Congratulations broke out across the tables as people congratulated both Mr Collins and Mary on their good fortune. Miss Mary Bennet’s future husband was considered slightly tedious by some of the locals, but it was obvious that he was well-meaning and had a great desire to be liked and learn everything he could in preparation of being a gentleman someday. Miss Mary had, since receiving honest attentions from a kind man, blossomed, and was a great deal less pedantic and a great deal more likeable. The neighbourhood was happy for them both.
The following morning,the ladies of Netherfield and Lucas Lodge called upon Longbourn, and they had their usual natter. Caroline and Louisa were obliged to attend by Mr Bingley andMr Hurst, because the men were determined that the ladies should learn to be polite in company. Lydia was permitted to sit with the younger girls under her mother’s supervision. She, Kitty, Maria, and Georgiana trimmed bonnets at a table by the window while the other ladies first discussed the previous evening with relish. Jane, Lizzy, Priscilla, and Charlotte made up their own little group, and Anne and Mary were discussing something quietly in a corner. When they had exhausted the topic of the dinner, they then discussed their plans for the upcoming festive season.
Lord and Lady Matlock were planning to visit their estate in Derbyshire for the holidays, and then return to London. Darcy and Georgiana would stay at Netherfield for the festive season and the winter, so that Darcy and Elizabeth might continue to get to know one another. A trip to London after Christmas was discussed by the gentlemen and the ladies, and it was decided that if Aunt Madeleine and Uncle Gardiner were amenable, Jane and Elizabeth might go to London to visit their relations for a month when they returned to town after Twelfth Night. Darcy and Bingley would stay at Darcy House, and those conducting courtships could enjoy the excitement of the city. The theatre and opera would be visited, as well as Vauxhall and the museums. Depending on how prepared Mr Collins felt to take over his new parish, Mary and Mr Collins might accompany them for two weeks, to have a bit of an adventure before he settled down in his new role.
Lady Priscilla voiced a desire to remain at Netherfield when her parents left for Matlock, so she might enjoy the company of Georgiana and her new friends. Darcy and Georgiana must travel north in the spring, to see to the tenants and the spring planting, and Lady Priscilla would go with them and return to Matlock then, for Lord Matlock would briefly return to Derbyshire to see to Matlock’s spring planting. Georgiana was tobe a guest of Lady Matlock at Brighton in the summer. Elizabeth was invited by Georgiana and Lady Matlock to join them, and Darcy would arrive at the seaside when he was at liberty to do so. Colonel Fitzwilliam had just this morning been summoned for his special assignment. No one knew where he would be going, but he had said he did not believe his mission would take him outside of England on this occasion. He was leaving the following day.
Lady Catherine announced that Mr Bingley had invited her to remain at Netherfield for the duration of Darcy’s visit, for she still feared for Anne’s safety as her own health weakened from her condition. So far it was progressing very slowly, and though it was painful, Lady Catherine thought she still had some months left, perhaps even more than the doctor had originally thought, for she still had energy for her daily activities. She would journey home to Rosings before her health became so weak that she could no longer do so.
Lady Catherine looked at Caroline Bingley after she had related this to the other ladies, and said, “I will take this matter with you in hand before I go, Miss Bingley.”
“I beg your pardon?” said Miss Bingley.
“My character has ever been celebrated for its sincerity and frankness, and in a cause of such a moment as this, I will not part from it. Here and now, in front of every lady who has been obliged to watch you force your society upon my nephew, a man who has not the slightest interest in you, in a most unseemly manner, I am telling you. Miss Bingley, every lady present, those who know Darcy well, and even those who know him little, will agree that it is obvious that he will never offer for you. It is high time that you give up your unbecoming display.”
Caroline went white as Mrs Bennet, Lady Matlock, and even Mariah Lucas nodded their agreement. Her mouth worked for a moment, and before she was able to move past her shock andup to a scream of outrage, Lady Catherine spoke again. “Miss Bingley, just because my nephew is never going to bed you, does not mean you cannot still benefit from the connection. If the courtships of Darcy and your brother reach their natural conclusion, then you will be sister, after a fashion, to Mr and Mrs Darcy. This can only throw you into the path of other rich men, even titled ones. You are not unattractive, and I am told your dowry is quite tolerable, if not quite the equal of those of my daughter or nieces. It is only your character and behaviour that is lacking. The women in our family have agreed that if you will be connected to us, that it is our responsibility to see your address and comportment set to rights, and that you are one day well-settled, so that you are not an embarrassment to us. You might try looking at the woman Mr Darcy is courting, and attempt to determine what it is that makes her so worthy. The same with the lady your brother courts. If you can possibly learn your place, to speak intelligently, and learn the duties of the mistress of an estate with distinction, there is every chance that you will gain the attention of someone worthy who is connected to us. There are other rich and well connected men than my nephew.”
Miss Bingley was speechless that the older woman had the audacity to speak to her thus, and in front of all of these country mushrooms no less! Lady Catherine took her muteness for acquiescence, and continued. “You will spend your time with me and my niece Lady Priscilla during the rest of my time here in Meryton. You will learn how to behave amongst those of rank – do not interrupt me girl, I say you donotknow how to behave among those of rank – and you will also learn how to dress like a woman of rank, and what colours suit you, for it is obvious that you are quite colour blind. You will learn how to properly care for an estate. Mrs Hurst, you are not quite as offensive as your sister, but you may attend us if you wish. I am certain that youcould be improved as well. Miss Bingley, If I am not content with your progress before I return to Kent, then you will accompany me to continue your education when I go. I will not leave this earth until you are a credit to us all. I insist upon it!” The lady pounded her cane on the floor as she spoke for emphasis.
Then she turned to Lydia. “I can see that your mother is taking you in hand, girl, and not a moment too soon, I hear. Learn what is expected of you, so that you might join the other young ladies, and relish the delights that those who are rewarded for their good sense enjoy. Otherwise, you might find yourself travelling into Kent with Miss Bingley to be educated by me on my deathbed.”
Caroline and Lydia both looked around the room, horrified at being spoken to thus in company, but it was obvious that none of the other ladies objected to how they were being treated. Lady Matlock looked positively forbidding, as did Lady Priscilla. Mrs Bennet regarded Lydia sternly, and the girl dared not respond, only ducking her head in acknowledgement. The other young ladies, the Bennets, Lucases, and even Georgiana, looked at them with kindness, but made no objections or attempted to defend them in any way. The two young women, feeling outnumbered, were silent.
CHAPTER 21
Longbourn,
April 1812
“Oh dear,”Elizabeth said at breakfast. “Our summer is ruined!” Her father had just passed her a letter from Lady Priscilla. “Lord Matlock has been thrown from his horse, and broken his leg! The doctor says that it is a terrible break, and that two months may not be sufficient for his healing. The Matlocks will not journey to Brighton this summer.”
“Do not worry, Lizzy.” Her father smiled at her. “I am certain your suitor will journey to spend the summer with you in Meryton.”
“I am certain that he will, but it is still a shame. Poor Lord Matlock,” Elizabeth replied.
“Perhaps being under your mother’s nose this summer will inspire the two of you to finally come to an understanding with your gentleman friends,” Mr Bennet teased. “You and Jane have tried her nerves sorely these months. It is a good thing Mary is engaged, or Mrs Bennet would have expired of anticipation before St Valentine’s Day.”
“There is no excuse to drag out a courtship in such an abominable manner!” cried Mrs Bennet. “Especially you, Jane; Mr Bingley has not been in the north all spring like Mr Darcy has. The two of you ought to have come to an understanding by now!”
“I will be certain before I commit myself, Mama,” said Jane serenely. “Mr Bingley feels the same. He has confessed to me that he fell in and out of love quickly, and often, in town. He wants to be certain that what we feel for one another is abiding, and I agree.”
“Oh, pish!” Mrs Bennet said.
“I believe it is eminently sensible,” said Kitty. “I should like it very ill if I were to be married, and my husband fell in love with another angel the very next time we went to town.”
“Which is why I consider it fate, that when Mr Bingley travels to Kent to retrieve Miss Bingley in two weeks, he shall detour to London and spend a fortnight there before returning.” Jane replied to her sister. “Miss Bingley is excited to try out her new manners in society, and he is to escort her to some entertainments and visit Mr and Mrs Hurst before returning to Netherfield. Now that Lady Catherine and Anne both vouch for Caroline’s behaviour, Lady Matlock has sent a note to a very select few of her friends, asking that the Bingleys and the Hursts be added to their invitation lists. Her society will still be limited, of course, until either someone else in London takes a shine to her and adds their support, or until Lady Matlock has been to London to judge Caroline’s reception herself, when she will decide whether to introduce her to more of their acquaintances.”
“Have you lost your senses! Jane Bennet, how could you be so foolish! You must travel to visit your aunt while Mr Bingley is in town, you must not let him forget you! What if he meets some nobleman’s daughter from one of these new invitations?”
“If he is to forget me so easily, then the sooner the better, I think,” responded Jane, unruffled. “Of course, if his affectionsdidprove to be unreliable, I will not lie and say that I would not be devastated, for I believe wehavecourted long enough for me to admit that my hopes are very high. I amcertainthat I can trustallof you not to repeat that.” She eyed her mother with a rather stern expression for Jane. “But still, Mr Bingley has admitted himself to be capricious in the past. It speaks well of him that he wishes to know his heart and mine well before we commit ourselves. I will not go to London. I will remain here in Meryton, and assist Mary in her efforts on the parsonage.”
“Brava, Jane.” Elizabeth smiled at her sister. Jane had finally learned that the trick to escaping her mother’s endless speculation about her feelings and affairs among the other ladies of society, was to be open with her, and thendemandher confidence. Mrs Bennet, grateful to have the knowledge that Jane very muchwantedto be married, and was encouraging a gentleman in her own way, allowed that to be enough, and interfered less in her courtship. Elizabeth had convinced her mother that while Mr Bingley was a prize, that even if Jane did not marry him, it wasimpossiblethat she would not wed. Elizabeth assured her mother that she had always been correct. Janecould notbe so beautifulnorso good and kind for nothing. It was unthinkable that some man would not see her worthiness. And now that Mary was to wed Mr Collins, they had no fear of the hedgerows. These thoughts calmed Mrs Bennet greatly, and she fussed a great deal less.
“AndIshall be very grateful for Jane’s help. It was so very kind of my godfather to offer to redecorate the entire parsonage before our wedding,” said Mary. “William and I appreciate it so much, for little had been done to it since before Mr Babcock arrived, and he has been here over forty years.” Mary’s godfather refused to allow her to move into a shabby parsonage. Sir Henryhad set up an account for her at Uncle Gardiner’s warehouse, and Mary had been given leave to refurnish the parsonage from Netherfield’s attics. A great deal of time had been spent selecting samples of fabrics with her sisters, and an adventure to search the attics in question had been planned for the following week, with Mr Bingley’s blessing. They would not go to excess, a clergyman’s home should be modest, but the wall coverings, fabrics, and furnishings would be of good quality, and give the impression of gentility. Sir Henry had even insisted that a very small pianoforte from a back parlour of Netherfield be moved to the parsonage for Mary. Her playing still suffered. Even after working diligently with Georgiana for months, her playing had not improved very much, but she still loved to practise every day; it brought her great peace. Thankfully, William had not much of an ear for tune, and he enjoyed hearing Mary play no matter how she sounded.
“Hullo, cousins!” greeted William Bennet as he entered their breakfast room. Mr Collins had learnt shortly after his betrothal to Mary that in order to take his inheritance upon the death of Mr Bennet, he must return to the Bennet name, which his grandfather had parted from when he married a woman with property. That property had been lost to bad debts, and his father had always been bitter about it. Instead of expecting Mary to change her name to Collins upon her marriage, and then back to Bennet upon the death of her father, he had officially changed his last name to Bennet before taking his place as rector in January.
“Hello Cousin William!” The Bennet ladies chorused as he took a seat next to Mary, a seat which was always kept for him, for he joined the family often. “Hello, my dear, you look radiant this morning,” he said to Mary, as he smiled at the rest of his cousins. “As do you all, ladies.”
