~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The estate’s tenants could not have been happier. The new master and mistress rolled back all of Lady Catherine’s nonsensical rules and as promised, did not raise their rents. Instead, they gave the tenants one quarter rent-free and then reduced the rents by the percentage which had been promised. They also stated they would not consider raising rents again for three years.
As happy as they were about the rents, they were even happier the former Mrs. Collins, now known as Miss Jane, was to remain at Rosings Park and would continue her visits to tenants and those who needed her assistance in the parish.
When word reached the community a schoolhouse would be built near the tenant cottages at Rosings Park, there were expressions of joy. It was not only the children who would benefit; evening classes for adults were planned as well.
For Jane, one question had been answered when her courses started on schedule. It pleased her she would not have to notify the Bishop that a child would result from her annulled marriage. Jane believed if she had been with child, none of the father’s guilt would fall upon the child, but she was happier knowing if she were ever to bear one, it would not behis.
Her sister and brother Darcy had volunteered to take Jane to London to acquire a new wardrobe, since she possessed almost nothing still serviceable. Jane thanked them sincerely but told them she preferred to make all of her purchases in Hunsford to support the local economy.
Elizabeth was impressed with her sister’s thoughtfulness; the local dressmaker, haberdashery, and cobbler all appreciated the increase in sales.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As he had promised, the Bishop of Kent sent candidates for the vacant Hunsford living to meet with the new master and mistress of Rosings Park. One of the men he sent was one of his emissaries who investigated the late Mr. Collins.
He was a widower named Patrick Elliot, who had a three-year-old daughter, Grace. His wife had been taken by a virulent fever when Grace was but six months old, so the little girl had never known a mother.
Richard and Charlotte included Anne and Jane when they interviewed the candidates. All four agreed Mr. Elliot was the man for the job. He had left a good impression on the parishioners when he and his colleague met with each of them during their investigation.
It was decided he should conduct some services before they made a final decision, although the three other candidates were informed the living would not be offered to them. Mr. Elliot presided over the services the Sunday prior to Easter, and there was no one attending who was unimpressed. There was standing room only, no one fell asleep, and not one congregant left before the end of the service.
Elliot had heard talk of theAngel of Hunsford, the late parson’s wife, who was loved by the parishioners. He did not realise that she was Miss Jane, beautiful as an angel, who sat in on his interview as it was his colleague who had interviewed her during the investigation.
His presiding over the service, combined with the time he spent talking to each and every congregant who desired time with him afterward, was the last piece confirming he was the right man for the position. It was after the services he realised that Miss Jane was the one who had done so much good in the parish and continued to do so as parishioner after parishioner sung her praises to him. Mr. Elliot had been invited to a meal after church and was asked to accompany Mr. Fitzwilliam into his study first.
He was offered the living, and Elliot accepted it gratefully. When word spread throughout the area the man who had conducted Sunday services would become their new pastor, the neighbourhood celebrated. Finally, they would have a clergyman who acted like one.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Bennet sat in his study reading, with a glass of port in hand, when the new butler handed him a note from Phillips, requesting his presence at his law office.
Bennet arrived at the designated time and Phillips told him to sit. “Your heir presumptive passed away.” Phillips reported.
“Is the entail broken?” Bennet verified.
“It is,” Phillips confirmed.
“That means my last will and testament will govern the disposition of the estate, does it not?” Bennet wanted to be sure.
“Correct, unless his widow births a son. In that case, the son would inherit. Absent a son, then your will governs,” Phillips explained.
“There is no need to notify my heir until she inherits?” Bennet checked.
“Although there is not a legal requirement, in my opinion, there is a moral one; however, it is your choice,” Phillips stated curtly.
“Thank you for your advice; I will consider it.” Bennet stood and left the office.
On his ride home he could not but be amused at the irony that unless Jane bore a son, within the next ten months, Longbourn would one day belong to the daughter his wife had banished from their home. He did not feel quite so amused when he remembered it was his own weakness and indolence which allowed Lizzy to be cast out.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Elliot moved into the parsonage the week before Easter. His daughter, Grace, became an instant favourite of the residents of the manor house and the parishioners. Grace and May Gardiner, four in a few months, were soon fast friends.
One day when the newly-installed rector of Hunsford collected his daughter from spending an afternoon with May, they were walking back to the parsonage when they came across Jane sitting on a bench in the formal gardens.
“Miss Jane,” Grace called as she ran to the pretty lady.
