Chapter 26. Aunt Gardiner’s Tea
The next day, Mrs Gardiner spent the afternoon in the garden, watching her children play while she kept an eye on the road.
When she saw Miss de Bourgh driving her phaeton, she approached the road and waved to the heiress to stop at the parsonage.
Miss de Bourgh pulled her pony to a halt to exchange pleasantries with the parson’s guest. They were quickly joined by the attentive Mr Collins.
“Miss de Bourgh, you honour me with your presence outside my humble home,” he gushed. “Have you need of water or assistance from myself or any member of my household?”
“Will you join us for tea, Miss de Bourgh?” Mrs Gardiner asked.
Before the awe-struck Collins can interject, Anne agreed. “I should be pleased, Mrs Gardiner.”
“Help her from the phaeton, Mr Collins,” Mrs Gardiner instructed the man.
With Miss de Bourgh on his arm, Mr Collins led the way into the parsonage with the stately manner of a lord coming into the presence of the king.
In the parlour, Mrs Gardiner placed Anne beside Mr Collins on the sofa, and the parson devoted his attentions to the heiress for her entire visit.
Puzzled by Mrs Gardiner’s actions, Jane nonetheless performed her duties as hostess and encouraged Mr Collins to attend to Miss de Bourgh’s comfort.
“Miss de Bourgh, I hear that you enjoyed the picnic,” Mrs Gardiner told her guest at some time during the tea. “Mr Collins spoke of your lovely gown and lively conversation more than once last evening.”
The parson blushed when Miss de Bourgh smiled at him most beautifully after hearing of his kind words. At the end of the tea, Mr Collins escorted Anne back to her phaeton and then Mrs Gardiner dismissed the pastor to have the final word with the heiress.
“Miss de Bourgh, you are a rich heiress–your life should be to your arrangement and liking. What are your father’s instructions in his will that concern your marriage?”
“When I marry, I become mistress of Rosings and my mother must move to the dowager’s house to live on an allowance that I specify,” Anne replied without hesitation.
Smiling and reaching out to grasp Miss de Bourgh’s hand, Mrs Gardiner smiled knowingly.
“I believe your father’s requirement explains why Lady Catherine forwards the match with Mr Darcy so forcefully.
She believes that after the marriage, Mr Darcy will take you to his estate in Derbyshire and leave Rosings for her.
Your mother does not wish to move to the dowager’s house or live on a smaller allowance. ”
A light appeared in Anne de Bourgh’s eyes with the revelation of Mrs Gardiner’s words.
“My mother preaches for the wedding with my cousin, but I do not care for Darcy as my husband. He is too silent,” Miss de Bourgh said confidentially to her hostess. “His eye has landed upon Miss Elizabeth I believe, and they can make each other happy.”
She leaned forward and whispered, “For myself, I prefer a man who speaks to me and praises my virtues and attributes.”
“Such as Mr Collins?” Mrs Gardiner suggested as Miss de Bourgh blushed a most bright pink.
“My mother is a very determined woman, Mrs Gardiner.”
“Indeed, Lady Catherine is a formidable woman,” Mrs Gardiner agreed but she paused as though considering something.
“Perhaps if you and Mr Darcy spoke aloud of the notion of Rosings being very pleasant; remind her that the winter in Kent is nicer than Derbyshire. You can state that after the marriage to Mr Darcy, you would make Rosings your seat.”
Miss de Bourgh was happily considering Mrs Gardiner’s words as older woman suggested, “Offer to have new wallpaper hung in the dowager’s house and watch how quickly Lady Catherine decides that Mr Darcy is not the match for you.”
“You offer interesting observations Mrs Gardiner,” Miss de Bourgh said. “I shall speak of these things with my mother this afternoon, but I shall not involve my cousin. He cannot dissemble even in a card game.”
As Miss de Bourgh drove away from the parsonage, Elizabeth approached her aunt standing at the garden gate to ask, “Aunt, what are you attempting here?”
“I have a better understanding of the world than you. A woman has little chance of happiness in this world of men–we cannot do anything without our husband’s approval and permission. I want each of my nieces settled with good husbands–not as the wife of a fool or evil man.”
“But what of happiness?”
“Happiness is impossible to find when you do not have enough food, warm clothing or a secure roof over your head,” Mrs Gardiner told her daughter.
“Aunt, I fear that Mr Collins will give Jane none of these things. He will ruin Longbourn when he inherits. He cannot manage the servants in this house–how will he manage the tenants on the farms?”
“Can Mr Darcy bring Mr Collins under the tutelage of the steward here at Rosings?” asked Mrs Gardiner of her niece.
“He already made the arrangements, but Mr Collins resists the suggestion.”
Mrs Gardiner turned her full attentions to Elizabeth, “The gentleman will attempt to assist your family in all matters I believe.”
The two women were silent for a moment before Mrs Gardiner continued, “I am pleased with your happiness Lizzy. It is very telling that Mr Darcy comes without his sister every morning and you walk with Mr Bingley and Jane as chaperones.”
“Mr Darcy is a gentleman at all times,” Lizzy insisted, and her aunt smiled.
“Of course, my dear, but I believe he will not wait much longer before declaring his attentions.”
Elizabeth blushed to hear her aunt’s estimations but also smiled with the lightness of her heart.
“Your mother never knew what to do with you. She hoped for a good match for Jane and always thought young Mr Lucas would do for Kitty or Mary. And it appears that Mary is asserting herself to capture Mr Lucas’s attention–she is just as pretty as you since she took to wearing her hair in a more becoming fashion.
When Kitty is a year or two older, we shall find a husband for her among the young gentlemen or rich tradesmen. ”
Now Elizabeth saw her aunt smile. “I always worried about you and Lydia most. You both have the spirit to be wild and free-spirited–like your Aunt Phillips.”
Elizabeth looked surprised to be characterized as ‘wild’, and her aunt laughed. “Yes, Miss Lizzy! You are just as wild as Lydia, but you took to books and your father gave you words and thoughts to spur your ambition for a good life.”
“Aunt, you have depths of understanding that I had not realized.”
~~}{~~
The next day, Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy brought Miss Darcy to tea at the parsonage. Seated beside Elizabeth, Georgiana shared an interesting story with her friend.
“There was a great deal of conversation last evening at Rosings. After tea, my aunt was very pleased when my brother announced his intention to extend our visit for an additional fortnight.”
“Is that unusual?” Elizabeth asked glancing at Mr Darcy who feeling her eyes on him from his seat near Mr Collins and Jane, turned toward Elizabeth. When their eyes met, Elizabeth felt warmth spread across her entire being.
“This is the only time my brother has remained at Rosings for a fortnight complete and he has never extended a visit.”
“I have greatly enjoyed his company,” Elizabeth admitted.
Georgiana smiled and leaned close to whisper. “And each day, he and I speak in confidence–he wants to know of all of our conversations.”
Elizabeth blushed. “Does he correct my comments to you?”
“Indeed not. He laughs with me and encourages me to follow your lead in all matters.”
To change the subject, Elizabeth asked, “Did that announcement spur all of the conversation you mentioned?”
“It was only the beginning. My aunt was pleased by my brother’s announcement but then my cousin Anne created a great disturbance with her own announcement.
She informed Lady Catherine that she has decided that upon her marriage to my brother that they would make Rosings their seat and leave Pemberley to me. ”
“Her marriage?” Elizabeth asked quietly though her heart pounded loudly. “I thought your cousin did not favour the match with Mr Darcy?”
“Oh, she does not intend the match but merely said such to pique my aunt’s temper,” Georgiana assured her, laying her hand on Elizabeth’s arm.
“My brother was speechless, but Anne proceeded to debate the merits of Rosings as the home for her married life with my aunt removed to the dowager house. When Lady Catherine raised her voice in argument, my cousin proved equal to her mother with temper and volume.”
“I am amazed,” Elizabeth replied.
“This morning, Aunt Catherine had not come below stairs before we walked out to come to the parsonage, but Anne had taken her morning walk, broken her fast and consulted with the cook concerning changes she wanted in the menus. My aunt will be surprised to find ham instead of chicken for supper tonight, but Anne has asserted herself.”
Elizabeth managed a small smile as she said, “I fear Lady Catherine will not enjoy her daughter’s exercise of her majority.”
“My brother met with them both earlier this week and reminded my aunt of the conditions of my uncle’s will. The whole of Rosings is Anne’s without encumbrance upon her marriage.”