Page 24 of Regrets

“Yes; he wishes to see if he will enjoy living in the country.”

Mr. Bingley rushed out the front door to welcome them. “It is so good to see you! The house is far too large for just one person.” He looked thoughtful for a moment and then added, “Though I suppose there are a good two dozen house servants, so I am not alone. Still, I am ever so glad to welcome you to Netherfield Park! Ah, here is Braddock, the butler, who will not scold me for keeping you standing outside, but doubtless he would very much wish to. Braddock, this is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and his sister, Miss Darcy.”

Braddock was a well-trained butler; he had made himself familiar with the expected arrivals with the help of Debretts, and knew all about the Darcys and Pemberley. But he acknowledged the introductions most courteously.

Introductions were performed again inside, as the housekeeper, Mrs. Hammond, had to know who was who. “Will there be a hostess?” Mrs. Hammond asked, tactfully. The girl looked far too young to assume such a role, but it was best to be certain.

Georgiana stepped forward. “I will serve in that capacity,” she said, and her tone was so dignified and self-assured that Mrs. Hammond bowed her head, respectfully.

Mr. Darcy shook his head, marveling at his sister. Surely before her sojourn at Rosings Park, Georgiana would never have been so bold. The transformation had been truly astonishing.

“I hope we may discuss menus at your convenience, Miss Darcy,” Mrs. Hammond said.

“Certainly,” Georgiana said, calmly. She followed Mrs. Hammond upstairs, where she was shown to her assigned bedroom.

“I will send a maid to unpack for you,” Mrs. Hammond said.

Leaving the unpacking of the trunks to the maid, Georgiana took herself on a tour of the house. It was light and modern, and very tastefully decorated. ‘I like it very much,’ she thought. ‘Even if it is rather small.’ She then went downstairs to find Mrs. Hammond and discuss what responsibilities Georgiana would assume.

***

Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy had already begun a tour of the estate. Mr. Darcy pointed out various features: drainage problems that had been resolved, roofs that had recently been re-thatched, fences that had been mended. “It is in excellent condition,” Mr. Darcy said. “Clearly, the owner takes prodigiously good care of it. He lives overseas, you said?”

“Yes, but plans someday to return to England and to Netherfield Park.”

“That explains his continued interest in caring for it, then. But while you are leasing it, any problems that arise are yours to solve,” Mr. Darcy reminded him.

“Which is all to the good; if I am to learn to manage an estate, I must learn to solve its problems, must I not?”

“Quite right; while I am here, we will ride out together every week and speak with the tenants. They will tell us if anything requires repairs.”

“Oh, Darcy, I almost forgot! We are to go to a dinner party tonight.”

Mr. Darcy frowned. “Tonight?”

“Yes; is that a problem?” Mr. Bingley looked at his friend in surprise. “You traveled only thirty miles, surely you are not worn out from that.”

“No, I am not. Very well; socialising with the neighbours is part of country life. Do not be disappointed, Bingley, if you find the society here not quite what you are accustomed to in London.”

“Heavens, Darcy, you sound like Caroline! If a neighbour is kind enough to invite us – all of us – to a dinner, should we not simply accept with gratitude?”

Mr. Darcy sighed. How he wished he could be as sociable and kind a gentleman as his friend Bingley!

Chapter Twenty-Four

Georgiana worried a good deal about how to dress for the dinner at Longbourn. She did not want to be too fancy, but nor did she want to appear as if she had not thought the dinner important enough to dress up for. Who were these Bennets? Were there young gentlemen there? Finally, she decided to ask Mrs. Hammond what she knew of them.

“The Bennets are good people,” the housekeeper assured her. “They are not high society, not in the least, but the family has been on that land for two centuries. No, no young gentlemen, just five daughters of various ages; they are kind girls, and I do not doubt that you will find them friendly.”

Much relieved, Georgiana decided on her Pomona green gown with the white embroidery at the neckline. It was a perfectly-cut gown of excellent material, sufficiently modest to be perfect for a young lady of good breeding who was not yet out.

***

When the visitors were announced, the Bennets rose to their feet. Mr. Bennet presented his family to Mr. Bingley, Mr. Bingley then introduced the Darcys.

Mrs. Bennet’s experienced eye found Mr. Bingley the more handsome of the two gentlemen, with his sandy hair, bright blue eyes; and ready smile.

That said, though, it could not be denied that Mr. Darcy had an air of wealth and sophistication that his friend did not. Mr. Darcy had thick dark hair that looked very much as if it wished to curl, and dark eyes that seemed to miss nothing. He was quiet, dignified, maybe even a bit aloof.