Lady Elaine nodded her agreement. “I will have names of potential companions for Giana to you two boys before we depart London,” she promised.
Darcy knew he had been incredibly lucky to escape his aunt’s and uncle’s censure relatively unscathed. It made him even more determined to mend his ways. If only he had not committed to join Bingley in Hertfordshire.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Charles Bingley was well pleased when he received the note from Mr Phillips inviting him to come sign the lease, for which he had been approved.
He decided to ride to Meryton and not bother Darcy. Mr Phillips urged Bingley to read every word in the contract, but Bingley was too keen to sign. He would be able to move in soon after Michaelmas on the first day in October.
Chapter 13
“Aunt Elaine, Uncle Reggie, and Rich, it is particularly good to see all of you. Welcome to Longbourn. You missed Mama and Papa by a few days,” Becca related as she ushered their family members into the house.
“Thank you, Goddaughter; it is always good to spend time with you, Thomas, and the children,” Lady Elaine replied. “We are aware Anna and William are already at Chatsworth. After a fortnight at Snowhaven, Reggie and I will join them for a month or so. Are you and your family not travelling north?”
“Not this year, as we are preparing for Mary’s coming out.” Becca turned to her young cousin. “Rich, how long do you have away from your regiment?”
“Given how little of my holiday time I have used since I have been in the army, I have a three month break now,” Richard informed his cousin. He did not mention that he had also taken the month of November so he would be available to attend Mary’s coming out ball and some of the fêtes following it.
It was a little past the middle of July, which meant that it was three weeks or less until the lady he was interested in would turn eighteen. He looked around and saw none of his cousins.
Understanding who he was looking for, Becca smiled. “Our six are out riding with some others from the neighbourhood. With their normal escorts, of course.”
When the friends in the neighbourhood were first acquainted with the two enormous guards, most had been intimidated. Over the months since Biggs, Johns, and the other footmen-guards had been at Longbourn, those who used to be intimidated, learnt that if they behaved in a nonthreatening way towards any of the Bennet siblings, the men were harmless.
“Mrs Hill will show you to your chambers. After you have washed and changed, Mother, Thomas, and I will be in the west drawing room. The children will return in the next hour or so,” Becca informed the Fitzwilliams. As soon as they had begun to climb the stairs, she made her way to the study to inform Thomas of their family’s arrival.
Bennet was staring at a letter in his hand, shaking his head when his beloved entered the study. “You will not believe who has had the temerity to write to me,” Bennet stated as he stood to welcome his wife, as a husband who is besotted with his wife is wont to do.
After they had kissed, Becca made a guess. “Given your level of frustration, it must be from your distant cousin, William Collins. Before we discuss him, our aunt, uncle, and cousin arrived.”
“I am pleased they are here safely. I assume no Andrew yet?”
“No Thomas. Andy has not reached England’s shores yet. Jane will not be too disappointed as she is aware he might not arrive before October or November.”
“As to your surmise, yes, this is from Collins. Should we wait until later to read it? I knew I would need you at my side before I was ready to read hispearls of wisdom.” Bennet held up the as yet sealed missive.
“There is no time like the present. His last letter was not too pleasant when he was informed the entail was no more, so I am interested as to why he would send this now. Surely his delusions cannot be so great as to ignore the facts?” Becca looked at the return address. “He is living at the Hunsford Parsonage! That means that Catherine de Bourgh awarded him a living. Uncle Reggie will be extremely interested to hear about the type of man his sister preferred to the living, especially as I believe Anne de Bourgh is the rightful owner of Rosings Park.”
The two sat on the settee they shared in the study. With Becca’s head leaning on his shoulder, Bennet broke the seal, and they began to read.
15 July 1811
Hunsford Parsonage
Across the lane from the great estate of Rosings Park
Dear Sir,
The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured father always gave me much uneasiness, and ever since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach; but for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance.
Then your letter claiming you had broken the entail arrived, which also put me at variance with you. I now realise, with the help of my beneficent patroness, that you were only funning with me asshe states that the documents purportedly from the Court of Chancery are forgeries.
I received ordination at Easter, and since then I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be my earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her ladyship, and be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England.
Her Ladyship is all knowing and wise, which is how she immediately determined that it was a ruse to jest with me. She is never wrong and even condescends to write my sermons for me. She is so wise that when I report to her what I have learnt from my parishioners, she immediately sets off to dispense her excellent counsel.
Due to the fact you have not stolen my birthright, my mind is now made up on the subject. As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence, and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures are highly commendable, and that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive branch. I am willing to overlook your attempt to insert changelings into your family and claim theyare your sons. When I am master, as is my right by birth, I will allow them to be servants in my house.
