Sir Thomas’s face paled. “Wassailing! You mean to stay on through Christmas?”
Darcy sighed. “What my friend is so clumsily trying to say is that, indeed, we would be deeply obliged if you found it within your means to permit us some… liberties. No expense is too great, sir. I would not have you put to the slightest inconvenience on our behalf, and nor would we wish to displace even a single one of your… ahem… what do you call them? Residents?”
Sir Thomas blinked vaguely. “I… we simply say, ‘the household.’ I was not aware I needed a formal name for the persons who inhabit my home.”
“And so, you do not. Very well, we would not wish to inconvenience you or your household. In fact, we hope to make ourselves welcome by more means than simple good manners and cheerful characters.”
Bingley made a snorting noise. “As if Darcy knows what a cheerful manner even is. I daresay, I thought he had nearly forgot how to smile at all until the other day, when—”
“I am sure Sir Thomas can have no interest inthat,” Darcy interrupted.
“I… I still do not understand,” Sir Thomas protested. “What is your intention? You mean to secure the house for… what? A temporary stay? A long-term lease?”
Darcy frowned and arched a brow at Bingley.
“Oh, I should say a deal more than that!” Bingley enthused. “Why, does it not strike you that this house is nearly the most scenic setting one can imagine for a bit of winter revelry? Why, apart from Pemberley—and you will not get Darcy that far from London just now—I never saw a happier situation for a grand party.”
Sir Thomas shook his head. “Scenery, it has in abundance. A party… why, that requires people.”
“With all due respect,” Bingley returned, “DarBing Enterprises never lacked for people willing to join their cause.”
Sir Thomas closed his eyes for an instant, and when he opened them, it was with a long-suffering sort of resignation. “You may be wizards in business, the both of you. But I think you will find that the stench of associating with Netherfield will cling to you no matter what ‘revelries’ you attempt to indulge in in Meryton.”
“AndIthink you will find that when a single man of good fortune declares himself in want of a party, there tends to be no lack of applicants,” Darcy replied.
Sir Thomas kneaded his forehead. “Darcy… Bingley… I know—or, at least, I think I know—what you are trying to do here. I assure you, the effort is not unappreciated, but I think you underestimate the difficulties. You will find not even one family who would stoop to accept the invitation.”
Darcy and Bingley shared a glance. Bingley, for once, gave the faintest shake of his head, as if to beg Darcy to speak first. Darcy thinned his lips and turned to address Sir Thomas.
“People simply do not know your intentions here. The good you have accomplished. If they did—if they had any notion of what you do and why—I am sure the town would not remain so distant.”
“They do not wish to know,” Sir Thomas replied. “I cannot force their understanding.”
“True,” Darcy said, “but we mighttemptthem into a better understanding, if given a chance. Mr. Bingley and I have discussed it, and we thought… perhaps a large Christmas party—too large to be ignored, forallof your neighbors. To give Meryton’s residents a chance to come into your home, see things for themselves.”
Sir Thomas stared at them. “A Christmas party! At Netherfield. Forallof Meryton?” He sounded as though Darcy had suggested inviting the House of Commons for tea.
“Oh, indeed, yes!” Bingley jumped in. “It would be festive, welcoming, and no one would wish to miss it!”
Darcy nodded, glancing at Sir Thomas’s incredulous expression. “A large affair would serve many purposes. The season alone would excuse it, and every corner of Meryton could feel invited.”
Sir Thomas was silent for a moment, his eyes searching each of theirs. “Meryton would never agree to it. They would not attend.”
“They would,” Darcy countered. “If it were open to all—if everyone knew they were welcome, if the food were abundant and the, er, libations flowed freely, and it were held at a house as grand as Netherfield. They would come because… well, because they would not wish to be left out.”
Sir Thomas folded his arms, watching them carefully. “And you believe this will change their opinion of me and of Netherfield?”
“It may not happen overnight,” Darcy replied, “but it would be a start. It would give the people a chance to see the house and meet those who live here—see them, not as rumors or as threats, but as… as neighbors.”
Sir Thomas exhaled slowly, shaking his head. “Meryton has always been wary of me, but this…” He paused, his gaze sharpening. “They will think me mad! Where is the money to come from? You know everyone will talk. It is hardly a secret that I can hardly keep my own board from being bare.”
“That, Sir Thomas, shall not be a problem.” Darcy nodded toward his friend. “Bingley and I will see to every expense, down to the very particulars and beyond. It is, after all, the least we can do for inconveniencing you so by asking to host a party in your home.”
Sir Thomas gaped at each of them, something like hope flashing in his eyes, quickly replaced by a shadow of doubt. “Darcy! You are the least likely fellow I ever saw to be hosting a party. I have not forgot how you used to find the most private nook in the house when your fellows were drinking and carrying on. You would sit in the corner with a book and watch it all, hardly letting yourself be drawn in. And you wish to convince me that this isyouridea, foryourpleasure?”
“I take pleasure in a great many things besides reading,” Darcy said, a little defensively.
“He is lying about that last bit,” Bingley put in, “but I am not. Come, man, what of it?”
