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The whole subject was full of codes, and rigid rules, however unwritten they may be. Bingley instantly understood that there was a degree of showing off. Everyone making sure they were seen in the social hierarchy, jostling to move up, get one over on their neighbours.

“I see. What is normally donated? Do you have a record of what Netherfield Park gave the last time it was occupied?”

It was the easiest solution, he would consult with the Steward and make the donation from the home farm. It would not gain him any credit with the locals but it would ensure that he did not further blot his reputation.

“Thank you.”

He was about to leave when the door to the church opened and Miss Lucas entered. There was an awkward pause for several seconds before the Parson smoothed things over.

“Miss Lucas, you will remember Mr. Bingley, resident at Netherfield Park at present. Mr. Bingley, this is Miss Lucas, eldest daughter of Sir William and Lady Lucas of Lucas Lodge. They are your neighbours on the southern edge of the estate.”

“I do remember Miss Lucas. I had enjoyed a dance with her at the Assembly, earlier in the evening.”

--

“Papa, have you visited Mr. Bingley since the Assembly?”

Sir William Lucas looked at his daughter curiously.

“No Charlotte, I have not. No gentleman of the neighbourhood has visited. Why do you ask?”

“Do you remember when you were knighted and bought our estate? How there was so much to learn, so many things that you were unaware of?”

“I do. Our neighbours were a great help, Bennet most of all.”

Sir William was a hearty soul, all ‘hail fellow well met’, but he was not stupid.

“You think that I should visit? Even after what happened at the Assembly?”

Charlotte nodded.

“He was leaving the church, just as I was arriving. The Rev Ferry mentioned that Mr. Bingley was asking about the duties and obligations of the estate. Not just paying the Poor Law, but all those subtle things that are often left unsaid.”

Sir William knew exactly what she meant. His wife was even more acutely aware of their obligations.

“You think I should extend an olive branch?”

“Yes. His friend went to the Gouldings and apologised the next day, both to Miss Goulding but also to the family in general. He then left the neighbourhood. And Mr. Bingley despatched his own sisters back to London less than a week later.”

Sir William thought back to the Assembly. Bingley himself had danced every dance, been polite, open and pleasant. He was let down by the rest of his party and the only mark against him was trying to get that Mr. Darcy to dance, with the unfortunate consequences. Charlotte was right.

“Thank you, Charlotte, for bringing this to my attention. It is time to forgive and to include Mr. Bingley in our community.”

He stood and kissed his daughter on the forehead.

--

Between the social circles of Sir William and Lady Lucas, the gentlemen and ladies of the neighbourhood soon knew that Mr. Bingley was no longer to be ignored. It would be a gradual assimilation, aided by the fact he did not have a hostess. Yet this did not stop Charlotte from spending significant time with him. She was always chaperoned by her father or brother but both quickly spotted that the couple looked at each other in a most promising way.

It is amazing how propriety can be satisfied whilst allowing romance to flourish. Sir William sat in his study with his heir John.

“You are ensuring that propriety is maintained?”

“Yes father, but there is almost no occasion for subterfuge. Charlotte accompanies me on many of the visits, exactly the same as with you. Bingley has no hostess and so the three of us remain in each other’s company the whole time. You could argue that it is us that is flouting propriety by having Charlotte with us when we visit.”

“Do you agree that there is interest between them?”

“Definitely. He talks to Charlotte as much as me when we are at the estate.”

“I will have your mother invite him for dinner. It is much to the neighbourhood’s advantage that his sisters have returned to London but it does make social occasions a challenge. I am sure your mother will guide me, us indeed, to assist Charlotte.”

Both Bingley and Charlotte Lucas realised at the dinner that their match, unspoken of until them, had been given the seal of approval of her parents. Bingley turned up the next day and asked for a courtship, which was granted immediately.

Bingley and John Lucas were meeting to discuss the estate, the heir to Sir William helping the tenant. Or at least that was the story for the other three and twenty families of the area. In reality he chaperoned his sister, with an ever-increasing distance between himself and the courting couple. It took but a month for the outcome the whole family expected.