Finding Another Mother CH 2

Chapter 2 - A NEW DAY DAWNS

The next morning Mr. Darcy asked Charles if he would like to call on the Bennets with him. Charles thought this was an excellent idea and added that they should call on Sir William Lucas first to thank him for inviting them to the assembly. Mr. Darcy agreed that to visit Sir William first would be proper and the gentlemen took off riding on their horses to begin their visits.

Gregory Hurst decided to take advantage of the nice weather and take Madeline on a walk outdoors. Caroline was excited about being the lady of the house and wanted to organize the staff and menus, so she remained at home.

When Charles and Mr. Darcy called on the Lucases they were cordially invited inside. Lady Lucas called for cake and tea then they all settled in the lounge with Sir Lucas, Miss Lucas and Maria as well. Sir William, Charles and Darcy were in a deep discussion of what crops were best for planting in the area. Charlotte joined their conversation as she had taken on the job of crop management and seedbed rotation after her only brother, John, died last year.

When Charles found out that Miss Lucas oversaw the crops, he asked her if she could show him some of the improvements that she had made to the acreage at Lucas Lodge. Sir William favored the idea and Charles, Charlotte, Mr. Darcy and Maria set off to explore the fields outside. Charles offered his arm to Miss Lucas and Mr. Darcy offered his arm to Miss Maria. As they were walking Charles could not take his attention away from Miss Lucas’ eyes and the kindness he saw in them. It was not beauty per se, but a warm, loving kindness that he felt when he looked at her. It was like he had found peace and happiness. Yes, happiness. That was it! Charles actually felt happy.

After their tour of the land the gentlemen thanked their host and said that they were going to call next on the Bennets. Charlotte and Maria told them that they were also on their way to Longbourn to visit the Bennets. So, it was decided that they would all walk together. The gentlemen escorted the ladies with one arm and guided their horses along with their other hand.

When they arrived at Longbourn, the maid answered the door and announced that the Miss Lucases had arrived. She then announced that Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy were also paying a call.

Charlotte and Maria were expected. That the Miss Lucases and the Miss Bennets should meet to talk over a ball was absolutely necessary. But Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy were a surprise. Mrs. Bennet who was most excited about these gentlemen callers remained calm. It may seem surprising that Mrs. Bennet could be excited inside but put on an air of calmness outwardly, but she had been practicing meditation for a few years in order to pull this off. Mrs. Bennet had found a book on meditation in her husband’s library and read it from cover to cover some two years prior. She had convinced herself that a mother possessing a calm demeanor would more likely promote her daughters to would be suitors. She used “mmm” as her mantra to calm herself. After cheerfully instructing the maid to send the visitors in she cautioned her daughters to not discuss their impressions of the assembly until after the gentlemen had left.

Maria quickly settled between Lydia and Kitty. Mr. Darcy took a chair directly across from Jane. Charlotte and Mr. Bingley sat on a settee near Jane and Mary sat next to her mother. Elizabeth had risen early and gone out on a ramble and was still outside. Mr. Darcy engaged Jane in conversation about music, books and even crops! Charlotte continued her discussion with Mr. Bingley about the best seasonal crop rotation practices in the area. Maria, Kitty and Lydia talked of ribbons, fashions and lace. Mary watched the scenes unfold around her and wondered if anyone would care for a music recital.

Tea was brought in for the group. Mrs. Bennet was all atwitter inside upon seeing the attention Mr. Darcy was lavishing on her eldest daughter and needed to calm herself and started muttering “mmm.” When Mary looked at her quizzically, Mrs. Bennet added, “Mmm…this tea is exceptionally delicious.”

After a quarter of an hour, the proper amount of time for a call, the gentlemen rose to excuse themselves. They asked the Miss Lucases if they required an escort home. The ladies replied that they were not leaving yet as they had been invited for a light lunch. Upon hearing this, Mrs. Bennet immediately invited the gentlemen to stay as well. Before Bingley even had a chance to think about it, Mr. Darcy blurted out, “We’d be delighted to stay Mrs. Bennet. Thank you.” Charles then nodded his head in agreement.

Earlier, Elizabeth Bennet had escaped the house and was determined to go walking. She was spunky and quite pretty but not in the same way as her sister Jane. Elizabeth had dark curly hair and an enchanting laugh and dearly loved to laugh. As she was walking, she noticed a nicely dressed gentleman with a small child. The child was coaxing her father, “Please Papa, can we please find a pond?” The gentleman looked perplexed; he wasn’t sure if he could find a pond or if it would even be wise to do so. Elizabeth came upon them and offered to show them a small pond which was close by. He thanked her and agreed to follow her to the pond. He had introduced himself as Mr. Gregory Hurst staying at Netherfield Park with his brother Bingley. He also introduced Madeline. Elizabeth exclaimed, “I met Mr. Bingley at the assembly last night. I am Elizabeth Bennet and reside at Longbourn which is but three miles from Netherfield.” He replied that he was glad to meet her, and they made their way to the pond where many frogs and tadpoles were seen, and some splashing occurred. Upon her introduction to Miss Bennet, Madeline curtseyed and said, “Hello to you Misbeth.” Mr. Hurst laughed and said it is “Miss Elizabeth, Maddie.” But Elizabeth replied, “If it is all the same to you Mr. Hurst, Misbeth is fine with me.” So, to Madeline, Elizabeth was to be Misbeth.

Mr. Hurst thanked Elizabeth for her kindness and after about half an hour they parted ways. Elizabeth to go back to Longbourn and Mr. Hurst and Madeline would return to Netherfield. Gregory mulled over his meeting with Elizabeth. She was attentive and positive with Madeline. Maybe she was a possibility to be the next Mrs. Hurst.

Elizabeth returned to Longbourn just in time for the luncheon. Mr. Bennet, after the introductions of the gentlemen were made, escorted his wife into the dining room. Darcy escorted Jane, Mr. Bingley offered his arm to Charlotte and the others followed behind. Mrs. Bennet had carefully arranged the seating. Mr. Bennet was at one end of the table with Jane to his right and Darcy to his left. They had much conversation between the three of them and with Mary who sat next to Mr. Darcy. Darcy was surprised that no one commented on his wealth or asked questions about the grandness of his estate. The only mention of his property was when Mary asked him where he hailed from, and he told her Derbyshire. She then asked him how that county compared to Hertfordshire. This was a noninvasive question which he could quickly answer. He had never felt so at ease in a new situation.

Mrs. Bennet was at the other end of the table presiding over the rest of the group. The conversation at this end of the table was lively amongst the three youngest girls. They were talking about bonnets and dresses. Charlotte and Elizabeth spent time in conversation with Mr. Bingley. Mr. Bingley, who was an agreeable guest, spent most of his time answering questions about himself and his impression of Netherfield and the surrounding area. Mrs. Bennet, being very excited and overwhelmed with enthusiasm that was being repressed, was frequently heard muttering, “mmm.” No one thought this was unusual as the cook had outdone herself and the meal was quite tasty.

The gentlemen voiced their thanks for the meal, retrieved their horses and returned to Netherfield. The ladies, safely ensconced in the drawing room, started to chat about the assembly. Charlotte, Elizabeth, Jane and Mary formed one group and the younger girls giggled amongst themselves. Mrs. Bennet was content to watch over them all. Charlotte and Elizabeth were teasing Jane about the amount of attention that Mr. Darcy was paying to Jane. But Jane, being truly humble, insisted it was only because he was new to the area and had made few acquaintances so far. She added that he was a most polite and handsome gentleman, but she seriously did not think that he had any specific designs on her. Elizabeth also chimed in that Mr. Bingley seemed to spend a great deal of his time in Charlotte’s company. Charlotte brushed this off by saying that since he was also new to Hertfordshire, he was just seeking her advice. Mr. Bingley had a keen interest in the agricultural offerings of the area and that since she was quite the expert in what to grow, that it was only logical that he would seek out her and her suggestions. Elizabeth did not quite believe both of their explanations however she decided to change the subject and they discussed the musical selections that were played at the assembly instead.