Bingley stepped out beside me, fisting his hands at his waist. “Is it not? I was quite taken with it. Netherfield is just a bit farther on. Shall we take a luncheon and hire some saddle horses to ride over this afternoon?”
I cast another glance about, then turned back to Bingley. “Indeed. Have you met any of the neighbors?”
“Scarcely anybody. My agent lives here and has told me all about the town, but I have not been introduced to anyone else.”
“That may be in our favor for now.”
We stepped into the inn and walked to the tap to speak for two rooms. The innkeeper himself greeted us with a wide grin. “Ah, Mr. Bingley! We are pleased to see you again. Come back to make all your preparations, eh?”
I slid a glance at Bingley, and he flushed crimson. “Well, I meanalmostno one.” He offered a nervous chuckle. “Ah, Templeton, there’s a good man. Look, I’d just as soon everyone did not hear I was passing through today. We’ve still contracts to sign, that sort of thing. Wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about my visit, you understand.”
The landlord winked and pointed. “I understand, sir. I’ll put you down as Mr.… Scarlet. Two rooms? Private dining room to refresh yourselves?”
Bingley’s mouth twitched, and I hid a smirk. He had always been a touch sensitive about his hair. “Er… thank you. Yes. Shall we?”
Ipeeredthroughthehedges at the house. Bingley had been so unnerved by the notion that the landlord would hear of his visit before the house was officially his that he brought me round the back way, avoiding the primary drive. It was a fine enough structure, stately yet pleasingly modern, but one thing struck me.
“Did you not say you were to take up residence in a fortnight?”
“Yes, if all the conditions are satisfactory.”
I stood in the irons to get a better view through the hedge. “Where is everyone? People should be stocking the larders, filling the coal-shed and the wood-sheds, bringing hay for the stables.”
Bingley blinked. “Oh. Well, yes, of course. I am sure they are about somewhere.”
I sat down in the saddle. “You have not ordered the house to be prepared?”
“Well, it is only that I thought perhaps I ought to wait until all my questions were answered. It should only take a day—two at most to see everything done, should it not?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Have you at least interviewed a housekeeper?”
“Oh, as to that, there is one in residence. She should have a letter from me by now to retain the cooks and maids she will require.”
“You are keeping on the old master’s housekeeper?”
“Is that not fitting? I thought as she knows the house and the people she might employ… I would not wish to turn someone of experience out on her ear.”
“Unless her loyalties cannot be depended on.”
“Oh, dear. Well, how shall I proceed?”
I shook my head. “For now, let us take stock of these items in question. We can speak of staffing the house later. I presume your housekeeper will let us in?”
“I do not think…” Bingley squirmed in his saddle. “That is, I had nearly forgot.”
I swung about to stare at him. “Forgot what?”
He cleared his throat. “I just recalled that I had a letter back from her, and she is in Plymouth at the moment, visiting her daughter. She was not to return until Friday.”
“You forgot. How does a man forget such a thing?”
“Well, ahem. You know how it is, Darcy. Quite a deal going on, of course. Hard to keep it all straight.”
“Yes. That is why I write things down.” I sighed and swept my gaze over what I could see of the house. “Well, we have come all this way. Surely you have a key.”
“Not yet.”
“Not… Exactly how did you mean to get into the house?”
