“Becoming a parent will shake him out of that, to be sure!” Lady Lucas said briskly. “Fatherhood is quite a life-altering event. It turned your father into much more of a homebody than I ever would have guessed possible.”
Charlotte nodded soberly. “I hope so. Although, we both know William is not very like Papa.” She drank the dregs of her cold tea and asked as casually as possible, “How is Mr. Bennet doing? Since the death of his poor wife, I mean.”
“Oh, I believe he misses her very much, much as he tries to hide it. At present, I hear he is much taken with renovations on the parsonage for the new rector, Mr. Yarby.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes. “A position poor William and I were both hoping was still vacant so he could assume it and we could return to Meryton permanently.”
“Poor timing—no doubt about it. But nothing to be done now.”
“I don’t suppose there is any chance of the congregants disliking Mr. Yarby enough to force Mr. Bennet to make a change?”
Lady Lucas laughed. “Put that thought away right now, my dear. Mr. Yarby is a gifted orator, and he has quite livened up services with his newfangled ideas.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you know how dear Mr. Dudley often spoke of hellfire and damnation.”
“As does William. He says it is important that people know a righteous and fearsome God awaits them when they stand before His throne.”
“Yes…well, Mr. Yarby’s sermons are much more…positive in tone. That is, he speaks of salvation of all souls through the Christ, and that we are not doomed to inevitable, eternal damnation. He often writes original sermons too instead of just reading the old familiar ones from books, and I must say they are quite compelling. Mr. Yarby preaches that we can all find a closer relationship with our Lord and Savior and use him as an example of how to live and treat our fellow man. It is quite refreshing to hear such things spoken from the pulpit. Your father is already a great admirer of Mr. Yarby, and we have had him and his sister, Mrs. Withers—she keeps house for him, you know—to dinner twice.”
Charlotte swallowed her disappointment. “I see. And Mr. Bennet approves as well?”
“It appears so. At least, I have no reason to think he regrets his choice.”
“Oh. And…Mr. Bennet’s health—it continues to be well?”
“Indeed, I have seen no sign of illness or infirmity in him at—oh, Charlotte! Do not tell me you are wishing such things for him? That your husband may inherit early and have no need of a new position?”
“No! Not…really. It is just that the thought did cross my mind that many a husband or wife has pined themselves into an early grave after losing their spouse. And with Mr. Bennet having no sons and William set to be the next owner of Longbourn, I just…” Charlotte shook her head in exasperation. “No, you are quite right, Mama. I should not have such wicked thoughts. Forgive me.”
“All will come around in the right way eventually, my dear; do not fret. Who knows how long until that day, but Mr. Collins will be the gentleman of Longbourn eventually. In the meantime, let us think optimistically that your husband will be settled in a new living very soon. And if not, well—I am quite eager to meet my first grandchild, you know!”
“Well, you have months and months to wait, Mama. I pray we shall be settled in a new parish by the time the baby comes.”
Lady Lucas smiled. “A lot can happen in many months’ time. No doubt about it.”
***
Mary hesitated before gently knocking on the door of her father’s library. When he called to enter, she did so, but stood only a step or two inside the door.
“Papa, may I interrupt you for a moment?”
“What is it, my dear? More improvements for the parsonage that you and Mrs. Withers desire?”
Mary inexplicably felt herself blush. “No. I believe that is all well in hand. I did enjoy helping Amelia choose the fabric for the curtains, and I think you will approve of our choices when you see them.”
“‘Amelia’ is it now?” Mr. Bennet raised his eyebrows. “Are you on such familiar terms as to use first names?”
“She is…that is…we are becoming good friends, Papa.” Mary had just a hint of defensiveness in her voice. She watched her father study her a moment before smiling kindly.
“Well, I am glad to hear you are friends. It is important that Mrs. Withers feel at home here in Meryton. You are no doubt the first of many close acquaintances she will soon enjoy. And do not be too sad if, in time, her availability to you should diminish once her circle of acquaintances expands. She seems such lively company that one can hardly expect her to just stay friends with you or our family after all. I think she will be much in demand socially in due time.”
Mary could only nod, crushed at his implication.
He thinks Amelia only pretends to like me because she is so new here. But we are bosom friends, I am certain.
“Well, well…off you go then, Mary, I have my accounts to work on.” Mr. Bennet turned back to the ledger on his desk.
