Page 19 of Master of Netherfield
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Chapter 9.Elizabeth in Mr Bennet’s Library
“Lizzy! Lizzy! Where are you?” called Mrs Bennet searching through the upstairs of Longbourn.
“I am here, Mamma,” Elizabeth answered from the nursery. “I was reading with Kitty.”
Taking her daughter’s hand, Mrs Bennet insisted, “Follow me to your father’s library this instant! Your father wishes to speak to you most urgently!”
“Yes Mamma.”
Mrs Bennet allowed her daughter to move ahead of her while she closed the door of the nursery and intercepted Jane before her eldest daughter could join Elizabeth.
“No Jane, you remain above these stairs and keep your sisters here,” Mrs Bennet said pointing to the staircase leading to the front of the house.
“Yes, Mamma,” Jane whispered as she watched Elizabeth’s form vanish down the stairs. Waiting only as long as it took for her mother to descend, Jane ran the servant’s staircase at the back of the house and hurried down the stairs. Passing through the kitchens, Jane’s quiet steps in the hall allowed her to reach the doorway of her father’s library just after Mrs Bennet closed the door.
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When Elizabeth stepped into the library, she found Mr Darcy seated across from her father at his desk. When she had confessed the damage to the new book of poetry, Elizabeth had not mentioned that she had met Mr Darcy in his own woods.
The look in Mr Bennet’s eyes told her that her father was not pleased, and Elizabeth dreaded the next few minutes.
“Well, Miss Lizzy, what do you have to say for yourself?” Mrs Bennet asked before her husband could speak.
“Of what are you speaking, Mamma?”
Mr Bennet cleared his throat and stood. “Mrs Bennet, will you sit please. I believe we have a serious matter to discuss.”
Glancing at Mr Darcy briefly, Mrs Bennet did as her husband asked but she only sat on the edge of the chair.
“Elizabeth, I understand you have been attempting to rob rich men in Netherfield Wood with a bow and arrow.”
“Oh no!” exclaimed Mrs Bennet and Mr Darcy startled at the noise so much that he almost slipped from the chair. Mr Bennet struggled to maintain a stern expression on his face as his wife struggled to not dissolve into tears, his guest struggled to return to his chair and his daughter’s eyes grew large.
“Papa, I was only playing...”
“Yes, yes, my dear.” Turning to his wife, Mr Bennet said, “Calm yourself my dear; our guest recognizes that our daughter was merely playing and believes her to be of a greater intelligence than many young girls he has met.”
“But... Elizabeth must not be too smart sir!” Mrs Bennet insisted, and Mr Darcy realized from where the girl had heard that she must defer to gentlemen with their opinions and wishes.
Glancing at Mr Bennet who nodded his permission, Mr Darcy explained, “Mrs Bennet, your daughter–Miss Elizabeth–has told me that you plan the most marvellous parties and picnics. She suggested the meadow along the stream that marks the boundary between Longbourn and Netherfield. I am in need of your abilities as a hostess for a grand picnic.”
“A picnic, sir?” Mrs Bennet asked as she blushed with his praise.
“Yes, madam. My young sister–my only sibling–will join me at Netherfield in one week’s time and the following week will be her tenth birthday. I hoped that you would plan a memorable picnic to welcome her to Netherfield.”
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When Mr Darcy went with Mrs Bennet to the parlour to begin planning the picnic, Mr Bennet caught his daughter’s eye and pointed to the chair where her mother had been seated.
“I am disappointed Elizabeth,” he told his daughter after she sat down. “You should have told me everything when you brought me the book. Mr Darcy explained that he surprised you while you were reading and that is why you dropped the book. That could have occurred anywhere in the house as well in Netherfield Woods.”
“Yes Papa.”
He watched his favourite daughter for a long minute before he said, “This is most important Lizzy, and you must listen carefully.”
Elizabeth looked up and her father nodded before continuing, “I am speaking to you as an adult and if you can act as one, I shall speak and treat you as such hereafter.”
