She made her way down to the study, and in a pile of read correspondence she found the letter from Mr Collins written after Mary’s birth. She saw the direction was in Faversham, Kent. She copied it and after not discovering a strongbox or any money, Fanny made for her chamber. She would write to Mr Collins and prove herself of use.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Bennet never regained consciousness, and his taxed heart finally gave up at three in the morning of the final Thursday of March. He was not alone. Jones and Hill sat with him until the end.
His suffering was over, and Thomas Henry Bennet was with his parents.
Chapter5
Clem William Collins felt trepidation at the express in his hands. It was in a feminine hand, but it was from Longbourn. Was it the letter he dreaded telling him Bennet had sired a male whelp? Even though reading was not something he enjoyed or did very well, he broke the seal and unfolded the paper.
29 March 1792
Longbourn
Hertfordshire
Dear Mr Collins,
Please excuse the liberty I take in writing to you.
My name is Frances Bennet, called Fanny by all, the wife of your LATE cousin who was, until he died this very day, the master of this estate.
That exalted position now falls to you.
I took it upon myself to write to you because both my brother and brother-in-law are away, and I know not when they will return. I did not want you to suffer by waiting to be notified of my husband’s death until they deigned to come here.
If you are not aware, I birthed a third babe more than two months past. Do not be concerned; it was another female. I am convinced that the illness which took your cousin robbed him of the ability to sire a son, something I am sure that you will not share with him.
From what I understand, you are not married. The women in your area must be simpletons to allow a man of your prospects and manly attributes to escape. Their loss is the gain of a woman, like me, who would appreciate you for the sterling man you are. If you consider me for the role of your wife, we will not have to wait a year as I refuse to mourn a man who was so cruel to me.
Did you know that he compromised me? I would never have married a weak man like him in any other case.
Do hurry here as soon as may be so you can secure that which is legally yours. I will be waiting in anticipation of your arrival.
With deep respect and regards,
Fanny Bennet (hopefully not Bennet for long.)
Collins was pleased beyond measure. His cousin had done him the favour of leaving the mortal world without male issue. It was about time that his luck changed.
He lived in a small cottage now, but until five years previously, Collins had been the master of Collins Farm on the outskirts of Faversham. He liked two things far more than farming, and they were drink and games of chance.
One night, he had been deep in his cups, and those playingvingt-et-unhad taken advantage of his foxed state. By the time he realised it, he had lost a large sum and signed vowels for the amount. When the holder of the debt had come to demand payment, Collins had tried to send the man on his way. Unfortunately, he had several large men with him who used their fists to convince Collins it was in his best interest to pay up. The last straw was the creditor threatening to send him to debtor’s prison.
To satisfy what he owed, Collins sold the farm. At least, there had been enough left over to purchase a small cottage and some grog. To subsist, Collins had worked as a labourer, something he had hated.
Even before he lost the farm, no lady had accepted his proposal. Afterward, not even the daughters of tradesmen would approach him.
That had all changed with the receipt of this letter. Not only was he the master of Longbourn, but his late cousin’s wife was offering herself to him. She was willing to marry him! How he would enjoy bedding the woman who used to be married to that uppity Bennet. What she said about his cousin being deficient and not able to give her a son fit with his own beliefs. On top of that, she seemed to recognise his worth and paid him the deference he deserved.
It was Friday. He would offer his cottage for sale, and once he had the funds, Collins would rent a carriage to convey him to his estate. The master of Longbourn did not arrive by post coach.
He knew of one or two men who had expressed an interest in his dwelling. As such, Collins was confident he would leave Faversham early next week.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Jones knew that Bennet had mentioned provisions he had made for his daughters, but with Phillips not in Meryton, he was not sure how to proceed. He did what he could and consulted with Mr Pierce about the funeral.
