Page 80 of Master of Netherfield
Darcy assured Bingley saying, “Simmons will guard the front door jealously and bring me all correspondence that comes to the house before delivering it to anyone.”
Bingley shook his head, “I imagine she has a letter on her person but dreads to reveal its contents.”
He swallowed and asked, “Might I beg lodging for my sister until Saturday. I shall send for my carriage and take her into town to discover what is afoot. I shall send a wagon later for all her trunks if you would store them for a few days more.”
Darcy nodded his head. “I shall allow Miss Bingley a bed until Saturday. She may take meals with the family or in her room but none ofmy servants will take her orders. If she has needs that her maid cannot meet, she is allowed to approach the housekeeper in her office and ask.”
Bingley laughed. “Caroline venture into the housekeeper’s office? Darcy, Bonaparte will be welcomed at Whitehall with a parade before Caroline Bingley would approach the kitchens or a servant’s office.”
“The assembly is on Friday, and it will be a perfect evening. If Miss Bingley wishes to attend, she must be on her best behaviour.”
“I shall suggest she remain at Netherfield and pack.”
Mrs Hobbes was summoned and after the carriage was dispatched and the footman unloaded the twelve trunks of gowns, shoes and hat boxes for storage in the cellar, she and Mr Bingley left to escort Miss Bingley to her room. When she heard that she would sup alone that evening, Caroline broke down in tears but quickly recovered when her brother did not respond.
“Our invitation to dinner is long-standing Caroline and I enjoy the company of the Bennets very much. I would not miss it for a party with the Prince Regent!”
“But Charles...”
**++**
Chapter 32.An Accomplished Lady
The next morning, Miss Darcy and Mrs Annesley remained in her rooms to break their fast. Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley dined alone and were out on horseback before seven; a fire had occurred at a farm on the estate of Sir William Lucas and Darcy proposed to ride over with his steward to offer assistance with repairs. Bingley rode along to see how the neighbours cooperated in such matters.
Darcy explained, “If an estate was to fail or a tenant to lose his farm, the family is sent to the local poor house and all local gentry are required to support them. It is better for everyone to make certain that the tenants have secure situations.”
**++**
At the farm on Lucas Lodge, Darcy and Bingley were greeted by the Lucas family, several other neighbours and the eldest Bennet sisters.
When they arrived, Elizabeth and Jane both emerged from the barn to speak to Darcy and Bingley, but they quickly returned to their tasks of caring for the children of the tenant family. Charlotte Lucas and her mother attended the mother of the family–it was the house that had caught fire, and the thatch roof had burned. The farmer, his wife and four children escaped to the barn and fought the blaze with Sir William, his son and other tenants. The house was damaged but could be repaired with the skills of the local carpenters. The drama this morning was that the farmer’s wife had gone into labour and was even now giving birth on a bed of straw in an empty stall in the barn.
The midwife arrived and hurried into the barn while Darcy and Bingley inspected the damage to the cottage.
Seeing the grim face of his friend, Darcy explained a few truths. “The barn burning would have been much worse Bingley. The family are all alive, Seaton’s wife has a good chance to survive the labour and bear a living child. Mr Bennet and I have taught Sir William to be generous with his tenants in all matters regarding their children so this house will be repaired quickly. I shall donate half of the thatch for the new roof and hold off one more year on the new roof for one of my tenant houses. The Lucas and Bennet families will provide clothing for the entire family–Mrs Bennet’s daughters are experts with the needle and thread. Someone will donate any needed cookware and someone else will donate a table and chairs. The family may have to sleep on straw pallets this winter, but they will be dry.”
Miss Lucas came to the barn door and called Mr Seaton inside; his wife was delivered of a healthy daughter and the entire family would sleep safe in the barn for the next week while the house was repaired.
**++**
It was that evening at the table that Miss Bingley spoke to Miss Darcy for the first time since her arrival. Darcy escorted his sister into the dining room, followed by Mrs Annesley where Bingley and his sister waited for them. Their conversation was stilted at first, no one certain of the appropriate subjects to address with the sudden visitor. Finally, the party settled on addressing the day-to-day events of life in the country.
“And you spent the whole of the morning at a burnt tenant cottage?” asked Caroline. “I do not understand Mr Darcy. Why could not your steward or secretary handle your tenants?”
“The farm is on neighbour’s estate and several other members of the gentry came to offer aid. The neighbourhood cooperates in many matters.”
“But why? I do not understand the time and effort required. Would not you have preferred to go shooting or racing your horses?”
Georgiana found she had to answer. “Miss Bingley, it is our responsibility to look after the tenant families. Their labour provides much of the gold in our pockets. My brother owns the land, but the tenant farmer sows the grain and harvests the corn.”
“Well said Miss Darcy,” Mr Bingley agreed. “It is not done on every estate Caroline, but the landlords hereabout appear to have found a happy balance between master and tenant.”
Fearing she had lost her mind for a moment, Miss Bingley attempted to steer the conversation in a different direction. “Miss Darcy that is a lovely gown you are wearing.”
“Thank you, Miss Bingley. My friends from Longbourn and I sew each week, and this dress is one we made. Each of us wears gowns we made working together.”
“You wear home-made gowns?” Caroline could not keep the disdain from her voice and everyone at the table heard it.
