Within the hour, the apothecary and magistrate met with the widow in the back parlour of the house.
“Mr Kimmel and I agree that this is a clear case of accidental death. There is no sign of foul play, so I will not need to convene an inquest,” Lord Metcalfe explained. “Where will you want him interred?”
“I think here in Hunsford among his parishioners would be the best,” Charlotte replied. ‘As he always wanted to have his eternal slumber in Longbourn church’s cemetery with his fellow landed gentlemen, it is fitting he will be here among those he never served as he should have,’ Charlotte thought.
“In that case, I will contact the undertaker and have him come to see you so the arrangementsmay be made. If there is no curate, I am sure the rector at Metcalfe Hall’s church will do the duty,” Lord Metcalfe stated.
Soon enough, the men left, and Charlotte felt light and free, like she had before she made the wrong-headed decision to marry Mr Collins.
Her future was now her own.
Chapter 14
On Monday, the eleventh day of May, while the four eldest Bennet sisters were getting ready to enter the Bennet carriage, which would transport them to Gracechurch Street, an express arrived addressed to Mr Bennet.
Elizabeth was the one standing close to Mr Hill as he paid the rider. She would know that script anywhere; it was Charlotte’s. “Jane, why do you think that Charlotte would send an express to Papa?” Elizabeth asked as she reached her hand out to Mr Hill. “I will deliver that to my father.”
Hill gave a half bow and handed the missive to Miss Lizzy. He went back to supervising the trunks being lashed to the carriage.
“Could it be that it is about Uncle Franks letter, and as Papa informed Sir William of the changes, mayhap he wrote to inform Charlotte. Either way, I am coming with you,” Jane decided.
Although they would have liked to know what had caused Jane and Lizzy to return inside the house, Mary and Kitty remained next to the carriage.
After a knock and being bade to enter the study, Jane and Elizabeth did so.
“I thought you were about to depart for London; did we not say our farewells already?” Bennet asked confusedly.
“We were about to depart when an express rider arrived.If I had not recognised Charlotte’s hand as the writer, I would not have returned to your study. As it is addressed to you, I wanted to make sure all was well with our best friend.” Elizabeth inclined her head to include Jane as well.
“Very well, hand it to me.” Bennet extended his hand. His second youngest handed the epistle to him. He broke the seal and read. His eyebrows shot up as he did. “You may read it,” Bennet stated as he passed the page back.
Jane and Elizabeth sat on the sofa between the windows opposite their father’s desk. Jane held the missive so they could both read it.
9 May 1812
The Parsonage
Hunsford
Mr Bennet:
Please excuse the liberty I take in writing to you.
The information contained in Mr Phillips’s letter regarding my husband being ineligible to inherit Longbourn arrived earlier today. As you can imagine, the news did not please Mr Collins.
I did not see him until it was too late, so I am not sure what the events were which led to his death, but my husband is no longer in the mortal world. According to the apothecary, he choked on some biscuits he was eating.
I will be leaving here as soon as may be, so please do not have either or both, Jane and Eliza, rush here to join me. I am, and will be well, so I ask that you do not change any plans you may have. I expect my parents to arrive on Monday, or at the latest Tuesday.
As I am no longer married to the rector of the Hunsford parish, I intend to vacate this house as soon as may be.
My late husband will be interred in the cemetery of the church where he used to minister. The service will be conducted on Tuesday morning by the curate who would stand in when the late Mr Collins was away.
As of the writing of this letter, I have not heard from Lady Catherine. I am not repining no longer being the recipient of her advice.
Due to the fact that I will not be mourning in the society of those who knew me as the parson’s wife here in Kent, my plan is to have a much shorter mourning period.
Please let Jane and Eliza know there is much to tell, which I will when we see one another again.
