Pride in Meryton, page 18
I intend to call on you later today and it is my fervent desire to see acceptance reflected in your beautiful eyes.
Your humble servant,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
==o==
Chapter 8: Luxurious
Elizabeth sighed after re-reading the letter for the fifth time. How could she have been so wrong about Mr. Darcy? How could she have mistrusted him? Obviously, there were people in her life that she should not have trusted (Mr. Wickham and Mr. Collins among them) but Mr. Darcy deserved all her trust and confidence. He has apologized for all his offences and is trying to make amends, she realized.
She was interrupted from her reverie by a maid who came to fill the bath. She put the letter away and prepared for the bath; her first in almost a week! She sank into the hot water and felt the heat soothe her body. She closed her eyes and basked in the sumptuous luxury that she had once taken for granted. Dipping her head under the water, she felt instant relief; she had been so discomfited that she had been so unkempt these past few days. She washed with the lavender soap that had been provided and deeply inhaled the scent; it had always been her favourite. A few minutes later, the maid came in to rinse her and she rose from the bath feeling better than she had in weeks. She asked the maid to wake her in time to dress for dinner and dismissed her. She donned a nightgown and climbed into the bed for a well-deserved nap.
When the maid returned, Elizabeth felt refreshed. She donned a clean black gown and the maid arranged her hair; she wanted to look her best for Mr. Darcy. She descended the stairs and was delighted to find him waiting for her with a broad smile.
~~~
When Darcy beheld Miss Elizabeth, he was struck by her beauty, even after the ordeal she had suffered. “Good evening, Miss Elizabeth. You look lovely this evening,” he said with a smile, offering his arm and breathing in her familiar lavender scent.
She smiled and gazed warmly into his eyes. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy, I feel much improved,” she told him as she accepted his arm and allowed him to escort her into the dining room.
His aunt was sitting at a table and she greeted them warmly: “There you are, Miss Elizabeth. Come sit by me. Darcy has been telling me about your ordeal. I hope you are feeling refreshed.”
“Yes, I am quite refreshed after a bath and a nap. I never realized how much I took such simple things for granted, Lady Catherine,” she admitted.
“I am quite aggrieved that Mr. Collins has treated you and your family with such cruelty. Believe me; I shall not rest until he has received punishment for his offences against you. Everyone at the inn has already heard from me and I shall ensure that everyone else in Meryton hears the same. Make no mistake, he shall soon come to regret causing such harm to the Bennets,” she told them.
“Aunt, perhaps we should discuss more pleasant topics; the Bennets have yet to recover from their ordeal,” Darcy suggested as the remaining Bennet ladies entered the dining room with Annabelle, whose appearance had changed dramatically from her former untidiness. She was wearing a new pink frock and pink slippers and her shiny hair was arranged into ringlets and adorned with a pink ribbon. Her appearance was in stark contrast to the apparel of the Bennet ladies who were all dressed in black.
Annabelle walked directly to Lady Catherine and curtsied while the rest of the party looked on: “Thank you for my pretty dress and shoes, Lady Catherine,” she said to the Lady.
~~~
“You are most welcome, Miss Winters,” Lady Catherine replied as the girl took a seat next to her. She was quite satisfied with the result of her actions toward the child; however, quite unaccustomed to dining with children. “Is the child to dine with the adults?” she wondered. When Darcy took his seat, it appeared that no one else objected to the presence of the child and neither would she.
“Oh Lady Catherine, what a pleasure it is to dine at a table again! I never knew such things could be taken away from us!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed.
“Indeed, your daughter was just saying the same. I suppose we all take many things for granted, do we not?” she replied.
“Yes, indeed, but my eyes have been opened to be sure, Lady Catherine. I shall be eternally grateful for your gift of a hot bath and a warm bed,” Mrs. Bennet replied. Several waiters approached the table and loaded it with dishes filled with soup, sweet breads, baked fish, roasted vegetables, roast pork, potatoes, baked apples and carafes of wine. The Bennets all smiled broadly at such a wonderful presentation.
“Oh Lady Catherine, we have eaten apples and eggs every day since we left home. I care not if I see neither for a very long time!” Lydia exclaimed with a laugh and her sisters laughed with her.
When the meal had been consumed, nothing remained on the dishes, including the baked apples. “I see you enjoyed the apples, Miss Lydia,” Lady Catherine observed with a smile.
“I must admit, I did not mind them at all,” Lydia replied with a sheepish smile.
“Oh Lady Catherine and Mr. Darcy, I know not how I could ever repay you for such a sumptuous meal. Your kindness knows no bounds!” Mrs. Bennet told them. “Thank you for your generosity!”
“You are most welcome to be sure, Mrs. Bennet. My nephew has told me of the kindness that you and Mr. Bennet paid to him during his stay in Hertfordshire,” the Lady explained.
~~~
Earlier that afternoon, Darcy invited his aunt to join him in the dining room for tea. He told her about the Bennets’ ordeal following Mr. Bennet’s funeral. She was horrified to learn the details of their outdoor accommodations and was amazed at their resourcefulness and resilience. She inquired about the child and Darcy told her how she and her brother had cared for the Bennets while they lived in the sheltered cove. “Darcy, I have never heard such a story in my life!” she exclaimed. “However, what I really want to know is why you have developed such an interest in the Bennet family.”
“The Bennets were very kind to me during my stay in Hertfordshire last autumn,” he told her. “You would have admired Mr. Bennet, Aunt; he had a very dry wit and a satirical outlook. Mrs. Bennet has raised five beautiful daughters and has every reason to be proud of them.” She observed him with scepticism and he continued: “However, I have a special affection for Miss Elizabeth,” he admitted. “I intend to marry her, if she will accept me.”
“So then, you do not intend to marry Anne?” she asked.
“No Aunt, it was never my intention to marry my cousin. Miss Elizabeth is the only woman I can imagine as the mistress of Pemberley,” he told her with all honesty.
“I suspected as much when you could not keep your eyes off her in the stable,” she told him.
“Yes and I intend to never let her out of my sight again,” he told her.
“Well then, you must bring her to Rosings for Easter!” she insisted. “I will brook no disappointment on this, Darcy!”
~~~
After supper, Aunt and Uncle Phillips rushed into the dining room, relieved to see their family so well cared for. A tearful reunion was followed by introductions to the Lady. “We only just arrived and received the news from Barnaby! Please tell me his story is untrue!” Aunt Phillips insisted. The story was briefly told, including the kindness shown by Darcy and his aunt. “Wait until I see that loathsome Mr. Collins! He shall certainly hear my opinion, of that you can have no doubt!” Aunt Phillips angrily exclaimed.
“Indeed you should do so, Mrs. Phillips! I intend to inform everyone I encounter about the cold-blooded parson!” the Lady agreed.
Mr. Phillips invited Lady Catherine, Darcy and Charlotte to supper the following day and the invitation was graciously accepted. The Bennets and Phillips paid their thanks to the Lady and Darcy for their efforts and bid them goodnight. The Phillips took the Bennet ladies and Annabelle home for the night.
Chapter 9: Family Reunion
Mr. Charles Bingley was admitted to the sitting parlour of the Gardiner residence in Cheapside. Jane Bennet could not disguise her astonishment at seeing him standing before her. She introduced him to her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and they graciously welcomed him to their home. They were both well aware of the story of the gentleman’s abrupt departure from Netherfield last November but were also aware of their niece’s continued regard for him. “Miss Bennet, I offer my most sincere condolences on your recent loss. I have just had an express from Darcy informing me of your dear father’s passing,” he said with the deepest concern. She observed the sadness in his eyes and the desire to say much more but he remained silent.
“I thank you, Mr. Bingley. I feel my father’s loss most acutely,” Jane sadly replied.
Mr. Bingley then addressed her uncle: “I beg your pardon, Mr. Gardiner, but my friend Mr. Darcy asked me to deliver this letter to you,” he said, handing the letter over.
Uncle Gardiner excused himself and went to his study to read the letter. He returned moments later in a state of agitation. “Madeline! I must leave for Hertfordshire immediately! My sister and nieces have been evicted from Longbourn!” he exclaimed as he handed the letter to his wife. Jane became alarmed as she watched her aunt read the letter while her uncle paced frantically.
Tears fell from Aunt Madeline’s eyes as she handed the letter over to Jane and she read aloud: ‘“The Bennets are presently without accommodations, living out of doors with no roof over their heads.”’ “Oh dear!” Jane cried as she collapsed into a chair. Mr. Bingley held her hand as she cried softly into her handkerchief.
“Is there any way I can be of assistance?” Mr. Bingley asked Mr. Gardiner. “I can offer my carriage to travel to Hertfordshire and I can provide accommodations for everyone at Netherfield. My trunk is already loaded on the carriage,” he advised the gentleman.
“I could not impose on you, Mr. Bingley,” Uncle Gardiner replied.
“It would be no imposition at all, Mr. Gardiner, as I intend to travel there immediately. The Bennets extended many kindnesses to me during my stay in Hertfordshire and I shall do everything in my power to assist them,” Charles told him with conviction. Uncle Gardiner agreed and one hour later the Bingley carriage was loaded with three trunks and three passengers.
~~~
The Bingley carriage stopped in front of the Meryton Inn and the three occupants rushed into the inn. “Is Mr. Darcy currently a guest at the inn, Sir?” Mr. Gardiner asked the proprietor. He was advised that Mr. Darcy was indeed a guest but that he was currently at the Phillips’ residence. The three travellers rushed back to the carriage and made the short ride to the Phillips’ house. When the door opened and they were admitted, a tearful but joyful reunion ensued. Jane embraced her Mama and sisters, relieved to see them safe.
“Oh Edward, thank you so much for taking care of my dear Jane. It brought me great comfort to know that at least one of my daughters was safe and well cared for,” Mrs. Bennet told her brother.
“You are most welcome, Sister. Of course we have Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley to thank for bringing us all together,” he told the family. The story of Mr. Darcy’s express and Mr. Bingley’s offer of assistance was told.
Aunt Phillips and Mrs. Bennet both went into rapturous praises of the two gentlemen who were both embraced and thanked profusely for assisting their family. “Thank you for bringing our dear Jane home, Mr. Bingley!” she gushed happily, then became suddenly despondent. “Of course, we do not really have a home, do we?” Mrs. Bennet said quietly. A hush fell over the room and the mood became quite sombre.
Mr. Bingley broke the sombre mood: “I insist that you stay at Netherfield, Mrs. Bennet. There is plenty of room for all of you and it would be my pleasure to accommodate you,” he told her.
“Oh Mr. Bingley!” Mrs. Bennet cried, unable to speak any further.
“Of course you are all welcome! Lady Catherine, you are also welcome to stay at Netherfield,” he told her with a smile.
Lady Catherine observed the young man with some scepticism: “Have you opened the house yet, Mr. Bingley?” she asked him.
“No, I have not yet returned to the house,” he replied.
“I would imagine that the servants would need some time to air out the house, prepare the guest rooms and fill the larder, if I am not mistaken, Mr. Bingley,” she suggested with an arched eyebrow.
Mr. Bingley had not considered these details and shook his head at his lack of forethought: “Of course you are correct, Lady Catherine. I shall see to those details immediately,” he told her.
“It is of no consequence,” Aunt Phillips replied, “everyone is welcome to stay here! We shall be nice and cosy!” she exclaimed with a joyful laugh.
“You shall indeed be exceedingly cosy with nine people staying in such a small house,” Lady Catherine chuckled to herself. “Of course, the offer of accommodations at the Meryton Inn still stands!” she happily told them.
Chapter 10: Retribution
Mr. Collins left the dry goods store in Meryton empty-handed. The proprietor had refused to do business with him as had the butcher. It appeared that someone was spreading falsehoods about him to the local merchants and they were poisoned against him. He had tried to reason with the two merchants, explaining that it was foolhardy to deny his business, but they had stubbornly refused and insisted that his business was undesirable. Even the town blacksmith had refused to tend to his horse and buggy when he arrived in town and he was forced to tie the horse to a lamp post. “Well, no matter,” he thought. “It is a minor inconvenience. I shall ride to Royston for supplies,” he concluded as he set off for the neighbouring town.
“Where are the supplies, William?” Charlotte inquired when he arrived home with an empty buggy, knowing full well that he had been ostracized by the local merchants.
“Charlotte, my sweet, I had no idea that the locals would be so disagreeable!” he exclaimed.
“Very disagreeable indeed!” she thought to herself. Lady Catherine had been true to her word and advised every merchant in town about Collins ‘cold-blooded crime’ and they assured her that a man such as he would not be welcomed into their establishments. Word of the Bennet’s eviction had spread to neighbouring towns as well; Mr. Collins would have to travel well beyond Longbourn to find a merchant who had not heard of his treachery.
Adding to his discontent, his new tenants had politely declined to pay their rents on time, insisting that they needed additional time. This seemed quite implausible to him but they had each insisted and he had no alternative other than to grant them the time they requested. Supplies were quickly diminishing in the larder and a prompt resolution was essential for the success of Longbourn. But what was to be done? His neighbours had all declined to receive him when he arrived to call on them; even his in-laws had claimed to be too busy to receive his call. The previously good-natured Mr. Bingley had instructed his servants to inform Mr. Collins that his calls were unwelcome; the Phillips also declined to receive him; even if he wanted to beg the Bennets for their forgiveness (which he certainly would never do) it was impossible to arrange an audience with them. All of his attempts to set things to rights were met with hostility or avoidance. He had never met such un-neighbourly people in his life! Mr. Collins now regretted ever having left the church and his comfortable life at Hunsford. Being a land owner was not turning out at all as he had imagined it would be.
Charlotte had neglected to tell her husband that she had visited the Bennets every day since their arrival at Netherfield and that Mr. Bingley considered her a welcomed guest. Also unknown to her husband were her daily visits to her parents, who she kept informed of Mr. Collins’ daily struggles. The Lucas’s were godly people and disinclined to wish ill-will on anyone but in Mr. Collins’ case, they made an exception.
A gentleman caller was admitted to the Longbourn study and introduced himself to Mr. Collins as Mr. Jensen, a solicitor from London. The gentleman was welcomed warmly by Mr. Collins, who had not received a caller since he arrived at Longbourn some weeks ago. After the usual formalities were dispensed with, Jensen explained the reason for his visit. “I have a client interested in purchasing your estate. I am authorized to offer you five thousand pounds for the estate,” he told Mr. Collins.
Mr. Collins was shocked by two things: first that he was receiving an offer for his property and second that the offer was so low. He had not previously entertained the idea of selling Longbourn; however, it did present a resolution to his current dilemma. “The estate earns two thousand pound a year, Mr. Jensen! Surely Longbourn is of greater value than five thousand!” Mr. Collins exclaimed.
“Is it, Mr. Collins?” Jensen replied. “I have heard reports of – how shall I say – difficulties with the estate,” he said blandly. “How many years do you estimate you will survive under the present circumstances?” he inquired.
Mr. Collins fidgeted nervously in his chair. “Oh dear!” he said, trying to maintain his composure but failing miserably. “Yes, it is true that I have had some difficulties since moving into the estate but nothing that cannot be corrected with time and patience,” he insisted.
“Let me get to the heart of the matter, Mr. Collins. My client is prepared to offer you five thousand pounds for the estate. If we can come to an agreement, you will be paid immediately and my client will take ownership of the property today,” Mr. Jensen told him.
Mr. Collins was startled by this offer: “Today, you say?” he asked, his mind swimming with thoughts of what could be done with five thousand pounds. Mr. Jensen nodded showing no emotion. “Five thousand,” he mumbled. Not wanting to appear too eager, he replied: “Well then, I shall give your offer serious consideration and give you my reply in the morning,” he told Mr. Jensen, thinking himself quite clever.
“I am afraid that is quite impossible, Mr. Collins. If you fail to accept the offer today, then the offer shall be withdrawn,” Mr. Jensen told him pointedly.
