Mary blushed with pleasure. Rarely were her labours so valued, and praise from Uncle Thomas made it doubly gratifying. She had spent several days working with her father and uncle, perhaps the happiest days of her life. Since then, Uncle Thomas had occasionally invited her to walk with him, and his stories of India and Africa interested her infinitely more than any book she had ever read.
“Now, I am the only surviving brother, though the family itself is rather extensive. There are Robert’s two daughters, then your father and Mr Collins with his siblings, one brother and three sisters.
“Whilst still in Africa, I decided to write to all my nieces and nephews with the same question: would they receive me into their homes and allow me to live amongst their families?”
A considerable silence settled over the table. The story held them all, each remembering the evening when Mr Bennet had first told them of the letter.
“And?” Lydia asked impatiently.
Nobody reproved her, for they were all equally eager.
“Of course, I received your father’s answer informing me that his family was both willing and happy to welcome me. But what pleased me most was the manner in which each of you invited me in your own way. Afterwards, I received two refusals, one from Mr Collins and one from Robert’s daughters, whilst another letter came from Newcastle upon Tyne, where Robert’s eldest daughter invited me to live with her and her widowed daughter. The rest did not trouble themselves to answer at all.”
“But you came to us,” Lydia said, her delight so sincere that Thomas smiled at once.
“Yes. I shall visit my niece in Newcastle, but I prefer living here, especially as I intend to spend a good deal of time in London.”
“You will always be welcome at the Gardiners’,” Mr Bennet observed, but his uncle shook his head.
“A kind and hospitable family, certainly, but as you shall soon discover, I have no need of lodgings in London. I already possess a house there.”
They exchanged astonished glances. They had all imagined Longbourn to be his only refuge.
“Well, my dears, I have not been entirely frank with you, nor with my other relations. But neither have I lied. I never claimed to be poor. You merely assumed that I required a home because I could not afford one.”
“And you can?”
Again, Lydia spoke with her usual irreverence, and this time her father rebuked her.
“Be quiet, Lydia, and allow your uncle to tell his story as he pleases.”
“No, I like Lydia. I appreciate her questions. Well, my dear,” he continued, turning to the youngest Bennet daughter, “I can indeed afford a house and, as your sister Elizabeth can inform you, with Mr Phillips’s legal assistance, I have purchased Netherfield Park.”
This time, the silence became so profound that Thomas burst into laughter. “This is good news, dear family, no tragedy has befallen us, so pray smile! My nephew, Mr Edward Bennet, your husband and father, is now the owner of Netherfield Park.”
For several moments, nobody seemed capable of understanding him. The meaning of his words simply would not settle in their minds, and again Thomas’s laughter broke through the heavy silence surrounding the table.
“You cannot do such a thing,” Mr Bennet said at last, his face full of concern as he looked at his uncle.
“And who precisely shall prevent me from disposing of my own money as I choose?”
Again, silence overtook them all.
“Miss Lydia,” Thomas said affectionately, “have you nothing to say now?”
Lydia blushed, though excitement already shone in her eyes. Of them all, she alone appeared to have fully accepted the news.
“So Papa truly is the owner?” she asked.
“Yes, Miss Lydia, he is. And all of you are his heiresses.”
“And we may move to Netherfield whenever we please?”
“Lydia,” Mr Bennet cried, “stay out of this conversation. We have had more than enough of your impertinent questions.”
“Let her speak,” Thomas replied good-humouredly. “Of all of you, she alone has properly understood what I have been saying.”
“I understand perfectly well, Uncle Thomas,” Mr Bennet answered. “But I do not know how to explain that we cannot possibly accept such a gift.”
