The Eldest | F. Darcy

Chapter 7: A Visit to Netherfield and a Wager Fulfilled

Three days had passed, and Adele was finally in better health, though Jane remained fragile and was not yet permitted to leave her bed. Eager for her mother to visit and see Jane's condition, Adele sent a note to Longbourn.

She was, however, wholly disappointed that such a request had even been necessary—was it not a mother's instinct to rush to her ailing child? Nevertheless, Mrs. Bennet was happily settled at home, convinced that Mr. Bingley was already utterly captivated by Jane.

Adele, for all her occasional grievances with her mother's sensibilities, had to concede one thing: Mrs. Bennet had an undeniable talent for matchmaking when it came to Jane and Bingley. Even with all the embarrassment she and her younger daughters inflicted upon the family, she had still managed to maneuver Jane into Mr. Bingley's orbit most effectively.

Her note was promptly complied with, and the next morning, Mrs. Bennet arrived at Netherfield Park, bringing the four youngest Bennet sisters in tow. As Adele watched their carriage approach, she felt the first stirrings of regret—this visit, she feared, would be anything but peaceful.

Had Jane's condition been dire, Mrs. Bennet might have been truly distressed. But upon finding her merely in need of continued rest, she was relieved rather than alarmed. And if Jane's recovery required a longer stay at Netherfield? Well, all the better. Mrs. Bennet had no desire to hasten her daughter's return home when her proximity to Mr. Bingley might yet yield a proposal.

Ignoring Jane's insistence that she was well enough to be moved, Mrs. Bennet turned instead to Miss Bingley, who, though civil, was evidently unenthusiastic about the visit. Upon receiving an invitation to the breakfast parlor, she eagerly led Lydia and Kitty away, leaving Adele, Mary, and Elizabeth to linger a moment longer.

"Mary, you look as though you are positively bursting with news," Adele observed, eyeing her solemn but eager expression. "Have you something to tell me?"

"Oh yes," Mary replied, brightening. "I have shifted my literary preferences. I read the volume of Shakespeare's plays you left for me and found it most enlightening."

"That is excellent news," Adele said with genuine pleasure. "Any other new accomplishments to report?"

"James has been helping me with my drawing," Mary admitted, her voice quieter now. "He took me to the hills, showed me how to shade my landscapes properly. He has been very kind to me, Ady—I like him."

Adele noted the faint blush on her sister's cheeks and smiled. "Well, well," she murmured, "it seems we have much to discuss later. But for now, we must make haste before Mama finds herself thrown out of the house entirely."

"Three shillings says Mother will offend Mr. Darcy before we depart," Adele added with a smirk.

Elizabeth arched a brow. "I'll take that wager," she said, laughing. "And, Adele—it is good to have you back. I missed you."

The sisters embraced before making their way to the breakfast parlor.

As they entered, Elizabeth handed Adele a small bundle of letters. "These are for you," she said teasingly. "The others are waiting for you at home."

Adele wrinkled her nose but took them nonetheless.

Mrs. Bennet wasted no time in making her gratitude known.

"Indeed I have, sir," she declared to Mr. Bingley, "for Jane is far too ill to be moved. Mr. Jones says we must not think of it. We must trespass upon your kindness a little longer."

"Removed!" Bingley cried. "It must not be thought of! My sister, I am certain, would not hear of it."

"You may depend upon it, madam," Miss Bingley interjected coolly, "that Miss Bennet shall receive every possible attention while she remains with us."

Mrs. Bennet was effusive in her gratitude. "I do not know what would become of her without such excellent friends. She suffers a vast deal, yet with the greatest patience, which is always her way. Such a sweet, gentle temper—I often tell my other girls they are nothing to her. And what a charming house you have, Mr. Bingley! The view from this very window is exquisite. I cannot think of any place in the country more delightful than Netherfield. I do hope you will not be in any hurry to leave it?"

"Whatever I do is done in a hurry," Bingley admitted with a grin. "If I were to resolve to quit Netherfield, I should likely be off within five minutes. At present, however, I am quite fixed here."

"That is precisely what I should have supposed of you," Elizabeth and Adele said at the same time before exchanging knowing glances.

"You begin to comprehend me, do you?" Bingley laughed, turning toward them.

"Oh, yes—we understand you perfectly," Adele replied playfully.

"I wish I might take that as a compliment," he said. "But to be so easily understood—I fear that is rather pitiful."

"That depends," Elizabeth said. "A deep, intricate character is not necessarily more or less estimable than one as straightforward as yours."

"Lizzy," Mrs. Bennet interjected sharply, "remember where you are. Do not speak so wildly as you do at home."

"I did not know before," Bingley resumed, "that you two were studiers of character. It must be an amusing pursuit."

"Yes, but intricate characters are the most amusing," Adele said lightly. "They have at least that advantage."

"The country," Darcy remarked, "can in general supply but few subjects for such a study. In a country neighborhood, one moves in a very confined and unvarying society."

"But people themselves alter so much," Adele countered, "that there is always something new to observe in them."

"Yes, indeed," Mrs. Bennet said, taking offense. "I assure you, sir, there is quite as much variety of character in the country as in town!"

The room fell momentarily silent. Darcy, after considering her for a moment, turned away without response.

Mrs. Bennet, believing herself victorious, pressed on triumphantly. "I cannot see that London has any great advantage over the country—except, of course, for the shops and public places. But the country is far more pleasant, do you not agree, Mr. Bingley?"

"When I am in the country, I never wish to leave it," Bingley replied with good humor. "And when I am in town, it is much the same. They both have their charms."

"Ah! That is because you have the right disposition," Mrs. Bennet declared. "But that gentleman," she added, eyeing Darcy, "seems to think the country is nothing at all!"

"Indeed, Mamma, you are mistaken," Elizabeth said quickly, blushing. "Mr. Darcy only meant that there are fewer people in the country than in town, which is undeniable."

"Certainly, my dear, no one disputes that," Mrs. Bennet said airily. "But as to not meeting many people in this neighborhood—I must disagree. We dine with four-and-twenty families, at the very least!"

Adele, struggling to suppress her laughter, leaned toward Elizabeth and whispered, "You owe me three shillings."

Elizabeth sighed and reluctantly passed her the coins.

"A studier of character, indeed," Adele said smugly, tucking them away. "And yet, you failed to predict our mother's habits."

Elizabeth could not argue with that.

Just as the visit neared its end, Lydia—who had been whispering with Kitty the entire time—suddenly turned to Mr. Bingley.

"You promised to host a ball at Netherfield, sir," she reminded him boldly. "It would be the most shameful thing in the world if you did not keep your word!"

Bingley laughed. "I assure you, I am perfectly ready to do so. When your sister has recovered, you may name the day, and we shall have a ball."

Lydia clapped her hands in delight.

Adele and Elizabeth exchanged amused glances.

"A ball at Netherfield," Adele mused. "That will certainly be an evening to remember."

And for more than one reason, she suspected.