How kind of her.
“Your duties to your husband and the parish must be seen to. If you are weak and sickly, their needs will not be seen to as they should.”
Ah, there you have it.Jane almost laughed. She should have known Lady Catherine had an ulterior motive to see her healthy.
“Thank you for your condescension. May I ask that we keep this between ourselves until I have felt the quickening?”
“You can be assured of my discretion.” Lady Catherine waved her hand dismissively. “Return to the parsonage. I shall see you at supper this evening.”
Jane complied, standing and leaving the room as calmly as she could. She did not worry that Martha would say anything to her husband. The maid did not receive payment for informingMr. Collins of the goings on of his house. No, her ladyship alone commanded such interference.
If she tries to change my butcher order, I will not stand for it.Fortunately, Jane’s frugality already demanded that she purchase less expensive cuts of meat; otherwise, Lady Catherine might have done so already.
She returned to the parsonage in need of a lie-down, and she made her way to her chambers immediately. Mr. Collins had gone to the church before she departed for Rosings Park, and she did not expect him to return until tea.
She rolled over and closed her eyes, allowing sleep to claim her. An hour later, she awoke disoriented, a disjointed dream of Mr. Bingley dissipating with sleepiness.
She did not dream of him often, but when she did, her heart ached when she woke. She could not deny that she loved him still, though she was now tied to another. Oh, how she wished she carriedhischild and not Mr. Collins’s. Regardless, the love she felt for the tiny person she had within her grew daily, and she knew she would cherish her baby regardless of the identity of his or her father.
Mr. Bingley had abandoned her. Yes, her engagement to Mr. Collins had perhaps been premature, given the former’s recent departure, but when he did not appear during her short engagement, Jane’s doubts had solidified into resolve. He did not want her. He had played with her heart and then abandoned her for Miss Darcy. Or maybe another lady. Caroline—Miss Bingley had claimed her brother held a tendre for the heiress and Jane did not know if she could be believed. Elizabeth did not think so.
Regardless of her past feelings—or current ones—she had made her choice. She would search for joy, chase it if she needed to, and she would be the best mother to her son or daughter and a perfect wife for Mr. Collins. Jane knew shebrought him pleasure. Bumbling he may be, but her husband also had a sweet, romantic side that she loved. He brought her flowers from the garden and had tenderly nursed her through a bad cold in late January. Just yesterday, he had brought her a fine handkerchief trimmed in lace that he had found in one of Hunsford’s shops. For all his faults, Mr. Collins cared about his wife and saw to her comfort.
Elizabeth and Charlotte were waiting in the sitting room for tea, and a glance at the clock told Jane that Mr. Collins would arrive momentarily. He came when expected and spoke of his doings at the chapel. Elizabeth and Charlotte listened politely but did not speak, leaving her to respond to her husband’s remarks.
The simple fare satisfied the nausea she felt, leaving her desirous of some fresh air. Elizabeth and Charlotte agreed to a stroll, and the three spent the rest of their afternoon in each other’s company, walking to Hunsford, perusing the shops, and then seeing to their correspondence. Jane had a letter from Mrs. Bennet and read it with equal parts anticipation and dread. Her mother’s letters were rarely sensible.
Dear Mrs. Collins,
Oh, how well that sounds! I knew you could not be so beautiful for nothing. Of course, Mr. Collins is nothing to Mr. Bingley, but your situation is pleasing, nonetheless. You shall be mistress of Longbourn someday, and that is a fine thing indeed.
Are you with child yet? Sometimes the signs can be hard to read. If you believe you are, write to me and send it express. I am certain I can prevail upon your father to send me in the carriage when it is time for your lying in. You will want your mother there, at least the first time. A midwife would do just as well, but a lady needs her mama during such a trying time.
Did you try the potions I sent you? It is imperative that you bear Mr. Collins an heir. He will be most displeased if you do not. I remember your father’s disappointment when Mary was born. After two girls he expected a son. His disapproval grew with both Kitty and Lydia’s births, and I do not wish you to feel the same sting. Your son’s birth will end the entail, too, which is a grand notion. I must say, I would feel more secure if I knew the confounded thing was to be dissolved.
You have yet to describe Sir Andrew in great detail. You said he is a baronet. Is he of an age where he and Lizzy might suit? Push her at him and encourage her to form an attachment. She does not deserve to be the wife of a baronet, not after she refused Mr. Collins, but she must take every opportunity to secure her future. I am sure your husband will not want her to reside permanently in his house when he inherits Longbourn.
The thief of Meryton continues to pilfer valued items from rich households. His dire deeds have spread to other abodes. Tradesmen are reporting that their homes have been pillaged as well. It is always small items that are taken, never anything large. Most do not notice the items missing for some time, so there is no way to determine when things are being taken.
Longbourn has not suffered in some time, and I worry that we will not have a reprieve for long before we are all murdered in our beds and our valuables stripped from each room in the house. It brings me comfort to know that if we were to perish, you and Mr. Collins would inherit Longbourn.
Do write of Sir Andrew. He sounds like a perfect match for Elizabeth’s impertinence. If your sister does not marry soon, she will end up on the shelf like Charlotte Lucas. I will not have her in my house when your father dies, the ungrateful child. You have always been my most obliging daughter; you will not gainsay me in this.
Tell me more of Lady de Bourgh’s gown and accoutrements as well. She sounds very fashionable, even if she is elderly.
All my love, dearest Jane,
Mama
Jane sighed.Oh, Mama,she thought. Nonsensical as always, her letter still brought her comfort. She doubted the thief that roamed Meryton had a violent bent. He had robbed a number of homes and had not harmed anyone yet.
“My mother writes that Lucas Lodge has been burgled again,” Charlotte said. “Her pearls and sapphires have gone missing.”
“They have not caught the thief?” Elizabeth sounded surprised. “There is an entire militia encamped in Meryton!”
“The thief is either bold or foolish, then.” Charlotte folded her letter. “Has Longbourn had another incident?”
“Mrs. Bennet claims there has been none since the first.” Jane followed suit and folded her missive. “She believes they will all be murdered in their beds.”
