In no time at all, word spread throughout Netherfield that Mr. Darcy was no man of business; he was, in fact, a great landowner and should have been treated with the utmost respect from the moment of his arrival.
It was with deep sighs of relief that the Netherfield servants learnt that he was in no way upset with the way he had been treated. Mrs. Nichols curtsied almost to the ground whenever she saw him, until he finally had to reassure her that he had been deliberating masquerading as a man of business, and she had aided him greatly by going along with this masquerade.
She then proceeded to enquire most eagerly as to his particular preferences with respect to his meals, and was assured that he preferred the simple foods he had been served, rather than rich sauces and many courses. “Though,” he added, “Miss Bingley will insist upon the reverse.”
Mr. Darcy happily escaped the ministrations of Franklin, who had not ceased his shudders of horror since his arrival, in order to walk to Longbourn, where he hoped to find surcease from the fuss now being made of him. In this, however, he was to be disappointed.
“Oh, Mr. Darcy! How very nice to see you again!” Mrs. Bennet fluttered her handkerchief at the tall, perfectly attired gentleman in her parlour.
Mr. Darcy’s heart fell at this confirmation that the news had evidently made its way to Longbourn already. But manners, engrained in him almost from infancy, had him immediately bowing to the woman, assuring her of his very great pleasure in being there.
“The girls are all here to greet you,” she assured him, and stepped aside so that he might admire the Bennet daughters, arrayed in unaccustomed finery. Mrs. Bennet had evidently insisted on them showing themselves to their best advantage.
Elizabeth stood and said, “Mama, please let poor Mr. Darcy alone. He knows us already, and he does not require an excess of attention.”
“Why, I was just welcoming –“
“Good morning, Darcy,” a deeper voice said.
“Bennet,” he replied, rather curtly.
“The jig is up, I fear,” Mr. Bennet said, laughter in his voice.
“Why, you knew who he really was, Mr. Bennet?” Mrs. Bennet’s voice rose in indignation.
“I did, yes.”
“And not a word to your wife! Shame on you, Mr. Bennet!”
“Mrs. Bennet, the fault is entirely mine,” Mr. Darcy’s voice silenced the room. “My valet was unable to travel with me for family reasons, and so I came to Netherfield alone, with clothing that I could manage by myself. Graham at once took me for a man of business or an attorney, and I found myself in no hurry to correct him.”
“But why?” Mrs. Bennet’s voice was plaintive.
“To save himself from scenes such as the one he just endured,” Elizabeth said, impatiently. “All this fuss and bother! No one could blame you, Mr. Darcy, and I for one will not treat you any differently than before.”
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. It is, truly, a good deal of fuss and bother.”
“Though I must admit that I have known who you were for some time now,” she added, eyes dancing.
“But how?” Mr. Darcy was astonished.
“You recall my uncle, Mr. Gardiner? He was here when you and I first met.”
“I do recall, Miss Elizabeth.” He did not add that he would never forget the first time he had seen her.
“He thought your name sounded familiar, and consulted with his wife upon returning home. My Aunt Gardiner, as it happens, was born and raised in Lambton.”
“So she recognised my name immediately.”
“Exactly, and she lost no time in sending me a letter to tell me who my new neighbour really was.”
“Then I must thank you for not making any fuss and bother about it, Miss Elizabeth.”
“You are quite welcome; I can imagine that being wealthy and important is a great trial.”
“You are teasing me,” he realised.
“I am, yes,” she laughed at him.
