42. Chapter 39: A time to every purpose

Ch 39: A time to every purpose under heaven

The following day, Mr. Philips arrived as planned, freshly penned documents in hand. After Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner reviewed them, Mr. Gardiner suggested that before signing them, they solicit Mr. Darcy's opinion as well. Mr. Darcy was happy for the intellectual exercise presented him. He had never seen such a proposal, and found Mr. Philips' work more than adequate to the task. He did offer a few recommendations on minor details of the plan, which all quickly acknowledged as improvements to the original. The changes necessitated redrafting the documents, so Mr. Philips returned to Meryton, delaying his departure for Bristol for another day.

As the men discussed the documents, the Bennet sisters were surprised by the arrival of a wagon load of trunks from Longbourn. Hill was well aware that their stay at Netherfield was unplanned and might be of some duration. All of their party would need clothing and other necessities. She had packed trunks for all the family, although many of the garments were still sooty or smelled of smoke. A thorough laundering would be necessary, but at least the clothing would be available.

As the trunks were brought in, Louisa directed the servants to cover the furniture with sheets and place the luggage in the main drawing room. Her injured arm was held securely in a sling, and wrapped in clean bandages. Even so, it still throbbed slightly from the latest poultice Mary had applied. While the herbal treatments were definitely uncomfortable, Louisa could tell the injury was healing cleanly and there was no infection. Having suffered a seriously infected cut as a child, she feared infection desperately, and was so relieved to find no sign of it, she was quite willing to bear Mary's ministrations with equanimity.

"What is going on here?" Caroline demanded, a shriek in her voice, as she flew down the stairs. She watched in horror as servants she did not know brought sooty trunks into the drawing room. "I gave no orders for these things to be placed there!"

"I did," Louisa replied levelly. "Or have you forgotten that I am mistress of this house, not you." I have had enough of you claiming airs that are not yours to flaunt.

Caroline's face flushed angrily as she glared at her sister. "What ever can you be thinking bringing all these filthy things inside this house?" What has gotten into her? It can only be that the savage society here has caused her to forget all civility due me.

"These are trunks sent for our guests from Longbourn…"

This is intolerable. I should have been consulted first! Does no one care about me here? "So many? Are they planning on moving in? Just how long are they going to be staying?"

Much longer than you are, sister. "Until Longbourn is habitable again. We are not going to discuss it either. If you do not care for our company, you are perfectly able to return to London. In fact, I do not recall that you were invited here at all, Sister. The letter Charles sent asked you only to oversee the packing and shipping of our things. So perhaps you…"

"How dare you! Do you suggest that your own sister is less welcome than these insignificant…" You have gone too far.

"No more, Caroline! You will either hold your tongue and be helpful to us, or you will keep yourself above stairs and out of our way!" Louisa swept past her, into the drawing room.

"Oh do be careful, Louisa!" Mary exclaimed as she stormed in. "You must move gently, or you risk opening that wound again!" She rushed to her friend's side to check her bandages. "Oh, that is a relief. It does not appear that you have done yourself any harm. But please, do take care. It would not do for you to risk further infection by starting the bleeding again." Your sister has already hurt you enough. Do not let her be the cause of even more suffering.

Louisa laughed softly and pressed Mary's hand warmly. "You do know just what to say to convince me! I will be more careful. Do not worry."

"Whatever stirred you into such a flurry!" Kitty appeared at Louisa's shoulder. "That is very unlike you… Oh, was it your sister?"

Louisa's face fell. She allowed Mary and Kitty to guide her through the sea of trunks to the couch. "I…I…" she stammered sadly.

Gently, Kitty laid her arm over Louisa's shoulders. "You do not need to explain. I fear we have a difficult sister ourselves. We understand." What a laugh it would be to have Lyddie and Miss Caroline together. I wonder who would be left standing.

"But she is being so difficult. We never invited her here, and yet she feels free to complain and criticize you, who we did invite!" Louisa dropped her face into her good hand. Will I never be free from her?

Jane joined them with a warm hand on Louisa's back. "Please do not trouble yourself. We know that she speaks for herself alone."

Lizzy surprised them by briskly striding to the doorway. They understood when Caroline appeared a moment later. "I do so hope we are not troubling you with our things," Lizzy began impetuously, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Hill, our housekeeper, is ever so thoughtful, and has quite surprised us by sending over anything that she thought might be of use to us." She laughed lightly, flipping open the nearest trunk.

Caroline wrinkled her nose at the faint smell of smoke that rose from the case. "This is hardly what I would call useful!" She rolled her eyes with a sneer.

"Perhaps not yet," Lizzy conceded, pulling a plain muslin dress out and shaking it softly. "It certainly is in need of laundering. I fear we must assume that everything in here is in such a condition."

"How could she possibly think it fitting to send your trunks in this condition? Surely she should have had these washed first." Caroline sniffed. "Exactly what kind of servants do you keep at Longbourn?"

"Under normal circumstances, you would be quite right. However, the staff at Longbourn have their hands quite full at the moment. She has assured me they have been trying to clean the damaged rooms so that we may survey the house tomorrow to ascertain the true level of damages. There were simply not enough available hands to manage laundry as well." Lizzy flipped the dress once more and laid it across the back of a nearby chair.

"Surely you are not expecting the staff here…" Caroline turned wide-eyed to Louisa.

"We would never impose so," Lizzy smoothly replied. "Hill sent word to several of our friends in the neighborhood. They have graciously offered us the services of their lady's maids for the afternoon to assist us with cleaning our gowns. Mr. Darcy's valet, as well as your brother's, have offered to do father's things." And the bait has been cast. Uncle Gardiner would never have thought his fishing lessons would come in so very useful in the drawing room.

"What do you mean assist with cleaning your gowns?" Caroline exclaimed, "You do not mean to do the laundry yourselves?"

Jane cast a warning glance toward her sister. I know that look on your face, Lizzy. Whatever can you be thinking?

The bait has been taken. "Do you think we would allow maids we do not know to launder our gowns unsupervised?" Lizzy's brows rose above her twinkling eyes. "How can we be assured that they know what they are doing? Surely you realize that it is unwise to trust untested servants with something as important as our gowns." Now to reel in the line.

Behind Caroline's back, Jane chewed a knuckle while Kitty hid behind her hand to stifle a giggle.

"Well now, I…I …" Caroline stammered uncertainly, "of course I would thoroughly determine a maid's knowledge of such things."

"Wonderful!" Lizzy cried, reaching for another piece from the trunk. "Then you can assist us."

Louisa began coughing loudly, hiding her face in her handkerchief. Mary patted her back soundly.

"Well, I…" No, this cannot be happening! I am not going to…

"You are so gracious, Miss Caroline! My mother always said that a true lady knows precisely the business of every servant under her administration. She taught us how to supervise every task in the household." All right, it was Hill who did so, and not even directly then. But we did receive that message clearly. I suppose a small white lie will do no harm right now.

"Of course, of course." Caroline's face turned red as she tried to regain her composure.

"Naturally, you cannot risk getting your hands wet right now, Louisa," Mary cautioned firmly, running her fingers gingerly along the sling. "The risk would be far too great. Not to mention the vinegar will burn your arm fiercely!"

"Mary is quite right," Jane agreed with a tiny wink at Lizzy, "you may come outside with us, but we will bring you a chair to sit down. That way you can supervise without overtaxing yourself or risking further injury."

"Your wound is healing so nicely. We cannot risk anything that might bring infection," Mary nodded somberly.

"Only if you are sure. I am quite prepared to help in any way I can," Louisa protested, struggling to keep the laughter from her voice. Caroline, you have met your match indeed.

"We quite insist," Kitty declared, with a small hug as she lifted her arm from Louisa's shoulders. Rising, she brushed her hands together. "Let us get to it."

Two hours later, Darcy finished his discussions with Mr. Bennet and excused himself to join Bingley and Fitzwilliam in Bingley's private sitting room. They were standing at the window laughing when Darcy joined them.

"I would never have believed it if I had not seen it with my own eyes," Bingley muttered, astonished.

"Nor I. But I must tip my hat to truly superior strategy and maneuvers. It took masterful planning and tactics to…"

"To what?" Darcy demanded, striding briskly across the room to look out the window over their shoulders. "What in the world is going on out there? Bingley, is that your sister doing laundry with the servants?" He began chuckling, unleashing a torrent of laughter from his companions. "I am all astonishment. How did such a thing come to pass?"

For several long minutes, his companions could not answer, tears of mirth streaming down their cheeks. "That is a sight I think I will treasure for a lifetime!" Bingley gasped, wiping his face with his palms. "As for how this came about, I do not know; but I dare say your Miss Elizabeth had some large part to play in the event. I cannot imagine Miss Bennet or Miss Mary being quite so forward to devise such a plan, but Miss Kitty might also have been involved."

"I believe the Miss Bennets have been pushed one step too far by Miss Caroline, and they are engaging in a bit of harmless mischief. Seems to remind me of some lovely times spent with my younger sisters as we avenged ourselves on our brother for being the eldest," Fitzwilliam grinned. "Look, it seems they are heading inside. It is nearly time for luncheon. I believe we should head downstairs to see if the ladies will be availing themselves of your cook's generous offerings. I imagine the conversation may be particularly lively this afternoon." He pushed himself up and headed for the door. "Are you coming?"

Bingley and Darcy exchanged glances and laughed. "This promises to be a meal I do not want to miss."

The three quickly made their way downstairs to the parlor where food was already set on the sideboards, waiting for them. They heard the ladies enter the hall. Their conversation made it clear that they were going to change clothes before luncheon. Caroline declared herself very ill indeed, and made it clear she intended to keep to her rooms the rest of the afternoon, so the men settled in to wait.

Their patience was rewarded, for Kitty and Louisa soon made their appearances. "The rest of my sisters will be down soon. Our lady's maid is currently occupied, so we are assisting each other, and I fear we are not nearly so adept as she." Kitty sat down on the settee near Bingley. "Oh, we had ever so much fun this morning!" she laughed merrily.

"We saw from the windows," Bingley confessed sheepishly, a soft blush creeping across his cheeks.

Louisa's eyes grew wide and her hands flew to her mouth as her cheeks flushed. She looked at Kitty conspiratorially. "I had no idea we were being watched." She shrugged her shoulders, wincing slightly at the pull against her injured arm.

"It was certainly a unique sight," Fitzwilliam agreed. "You must admit that one does not often find a lady of the household outside doing laundry with the servants."

"But is it not a wise mistress who is well informed of what each task demands so that she may identify and reward good work?" Lizzy's voice called from the doorway.

Immediately Darcy rose and took several steps toward her. "Indeed it is, Miss Elizabeth. Sadly, though, it is a rare one who does. I must ask, how is it that you succeeded where Mrs. Cooperton failed?" I recall my mother saying those words herself. Somehow it is fitting to hear them from you.

"First you must tell me who Mrs. Cooperton is, sir," Lizzy smoothly replied as she stopped beside him, eyes glittering playfully. She lifted an eyebrow archly as she smiled up at him.

"She is the mistress of an estate near my own. She and her husband were dear friends of my parents, and I am grateful to count them among my friends now," Darcy replied, resisting the urge to kiss her hand.

"She graciously invited my sister to stay with her when we visited Pemberley. She offered to teach Caroline about managing an estate. It was a case of the teacher being much more willing than the pupil, I am afraid," Bingley added. "Miss Bennet, Miss Mary, please do come in. We were hoping that you all might be coming down for luncheon. Will you join us?"

"I cannot speak for my sisters, but I am famished and will gladly join you, sir," Kitty replied quickly. "I had no idea that laundry could work up such an appetite! It is not an activity that we often participate in. I do hope, Lizzy, that it is not in your plan for us to continue to do so."

Elizabeth just shook her head, smiling wryly.

"I am afraid," Jane confessed, as Fitzwilliam came to her side, "there were a few small untruths told and no small amount of mischief involved." She looked up at him shyly.

"All of it good natured, I am sure, for there could be no malice among a group of such lovely ladies," the colonel quickly assured her, offering her his arm. "I must salute the strategic brilliance that brought about such a sudden change in Miss Caroline, though. After seeing her at Pemberley, I would never have imagined her as I saw her his morning."

"It was Lizzy's idea," Mary smiled wryly. "She is known for being the most clever among us." Lizzy blushed fiercely as her sister winked.

Sensing her discomfort, Darcy suggested, "Perhaps we should serve the ladies first before we settle into demanding an account of this morning's events."

"Of course! How abominably rude of me!" Bingley sprang to his feet, offering his arm to Kitty.

For several minutes, the group occupied themselves with serving plates and distributing among themselves the various pieces of furniture to sit and eat.

"I believe we were promised a tale over our meal," Fitzwilliam smiled graciously, first at Jane, then at Lizzy.

Elizabeth sighed heavily, looking sheepishly from sister to sister, finally meeting Darcy's eyes. He looks so encouraging, as though he has no censure for what I have done. How is that possible? I am quite certain I have overstepped the bounds of propriety this day. I have no doubt Mama would be quite put out with me if she knew what I had done.

"Caroline was complaining that the contents of the trunks smelled of smoke," Louisa began helpfully. "Lizzy observed that their garments were in need of laundering."

"Then Miss Caroline complained that the Netherfield staff should not be expected to take on so great a chore," Kitty added.

"At that point, I remembered our housekeeper's admonitions and repeated them to Miss Caroline. But I am afraid I attributed them to my own mother rather than Mrs. Hill," Lizzy confessed. "My sisters readily agreed that we all should make sure the servants were doing an adequate job. I am not exactly certain how it happened, but soon we were all outside amid cauldrons of water. Miss Caroline balked at the sight, I am afraid." She giggled despite herself.

"I do not believe she has ever observed such a scene!" Louisa chortled merrily.

"Much less participated in one," Bingley muttered under his breath.

"She nearly returned to the house at that moment," Mary remarked, sipping her tea daintily.

"She did take pause when Lizzy began rolling up her sleeves," Jane noted demurely. "'Whatever are you planning to do, Miss Elizabeth?'" Her imitation of Caroline was quite credible.

Bingley and Fitzwilliam simultaneously choked on their lunch, coughing heartily, until finally Darcy came by to clap their backs soundly. Once he finished sputtering, Fitzwilliam rewarded Jane with a broad grin. "You have quite the gift for imitation, Miss Bennet. I shall be very careful to give you no reason to unleash it upon me."

Jane blushed prettily.

"I simply told her that I understood, and that no one would hold it against her if she was not up to the rigors of becoming the mistress of a large estate. So few of the Ton truly understand what it means, and often find it too much of a burden upon them." Lizzy blinked innocently. "For some reason, that seemed to agitate her. I cannot imagine why. But at that point, she insisted she had been trained by a very accomplished estate mistress, your Mrs. Cooperton, I imagine. She would not be deterred, vowing under her breath that no…"

Jane launched into another uncannily accurate imitation, "No insignificant country girl would insinuate that I am unable to manage any task of estate management!"

"No, tell me she did not say such a thing to your face!" Bingley blushed several deep shades of red.

"I do not believe that she realized she could be overheard," Lizzy graciously soothed. Another white lie, I am afraid, but he already suspects the truth. I do not need to further his agitation. "I fear I may have injured her pride, so I cannot hold such an outburst against her."

"That is very kind of you, Miss Elizabeth. Few of the Ton would be so considerate." Darcy returned to his seat near Elizabeth.

"Thank you, sir," Elizabeth colored prettily. "At that point, Miss Caroline rolled up her sleeves as well, and quite dove into the task."

"I think we were all quite surprised to find that she was quite competent. Your Mrs. Cooperton must have taught her something," Louisa observed wryly.

"I fear we did not have a great deal of confidence in her expertise," Kitty giggled, trying to stifle it behind her hand." Oh dear, I probably should not have said that.

"But she quite surprised us all," Mary rose to brush crumbs from her lap. "Perhaps it is a fitting lesson for us all to remember not to judge so much by appearances." She lifted an arch eyebrow in reproof toward Kitty.

"You are quite wise, Mary," Jane agreed with a gentle smile.

I will not have you dreaming up reasons to defend Caroline after all she has done. "Who is up for a hand of cards?" Bingley's countenance brightened with the offer.

"What a lovely idea!" Kitty clapped her hands excitedly. "Do you think you can hold cards, Louisa?"

"I will certainly try, for my brother is a dreadful card player, and I cannot miss the opportunity to take advantage of that!" Louisa scanned the room, "Will one of you make our fourth?"

"I had hoped to take a walk. I hope that does not offend," Lizzy apologized, "I am afraid I do not have the patience for cards right now."

"I will join you, for I do not have the energy for a walk!" Mary laughed.

"A walk sounds delightful," Fitzwilliam rose. But I will keep in mind a hand of cards for some later time. Perhaps when the ladies are not present. It would not do to humiliate him in front of them. "What say you, Darcy? I have never known you to refuse a turn about the grounds."

"If you insist." A soft smile belied his gruff sounding words.

"Since you do not need a fifth, I suppose a tour of the garden is in my future as well," Jane carefully placed her dishes on the sideboard.

Not long after Elizabeth and Darcy discovered themselves well ahead of their more leisurely companions. He could not help but notice the way Lizzy wrung her hands as they made their way down the sandy path.

"Please forgive me if I am too forward, Miss Elizabeth, but you seem to be quite distressed this afternoon. Is there something I might do for your present relief? Would you like to return to the house? Perhaps we should find a bench for you to rest?"

"That is very kind of you, sir, but I fear it is your forgiveness I must ask." She paused midstride. "I am afraid my actions this morning do not reflect well upon my family." She blushed furiously. "My mother has always warned me that my mischievous ways would be the downfall of me. I fear that this morning, I have taken my penchant for enjoying the absurd too far."

Bradley was indeed correct, at least about her concerns. "I am not so certain I agree with you."

"How is that, sir?"

"I believe my mother would have been apt to do the same thing herself." He laughed at the thought. "I have not told you much about my mother, have I?"

She shook her head and allowed him to place her hand in the crook of his arm. She sighed at the warmth of his nearness.

"My mother was a rather unconventional woman. Although she was born to the highest circles, she cared little for society. Her greatest joy, outside of her family, was the role of mistress of Pemberley. She loved the estate and its people. She held in the greatest disdain women like, forgive my bluntness, Miss Caroline, who only saw their estates as a means to a lifestyle." They walked several steps in silence. "I believe she would have whole-heartedly approved of the lesson you provided Bingley's sister today. I believe that Mrs. Cooperton would say the same thing. Though too much of a lady to remark upon it directly, I believe she found her time with Miss Caroline to be rather challenging."

Elizabeth quietly considered his words. "I am all astonishment, sir. I was quite certain of your censure," her voice broke uncertainly.

Darcy stopped again, to stand before her. She looked away from him, but with a finger under her chin, he guided her to look up at him. "I do not believe I could ever censure you, Miss Elizabeth."

Hesitantly at first, she looked into his eyes, her heart fluttering at what she saw in their depths. It is as if he speaks more with his eyes than his words. I shall indeed regret his removal to Pemberley. Her eyes misted at the thought.

"What is that sadness in your fine eyes?" he asked very softly. I wonder if she can hear my heart as loudly as I do.

She hesitated for a moment, but could not deny him an honest answer. "I…I shall miss these walks when you return to Pemberley."

His face softened as he sighed. "I have no plan to return there soon."

Blinking back the moisture from her eyes, she smiled weakly. I have said far too much.

Gathering his courage, he drew a deep breath. "When I return to Pemberley, after your father is sufficiently recovered to manage Longbourn once again, I… I… I do not wish to return alone." He watched as an enchanting little crease formed between her brows. "It seems you do not understand my meaning."

"I am afraid that I do not," she replied breathily, but the light in her eyes suggested that she in fact did.

"I believe I am hearing another one of your small falsehoods, Miss Elizabeth." He smiled brilliantly.

He is so handsome! I have never seen a man smile like that before! Her heart pounded in her throat.

"But you deserve to hear my intentions declared as clearly as I feel them. I think from the very first moment I saw you in the woods, I hoped you might be the companion of my future life. I have never been interested in the first circles of the Ton. Like my parents before me, I love Pemberley, and could not think of a life apart from it. I hope you might consider a future life as mistress of an estate somewhat larger than Longbourn."

Her smile immediately gave him her answer, but her eyes twinkled teasingly. "So you are looking to replace your housekeeper? You did not tell me that Mrs. Reynolds was to be leaving you."

There will never be a dull moment with you, will there? "I am not so certain that I should continue to encourage this penchant you have to willfully misunderstand me!" he huffed playfully.

"I believe that someone must tease you, sir. Has not your Mr. Bradley warned you that you are too serious for your years?"

"Indeed he has, but surely you understand that my housekeeper has not the privilege of teasing the master of Pemberley. Only one much closer to me can claim that license." His voice dropped to a breathy whisper.

Her breath hitched as she gazed into his eyes. The teasing glint left her expression, replaced by a deep warmth and affection, "I would be very pleased to consider such a future. With you."

He released a breath he did not realize he was holding. "I shall speak to your father…" His brows suddenly knit in distress.

"What is wrong?" she gasped.

"I hope it does not appear to your father that I have offered to assist him with Longbourn having any ulterior motive in mind. I do not wish him to feel…"

"Have no concern, sir. I believe I know my father well enough to be able to assure you that he would never encourage any of us to marry against our wishes. He would not sell any one of us off to Longbourn's heir for the sake of providing a secure future for us all. He will not buy your help with…"

"…your hand?" he finished for her hopefully.

"With a courtship," she winked playfully. "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven*."

"Indeed, madam, there is." Unable to contain his smile, he took her hand and pressed it to his lips.

*Eccl 3:1