Of Youth and Yearning: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Jae George

Author:Jae George [George, Jae]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2023-08-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The opportunity for Mr. Bennet to greet Mr. Bingley came less than a fortnight later. Elizabeth had watched from Oakham Mount as a carriage arrived at Netherfield Park in the early morning. She hurried back to Longbourn to apprise her sister and their father of Mr. Bingley’s arrival. The following morning, on the first truly autumnal day of the season, Mr. Bennet rode his hunter to the neighboring estate to make the young man’s acquaintance. With a brisk breeze behind him, the older gentleman arrived before accepted calling hours. After handing his horse over to the groom, he made his way up the steps of the impressive manor house, the largest in the area around Meryton. The now diligent father had every intention of meeting Mr. Bingley before any of the neighborhood’s other gentlemen could call on him.

Bingley hurried into the drawing room, wearing a big smile and holding Mr. Bennet’s calling card. “Mr. Bennet, I am delighted to meet you, sir. Charles Bingley at your service,” he stated with a bow.

“I am also glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Bingley, and welcome you to the neighborhood. Netherfield has been vacant for too long. It is good to have it again occupied. Will your family be joining you?”

“Please come in and be seated, Mr. Bennet. Tea and coffee will be served in a few minutes,” Bingley waved toward two facing settees with a low table between them. “Yes, my two sisters and my brother-in-law will be joining me in a few days, after which time I will have an official hostess. I have also invited my friend Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy to join me. He has offered to assist me in learning to manage an estate. My father made his fortune in woolen mills in Yorkshire but left me to buy an estate to elevate our family’s status. It was also Mr. Darcy who recommended that I lease an estate before making a purchase.”

The tea and coffee had arrived and been served by Mrs. Nichols, the housekeeper. When she had left, Mr. Bennet made his response. “Mr. Darcy’s suggestion is a very good one. Your friend Mr. Darcy’s father was a friend of mine, Mr. Bingley. We met at Cambridge, and both enjoyed our chess matches there so much that we continued to play via the post for many years.

“I understand, Mr. Bingley, that Mr. Darcy introduced you to my daughters while they were in town.” Mr. Bennet stopped speaking then in order to observe the young man’s reaction to his awareness of his acquaintance with Jane.

After a few silent and awkward moments, Bingley placed his cup on the tray and cleared his throat. “Yes, Mr. Bennet. I did have the privilege of meeting your two eldest daughters in London. And Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner as well. I was a frequent visitor to their home on Gracechurch Street.”

“So I have been told, Mr. Bingley,” Bennet stated, giving the younger man no quarter.

Charles Bingley again cleared his throat. “Mr. Bennet, I owe your daughters, and the Gardiners, my sincere apologies.

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