Page 27 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“Indeed, I would, if you please.”

Jane rose and retrieved the embroidery frame from the table where she had left it. Crossing to Miss Bingley, the two young women bent over the work together while Jane explained how she had transferred the design to the fine linen and where she had purchased the silk thread.

Mr. Bingley turned to Elizabeth. “Ma'am, as you know, I have come to learn what I can about managing an estate. Is now a convenient time to begin?”

“Of course, sir. I shall bring our field journal for you to examine. It is an excellent example of the records my father kept to improve the yields from year to year.”

Elizabeth withdrew to her father's study and selected the appropriate journal. When she returned, she invited Mr. Bingley to join her at a table near the window. She opened the volume before him so he could read it easily, then explained what had been recorded and why each entry mattered.

There were columns devoted to every field on the estate, recording its name, acreage, soil type, drainage, crop, yield, and other pertinent information.

She then showed Mr. Bingley how she and her father had compared each year's harvest with those of previous years. In that way, they could determine whether their soil amendments, crop rotation, and other improvements had been successful. The discussion continued for nearly an hour.

At last, Mr. Bingley rose.

“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, I fear we have overstayed our welcome. I beg your pardon. We have been here a full hour.”

Jane smiled kindly. “Think nothing of it, sir. We receive very few callers these days. People seem to find it awkward to visit us, fearing they may say the wrong thing. I have greatly enjoyed becoming acquainted with Miss Bingley.”

Elizabeth added, “Nor has it been any burden to me, sir. I am pleased to share whatever knowledge may be of use to you.”

Mr. Bingley looked genuinely gratified.

“Miss Elizabeth, if that is truly so, may I call again tomorrow? I should like to examine the other records you and your father kept. With your permission, I shall purchase several notebooks and copy the headings of your various journals so that I may begin keeping similar records at Netherfield. My friend Mr. Darcy will be greatly impressed to find that I have already begun such estate journals.”

This brought smiles to all four sisters.

Elizabeth said, “It is my pleasure, sir. At what hour would you like to come?”

They settled upon one o'clock, and the Bingleys soon took their leave. The two elder sisters walked with them to their carriage. From the way Mr. Bingley looked at Jane and the warmth with which he spoke to her, Elizabeth could see that he was much taken with her. As she studied Jane's face, she realized the feeling was mutual.

She smiled to herself. Perhaps, after all they had endured, Jane might find happiness with this amiable, wealthy gentleman.

* * *

That first visit established the pattern for all those that followed. Each day, the Bingleys arrived at Longbourn promptly at one o'clock. Mr. Bingley and Elizabeth spent the first hour poring over the estate records, learning how to forecast the following year's planting, analyze crop yields, and improve the land through crop rotation, soil amendments, drainage, and other sound agricultural practices.

Afterward, Mr. Bingley and Jane would stroll through the rose garden or tour his estate in his phaeton, while their sisters remained at Longbourn, occupied with their embroidery.

Miss Bingley was taken with Jane's fire screen and wished to learn more about her use of color. During these afternoons, Elizabeth brought out Jane's embroidery samplers, embroidered reticules, and other examples of her needlework. She also led Miss Bingley on a tour of Longbourn so that she might admire the various fire screens Jane had completed over the years.

“Your sister is truly gifted, Miss Elizabeth. Her choice of colors is remarkably elegant, and her ability to create depth through shading is quite advanced. I do not believe I have ever seen finer work. May I see the silks Jane used in creating this reticule?”

Elizabeth carried the basket of silk threads to the table, where she selected the various shades Jane had used, arranging them from the lightest tones to the deepest. Together, the two young women studied how Jane had blended the colors to create depth and dimension. Miss Bingley embroidered several small practice pieces, experimenting with the combinations before selecting those she intended to use in her own work.

By late August, the two families had become quite close. The Bingleys often dined with the Bennet sisters, and once each week, the sisters were invited to dine at Netherfield. Every Sunday after church, the Bingleys walked the sisters back to Longbourn, where they enjoyed a cold collation of meats, cheeses, fresh bread, and wine in the rose garden courtyard. It was not long before everyone in both families understood that Jane and Mr. Bingley were courting.

One evening, as Elizabeth helped Jane undress, she said, “Sister, Mr. Bingley is quite taken with you.”

Jane smiled radiantly. “Yes, Lizzy, he is. He has begun to hint at marriage.”

As Elizabeth continued unfastening the buttons of Jane's bodice, Jane suddenly turned to face her.

“Do you believe I ought to tell him of our sister's ruin?”

Elizabeth straightened, a frown of concern crossing her face.

“Must you, Jane? That secret has been safely laid to rest. All our neighbors believe Lydia died when Papa was shot.”