Chapter 37 Longbourn #3
"It was Anne's information about Aunt Catherine removing Wickham from the law office where he worked and sending him here that prompted the express," Richard said after he finished with a spirited description of the confrontation with Lady Catherine in the field near Boxwell church.
"But we also heard news about Mr. Collins yesterday that made us worried. "
"You mean Collins the younger, do you not?" Bennet asked. "Collins the elder has died, or so I have heard."
"Yes, Collins the incompetent clergyman," Richard confirmed.
"I think you know Sir Phillip de Bourgh has been monitoring his movements.
" Bennet nodded. "Sir Phillip told us Collins had left his spot as a curate a few days ago, disappearing to parts unknown.
I learned in Hunsford he is expected to take over the parsonage and the living there, bringing along a wife, but he is not married that any of us know and he has not been seen there yet. "
"I had an odd letter from the man a few weeks ago," Bennet told them.
"It was filled with flowery nonsense and repeated references to an olive branch he wished to tender as a means of healing the breach between our families.
The writing was so poor it was hard to tell what he meant, although he also seemed to be inviting himself to make a visit.
I wrote back immediately and told him plainly that he was not welcome.
I used our preparations for my eldest daughter's wedding as the excuse, but I would not have welcomed him in any case. "
"Given his close association to my aunt, I would say that is wise," remarked Richard. "Have there been any reports of strangers in the neighborhood?"
"None of any note. You know I do not get around well enough to track the comings and goings in the village. Sir William keeps me abreast of any happenings out of the ordinary. I would expect the arrival of someone of Mr. Collins's character would fall into that category."
"Speaking of things out of the ordinary," said Richard, "the house is much quieter than usual. With the upcoming wedding I would have expected it to be a hive of activity."
Laughing, Bennet said, "There is plenty of activity, I assure you. Today, most of it has moved to the village with my wife and all my daughters still at Longbourn except Lizzy."
Darcy looked up at Miss Elizabeth's nickname, all attention now fixed on his host. Both of the other men saw and understood his interest. Richard took pity on his cousin and asked the question for him.
"Where is Miss Elizabeth?"
Bennet could not quite contain his amusement as he replied, "My Lizzy took advantage of the fine weather to go on a nice long walk with Miss Lucas." As the older man expected, he now had Richard's full attention as well.
"So, it is still Miss Lucas?" Richard asked, attempting to sound nonchalant. His behavior was just forced enough to draw Darcy's attention and suggest some interesting conclusions.
Bennet grinned. "She is indeed still Miss Charlotte Lucas, despite the attempts of more than one young man to convince her to change that name and title."
"Do you suppose the ladies would mind if we met them on their walk?" Richard asked hopefully.
Bennet looked at them both doubtfully, although Darcy could see the mischief in his eyes.
The older man shook his head sadly. "I do not know about that," he said.
"They do enjoy the chance to talk in private, and that new bridge I had built is unlikely to have fallen down and provided any need for a daring rescue. "
Darcy did not understand the reference to the bridge, but it was clear his cousin did. "I should hope not," Richard said. "We have already encountered one downed bridge on this trip, although it did little more than delay our travel. Still, there is no need for another."
It was Bennet's turn to look confused. "Oh?" he asked.
"The road we intended to take was blocked by a downed bridge, so we had to backtrack and take another route to get here," Darcy explained before Richard could make an epic tale of it. He wanted to go off in search of Miss Elizabeth.
"I see," said Bennet, meaning both the explanation and the brevity of it.
"Well, I cannot guarantee what kind of welcome you will receive, Mr. Darcy, but if you are willing to take your chances, I think you might just meet them returning from the river trail.
She is not likely to run and hide if Richard is with you. "
"You all knew?" Darcy asked, while Richard scrambled up from his seat, ready to leave."
"I would not be surprised if you were the only one who did not," Mr. Bennet said teasingly. "Which reminds me, I must hear how you finally learned my daughter's true identity."
Richard started to protest, but Bennet raised his right hand. "Later will be fine. After your walk or even later than that. It would make something for me to look forward to hearing over port this evening. For now, be off with you both. Richard knows the way."
Darcy stood as well. "Thank you, Mr. Bennet. I think I shall let Richard tell you the tale. He finds it far more amusing than I."
Bennet waved them off. "Later then," he said, and the two men quickly left the room.