Chapter 15 #2
“But there could be. You sound as if you would not reject his addresses.” Yarby rose and returned to his desk chair.
Amelia threw her hands up, helplessly. “I cannot say! It is far too soon to predict what may occur between us. I can only apologize for being too unguarded in my actions towards Mr. Bennet, and I promise I will check any such behavior in the future.” She lifted her eyes in appeal to her brother.
“We had been enjoying such a lovely walk that day. He was in the finest spirits I had seen since the funeral, so I suppose I encouraged it a bit by teasing him. When he plucked the leaf off my bonnet, he had such an impish expression, I could not help but laugh. And then he laughed, and my heart filled so to see him thus, I…I took his hand and placed it to my cheek.” She shook herself.
“Oh! Of all people—to have that odious Mr. Collins see us!”
“And he could hardly wait to inform me of his discovery,” Yarby said grimly.
“Will he stay quiet? Above all, I do not wish to see your reputation damaged. As for my own, I do not care. I am a widow without any expectations, so it matters little what people say about me. But I could not bear to see you slandered or your position here compromised.”
Yarby took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before replying. “Mr. Collins and I have…come to an understanding, Amelia, but I have not told you the terms.”
Amelia gasped. “Terms? Mr. Collins had demands?”
“I am to take him on as my ‘curate’ although he fancies himself as an equal rector. I must allow him two sermons a month to preach, and pay him a salary of sixty pounds. In exchange, he will keep silent.”
Amelia began to weep. “It is all my fault. What a cost…such a price to pay! Why can we not tell Mr. Bennet? Perhaps there is something he can do.”
“Absolutely not. We cannot involve him in any way. I fear Mr. Collins would make good on his threats if we did.”
“But what are we to say when Mr. Collins is there in church and speaks from the pulpit? I confess that Mr. Bennet has told me more than once of his loathing of the man. He will surely question your taking him on.”
“I have given it considerable thought. We shall say that I have a chronic illness that has flared up—gout, perhaps, or weak lungs. Therefore, I must bring a curate on to assist me. It is not uncommon for a rector to have one, as you know.”
“Yes, but Robert, that occurs mostly when a rector has more than one parish to manage—you have but this alone.”
“I know, which is why my poor health must be my stated reason. Then I shall say that, because Mr. Collins is so nearby, we considered him the perfect man for the job. That is, until he finds a full time parish for himself.”
“Something for which I shall pray daily,” Amelia replied grimly.
She rose and dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief.
“I suppose I must review our budget and see where economies can be made. If we are to give nearly half our salary to Mr. Collins, we shall have to retrench a bit. I think, if we let Frank go, we can save twenty pounds there. We can always hire someone for any jobs we cannot do ourselves.” She walked to the door and turned a sad face to her brother.
“Again—I am so very, very sorry, Robert. Will you…will you write Mr. Collins now?”
Robert nodded silently and took out a sheet of paper.
***
In their bedroom in Lucas Lodge, a conversation was also being held between Mr. Collins and his wife.
“But, William—a curate position? Is that not a step backwards?” Charlotte asked. “Why would you accept it?”
“It will be only temporary, my dear, I am sure,” Mr. Collins replied. “I am eager to be busy again. Idleness is not my way, as you well know. Yarby has promised me two sermons of my own per month. Plus, the money will help.”
“We have next to no expenses now, living with Mother and Father. Although, I do long to manage our own home again.”
“Precisely. But with sixty pounds to call our own, we may consider moving out of Lucas Lodge.” Charlotte began to object, but he held up his hand to silence her.
“I am extremely fond of your family, of course, but I have no place to call my own. I shall need a place to do my work now that I am to be curate—well, with my experience, it will be more of an advisory rector position, truly—and there simply is not anywhere in this house for me to have peace and quiet.”
He saw Charlotte press her lips firmly together a moment before replying, “But sixty pounds is so little! And where would we go? Do you see us living in rented rooms above a public house in Meryton for Heaven’s sake, William?
Noisy, furnished shoddily, and no doubt damp—that cannot be good for our future child.
Like you, I long for a place to call our own, but rented rooms will not do. ”
“You can spend a goodly amount of each day here, of course, my dear, but I must have my own place. And I would expect my wife to be there with me.”
Charlotte stood. “No. Rent rooms for yourself and spend all of your day in them if you please. Then you may return to Lucas Lodge each evening. But I shall not budge from here for the sake of your vanity alone.”
Mr. Collins considered her proposition a moment before nodding. Easier to agree with Charlotte for now and persuade her to move out once he finds a place.
“Very well, I shall do just as you wish. I am sure it will all be temporary on any account. A permanent living is certain to come up soon.”
“Or, as we discussed before, Mr. Bennet may expire for sorrow over his late wife.”
A queer little smile come over Mr. Collins’s face. “Oh, I do not think we can count on that, my dear. I am afraid his mood has quite altered of late. Indeed, the boot is quite on the other leg now.”
He walked over, kissed his wife, and proceeded downstairs.
“I shall be in Meryton exploring possible rooms for rent. You can expect me back by supper.”