Chapter 20. Mr Bennet’s Letters #2
During the ride to London, Jane and Elizabeth sat close together huddled under blankets and pillows.
Mr Bennet shivered occasionally but his daughters piled more blankets around him to keep him warm.
The city had almost as many people on the streets as in the fall, but Elizabeth saw the parks and public places were deserted.
Upon arrival at Grace Church Street, Mrs Gardiner made certain that her nieces were wrapped in warm blankets for an hour and that Mr Bennet was provided with warm drinks.
It was just before teatime, and they joined the family for a pleasant repast that grew noisier when Mr Gardiner returned home to determine if the Bennets had arrived.
Mrs Gardiner asked questions concerning Mary and Mr Lucas, Elizabeth’s correspondence with Miss Darcy, and any news of Mr Darcy. Their aunt became distressed when she learned that Jane had not received any word from Mr Collins since his departure before Christmas.
“Mr Bennet, in all the letters you received from Mr Collins did he never mention Jane or ask for any message to be conveyed to his fiancée?” she asked privately when her nieces were above stairs.
“Mrs Gardiner, I am sorry to report that Mr Collins has not mentioned Jane by name in a single line of any of his letters. He only speaks of Lady Catherine and her suggestions for bettering the settlement arrangements.”
He thought for a moment and added, “I believe that Jane wrote to him twice but never received a reply, so she ceased writing.”
The following afternoon, the interested parties began to assemble at Grace Church Street immediately following the hours for social calls.
First Mr Darcy and his attorney arrived to speak with Mr Bennet and Mr Gardiner.
Promptly on the hour, Mr Collins arrived with all the gravity of a lord’s procession into Parliament.
He bowed to each of the gentlemen and spent ten minutes reporting in detail to Mr Darcy on the particular health of Lady Catherine and her daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh.
“Mr Collins, would you care to greet Miss Bennet?” Mr Gardiner inquired when the parson finally realized that Mr Darcy was not listening to him but was speaking with Mr Bennet instead.
The parson smiled briefly, bowed and intoned a single, “How very nice to see you again Miss Bennet.” Then he turned to his host and suggested, “Perhaps the ladies can retire so that we can begin.”
“Retire sir?” asked Mr Gardiner. “Have we just completed supper and need to separate to refresh ourselves? I am not understanding you.”
Collins blustered for a moment, “Mr Gardiner, certainly we cannot discuss business with ladies present. It would affect their composure... their very felicity to be exposed to matters of pounds and inheritances.”
“For my part, I want my daughters to remain,” Mr Bennet replied. “Jane and Elizabeth have good heads on their shoulders for ladies. I do not think anything Mr Collins says will harm their sensibilities.”
Collins frowned but fell silent as Mr Darcy’s attorney stood up and addressed the gentlemen and ladies.
For his own family, the attorney would have separated the ladies from such conversations as well, but he understood from Mr Darcy that these were exceptional women with education and thought.
And it appeared that the parson from Lady Catherine’s glebe could lay claim to neither such characteristic.
“Upon request of Mr Darcy, I have examined the claims and requests of Mr William Collins for alterations in the marriage settlement dated four November of last year and signed by Mr Thomas Bennet, his daughter Miss Jane Bennet and Mr William Collins. I find nothing in the agreement that allows for any alterations or adjustments without breaking the agreement.”
“Mr Collins, I understand you wish to lay claim to the entirety of the dowry of Mrs Francis Bennet, wife of Mr Thomas Bennet. Sir, I must inform you that to do so would require Mr Bennet to break his own marriage settlement for Mrs Bennet’s father stipulates the division of her dowry equally among her children. ”
The attorney stared at Mr Collins for a moment before adding, “You would have to bring suit against Mr David Gardiner who has been dead these fifteen years past. And I have to tell you, judges do not favour the attendance of rotted corpses in their courtrooms.”
Elizabeth watched Mr Darcy carefully as he kept his face free of emotion or opinion except for catching her eye and winking quickly.
“I do not understand you sir,” Mr Collins said. “Her Ladyship assures me that families make changes to the marriage settlements up to the very day of the wedding.”
“That may be the case sir when both parties are in agreement to the changes,” the attorney explained.
“I understand that Mr Bennet does not wish to make the change you have requested. To change his mind, do you wish to offer any consideration to Mr Bennet for increasing Miss Bennet’s share of the dowry? ”
“No. Lady Catherine...I believe that the entire dowry should be mine because I shall have to support Mrs Bennet and her unmarried daughters after I inherit the estate.”
Mr Bennet leaned forward, “Do you anticipate an early inheritance, sir? I hope you are not planning to do me in with inheritance powder. Remember the scoundrel who was hung last fall for poisoning his wife for her money! They stretched his neck as his final inheritance.”
Darcy glanced at Mr and Mrs Gardiner and at Elizabeth–they were each piqued at Mr Bennet for such words but the master of Longbourn did not know of their previous dealings with the dead man and it appeared that Elizabeth had not told Jane Bennet of the events.
Again, flustered and blustering, Mr Collins retreated to the directives of Lady Catherine; “It is the duty of the upper class to direct the lower classes how best to settle things! We all must listen to Lady Catherine and her wise words!”
Mr Gardiner exchanged glances with his wife as Mr Bennet and Mr Collins exchanged remarks that grew heated. Mr Darcy stepped between the two men before they came to blows.
“Gentlemen, you will be silent!” he roared, and Mr Collins fell back while Mr Bennet grew sullen.
Darcy pointed to a chair beside the fireplace and Collins retreated to the location. Leaning forward and whispering to Mr Bennet, Darcy asked, “Sir, do you wish to break the engagement?”
Mr Bennet glanced toward Jane for a moment but then shook his head and returned to Mr Gardiner’s side.
Darcy turned toward Mr Collins but before he could direct the conversation, Collins spoke, “Mr Darcy, Lady Catherine will be displeased with both of us if we do not put the settlement into better terms. Her Ladyship assured me that you would arrange everything to suit her requirements.”
“Mr Collins, you have entered a binding contract with Mr Bennet and his daughter Jane to marry her, keep her as your wife for your life, give her children and make her mistress of your house. You have agreed to see to the care of his widow and any unwed children of his marriage at the time of your inheritance.”
“But these terms...”
“Mr Collins you will not interrupt me!” Mr Darcy commanded, and the parson sank back in the chair.
“There is nothing in the agreement that allows you to make demands for alterations. In fact, sir, if you fail to live up to your end of the agreement, Miss Bennet has actionable cause to sue you and take the entitlement for herself.” Collins stared at his fiancée for a moment as though seeing her for the first time.
“I suggest sir that before you sign another contract with anyone–a tenant, steward or merchant that you have the contract reviewed by an attorney that you trust.”
“Do they mean to cheat me out of my inheritance?” Collins demanded to know. He turned back to Mr Bennet and exclaimed, “My father always said you cheat! You cheated at university! You cheated at cards!”
Darcy stepped up and pushed Mr Collins back into his chair once again. “Mr Collins if you say another word, I shall use my considerable influence and power to strip you of this entailment and give it to Miss Bennet free and clear.”
Collins was silent and Darcy continued, “The settlement works to protect you as well Mr Collins. Miss Bennet must marry you in June or her father defaults on the agreement and you would have actionable cause then to sue him for all he owns today.”
Before Collins could make any rude remarks Mr Darcy added, “But I am certain that Miss Bennet will fulfil her side of the agreement; she will marry you, bear your sons and daughters while being mistress of whatever house you are master–be it the parsonage in Hunsford or the manor house known as Longbourn.”
Everyone looked at Jane who managed to smile at Mr Collins before she rose, curtseyed and said, “Mr Collins, we shall be man and wife this June.”
Mr Bennet made no comment and Mr and Mrs Gardiner waited until Mr Collins finally agreed. “Very well Miss Bennet. Our marriage settlement will not be changed, and we shall marry in June.”
“I have a request,” Jane said, clearly and without emotion in her voice though Elizabeth feared it cost her sister dearly to be so collected.
“Yes, Miss Bennet,” Mr Darcy replied, not waiting for Mr Bennet or Mr Collins to speak.
“I should like to visit Hunsford before the wedding. Mr Collins, would it be possible for you to arrange for my stay at the parsonage for a month at Easter?” Jane looked at Elizabeth and took her sister’s hand.
“I am certain that my sister will accompany me to view our future home, take the staff in hand and set the house to rights.”
“But who would act as chaperone for you and your sister, Miss Bennet?” Mr Collins asked.
“There is no one suitable in the house and Lady Catherine is a full mile or more from the parsonage. It would be inappropriate for young ladies such as you and your sister to reside under my roof without the appropriate oversight of a lady from your family of the older generation to...”
“My wife will not attend,” Mr Bennet informed the company. “I would not trust her as far as East Bourn during the day and never overnight.”
Elizabeth and Mr Darcy were both caught off guard but pleased to hear Mr Gardiner say, “I believe that my wife can act as a suitable chaperone for my nieces for a month-long visit to Hunsford.”
Mrs Gardiner rose and curtsied to Mr Collins. “I should be pleased to visit with my nieces Mr Collins.”
“Well then, that settles everything,” Mr Bennet said. He rose and went to the sideboard for glass of port.
Mrs Gardiner escorted Mr Collins to the door, asking for the number of bedrooms and space for servants. “How many children will you bring?” the parson asked suddenly.
“There will be many children at Hunsford in a few years, Mr Collins. My three children and their nanny will bring life to your parsonage sir. I am certain you can anticipate having many children soon–Jane’s mother had five children in just seven years.”
Mr Collins paused to consider Mrs Gardiner’s estimation of Jane’s potential for giving him children and suddenly he paled.
“We shall arrive in the middle of March and remain as your guests until the middle of April,” Mrs Gardiner promised. “We shall set all to rights in the parsonage in preparation for Jane’s arrival as your bride in June.”
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Elizabeth and Mr Darcy managed to find a private corner to talk while Mr Bennet and Mr Gardiner escorted the attorneys to the door. Mrs Gardiner returned without Mr Collins, and she went to Jane.
“We shall set Hunsford to rights at Easter my dear. Things will be well,” Mrs Gardiner assured her niece before she stepped to the hall and ordered tea.
“How have you been this winter, Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy asked.
“Well enough but Longbourn has been out of sorts with the many letters from Mr Collins.”
“He proposed changes after the agreement has been signed and closed. You were correct to question his ability to manage Longbourn.”
Sighing, she added, “I worry that if he treats our tenants in this manner, he will have no one to work the fields within one season.”
“This is my aunt’s influence. I shall make certain that he works with the steward at Rosings rather than listening to my aunt to learn how to manage his inheritance. She has bankrupted Rosings with interference.”
“Mr Darcy, my cousin has told me that Lady Catherine is without doubt the greatest noblewoman in the kingdom,” Elizabeth teased.
Darcy smiled, “I look forward to your battle of wits with my aunt when you visit Hunsford in March.”
“Tell me of you...and Georgiana,” she added. “How have you been this winter?”
“We work very hard to pass our days industriously and wait for spring,” he replied.
“I imagine that my father will take Jane and me home tomorrow. We shall return in just a month to journey to Hunsford with our aunt and cousins.”
“Will you stay in town before you go to Hunsford?”
The parlour door opened, and Mr Gardiner guided the maid with the tea service to a table while Mr Bennet spoke to Mrs Gardiner about the day’s events. Jane approached her aunt and father while Mr Darcy rose and escorted Elizabeth to the others around the tea service.
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