"I had no idea my sister had behaved in such a reprehensible manner, Mrs. Nichols. Honestly, I did not even realize she intended to close the house and was surprised when she followed me to town. It is clear I should not have trusted her when she assured me everything had been properly taken care of here." Bingley colored in embarrassment at his own lack of oversight combined with his sister's poor behavior.
"Mrs. Bennet provided relief for the servants?" Darcy had asked. He had not meant to sound judgmental, but Mrs. Nichols clearly heard the disbelief in his voice.
"While Mrs. Bennet does not always appear to her advantage in polite company, she is well known as a generous woman. She believes that, as the mistress of one of the primary estates in this community, it is her place to help where she can. She has taught her daughters to do the same, although some have learned the lesson better than others. When a need arises, she not only provides material assistance, she uses the same channels that normally spread the tittle tattle of gossip through the community as a means of finding help for those who need it. Most of the servants who were released have found at least temporary positions through those channels."
Bingley took the information in more quickly than Darcy did or was less surprised, but then he had always had a more positive view of Mrs. Bennet. As Darcy thought about what the housekeeper said, Bingley decided.
"Please hire back any of those who did not find other places. I am certain you can find some work for them to do. If you will provide me with a list of each person who was released, their normal wage and where they are currently employed, I will remit to them double the amount of their salary for the months of November and December plus a bonus. I will also offer a bonus to each of you who remained here as a reward for handling the situation with compassion. When I provide them with the money, I will let them know it is coming from my sister's allowance. If any require references, I will provide them. Darcy, is that the proper way to handle it?"
Darcy was startled from his thoughts. "What? Oh, yes, that is most appropriate. They should have been paid at least through the quarter even if they did not receive proper notice. What you have proposed seems a fair solution. Will you be able to find them all, Mrs. Nichols?"
"Yes, I should be able to locate all of them. Most remained in this general area."
"Very good, Mrs. Nichols. I will see to the payments right away," Bingley told her.
Mrs. Nichols left to compile the information Bingley had requested. When they were alone in the room, Darcy turned to his friend.
"What will you do about your sister?"
"I will take those funds from her allowance and I will explain to her why I am doing so. She knows how to run a household and she knows better than to deal with the staff that way. I am aware she disliked being here and I think that was just another way for her to take revenge on people and a place that displeased her. I know you think I give in to her far too much, and I probably do, but I would not have allowed this situation to arise had I suspected she would take such an action."
"I was here at the time, but I also had no idea she had handled closing the house in such a vindictive fashion. I have told you before that I have no interest in ever marrying her. However, if it helps in your communication with her, you can pass on my opinion that a proper mistress of an estate would never be so callous in her treatment of the people who work so hard to make the estate profitable. Such a thing would not be tolerated at Pemberley. To release so many people without just cause or proper payment is not only damaging to those people, it damages the community as a whole, not to mention tarnishing the reputation of the estate and family who let such a thing happen."
"It seems Mrs. Bennet understands that."
Darcy looked thoughtful. "I would not have expected it, but it appears to be true."
They parted company then. Bingley went to his study to write a letter to his sister and Darcy headed to the library to contemplate his own behavior, both to his sister and to the people of Meryton. Sitting in his favorite seat in Bingley's sparse library, among the pitiful selection of books Miss Bingley had seen no need to pack or take when she closed up the house, Darcy pondered all he had learned that day. He felt as if everything certain in his life had been turned on its head. Some of the problems he now faced could be put down to Miss Bingley's venom and presumption, like the situation with the servants that added weight to the poor reputation his own behavior brought upon him. Most of it, though, lay firmly on his own shoulders.
He had been surprised by the violence of Miss Elizabeth's reaction that afternoon. However, the description Mrs. Nichols gave of Mrs. Bennet's character illuminated some of Miss Elizabeth's as well, making her reaction more understandable. By his own actions, insults and inattention to the interactions of those around him, Darcy had given the impression of an arrogant man who cared nothing for other people.
Although he had always believed otherwise of himself, Darcy now thought that depiction was more true than not. He had been given good principles, he knew, but somewhere along the way he had stopped following them. He took care of his own, his family, the people who worked on his estate, his tenants and even members of the small communities near the estate by way of contributions to the vicars at Lambton and Kympton. What he had forgotten, as he became more jaded by the poor behaviors and grasping hands of the Ton, was that other people in other communities were just as deserving of his charity, even if it was simply charity of opinion, and deserved courtesy from him as well.
Mr. Archer had been correct; Darcy had paid little attention to anyone who had been introduced to him the night of the assembly. Had he seen someone else behave as rudely at a gathering in his own community he would have been quite disgusted. No matter what his mood had been, to refuse to participate in the activities of the assembly once he had consented to attend was discourteous in the extreme. Merely showing up was not enough. Attendance created an implied social contract that he had failed to fulfill. It was a failure he had repeated over and over in nearly every interaction with their neighbors here.
The people of Meryton had, in fact, provided a most gracious welcome. It was not just, as he had so cynically thought, that they hoped the two single, wealthy men would marry among the young ladies in the community. They offered the same welcome to the militia officers, most of whom were probably too poor to marry or be considered good matches. They even offered kindness and generosity to the displaced servants of an estate, something most others would consider none of their concern. Would he have done the same if Netherfield was one of his neighboring estates?
Now that he could see the situation from a different angle, he realized Miss Elizabeth had been challenging him on his poor behavior from the very start and in nearly every conversation. Of course she believed George Wickham's lies, not just because he was so charming but because they were plausible given the behavior Darcy had exhibited in company. She took Wickham's part against him because she was by nature one who wished to right wrongs. She took her sister's part even more strongly out of love for family and a love of justice. Had she been a man, she probably would have challenged Darcy to a duel that morning. He could see how the anger she had felt at having her sister subjected to what appeared to be callous taunting during the visit with Georgiana the previous day had boiled over at the combination of what she perceived as his own persecution of Wickham and Bingley's presumed disregard of both her sister's and Georgiana's feelings with his eager attempt to court Miss Bennet on their arrival at Longbourn that day. She must have felt very frustrated and helpless to have lashed out in such a physical fashion when normally she would have flayed him with her wit. The lady knight wished to slay the dragon, but she had to be content with simply driving him away.
She would be too angry to listen to his side of the story yet. That was certain. But he needed to do something to change her mind. He needed to do something to change all of their minds. But what?
He stared blankly at the books on the shelf in front of him for a
time. As the sunlight coming in through the window shifted to illuminate it, he began to notice how much the shelf needed dusting. As a less-used room of the house, he supposed it was not a very high priority to a skeleton staff. That thought was quickly chased by another one. Maybe the situation was not as hopeless as he had believed. Darcy stood and rang the bell. He needed to speak with Mrs. Nichols.
The housekeeper soon arrived, asking if there was a problem. After assuring her there was nothing wrong with the running of the house, Darcy explained his request to her.
"Mrs. Nichols, I know I behaved rather rudely when I was here previously and left a very poor impression with the people of Meryton," he began.
"Not with the staff, sir. You were a courteous guest to the household and your own staff speak highly of you as a master. All the same, it is true there were many in the community who felt you looked upon them with disdain."
"Mr. Archer explained that to me this morning when I visited with him on business. When I was here before, I was distracted by certain personal issues and failed to realize the impression I was making. I understand this led many to believe several uncomplimentary things a militia officer, Mr. Wickham, said about me. I have a long history with him, and he was part of my distraction. He appears to be all goodness and charm, but, in truth, he is a profligate, a gambler and a rake. Had I been thinking clearly, I would have spoken with the men of the community to warn them to protect their families from him. I realized yesterday morning that I had left the people of Meryton unprotected through my lack of warning. It is part of why I returned. I took the proof of Mr. Wickham's behavior to Mr. Archer along with receipts for several thousand pounds of debt I purchased from his creditors over the years. Mr. Wickham is now being transported to London where he will be imprisoned in the Marshalsea. I had refrained from acting for far too long out of respect for my father, who found comfort in Mr. Wickham's charm in his failing years. My father never knew the man for what he was." Darcy stopped speaking for a moment, ordering his thoughts. Mrs. Nichols waited for whatever request he had to make. He soon continued.
"I need to make amends for my earlier behavior and I also need to clear up several misunderstandings perpetrated by Miss Bingley, Mr. Wickham and my own lack of perception. I understand Miss Bingley started a rumor that her brother is betrothed to my sister. She wished to strangle any hopes Miss Bennet might have of him. It gave the impression he had simply been toying with the young lady's affections when, in fact, he has been most serious in his attentions. We were both unaware until today of those rumors. By bringing my sister with us on this visit, we appeared to confirm them. The Bennets are most displeased with us both and, at the moment, are unlikely to listen to any explanation I attempt to make. I need your help, Mrs. Nichols."
"I am not certain what you think I can do, sir," she said, looking at him curiously.
"You mentioned the channels of gossip and information in the community as part of how Mrs. Bennet assisted the servants. Do you have a way to tap into those same channels? Can you spread the word that Bingley is attempting to make up for the damage his sister has done and is furious with her, that she has lied frequently in the past and that he is not engaged to my sister, who is too young to be out in society yet? Mr. Wickham had large debts already with many of the Meryton merchants, more than his militia pay could have possibly covered. Can you suggest people ask about them and how he has treated the young women in the community, particularly the servant girls and the tradesmen's daughters? I cannot make amends for my earlier discourtesy in words, but if people understand I took action against Mr. Wickham as a means of protecting them from a man unworthy of their trust and friendship, instead of in a spirit of malice and jealousy against my father's former favorite, it may open doors so I can prove by my actions that I respect and value the people of this community."
Mrs. Nichols smiled. "Has Mr. Bingley come back with honorable intentions towards Miss Bennet?" she asked.
"He has come back to see if she wishes him to have honorable intentions towards her. I cannot commit him through gossip, now would I wish to see her placed in a position where she might feel forced to accept his attentions or see her reputation damaged. Ordinarily, I would say nothing on a subject that is his private business, but the damage Miss Bingley has wrought with her rumors cannot be undone without speaking of it."
"I understand, sir. No one would wish to see Miss Bennet harmed or hurt. She is very well-respected and liked in this community."
"Deservedly so," he said, knowing it was the simple truth.
"Ordinarily, I do not encourage gossip or allow the household staff to pass on tales about the family or guests in the house. However, if Mr. Bingley thinks it is acceptable, I can start putting out the information you wish conveyed by first telling the staff and having them pass it on to their family and friends who work in other houses. It will get to the rest of the village very quickly after that."
Darcy smiled warmly at her. "You remind me of the Pemberley housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds. She runs my household with the same principles and skill you have shown here. I truly appreciate your help with this. Let us find Bingley and get the permission you require. The sooner we can turn the tide of poor opinion, the better for all concerned."
Chapter 7: Sisters
Once the wheels were set in motion to fix the poor impression he had made in Meryton, Darcy turned his thoughts to his sister. Her accusations towards him had been valid, he realized. Until Mrs. Annesley pointed it out, he had not realized how controlling he appeared. It had not crossed his mind to ask her if she wished to journey to Meryton. He simply assumed she would enjoy the trip. As she said, he had not explained why they were going, nor had he really confided in her at any time before. He truly wanted what was best for her, including her happiness. In practice, however, it seemed he had no idea how to deliver on that desire.
Having already revealed his thoughts and actions to Mr. Archer, he thought it might be a little easier to confess his failings and intentions to his sister. She deserved to know the whole story. He also needed to listen to her and find out about her concerns and wishes. If she had felt comfortable coming to him with Miss Bingley's gossip or suppositions, he could have eased her mind. It hurt to know that he had did not have her trust and might not even deserve it.
Wound up in his worries and doubts, Darcy spent the next two hours in the library attempting to read with little success. In truth, he was marking time until he received word from Mrs. Annesley that Georgiana was ready to speak with him again. By the time Bingley showed up, he was ready to give up all pretense of interest in the book. It was clear his sister was very upset, and it might be some time before she calmed down.
"I thought I would find you here, Darcy," his friend said as he entered the room. "I need your advice."
"You may need it but are you certain you want it?" he asked. "I have not been making very good decisions lately."
"Oh, nonsense. You may have hit a few bumps, but you are still the smartest man I know."
Darcy smiled at his friend's confidence. He could not share it at the moment, but it was still nice to have someone believe in him. "How can I help you?" he asked.
"Well, Mrs. Nichols gave me the information I requested, and I've tallied up the full amount I will be distributing to the servants. With that information to include, I have written a letter to Caroline and I want you to tell me if I have worded it strongly enough or if I need to make some changes."
Darcy took the proffered letter and began to read. To his surprise, Bingley's writing was clearer than usual. He had obviously taken great care with his handwriting so there would be no misunderstanding.
Dear Caroline,
I assume by now you have discovered I have left London. Darcy and I returned to Netherfield yesterday and plan to stay here for some time. I would prefer you and the Hursts do not join us. You are not welcome at this time. I have learned too much about your behavior when we were here before to want you here now.
On my return, I discovered that when you closed up the house to follow me in November, you chose to let all the servants go, effective that very day. Not only that, but you did so without providing proper pay for the work they had already done, any pay in lieu of notice or even references to help them find other employment. You simply turned them out of the house. What would make you think such behavior is acceptable? You know better than to treat anyone in such a shameful manner. I remember watching our mother teach you how to run a household properly and you must have learned even more at that ‘select seminary’ you are so proud of having attended. One would never know that from your actions, however.
You have disgraced our family and tarnished our good name. The actions you took were not those of someone who aspires to be a lady. Before you try to explain with your usual excuse that you know better than I how those in the first circles act, I will tell you that Darcy found your behavior equally disgusting. He said such a thing would never happen at Pemberley as no woman who is fit to be mistress of the estate would even consider such a course.
To remove the shame upon our family and compensate those you have wronged, I have agreed to make a bonus payment to every servant at Netherfield, with extra wages for all those you turned off. This money, in total amount of ~~~ pounds will be deducted from your next quarterly allowance. Do not expect to talk your way out of this or attempt to charge items at the shops beyond what you, yourself, can pay to make up for it. I am sending letters to all those merchants where you have accounts and telling them they must look only to you for repayment from here on out. I will no longer cover for you when you overspend, not even after these funds are repaid.
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