++**++
Chapter 36.
Healing the Neighbourhood
After an enjoyable day of shooting with the neighbours, Darcy and Bingley approached Jack Fielding and his father about healing the breach with the Bennet family.
“I will not have my wife humiliated by having to publicly apologize,” Mr. Fielding said in rebuff of Bingley’s suggestion. “Mrs. Fielding has tender feelings that would be crushed by such an undertaking!”
“Father, we are in the wrong here,” Jack said.
“No! Your mother did nothing wrong! These gentlemen are merely attempting to curry favour with the skirts are Longbourn because they are courting the sisters!”
Sir William Lucas stepped forward with the host, Mr. Goulding, “Gentlemen! Gentlemen! This is a friendly gathering for shooting birds, not one another.”
“See here Fielding, your missus has created a problem and you are making matters worse,” Mr. Goulding said. He motioned toward Darcy and Bingley, before saying, “These gentlemen have the best intentions for the neighbourhood and they are attempting to help you. Do you want your geese to make it to market on time and in good shape or do you want them frazzled and decreased in numbers by the dogs in Meryton?”
“The damned gentry will have it their way always!” Fielding cursed and the other gentlemen frowned.
Jack Fielding took his father’s arm. “We should leave Father.”
“And we’ll not come back again!” he swore. “I will leave this town tonight and set up shop in another town!”
None of the gentlemen said anything to contradict Mr. Fielding’s wish but Jack did step to one side to speak to Sir William for a moment before returning to his father’s side.
“I apologize, Goulding,” Bingley said. “I hoped to help – I know the Bennet family would prefer to heal the breach in the neighbourhood.”
“As do we all, Mr. Bingley,” Goulding replied. “But if Mr. Fielding is opposed to such, I do not know what can be done.”
“And young Jack?” asked Darcy. “What is he to do?”
Sir William and his son John exchanged glances but said nothing and the party divided up the birds to take to the different kitchens to prepare and serve in the next two days.
On the road, Darcy and Fitzwilliam overtook the Lucas father and son easily. “Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam – are you not heading toward Netherfield?”
“No, Sir William, we are staying at the inn for a few days,” Colonel Fitzwilliam replied. “But we are heading to Longbourn with these birds for the Bennet family.”
“I should have thought of that,” John said from the back of his horse. “I haven’t seen…”
“I apologize if I made the situation with the Fielding family worse, Sir William,” Darcy said. “Mr. Bingley and I wanted to restore the good feelings of the neighbourhood.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy, but do not concern yourself with hurt feelings. Mr. Goulding and I planned to attempt the same argument with Mr. Fielding after the shooting today. We wanted his lady to apologize after services on Sunday. That would allow Mrs. Bennet to graciously forgive her and the geese could cross Longbourn on their way to London.”
“And my sister could accept Jack Fielding’s proposal then. He would have his own money then and they could set up their own home.”
“Does Miss Lucas have to wait until Mr. Fielding has some money?”
“I have only a small dowry for my daughter and she will make Mr. Fielding a good wife. He will be a good husband able to support her and any children – the young man is a good stockman,” Sir William said. “If Fielding leaves Purvis Lodge and young Jack is left in the lurch with the geese, he’ll lose a year’s income complete.”
Fitzwilliam did not follow the conversation between the three farmers much longer – Darcy was comfortable speaking of corn, geese and wagons but Fitzwilliam only understood wagons with ammunition and provisions for his troops on the battlefield.
When they separated at the gates for Longbourn, he turned to his cousin and asked, “What is the plan you will implement for the salvation of Jack Fielding?”
Darcy’s face was unreadable for a moment before he said, “Sons should not have to pay for their father’s sins at every turn. I had to deal with my father’s mistresses, his bastards and his pet Wickham for the last five years. Jack Fielding should not be denied his future because his father and mother do not socialize well. And Miss Lucas would lose a husband.”
“Which will affect Miss Mary Bennet’s future with Mr. John Lucas, and thus affect Mrs. Hamilton’s family complete,” Fitzwilliam concluded. “I understand.”
“Mr. John Lucas will call on Mr. Jack Fielding and bring him to Longbourn this afternoon to discuss business with myself and Mrs. Hamilton.”
“Business?”
“Yes, I believe Mrs. Hamilton and I shall invest in Mr. Jack Fielding’s geese.”
“What do you want with a herd of geese Darcy?”
“Fitzwilliam, in the country you must learn to name things properly. You have a herd of cows, but with geese you have a flock.”
“Herd! Flock! What do you want with a flock of geese in Hertfordshire in November?”
He grinned, “They will be an engagement present.”
“What? Are you daft as Lady Catherine’s rector?”
++**++
Leaving her sisters with Colonel Fitzwilliam to visit in the parlour until Mr. Bingley arrived; Elizabeth led Mr. Darcy into her father’s library. Matthew rode on Darcy’s shoulders as always and happily ducked his head to pass under the door frames. Nanny Brice watched in wonder from the hall.
“And Mr. Fielding was against Mr. Bingley’s suggestion?” Elizabeth asked. She sighed when Mr. Darcy nodded and swung Matthew down into his lap when he sat in one of the large chairs.
“Sir William and Mr. Goulding planned the same attempt but Mr. Fielding said he would leave Meryton before he asked his wife to apologize.”
“What are we to do Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth asked. “My mother told me this morning that Charlotte Lucas will not be able to accept Mr. Jack Fielding’s proposal of marriage if matters remain as they are.”
“It is a problem of Fielding’s own making and no one else’s.”
“Yes, but if we had just ignored the woman, this would not be a problem.”
Darcy shook his head and argued, “Even if Collins was not such a fool to repeat her slanders, your good mother would have heard them eventually and taken steps.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I could see Mamma pushing Mrs. Fielding into the water trough in front of Mr. Black’s stables if she heard the story on the streets of Meryton.”
“I have a plan, Mrs. Hamilton,” Darcy said. “It will require a small investment on my part but I can help Mr. Jack Fielding and Miss Charlotte Lucas. He will be able to establish his own concern separate from his father who can leave Meryton or rot; Miss Lucas will be able to marry Mr. Fielding, and your sister, Miss Mary…”
“Will be able to marry John Lucas with one sister out of the house at Lucas Lodge,” Elizabeth completed his idea. She thought for a moment and then said, “I will agree but only if you allow me to equally invest in my friend’s future.”
Darcy started for a moment but he realized again that this woman was worthy of his attentions when she asked, “What sums are you expecting to lay out? And what are we purchasing?”
“We are purchasing a flock of two hundred geese for fifty pounds.”
“Geese? Oh, I understand,” Elizabeth replied. “I have never owned a goose before Mr. Darcy. We shall have many quills for pens I suppose.”
“If we pay Jack Fielding to drive them to London for the Christmas market, I believe we shall recover our investment.”
“Very well, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth replied. “I accept.”
He grinned suddenly, imagining those words to another proposal he hoped to make before too many more days passed.
“Do you have twenty-five pounds available Mrs. Hami
lton?”
“Sir! Such impertinence! A gentleman does not ask a lady about her purse,” she teased.
“But when in trade, partners must discuss money honestly,” Darcy replied.
“Trade!” Elizabeth exclaimed as she grinned. “How shall we ever survive the taint of trade?”
Darcy paused before he said, “There is another possible payment available, Mrs. Hamilton.”
“And that would be what?”
“Dreaming Lady’s foal next harvest – I would accept an option to purchase the foal as your portion for the flock of geese.”
“Mr. Darcy, I would never part with Dreaming Lady’s foal! She was Matthew’s particular pet.”
“We shall need a large stable…” he said and then suddenly stopped. He picked up Matthew and looked the boy over.
“Do you intend to raise carriage horses on your estate?” he asked.
Surprised even more, Elizabeth blinked and nodded her head. “My son will have a stable of grey carriage horses. His grandfather…”
Darcy’s eyes grew round staring at Elizabeth.
“Mr. Darcy, sir are you well?”
He sat speechless for a moment, looking back and forth between mother and son.
“William, shall I call Colonel Fitzwilliam?”
He looked over her head at the clock on the wall, “I must remember this moment – five of the clock.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Elizabeth said as she sat beside him on the sofa, one hand on his arm as she searched his face for sign of distress.
He grinned. “That is the first time you have ever used my given name, Mrs. Hamilton – or should I call you ‘Lady Elizabeth’?”
Elizabeth blushed and snatched back her hand as Mr. Darcy hurried to explain, “I just realized that your possessiveness toward the horses must have been learned in the last few years. And lately my steward at Pemberley has sold a large amount of timber to the steward at the adjoining estate – Mount Pleasant – for the construction of a large stable. The new earl is expected to take possession of the estate soon and bring a full stable of horses.”
Beginning to relax a little, Elizabeth sat back, a smile growing at Mr. Darcy’s words.
“I just never imagined that I would bounce the new Earl of Bailey on my knee while asking his lady mother to be my bride.”
Darcy addressed the small boy, “Master Matthew, I find that I love your mother dearly and want nothing more than for her to be my wife and help me be a better man.”
He swallowed hard, glancing at Elizabeth and then back at Matthew who grinned as though he understood every word. Elizabeth stared at Darcy and opened her mouth twice to speak but could not find the words to explain anything – her feelings, her plans or her wishes. When Elizabeth would not speak, Darcy looked at the young boy and asked, “Well Matthew, what say you? Do you want to travel north with your mother and her new husband next spring?”
Darcy quickly glanced toward Elizabeth who was still speechless as Matthew answered, “Up peas! Up peas!”
“Now, when a young earl takes command so easily, it will not do to disappointment him, would it Lady Elizabeth?”
++**++
When Mr. Lucas arrived with Mr. Fielding, Mr. Darcy received the two young men in Mr. Bennet’s library with Master Matthew in attendance. The gentlemen were surprised that the boy clung to Mr. Darcy through the entire interview. When it was time for the boy to go to bed, Darcy and Elizabeth escorted the young master to bed. They were back downstairs in time for supper with the rest of the party; Matthew was exhausted and fell asleep easily.
++**++
Mr. Jack Fielding rode home in good spirits and silently allowed his mother and father to decide to leave Meryton within the week.
“You will stay here and finish selling the stock. Do what you will with your damn geese,” Mr. Fielding told his son.
“I shall Father,” Jack responded. “And the lease?”
“It was year to year and I lose only one month,” Mr. Fielding told his son. “That fellow Phillips in town can find another farmer easily.”
++**++
Mr. John Lucas also rode home in good spirits; Miss Mary held his hand under the table at supper and told him that she missed him the last few days. Once Charlotte was formally engaged, he would ask Mary to marry.
++**++
“Mrs. Hamilton, I have enjoyed the evening,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said as he bowed over her hand before moving down the stoop to thank, Miss Bennet and Mrs. Bennet.
Darcy came behind his cousin and whispered, “Was it a memorable evening, Elizabeth?” When she smiled, he asked, “May I ask to whom I should address my intentions? With Master Matthew’s approval, I doubt anyone will deny us.”
Elizabeth smiled, “William, I believe you should write to my Uncle Gardiner in Cheapside in London and to Matthew’s grandfather until my own father returns.”
“I shall travel to London in a few days and while there, I shall call on your uncle for his understanding. And where might I find the Earl of Rutherford at this time of year?”
“His Lordship has returned to Rose Briar in Wiltshire for the fall.”
“A two-day journey,” he replied.
“Perhaps I should write and invite his lordship to attend the ball?” Elizabeth replied. “If you allow him to ride Zeus, he will agree to the wedding.”
He smiled. “Zeus will be on his best behaviour for his lordship.” Darcy glanced around but the hall was busy with family members and he frowned realizing he would not be able to steal a kiss.
“I shall take my leave, Mrs. Hamilton,” he said reaching for her hand.
“Good evening, William,” she whispered as he lifted her hand and kissed it.
++**++
Longbourn quickly settled for the night. Mr. Hill and Mr. Barrow went through the house and made certain that all the doors and windows were closed and locked. In the kitchen, Mrs. Hill and the maid-of-all-work finished the dishes. The housemaids and the cook were already in bed – they had to rise early to lay the fires and prepare the morning meal. Mr. Thomas and the stable boys saw to the horses and closed the stable before retiring to their beds in rooms over the stable.
Elizabeth waited until her mother retired before going to her room.
“Mamma, may I speak with you?” she asked from the door.
“Yes, my dear,” Mrs. Bennet answered as a maid helped the mistress of Longbourn to change from one of the gowns Elizabeth had purchased for her mother and into a night shift. Mrs. Bennet dismissed the maid with her thanks before settling before a mirror to brush her hair. There were a few strains of grey in her mother’s hair but Elizabeth realized her mother certainly was not an old woman.
“I have news Mamma,” Elizabeth said and watched her mother smile.
“So, he finally asked?” Mrs. Bennet asked, smiling with her daughter. “I think Mr. Darcy is a very nice young man – perhaps a bit stern but he needs a woman’s touch to soften him and make him smile more.”
“Yes, he asked. Actually, he asked Matthew if he would like to travel north next spring with his mother and her new husband.”
“Why did he not ask you, Lizzy?” Mrs. Bennet’s face was slightly concerned by the story until she saw the light in her daughter’s eyes.
“I was unable to speak – it made me so very happy that I feared I would burst into flame with happiness.”
Rising from her seat, Mrs. Bennet crossed the short space to embrace her daughter. “You deserve to be happy Lizzy.”
“I love him Mamma, with his goodness and brilliant mind, we shall do well together.”
“How well off is Mr. Darcy, dear?” Mrs. Bennet asked. “He will not impose on Matthew’s estate, will he?”
“Mamma, Mr. Darcy has at least ten thousand a year of his own,” Elizabeth explained. “He will not impose on my settlement or Matthew’s estate.”
“Good. But promise me you will plan on dowries for your daughters my dear,” Mrs. Bennet said. “I would you we
re better prepared that I was for daughters.”
“Yes, Mamma and I am making plans to help my sisters as well,” Elizabeth replied. “When Mary ever marries John Lucas, I shall settle a little money on her and do so for each of my other sisters.”
“Thank you my dear,” Mrs. Bennet said. “Now when your father returns home – and I am certain he will be home before too many more weeks have passed – your young man must make his request in the library while we wait in the parlour to hear your father’s decision.”
Wide-eyed Elizabeth asked, “Papa will give his consent, won’t he Mamma?”
“Yes, my dear, but your Papa will want his say in the matter nonetheless.”
Grinning, Elizabeth added, “There may very well be a line at the door on his first day home if Mr. Darcy waits with Mr. Bingley and Mr. Lucas.”
“I should like that very much,” Mrs. Bennet said returning to her mirror. “I must be there to see it so I can write to your Aunt Gardiner and tell your Aunt Phillips. No other woman in Hertfordshire will have three daughters engaged on the same day!”
“Yes Mamma,” Elizabeth replied. “I shall go now and leave you to your dreams.”
“Oh, I do not think I shall sleep, Lizzy. I have three weddings to plan!”
++**++
After stopping in the nursery to check on Matthew, Elizabeth returned to the bedroom she shared with Jane to find all four of her sisters piled on the bed. Lydia was braiding Mary’s hair and talking of curls and ribbons. Kitty was braiding Jane’s hair while they spoke of young men and courtship.
“Lizzy, hurry and change,” Mary called. “We are telling stories tonight.”
“What story do you have tell Lizzy?” asked Jane with a gleam in her eye. “Last night I spoke of Mr. Bingley asking for a courtship. Have you stolen my thunder?”
The other three girls stopped their tasks and looked toward Elizabeth who smiled and said, “I am sorry Jane but I fear I must – Mr. Darcy and I are engaged.”
“Engaged! He’s rich! Lizzy’s rich! Are we rich? When will you marry? May I have a new gown to wear at your wedding? Will you all live here at Longbourn? The bedrooms are full – where would we put Mr. Darcy?” her sisters asked in a flurry and laughter. By the time she had changed into her gown, her sisters were settled and once more braiding hair and sharing secrets.
Follies and Nonsense Page 32
