Prelude to Pemberley: Darcy encourages Bingley to think about a country estate

20th of August 1811

The acrid smoke from a nearby gentleman smoking a pipe burnt Darcy’s nostrils as he entered the cardroom at White’s, and he crinkled his nose. Why did Bingley enjoy this diversion so much? The cardroom always reeked of the tobacco from those who fancied a smoke while they wagered their money with little to no regard of the consequences.

Bingley did deserve some credit, however. He once told Darcy how he had a set limit to how much he could or would lose on a given day before sitting down to play. On some visits, Bingley spent no more than ten minutes in the cardroom, but others, he would spend hours. Unlike some, he did not allow his fortune to be dwindled by the pastime.

As Darcy reached the centre of the room, Bingley came into view in the back corner. For some reason, he favoured that table. He was often to be found there. At that moment, his friend lifted his head, and their gazes met. One finger lifted, and Darcy tilted his head towards the door. He would wait for his friend in the sitting room before he suffocated on the tobacco stench.

Once he sat and ordered a drink, Bingley strode in with a wide grin. “I could almost be put out with you coming when you did. I was up for the first time in a week.” With how often Bingley partook of the diversion, that did not bode well for the state of his coffers.

Darcy swallowed his sip of whisky. “Well, perhaps you should put your winnings towards something useful rather than continue to gamble it away.” He never entered the cardrooms unless he was seeking Bingley. His funds were better spent acquiring new music sheets for Georgiana or investments. He would provide his eventual son with more wealth than his father provided him.

Bingley waved over a servant. “I shall have a whisky as well.” After the man nodded and hurried away, he crossed his ankle over his knee and relaxed back into his chair. “And what would you have me do?”

“Well, we have discussed you letting an estate in the country. I believe the time has come.” They had spoken of it on multiple occasions, so Bingley should know the next course of action.

His friend’s eyebrows lifted. “Truly? I have considered purchasing and saving the funds. Whatever I would spend on a lease, I could save and use towards acquiring my own property.”

Darcy shook his head. Bingley never failed to be short-sighted. “While I can understand your logic, you have not experienced what it is like to run an estate on your own. You have followed me at Pemberley, so you have some notion of what is involved, but every property is different. While I have sheep and farm mainly barley and oats, an estate more to the south may teach you the nuances of a different crop or livestock.

“You also enjoy the Season and London far more than I. Perhaps an estate closer to town would be more to your liking than a property in Derbyshire.” And until Miss Bingley wed, she would not be anywhere near Pemberley. She would call on Georgiana incessantly just to be in his company. She was intolerable!

With a laugh, Bingley accepted his drink from the servant. “You know Caroline will not be satisfied unless I obtain an estate near Pemberley.”

After groaning, Darcy sat forward. “And with any luck, Miss Bingley will be wed in the next year. You would do well to consider your own preferences to those of your sister.”

“I was only kidding, Darcy. Besides, do you not intend to marry my sister?”

“Not amusing, Bingley,” he said in a growl. “You need to find a gentleman in need of her dowry and give her no choice in the matter lest she never wed, and you are stuck with her for the rest of her or your life.”

Bingley shuddered. “As much as I do not want her living with me forever, you know the fit she would throw should I do as you suggest.”

“Yet, it is what you should do.” Darcy held up a hand. “Nevertheless, in regard to an estate, you need to decide what you prefer and where you excel. You were a bit lost with sheep farming, and even though you would have a steward, it is good to have a firm understanding of what is to happen throughout the year. You cannot rely solely on the steward to lead you.”

“So, you are saying I should breed horses.”

“You do have a good eye for horseflesh.” The idea had merit. Bingley did well when they attended the races. While Darcy knew bloodlines and bred many of his own mounts, he often had Bingley accompany him to Tattersall’s when he was looking to add to his stables. His friend’s expertise and opinion were always welcome.

Bingley took a sip of the amber liquid and leant his head against the back of the chair. “I suppose I could do as you say if the right estate presented itself.”

“If you will forgive my presumption, I have had my solicitor keeping an eye out for such a property. I believe he has found one with promise in Hertfordshire. If you are willing, I can set up an appointment with the agent, and we can discuss the particulars.” While he spoke, Bingley’s eyes lit, and his foot began to bounce. He was definitely intrigued.

“Hertfordshire is quite close to town. I could come and go as I wish.”

“Precisely.” His solicitor had expressly sought after properties near London on his directive. Miss Bingley had no idea what would be best for her brother. An estate in Derbyshire would be left to rot while Bingley spent the Season and more in London. He enjoyed the parties and balls too much to miss them for a substantial amount of time.

“Then I shall make the arrangements.”

“Excellent,” said Bingley. “Now, let us speak of something more diverting. I have no wish to speak of business this evening.”