Follies and Nonsense Page 15

  “I am trying to understand why I am an object of your study this day, sir.”

  “I am not understanding of your meaning,” he replied gently.

  “Mr. Darcy, I thought you were uncomfortable in company,” Elizabeth explained.

  Shocked quiet for a moment, Darcy’s face fell and then he turned toward Elizabeth. “Mrs. Hamilton, I am not often comfortable in the presence of others when not dealing with business or matters of my estate. My stern countenance is a mask to hide behind.”

  “But that does not explain your study of my features,” she reminded him, watching Darcy’s face. “I hope I have not offended you.”

  “No. Not at all Mrs. Hamilton; in the past weeks I find myself thinking of you as the most pleasant and lovely lady of my acquaintance.”

  The pair sat silent for a moment until Miss Bingley played a lively Scotch air that changed the atmosphere in the room. Finding his voice, Darcy was amazed by his own gallantry when he reached out a hand to take hers.

  “Mrs. Hamilton, there is the perfect mixture of concern and intelligence in your manner at all times that make it difficult for you to affront anybody.”

  As he released her hand, Elizabeth found herself blushing under his gaze as he turned the conversation to the refreshments and tried to maintain his own composure next to the woman who had bewitched him so.

  At this moment, Fitzwilliam Darcy realized that in spite of the inferiority of her connexions, he was lost to her completely.

  From the pianoforte, Miss Bingley saw the gentle touch and she desired to remove Mrs. Hamilton from the house immediately.

  ++**++

  After the Bennet family departed, Caroline repeated her argument against acquaintance with the Bennets and provoked Mr. Darcy by talking of his supposed marriage with Mrs. Hamilton.

  As they walked together in the shrubbery around Netherfield, Caroline coolly quipped, “I hope after the wedding that you will give your mother-in-law a few hints on the advantage of being more social and attend more than one in four invitations to visit. And you must insist that the youngest girl cease her incessant talk of officers.”

  She noticed that Mr. Darcy was not paying much attention to her words so she added, “And, if I may mention so delicate a subject, endeavour to check the conceit and impertinence that your lady possesses.”

  “And you believe Mrs. Hamilton to be impertinent?” he asked to which Miss Bingley nodded.

  Darcy then asked, “Have you anything else to propose for my domestic felicity?”

  “Oh yes, Mr. Darcy. When you marry, you must not attempt to paint a portrait of Mrs. Hamilton for what man could do justice to those beautiful eyes?”

  Darcy smiled at the distant trees of the woods between Netherfield and Longbourn as he realized that Miss Bingley’s characterizations of Mrs. Hamilton’s family’s failings had merely reinforced his own good opinion of the lady.

  “Miss Bingley, do you have any members of your family who embarrass you in company?”

  “I am certain that none of my relations carry on in such a state as the youngest Bennet girl did at Lucas Lodge,” Caroline retorted. “And then again today – that excuse of illness; it was obvious the mother had to chastise the girl in my brother’s library.”

  Darcy thought of his own sister’s behaviour for a moment and did not think Miss Lydia beyond reform.

  “I must thank you Miss Bingley,” Darcy said.

  “Certainly Mr. Darcy, but how have I assisted you this afternoon?” she asked smiling and hopeful.

  “I shall remember your suggestions for having Mrs. Hamilton’s portrait painted. It would not be easy to catch their expression, but their remarkable colour and shape, and the eyelashes might be copied.”

  There was no joy for Miss Bingley that evening and thus ended the day with tea at Netherfield.

  ++**++

  Chapter 19.

  The Shooting Party at Longbourn

  “Caroline, we are departing for Longbourn!” Charles called from the entry hall. Already twenty minutes late, Bingley’s annoyed countenance kept Mr. and Mrs. Hurst from making additional comments and Darcy merely signalled to the gamekeeper to head out with the wagon of guns, ammunition and dogs.

  “I am sorry Louisa,” Bingley said as the gentlemen prepared to mount the horses. “We must leave or we shall miss the first coveys.”

  “Do not be concerned,” Mrs. Hurst told her brother. “I am certain that Caroline and I shall arrive before supper.”

  “I do not understand why Caroline would want to arrive late for a shooting party,” Mr. Hurst said as the stable boys lead out the horses for the three gentlemen.

  “Caroline believes that everyone of fashion arrives late to every event,” Bingley replied. “She forgets that we are not in town.”

  “You are not riding Zeus today, Mr. Darcy?” Mr. Hurst asked as Darcy mounted a bay gelding instead of his usual black stallion.

  “Zeus has been difficult to handle the last week. There must be a mare in the neighbourhood going into season and he wants to court the lady.”

  “And like any good male, he won’t respond to the bridle,” Hurst joked as he leaned over to kiss his wife on the cheek while she blushed.

  “Can we go now?” Bingley asked petulantly. “I really want…”

  “To see a lady?” teased Hurst.

  Rather than answer, Bingley encouraged his gelding to follow the gamekeeper and his wagon down the drive. Hurst climbed into the saddle and followed Darcy as they quickly caught up with Charles. They passed the wagon and enjoyed the fresh air of a clear fall morning.

  “What do you think of my ideas to repair the fencing in the pastures next to Longbourn?” Charles asked Darcy as they rode the three miles to the neighbouring estate.

  “It is a good plan and I think you should approach the steward at Longbourn. The two estates share the fence; they should share the expense.”

  Bingley nodded and then asked, “Do your neighbours in Derbyshire work with you on common fences?”

  “The smart ones do,” Darcy replied. “The only difficulty I have with neighbours is the estate south of Pemberley. The owner has his seat there and for the last five years, refused to expend any funds.”

  “Who is this neighbour?”

  “The Earl of Bailey – he died in February and I have not met the heir,” Darcy replied. “Next year I shall visit to view this new barn and then I shall speak with him about fences, fields and woods we share.”

  ++**++

  As the riders and gamekeeper from Netherfield arrived at Longbourn, they found the gentlemen of the neighbourhood gathered at the side of the house with guns, dogs and gamekeepers waiting. After handing the reigns of their horses to stable boys, Bingley, Darcy and Hurst shook hands with everyone including Longbourn’s rector, Mr. Fallows.

  From the house, came the ladies of the family with servants in tow. Mr. Barrow approached each gentleman with a silver tray bearing silver cups of steaming cider.

  Darcy watched Bingley step to Miss Bennet’s side to enjoy her company as he drank his cider. Mrs. Bennet and her other daughters moved around the yard with the other guests – Mrs. Hamilton carried a young boy in her arms and Darcy smiled as she stepped closer.

  “Mr. Darcy, how very good to see you this afternoon,” Elizabeth said in greeting. “I hoped you would attend the hunt.”

  He bowed slightly. “Thank you, Mrs. Hamilton. I enjoy shooting and the hunting has been very good here in Hertfordshire in the last few weeks.”

  The little boy hid his head against his mother for a moment, shy before the stranger.

  “Matthew, can you say hello to our guest?” Elizabeth encouraged her son and the little boy peeked at Darcy. Recognizing the shyness, Mr. Darcy offered his bravest smile to the little boy, who grinned back and suddenly reached out his arms to the gentleman.

  Surprised Darcy and Elizabeth stood still for just a moment before the man reached out to take the little boy from his mother. Little hands g
rabbed hold of Darcy’s ear and collar; a messy kiss was bestowed upon his cheek and a little boy’s grin grew to match the grin of the tall man.

  “Mr. Darcy, may I present my son, Master Matthew Hamilton, son of Major Matthew Hamilton, late of His Majesty’s service.”

  Catching Elizabeth’s eye for just a second, Darcy bent his head back and said, “Good afternoon Master Matthew. How are you this fine day?”

  “Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Hamilton said as her son babbled.

  Smiling and comfortable with the company around him, Darcy replied, “A fine boy, Mrs. Hamilton. How old is he?”

  “He will be two years in December.”

  “How long has…” he tried to ask but frowned. “I do not have a good way with words of comfort and conversation very often. Forgive my thoughtlessness.”

  “It is forgiven, Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth glanced at her son before continuing, “My husband was very proud to serve the king and my greatest regret is that he did not know that our child would be born before he was killed.”

  “I understand that you were not married very long.”

  “Only four months before he died,” Elizabeth replied. “But my husband’s family made me welcome.”

  They were silent for a moment as Matthew played with Mr. Darcy’s hair and hat. Finally, Darcy asked, “Does the gamekeeper expect us to find many birds today?”

  “Yes, Mr. Talbert believes Longbourn has a great many pheasant this year,” Elizabeth replied. “And yesterday, Mr. Smyth and Mr. Talbert shot some on the other side of the estate for our dinner this afternoon.”

  “The birds are better when they have a day to cool,” Darcy agreed. “And shooting on the other side of the estate will not disturb the birds on this side where we are hunting today.”

  Darcy noticed that Elizabeth’s face was sombre for a moment. “Mrs. Hamilton, are you well?”

  “I am sir,” she replied quickly. “Just now, you sounded like my father. He always examines the consequences and logical explanations for actions.”

  Relieved and pleased by Elizabeth’s words, Darcy added, “I look forward to making his acquaintance someday.”

  The little boy laughed again and returned to his mother’s arms when Darcy extended his arms. Elizabeth’s eyes and smile brightened.

  “Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”

  ++**++

  Once the greetings were complete, Longbourn’s gamekeeper, Mr. Talbert, and his two sons led the party into the fields with three bird dogs following whistled commands. Each gentleman carried a single gun, and the gamekeepers also carried a gun and cloth bags to hold the birds as well as ammunition wallets to provide enough shot for the afternoon.

  ++**++

  The ladies returned to the parlour and set about sewing and discussing the neighbourhood’s latest news. Almost an hour later, Mr. Hill came to the parlour to announce the arrival of the last guests.

  “Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, madam.”

  Mrs. Bennet rose from her chair to greet the two ladies. “Welcome to Longbourn Mrs. Hurst; Miss Bingley. I fear that you have missed the gentlemen – they are in the fields the last hour.”

  Mrs. Hurst made her way to Jane’s side and they began talking of sewing gowns and seams. Miss Bingley noted Mary Bennet talking with Lady Lucas, and the other young ladies discussing fashions. Mrs. Bennet and the other ladies were sewing and discussing local matters so Miss Bingley looked further.

  In the last corner, she noticed Mrs. Hamilton held a small child while she talked with Miss Lucas. It was toward this setting that Miss Bingley made her way.

  “Welcome, Miss Bingley,” Charlotte said.

  “Yes, welcome,” Elizabeth echoed her friend’s greeting though her primary attention remained on her son who played with a wooden horse.

  “Mrs. Hamilton and Miss Lucas, may I join you?” she asked, but before allowing the ladies to reply she sat the vacant seat and began the conversation.

  “We appreciate the invitation for the afternoon,” Miss Bingley said. “Mr. Bingley, Mr. Hurst and Mr. Darcy particularly enjoyed the pheasant from Lucas Lodge a few days ago.”

  “The weather was excellent this summer for birds and the crops,” Charlotte replied.

  “So, I have been told, though I know nothing of farming,” Miss Bingley said. Her face became grave as she continued, “I am amazed that all the ladies in Hertfordshire are involved with your farms and the birds. Do you milk cows and cook pies as well?”

  Charlotte and Elizabeth exchanged glances before Miss Lucas answered. “We were taught that a lady must truly understand the effort required to grow and store food, Miss Bingley. Each lady in Hertfordshire understands the connection between her well-fed home, and the barns and fields.”

  “But can you not accomplish the same by looking at the final result?” Caroline asked. “If the cook prepares a proper ragout, you know that the man knows his business.”

  “Yes, but how do you know if store room has enough food to last until the next spring?”

  “The housekeeper keeps the larder filled with goods from the grocer,” Caroline replied. “In town, we do not have gardens, coops and barns.”

  “But how do you know if the grocer’s bill is proper if you are not familiar with feeding the guests and servants?” asked Elizabeth.

  Ignoring Elizabeth’s question, Caroline altered the topic of conversation. “I have never seen anyone display their child in such as fashion, Mrs. Hamilton. Do you care for the child yourself?”

  “Matthew’s nanny is working with my maid this afternoon to learn a new sewing stitch for Matthew’s seams. He is bursting out of his seams every week…”

  Caroline smirked, thinking the little boy fat.

  “And I enjoy holding my son. He grows so quickly,” Elizabeth replied.

  “Do you wish for a large family, Miss Bingley?” asked Charlotte.

  “I have not given it a great deal of thought, Miss Lucas. I suppose it will be necessary to provide my husband with ‘an heir and a spare’ as the expression goes. And as long as his purse will support sufficient staff, we can have additional children.”

  “I should so like to marry and have a family,” Charlotte sighed.

  “You will find a good man and make him an excellent wife,” Elizabeth said though Miss Bingley looked away rather than join the conversation.

  “And your husband, Mrs. Hamilton,” Caroline asked. “Where is he?”

  Charlotte blushed as Elizabeth turned to the guest in her family home and replied, “Miss Bingley, my husband died in Spain fighting Napoleon’s armies. He was a major in His Majesty’s ___Battalion.”

  “As you have been told previously, Miss Bingley,” Charlotte replied, narrowing her eyes and glaring at the visitor. “The night of the assembly, you heard this information from me and from Mrs. Fielding.”

  “Forgive me, I had forgotten,” Caroline replied too casually to be sincere. Thereafter, Miss Bingley rose and glided across the room to talk with her sister and Jane.

  “I hope her bad manners did not cause you pain,” Caroline said and Elizabeth shook her head.

  “I care too little for Miss Bingley to allow her words to influence my feelings.”

  “Still, it was an unwarranted reminder,” Caroline said.

  “I do wonder why she is so prickly,” Elizabeth said. “My heart aches for her brother and sister at times.”

  Charlotte leaned closer and explained. “She has set her cap for Mr. Darcy and she does not care for the great attention the gentleman pays to you.”

  “To me? I do not think Mr. Darcy shows any attention to me…” Elizabeth’s face hid her feelings unsuccessfully from her friend but then she added, “I believe that Mr. Darcy is a very good man but shy and reserved.”

  “And Miss Bingley? How would you characterize her?”

  Rolling her eyes, Elizabeth said, “I shall remain silent in front of my child. He should not hear his mother say such things about another lady.”

  Charlott
e giggled and the two ladies turned their conversation to other matters. After another thirty minutes, Elizabeth rose to take her sleepy son to the nursery. Above stairs, she found Mrs. Brice sewing and once Matthew was in his bed with his shoes removed, Elizabeth stopped in her room for a moment before returning to the parlour.

  “I do not want to spend the rest of the afternoon cooped up with the ladies,” she thought. “It sounds like a hen coop with everyone cackling at the same time.”

  Seeking a moment more of quiet, she descended the servant’s stair case to the kitchen area; at the bottom of the stairs, Elizabeth froze when she heard Caroline Bingley’s voice coming from the hallway between the kitchen and the front of the house.

  “The butler tells me that you are Mrs. Hamilton’s personal maid.”

  “Yes madam,” replied the voice of Sarah Barrow.

  “I have seen the gowns you sew for your mistress. They are excellent.”

  “Thank you, Miss Bingley.”

  “And the riding habits that Miss Bennet and Mrs. Hamilton wore to Netherfield a few days ago. Did you sew then yourself?”

  “Yes, Miss Bingley.”

  There was silence for a moment as Elizabeth imaged Miss Bingley drawing a finger along the edge of a table looking for dust.

  “How would you like to become my lady’s maid? I use only the finest cloth and I wear the latest fashions at all time.”

  “I am flattered Miss Bingley, but I am most content working for Mrs. Hamilton,” Sarah replied.

  “How much does she pay you?”

  Again, there was silence as Elizabeth imagined Caroline’s face growing red.

  “Forgive me, Miss Bingley, but I am not comfortable discussing such matters.”

  “Oh, come girl,” Caroline argued. “She cannot pay you that well.”

  “Mrs. Hamilton pays me very well and she values my work greatly. I don’t imagine you would be satisfied with my work,” Sarah said.