C O N T E X T 1 2 6 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 45 was the decision to commence work taken? This is not what we agreed. Mary, you presume too much, and your scant self-education in the matter of historic buildings has rendered you unjustly confident of your own talents.We must adhere to the prudent counsel offered by Mr Bingley.’ At this declaration from her sister, Mary was clearly furious that her own hand would not be the controlling influence with regard to the works, and that her ambitions would in all likelihood be tempered by the moderating influence and sound judgement of Mr Bingley. She looked to her younger sisters for support. ‘Lydia and Kitty favour Mr Denny and MrWickham greatly and I am sure their approbation is well founded,’ she said. This statement, unfortunately, was just the display of encouragement required to embolden the younger Bennett girls. Both screamed with excitement and ran into the garden to admire the white carriage parked there.They accepted the offer of strong tea with four spoons of sugar from Denny andWickham with alacrity. Work started on the conversion works at Lambton in the face of Elizabeth’s opposition and Jane’s tender concern for the rash behaviour of her three younger sisters. Mr Bingley was forced to quit Netherfield and return to his office in town, as he appeared to have failed to retain the Bennett sisters as valued clients. As work proceeded however, it became apparent that Denny and Wickham were not the gentlemen they purported to be.Their work was shoddy, the control of their labourers was scant, and the house was filled with the most upsetting ribald songs and ungentlemanly pursuits such as slouching in front of the ladies and unconstrained laughter. Elizabeth realised she had been gravely mistaken in her prejudice against Mr Darcy and she realised she should have taken the advice of Mr Bingley. Her younger sisters had pressed her towards a situation which was becoming increasingly intolerable. She drew her sister Jane to one side and explained that they had to take matters into their own hands. ‘Jane, this goes not at all well.The house is full of ill-educated brutes who care nothing for the house, its significance or our modesty.We should have seen through the natural reserve of a gentleman of Mr Bingley’s character, and we should have retained his services. Furthermore I should have recognised Mr Darcy’s aloof manner for a natural reticence and professionalism, rather than pride in his title and position.We should not have allowed Mary to continue on this path of reckless project management. I am sad to conclude that Lydia and Kitty lack the maturity to discern what constitutes an appropriate liaison with a builder or craftsman.’ Elizabeth looked up at the noise created by the builders’ dogs to see Mr Darcy striding across the lawns towards the house. He had never looked more capable, professional or benevolent. He stopped in front of them. ‘My apologies, Miss Bennett, Miss Elizabeth,’ he said. ‘I should have realised sooner your lack of professional advice in this matter, and that Denny andWickham were cads, and would ruin your plasterwork and rare interiors as well as your reputations. I have come ahead of Bingley, who is following in the chaise. He and I are both at your disposal, and are here to help you decide the most appropriate way to subdivide the house to render it useful to you and retain its special interest.’ Elizabeth felt suddenly as though the strains of the last few days had been lifted from her shoulders. ‘Oh, Mr Darcy, I am so grateful.What would we do without you and Pemberley Council? And here is Mr Bingley coming up the driveway! What is he carrying?’ ‘Miss Elizabeth, I hope you forgive my presumption. I have advised him what is required for your application and your future management of the estate. He has the floor plans prepared already and the heritage statement in draft for your approval. I hope you concur that this is the most appropriate course. It is my considered opinion that this will secure your successful transformation of the house.’ ‘Oh, Mr Darcy, you are a paragon! And why do you look so attractive today?’ ‘Apologies, Miss Elizabeth. I fell into the pond as I crossed the fields from Meryton. My shirt seems stuck to my manly torso.’ Jo Evans, chair@ihbc.org.uk (with apologies to Jane Austen and my English Literature teachers)
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