Chapter Sixty-Three
Staring out the window as the as their carriage pulled up in front of the Collins’ rectory, Elizabeth exclaimed “It is everything charming, Mary!”
Mary was pink with excitement. “Oh, it is! I cannot wait to go inside!”
Mr. Collins led the way as the footmen began to carry trunks and packages inside the house.
Elizabeth had packed two trunks, as she had no idea how long she would need to be gone, and Mary had brought everything she owned, including the wedding gifts she had received.
She had kept her new tea caddy on her lap throughout the journey, as she did not trust it to be safe if packed away in a trunk.
The door opened and three servants popped out and lined up. Mr. Collins introduced Mrs. Watkins, the cook; Maeve, the maid; and Stevens, the manservant. The two women curtsied and murmured, “Mrs. Collins,” and Stevens bowed low.
Mary thanked them, and then followed her husband into the house.
The rectory had a long hallway which opened into a staircase.
There was a large drawing room to the right, which opened into a dining room.
To the left was a closet and a kitchen, complete with a larder and scullery.
Behind the staircase was Mr. Collins’ study.
“Far away from any visitors in the drawing room, my dear,” Mr. Collins remarked to Mary.
“So you may entertain at your leisure without any concern of disturbing my work.”
On the second floor were the bedrooms for the family and guests. The master and mistress had separate bedrooms, with a connecting door, and there were three additional bedrooms. “Take your pick, Lizzy,” Mary commanded, waving her hand grandly toward the bedrooms, mischief in her eyes.
“Thank you, Mrs. Collins,” Elizabeth returned, grinning and curtseying to the floor.
Elizabeth chose the room with the largest windows. It was not the biggest or best decorated of the available rooms, but she liked the view of the nearby park – doubtless belonging to Lady Catherine de Bourgh – very well.
Mr. Collins was clearly delighted to show off his home, and he could not have wished for a better audience. Mary was delirious with joy at the idea of managing her own home, and Elizabeth, grateful that she had been allowed to accompany them, was happy to add her own praise.
It was not, in fact, difficult to find things to praise. Mr. Collins had clearly done his best to make the home as warm and welcoming for Mary as was possible. The floors and furniture shone with polish, the windows were free of dust and cobwebs, the kitchen had been scrubbed to a fare-thee-well.
Mary thanked Mrs. Watkins quite sincerely for her efforts, and the cook blushed as she curtsied and replied. “Dinner will be ready at seven, ma’am, if that suits. Usually the master takes his dinner at six, but we thought you might be late getting in.”
“That is perfect, Mrs. Watkins. I agree that six in the evening will be our usual time.”
Tea was served in the parlour for the travelers, and then everyone repaired to their own rooms to rest before dinner.