Her caterwauling kept on for more than an hour. It only ceased when Lady Catherine had screamed herself hoarse. Eventually she fell into a fitful sleep, dreaming about how she would exact her revenge for the outrages against her.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
When Jane woke the next morning, it took her a while before she realised where she was. She shook the sleep from her eyes as she accepted it had not been a dream; she had been brought back into her family’s bosom and it was time to move on. She needed to learn to look forward, not back. She had to learn from her mistakes of the past, while living in the present.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“How do you feel about acknowledging Jane as your sister again?” Darcy asked his wife in their suite. As was their wont, the two were dressed and ready to go for a walk to start the day off in the fashion Elizabeth preferred.
“When I saw her faint yesterday, all I felt was concern,” Elizabeth stated. “It seems I began to change my opinion of her when Aunt Elaine and Uncle Reggie told us about what Jane was doing here. When Anne wrote about Jane’s action with the betrothal announcement, it was for me, an indication of how much she had changed. I wonder if she knows about Mrs. Bennet’s fate? I do not know if she has been in contact with anyone in Meryton.”
“Come, my Elizabeth, it is time for me to introduce you to the glade. I have a feeling you will love it there,” Darcy told his wife as the two left their suite.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“You saw through the old Miss Bennet’s façade before anyone else in your hometown, did you not, love?” Richard asked as he spooned with his wife.
“I did,” Charlotte confirmed. “When I heard about the changes Jane had made, I was sceptical until I saw her here. There is no denying the woman we see here and the one I used to know in Hertfordshire are complete opposites. It pleases me she was able to change.”
“Do you still want us to speak with Anne to verify it is her desire we become master and mistress now?” Richard canvassed.
“Yes, I do. I could not rest easy in my role here until I hear it from her own mouth,” Charlotte insisted. “She has been under her mother’s dictatorial rule for so many years, I want to make sure she does not want to be the one in charge.”
“I will ask my man to find out from Mrs. Jenkinson when Anne is willing to meet with us, preferably before we deal with her mother,” Richard opined.
The message they received was Anne would gladly meet with them after they all broke their fasts.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The three cousins sat in a small parlour, each sipping a cup of tea. “You asked to see me, Cousins,” Anne opened.
“Charlotte and I want to make sure you are certain and set on your course,” Richard stated.
“Richard, I am not sure I understand what it is you are asking,” a confused Anne replied.
“It is on my insistence we are meeting,” Charlotte revealed. “I could not in good conscience assume the duties of mistress here until I am sure it is what you want for the right reasons. I want to be certain you do not feel pressured to hand Rosings Park over to Richard now, rather than when you turn eight and twenty.”
“Charlotte and Richard, you may rest assured, thisiswhat I desire,” Anne assured them. “I know I am not long for this world and I want whatever time I have left to be carefree. Once Lady Catherine is removed from her perch and can no longer hold onto what is not hers, the source of my unhappiness will be no more. I have not known you long, Charlotte, but I see a woman of good sense and believe you will be an excellent mistress, just as Richard will be a master who can return it to its former glory and keep Papa’s estate flourishing.”
“In that case, we will accept your gift gratefully,” Charlotte stood and pulled Anne into a hug. “What are your plans? It goes without saying this will be your home as it has always been.”
“All I want is to live what is left of my life in peace, surrounded by those I love,” Anne said. “Do not tell my other cousins, but Richard was always my favourite, so living with the two of you in the house will always be entertaining.”
“You will come to Town with us, will you not?” Richard queried.
“Yes, I would like that. Lady Catherine never took me to Town; she told me I was betrothed to William, so there was no need,” Anne informed them. “It is sad she never understood no one believed in the betrothal but herself and Aunt Anne. They both had the talent of hearing only that which they wished to hear—my mother still does.”
“Do you know what Jane intends to do now?” Charlotte asked.
“I do not, but I intend to talk to her about it after we have dealt with Lady Catherine,” Anne stated.
Both Richard and Charlotte hugged Anne and then the three went to join the meeting with the ex-mistress of the estate.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Before the Bishop and his two clergymen departed after breaking their fasts, Lord Matlock requested an audience. He explained his family’s request that in light of Collins’s heresy and excommunication, the marriage of William and Jane Collins be annulled.
It was an easy decision for the Bishop. As the late Mr. Collins had been convicted of heresyin absentiaand then excommunicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, he could not have married with the sanction of the Church of England. One of the clergymen accompanying the Bishop, Patrick Elliot, prepared the necessary documents; after reviewing them, the Bishop signed them and affixed his seal.
