Nicholas waited for Fred and Whit to take their seats in the family box. Fred had not been pleased to be roused from sleep so early to attend church. He had assumed that with rustication in the country came an opportunity to ignore the responsibilities of Advent. That might be true when he was in Bath with his father, who only occasionally darkened the door of a church, but in Hertfordshire, while under the auspices of his brother, Fred would be rising for service — and so would any troublemaking friend he brought home with him. It was obvious to Nicholas that both gentlemen could benefit from some moral teaching. He greeted the Bennets as they entered and took their places a row ahead and across the aisle.
“Wickham was not exaggerating,” whispered Fred. “The younger ones are very pretty.”
Nicholas skewered his brother with a displeased look. “Not in church,” he growled close to his brother’s ear after he took his seat. “You are here for the scripture reading and sermon, not the young ladies.”
“I am merely enjoying the beauty that God provides,” Fred returned with a smirk.
Nicholas tugged at his jacket and cast a glance toward the Bennets’ box. There was certainly plenty of beauty seated there. His eyes rested on Mary. A certain curiosity about what her hair looked like without cap and pins had poked its way into his mind more than once since he had heard his brother’s exclamations about her beauty. He pulled his eyes away and leaned closer to his brother. “You may admire, but do try to keep your thoughts pure.”
Fred made a choking, coughing noise and surprise suffused his face.
“Is there a problem?” Nicholas asked, knowing full-well what his brother had found both shocking and amusing.
“No, no,” Fred managed with a shake of his head. “It is just that I had not thought that…”
“You had not thought I might consider a lady in such terms.” He shrugged. “It is not something I regularly do, but…” He opened his prayer book to the indicated page and nodded for his brother to do the same. It was a moment before Fred complied, for he seemed lost in thought as he looked at his brother with a new curiosity.
Many minutes later as the parson read his sermon, Fred’s curiosity overcame him, and he whispered, “Then why do you not marry? You have your inheritance.”
Nicholas shook his head and attempted to return his thoughts to the message, but his brother’s elbow poking his side made that rather difficult. Finally, after the fourth jab and the imploring look which accompanied it, Nicholas leaned toward his brother and whispered, “Money. You and Father like to spend my inheritance in such a style that a wife is not affordable. You get a curricle. Mother gets a new hat to please Father. Father buys a new book and a new set of clothes while ordering new furnishings. And I must give up my wife.” He raised a brow. “Now, please, pay attention.”
Whether his brother actually paid attention to the sermon or the prayers or the lighting of the candles, Nicholas was not certain. But what he did know was that Fred remained silent for the remainder of the service and was even a bit subdued as they rose to leave.
“Have you considered anyone in particular?” asked Fred as they exited the church.
“Pardon me?” Nicholas asked in surprise.
“Have you considered anyone for a wife?” Fred repeated, clarifying his meaning.
“There is no point in looking at horse if you cannot buy it,” said Nicholas. He would not tell his brother that he had surveyed the young ladies of Meryton three years ago and found a few who he had deemed companionable. However, he had not thought himself ready to settle down so soon after leaving school, and so had not pursued any in earnest. Then within a year of completing his schooling, Nicholas’ father had decided to retire to Bath, leaving Rosemoore with all its lands and finances to his son to manage. It was then that Nicholas had given up the thought of marrying altogether after reviewing the books. They were in shambles. There was money to be had, but it had not been managed as it should have been and debts had been acquired because of it.
It had only been in the last year that finances had become such that he had begun to see marriage as a possibility. However, it was only recently — he smiled — last Sunday to be precise — that he had even begun to entertain the notion of taking a wife sooner than planned. Mrs. Bennet had made him consider it when she put Kitty forward as a possibility.
He stopped and turned toward his brother as the thought of Mary crossed his mind, followed closely by the conversation he had overheard. “Your inheritance is not large,” he said, “so you will need to see yourself well-established before you take a wife for yourself.” He swallowed, for the thought of his brother marrying did not sit well. Fred was too young, and any lady, even the youngest Bennets, deserved better than a young scamp. “Rosemoore will only support you until you have completed your schooling or are dismissed without hope of return. Then, according to what Father has written, you must make your own way with your continued allowance, of course, and the use of the house in town, if you so choose.”
Fred smiled. “I shall be spending time with Father in Bath for a time before I take up my profession.”
Nicholas stepped closer to his brother and lowered his voice. “That all changes if you dally with a lady and end up forced to wed.” He glanced to where the Bennet daughters stood with their mother, who was talking once again in a shrill voice to Mrs. Long. “Once you have a wife, there will be additional expenses and children. You cannot pay your own bill to repair your curricle. How do you expect to support a family?”
“Father would not cut me off,” said Fred defiantly.
Nicholas raised his brows and shrugged. “Father might not, but I will.” He knew his father would likely protest, and Fred would not be allowed to be entirely cut off. But the idea of it being a possibility was enough, he hoped, to cause his brother to pause and consider his ways.
Shock once again spread across his brother’s face. “I will not be forced to wed.”
“See that you are not,” replied Nicholas. “If I cannot support a wife of my own, you know I will not support one for you.”
“I should be surprised if you could ever find a wife,” snapped Fred. “You are as much a curmudgeon as old Halward.” He turned to leave, but Nicholas grabbed his arm.
“Do not mistake me, Fred. I care for you as I do the rest of my family. I have placed my desires and wishes behind yours, but I will not continue to do so if you continue to act the fool. Actions have consequences.” He dropped Fred’s arm. “And not all of them are pleasant or suffered only by you. Consider that.”
Fred studied Nicholas’ face for a moment before giving a sharp nod of his head.
“Mr. Hammond,” Mr. Bennet approached Nicholas with a weary look. “My wife would like an introduction to your companions.”
Nicholas smiled. He knew exactly what Mrs. Bennet wished to know. “My younger brother, Fred,” Nicholas said with a wave of his hand in Fred’s direction. “Second son, small inheritance, studying the law and will one day have a brilliant practice if he applies himself to it.”
Mr. Bennet chuckled. “You know my wife well.”
Nicholas tipped his head in acknowledgment of the fact and continued, “Mr. Ethan Whittemore, first son, good inheritance, including an estate in Kent just an acre or two larger than Longbourn. Currently studying with my brother, and only faces a life in the navy if he continues to enjoy his time at school as much as he has been.”
Mr. Bennet’s brows rose, and a knowing smile curled his lips. “I had thought it early to be home from school.”
Both young men greeted Mr. Bennet sheepishly.
“My wife will see no fault in a bit of frivolity, gentlemen,” Mr. Bennet continued with a tone a bit more stern than Nicholas would have expected from the jovial gentlemen. “However, I am not as silly as my wife.” He bowed to Fred and Whit. “Hammond, you and yours are welcome to call at Longbourn as long as frivolity is not at play where my daughters are concerned.”
“Thank you, sir,” Nicholas replied as Mr. Bennet made a waving motion at his wife, and she, with three of her five daughters trailing behind, came to be introduced. Nicholas watched the introductions. They went nearly as he had expected. Miss Lydia and Miss Kitty fluttered, smiled and curtseyed as any debutante might, but Mary seemed to be strangely uneasy. Perhaps, she feared being made a fool again this Sunday. He tried to catch her eye, but she would not look at him.
Nicholas stood where he was, watching his brother and Whit wander away with the Bennets.
“I see your brother and his friend have been introduced to my sisters,” Elizabeth said after Darcy had greeted Nicholas.
“You have met my brother and Whit?” Nicholas asked in surprise.
Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed. “Mr. Darcy and I met them when they were out riding the other day.”
Nicholas’ brow rose just slightly. “So, Halward’s eyes are not so dim as he might claim. He told me that he saw them cross from his field to one of your father’s. Jumping a hedge, I believe he said.” He smiled at Elizabeth. “I have warned them off.” His eyes followed his brother, who was dividing his attention between Miss Kitty and Mary. His brows drew together. “Has Miss Mary injured her leg?” he asked.
“I beg your pardon?” said Elizabeth.
“She stumbled just there, and Fred caught her elbow.”
“She fell and wrenched her ankle,” said Darcy. “She insists it is healing well,” he added as Bingley and Jane, followed by Caroline, joined the group.
“Mr. Hammond,” greeted Bingley with an outstretched hand. “Miss Mary says you wish to speak to me about a field.”
Nicholas smiled. He had known she would help his cause. “I do. Would one day this week be convenient?”
“I am at Longbourn on the morrow, and then Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth will be at Netherfield on Tuesday. That might be the best day then.” Bingley turned to Caroline. “You can arrange tea for us all?”
Caroline smiled and dipped her head demurely while casting a glance toward Nicholas. “Indeed, I can. It is not so large a party. The ball was much larger and a great success.”
“Yes,” said Nicholas with what he hoped was a charming smile. He did not particularly like Miss Bingley and her machinations anymore than Mrs. Bennet’s. “I had heard it was. Estate business kept me from it, but for me, it is enough to hear about the event. I am not partial to balls or soirees, you see.” He hoped that would dissuade her pursuit.
Caroline blinked. “You would not say so if you had been to a ball such as we held. I dare say it was as good as, if not better than, any we have been invited to in town. Have you ever attended one in town? I assure you that they are much different from a country assembly.”
Nicholas nodded. “I have attended many, and although it has been several years ago now, I must say, I prefer our small assemblies to those crushes.” He shrugged. “But then, I do prefer the country. In fact, I would let the house in town go if it were not for my brother needing it when he begins his career.”
The horror of such a thought was clearly written on Caroline’s face. “Let the house in town go? To remain in the country?”
Nicholas nodded. “It is what I prefer.”
“Oh,” said Caroline. “I have never heard such a thing. I do apologize for my shock.”
“There is no need to apologize, Miss Bingley,” said Nicholas with a tone of compassion that he did not particularly feel. “I know I am a bit of an oddity, but there you have it.”
“It is not so odd,” said Darcy. “It is what I prefer, but things are such that I do not have the luxury of remaining in Derbyshire. My sister must have her education, and then, there is the matter of her come out.”
Nicholas smiled sympathetically. He was grateful that he had a younger brother and not a younger sister, for a younger brother could be left to make his way in society. “You will soon have help,” he smiled at Elizabeth. “That must be a comfort.”
“That I will.” Darcy’s face beamed with joy, and Nicholas felt a stab of jealousy, not because he wished to marry Elizabeth, but because he might never marry at all.
“Surely, Mr. Darcy,” said Caroline with a small giggle, “you cannot be serious. What does Miss Elizabeth know of town?”
“Enough,” said Bingley firmly. “She and Miss Bennet know enough and are not without the intelligence to learn whatever they may need to learn.”
Nicholas bit the insides of his cheeks. Darcy’s look of surprise at such a statement from his friend confirmed what Nicholas had thought of Bingley. Bingley was easy-going to a point, but beyond that, as any good businessman should be, he was immovable.
“And we will have Mary to assist as well,” said Elizabeth with a smile at Jane.
Nicholas blinked, his mind snapping back to the conversation as his eyes sought Mary before focusing on her sister, Elizabeth. “I beg your pardon?”
“We wish to see our sister have every opportunity to make a good match,” explained Jane.
“Indeed,” said Darcy. “And I believe, Miss Mary will be a good friend for Georgiana.”
“Miss Mary will be staying with you?” Nicholas could not imagine Mary in the throngs of people at London soirees. Mary barely tolerated the small soirees of Hertfordshire.
“Eventually,” said Darcy.
Nicholas’ brows drew together as he considered this information. “It makes sense, I suppose. Options are limited here.”
“Indeed,” said Caroline with a snort, earning her a glare from her brother.
“I wish her well,” said Nicholas with a forced smile. “I shall call on you on Tuesday, Mr. Bingley, although, I may see you at Longbourn tomorrow with my brother and Mr. Whittemore.” With a bow, he took his leave. A strange, unsettled feeling had taken up residence in his stomach. Mary would not do well in town, would she? Would there be gentlemen there who would willingly sit out from dancing and converse about agriculture and science? Or would they all be like his brother and be interested only in her charms?