Even though the late Mr Collins was no longer your heir, as the only family I am aware he had, I thought it prudent to notify you.
Yours,
Charlotte Collins
“I am pleased she told me not to set off for Hunsford. If not, I would have asked to be taken to Charlotte as soon as we arrived in London,” Elizabeth shared. She smiled. “I am happy for her that the officious and presumptuous Lady Catherine has not been trying to offer herexpertadvice.”
“It is sad when anyone passes on, especially in Mr Collins’s case. Unless his widow is with child, and it is a son, the Collins line is at an end,” Bennet observed. “It is time for you two to go; the coachman wanted todepart some minutes ago.”
Bennet hugged each of his two eldest daughters, escorted them to the carriage, and handed them in himself. Once he said another farewell to Mary and Kitty, Bennet nodded to the coachman.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Bingley was sitting down to break his fast at Hurst House when the butler handed him a note. He recognised Darcy’s script. Before his younger sister entered the dining parlour and wanted to know what the subject of the missive was, Bingley broke the Darcy seal and read.
11 May 1812
Darcy House
Bingley,
Meet me at White’s at 1 o’clock this afternoon.
I will be in the private parlour I always use; there is much we need to discuss.
I arrived in London on Saturday the 9th. I was not pleased to be told about your sister beating her parasol on my front door when the knocker is down. That is one of the many things we need to discuss.
Let me be very clear. If we are to remain friends, then you will honour the following: unless your sisters and Hurst are specifically invited, an invitation to you does not include them. Please make sure that Miss Bingley understands that neither my sister nor I will be at home to her if she arrives uninvited.
I will see you later at the club.
Darcy
This was a summons and not an invitation, and itworried Bingley. At least, Darcy stated his aim was to preserve their friendship.
He had just placed the note in his pocket when his sister entered the dining parlour and helped herself to some of the items on the sideboard before pointing at her teacup for the footman to pour for her.
“When will we see Mr Darcy? The lack of invitations to events with those at our level of society is unconscionable. This is not to be borne,” Miss Bingley whinged.
“I am sure I will hear from Darcy soon,” Bingley dissembled. Until he met with Darcy, he would not mention anything to his younger sister.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As she had paid the rider a bonus to deliver the missive to her parents on Sunday, Charlotte was not surprised when the Lucas carriage was drawn to a halt in the drive outside of the parsonage on Monday, not long after midday.
On alighting, Sir William kissed Charlotte’s forehead.
“Charlotte, my dear girl, are you well? So young to be a widow,” Lady Lucas stated as she took her daughter’s arm. “I did not know you had black gowns.”
“One has been dyed. I will worry about more if I need them once we are back at Lucas Lodge. Thank you both for coming so fast,” Charlotte stated gratefully. “If you want to pay your respects to my late husband, he is in repose in the study.” As she spoke, she thought about the irony of her mother’s statement about her age and widowhood. Her mother used to go on about how old Charlotte was to not yet be married.
“Bennet told me of the change to the entail. I was composing a letter to you when your express arrived,” Sir William revealed. “What a way toend one’s life, choking on food, but then again, if it was to happen to any, it would be my late son-in-law.”
Before they reached the parsonage’s front door, one of the de Bourgh carriages arrived. Lady Catherine was handed out, followed by Anne de Bourgh.
“Enough dilly-dallying, Mrs Collins, I need you to vacate this house because I have to appoint a replacement for your late husband,” Lady Catherine stated stridently. “I see your father is here. I assume this woman is your mother. It is well they arrived; they may assist you to move out of the house.”
“Lady Catherine, Mr Collins’s earthly remains are lying in repose within, and he will only be laid to rest on the morrow,” Charlotte pointed out.
