Page 164 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Bingley regarded him with amusement. “You were decidedly less enthusiastic when I first mentioned the place.”

Darcy’s face colored. “I am not enthusiastic, Charles. I am simply willing to accompany you and tomorrow happens to be convenient.”

The following morning, they left London shortly after breakfast.

They reached Netherfield before eleven and spent the remainder of the day with the agent and steward. Bingley's enthusiasm survived the first inspection of the house and increased when they began examining the land.

Darcy was less easily satisfied.

He questioned the steward about drainage, tenants, repairs, the condition of the cottages, and the yield of the farms. By late afternoon, Bingley had ceased pretending to be interested in every answer and allowed Darcy to conduct most of the inquiry.

“You realize I mean only to lease the place,” Bingley said as they crossed one of the fields.

“I do.”

“One would think I had proposed purchasing half of Hertfordshire.”

“If you intend to live here, you should know what you are taking on.”

“I intend to shoot, dine with my neighbors, give an occasional ball, and discover whether Hertfordshire society is tolerable.”

“Then I suggest you first determine whether the roof leaks.”

Bingley laughed. “This is why I brought you.”

They spent the night at an inn and returned to Netherfield early the following morning. Darcy rode the boundaries with the steward while Bingley examined the stables and several outbuildings with the agent.

When they met again near the house, Bingley appeared more pleased than ever.

“I can find nothing to dislike.”

Darcy dismounted and handed his reins to a groom. “There are several matters I would want clarified before you sign anything, but I have found no reason to advise you against the lease.”

Bingley's face brightened. “Excellent. Then we may finish early and return to London.”

“Not quite. I want to speak with one or two neighboring landowners before we leave.”

Bingley looked toward the house. “Can the steward not tell us whatever we need to know?”

“The steward is employed by the owner.”

“Ah. You suspect him of concealing a collapsing roof.”

“I suspect him of wishing the estate to be let.”

The steward joined them a few minutes later, and Darcy asked which gentlemen in the neighborhood had estates adjoining or situated near Netherfield.

“There are several, Mr. Darcy. Sir William Lucas is at Lucas Lodge, and Mr. Bennet's estate at Longbourn lies quite near. The families have been in the neighborhood for many years.”

Darcy kept his attention upon the steward.

“Which would you recommend?”

“Mr. Bennet, I should think. Longbourn has been in his family for generations. He would know anything worth knowing about Netherfield and the surrounding land.”

Bingley glanced at Darcy. “Then let us call upon Mr. Bennet.”

Darcy picked up his gloves. “Thank you, sir. Would you direct us to Longbourn? We would like Mr. Bennet’s opinion of Netherfield before Mr. Bingley makes his decision.”