Mrs. Long brightened at the compliment to her position in the neighbourhood. “A wise decision, Mr. Darcy. A gentleman of your standing ought to be on good terms with all his neighbours.”
Fitzwilliam leaned forward with an easy smile. “Indeed, Mrs. Long. My cousin has spoken of the families here with great respect, and I can see why. There is such genuine hospitality here.”
Mrs. Long was clearly a bit surprised by this, but her nieces exchanged pleased glances. The matron recovered quickly to say, “Oh, Colonel, you are too kind.”
Darcy nodded but knew not what else to say.
“Of course,” Fitzwilliam continued, “I have heard so much about the families here, most notably the Bennets, I suppose, given Mr. Bingley’s interest in the eldest. Five daughters do make quite an impression.”
The ladies’ expressions shifted, and Darcy caught a slight edge in Mrs. Long’s smile. “The Bennets? I suppose you might wish to know something about them, what with Miss Bennet so often praised for her beauty. But between us, Mr. Darcy, a fine gentleman like Mr. Bingley ought not make such a decision in haste. Beauty is not everything.”
Fitzwilliam’s smile deepened, his tone light but pointed. “Ah, yes, there are many fine young women hereabouts. How is it that there are so many, Mrs. Long?”
She tittered. “In the usual way, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
Fitzwilliam smiled genially. “It is always fascinating to learn how families establish themselves in a neighbourhood. Iimagine, Mrs. Long, that Meryton itself has seen much change over the years, with new families coming and others fading into history.”
Mrs. Long nodded, clearly pleased to be considered an authority on such matters. “Indeed, it has, Colonel. Many fine families have come and gone. Some settle here and thrive, while others . . .” She trailed off, her meaning clear.
Darcy’s words were calculated. “I expect, then, that the Bennets have been here for quite some time? Mr. Bennet strikes me as a man firmly rooted in his home.”
Mrs. Long pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Oh, yes, Longbourn has been in the Bennet family for several generations. Though Mr. Bennet’s father was the second son. They returned to Longbourn when Mr. Bennet was just a babe, after the death of his uncle. He had not been given the family living, for it was already occupied.”
“Ah,” Fitzwilliam murmured, exchanging a quick glance with Darcy. “So it was the elder line that originally held the estate?”
Mrs. Long inclined her head, clearly enjoying the opportunity to share her knowledge. “Quite so. It was rather a fortunate turn for the current Mr. Bennet, though I daresay he has managed it well enough.” Her emphasis suggested that she was not offering a compliment.
“Hmm,” he said carefully. “It is an interesting history. I suppose it speaks well of Mr. Bennet’s steadiness that he has kept the estate in good order.”
Mrs. Long’s smile tightened ever so slightly. “Well, it is a modest estate, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy allowed a polite nod while Fitzwilliam deftly shifted the conversation to more general topics, satisfied that they had learned what they came to discover. But they could not leave yet. They would have to remain for the length of a polite call.
“The Lucas family has also made their mark in Meryton,” Miss Long began, folding her hands primly in her lap, “though Sir William’s elevation was more recent. He was a shopkeeper before.”
Miss Agatha nodded quickly. “Oh yes, Sir William was knighted a few years after Aunt Long came out. It must have been very exciting, though I believe some felt it was not entirely deserved.”
Mrs. Long sniffed delicately. “Indeed, my dears, it was quite a stir, though the Lucases have never been known for exceptional refinement. Miss Lucas is the best of them—it is a shame she is so plain.”
The women all looked at him hopefully, but Darcy had no idea what they wished him to say. Finally, he inclined his head, catching Fitzwilliam’s sidelong glance of amusement as he did so. The colonel leaned forward as though to convey a private thought.
“And yet Miss Lucas is engaged to be married now, is she not?” Fitzwilliam said, his tone curious but unthreatening. “To the heir to Longbourn, I believe?”
They had overheard Mrs. Bennet lamenting the upcoming nuptials, but Darcy was impressed that Fitzwilliam had recalled that detail.
“Oh yes,” Miss Long replied quickly. “Mr. Collins of Hunsford. A respectable match, though not one I imagine anyone here envied.”
“Indeed,” Miss Agatha added. “Though his living is believed to be rather comfortable, thanks to Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”
Mrs. Long nodded sagely. “I daresay Mr. Collins’s connection to the lady is the most remarkable thing about him. And that he will have Longbourn one day.”
“Still, Mr. Bennet is not an elderly man. Mr. and Mrs. Collins may find themselves in Hunsford for rather a long time,” Miss Long concluded.
“And what of the Purvis family?” Fitzwilliam asked, smoothly steering the conversation away from the Lucases and Lady Catherine. Thank goodness, for their aunt was not a relation Darcy wished to claim just now. “Are they long established in Meryton?”
“Oh, the Purvis girls,” Miss Long said with a faint sigh. “They are quite plain, even plainer than Charlotte Lucas, if you will pardon my saying so. And with none of her sense or practicality to compensate.”
“Not that they lack advantages,” Miss Agatha interjected. “Their dowries are respectable.”
