Chapter 13
They were welcomed home warmly, most obviously by their father. Thou laconic in his expressions of pleasure, it was really clear he was glad to see them and to have the whole family back at Longbourn. After the family had all broken their fast the following morning. He cleared his throat, which had the affect he expected, and silenced the chatter at table.
“I wish to inform you all. And you in, particularly Mrs Benett. That I have invited my cousin, who is to inherit Longbourn on my death,” he said, and paused for the expected and received shriek of annoyance from their mother. He waited and thankfully she remained quiet. “There will be no protestations of his doing our family wrong, or any other nonsense,” Mr Bennet declared. “Neither,” he said, looking directly at their mother, “will there be any matchmaking with a gentleman who is residing in our home.”
“If he should express any interest in any of our girls. It will be only after he is no longer residing under our roof. Am I understood?” he asked his family. They all nodded. “Good,” he said and left the room. Elizabeth had noticed, as she was sure they all had, the changes in her father since the Prince Regent’s visit. He was much more inclined to put his foot down. Although, Elizabeth still wished he would be more forceful in doing so were her youngest sister were concerned.
He had not awaited any questions. He merely confirmed that the gentleman, a Mr Collins, was to arrive at Longbournon the morrow. After which he excused himself from table and took to his study, as was his wont.
Elizabeth knocked on the door of his study no more than half of an hour later. She stuck her head inside, and on seeing her face he directed her to enter. She sat on the bench by the window. A place which she had claimed as her own since childhood. Only then did she ask, “why have you invited Mr Collins, Papa?”
Her father touched his lips and then looked at her. She knew he thought of her as his favourite and most intelligent daughter. It was no secret in the family. She knew he had a reason for extending this invitation at this time. She wondered if he would confide in her.
“I won’t tell you all Lizzy,” he said.
She nodded.
“And that which I do tell you must remain with yourself alone,” he instructed.
“I understand,” Elizabeth said, her curiosity even more engaged.
“Not even Jane,” he explained.
“I promise,” Elizabeth vowed and her father nodded.
“I wish to draw my cousin’s character,” he said. “I wish to ascertain if he will be a good master to Longbourn.”
“That,” Lizzy said and paused, her brow furrowing. “That is well Papa, but for what reason?” she asked.
“That is a matter I am not willing to discuss at present,” he said, shaking his head. “You are an intelligent girl, and you may make of it what you wish.”
Elizabeth could see that her father would not be drawn further, so she nodded. She pushed the matter to the side for the rest of the day. It was not until she went to her bed that evening, that she allowed the reason to percolate in her brain. Everything, she thought, came down to the Prince Regent’svisit. Was it… Could it be possible that the Prince Regent had offered to break the entail? She knew that it was pointless to speculate as her father would not confirm her hypothesis. But if it were so, it would be a great thing for her family.
