Prologue #2
“I believe in giving people a proper chance, Mr Collins.” Darcy returned to the desk and resumed his seat.
“Anne thinks that you ought to be dismissed, but I do not believe in depriving a man of his living unprovoked. She is willing to humour me in this regard. To my understanding, you have not yet come to deserve this living, but if you are willing, you will learn. Are you willing?”
Mr Collins looked doubtful. “I have never been much of a student, but I am not unwilling.”
“All that is necessary is that you spend some time learning your true duties, Mr Collins.” Darcy leaned forward.
“You ought to have had a curacy before you were elevated to a living, but my aunt prefers men without confidence in their own abilities. You will travel at my expense to Derbyshire, where you will live and work with the parson who holds the two livings in my gift and his curate. They will teach you what you lack. I will correspond and instruct you in gentlemanly behavior and matters at Hunsford when I am able. If you return in three months and have learned how I wish for you to conduct yourself, then prove yourself over the next year, you may stay. When you return, you will no longer be my aunt’s creature, but God’s, and no other’s.
You will no longer allow my aunt to write or correct your sermons.
If you cannot write coherent sermons yourself, you will use the Book of Prayer like other clergymen.
You will not disclose the confessions or troubles of your parishioners to me or my wife unless it has been deemed acceptable by that parishioner to seek our aid.
You will share no parishioner’s troubles at all with Lady Catherine, who you will regard with the utmost respect, but no more.
You are to be her spiritual advisor, not her informer, nor her tool.
If you would be a friend to me, you will become the sort of man that I can trust with a confidence, one who I can trust with the souls of Hunsford, and to be of assistance to my wife when I am not in Kent. ”
“Mr Darcy, I am humbled to think that you believe I am capable of improvement, or worthy of the effort to do so,” Mr Collins babbled. “You see, my father–”
“Mr Collins, a gentleman does not make excuses for his shortcomings.” Mr Darcy rose from his desk and offered the man his hand. “You must take responsibility for your own behaviour, and strive to do better.”
“I will, Mr Darcy! I will learn to become a credit to the glory of Hunsford and Rosings Park, and a friend to you and Miss de Bourgh!” Mr Collins cried.
Mr Darcy sighed.
The following morning, Fitzwilliam George Alexander Darcy took Miss Anne Maria Constance de Bourgh as his wife.
His best friend, Mr Bingley, stood as his attendant.
Their cousin, Lady Priscilla, stood up with Anne.
Lord Matlock gave away the bride, who was married in a ballgown of Priscilla’s that had been altered to fit in haste.
Lady Catherine, knowing how lucky she was that her nephew had finally capitulated, even if only to preserve his cousin’s peace in her last days, was careful not to be smug.
According to the terms of Lewis de Bough’s will, now that Anne was past twenty-five and married, Lady Catherine could be sent to the dower house if she displeased her daughter or son-in-law, since Anne was to remain at Rosings.
Anne was not strong enough for the journey north, nor the freezing northern winters of Derbyshire.
Darcy had already decreed as the new master of Rosings that his aunt had enjoyed her time as mistress there, and that now Anne would experience hers.
Lady Catherine had been moved into an appropriately grand suite of rooms to make way for the new mistress, and fussed less than anyone expected.
Darcy pensioned off Mrs Jenkinson and engaged a younger companion for his new wife.
A woman of similar age to Anne, Mrs Chartham was the only child of a late viscount and the unfortunate widow of a scoundrel who lost her generous dowry at the tables.
The distant cousin who inherited her father’s estate was of no assistance to her, and so she would offer Anne company, bolster her courage when Anne must defy her mother, and be her friend.
Mrs Chartham would arrive in two days. Anne was already excitedly selecting colours and fabrics for the renovations to her new suite, and later in the week, a modiste would arrive from London to fit her for a new wardrobe.
It was time for Anne to decorate as she chose and wear what she liked, when she felt well enough to do so.
There was even a new housekeeper, for the old one was thoroughly loyal to Lady Catherine.
Torrens was the model of propriety, and transferred his allegiance to Anne and Darcy the instant it became appropriate to do so.
The new housekeeper would answer only to Anne, allowing her mistress to manage the household and menus when she was well enough, and take over her duties when she was not.
Darcy had brought the deputy housekeeper from Pemberley, so he knew she would be an ally for the new master and mistress against Lady Catherine’s overbearing nature.
The following day, an announcement appeared in The Times, informing all concerned that Anne de Bourgh and Fitzwilliam Darcy were officially and legally off of the marriage mart.
Several debutantes and even a few of their mothers did not leave their beds for a week, such was their grief at this news.