Page 5 of Resilience

“Mr Bingley, I know it sounds quite forward of me, but you must understand, the local wives do their best to keep an eye on Netherfield without any master or mistress in residence, and servants talk, as they always do,” Mrs Bennet addressed their new neighbour. “I learned from my housekeeper yesterday that your party arrived without any time to plan your Michaelmas feast or activities. We are more than happy to host your family after church this Sunday. The geese have been fattening for months. Do join us with your family and guests. We would be honoured to welcome you to Longbourn for the feast day. At least three courses.”

“Darcy, I ought to have planned something for the tenants, shouldn’t I?” Mr Bingley put a hand to his forehead in alarm.

“I fear you are correct, and I ought to have reminded you.” Darcy bowed his head to his friend. “Perhaps there is still time to find some barrels of ale and cider–”

“Already managed, Mr Darcy,” Mr Bennet interrupted. “The owner of Netherfield Park, Sir Arthur Penrose, never makes such arrangements. The other local landowners all do something for Netherfield’s tenants. Longbourn and Haye Park sent several fattened geese and a pig. Lucas provided barrels of ale, and someone else sent a cask or two of cider. I’m certain the children of Netherfield have picked the last of the blackberry bushes bare, and the tenants will provide their own pies and frivolity, though an acknowledgement from Mr Bingley would not go amiss.”

“Why would you mind the business of other estates?” Miss Bingley asked imperiously. “Why not manage your own?”

“Because they are generous and decent gentlefolk. Why else?” Darcy snapped at his hostess. It was difficult not to be rude to Miss Bingley, and it had been years since he had any patience for her. The lady had behaved in a proprietary manner over him since long before he married. Then during his marriage, she pretended when she was near as if his wife did not exist, and behaved as if the two of them shared some understanding of a long engagement. Priscilla and Georgiana had accompanied him to Meryton, at their insistence and his uncle’s, all worried that Miss Bingley might attempt to trap him if he stayed there with no other feminine or familial protection.

“The tenants of Netherfield are good people. We could hardly neglect them. Why, Meryton’s most trusted midwife is a tenant of Netherfield! The local estates would not see their neighbours suffer,” Elizabeth said pointedly.

“Or perhaps, knowing a rich bachelor was taking Netherfield, the neighbours all took the liberty of showing off their goodness,” Miss Bingley drawled. “I assure you madam, we will manage quite well on Sunday. I do not consider myself incapable of obtaining goose and blackberry pie.”

“Nonsense, Caroline, Mrs Bennet’s offer is a thoughtful and welcoming one. You may stay home if you choose, but I accept for myself and my house, Mrs Bennet. Thank you very much for your kind invitation.” Mr Bingley glared at his sister.

“Mr Bingley, though my father collects the rents himself, my sisters and I will visit the tenants of Longbourn and Netherfield tomorrow. It is easily done, all the tenants will be busy in the cottage villages, preparing for Sunday’s feast day,” Elizabeth informed him “You are welcome to join our wagons. We will deliver some baskets, and assist the wives for a short time. The Lucases visit Netherfield on Lady Day, and the Gouldings on Midsummer Day, but we always enjoy visiting the tenants there at Michaelmas.”

“That sounds marvelous, does it not, Darcy?” Bingley exclaimed.

“It does. Georgiana and I do such things at home for quarter days, it is important for the family in residence to be involved when they are at home. If Bingley goes, Georgiana and I will be pleased to join you,” Darcy agreed.

Bingley accepted with alacrity, then turned to Elizabeth and asked her for a dance as the next set began and another man approached Jane for a promised set.

Chapter Three

The sun was bright as Elizabeth emerged from Longbourn late in the morning to find the wagons waiting with baskets and gifts for the tenants. Jane followed her as two open carriages turned into the drive, with Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy, Lady Priscilla, and Miss Darcy.

“Good day to you all!” Mr Bingley greeted them as he stepped down. “What a splendid day we have for our outing. The weather is almost unseasonable!”

He turned to Mrs Bennet, who had joined the others by the door, as a servant approached with a crate that was handed off to Mr Hill. “Mrs Bennet, in the spirit of Michaelmas and in gratitude for your family’s warm welcome to Meryton, please accept this crate of claret for your table.”

“Oh, Mr Bingley, what a lovely addition your charming household will make to Hertfordshire!” Mrs Bennet giggled. “Now, Jane, do you have your parasol? Girls, do you all have your parasols and bonnets? Most of my girls are so good about their bonnets, Mr Bingley. Unlike Lizzy, who is always coarse and brown. Is not dear Jane’s porcelain beauty radiant?”

“I think that Miss Elizabeth appears to be in the glow of healthful and vibrant vitality,” Mr Darcy interrupted suddenly, then reddened. Elizabeth looked at him curiously, her cheeks also turning pink.

Lady Priscilla noticed Mrs Bennet eyeing Elizabeth and Darcy with suspicion, and spoke up to distract her. “Indeed! After the loss of our cousin, who was always weak and unwell after scarlet fever, I think our family quite appreciates the bloom of health and vigour.”

“Miss Bennet, would you and any of your sisters that you prefer like to join me in my carriage?” asked Mr Bingley.

“Yes, thank you, Mr Bingley,” Jane answered, blushing in pleasure. She turned to her sisters.

“Oh! Miss Elizabeth and Miss Mary, do come with us in our carriage!” Georgiana cried before the two Bennet sisters that she had spoken with the night before were claimed. “We can budge up and make room for two more! Miss Elizabeth is so slight she will hardly take up any room. We will be quite snug!”

“If you are certain it is no trouble.” Elizabeth eyed Mr Darcy hesitantly as he quickly stepped down from the carriage to hand the two young ladies in. As he handed her up, Elizabeth was keenly aware of the strong, masculine hand beneath his glove, even through her own. She hesitated again, her eyes meeting his in shared surprise at the unexpected moment.

“Very well, Kitty, Lydia, join me and Mr Bingley.” Jane accepted Mr Bingley’s hand up into the carriage. “Kitty, mind your bonnet strings, dear.”

Jane turned to Mr Bingley when they were all settled. “Your sisters will not join us?”

“Caroline and Louisa are rather more fond of town events than anything that can be enjoyed in the country,” Mr Bingley answered affably.

“I hope to be fonder of town events than the country one day,” Kitty observed. “Perhaps if Aunt Gardiner would ever invite us younger sisters to visit.”

“Oh, Kitty, do hush! How you do go on!” Mrs Bennet tutted, then waved the wagons and carriages away as she followed the servants back into the house.

“Miss Darcy, tell me about the Michaelmas traditions your tenants enjoy in Derbyshire,” Elizabeth gave the younger girl something to speak of without awkwardness.