Page 49 of New World Tea Company
“Does the great man need a bride with a large dowry…larger than your sister’s dowry?”
Shaking his head, Bingley said, “Darcy does not desire more wealth. He spends his days now directing stewards, attorneys, and men from the government in many different endeavours.”
“Longbourn consumes enough of my time,” Bennet admitted. “I cannot imagine dealing with a great estate or other business concerns.”
“I encouraged him…” Charles began to say but then paused. After collecting his thoughts, he continued, “I warned him off causing Miss Elizabeth any hurt. My friend does not see others sometimes and forgets that we mere mortals have feelings.”
“Does he worship his gold? Is it his idol?” asked Mr Bennet, seeking to understand the absent gentleman who might someday return into his daughter’s life.
“No. Of that, I am certain,” Bingley replied without hesitation. “Fitzwilliam Darcy sees his wealth as a tool to strengthen thekingdom and provide a living to the thousands on his estates. But he does not love money.”
As they approached the kitchen door of Longbourn, Thomas Bennet decided he would reserve judgment on Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy. Still, he believed that Mr Charles Bingley was a man he could welcome into his family.
~~~
One consequence of the departure of both ladies from Netherfield was that Mrs Hobbes released Alice Hill from employment at the manor house. Mr Bingley was unaware that the girl was gone until he discovered her working at Longbourn. He did not attempt to hide his confusion and asked for an explanation.
“We have use for Alice here, Mr Bingley; do not concern yourself,” Mrs Bennet said. “Jane and Elizabeth have taken an interest in Alice, and they will train her to be a lady’s maid.”
“How is a lady’s maid different from a chambermaid?”
Jane explained, “Alice has a remarkable talent with her needles. We shall teach her to handle a lady’s gowns and how to dress our hair. A lady’s maid must have valuable talents and be available at all hours.”
“My sister insisted on having a lady’s maid, but they never stayed with her for more than six months,” Charles revealed. “The lady’s maid working for Caroline quit the day before we left for Netherfield.”
The gathered members of the Bennet family exchanged glances but did not make comments. Mr Bingley continued, “I am certain my sister is interviewing new maids in London.”
~~~
Chapter 19.Memories at Christmas
While Elizabeth avoided the subject of Mr Darcy in her conversations, others spoke of the man and attempted to draw the young woman into their conversations. Jane and Mary protected their sister’s sensibilities at Longbourn, but there was more than one discussion about the disappearance of the mysterious man at several gatherings in December. On Boxing Day, the neighbours gathered at Longbourn before distributing boxes of food and clothing to the poor in Meryton.
While cleaning the table in the parlour after the last carton was carried to the carriages and wagons, Mrs Goulding and her daughter asked Elizabeth about the tall man who had always been in company with Mr Bingley. Mrs Goulding pressed Elizabeth about the gentleman, and the second Bennet sister explained, “I think Mr Bingley said his friend travelled to his home in the north. Yes, somewhere in the north of England.”
“Derbyshire…Mr Bingley said Mr Darcy lived in Derbyshire,” Harriet said.
Pursing her lips at the attempt to collect gossip, Elizabeth said nothing before she gave Mrs Goulding a small curtsey and walked away from the mother and daughter.
Jane’s happiness to be courted by Mr Bingley was infectious, and the Bennet family enjoyed the holidays. The only misfortune was that the Gardiners could not come for their usual visit. Two of their children were ill, and the family remained in London with nurses and a physician to care for them. Elizabeth noticed her father received several letters from Uncle Gardiner that led to long, private conversations with Mr Bingley. While slightly curious, Elizabeth’s melancholy directed her toward knitting inthe parlour rather than questioning her father or talking with Bingley when the two gentlemen joined the ladies.
~~~
Three days after Christmas, the neighbours gathered at Longbourn Chapel for the wedding of Miss Charlotte Lucas to Mr William Collins. The previous afternoon, Elizabeth and Jane decorated the chapel near their father’s manor house with evergreen boughs that had decorated their stair railing and the window seals for Christmas.
As the ladies moved about the chapel exchanging remarks before the service, Mrs Rushing complimented Lady Lucas on the decorations. Then Mrs Bennet informed the two ladies that her daughters decorated the chapel as a gift for their friend, Charlotte Lucas, on her wedding day.
“Evergreen boughs? Is that the only gift Longbourn offers for my daughter’s wedding?” asked Lady Lucas acidly.
Elizabeth answered before her mother grew upset, “No, Lady Lucas. Jane and I have been friends with Charlotte since we were very small. My sister and I wanted to make the chapel pretty for Charlotte’s wedding, but we also have another gift for her.”
“A gift they will present to Mrs Collins at the wedding breakfast,” Mrs Bennet said. Glaring at Lady Lucas, Frances Bennet added, “As is appropriate.”
The chapel filled with families from Meryton and the various estates in the area, and their voices shared greetings and gossip. More than one person remarked to their neighbours that Mr Bingley was seated with the Bennet family. Charles was not as popular in the neighbourhood since the unfortunate words about the New World Tea Company. The reputations of Mr Collins and Mr Wickham were much better when the neighbours discussed the strangers who had come to Meryton that autumn.
Seated in their usual pew, the Bennet family waited patiently for the ceremony to begin. This morning, Mr Bingley sat between Jane and Elizabeth. His conversation dedicated to Jane left both smiling.
“Mr Bennet, we assumed you would stand up with Mr Collins,” Lady Lucas said from her seat across the aisle from the Bennet pew.
