Page 21 of Miss Gardiner
Chapter 6.Mr Darcy’s Absence
With access to Mr Darcy ended for a time, Caroline Bingley was morose and short-tempered. Her lady’s maid and the Hurst footmen hid from the woman and Geoffrey Hurst warned his brother-in-law that Charles would have to seek alternate housing for himself and his sister shortly if Caroline’s treatment of the servants continued in this manner.
“Louisa must deal with a hysterical cook every week and the chambermaids are terrified of ‘Miss Bingley’,” Hurst stressed with his brother-in-law. “Perhaps you could take your sister on a tour of Bath and get her away from London for a time.”
“I have been thinking of purchasing an estate,” Charles admitted. “Caroline and Louisa urge me to assume the trappings of being a ‘gentleman’ with the manor house and fields of corn for the background of my portrait.”
Hurst snorted, “Charles, Darcy and I spoke to you about buying an estate several times. Darcy was adamant that you must lease an estate for at least two years to discover if you like the cycle of the seasons that mandate the master’s tasks on the land.”
“But you do not pay attention to your estate…”
“Do you not see the letters I receive every morning from my steward? I am fortunate to have a reliable steward and a well-run estate that grows corn to grind into flour and then sell to bakers around Herefordshire and Essex.”
“So, I shall purchase an estate with a good steward,” Charles said vacantly.
“Come, we shall consult with Darcy at the club this evening,” Hurst said, leading his brother-in-law from the room.
++++
At their club, Darcy echoed Hurst’s notion of leasing an estate before making a purchase.
“Charles, you know manufacture and trade,” Darcy reminded his friend. “An estate is very different from a building where workers make plates or mugs.”
“So, I should lease an estate and play at being a gentleman?”
“This is not a game,” Darcy insisted. “To manage an estate properly you have to give it your attention, your time, and your monies. There are financial rewards that come each year but…”
“You are wealthy, Darcy. Why do you care about hay for sheep or the price of mutton?” Charles asked with a tone of dismissal. In response, Mr Darcy repeated the arguments he used with Bingley several times previously about the need to grow his wealth and maintain his position in society for his future children.
When Darcy ended his argument, Mr Hurst handled his brother-in-law a paper with handwritten information. “This came from my attorney. There’s an estate in Hertfordshire only twenty miles from London. The owner died in the last five years, and his heirs are leasing it until they decide to dispose of the property.
“How much is the lease?” asked Darcy.
Hurst explained, “They are asking three thousand a year but there has been no interest in six months so we…”
“…can get it for two thousand,” Charles said.
Looking over the description for the estate, Darcy said, “After three years of work, the estate might make thirty-five hundred a year.”
“Shall I take it then?”
Hurst and Darcy exchanged glances. Darcy asked, “Would you buy a house without viewing it? This town… Meryton… is a mere three hours from London. I propose that early tomorrow, we call on the attorney, and then ride into Hertfordshire to examine the house and survey the farms. We shall stay in the local public house and talk with the locals about the estate and local crops.”
“You never do anything in a hurry, Darcy,” Charles said with a light tone to his voice.
Darcy smirked before explaining, “Visiting without notice does not give them time to hide problems.”
++++
Meryton proved to be a quiet English town filled with gentry and tenants, shopkeepers and a few merchants. Cattle and sheep were found along the roadsides though Darcy noticed a few fine horses as well. Netherfield proved to be of recent construction in the Georgian style.
Darcy found the housekeeper and footmen to be cooperative with his questions; the steward was annoyed to be called from the fields initially but after talking to Darcy, the man became cooperative. The farms were in fair condition and as they rode away from Netherfield, Darcy assured Bingley, “Within three years you will be making thirty-five hundred a year here. With some help, the tenants can plant more acreage…”
“I say, Darcy,” Bingley interrupted him. “Where is that tavern the housekeeper recommended? I am parched.”
The two gentlemen spent the evening in the public room, speaking to the locals. Darcy learned which estates had the best fields of wheat, maize, and barley, while Bingley learned which estates had the best pheasants in the fall and the prettiest daughters. The following morning, they rode into London with Mr Bingley determined to lease the estate for three years. Mr Darcy promised to visit with Bingley until Christmas to help him learn his steward, his tenants, and oversee the fall ploughing.
++++
