Chapter 37
As soon as his official mourning period was over in late May, Mr. Bennet called on Mr. Collins at Lucas Lodge.
He considered inviting his cousin over to Longbourn in order to have their discussion in his own library, but this way, he could end the appointment and leave Lucas Lodge when he wished.
The news he was about to deliver would be such that Mr. Bennet was certain Mr. Collins would begin to grovel and beg, which might be tedious at best. Better that he should state his piece and depart.
It had not been easy putting off the pushy rector for the past month and a half while Mr. Bennet waited for the anniversary of his wife’s death and the end of his mourning period.
He did not want to give Mr. Collins any opportunity to make good on his threat to expose his romantic attachment to Amelia and cause a scandal.
The gossip was likely to be minimal, but he did not wish to hurt his future bride.
Whenever Mr. Collins sidled up to him after church services and quietly inquired about the letter from Thomas Smethurst, Mr. Bennet merely demurred and begged patience, saying he was “still investigating, but no doubt the truth would be a revelation to all once he got to the bottom of it.” Then he would pat Mr. Collins’s arm and give him a bit of a wink as if they shared a great secret.
So, Mr. Bennet knew Mr. Collins would have no reason to suspect anything when the two sat down in the Lucas Lodge salon that spring day. Indeed, he noted that Mr. Collins had the appearance of one who eagerly anticipated hearing happy news.
“I so appreciate your coming to visit me, my dear Mr. Bennet,” Mr. Collins began when the two sat down and he had ordered tea be brought in. “Your thoroughness in confirming what the reverend Mr. Smethurst’s letter revealed is to be commended.”
Mr. Bennet did his best to appear serious.
“Well, such an accusation made against someone I hired must be fully investigated, as I am sure you know. One cannot take drastic steps without being absolutely certain of the guilty party, correct? And any behavior in a man of the cloth that reeks of deception and underhanded tactics should be punished properly, do you not agree?”
“We are entirely of one mind there, dear cousin,” Mr. Collins assured him. “Entirely one mind! There is no question that such a man should be dismissed at once.”
“I am exceedingly glad you agree with me. Then you can brook no opposition when I inform you that your tenure as ‘curate’ to Mr. Yarby has come to an end and you will have no further interference in his management of things at Longbourn rectory.” He watched as Mr. Collins nodded his head in happy agreement before the words sank in.
Mr. Collins’s mouth fell open, and he stammered, “I beg your pardon? You are dismissing me?”
“Indeed, I am. For as you just stated, any man of the cloth who blatantly lies should be fired, and at once. And since I am now aware that you blackmailed Mr. Yarby to take you on as curate by threatening to reveal the attachment between his sister and me, I can no longer have you in my church. For who would tolerate a man in the pulpit with a mouth full of scripture but a heart filled with deceit? Not I, most assuredly. You have taken a share of Mr. Yarby’s salary long enough.
I have written to the bishop to confirm my decision, but your time as curate ends now. ”
“But the letter I gave you—Mr. Yarby is the liar, not me!” Mr. Collins sputtered, flecks of spittle flying in his agitation.
“Sadly, I must inform you that the letter you received in response to your inquiry was written and signed not by Yarby’s former employer but by the senior Mr. Thomas Smethurst, who suffers from senility.
” Mr. Bennet pulled out two pieces of paper.
“Here is the recommendation for Yarby written by the younger reverend, Mr. Charles Smethurst, and here is the reply you received. As you can readily see, they are in two quite different hands. And just to be certain, I wrote Mr. Smethurst once again. He was most apologetic that his father’s response to you had slipped past the housekeeper and into the post. They try to watch out for the poor old man, he wrote, but somehow, they missed intercepting his reply to you.
I cannot fault you for being deceived, but I can indeed fault you for the motivation behind your actions.
They were reprehensible and not those of a gentleman. ”
Mr. Collins’s eyes narrowed. “Yet you did form an attachment to Mrs. Withers while still in mourning! That news can still hurt you, you are aware.”
“As for even thinking of spreading gossip about me and Mrs. Withers, my full mourning ended today, Mr. Collins, and Amelia and I plan to marry in June. The banns will be read next week. Some may whisper about the suddenness of the attachment, but we care little for the opinions of village gossips. We are only determined to act in a manner that will shortly secure our mutual happiness.”
He stood. “I wish you luck in finding a new position, Mr. Collins. May I suggest you apply yourself vigorously to that endeavor, seeing as you now have a wife and a child to support. Good day.”
Mr. Bennet reached the door just as the housekeeper opened it to bring in the tea tray. Mr. Bennet stepped aside for her, then reached for the platter of warm scones. He picked one up.
“This smells quite delicious, thank you.”
He took a satisfying bite. And without a backward glance, he walked home.