Chapter 13 #2
“Well, of course, you had to stay with her, the poor girl.” Mrs. Bennet felt ill at the thought of Miss Darcy suffering such a thing.
“Though the Countess of Matlock and Miss de Bourgh did accompany Lord Matlock to Netherfield, we are closer to her in age. I regret our delay, but Miss Darcy and Charlotte had the greater need.”
“You are all such good girls, and here again prove your judgment is sound,” Mrs. Bennet said, discounting the apology with a flutter of her handkerchief.
Her other daughters despaired of the news. Mrs. Bennet was relieved when her eldest daughters assured them that, with a whole night’s rest and the support of her family and friends, Miss Darcy was of a happier constitution when she awoke this morning.
“Who shot him? Was it Captain Carter? He is ever so dashing,” Lydia said, her hand pressed to her chest and looking desperate to swoon.
“No, he was shot by those who would protect Miss Darcy. She knows two guardians, one being a colonel in the regulars. The other? Our Charlotte, in defense, when Lieutenant Wickham picked up a gun.”
“Charlotte? No!”
“You cannot say it does not sound like Charlotte. She would do anything to protect those she cares for,” Mary said in her practical way.
“True. But poor Charlotte. What is to become of her?” Mrs. Bennet had never experienced such contrary emotions.
The fear for Miss Darcy, the understanding that the man who had tried to abduct her had been shot.
That Charlotte, beloved friend of her daughters, had taken such a defense of a girl unknown?
What must Lady Lucas feel at the loss of her eldest daughter, now more friend than child?
“She did no wrong. She only acted in defense of the earl’s family.
Miss de Bourgh intends that Charlotte go to Kent with her.
She is to be at Rosings Park—yes, that Rosings Park”—nodding toward her father’s bookroom.
“Miss de Bourgh intends to see that she is quite settled in an excellent situation.”
“Lizzy speaks true. The Matlocks and the Darcys are grateful, but I believe Miss de Bourgh also hopes to make a friend of Charlotte. Perhaps she is in want of company with no sisters or brothers, younger or older,” Jane said, kissing Kitty’s brow.
“Oh, to know such a situation in a great house with no noisy sisters to bother me,” Elizabeth said with feigned wistfulness.
“La! How dull would be your days without us, Lizzy,” Lydia said, rolling her eyes.
“Lizzy, you would not have heard, but a soldier is missing. You did not happen upon one as you returned? It seems he has run up debts and is both a thief and a liar. A runner from Bow Street has come to claim him,” Kitty said, thrilled with the drama occurring in their small hamlet.
“The runner is fearsome handsome, and so serious.”
“I suspect that is the man who attempted to harm our friend and was killed,” Jane said, patting her younger sister’s hand in an effort to calm her.
“Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam have known the man most of their lives. Mr. Darcy posited that Lieutenant Wickham had run from debts,” Elizabeth said.
“My goodness!” Mrs. Bennet fanned herself, near to being overwhelmed with such tidings.
“I would impart some happy news, Mama. Mr. Bingley and I are to be betrothed. He intends to come within the next hour to seek Papa’s permission.”
“Oh, happy day!” Mrs. Bennet thought her heart might well burst from her chest. “Oh, my dear Jane. I am sorry your betrothal has such unpleasantness surrounding it. Perhaps Mr. Bingley would like an invitation to tea? He and Miss Darcy might come with Mr. Darcy?”
“Fear not, Mother. He is soon to arrive. I can promise you he will not delay,” Jane said, looking out the window.
Mrs. Bennet struggled against the urge to flutter about, and for far greater causes than an entail or how to marry off five daughters.
An earl was in her house. That missing soldier hunted by the Bow Street runner had attempted to abscond with the sweet Miss Darcy. In consideration of her nerves, her husband tried to silence his cousin. That by itself was an unprecedented event.
Now to know her dearest Jane might be officially betrothed before the day’s end…
Feeling herself giddy at such thoughts, she required diversion.
Then Jane laid a gentle hand on her arm, and Mrs. Bennet recalled to herself the revelations concerning her behavior.
Yes, she must calm. “Oh, I am so happy for you, dear, sweet Jane. This is the loveliest news. Thank you, child. And how does your friend Mr. Darcy fare, Lizzy? Beyond the fear for his sister, of course.”
“Mr. Darcy has declared it a rare thing to find a woman who puts compatibility above materialistic hopes and pays us a compliment, and you, Mama. We have asserted that he and I will remain friends even after he returns to Town. We both regretted our not meeting earlier in the spring at Aunt Gardiner’s dinner. ” Elizabeth leant to kiss her hand.
Mrs. Bennet couldn’t help wondering if Lizzy had made a conquest of the rich gentleman but thought better of asking.
Mrs. Bennet saw relief in all her daughters that she had not pressed for more than was offered, given that an earl was in her house.
It was proven when Mary, staid Mary, squeezed her wrist in approval.
“Though we all learned much at the assembly, understanding makes way for our betterment, Lizzy. I choose Jane’s way, to be grateful for what is good,” Mrs. Bennet said, patting Elizabeth’s hand.
The ladies in the drawing room stood when the earl returned. He bowed his head to acknowledge them, then assured the ladies they need never suffer any foolishness from Mr. Collins.
When Mr. Bennet and Mr. Collins joined them, Mr. Bennet informed his wife that he and the earl would see Mr. Philips.
“My dear,” said her husband, “you may not believe me, but Lord Matlock has said he intends to write the archbishop to address Lady Catherine’s unchristian-like behaviors expounded upon by Mr. Collins.”
“The archbishop, on my wife’s side of our Fitzwilliam family, will, no doubt, make this investigation himself.
If Mr. Collins has discussed even one parishioner’s confession with my sister, when it was made in good faith to a man of the cloth, he will be defrocked,” the earl said, staring at Mr. Collins, who stood quivering at the pronouncement.
“Miss de Bourgh informed her uncle that my cousin speaks of confessions made to him every Sunday at dinner. I must think my cousin will lose his right to attend any flock on English shores. Mr. Collins says he shall have nowhere to go and has refused to become our new stable hand,” Mr. Bennet said.
“Lawd. The horses have made a fortunate escape,” Lydia said under her breath.
At that, the earl tried to hide his chuckle in a low cough, giving Mrs. Bennet great delight.
Just then, the clock chimed, and Mr. Bingley was seen coming down the drive on his horse. When he was announced, the younger man seemed surprised to discover the earl still at Longbourn.
“Ah, Mr. Bennet, I almost forgot. This young man does need a moment of your time. When you are done, we will depart.” Lord Matlock indicated he had no issue with waiting. “There is often a codicil about incompetents in line to inherit.”
The earl stared at Mr. Collins, who flushed a purplish sort of red.
It was only a short time later that her husband reappeared with a beaming Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Bennet thought it unlikely they had made it all the way to the bookroom before Mr. Bennet granted his blessing on the union between their eldest daughter and the young man seeking her hand.
Afterwards, when she congratulated Mr. Bingley and her dearest Jane, and they all proceeded to talk of weddings and celebrations, Mrs. Bennet’s joy was slightly marred when Mr. Bingley disclosed his particular sensitivity to lace.
Still, she was happy for her eldest daughter.
So much so that she quite overlooked the earl and Mr. Bennet’s hasty retreat when talk of the wedding began.
Mr. Collins is Seriously Displeased
Mr. Collins sat in a corner, scowling at all in the drawing room. He could not fathom how Lady Catherine, who recognized his worthiness of her condescension, was so undervalued. By his uncouth relations, yes, but also by her very own brother.
His mood darkened the longer he was ignored, but the earl had been very overt in his warning. Mr. Collins feared being thrown in Bedlam for delusions of grandeur above even Lady Catherine’s wrath. Should he attempt to usurp his cousin’s authority, the earl vowed to see him there personally.
His cousin had been no help at all. In Bennet’s reciting his own words, he was certain would induce his cousins toward understanding that his intent to marry one of them would be to their great benefit.
Mr. Collins was angered by his cousin’s misinterpreting his good fortune as a boast of his importance.
To say Lady Catherine had no significance in society was the greatest of disillusions, one that his cousin and the earl alike suffered under.
His humiliation was complete when Mr. Bennet declared him an unwelcome guest before the earl.
While waiting for the return of his cousin and fearing that the earl could deny his inheriting Longbourn, Mr. Collins considered the earl’s suggestion that he travel.
Before the archbishop could make his inquest, he would apply to Lady Catherine.
If she should fund his passage to the Americas or the Indies, he could extoll her beneficence to a new flock.
Decided on this new course, Mr. Collins was easier in his mind. He had read of many men of the cloth who had started with less yet had done great good. He would do the same in Lady Catherine’s name so she, too, would be lauded near and far.
Dear reader, it must be noted that the earl and Mr. Bennet found no codicil against those of mean understanding being excluded from the line of succession for Longbourn.
I am duty-bound to disclose that, in due time, word reached Longbourn that Mr. Collins did not make it to the Americas.
It would be too much to suggest a tear was shed when the Bennets learnt he had been frightened by a whale and fell over the other side of the boat in his panic.
For this tale, let us say Lydia’s declaration of “That is, indeed, sad news” was wholly facetious.