Pride in Meryton, page 17
“You mean when you coldly threw us out of our home!” Cousin Lydia sneered.
Attempting to gain control of the situation, he replied: “I can perfectly understand how you might have cause to distrust me, but I assure you I have your best interest at heart.”
Cousin Elizabeth scowled at him: “I rather believe that you are here on Charlotte’s insistence.”
“We shall only stay until my Sister Phillips returns from London,” Mrs. Bennet insisted.
“Of course,” he agreed; “whatever suits you,” he replied, eager to put this distasteful episode behind him.
“I shall not go without Annabelle,” Cousin Elizabeth insisted, holding a small child in front of her.
He gazed at the tiny gutter snipe with her torn and scorched dress and coat, wearing shoes meant for a boy. “Am I to shelter every stray in Hertfordshire?” he asked, with no small amount of annoyance. Five sets of eyes glared angrily at him and he relented. He waited impatiently as the ladies loaded their trunks onto the buggy, “Must they dawdle so?” thought he until finally they climbed aboard. He drove to Longbourn, but instead of stopping in the front of the house, he drove around to the back and stopped in front of the stable. He dismounted quickly and instructed the stableman to unload the buggy and bring the trunks into the stable. Upon observing the horrified reactions from his cousins, he timidly explained: “Of course, this is a temporary arrangement until more permanent accommodations can be made,” he told them, walking into the stable and showing them where they would be staying. “There is plenty of room here to accommodate all of you; you should be quite comfortable here indeed,” he boasted with a confident smile.
~~~
Elizabeth and her sisters stood inside the stable, unable to comprehend the circumstances in which they now found themselves. Kitty cried and Mary placed a comforting arm around her younger sister.
“I am not sleeping in the stable, Mama! I would rather live in the hedgerows than be treated like livestock!” Lydia complained bitterly. The sisters had all felt some sense of relief at the prospect of sleeping in their own beds again; this arrangement came as a complete surprise. Mrs. Bennet was shocked beyond all reason that the man who had thrown her out of her home was now offering to house her in the stable. She was attempting to formulate a response when Elizabeth spoke up.
“Mr. Collins, certainly there is room in the house for the five of us. We will not take up much room and we will be of no bother to the staff. If you are offended by my presence in the house, then I shall stay here in the stable while my mother and sisters go inside. Certainly you could have no objections to my suggestion,” she implored him.
“I agree with Eliza!” Charlotte called out from the door of the stable. The Bennets turned to observe Charlotte and standing in the doorway and ran to embrace her. Their tearful reunion was accompanied with relief that they had been found in relatively good health. Charlotte observed their weary faces and tattered clothes and glared at her husband, who had stood by silently during the tearful exchange. “The ladies are all coming inside, Mr. Collins!” Charlotte announced, hooking arms with Elizabeth and heading for the door.
Collins ran to block the door. “No, Mrs. Collins, I must insist as master of Longbourn, as head of this household and as your husband that my wishes are to be obeyed,” he said firmly.
“Very well, Mr. Collins,” Charlotte replied, as she walked to a hay bale and sat down. “I shall stay in the stable as well,” she announced quietly but firmly.
He was outraged: “Certainly not, Mrs. Collins, I forbid it!” he shouted. “My instructions shall be carried out precisely as I have ordered!” he insisted, firmly standing his ground.
Making no attempt to move from her current location, Charlotte glared at him in stony silence. Mr. Collins stormed out, leaving them alone. Mrs. Hill then entered, followed by Mr. Hill and Betsy carrying linens and blankets to make their living quarters as comfortable as possible. A meal was brought in which the ladies shared with their former servants. Afterwards, the younger sisters fell quickly to sleep from sheer exhaustion and Mrs. Bennet rocked in her old chair, which had been brought in for her comfort.
Elizabeth and Charlotte huddled together and exchanged whispered stories of the past few days; Elizabeth told her friend of her father’s accident, his funeral, their eviction, and their time in the sheltered cove with Annabelle and Barnaby. Charlotte relayed the story of Mr. Collins’ deception. Elizabeth inquired about the Longbourn tenants and was told that the Morgans had recently lost their eight year old daughter. “Not Melissa!” Elizabeth cried.
“Yes, I am so sorry, Eliza! She was taken ill and passed suddenly,” she explained. “The Morgans are devastated.”
Elizabeth cried inconsolably and young Annabelle embraced her. “Please do not worry, Miss Lizzy! My Mama will take care of Melissa in heaven,” she explained.
Elizabeth was astonished by the compassion shown by the young child. She and Charlotte suddenly appeared to come to the same conclusion. They exchanged knowing glances, recognizing their similar thoughts: “Are you thinking what I am thinking?” Elizabeth asked.
“Do you suppose it is possible?” Charlotte asked.
“I believe it is, Charlotte!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“I shall inquire with the Morgans first thing in the morning,” Charlotte decided.
“And I shall inquire with Basil,” Elizabeth replied, feeling great comfort in this possibility. Although her own future was somewhat uncertain, Annabelle might have an opportunity for a fresh start with loving parents. A life with a house and a home and caring guardians would be far preferable to the life she lived with Barnaby. Annabelle would fit perfectly into the Morgan family, if they were willing and, of course, if Basil would agree to it.
“Mr. Darcy was quite desperate to find you, Eliza” Charlotte informed her.
“Yes, he came to see us,” she admitted
“He was quite troubled,” Charlotte told her. When she received no reply, she added: “He loves you, Eliza.”
She sighed: “Oh Charlotte, why are the men in our lives so undeserving of our love?” she asked.
Charlotte sighed: “I know, but at least your gentleman is trying to win your affections; mine is just trying my patience!” she exclaimed and they giggled quietly. She pulled a letter out of her pocket and handed it to Elizabeth: “Barnaby delivered a letter for you. Mr. Darcy told him to put it into my hands and that I was to deliver it to you,” she explained.
Elizabeth slipped the letter into her pocket. “I shall read it in the morning,” she sighed. Even if she had been inclined to read the letter, the stable was nearly dark so reading it now was impossible. She laid down on the makeshift bed and closed her eyes, listening to the sounds of her loved ones sleeping nearby. Even though she would have preferred the comfort of her own bed, she found that sharing the stable with her family, the horses and cats was oddly comforting. When she was confident that the others were sleeping comfortably, she allowed herself to relax and finally fell asleep.
Charlotte, Mr. and Mrs. Hill and Betsy also slept in the stable that night. In the excitement and relief of having the Bennets safely back at Longbourn, Charlotte had forgotten to send word to the Meryton Inn.
Chapter 7: Widows’ Grief
Lady Catherine read the letter from her nephew and was grieved that the Bennet widow and her children were without a home. How Mr. Collins could have misinterpreted her advice was beyond her comprehension. “This is not to be borne!” she exclaimed as she clenched the letter in her fist. She was resolved to correct the situation immediately. She travelled that very day to Longbourn to call on Mr. Collins.
~~~
“Lady Catherine, what a pleasure it is to see you,” he exclaimed bowing deeply to his former employer. “Welcome to my humble abode. May I offer you a cup of tea?” he asked, hoping that she had reversed her previous rejection and would consider him a gentleman worthy of her acquaintance.
“I should say not!” she angrily replied. “Mr. Collins, I demand to know what amends have been made to rectify the eviction of the Bennet family?” she asked in a decisive manner.
“Why, of course, your Ladyship!” he replied. “I am pleased to announce that the ladies now reside under my roof,” he said, twitching nervously.
“Well, I am relieved that you have come to your senses! Imagine my distress upon hearing of the Bennet’s plight!” she exclaimed.
“Yes, I agree, that was most unfortunate but the misunderstanding has been corrected and I am pleased to inform you that they are under my care. I intended to write to you to inform you of the resolution. I thank you most heartily for your concern in this matter and regret that you have travelled all this way,” he replied, hoping she would be satisfied with his explanation.
“Yes, that is a most satisfactory resolution,” she said, turning her head and surveying the room. “Where are the Bennet ladies?” she asked.
“Of course, the ladies are all exhausted from their ordeal and have yet to arise for the day,” he said, shifting nervously, his eyes darting to and fro.
“I see,” she replied suspiciously. “Very well then I shall not detain you, Mr. Collins. I bid you good day,” she said, taking her leave.
~~~
Mr. Collins watched her walk out to her carriage and speak to a footman, who had accompanied her on her journey. He assisted her into the carriage and Collins breathed a sigh of relief that he had successfully avoided a more stringent interrogation from the Lady. He turned away from the window and did not witness the events that next took place. Instead of leaving Longbourn, the carriage drove behind the house to the stable where the Lady dismounted and entered the stable.
~~~
Mrs. Bennet observed a grand lady wearing a fine wool pelisse with a fur collar. “Lady Catherine!” Charlotte exclaimed, rushing to the door to greet her.
Observing the group of ladies sitting on blanket-covered hay bales, Lady Catherine addressed Charlotte: “I assume these are the Bennet ladies,” she said in a severe manner.
Charlotte replied that they were indeed the Bennet ladies and performed the introductions to the Lady, who greeted each one of them with warmth and affection. “Mrs. Bennet, I offer my most sincere condolences to you and your daughters upon the loss of your beloved husband. I am a widow myself and I share your grief,” she told Mrs. Bennet.
“Thank you, Lady Catherine, you are most kind,” Mrs. Bennet replied, quite embarrassed to receive such a grand Lady in the stable.
The Lady walked around the stable and noticed that they had attempted to make the stable as comfortable as possible. “All the comforts of home, I see, Mrs. Collins,” she said sarcastically.
“Believe me, Lady Catherine, this arrangement is not of my choosing,” Charlotte replied.
The Lady held up her hand to silence Charlotte. “Mrs. Bennet, I must insist that you and your daughters leave this place immediately,” she told the ladies with conviction. Her daughters grasped each other’s hands for comfort and strength. “You must come with me to the Meryton Inn as my guests. I should never forgive myself knowing that you have been thusly treated by someone formerly in my employ,” she announced.
“Oh Lady Catherine, that is a most generous offer. You and Mr. Darcy have been most kind with your generous invitations, but I should not wish to impose on your kindness,” Mrs. Bennet graciously replied with eyes cast down.
The Lady was undeterred: “Mrs. Bennet, I am not in the habit of brooking disappointment. I have come here with a determined resolution of carrying my purpose and I shall not be dissuaded from it! I must insist that you satisfy my desire to assist a fellow widow in the hour of her greatest need. I refuse to tolerate the circumstances that you and your daughters currently find yourselves,” she insisted.
“Lady Catherine!” Mr. Collins called from the door of the stable with Mr. Darcy standing behind him with a look of surprise. He immediately rushed into the stable to stand by Elizabeth’s side. Mr. Collins addressed his former employer: “A noble Lady such as yourself should not be exposed to the filth and stench of the stable; please come back inside the house!” he implored her.
“I am well acquainted with filth and stench, Mr. Collins,” she sneered at him. “I am ashamed of you! You are a disgrace! The offences you have committed against these women are not to be endured! I shall announce to everyone within my circle and beyond what you have done to them! I shall carry my point! You shall be censured, slighted and despised by the community! You shall be the contempt of the world! You may depend on it!” she announced angrily, her nostrils flaring with anger. Mr. Collins shrank in stature, hung his head and backed away from the door, disappearing from view.
~~~
Darcy could hardly contain his joy at finding Elizabeth: “Miss Elizabeth, I am greatly relieved to find you safe. Barnaby had no information…” he stopped abruptly, realizing that he had not addressed anyone else in the stable, including the lady of the house. “Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Bennet, Miss Bennets,” he said, bowing formally. “Aunt Catherine, it is a delight to see you all,” he told them. “Please Aunt, please help me to convince the ladies to come to the Meryton Inn!” he implored her. “These accommodations are unacceptable!”
“That has already been done, Darcy!” she replied and immediately began ordering her footmen and driver to collect the ladies belongings and load them into her carriage. Since the carriage could not accommodate all of the passengers and cargo, Charlotte followed behind in the buggy with Elizabeth and Annabelle; Darcy followed behind on his horse. They arrived at the Meryton Inn and Lady Catherine secured accommodations for them, including Charlotte. The proprietor provided rooms for the Lady and her guests. Lady Catherine ordered supper for her party and instructed her nephew to join them promptly at five o’clock.
~~~
Elizabeth sat in her room waiting for the maid to assist her with her bath when she found Mr. Darcy’s letter in her pocket. She quickly broke the seal and began to read.
==o==
Dear Miss Elizabeth,
Please forgive my forward presumptions on writing to you in this manner. We have many misunderstandings between us that must be clarified and I shall endeavour to do so herewith. First I must renew the declaration that I earlier expressed to you: I love you, my dearest, loveliest Miss Elizabeth. I must apologize sincerely for leaving Hertfordshire so abruptly last November; I foolishly believed that encouraging your affections would be unwise due to my family’s expectations for me to find a match with a wealthy woman. It was not until I returned to Pemberley that I realized that no other woman of my acquaintance possesses your wealth of charm and beauty. I have spent my days and nights thinking only of you.
I must also apologize for insulting your appearance on the night we met. I did not intend for anyone to hear me; my only intent was to force Charles to cease his insistence to have me dance. Before I danced with you at the Netherfield ball, dancing was quite possibly my least favourite occupation. I have since come to regret declining to dance with you that night. We could very well have come to an understanding by now were it not for my thoughtlessness. Mrs. Collins informed me that you overheard my remark and she has reproached me quite severely for it. I am heartily sorry for it and I beg your forgiveness. You are indeed the most beautiful woman of my acquaintance.
On the matter of Charles Bingley and your sister, I confess that I played a role in their separation which I have since come to regret. I observed your sister most carefully on the night of the Netherfield ball and was unable to detect any hint of regard for my friend. Charles has suffered much heartache in the pursuit of love with women who held no regard for him and my only desire was to prevent future heartbreak. Mrs. Collins informed me that I was quite mistaken about your sister’s regard for Charles and has reproached me for this as well. I apologize for my interference in your sister’s happiness and have sent an express to Charles which he should have received by now. I encouraged him to go to your uncle’s home to renew his acquaintance with Miss Bennet and notify your uncle of your present circumstances. I apologize again and again for my offences against you and beg your forgiveness.
Finally, on the matter of Mr. Wickham, I suspect that he has only told you parts of our history. I shall tell you the truth. As Wickham probably told you, we grew up and went to university together. My father had a great affection for him and bequeathed him the living at Kympton but when the living became available, Mr. Wickham instead demanded the amount of the living in cash. He was paid the full amount due and I was relieved to have seen the last of him. However, three years later, after he had spent his entire inheritance of three thousand pounds, he returned and demanded the Kympton living again. I am confident that you would not blame me for refusing him, Miss Elizabeth. Certainly a man with his preference for idleness and gaming ought not to be a clergyman. The acquaintance was severed and I expected never to see him again. However, last summer he followed my sister to Ramsgate where she was persuaded to consent to an elopement. If I had not decided to surprise my sister with an unannounced visit, she would have married Wickham and he would have taken possession of her inheritance of thirty thousand pounds. In addition, his revenge on me would have been complete. He left her broken hearted and she was inconsolable for months afterwards; she was fifteen years old at the time.
My dear, sweet Miss Elizabeth, I know of the affection that you hold for your dear sisters and I must assure you that I hold the same affection for my sister. I disclose this story to you in the strictest of confidence in the hopes that you will not think me unfeeling or disdainful for the feelings of others, as Mrs. Collins has accused me. My disdain for Mr. Wickham is due to his offences against me and my family. Like you, I would do anything in my power to protect the people I love.
I beg you to reconsider my offer of rooms at the Meryton Inn. If you find any impropriety with or have any objections to staying in the inn while I am also a guest, I would gladly agree to change places with you and stay with Barnaby while you enjoy the comforts of the inn. It pains me greatly to see you and your family suffer such hardships.
