28. Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Eight
March 1812 Elm House, London Elizabeth
S pring arrived in London. Trees began to show their new leaves, and the early flowers made their appearance. The greenery made walks much more enjoyable, and Elizabeth ventured out every day.
Her walks in Hyde Park were solitary much of the time. Mary and James accompanied her occasionally, but they were often distracted by each other’s presence. Their budding romance had blossomed into something more. James longed to declare himself, but his father had forbidden it. Mary, too, wished to make their courtship official, but ceded to her uncle’s wishes.
They made no secret of their attachment, however. It was widely recognized that Viscount Mavery would likely marry his cousin.
Elizabeth found herself missing Mr. Darcy’s company. She knew he had gone north and felt some disappointment that he had not made his farewells. It is not as if he owes me that, she told herself. Somehow, over the course of their walks, she had gone from resenting him to enjoying his presence. He was a stimulating conversationalist. Her opinion of him had improved, and she missed him.
Around the first of March, two letters arrived, each of them surprising in their own way. The first was from Jane. Elizabeth had not expected to hear from her stepsister. Jane had said goodbye to her before she left Longbourn, but Elizabeth thought that would be the end of it. And now she held a missive in her hand.
She opened it. It was only one sheet.
Dear Lizzy,
You are likely surprised to hear from me, and I cannot blame you. I have not been the sister and friend you knew and loved these last months, and I offer no excuses for my behavior.
I have been in town for two months now. Upon first arriving, I paid a call on Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. It was a brief visit, for they were preparing to go out, but I extended my greetings and asked them to Gracechurch Street at their convenience. You will not be surprised to learn that they waited three weeks before returning the call.
They left me in no doubt of their sentiments, and I felt they wished to convey that the acquaintance was at an end. I have not attempted to call again, and I feel I can only have my own behavior to blame.
I hope that someday we will have the opportunity to speak—to make amends. I owe you an explanation and an apology.
Sincerely,
Jane Younge
While the contents of the letter surprised Elizabeth, her stepsister’s signature proved a greater shock. Jane had been Miss Jane Bennet for so long that most forgot she had a different father. That she openly acknowledged it now was unexpected.
The second letter came from Lydia in Kent. Elizabeth had not thought her sister would write, having achieved her goal of being the first of all her sisters to marry.
Dear Lizzy,
I have not much time to write, as you know, but my husband’s patroness has instructed me to extend an invitation to you and Mary to visit Hunsford for six weeks. I tried to tell her you are busy in town, but I have been overruled. Mr. Collins has agreed to the visit and urged me to write as soon as possible.
Will you come? We can have everything ready by the fifth of March.
Yours, etc.,
Lydia Collins
Elizabeth showed the short, abrupt, and very Lydia-like letter to her aunt.
“You are under no obligation to go,” Aunt Maria said. “And I do not think Mary will wish to be away.”
“I did not think my sister would leave London willingly.” Elizabeth chuckled. “The company here is much more to her liking than that of Kent.”
Aunt Maria frowned. “If you wish to go, I shall not stop you. You must promise to stay only six weeks—Mary will miss you, and there is still more of the season to come.”
Elizabeth did not reply. She reread the brief letter as if hoping that some other information or explanation would present itself, but none was forthcoming.
“I admit to curiosity,” she confessed. “Why only Mary and me? I have another sister at Longbourn.” She did not include Jane, despite having had a letter from her stepsister.
“I cannot imagine what the lady might want.” Aunt Maria shrugged. “A quick visit may do you good. You have seemed rather down in the mouth over the last few weeks. Have the events of the season been wearing on you?”
Elizabeth’s doldrums had another source entirely, but she could not confess that to her aunt. “I do love society, aunt, but I confess I long for the slower pace of the country. Perhaps six weeks in Kent would do me good.”
And so, they arranged for a carriage to deliver Elizabeth to Hunsford on the fifth of March. They dispatched a letter to Mrs. Collins, informing her of the travel arrangements.
After breakfast on the appointed day, Elizabeth kissed her family goodbye and climbed aboard her uncle’s conveyance. Millie accompanied her, and they had a basket of delectable goods from the kitchen on the floor between them.
The journey took several hours, and they arrived at the parsonage before the evening meal.
“Lizzy!” Lydia shouted from the doorway of a handsome but modest stone house. The gray brick had ivy climbing on one side, and the lovely front garden had spring flowers lining the fence.
Elizabeth stepped down from the carriage. Millie followed, immediately helping the footmen with the trunks.
“It is about time you arrived,” Mrs. Collins said. “We have been watching for you for an hour or more. My husband finally left the house to see to parish business. He will be sorry he was not here to greet you. Come inside!”
Lydia looped her arm through Elizabeth’s, and they went into the parsonage. “The house is not as large as Longbourn, but it fits my needs.” Lydia led Elizabeth upstairs.
“This is your chamber here. Mine is across the hall. And look! You have a wonderful view of the gardens out your window.”
The bedchamber was lovely, with pale blue wallpaper covered in delicate white flowers. The matching coverlet was a dark blue with white flowers bordering the edge. A comfortable-looking chair sat before the fireplace, a little table sitting next to it.
“Lady Catherine had shelves put in the closet,” Lydia continued, opening the door and displaying the inside. “I cannot imagine why she did that. It is nonsensical. I had to order a wardrobe so that you could hang your gowns! Well, you will have plenty of space to put your other things, I suppose.”
“Shelves in the closet? Happy thought indeed.” Elizabeth said this sarcastically and was pleased when Lydia giggled.
“You will get along famously with Lady Catherine,” her sister said. “She has the same dry humor. I will admit, she is officious, but she has been kind. I do think she wished Mr. Collins had married an older lady.”
“What makes you say that?” Elizabeth wondered.
“Oh, just comments here and there about me being full young. It does not matter. I am married, and she cannot undo that.” Lydia giggled again. “I will say, I thought that my duties in the parish would bore me or be overtaxing, but it is ever so fun to go calling every day. And I get to meet so many people.”
Lydia had always been the most social of the Bennet sisters. Even so, it surprised Elizabeth that she had adapted so well to her new responsibilities.
“Let us go down to tea. Your trunks will be delivered shortly. And I had no notion you would bring a maid. I cannot put her in her own chamber. That would be insulting to my staff. None of my servants sleep here, either!”
“I am certain a cot in my chamber will be enough for Millie,” Elizabeth said soothingly. “Will that suffice?”
Her sister considered and then nodded. “I believe we have one in the attic. I will order it retrieved.”
They went downstairs and into a parlor at the back of the house.
“This room is for my particular use,” Lydia said. “I have a public drawing room at the front of the house, across from Mr. Collins’s study, but this room is my favorite place in the entire house. It is far enough from the lane to be quiet, and I have a lovely view of the trees from the window.”
“It is a handsome room, indeed,” Elizabeth remarked. “Did you pick the drapes?”
Lydia beamed. “I did! Uncle Gardiner sent me several bolts of fabric for my wedding present. Some I used for gowns, but this was perfect for my parlor. It matched the furniture already here.”
“You have done very well here, Lydia,” Elizabeth said, smiling kindly. “I am very pleased to be your guest.”
Lydia smirked. “I suppose I ought not to tell you I never would have extended the invitation if Lady Catherine had not commanded it. I have not been married long, and I did not wish to share my husband’s attention.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “I am not offended. I am simply glad that my efforts on your behalf have proved so fruitful. You seem to have come into your own.”
Shaking her head, Lydia rang the bell and called for tea. “Yes, you are responsible, in part, for my happy state. Thank you for making it possible for me to marry first. Now, I wish to hear all about London.”
Elizabeth spent some time telling her younger sister all about London and the season. They were thus engaged when Mr. Collins arrived.
“My dear cousin Elizabeth! I am so sorry I was not present to greet you upon your arrival. Parish business has kept me occupied until only a short time ago. Please forgive me for my lack of attention.” He bowed over her hand in an overdone manner, and she suppressed an amused smile.
“You are forgiven, sir. Indeed, I did not think to blame you for fulfilling your obligations. It is commendable that you take so great an interest in your duties.” She smiled kindly, and he sat next to his wife. Lydia patted his leg and looked up at him adoringly.
“How do you find Hunsford Parish?” Mr. Collins asked. “Has my wife not done an admirable job of making my house a home?”
Elizabeth smiled. “Lydia has been very industrious. You both seem very happy.”
Mr. Collins beamed. He turned an adoring look on his wife, and Elizabeth felt rather de trop as they gazed into each other’s eyes. They made a handsome pair. It was a pity they did not have a bit of sense between them.
“We have been asked to dine at Rosings Park tomorrow,” Mr. Collins continued. “Lady Catherine is very desirous to meet you. It is doubtless to thank you for being the means of securing my happiness. Lydia told me all about your efforts. She is a gem, and I am very fortunate in my wife.”
“I confess, I am eager to meet the lady who has inspired such devotion in my sister and cousin.” Elizabeth spoke truthfully. Lady Catherine sounded formidable and officious. She would be an excellent character study at least.
“You must simply put on your nicest gown,” Mr. Collins continued. “Lady Catherine will not be offended by your inferior dress. She likes the distinction of rank preserved.”
Lydia laughed. “How droll you are, Mr. Collins! Can you not see that Elizabeth’s gowns are finer than anything I own? She has been to London, after all. Her attire is the height of fashion. By the by, Lizzy, can I borrow one of yours for the evening?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “As much as I would love to lend you a gown, Lydia, you seem to have forgotten that you are almost a full head taller than I am. Nothing would fit. What say you to borrowing one of my shawls? My aunt purchased several for me. Each one is finely made and should be worthy of your notice.”
Lydia agreed happily and immediately begged to go upstairs to select one. Elizabeth complied, and Mr. Collins followed, giving commentary on the stairs, the woodwork, and the windows the parsonage boasted.
Dinner was simple fare, much to Elizabeth’s shock. She expected Lydia would be extravagant, especially since her mother set an elaborate table almost every night. Instead, she found a roast, potatoes, carrots, bread, and preserves. It was a hearty, filling meal, and Elizabeth complimented their cook’s efforts with genuine enthusiasm. Mr. Collins puffed up at the praise as if he had made the meal himself.
“Yes, my cook makes excellent boiled potatoes. I flatter myself that it has been many years since you had such an exemplary vegetable. The parsley gives it an elevated flavor, if I do say so myself.”
Elizabeth nodded. She preferred simple food to the rich, heavy dishes she had eaten in town. That alone prompted her to praise the meal.
Dessert was apple pastry. Lydia informed her that the fruit came from their cold storage and was from last year’s harvest. “The trees will be blossoming soon,” she said. “I do hope that they bear well, for apples are amongst my favorite fruits.”
“I do agree,” Mr. Collins said. “They can be made into ever so many things. Preserves, pastries, sauces… the possibilities are limitless. And we have four trees at the parsonage.”
After the evening meal, Elizabeth and Lydia retired to the back parlor. Lydia rambled on whilst Elizabeth helped with the mending. Mr. Collins joined them for a time, sitting at a little table and making notes in a book.
“I believe it is time to retire,” he said at the early hour of nine o’clock. Lydia eagerly agreed, blushing slightly as she bit her lip and glanced at Elizabeth.
“You do not mind, do you?” she asked her elder sister. “We have grown used to country hours.”
“I am quite happy to go to bed,” Elizabeth replied. “Town hours have worn me down, and I look forward to renewing my old habits.” Indeed, she most anticipated walking the paths around Rosings Park.
They bid each other good night, and Elizabeth went to her chambers. Millie helped her get ready for bed. Snug under her coverlet, she drifted off to sleep to Millie’s soft snores from the cot in the corner.