Page 43 of A Rational Man (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

M ary Collins had proven a prolific letter writer.

Not a week went by without a missive from her describing her cottage, Rosings Park, Mr. Collins’ gardening, the parishioners, her maid named Betsy, and so on.

Elizabeth was her chief correspondent, and she read Mary’s letters aloud when everyone was together at the breakfast table.

A letter from Mary was sitting beside Elizabeth’s plate that late January morning; Elizabeth opened it and read it to her family.

Dear Lizzy,

The weather here continues cold but dry, so it is not at all difficult to walk to Hunsford. This morning I went to pick up various household needs and to visit certain ailing parishioners who live in the village.

Lady Catherine says that Easter would be the very best time for my beloved sister – that is YOU, Lizzy – to pay me a visit.

She has promised to host us for dinner in order that you may be suitably impressed by Rosings Park.

It is a very grand home, as you must recall from Mr. Collins’ praise of it.

You would have to bite your lips a good deal, Lizzy, as there is a good deal of nonsense to be heard there, but I think we would nonetheless enjoy ourselves, and you would then be in a position to assure my family that my situation is a good one.

You will recall that Cook has had some very dreadful headaches of late, which has resulted in Betsy and I doing our best in the kitchen to produce edible food while Cook lays down in her darkened room with a cold cloth on her head.

I know Mama would be horrified at the idea of one of her daughters in the kitchen, but needs must when the devil drives!

The apothecary comes later today with yet another headache powder for Cook; the last one made her so dizzy that she could not stand up.

I could send a message to Rosings Park and beg for food, but I should then be forever criticised for my poor housekeeping skills, so Mr. Collins must make do with my own inadequate efforts.

Is that dreadful Caroline Bingley gone yet? Or does she linger on, in the hopes that her past sins will be forgiven and forgotten?

Your loving sister,

Mary

Mrs. Bennet was, as Mary had predicted, horrified that her daughter was working in the kitchen, but the rest of the family just chuckled at the picture of Mary wrapped up in a large white apron.

“Will you go to Kent this spring, then, Lizzy?” Mr. Bennet asked.

“I should like to, very much.”

“There will be a good deal of nonsense to listen to, as Mary says.”

“I know, but it will be worth it to see Mary. May I go, Papa?”

“Yes; I will escort you there and then return for you whenever you wish.”

“A month, perhaps? If that is not too long?”

“I think a month quite long, but I suppose it is not worth traveling for less than that.”

“Thank you, Papa!”

Kitty and Lydia then sent up howls that they were never, never invited anywhere, not to London, not even to Kent! Mrs. Bennet attempted to soothe them, saying that doubtless their invitations to Kent would soon follow Elizabeth’s visit.

Elizabeth finished her breakfast and got up from her chair, prepared to leave the room, but she was stopped by her father’s voice from behind the newspaper. “Mr. Darcy’s first name – was it not Fitzroy or some such thing?”

“Fitzwilliam, I believe, Papa,” Elizabeth replied, willing her voice to remain calm. “Why do you ask?”

“Oh! Nothing, I simply could not immediately recall his name.”

With that, Mr. Bennet folded the newspaper, carefully tucked it under his arm, and took it with him to his study.

This was unusual behaviour; Mr. Bennet usually left the paper on the table for Elizabeth to read.

Unable to restrain her curiousity, Elizabeth waited until her father left Longbourn to speak with a tenant; then she crept into his study, found the newspaper and opened it.

She perused it quickly, wondering what on earth had so roused her father, and then she saw it.

Mr. F.D. of Derbyshire danced with a good many ladies at the Haddingdon’s ball, including Miss C.D., Miss P.A., Miss E. F., and Miss D.G. Wagers are being placed that this will be the year that this long-time elusive bachelor finds his bride!

Elizabeth left the study and made her way up the stairs to her room. She threw herself on her bed, face down in the pillow. She hoped for some time alone, but Jane soon entered their room. Jane was surprised to find her sister in such a position, but she immediately knew the cause.

“Oh, Lizzy.” Jane stroked Elizabeth’s hair. “Is it Mr. Darcy?”

“Papa did not want me to see it, but I found the paper and read the social column of today’s Morning Post .” Elizabeth’s voice was muffled by the pillow.

“Heavens! Is he engaged?”

“No, but he soon will be.” Elizabeth sat up. “He is dancing with all sorts of ladies in Town.”

“He did tell you that he would go to Town to find a bride,” Jane said, hesitantly.

“He did, yes. He was never dishonest with me and I have no reason to feel injured by him.” Elizabeth’s voice was a little unsteady.

“I understand just a little of your pain, Lizzy, I really do. I felt deeply hurt when I thought Charles would choose his sister over me. But, Lizzy, you know that it will fade with time.”

“You are right, I suppose.”

“I am right; we read about unreciprocated loves that last a lifetime, but those are just stories. A gentleman will come along who will make you forget Mr. Darcy entirely!”

“Oh, Jane! I hope he comes soon, for this truly is unbearable!”

“Shall you perhaps go to the Gardiners, Lizzy? You know they would welcome a visit from you.”

“And wonder every moment if I shall see Mr. Darcy at Hatchard’s or in the park? Or just around the corner? No, I think not.”

“You are right; that would be dreadful. But you will go to Kent soon enough, and that will be a good deal of distraction.”

Having by now recovered her equilibrium, Elizabeth was able to laugh and say, “Oh, Jane, here I am, weeping on your shoulder when you are less than a fortnight away from your wedding! Tell me, has Mama had any sort of special marriage talk with you? For you recall that when she gave Mary that talk, poor Mary looked as if she might faint.”

“No, she has not, but…” and here Jane hesitated.

“What?”

“Well, Aunt Gardiner pulled me aside when she came for Mary’s wedding and she gave me the talk! It was not at all dreadful, but I can imagine that Mama made it sound so. No, do not question me, Lizzy. Your time will come.”

Elizabeth had to laugh. “Well, whatever is involved in this marital business, it is bound to be more pleasant for you than for Mary. Imagine being in any fashion intimate with Mr. Collins!”

Both girls groaned, and Elizabeth wrapped her sister in a hug.

***

That afternoon, Elizabeth had recovered her equilibrium enough to sit at her writing desk to reply to Mary’s letter.

Dear Mary,

We were all sorry to hear that your Cook is still suffering from her headaches, and we agreed wholeheartedly that asking for food from Lady Catherine’s kitchen is a step that should not be taken if it can be at all avoided!

Papa agrees that I may visit at Easter. He will bring me to you and spend one night there before returning to Longbourn. He will come for me in a month’s time, if that suits you.

Yes, Miss Bingley is gone! Everyone here at Longbourn is delighted and has no qualms in saying so, but we are careful not to say anything when Mr. Bingley or the Hursts are present.

The banns for Jane and Mr. Bingley have been read three times now, and the wedding is set – finally!

– for the twenty-fourth of February. Jane goes about in a sort of dreamy trance now, which Mama says is normal in a love match.

I would beg you to come to see our Jane married, but you have already told me that Lady Catherine says it is too soon for you to be gone, as the parishioners will feel you are not to be trusted.

It sounds nonsensical to me, but I do understand that she cannot be gainsaid.

I will, of course, write down every detail of the wedding so that you will feel that you were present for it.

I send much love from all of us, but most especially from,

Your affectionate sister,

Elizabeth