Chapter Seventy-Two
Knowing that Georgiana was safe at Longbourn, Mr. Darcy turned his attention to Longbourn’s entail.
He wrote a letter to his uncle, the Earl of Matlock, explaining the situation and asking the Earl to assist Mr. Stanley in obtaining a Court of Chancery date as quickly as possible.
His uncle was good friends with nearly all of London’s judges, and his influence would go far.
***
Upon receiving his nephew’s letter, the Earl wasted no time.
He was a man who believed deeply in the laws of inheritance, and the idea that an estate would go to a man who was not legally entitled to it was anathema to him.
It was not the Earl’s problem and it was not Darcy’s problem; it was, in fact, England’s problem, and the Earl felt honoured to play a part, however small, in making things right for England.
He put on his tallest hat, picked up his best cane, and ordered his finest carriage to be harnessed up. He spent the afternoon visiting several of the most important judges in London, all of whom assured him that the matter would be given their full attention.
***
When Mr. Stanley applied for a Court of Chancery date, he was astonished at the rapidity of the response. The case was to be heard in just two weeks. He wrote at once to Mr. Darcy.
Mr. Darcy,
To my surprise, it has not been at all difficult to have the case heard.
We are to present ourselves in Lord Jarndyce’s chambers on the tenth of December.
I will have Mr. Jeffries, the rector from Atherstone, with me.
I have made copies of the baptism record for George Collins, and Mr. Jeffries will bring the actual baptism record book.
If I may be so bold, Mr. Darcy, perhaps it would be best for you to not be present at the hearing; I suspect there would be a good deal of talk as to why it is that Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley is involved in this situation.
Mr. Albion Stanley
Stanley was certainly right, Mr. Darcy mused. There would be speculation as to what interest Mr. Darcy had in a small estate in Hertfordshire, and he was not ready for gossip to intrude upon his courtship with Miss Elizabeth. He must let Mr. Bennet go on his own.
***
Mr. Bennet, for his part, took great delight in writing to Mr. Collins.
Mr. Collins,
I have recently discovered that your father, George Collins, was not Joshua Collins’ natural son. He was, in fact, adopted. I have copies of the baptism records to prove it and, in addition, the word of the rector who arranged the adoption.
I will pursue the matter in court and put an end to the entail. You will be informed as to the court date so that you may come to London and argue your case; I warn you, however, that you will lose.
Mr. Thomas Bennet
It was with a good deal of grim satisfaction that he sealed and addressed the letter.
***
Upon receiving the letter, Mr. Collins turned it over in his hands. He thought, ‘Ha! Doubtless, Bennet writes to beg me to return and marry one of his daughters!’ He tossed the unopened letter onto his desk and left the room.