Chapter Fifty-Four
Mr. Collins arrived at Longbourn the day before the wedding ceremony.
He had journeyed in some state, sitting comfortably in a fine carriage that had been loaned to him by his patroness in order to bring his bride and her possessions to her new home with ease.
Mary was very touched by Lady Catherine’s kindness, and thought she must not be too dreadful a woman if she could do something as thoughtful as this.
Mr. Collins was presented to the Gardiners and, since all parties were disposed to like one another, there was a good deal of conversation and laughter.
He was asked many questions about his situation in Kent, which he answered with commendable brevity; in turn, he asked Mr. Gardiner many intelligent questions about his business in London.
When he asked if outsiders were allowed to invest, Mr. Gardiner replied that of course they were, but in any case, Mr. Collins was now family, and if he wished to invest in Mr. Gardiner’s business, why, he was very welcome to do so.
***
Mrs. Gardiner took Mary off to the side that evening for, as she put it, a little talk. She began, “Mary, I congratulate you. He is an excellent choice.”
Mary blushed rosily.
“And I can tell that he is fond of you, and you of him, and that makes me very happy.”
“Thank you, Aunt,” Mary answered, humbly.
“Has you mother spoken to you about what to expect on your wedding night?”
“She has, yes; you know I live on a farm, Aunt, so I did have some idea. She assured me that it is not at all terrible if you are fond of the man.” Mary was blushing heavily as she spoke, but it was clear that she was not frightened.
“Good; I was ready to step in if you had concerns, but it sounds like everything is well.”
Mary, who was not usually given to spontaneous displays of affection, hugged Mrs. Gardiner, an action which touched the older woman deeply.
“Mary, I wish to give you your wedding gift now, if you do not mind.”
“Of course, Aunt.”
Mary followed Mrs. Gardiner into the guest room. Mrs. Gardiner handed the girl a large gift, wrapped in brown paper, which Mary opened at once.
It was a beautiful rectangular tea caddy, made of rosewood and decorated with golden leaves.
Holding her breath, Mary opened it. It contained three different compartments – two of which contained tea leaves, and the center compartment held a crystal bowl for mixing tea leaves or to hold sugar.
“Oh, Aunt Madeleine!” Mary breathed. “I have never seen anything so lovely!”
“You see that it has a lock,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “ And here is the key.” From her pocket, she produced a brass key on a scarlet ribbon. She gave it to Mary and clasped her hands to her chest, saying, “There! Now you are a proper mistress of a household!”
The two laughed together. Mary’s laughter was mixed with tears of joy. “I never thought to be so happy,” Mary whispered. “I never thought to marry, let alone for love. I never thought that it would be me who would be the future mistress of Longbourn!”
“You deserve every good thing, Mary,” her aunt assured her.
Mary went to her room, clutching the tea caddy. This would be her last night at Longbourn. Well, no, someday she would be the mistress here! Just imagine! She hugged herself in delight.
Then she heard a quiet knock on her door. It was Elizabeth, asking Mary for a few moments of her time. “I have a favour I would like to ask,” Elizabeth began, looking uncomfortable.
“Anything, Lizzy,” Mary replied.
“Do not be so quick, Mary, or you may regret your words.” Elizabeth tried to laugh.
“Go on, then,” Mary urged.
“May I come with you to Kent?”
Mary’s jaw dropped. She did not know what she had expected, but certainly not this!
“It is not so unusual for one sister to accompany another immediately after marriage, is it?” Elizabeth said.
“No, not at all, it is just that – well, with Mr. Bingley –“
“Yes, you see, that is exactly it. If I am gone, I believe Mr. Bingley will propose to Jane at once.”
“So you really do think that his hesitation has been because he could not make up his mind?”
“No; I think his mind is made up in favour of Jane, but he fears that he has raised my expectations and is too much the gentleman to not follow through.”
“I see. Well, if you truly believe that, then of course you are very welcome, Lizzy.”
“One more thing, Mary.”
“Yes?”
“Do not tell Mama.”
***
Mary’s wedding day was everything the girl might have hoped for.
Her sisters awoke early to help her prepare.
There had been no money for a new gown, but Jane had surprised Mary by cutting down one of her own London gowns so that it would fit her.
Lydia had remade one of her own bonnets (using Kitty’s ribbons) so that it would complement Jane’s gown.
Elizabeth had wandered far and wide, collecting what greenery she could find, in order to decorate the church and make a lovely bouquet for Mary to carry.
As she walked up the aisle on her father’s arm, she heard some of the whispers from those attending. She heard herself described as “very pretty,” which was more praise than she had ever heard or expected to hear. Mr. Collins looked quite handsome as she walked toward him.
The wedding breakfast, augmented by the gifts the Gardiners had brought, was more than adequate. Mr. Collins took Mr. Bennet aside and reiterated his promises to care for Mary and all her sisters for as long as need be, and Mr. Bennet, in turn, thanked Mr. Collins warmly.
Mr. Bingley stood with both Jane and Elizabeth, speaking first with one young lady and then with the other.
Mr. Darcy would have very much liked to speak with Elizabeth, but he knew he had better not let Reginald out of his sight.
His cousin had attached himself to Miss Lucas and would not leave her side, while Sir William and Lady Lucas wore enormous grins, doubtless hoping that a match was in the making.
Mrs. Bennet hugged Mr. Collins, then hugged Mary, and then hugged Mary again, causing Jane to whisper to Elizabeth, “Mama has a new favourite daughter!”
Elizabeth turned to Jane and took her hands, her face suddenly serious. “Jane, please forgive me, but this is the right thing.”
“Whatever –“
“We are about to leave, Lizzy,” Mary called out. “Your trunks are already tied to the carriage.”
Jane grabbed Elizabeth’s arm. “Lizzy, what are you about?”
“I am right behind you, Mary!” Elizabeth called out. She pulled away from Jane, ran out the front door, and climbed into the carriage.
“Lizzy!” Mrs. Bennet called out, urgently. “Whatever do you mean by –“ But the rest of her words were lost as the carriage rumbled away.