Page 20

The host blinked and replied, “Proposal, sir? I failed to discern a proposal. Please explain what you mean?”

“I should like to marry your daughter, Charlotte,” Collins said, disappointed that his future father-in-law did not understand his eloquent presentation.

Sir William paused for only a moment before he asked, “Mr Collins, do you mean that you wish to marry my daughter, Charlotte?”

“Yes, Sir William. I have a good living at Hunsford, where a wife familiar with running a household and managing a few maids can be a credible parson’s wife. Then, when Mr Bennet ever passes, we shall return and establish ourselves in Longboard.”

“Sir, I am certain my daughter will receive your addresses with joy. But you must make them known to her, for she is of age and must consent herself.”

Almost disappointed at this unexpected development, Collins said, “But my situation with a stable income and the future prospects as master of Longleaf will undoubtedly make my proposal welcome to her. With your endorsement, I am certain she will be agreeable.”

Sir William rose from his chair and moved to the door, “Yes, Mr Collins, I am certain my daughter will welcome your proposal. But allow me to send her to you in this office, and you can make them known to her and hear her answer.”

Not allowing Collins to speak again, Sir William hurried from the room and sought out Charlotte in the kitchens. Ignoring his wife and younger daughter, Sir William took Charlotte by the arm and led her back toward his office.

“Mr Collins would speak with you privately, Charlotte.”

Surprised, Charlotte asked, “Does he wish to speak with me, Father?”

“Yes, and it is my most sincere wish that you hear his proposal.”

“Proposal?” Charlotte asked incredulously because she had never expected to hear the word used in association with herself.

“Yes, even if it sounds like a sermon, he will propose marriage to you this hour.”

“A proposal?” Charlotte asked a second time.

“You can be Mrs William Collins and eventually be mistress of Longbourn even though he calls the place Longleaf or Longboard.”

Smiling, Charlotte replied, “Father, Mr Collins must be very nervous. I shall go and sit with him.”

His daughter quickly entered the office and closed the door behind her. Then Sir William returned to the kitchen where Lady Lucas approached and grew excited when she heard her husband’s news.

~~~

John Lucas visited Longbourn late in the day with a wagon pulled by a single horse.

Mr Bennet approached the visitor and invited him inside.

Without taking John to the parlour, Thomas led the young man into his office and offered him a thimble of brandy after hearing the man’s news.

In short order, Mr Hill was summoned and sent above stairs to pack Mr Collin’s trunk and bring it down.

“I wish you and your father the best with trying to make the man see sense in anything,” Thomas told John once the trunk was loaded in the wagon.

“My mother and father are both joyous for Charlotte…but my sister and I both regret the loss of Longbourn for your daughters, sir.”

“The entailment is to blame, not Miss Lucas,” Mr Bennet assured the young man. “Now, get back on the road. It will not do for you to be out at night without a lantern.”

~~~

Mrs Bennet’s feelings were displayed for her family when Mr Bennet made the announcement as they sat down for supper.

“Where is Mr Collins?” asked Mary after Mrs Hill removed the place set for the parson at the table.

“This afternoon, Mr Collins proposed marriage to Miss Lucas, and young John informed me that she accepted the man. Sir William and Lady Lucas invited my cousin to remain with them for the balance of his visit to come to know Miss Lucas better.”

“When are they to marry, Father?” asked Jane.

“Young Mr Lucas did not say during his short visit to collect our visitor’s trunk,” Mr Bennet admitted.

“I suppose they plan to keep Collins close confined so he cannot change his mind and escape,” Mrs Bennet said.

“My dear, a marriage proposal cannot be rescinded without penalty once the father, mother and neighbours have acknowledged it.”

“So that is why they sent John here, to make you a party to this…this catastrophe!”

“To what catastrophe do you refer, my dear?” Thomas Bennet inquired of his wife.

“Your estate will be taken from your daughters when you die.”

“Mamma, you will make yourself sick if you dwell on this for too long,” said Elizabeth.

“Yes, I am already ill thinking of that man and woman in my house! In my bed!”

“Mrs Bennet! Calm yourself!” Mr Bennet said before he left the dining room for a moment and returned with a bottle of brandy and two small glasses. During the rest of the meal, the man plied his wife with thimbles of brandy to calm her nerves and soothe her temper.

Around the table, Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary shared ideas for a proper wedding gift for the couple. Charlotte Lucas had been friends with the older sisters their entire lives.

Then Lydia asked, “Well, at least he is removed from our table. Do we have to see him again, Papa?”

“Let your mother and I speak of it later. I imagine we shall have them here for dinner one evening,” Mr Bennet said while his wife grimaced at the thought.

~~~

Through the whole of October, the Bennet family was often in company with Mr Bingley and the residents of Netherfield.

When there was a tea or supper, Mr Bingley sought Jane’s company, and the eldest sister gladly gave the man all her attention.

As a consequence, Elizabeth found herself in Mr Darcy’s company repeatedly to provide the man with conversation while his friend spent his time with Jane.

For the most part, Elizabeth was intrigued by the tall gentleman’s intelligence and ability to discuss the broad range of subjects that crossed Elizabeth Bennet’s mind.

Miss Bingley became frustrated that the rich man chose to converse with the penniless chit who lived on a farm in Hertfordshire.

She tried to engage him with the latest social news from London, but the man ignored her gossip.

Instead, he sought out Eliza Bennet to discuss the news of diplomatic moves against Bonaparte, rebellions in Spain, and rumours of war with Austria.

One area of disagreement among the acquaintances that autumn was the neighbourhood’s interest in the New World Tea Company.

Despite the man’s removal from Meryton back to London, George Wickham’s reputation among the gentlemen was generally positive.

When it was revealed that Mr Hurst invested fifty pounds in the tea company, Caroline decried the purchase until Charles assured her that he had suitable portions of his wealth and her dowry in shares of a few companies.

“If I could invest your entire dowry in the shares of the East India Company, I would, but they are generally never available or so outrageously priced that no one can afford them.”

“Then why do you disparage this Wickham fellow?” she asked.

“I do not believe he can return such tremendous profits yearly.”

Caroline turned to Mr Darcy for his opinion, but the gentleman refused to express any judgment of George Wickham.

~~~