Page 48 of New World Tea Company
Mary asked, “Did Mr Bingley mention Mr Darcy? They are always in company when Bingley visits Longbourn?”
“Oh, what did Bingley say?” Mrs Bennet asked herself. “Yes, Mr Darcy left this morning, but he is headed north to spend Christmas and the whole winter with his sister at his castle.”
“His castle?” asked Lydia. “Does Mr Darcy live in a castle?”
Noticing Elizabeth did not comment, Mrs Bennet returned to speaking of Mr Bingley’s favourite dishes. “We shall invite him to family dinner at least twice weekly this winter, so we must plan the menus carefully. In fact, I am certain Mrs Hobbes will not cook, so we must invite Bingley to eat at least one meal at our table daily.”
~~~
Walking across the fields, Thomas Bennet learned more from Charles Bingley. The new neighbour explained, “I am a bachelor for the whole winter. My sisters, brother and friend deserted my house before Christmas.”
“Then you must come to eat with us on Christmas and Boxing Day,” Bennet said. “There will be gatherings aplenty.”
“I should like that, sir,” Charles said with a grin. He hurried along and asked, “And I should very much like your permission to court your daughter.”
“My daughter?” replied Mr Bennet as if in deep thought. “Well…I suppose that will be allowed. But I have one question, Bingley.”
“Only one?” asked Charles as he raised the gun again.
“Yes,” Bennet answered. He waited until just before his visitor pulled the trigger to continue, “Which one?”
Charles sputtered in momentary confusion, and his shot missed the birds entirely. Holding the gun awkwardly, Bingley declared, “Miss Jane…Miss Bennet.”
Mr Bennet smiled and pushed the barrel away. “Take care where you aim the gun, Bingley. I have no desire to wear birdshot in my face and coat today.”
The gentlemen continued their progress across the fields while they discussed how the weather would grow colder quickly. “Your tenants will work on repairs to the harness for the horses and ploughs, fashion new hay rakes, repair hoes and shovels, and entertain their wives now that they have time.”
Blushing, Bingley realised his host was intentionally teasing him. So, Charles returned the favour, asking, “Shall I hold another harvest festival for them one evening? Pay a fiddler from Meryton to play while they feast in the ballroom?”
“Without a lady in the house, you cannot host any entertainment,” Bennet replied confidently.
“Perhaps your lady might oversee…” Bingley asked with a smile on his lips.
“Do you want my permission to court Jane?” Thomas asked shortly, staring Bingley in the eye. The other man nodded, and Bennet continued, “Then do not mention the idea to my wife. My life…our lives would be misery for the next month.”
The two men returned their attention to the shooting and continued their walk across the fields while the gamekeeper flushed out partridges from the hedgerows. After collecting two dozen birds, they began the walk back to Longbourn.
“My wife will have luncheon on the table,” Bennet said. “Do we announce the courtship, or do you need to speak with Jane before we make my wife the happiest lady in Hertfordshire?”
Bingley replied, “Jane knows I planned to speak to you this morning. With my family absent, I do not have to listen to anyone’s differing opinions.”
“Even your dour friend Darcy? I have seen his frowns while he observes you with my eldest daughter,” smirked Bennet.
“Darcy has retreated to the north for the winter,” Charles nodded his head and explained. “He worried that Miss Bennet was mercenary in her attentions and not true in her affection for me, but I assured him she is the truest young lady I have ever met.”
“And what shall we do with Lizzy this winter without Mr Darcy to provide her with new books to read?” asked the older gentleman.
“Sir? New books?” asked Charles, not understanding his shooting companion.
“Bingley, I have five daughters and watch the young men who come around very carefully. You are an intelligent man of business, but I doubt that natural history is a subject of interestto you. I am certain that The Natural History of Selborne came from Mr Darcy’s hand.”
Bennet continued, “I shall never reveal that to Mrs Bennet for fear that she would place announcements of their engagement in the London newspapers. And I shall make it known to Lizzy only if necessary. Yesterday and today, Elizabeth has been very quiet, with a sad look in her eyes.”
“I have known Fitzwilliam Darcy for several years and until this autumn, never believed him to be a fool, Mr Bennet,” Charles said vehemently. “Heretofore, the man has never met a woman who could match him in arguments about natural science, Bonaparte, and parliament.”
“Is he promised to another young lady?” asked Bennet.
“No, he is free to take any woman he wishes to be his bride.”
