Chapter 1: Charles Bingley has found the most wonderful estate to rent in Hertfordshire and is eager to tell his sisters about it!
October 9, 1811
By the time he reached London his horse was lathered and faltering, but his enthusiasm was unimpaired. He could hardly wait to reach the Hursts’ townhouse to tell his sisters about the wonderful opportunity to meet the people of Meryton. The Hurst’s butler bowed deeply when he opened the door to the scion of the Bingley family and allowed himself a dignified smile while he greeted him.
“Come in, sir! Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley are in the drawing-room and I am sure they will be happy to see you!”
“Thanks, Bledsoe, I will show myself up.” Charles ran up the stairs three at a time and entered the drawing-room. “Caroline! Louisa! I have the best news!”
Both ladies dropped their needlework onto their laps and stared at their brother. Finally, Caroline spoke. “What can you be talking about, Charles?”
“I have just returned from Hertfordshire to gather you all up and take you to Meryton. They have an assembly tomorrow night! It will be a wonderful opportunity to meet the local gentry!”
Caroline glanced at her sister and back to Charles. “I cannot imagine why you are so in alt about this, Charles. Or why you leased this manor in such a backwards place in the first place.”
“Oh come, Caroline! Netherfield is a very comfortable manor and the people are friendly. The hunting season is starting soon and it looks like the coverts are well stocked.” He turned to his friend Darcy, who was leaning silently against the mantel, his face a mask. Charles tried again. “Darcy, don’t you think a few weeks in the country doing some hunting and some visiting sounds pleasant?”
Darcy’s lip lifted in a brief sneer, which was quickly suppressed. “You will find the society something savage, Charles. If you want some country air we should go to Pemberley.”
Caroline sat up straighter in her chair. “Oh yes, Mr. Darcy! Pemberley must be lovely at this time of year! I long to visit!”
Charles’ pleasant face hardened slightly. “Caroline, you have been to Pemberley and now I have a manor of my own to visit. I was under the impression that you were to take charge of the house for me.”
“Of course Charles, of course, but I am not particularly thrilled about the wilds of Hertfordshire. I cannot imagine that there is society of any kind there. I think you should drop this lease and we can stay in London until Mr. Darcy leaves for Christmas at Pemberley. We might even see Miss Darcy. Did you not say that she was to spend a few days in London soon, Mr. Darcy?”
Darcy had been watching this family squabble and suddenly felt a pang for his friend and his enthusiasm for his new home. He stood up suddenly. “Well, I think I must go home and pack my things, Charles. What time do we start in the morning?”
Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst both pursed their lips and glared at Darcy as he traitorously gave in to Charles’ ridiculous whim. When Darcy caught and held her eyes, his lips compressed, Caroline squirmed in her chair. When she could not tolerate it any longer, she broke out, “Well, all right Charles. I suppose we must go if it means that much to you.”
Bingley grinned at the two of them, knowing that Louisa would give in if the two stronger personalities had ceded.
They spent the rest of the evening packing and preparing for their sojourn in Hertfordshire, while Mr. Hurst had his postprandial nap on the drawing-room settee.
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What a lovely excerpt to start my morning and how little did they know at the time how everyone lives would change – for the better!! Thank you
I am so glad Darcy supported Charles; finally. I could just HEAR Caroline saying, ‘ “What can you be talking about, Charles?”’, in her snide, whining voice. Thank you for this missing chapter.
Why on God’s green earth was Darcy already at the Hursts? LOL
Yes, I went back and read it again wondering when did he enter the house? The butler didn’t announce that he also was in the drawing room.
Remember Stephanie that Charles is his best friend, ergo, the sisters as well. He is stil the stiff man and is familiar with the Bingley’s and Hurst’s and so feels comfortable in the family setting. He see’s nothing wrong with them YET, Just wait until he meets Elizabeth.
Boy, I’m glad Darcy finally supported his friend. Sometimes he is irksome, and I want to rip him from the pages of Literature and smack him to knock some sense into his thick skull! There are every few variations out that paint Caroline Bingley as anything but a witch (not exactly the word I’d like to use), but it will have to do. I have yet to figure out why Darcy doesn’t speak up about Caroline. He seems to be able to insult everyone else, he should start with her. He knows what she is and what she wants so why be polite. I know, he is Charles’ friend, but he is capable of maintaining friendship with Charles without his sisters. Thanks for the missing chapter.
Phew. Thank goodness Darcy decided to support Charles or the story might never have happened!!! No Darcy and Elizabeth 😞 and no JAFF! Doesn’t bear thinking about.
At least Darcy gave in…but I wonder why he was at the Hursts’ to begin with?
Great vignette to start my day!! 🙂 Thank you!!
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
Bingley’s enthusiasm is great! Darcy and Caroline were already prejudiced against the locals before ever setting eyes on them. So glad Darcy supported his friend finally!
Charles really shows some fortitude by insisting in the face of his sisters’ lack of support and even his good friend’s disinterest! Good for him for prevailing this time — now I think I would see how this kind of behavior would really weigh on someone as cheerful and amiable as Charles. If his interactions with Caroline and Darcy, who are supposed to be close to him, are always so negative, no wonder he gets persuaded to leave later in the fall! Thanks for the scene!
This was a good portrait of how Darcy supports Bingley against his two sisters. Caroline has no thoughts for anyone but herself and the man she supposes is hers already…Darcy.
Thanks for the excerpt.