“Yes; I prefer that bit of information not be passed on to others.”
Mr. Darcy and his guest eyed one another thoughtfully, each taking the measure of the other.
Mr. Bennet said, softly, “I have five daughters, Mr. Darcy, and my wife is eager to marry them off.”
“I mean no disrespect, Mr. Bennet,” Mr. Darcy began.
“Oh, no, not at all,” Mr. Bennet interrupted. “I merely hoped to indicate that I understand your wish to not be seen as, well – ispreytoo strong a word?”
“It is not too strong at all,” Mr. Darcy said, recalling how hunted he had felt in London ballrooms.
“Very well; your secret is safe with me. Now, then, shall we finish this game?” Mr. Bennet rubbed his hands together, delightedly. Things were turning out far better than he had imagined.
***
“Well, Mr. Bennet?”
“Well, Mrs. Bennet?”
His wife scowled at him. “Is he married?”
“I have no idea.”
“You did not enquire?” Her voice rose in disbelief.
“We played chess,” her husband replied, shrugging. “The question of his marital status did not arise.”
“Is he well-looking?”
“He has two eyes, a nose, and a mouth, all in the right places in his face. More than that, I cannot tell you.”
“You are the most frustrating man in the world,” Mrs. Bennet declared.
“I do not doubt it,” Mr. Bennet replied, agreeably.
“I suppose I must invite him to dinner to discover anything at all about him.”
“I am certain that he would be grateful for your hospitality, Mrs. Bennet. But remember that he is a working man and not likely to be wealthy.” Mr. Bennet squirmed inside, remembering the mention of an estate, but he would not break his word to this new friend.
“He will not do for Jane, of course, but perhaps Mary would suit him.”
Or Lizzy, Mr. Bennet thought, as his wife gathered her skirts and marched from the room.
Chapter Five
Some days later, Mr. Darcy had signed the lease papers, met with Netherfield’s steward, and visited the tenants’ homes, making notes of where repairs were needed. He had toured the house with Mr. Phillips, but had yet to inspect the attics and the servants’ rooms. Bingley would not be here for some weeks, so there was plenty of time for that.
He had been visited by Mr. Bennet and Sir Lucas, but no one else; doubtless word had spread that he was not Mr. Bingley and, therefore, not of interest. Not being of interest was a new experience for the wealthy and influential Mr. Darcy, and he discovered that he enjoyed it very much.
The Netherfield staff had also assumed that he was Mr. Bingley’s man of business and mainly left him to his own devices. He was served his meals quite informally, and he suspected that the servants rather thought he should be eating downstairs with them, rather than in solitary splendor in the small family dining room.
He penned a letter to Bingley House.
Bingley,
I have done as you requested. The lease papers are signed, the keys are in my possession. The house appears sound. There are repairs to be made to the tenants’ cottages, and I have made a list of them, including the likely cost of said repairs. All in all, I think Netherfield to be a good choice for you to begin the life of an estate owner.
When will you be able to travel? I have responsibilities at home that I must attend to as soon as may be.
