth returned the expression with her own scowl. He continued, “Again, leave this matter to men; it is not acceptable for ladies to deal with business.”
Disappointed by Mr Darcy’s explanation, Elizabeth’s face remained resolute but reflected the sudden sadness in her heart. Without another word, the young woman came down the last two stairs, curtseyed to the gentleman, and then walked toward the kitchens. To avoid the conversation between Sir William Lucas and Mr Rushing, Darcy went to the parlour, where Miss Bingley quickly pressed a cup of tea into his hands. When asked by Miss Bennet about Miss Elizabeth, he deflected the question, replying, “I believe she went to consult with the housekeeper on some matter.”
