Chapter 28 #4
She was forthright about her reasons for marrying to one so mismatched to her in intelligence, wit, or character. She explained how she felt compelled to marry for convenience to relieve the burden on her parents who did not have an abundance of funds to support all of their children.
When she explained that she had accepted the man three days after her friend Eliza had refused him, and the way he behaved toward his deified patroness who now was a ‘guest’ at Falconwood Asylum, Elliot got a very good idea of the type of man she had been tied to.
‘God moves in mysterious ways,’ Eliot told himself silently, considering all that had to have occurred just at the right time for this intriguing woman to be released from a hellish situation between the late husband and the insane patroness so he could meet her here at this dinner just when he was ready to dip his toes into the matrimonial market again.
He was very pleased when he heard that she would be joining her friend to be hosted at Pemberley in less than a fortnight.
He extended an invitation for Charlotte, Lizzy, and all those being hosted at Pemberley to visit the parsonage next to the estate’s Church when they felt the inclination to do so.
As they were talking, Charlotte too was starting to understand what Mary and Jane meant when they said they just ‘knew.’ ‘Why oh why did I not meet this man before I ever met the ridiculous man that I was tied to?’ Mrs Collins asked herself.
Try as she had, she never felt a moment’s regret at her late husband’s passing.
She may have had she not been given such a fortune as she had, but with it her life had changed so fortuitously that it could not be but that God was rewarding her for her silent suffering at dealing with such a man who purported to be a man of God.
This man before her was the example all should follow.
For the rest of her days she would appreciate God’s will when He removed Mr William Collins from the mortal coil.
She did not wish anyone to die, but she did not repine God’s plan.
“How are my three sisters behaving at Pemberley, William?” Lizzy turned to the man that she was sitting next to at the table.
“They, along with Georgie and Tiffany, are all being very proper young ladies. They have been enjoying long rides to see the vistas that are available at Pemberley, always well escorted and chaperoned. It is very fortunate that your father sent their mounts with them.” He informed her with a warm smile.
“How is Helen doing? I know she wanted some lessons as it had been a long time since she was on horseback.” Lizzy wanted to be sure that all was well with her newest sister.
“In truth, she needed but one lesson. It came back to her very fast and she is currently riding a very docile cob. They never go faster than a slow canter when all the girls ride together. Yesterday, I took Georgie, Tiffany, and Lydia for a ride and we had a nice long gallop. All the girls impressed me greatly. I wonder if they are not becoming better riders than me because side-saddle is much harder to master. Kitty and Helen were happy to entertain each other for an hour or so.” As he spoke, he was envisaging her as mistress of Pemberley and galloping with him alone some mornings, hoping that his heart’s fondest wish would be granted sooner rather than later.
“It is good that Helen feels so at home with all of us,” Lizzy offered, proving again that she felt the same protective instincts for Helen that she did for any of her sisters.
“I cannot imagine what she is going through knowing that her father is to pass soon. It is so generous of you to convey her to Janet’s Well before we go to Rosings Park. ”
“As one who lost both of his parents far too early, I feel an affinity with her,” he said with sadness in his eyes.
“Like Georgie and me, she will soon be an orphan. I perhaps above most, appreciate that your parents and sisters have all accepted her like a blood relative, not some burden to be tolerated. I was so lucky to have had a family love me and Georgie at such a vulnerable point. I thank God every day for the Fitzwilliams. Uncle Reggie and Aunt Elaine became more parents to us than aunt and uncle. But enough maudlin thoughts. I am looking forward to you and Mrs Collins joining us at Pemberley.” Elizabeth lit up at the thought of seeing Pemberley.
“I cannot wait to see your home. Did I understand from my Aunt that we will join you for services on Sunday at the church on your estate and then we will spend the afternoon with all of you and have dinner before we return to Dovedale?” Elizabeth asked, wanting to verify that she was finally going to see him where she knew he felt most complete as an estate owner and master.
“Yes, you heard correctly.” Darcy was impatient to hear his beloved’s opinion of his home. “Did your Aunt tell you that we invited Lily to return with us tonight and stay for a fortnight so she will be in company with girls closer to her own age?”
“No,” Elizabeth smiled with true amusement. “It is the first I am hearing of it, but I know that Lily will love to be with her cousins and the other girls. She is the youngest, but she is less than three years younger than Lydia, though they may look further apart.”
There was no separation of the sexes after dinner and after musical exhibitions by some of the young ladies, the Darcy party departed for Pemberley with one more girl in tow than they brought when they arrived.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Three Bennets and three Rhys-Davies sat in the drawing room at Bennet Park.
Mary and Hugh had proposed a wedding date of the fifteenth day of August, a Saturday.
When it was pointed out that the date was but eight days after the de Bourgh-Ashby wedding was to take place, the couple stated that they had chosen the date with that fact in mind.
Mary explained to their parents they refused to usurp Anne’s wedding.
They added that most of the people that would attend their nuptials would first attend the wedding at Rosings Park, so it would only mean a short trip to Hertfordshire on fifty miles of good road.
This would be advantageous as they would not have to return to their estates and then travel all the way back again.
There would be more guests than had been at Jane’s given the size of the Rhys-Davies family and the Duke’s many colleagues from the House of Lords who would be invited.
With Longbourn refurbished, accommodation would not be a problem, as the house was due to be ready no later than the first day of August.
After some discussion, it was agreed. Lady Mary Bennet would marry Lord Hugh Rhys-Davies, Marquess of Birchington, in the middle of August in the year of our Lord 1812.