Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
T he night of the dinner arrived, perhaps two weeks after the men returned from London. The ladies had assisted Caroline and Louisa in decorating the house for the upcoming festive season, the men brought in pine boughs, holly, and mistletoe from the woods. To make the decorations for the evening extra special for Mary, her godfather Sir Henry sent to town for a wagon filled with red and white roses from the hothouse suppliers, and they were worked into the greenery for a romantically festive effect.
The entire neighbourhood turned out for the evening. The event was not a ball technically, but two large parlours had been opened off of the music room, and while ladies exhibited on the pianoforte, some of the young people paired up and danced. Lydia was permitted to stand up thrice, once with her father, once with Kitty, and once with Mr Collins. Mr Collins and Mary danced together nearly all night, and no one considered it a scandal. Their joy only increased that of the entire party. The evening was filled with laughter and merriment, and, as usual, the only person who did not enjoy herself was Caroline Bingley.
At dinner, Sir Henry Maulver stood and said, “I have an announcement to make. More than one, actually.” The other guests tittered. “First, Mr Babcock, our rector, has made the decision to retire permanently, and will move to Suffolk to be near his relations in January.” There were congratulatory murmurs and light clapping about the room, as he continued. “One might think that Mr Stringer, our well-respected curate might take his place, but as it happens, Mr Stringer has accepted a living near his home village, and will be leaving us to return to his home in Stevenage, where he will be married in February!” More polite exclamations followed, and when they had quieted, Sir Henry continued again. “In anticipation of their departure, I have offered the living in Meryton to one who will be a gentleman amongst us one day, God willing, not too soon we all hope, and who has a great desire to learn everything he can about this village, his future estate, and to be close to his family. I congratulate Mr William Collins, who has accepted the position as rector to the Meryton Parish, and will take over from Mr Babcock in January!”
Congratulations broke out across the tables as people congratulated both Mr Collins and Mary on their good fortune. Miss Mary Bennet’s future husband was considered slightly tedious by some of the locals, but it was obvious that he was well-meaning and had a great desire to be liked and learn everything he could in preparation of being a gentleman someday. Miss Mary had, since receiving honest attentions from a kind man, blossomed, and was a great deal less pedantic and a great deal more likeable. The neighbourhood was happy for them both.
The following morning, the ladies of Netherfield and Lucas Lodge called upon Longbourn, and they had their usual natter. Caroline and Louisa were obliged to attend by Mr Bingley and Mr Hurst, because the men were determined that the ladies should learn to be polite in company. Lydia was permitted to sit with the younger girls under her mother’s supervision. She, Kitty, Maria, and Georgiana trimmed bonnets at a table by the window while the other ladies first discussed the previous evening with relish. Jane, Lizzy, Priscilla, and Charlotte made up their own little group, and Anne and Mary were discussing something quietly in a corner. When they had exhausted the topic of the dinner, they then discussed their plans for the upcoming festive season.
Lord and Lady Matlock were planning to visit their estate in Derbyshire for the holidays, and then return to London. Darcy and Georgiana would stay at Netherfield for the festive season and the winter, so that Darcy and Elizabeth might continue to get to know one another. A trip to London after Christmas was discussed by the gentlemen and the ladies, and it was decided that if Aunt Madeleine and Uncle Gardiner were amenable, Jane and Elizabeth might go to London to visit their relations for a month when they returned to town after Twelfth Night. Darcy and Bingley would stay at Darcy House, and those conducting courtships could enjoy the excitement of the city. The theatre and opera would be visited, as well as Vauxhall and the museums. Depending on how prepared Mr Collins felt to take over his new parish, Mary and Mr Collins might accompany them for two weeks, to have a bit of an adventure before he settled down in his new role.
Lady Priscilla voiced a desire to remain at Netherfield when her parents left for Matlock, so she might enjoy the company of Georgiana and her new friends. Darcy and Georgiana must travel north in the spring, to see to the tenants and the spring planting, and Lady Priscilla would go with them and return to Matlock then, for Lord Matlock would briefly return to Derbyshire to see to Matlock’s spring planting. Georgiana was to be a guest of Lady Matlock at Brighton in the summer. Elizabeth was invited by Georgiana and Lady Matlock to join them, and Darcy would arrive at the seaside when he was at liberty to do so. Colonel Fitzwilliam had just this morning been summoned for his special assignment. No one knew where he would be going, but he had said he did not believe his mission would take him outside of England on this occasion. He was leaving the following day.
Lady Catherine announced that Mr Bingley had invited her to remain at Netherfield for the duration of Darcy’s visit, for she still feared for Anne’s safety as her own health weakened from her condition. So far it was progressing very slowly, and though it was painful, Lady Catherine thought she still had some months left, perhaps even more than the doctor had originally thought, for she still had energy for her daily activities. She would journey home to Rosings before her health became so weak that she could no longer do so.
Lady Catherine looked at Caroline Bingley after she had related this to the other ladies, and said, “I will take this matter with you in hand before I go, Miss Bingley.”
“I beg your pardon?” said Miss Bingley.
“My character has ever been celebrated for its sincerity and frankness, and in a cause of such a moment as this, I will not part from it. Here and now, in front of every lady who has been obliged to watch you force your society upon my nephew, a man who has not the slightest interest in you, in a most unseemly manner, I am telling you. Miss Bingley, every lady present, those who know Darcy well, and even those who know him little, will agree that it is obvious that he will never offer for you. It is high time that you give up your unbecoming display.”
Caroline went white as Mrs Bennet, Lady Matlock, and even Mariah Lucas nodded their agreement. Her mouth worked for a moment, and before she was able to move past her shock and up to a scream of outrage, Lady Catherine spoke again. “Miss Bingley, just because my nephew is never going to bed you, does not mean you cannot still benefit from the connection. If the courtships of Darcy and your brother reach their natural conclusion, then you will be sister, after a fashion, to Mr and Mrs Darcy. This can only throw you into the path of other rich men, even titled ones. You are not unattractive, and I am told your dowry is quite tolerable, if not quite the equal of those of my daughter or nieces. It is only your character and behaviour that is lacking. The women in our family have agreed that if you will be connected to us, that it is our responsibility to see your address and comportment set to rights, and that you are one day well-settled, so that you are not an embarrassment to us. You might try looking at the woman Mr Darcy is courting, and attempt to determine what it is that makes her so worthy. The same with the lady your brother courts. If you can possibly learn your place, to speak intelligently, and learn the duties of the mistress of an estate with distinction, there is every chance that you will gain the attention of someone worthy who is connected to us. There are other rich and well connected men than my nephew.”
Miss Bingley was speechless that the older woman had the audacity to speak to her thus, and in front of all of these country mushrooms no less! Lady Catherine took her muteness for acquiescence, and continued. “You will spend your time with me and my niece Lady Priscilla during the rest of my time here in Meryton. You will learn how to behave amongst those of rank – do not interrupt me girl, I say you do not know how to behave among those of rank – and you will also learn how to dress like a woman of rank, and what colours suit you, for it is obvious that you are quite colour blind. You will learn how to properly care for an estate. Mrs Hurst, you are not quite as offensive as your sister, but you may attend us if you wish. I am certain that you could be improved as well. Miss Bingley, If I am not content with your progress before I return to Kent, then you will accompany me to continue your education when I go. I will not leave this earth until you are a credit to us all. I insist upon it!” The lady pounded her cane on the floor as she spoke for emphasis.
Then she turned to Lydia. “I can see that your mother is taking you in hand, girl, and not a moment too soon, I hear. Learn what is expected of you, so that you might join the other young ladies, and relish the delights that those who are rewarded for their good sense enjoy. Otherwise, you might find yourself travelling into Kent with Miss Bingley to be educated by me on my deathbed.”
Caroline and Lydia both looked around the room, horrified at being spoken to thus in company, but it was obvious that none of the other ladies objected to how they were being treated. Lady Matlock looked positively forbidding, as did Lady Priscilla. Mrs Bennet regarded Lydia sternly, and the girl dared not respond, only ducking her head in acknowledgement. The other young ladies, the Bennets, Lucases, and even Georgiana, looked at them with kindness, but made no objections or attempted to defend them in any way. The two young women, feeling outnumbered, were silent.