Pride in Meryton, page 19
Mr. Collins became alarmed at this possibility: “Withdrawn? Well then, your client must not be very serious about purchasing Longbourn,” he replied. “Who is your client, Mr. Jensen?” he asked.
Mr. Jensen maintained his professional demeanour as he gazed at Mr. Collins: “My client wishes to remain anonymous, Mr. Collins. If you are rejecting the offer, I shall take my leave,” he said as he rose and bowed formally.
Mr. Collins jumped out of his chair: “I accept, Mr. Jensen! I accept the offer!” he exclaimed, perspiration dripping down the back of his neck. Mr. Jensen produced a legal document which was quickly signed, the payment was made and they shook hands.
As Mr. Collins showed Mr. Jensen to the door intending to show the gentleman out, three rather large gentlemen entered the house and stood before Mr. Collins. “My associates will supervise the packing to ensure that none of the effects belonging to the estate are removed from the house,” Mr. Jensen told Mr. Collins. The three men stared down menacingly at Mr. Collins, who was now perspiring profusely.
“Mrs. Collins!” he called out to his wife who emerged from the drawing room. “We are moving out immediately! Go to your chamber and pack your belongings,” he instructed. She went up to her chamber without argument which Mr. Collins found somewhat unusual; she had not been quite this obedient in the past few weeks. He also ascended the stairs to his chamber and the three large gentlemen followed closely behind. “If you please, gentlemen, I shall only need a few moments to collect my belongings,” he advised them but they did not back down. “Certainly I am to be afforded a few moments of privacy in my own home, Mr. Jensen,” he suggested.
“Do you not have five thousand pounds of my client’s money in your pocket, Sir?” Mr. Jensen pointedly asked him. When Mr. Collins’ only reply was to stare wide-eyed at him and give a slight nod of his head, Mr. Jensen continued: “Well then, you are now standing in my client’s home and my associates shall ensure the security of his possessions,” he announced. Mr. Collins proceeded to his chamber where the three large gentlemen supervised his every move.
Charlotte descended the stairs with a satchel and Mr. Hill followed behind with her trunk. “It is lovely to see you again, Mr. Jensen,” she whispered as she curtsied to the gentleman.
“Indeed, Mrs. Collins, it is a pleasure to see you,” he replied with a smile. He pulled out a chair for her and she sat while waiting for her husband to emerge from his chamber.
Mr. Collins carried his trunk below stairs and went to his study with the three large gentlemen following closely behind; one of them winked at Charlotte and she stifled a giggle. She overheard Mr. Collins explaining each item that was being removed from the study as he placed them in the trunk. He was permitted to take his own books and documents that he had brought with him from Kent. When the packing was complete, he was given a moment of privacy with his wife. “Charlotte, I must say, you have been extraordinarily gracious under the present difficulties. I admire the strength and courage that you have displayed today and I am extremely thankful for your calm demeanour. Another woman might have expressed alarm over losing her home quite so suddenly, but you have maintained your composure quite admirably,” he told her. “I am confident that we shall find a more suitable home where we will be welcomed by the community,” he assured her.
She rose and stood before him: “I shall not be going with you, William,” she announced.
“What could you mean by this Charlotte? Of course you shall come with me; you are my wife – till death us do part.”
“No William, I think not,” she said, picking up her satchel and walking to the open door.
He was outraged! “I shall never grant you a divorce!” he angrily told her.
“That is as I suspected,” she calmly replied. “I find that I am unable to accept the circumstances that I now find myself and am resolved to face the future, whatever that may be, without the benefit of your protection. I wish you the very best in your endeavours, William. I bid you farewell,” she said with a curtsey and quit the house on the arm of one of the large gentlemen. Mr. Collins watched the man escort Charlotte out to the waiting carriage, give her a hand up and close the door.
Mr. Jensen and the other two large gentlemen looked on with no emotion. “Well then Mr. Collins, if there are no other personal belongings to be removed, your horse and buggy await,” he said, gesturing toward the door. Mr. Collins quit the house, mounted the buggy packed with his meagre belongings and rode away. Once he was out of sight, the door to the carriage was opened; Charlotte emerged and walked back into the house with a smile. “Well done, Mrs. Collins,” Mr. Jensen said with a warm smile.
“Likewise, Mr. Jensen,” she replied, returning his smile. They walked to the drawing room and she served him a cup of tea.
One of the large gentlemen entered the drawing room and bowed: “The messenger has been sent, Sir,” he announced.
“Excellent, Bosley! Thank you! You and your brothers performed splendidly, I must say!” Mr. Jensen replied.
“Thank you, Sir,” Mr. Bosley replied and left the room.
Charlotte and Mr. Jensen enjoyed tea and pleasant conversation until the sound of a carriage was heard outside. They rose and walked to the front door. Mr. Bosley opened the carriage door and assisted Mrs. Bennet and her daughters out of the carriage. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley followed behind on horseback.
“Oh my dear Charlotte,” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “You must pinch me, I fear, for I can hardly believe our good fortune! Here we are back at our beloved Longbourn! I am all a-flutter!” she said grasping Charlotte’s hands and entering the house, her daughters following close behind.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Bennet and all the Bennet sisters!” Charlotte joyfully exclaimed, embracing each one as they entered the house. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley smiled broadly as they entered the house and Mr. Bosley closed the door.
“Mr. Darcy, I shall be eternally grateful to you for your kindness and generosity! If I thanked you a thousand times it should never be enough to express my gratitude!” Mrs. Bennet told him grasping his hand and squeezing it warmly. “Thank you again and again, Sir.”
“You are most welcome, to be sure, Mrs. Bennet,” Darcy told her, holding her hand tightly.
“And Mr. Bingley, I must thank you as well for welcoming us into your home. We are quite the band of vagabonds, I dare say!” she said with a joyful laugh.
“It was my pleasure and you are welcome at Netherfield anytime you please,” he replied warmly.
“You best be careful, Mr. Bingley, I may take you up on your offer!” she merrily teased him.
Charlotte laughed: “Need I remind you that there is hardly a scrap of food in the larder, Mrs. Bennet?” Charlotte exclaimed with a smile. “You must return to Netherfield for supper! Mr. and Mrs. Hill will have the supplies replaced by tomorrow.”
“I have not forgotten, dear Charlotte, but it is so good to be back home again, I must say. I have no desire ever to leave it again,” she said, hugging her two eldest daughters to her. The three younger daughters came to form a circle around them and the six women embraced for a long moment while the others looked on affectionately. When they broke apart Mrs. Bennet approached Darcy. “Thank you Mr. Darcy! Thanks to you, my family shall never again be in want of a roof over their heads!” she told him embracing him tightly.
“You are most welcome, Mrs. Bennet,” Darcy replied. Despite his initial impression of Mrs. Bennet as a silly, ridiculous woman, he found himself returning her embrace with equal affection. It had been many years since his own Mama had passed and Mrs. Bennet would fill that role very nicely, he thought.
Chapter 11: Bright Future
While the Bennets were guests at Netherfield, Charles Bingley played the perfect host, pleased to have his sweet Jane under his roof once again. The morning after Jane returned to Meryton, Elizabeth asked Barnaby to bring her to Basil. When they found him asking for hand-outs in the Meryton square, she asked him for a private audience. Basil was hesitant to leave his prime location in the square which was usually quite profitable, but happily agreed with the offer of two shillings. “Basil, a young couple of my acquaintance has recently lost their dear daughter. Perhaps you know of the Morgans?” she asked him.
“Yes, indeed the Morgans,” he replied, “they were very kind to offer me biscuits on many occasions.”
“Well, they are quite desolate at the loss of their young daughter,” she told him. “We have recently learned that you have a young daughter, Basil.” He became alarmed; his eyes darting to and fro in search of a means of escape. “I was hoping that if you might consider allowing the Morgans to look after Annabelle,” she told him, gently placing her hand on his arm. He seemed to relax at this and listened quietly. “My friend will inquire with the Morgans and if they are agreeable, would you allow it? It would be much preferable than her currently living arrangements,” she suggested.
“I ain’t never meant for her to live that way, Miss Lizzy,” he said, hanging his head. “I don’t know how to take care of no girl,” he told her.
“Of course, Basil, but the Morgans do know how to care for a girl. She would be safe and well cared for. I know they would love her as their own. They would teach her how to be a proper young lady and secure her a suitable future,” she told him, hoping to convince him of her plan.
Basil’s shoulders slumped and he nodded his head. “Yes, Miss Lizzy, Annie needs someone to care for her and I couldn’t never teach her nothin’,” he said sadly.
“Thank you, Basil, thank you! I will send word with Barnaby if the Morgans agree,” she advised him. She and Barnaby watched him walk back to the square. She turned to Barnaby and addressed him: “Barnaby, do you also want to find a proper family?” she asked him.
He shook his head: “No Miss Lizzy, I make a good livin’ on my own,” he said confidently. She suspected as much and left him to return to the Phillips home eager to hear of Charlotte’s meeting with the Morgans. When she arrived, Charlotte was waiting for her. The Morgans had agreed to meet Annabelle and would call on them later that morning. The future was looking very bright for Annabelle!
~~~
“How long have you known Mr. Darcy, Mr. Jensen?” Charlotte asked as they walked on the path from Netherfield to Longbourn the morning after the Bennets returned to Longbourn.
“I have known Darcy for years; my father handled the Pemberley legal affairs for the elder Mr. Darcy and I joined the firm right out of Cambridge. I took over the account when my father retired about five years ago,” he told her.
“And what of the Bosley brothers? How do you know them?” she asked.
“The Bosley brothers provide a valuable service to my firm. Members of my profession often need assistance with their cases. Most people would hesitate to confront men of their stature,” he said with a sly smile.
“I agree,” she replied with a smile, recalling her husband’s behaviour in the presence of the trio.
“And what of you and Mr. Collins? How long were you married to him?” Jensen asked.
She frowned: “Not quite two months,” she replied sadly.
He observed her sad countenance: “Forgive me, Mrs. Collins. It is not for me to judge but certainly you must have had better prospects than Collins; he is not worthy of you,” he suggested.
“You are very kind, Sir, but the truth is that I had no prospects at all. I was worried that I was about to be left on the shelf and I accepted his offer.” She hung her head: “If I had known his true character, I never would have accepted Mr. Collins,” she whispered.
He stopped walking and stood before her, grasping her arms. “If only I had met you two months ago, Mrs. Collins; I would have made you an offer,” he told her with all sincerity.
“You are very kind, Mr. Jensen,” she whispered, gazing into his eyes. “I have only known you a few days, Mr. Jensen, but I believe you to be the best of men.”
He captured her hands. “And you are the best of women, my lady. Will you come to London with me?” he asked, gazing into her eyes.
She paused a moment to consider this: “As what, Mr. Jensen? As your guest? As your employee? Your mistress? What role would you assign to me?” she asked with sadness in her eyes.
“Charlotte,” he whispered, lifting her hands and kissing them.
“Mr. Jenson,” she whispered in response.
“Please call me Daniel. I have the greatest respect for you, Charlotte, and I would never endanger your reputation,” he told her.
She smiled sadly: “Daniel, I appreciate your sentiments; however, I am a married woman and it would be quite impossible,” she told him.
“A married woman without a husband,” he replied.
“Yes, that is true but there would be no anonymity in London. We would be under much greater scrutiny there than here in the country.” Daniel conceded and offered no further argument. “There is nothing for it, I suppose. I must find employment, perhaps as a governess. My parents are unable to support me and I cannot continue to rely on the kindness of the Bennets, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy,” she told him.
He was alarmed by this: “Charlotte, I would prefer that you did not go into service. There must be another solution.”
“I know of no other respectable solution, Daniel. “
“I know of many reputable families in Town who also have country estates. Will you permit me to make inquiries?” he asked her.
She nodded sadly: “I would appreciate that. Thank you, Daniel.” They turned and slowly walked back to Netherfield.
~~~
Charles Bingley was sitting in the Netherfield solarium enjoying tea with his angel. “Miss Bennet, I am honoured that you and your family have joined me as my guests,” Charles told her with a warm smile.
“You have been most generous, Mr. Bingley,” she replied with her usual angelic countenance.
“Surely you must know that I would do anything for you… you and your family,” he said, stammering slightly.
“We are most appreciative. Sir, but we must not impose on your hospitality much longer. We shall leave soon.”
“No! I wish you never to leave!” he exclaimed with alarm. Observing her startled expression, he struggled to regain his composure. “What I mean to say is that I wish you would stay forever.” She looked away. “I know that much has been left unsaid between us, Miss Bennet. I owe you an apology. I sincerely regret leaving you last November and I sincerely apologize for it. I had not the courage to declare myself and I doubted your attachment.” She kept her eyes averted. “I have since come to observe the strength and courage you and your family have displayed in the face of enormous adversity.” He paused for a moment. “Should I not exhibit the same courage when my heart is involved?” She did not answer. “I can imagine what you must think of me, Miss Bennet,” he said, now avoiding her eyes. “That I am either weak or a fool; or perhaps you think me both. You may well be correct Miss Bennet. I am both a fool for allowing others to convince me to leave you and weak for never declaring myself when I had the opportunity. I beg your forgiveness and I promise never to leave you again,” he told her with heartfelt sincerity.
She smiled: “You are forgiven, Mr. Bingley,” she said with an air of serenity.
“Thank you, Miss Bennet, my beautiful angel! You are the most forgiving, kind-hearted person of my acquaintance! I shall never give you reason to doubt me again.” They sat in comfortable silence until he reached out and grasped her hand. “Please forgive me if I am being too forward, but I must tell you how much I love you. Your compassion and generosity, your gentle demeanour, your angelic countenance, I love you most earnestly. I sincerely hope you have no objections to my attentions,” he told her, searching her eyes for acceptance.
She smiled warmly: “I am pleased to receive your attentions, Mr. Bingley,” she told him.
He smiled broadly. He could be content to sit in the solarium with her all day, holding her hand and gazing into her eyes. However, if he was to fulfil his desire for her to stay at Netherfield forever, he must act quickly to secure her hand. While still holding her hand, he slipped out of the chair and bent to one knee before her. “Miss Bennet, I love you most dearly and wish never to be parted from you. It is my fervent hope and deepest desire that you will make me the happiest of men, Will you do me the honour of accepting my hand?” he asked her, gently stroking her hand.
“Yes, Mr. Bingley, I shall be very pleased to accept your hand,” she replied, smiling happily and appearing to Charles even more beautiful than before.
~~~
Darcy invited Elizabeth to take a short walk with him in the Netherfield garden. They strolled together in companionable silence, paying no attention at all to the grounds or the garden. “Mr. Darcy I must thank you for the kindnesses that you have shown to my family,” Elizabeth told him.
“They are most welcome to be sure; it was my pleasure to be of assistance, but surely you must know that my only motivation was for your happiness and comfort. As soon as I heard of your father’s passing, I came to Hertfordshire to call on you. When I discovered that you had been displaced, I set out in search of you. I was unable to rest until I had found you and when I discovered your deplorable living conditions, I made it my sole purpose to find suitable accommodations for you and your family.”
She hung her head, unable to look into his eyes.
“However, my ultimate purpose was to declare myself and secure your hand. Surely you must know how ardently I love and admire you.”
“No, Mr. Darcy, you must not,” she implored him. “Just look at my appearance; I am wearing a torn gown,” she replied, deeply ashamed. She had not had time to repair all of the gowns that had been torn during her stay in the sheltered cove. This gown had a torn hem.
“Miss Elizabeth, you mistake me if you believe that my regard for you has anything to do with your attire. I care not if you were adorned with a gown that was tattered and torn or the latest Parisian fashion made of the finest silk; I love the woman who wears the gown. I love her strength in the midst of adversity; I love her dedication and commitment to her family; I love her compassion to those who are less fortunate than she is; I love her impertinence and her unwillingness to compromise her values; I love her lively, playful demeanour despite the hardships she has suffered. I love you Miss Elizabeth, I love you, I love you!”
