Mr. Bennet Calls on Mr. Bingley at Netherfield by Mary Simonsen

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Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Bingley … though to the last always assuring his wife that he should not go; and till the evening after the visit was paid, she had no knowledge of it. Pride and Prejudice – Chapter 1

Early October 1811

Despite his insistence that he would not call on the newest member of the Meryton neighborhood, Mr. Bennet had always intended to pay a call on Mr. Bingley. After all, they were near neighbors, and if his cows were to wander on to the man’s property, he hoped to encounter a friendly face when he arrived at Netherfield Park with an apology for any inconvenience as a result of bovine trespass.

From intelligence he had received in the village, Mr. Bennet knew that each morning before breakfast, Mr. Bingley enjoyed a ride in the park on an excellent stallion that was sparking as much comment in the village as its rider–as least from the male population. He knew that if he arrived at Netherfield Park at approximately 9:30, Mr. Bingley would still be in the park on his mount, and he would have sufficient time to make his own inquiries about Netherfield’s new master.

As hoped, it was Buttons, who had served the previous owners of the manor house as its butler, who opened the door. Following an exchange of knowing looks, Buttons directed Mr. Bennet to the study, explaining that Mr. Bingley was expected within the half hour.

Mr. Bennet began by paying Meryton’s newest resident a compliment. “If Mr. Bingley has opted to retain the services of the Darlingtons’ servants, then I already know him to be a man of good sense.”

“Mr. Bingley is a man of sense,” Buttons agreed, “but as for how long I’ll have this position, there’s no telling.”

“Why is that, Buttons?”

“When Mr. Morrow, the agent, told me that Mr. Bingley wanted to retain my services, as well as the wife’s as his cook, I reckoned all the servants would get called back.” Buttons shook his head. “But that didn’t happen. Then the gentleman, Mr. Bingley that is, told me only this morning that he’s off to London to fetch his sisters and that one of them will keep house for him. Nothing was said about any additional servants or even keeping the present ones on. All that will depend on the sister—a Miss Caroline Bingley as were. But for the time, I’m serving a kind man, and I’m content with that.”

After commiserating with Buttons over the vagaries of serving a new master, Thomas Bennet got to the reason for his visit. “So, tell me, Buttons, what is this Mr. Bingley like?”

“I knew that was why you come whilst Mr. Bingley is out in the park riding,” Buttons said with a smile. “There isn’t a family in the parish what isn’t curious about every particular pertaining to Mr. Bingley right down to the blacking he uses on his boots.”

“No surprise there—what with the imbalance in the resident population.”

“What imbalance is that?” Buttons asked.

“Too many unmarried daughters and not enough gentlemen. I can account for five of them myself.”

With a knowing nod, as Buttons had two daughters of his own, the butler shared with Mr. Bennet that Mr. Bingley was of a most amiable disposition, but seemed unsure of his position as lord of the manor.

“Word about the village is that he inherited a large fortune from his father’s businesses in the North and has never had a house of his own. For guidance, he looks to his friend, Mr. Darcy of Derbyshire, the grandson of an earl. Night and day, those two are—Mr. Bingley being rather informal in the way he goes about things whilst Mr. Darcy looks as if he sleeps standing up–stiff as a post that one is. But rumor has it that he is one of the richest men in England.”

“I am happy to hear that Mr. Bingley has a mentor—and a rich one at that—but a man of wealth and rank will have no interest in my daughters. Besides, I was charged by Mrs. Bennet to find out everything I could about Mr. Bingley. My girls are very keen to know if the man dances.”

Buttons again nodded. “Only this morning, the gentleman specifically mentioned that he enjoyed dancing and that it was his intention to attend every dance whilst in the country.”

“Well, then my business is done here!” Mr. Bennet said, pretending to rise. If Mr. Bingley attends the assembly, he will most certainly fall in love with one of my daughters. That will make Mrs. Bennet happy, and peace will reign at Longbourn.”

“Mr. B., I wouldn’t count my chickens before they’re hatched. As determined as your missus is to have her daughters married, Mrs. Bennet isn’t the only one looking to have a daughter take up residence at Netherfield.”

Any additional information would have to wait as the sound of hooves on gravel could be heard on the drive, signaling the return of Mr. Bingley.

* * *

“I hope you have not been waiting too long. I have no wish to inconvenience anyone,” Mr. Bingley said after introductions had been made. “Of course, there was no way for you to know that I ride every morning.”

“Mr. Bingley, there is very little about you that is not published abroad for the perusal of all and sundry. I can assure you that whatever home you enter in the shire, you will find your favorite wine stocked in the wine cupboard.”

Bingley laughed at the comment. “And why is that?”

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man must be in want of a wife. The truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families that he is considered as the rightful property of one or other of their daughters.”

Bingley scratched his head. “This comes as news to me.”

“Then you are fortunate that I called so that I could enlighten you—or warn you—whichever way you choose to view the matter.”

Bingley looked perplexed.

“Allow me to explain. In the country, there are fewer entertainments than in Town, and you, sir, are a much needed diversion for all those families with daughters of a certain age, one of whom you will most certainly wish to marry.”

“I do confess that I take much pleasure in the country, and I have it on good authority that there are many attractive ladies hereabouts with a fondness for dancing, an amusement I greatly enjoy. As to the matter of marriage, I cannot say.”

“You need not say or do anything, Mr. Bingley. It will all be said and done for you.”

“Mr. Bennet, you are possessed of an extraordinary wit—”

“…and five daughters.”

Bingley laughed out loud. “I am happy to call you neighbor, sir.”

“I hope you feel the same way after the assembly. Now, as to the matter of bovine trespass, on occasion…”

I would love to read your comments. “Mr. Bingley Returns Mr. Bennet’s Call” will be posted on July 30. Hope you come back.

31 comments

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    • Charlene on July 28, 2015 at 5:49 am
    • Reply

    Wonderfully witty and perfect to a tea as always Mary! Very much enjoyed that excerpt. Thanks!

    1. Thanks, Charlene. Hope all is well. It’s been awhile.

    • Mari on July 28, 2015 at 6:38 am
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    This was an absolute delight and I loved it. Mister Bennet can be quite entertaining when he can be pried out of his library. I wish there were an entire book of Mister B, because it would certainly make me walk around with a grin for days on end. Great job! I am looking forward to the next one.

      • EvelynTost on July 28, 2015 at 8:45 am
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      There are at least a couple of books that came to mind which feature Mr Bennet prominently: “Longbourn’s Unexpected Matchmaker” and “Journals of Thomas Bennet”, and there are probably others. Hope this is helpful.

        • Mari on July 28, 2015 at 9:41 am
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        Thanks Evelyn, I will definitely have a look at those books.

    1. Thanks, Mari. I love Mr. Bennet’s wit. I’d love to sit down with him in his study on a cold winter’s day.

    • Maggie Griscom on July 28, 2015 at 7:04 am
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    As always great fun and great writing. Can almost see the twinkle in Mr. Bennet’s eyes. Good start to the morning.

    1. Oh, thank you. Love to hear I kicked off your day with a smile.

    • EvelynTost on July 28, 2015 at 8:46 am
    • Reply

    Very enjoyable! Thank you.

    1. Thank you for reading. Glad you enjoyed it.

    • Carol on July 28, 2015 at 10:05 am
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    Witty writing. Enjoy reading about Mr. Bennet and hearing his banter with others. Not hard to realize that Lizzy’s wit comes from.

    1. Thank you, Carol. I’ve always loved Mr. Bennet.

    • Sheila L. M. on July 28, 2015 at 12:17 pm
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    Ah, we read here of Mr. Bennet’s sharing of his wit and humor. How delightful. Bingley may not appreciate it as much as does Darcy in meeting the daughter and her version of such.

    Thanks for the smiles. I have not read those two books on Mr. Bennet – so will have to investigate.

    1. Thanks, Sheila. JA’s brilliance shines through in Mr. Bennet.

      • Sheila L. M. on July 28, 2015 at 12:20 pm
      • Reply

      I found the former one on Amazon but not the other?

        • EvelynTost on July 29, 2015 at 6:13 pm
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        I thought I got them both on Kindle. I’ll check my accuracy on the titles etc.

        • EvelynTost on July 29, 2015 at 6:21 pm
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        THE JOURNALS OF THOMAS BENNET by Lynne Robson- and I noticed it is free on Kindle Unlimited right now.

          • Sheila L. M. on July 29, 2015 at 6:55 pm
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          Thank you. I wonder why I didn’t get it before? I did add the word “The” to the title, even this afternoon.

            • EvelynTost on July 29, 2015 at 10:21 pm
            • Reply

            I know it can be weird sometimes. Best wishes

  1. A lovely vignette highlighting Mr. Bennet’s humor and Bingley’s good-natured ignorance of being the object of every matchmaking mama in the county…. 🙂

    Thank you for writing for us!

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

    1. Thank you, Susanne, for reading and taking the time to comment. It’s appreciated.

    • Meg on July 28, 2015 at 5:29 pm
    • Reply

    Loved it! Very believable. Looking forward to more:)

      • Mary Simonsen on July 29, 2015 at 11:55 am
      • Reply

      Thanks, Meg. (I have a daughter Meg.) 🙂

    • Dung on July 29, 2015 at 1:33 am
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    Always love your writing Mary! Looking forward to the next post!

      • Mary Simonsen on July 29, 2015 at 11:56 am
      • Reply

      Thanks, Dung. Always look forward to hearing from you.

    • Deborah on July 29, 2015 at 6:34 am
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    What a fun read. I certainly can picture Mr. Bennet being so sneaky and witty and saying such things. Thanks for filling us in on what happened when Bennet visited with Bingley.

      • Mary Simonsen on July 29, 2015 at 11:56 am
      • Reply

      Thanks, Deborah. I appreciate it that you always leave comments. Writing can be a lonely pursuit.

  2. I always loved Mr. Bennet as a character! What a fun set of scenes you have for us here 😉 .
    Thanks for the delightful post, Mary!

      • Mary Simonsen on August 12, 2015 at 4:10 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Marilyn. Thank you for reading.

  3. “You need not say or do anything, Mr. Bingley. It will all be said and done for you.” haha! So true. Love it.

      • Mary Simonsen on August 12, 2015 at 4:10 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Monica. I always look for the Monica stamp of approval. 🙂

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