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As happy as he was that Bennet had made changes, it was nothing to the contentment he felt when he was with Mary. He knew he was falling in love with the wonderful woman sitting next to him. He suspected that her feelings mirrored his own or were close to that point. Yet he was determined not to rush her by making a hasty proposal. William decided that, in the next few days he would try to determine if Mary was ready for that step.

He looked at the settee opposite where he and Mary were. Hilldale sat there, deep in conversation with Cousin Jane. She was giving him all her attention; this was no polite listening to some inane chatter.

Out of the corner of his eye, William saw some movement. Mrs Annesley was escorting Miss Darcy and the two youngest Bennets from the room. He knew not if they were on their way to the music room or to look at something to do with fashion. What impressed him was the way that Cousin Lydia no longer demanded to be the centre of attention. She had much to learn, but the girl he was seeing now bore no resemblance to the one she had been when he first arrived at Longbourn.

His eyes settled on Cousin Elizabeth who was seated next to Darcy. There was no missing that she received his attention with pleasure. She was leaning towards him, not away. William gave thanks to God that all her former prejudices seemed to have been washed away.

As for Darcy, his overweening pride had been brought under good regulation. He was not as affable as either Hilldale or Fitzwilliam, but he was nothing like he used to be when he insulted Cousin Elizabeth. The truth was that now he was a perfectly sociable and pleasant man. Since making his apologies to the neighbourhood, he had attended all events to which he was invited, including a card party at Mrs Phillips’s house. The whole time William’s future aunt had demanded his attention; Darcy had allowed her to prattle on without trying to withdraw. He was no longer thought of as the rudest and proudest gentleman anyone knew.

Thinking of his friend, William was more than pleased that Fitzwilliam and Miss de Bourgh were engaged. Two such good and honourable people deserved one another. When they married, Fitzwilliam would become his patron for as long as William remained in Hunsford. If William gave up the parish, he was determined that George Keating would be preferred to the living with his hearty recommendation. He was certain that Bishop Lankershim would approve of Keating without delay.

As far as he could see, it was not if, but when, all three eldest Bennet sisters would be married.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

On the first Tuesday of December, letters arrived from Kent. There was a rather thick one addressed to William Collins and an unremarkable one for Bennet. In addition, there was one for the latter from the Gardiners.

Bennet was seated in the study and opened the one from the Gardiners first. The other one was from the Collins patriarch. He would not ignore it.

2 December 1811

23 Gracechurch Street

London

Bennet,

I am writing on behalf of Maddie as well. Let me cover what she asked me to tell you first.

She has three candidates for the post of governess you desire to fill. They are Mmes Swanson, Taylor, and Nedrick. It is up to you if you would like me to bring all three, but Maddie says you only need to interview Mrs Taylor.

Maddie informs me that the lady has worked with older girls, like Kitty and Lydia, very effectively. My wife knows the lady personally as well as at least one of the families she worked for. Mrs Taylor is gently born, married an officer, and was left a widow with few resources within 6 months of her wedding. She used her intelligence and education to find work as a governess. She has close to 15 years of experience and will not allow your girls to work on her.

I know Mrs Taylor and second Maddie’s recommendation.

Both of us are very pleased that Mary has finally emerged from under the cloud where my sister had driven her. You write of your observations that the couple are very compatible. By the by, I will not speak of my clients to others, but as young Collins told you, I am able to confirm that his family invests with me. We look forward to seeing Mary very happy with her suitor. Our four children are keen to meet their possible cousin-to-be.

Now to what I want to say. I received Fanny’s dowry and have invested it. I will happily invest your profits each year as well.

I do not want to sound condescending, but Bennet, the fact that you have been willing to make positive changes makes me very proud to call you Brother. You said it took a shock.

Perhaps so, but you still had to make the decision to act. I will be interested to speak to you when we come for Christmastide and discover what the ‘great shock’ that you cannot put in writing, was.

Write to me if you would like to interview Mrs Taylor, or all three ladies. (We believe you will be wasting your time to see the other two candidates.)

Gardiner

Knowing that his in-laws would not recommend Mrs Taylor without good reason, Bennet would write back to the Gardiners requesting that they send the lady they both recommended. Next, he picked up the letter from Collins Hollow and broke the seal. After smoothing the paper, Bennet commenced reading.

30 November 1811

Collins Hollow

Near Faversham

Kent

Cousin Bennet,