Page 57

12 th February, 1812

Darcy,

There is a Bible verse about how a man who finds a wife finds a good thing. It is something like that at any rate – I need Mr. Collins here to elucidate.

And it is true. My dear Jane -- oh Darcy, she completes me as God intended. She is such a sweet, gentle, kind, lovely soul. We are very happy the latter has presumably determined how to live a vibrant life as an intellectual clergyman. I daresay you have not read Smith’s articles in the Edinburgh Review but Mr. Collins considers them brilliant, and I agree.

Regarding Mr. Collins’s mental state, he is doing well. Our local doctor is fascinated with him as a patient and visits him often. I think it clear that Mr. Collins ought not to be in contact with my aunt, Lady Catherine. If he maintains his current demeanor, he and she will clash unremittingly. Worse of course would be a reversion to his hysterical state when last they met. I believe I will offer Mr. Collins a small living some ten miles from here; the current holder of the living is elderly and wishes to retire soon. I find Mr. Collins a most stimulating companion and a pleasant addition to the neighborhood. It would be a pity to lose such a brilliant mind.

Thank you for asking about my sister. Georgiana is doing very well. She spends much time playing the pianoforte and is making great progress with her French lessons.

My congratulations again on your marriage, Bingley.

Sincerely,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Darcy laid down his pen and massaged his fingers. He had conducted much business in the last few days and his hand was weary.

He leaned back and his lips tightened. Every time he wrote even peripherally of Mrs. Bingley, he was reminded of her sister, Elizabeth Bennet. The second born Bennet daughter was pert and utterly unworthy of Pemberley, but Darcy found he could not forget her. In fact, he often found himself visualizing her light and pleasing figure in the dining room, the library, the drawing room, his own bedroom …

He shook his head quickly to dispel those improper thoughts and stood up quickly. Outside his office, the soft strains of the pianoforte drew him into the music room, where Georgiana was playing one of Beethoven’s pieces. Mr. Collins sat nearby, his eyes closed, his face peaceful, with a footman in attendance. Given the man’s somewhat uncertain physical and mental status, Darcy had assigned several footmen to take turns attending to his guest except when Collins was in his bedroom. The rector was often caught up in his own complex thoughts and, on more than one occasion, wandered absently into the kitchens and even outside, whereupon the footman had turned him gently around.

“Brother!”

Darcy smiled adoringly at this sister.

“Georgiana, that was lovely.”

This was why he must marry well, for his young sister’s sake. He loved her desperately and had already failed her by allowing Wickham to approach her at Ramsgate. He would not fail her again.

***

Mr. James Bennet lifted his eyes from the letter in his hand and called out, “Come in!”

Elizabeth opened the door and stepped in, curiosity on her face.

“You called for me, Father?”

“Yes, please do sit down, Elizabeth. I just received a most astonishing letter from my cousin, Mr. Collins, and I wish you to read it. Really for all that I dislike writing letters, I would not give up Mr. Collins’s correspondence for the world! His remarkable brilliance is combined with a blunt simplicity that gives me such great joy. But you must be curious. Please read this, Elizabeth, and tell me what you think.”

Elizabeth took the letter with interest and opened it to read.

Pemberley

2nd April, 1812

Dear Cousin Bennet,

Although Lady Catherine de Bourgh is an arrogant, officious shrew, I have concluded that she gave good advice when she ordered me – in my former state – to come to Hertfordshire and find myself a wife.

Not that I need to marry one of your daughters, precisely, but ideally I should marry a woman from the region of Longbourn. Unless Mrs. Bennet should die and you remarry a younger woman, you will not have a son. Thus, Longbourn will devolve to me after you breathe your last. I have been studying estate management and discussing such matters with Mr. Darcy, and believe I have a strong understanding of the intellectual aspects of such a task; however, the books mention the blessing of local familiarity with the populace, and that I do not have. I could, I suppose, move to Meryton but I am most content here with Mr. Darcy. His library is incredible, Cousin, absolutely amazing. You cannot believe the depth and breadth of knowledge encased in its tomes.

I have spoken to Mr. Darcy of this matter, and he agrees that marrying a local woman would be ideal. He is a most gracious host and has offered to open the doors of Pemberley to you and any of your daughters who wish to travel here, with the express purpose of determining whether one of them would prove a suitable bride for me.

I think it obvious that it will not be a love match, and thus your daughters should not come if they require such a thing. I certainly do not look down upon the pleasures of emotional love but such is not for a man like me.

You are also, of course, aware of my doubtful mental state at times. My interaction with Lady Catherine at Netherfield was most regrettable. I hope that with time will come healing. Oddly, it seems that listening to the pianoforte, played by Miss Darcy, is helping me. The music speaks to my soul though I have no pretentions of being able to play the instrument.

I am your heir, of course, and at some point will be master of an estate. That is to my credit.

Sincerely,

William Collins

Elizabeth looked up at her father, who, upon regarding her stunned visage, began shaking from suppressed laughter.

“Your expression, Lizzy, your expression!” he chortled.

Elizabeth smiled reluctantly and looked back down at the letter, “He is at least honest.”

“He is, he is! Delightfully blunt and refreshing, my dear. And I will be truthful, he is a far more appealing suitor than when he first darkened Longbourn’s doors. Far better to have a direct individual than a sycophantic, sniveling fool.”

“That it is, Father. It seems he is doing well at Pemberley. It is obvious that I was entirely wrong in my first assessment of Mr. Darcy. He is an extremely kind man to take care of Mr. Collins, who is no relation at all, nor is our cousin of the upper classes.”

This caused Mr. Bennet to sober immediately, “That is true, Lizzy. It is very good of Mr. Darcy indeed. Mr. Collins would not have done well in our household, I think; based on previous letters, he needs quiet and peace, and our home provides neither of those things.”

Elizabeth sighed, “That is true enough. Poor Mr. Collins. This last year must have been thoroughly unsettling to him.”

“It seems that his true character was hidden under his former foolish persona. It is far better now that he can access that brilliance and bluntness.”

“Yes, but still, he has experienced such massive changes in short order. It must be very unnerving.”

“True. But let us return to the question of the letter. What think you of being the new Mrs. Collins?”

Elizabeth frowned, “It would not do for me, Father. I respect Mr. Collins’s brilliance but I do wish for a match of true affection. I honor him for his straightforward claim that it would not be a love match.”

“Yes, I agree that you require more than mere brilliance in a mate. I wonder about Mary, perhaps?”

Elizabeth considered silently for several minutes.

“Perhaps?” she said doubtfully. “Mary is certainly very diligent in her studies and she and Mr. Collins might well enjoy discussions on mutual topics of interest. My perception is that Mary would not be adept at managing Mr. Collins in the way he needs. But perhaps that is ungracious of me. We should certainly ask her opinion on the matter.”

Her father nodded gravely, “Yes, I agree. It seems Mr. Collins will require a woman who is able to manage his household. Mary is certainly capable of focusing her attention on learning such things and she does not require a love match, but I am not certain she would enjoy such a life. Lydia and Kitty, of course, would scoff at the very idea of marrying a practical, pudgy clergyman, especially a genius.”

“I do have an idea of someone who might be an ideal wife for Mr. Collins,” Elizabeth mused. “Charlotte Lucas. She has a more practical view of marriage than I, and at this point, at seven and twenty, is discouraged about her options. I think she would manage Mr. Collins’s complex issues very well. Of course, if she wed Mr. Collins, Longbourn would be lost to the Bennet family forever.”

Mr. Bennet shook his head vigorously, “My dear Elizabeth, I am well aware that I am an indolent father but if there is one thing I wish for you girls, it is that you marry a compatible mate. I would be more concerned if Jane were still unwed, but Mr. Bingley is a thoroughly kindly man and if I die tomorrow, I trust him to take care of you girls and your mother. There is no need for any of you to rush into marriage with a man with whom you are not well suited. By all means, ask Charlotte Lucas about whether she wishes to enter the sweepstakes to become the new Mrs. Collins.”

“Father,” Elizabeth murmured with a reproving smile. “If Mary and Charlotte are to go, how will they travel to Pemberley? They will need a male escort.”

“Oh, if this journey comes to pass, I will accompany them myself, and you will come too, dear Elizabeth. I dislike leaving home, but the library at Pemberley sounds worthy of the greatest effort.”

“Me? I am not going to marry Mr. Collins!”

“I know, Lizzy, but both Charlotte and Mary would no doubt appreciate your presence as a friend and sister, respectively. Would you not like to observe the glories of Derbyshire and the splendor of the Pemberley library?”

“But surely I cannot invite myself along without an invitation, Father! That would be the height of incivility.”

“I have been in languid correspondence with Mr. Darcy these last months, my dear; he has been keeping me apprised of Mr. Collins’s progress. I will ensure that all the civilities are observed, I promise you.”