“How dare you talk to me in such a manner, I am a clergyman and must be respected…” Collins started to launch into a soliloquy.
“No,Mr.Collins, you are no longer a clergyman,” the Bishop stepped forward. Collins was about to retort when he recognised his bishop.
“W-why my Lord?” Collins asked as he bowed low.
“I do not care who you are, you may not dismiss my parson,” Lady Catherine found her voice.
The Bishop ignored her and turned to Miss de Bourgh. “Did your mother appoint Mr. Collins after your birthday, when you became the sole legal owner of this estate?”
“Yes, she did,” Anne replied. Jane moved to her side and held her hand.
“Did you give your consent for your mother to install this buffoon at Hunsford?” the Bishop followed up.
“No, I did not,” Anne answered.
“But Anne is too sick…” Lady Catherine attempted to protest.
“My body is weak, but my mind, unlike that of some others in this room, is perfectly healthy,” Anne shot back.
“As you were never legally appointed, all money you received from the parishioners is to be returned to them. Do you remember these two gentlemen?” The Bishop pointed to his emissaries. Collins nodded weakly as he tried to refrain from casting up his accounts. There was a pain building in his left arm, as well. “You freely admitted to heresy as you allowed this woman, who has had no theological training, to write the sermons which you delivered from the pulpit, sermons which deified her and not God. You also shared confidences with the same lady and lied to these two clergymen, saying I permitted you to break canon law. You are a disgrace and the Archbishop has already signed the order defrocking and excommunicating you, effective immediately.”
Before Collins could reply, the pain in his arm became a searing pain in his chest and he pitched forward and laid motionless on the floor, leaving the mortal world with a look of fear and shock on his face.
“Anne, please ask your housekeeper to have chambers readied for all of your visitors. The men and I will take care of this,” the Earl pointed at Collins’s body dispassionately. “Please include Mrs. Collins.”
“That is not Anne’s…” Lady Catherine started to object when she saw the look of anger on her brother’s countenance.
“Not one word. We will speak on the morrow.” The Earl looked to the butler. “Have my sister escorted to her chambers and post men outside. She will take her meals there until we are ready to see her on the morrow.”
Lord Matlock smiled to himself. If his sister thought all the de Bourgh jewels and money she had siphoned off were still hidden in the compartments in her chambers, she was in for another shock. Anne had everything removed and locked in the safe inherstudy.
Lady Catherine squawked, but that did not stop two footmen from following Lord Matlock’s orders and carrying her out of the room. One footman was Jennings; he could not have been happier the woman was finally being called to account.
While the ladies settled in, the doctor was called. He confirmed the former parson was no more. Collins would be buried in the non-consecrated section of the Hunsford graveyard for those who were not Christians, in an unmarked grave—an ignominious end for the self-important sycophant.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Anne, I can return to the parsonage,” Jane told her friend. The two spoke in Anne’s private sitting room. “I am supposed to be in mourning.”
“No, Jane, you have slept your last night there.” Anne insisted. “Whether or not you mourn that horrendous man is up to you, but I promise you no one here will hold it against you if you do not. The parsonage will be cleaned and repainted and all of those ridiculous shelves will be removed from the closets. When it is ready, a new clergyman will be appointed by my cousin, Richard. He and his wife will make sure there is a parson the parishioners can feel confident in again.”
“But…” Anne cut Jane off again.
“Before we left the drawing room, I saw the warmth my new cousin has for you,” Anne informed her friend. “If what I saw comes to fruition, I would say you will be restored to your family. Failing that, you willalwayshave a home here with me.”
“It is a wonderful offer, but that is not why I befriended you,” Jane exclaimed.
“As I said, I may have a weak body, but my mind is hale and healthy. If I thought your friendship was anything less than genuine, I wouldnothave made the offer. Bear in mind, I do not believe you will need it.” Anne looked at her friend in a way that let Jane know she would brook no opposition.
“Thank you, Anne. I will take my meals in my chamber, I am not fit to be seen and I am not sure I deserve to join the rest of the party,” Jane stated.
“That is where you are wrong,” Jane turned as she heard her sister’s voice and noticed Elizabeth and Charlotte standing behind her. “Since you and Charlotte are the same height, she has brought two or three of her gowns for you to wear for now. Charlotte was more than happy to lend them to you. If you need more gowns, please let us know. My lady’s maid will assist you,” Elizabeth added.
Jane collapsed in great big wracking sobs. She kept repeating, “I am not worthy.”
Elizabeth held Jane as she had not since they shared a bedchamber as little girls. “We all see how much you have changed. All you need is to see it for yourself,” Elizabeth soothed the crying lady. She was holding her sister, not her former sister, but her sister. “Have a bath and a glass of sherry or mayhap the sherry before the bath. When you are bathed and dressed, summon Kimble. I will be done by then.”
Jane nodded. She had become so used to caring for others, she had forgotten what it was like to be cared for herself.
