As the ladies were about to rise, there was a knock on the door, and then the Earl of Matlock and his two sons, Andrew and Richard, entered the drawing room. Introductions between those previously unknown to each other were duly performed.
The colonel was very pleased to reacquaint himself with Miss Elizabeth. ‘How arrogant she must think me. There I was trying to lower her expectations talking about needing money when she is richer than Croesus. I will have to make an apology to her.’ As he was thinking this, he looked at Jane Bennet for the first time, really looked at her. ‘My lord, this is the ‘undesirable connection’ that William warned Bingley away from? William was addled, and Bingley was the biggest fool alive to sit idly by and allow her to walk away. If I have not made too much of a fool of myself with her sister, perhaps she will want to get to know me?’ Richard’s chest filled with fearful hope.
“This is the slip of a girl that put the fear of God into William!” boomed the Earl in his usual ebullient style. “Well done Miss Elizabeth, it is about time someone took my wayward nephew to task. You have done the family a great service, madam.” The Earl made a bow to Lizzy with a flourish and a wink.
“It was my pleasure, my Lord. If you have any more wayward relatives you need set straight, I am available. Maybe your sister, Lady Catherine?” Lizzy shot back, her wit and impertinence on display.
“Ah, I see that you have had the unfortunate ‘honour’ of meeting my Aunt Catherine. I can only apologise for any offence she gave you.” Andrew chuckled.
“No need, Lord Hilldale. I left her rather confused, as she was never sure whether I was insulting her or paying her a compliment,” Elizabeth said, smiling sweetly.
“I would have paid good money to see my sister bested by what she would have considered a ‘country nobody.’ Reggie? Andrew? Did you complete your business at Rosings Park?” Elaine asked seriously, as it was about Anne that she was worried about above all.
Wanting to be circumspect with a large number of non-family in the room, the Earl’s answer was a general one. “Yes, my love. We accomplished what we needed to and Rosings Park is now back in Anne’s hands as the heir and rightful owner. I just remembered, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth? Are you not related to the Hunsford parson, Mr William Collins?” The Earl turned and again fully faced the two Bennet daughters.
“Yes, my lord, he is married to one of my best friends, Charlotte Lucas as was, and until he broke the entail on Longbourn for a pecuniary reward but a couple days ago, he was my father’s heir. Why do you ask if I may be so bold as to inquire? Did you have the ‘pleasure’ of his company while you were at Rosings Park? You may speak freely,” Lizzy offered. “We were not at all close and we know well of his deficiencies as a vicar and as a man.”
“Then Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, it is my sad duty to say that your cousin passed away two days ago. The doctor believes that he had a weak heart that gave out due to stress.” The Earl did not mention the cause of said stress. “Andrew and I did have the pleasure of meeting Mrs Collins. I must say rather than sadness, I thought I saw relief.” He watched Miss Elizabeth immediately turn to Jane.
“Jane we must write to Charlotte and invite her to come stay at Bennet House while we remain in Town,” she stated decisively. Jane nodded her agreement. “Thank you, my Lord. I need to send my father an express in the event that the news has not been passed on yet, although I would suspect that as Mrs Collins parents are neighbours that Papa does know by now, but I want to make sure that he is aware. Could we have our carriage summoned please?” she said as she stood. Farewells were exchanged and the Colonel escorted the Bennets to their carriage. Before he closed the door, he asked if he could call on them at Portman Square, to which they readily agreed.
On arrival at Portman Square the sisters were handed an express by the butler. They rushed up to their shared sitting room and broke the seal and Jane began to read. The express was from their father.
Longbourn
Hertfordshire
10 April 1812
My dearest Jane and Lizzy,
If you are not aware, our cousin and the former heir to Longbourn passed two days ago. Charlotte sent an express to her parents, and Sir William, who was not aware that the entail was no more, came to inform me of his son’s passing. I hope that Charlotte has custody of the bank draft that the man received to break the entail.
In a more positive vein, your mother has started to forgive me for hiding our true wealth from her for so many years and will be accompanying your sisters and myself to Bennet House in less than a fortnight. We plan to arrive on the 20th day of April by not long after breakfast time. Please ensure that the butler and housekeeper are notified of our imminent residence so the house will be prepared to receive us. I trust that there will be a full complement of staff employed before we arrive, if not done so already.
If you can find out the names of two good schools for girls, I would be most appreciative. A stricter one for Lydia would not go amiss. I want Kitty and Lydia enrolled in school within a day of our arrival in London.
Lizzy and Jane, please let me know if you want me to send Mercury and Mars on ahead so you and Jane might ride Rotten Row, or any other place that you choose to see or be seen.
With love to you both,
Your loving Papa.
There was no need to send an express, so instead Lizzy sent a note to Bennet House to notify the senior staff of the arrival date of the family. She then wrote an express to Charlotte inviting her to Town. On her way to give the express to their courier, Lizzy asked Aunt Maddie if it was acceptable for Charlotte to be hosted at Gardiner House until the Bennets moved over to Bennet House, satisfied with the firm and absolute yes, as Aunt Maddie had long known and appreciated Charlotte as much as Lizzy did.
Chapter 8
The new widow, Mrs Charlotte Collins, was nearing the completion of her packing. Maria had been very helpful, and in her quiet way had been a great support. As she was checking the parlour to ensure they had not missed anything, there was a knock at the door. When Charlotte opened the door, she was handed an express and informed that the rider would wait for a response. As it was time to relax for a short while, dressed in her freshly dyed black dress, she sat down with Maria at the table as the sisters enjoyed a cup of restorative tea. When she finished, Charlotte opened the express and read it aloud:
Gardiner House
Portman Square
London
10 April 1812
Our dearest Charlotte,
