I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologise for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends, but of this hereafter.
If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family on Wednesday, the 24th day of October of this year, at precisely 4 o’clock. My patroness demands punctuality, which is why I will be neither early nor late. I shall probably trespass on your hospitality until the Thursday following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lady Catherine is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that an acceptable curate is engaged to do the duty of the day.
I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend,
William Collins
A second reading had not changed any of the words. It seemed his distant cousin used ten words when one would do. Never had Bennet read a letter so full of pomposity and servility all at the same time. It seemed his cousin believed being a clergyman elevated him above almost all in society, other than his most praised patroness.
As much as his wife would initially balk at his coming, if Bennet was correct that his amends were to marry one of his cousins, Mrs Bennet would soon welcome the heir presumptive to Longbourn. As much as the man would entertain Bennet, he was resolved that none of his daughters would be forced to accept the clergyman if he offered for one of them and they refused him.
When considering the timing of the disclosure to his wife, Bennet decided he would inform her at least a sennight before the olive branch bearing man was to arrive. He liked to be entertained, but not at the cost of being cruel to his wife.
Bennet pulled a sheet of paper from the pages on his desk. He sharpened his pen, dipped it into the bottle of ink, allowed the excess drops to fall back into the bottle and began to scribe.
10 October 1810
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
He paused as he rejected his idea to poke fun at the man by listing the towns and estates Longbourn was near. Rather than realising he was being made fun of, Bennet was sure his cousin, with his limited capacity for independent thought, would not understand the jest.
Mr Collins,
I thank you for your most enlightening missive dated 8 October.
It is an admirable sentiment to want to make peace and offer amends. Please know I hold no animus towards you for your being the heir presumptive of this estate. It was neither you nor I who chose to create the entail, therefore, you have no more guilt than I on this subject.
As far as I am aware, there is no reason you will not be able to be received at this estate on the date you mentioned. If you are a few minutes early or late, I vow not to write to Lady Catherine de Bourgh and report such to her.
If, for some unforeseen reason, something occurs which causes me to rescind my permission for you to visit, I will send you an express with suggested dates for a future visit.
Sincerely, your cousin,
Thomas Bennet
Happy his letter poked a little fun at his cousin, while not overtly or with a heavy hand, Bennet was satisfied and sealed the missive, wrote the direction, and then summoned Hill to collect it and any other correspondence waiting to be posted.
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Once Colonel Forster and his three officers had secured the land needed for the encampment and quarters for the officers’ accommodations for the regiment of militia which was to arrive on the sixteenth of the month, the colonel had sent for more officers and soldiers to make sure all was prepared.
As a way to become known to the men of the neighbourhood, Forster decided to take one of Miss Elizabeth’s suggestions to heart, and hold a dinner at the Red Lion Inn for all of the gentlemen of the area, to both engender goodwill, and meet as many of them as possible. The dinner was to beheld on Monday, the day before the rest of his regiment was to arrive. He had his officers ride to all local estates to invite the men of the house to join them. Bennet agreed to attend, as did all three men residing at Netherfield Park.
The same day the invitation was accepted by the men of Netherfield Park, Miss Bingley decided she would invite Miss Jane Bennet to dinner to be held while the men were from the house. She was desperate to discover any negative information about the Bennets—so far, much to her chagrin, she had discovered nothing of note, and this was an ideal opportunity for her to do so.
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When the invitation, written on pink pressed and scented paper, arrived addressed to her eldest daughter, Fanny grabbed it and read it before Jane was able to do so.
“You will attend, of course,” Fanny enthused before she handed the letter over to Jane. “I am sure this is a compliment to you from Mr Bingley. He must have instructed his sister to invite you to Netherfield Park so you can view your future home, and begin to decide how to redecorate it.” Fanny paused to take a breath. “Do not make decisions without my advice, I know the best warehouses to use.”
“Mama, I am sure it is only for me to get to know Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley. Did you miss how she said they do not like to be left alone? I may not even see Mr Bingley as he will be at the same dinner as Papa,” Jane replied.
The last thing Jane said set Fanny about thinking how she could make sure her eldest, and most beautiful daughter would be able to remain at the leased estate and spend time with Mr Bingley.
Nothing immediately came to her, but Fanny was sure it would.
Chapter 5
