Saving Jane

by Martin Hunnicutt

  “Maria Lucas has settled into the house beside the livery stable with her new husband and his father. The vicar called on them and got into a shouting match with Mr. Taylor – he swears he will not set foot in Longbourn Chapel again as long as Blackstone is in the pulpit.”

  “I wish I did not have to hear that man preach again,” Lydia said though no one commented.

  “Now girls, let me venture up to your mother. I promise to tell her only good news,” Mrs. Phillips said, though Jane and Elizabeth feared their mother elicited the bad news from her sister with fervour equal to Mrs. Phillip’s telling.

  One afternoon while Mrs. Bennet and Lydia were napping together in Mrs. Bennet’s bed, Mr. Bennet called Jane and Elizabeth into his study. He had two letters on his desk and motioned to them.

  “I have received a letter from Mr. Gardiner this morning as well as one from a Mr. Angus Hamilton of Bath. According to Mr. Gardiner, he knows Hamilton from his business – the man has a large tavern along one of the main roads between London and Bath. And the man is a widower with no children.”

  Mr. Bennet picked up the second letter, “The man’s penmanship could use some improvement but his letter is sensible – he is interested in a wife from a good family and will not see the unexpected guest as an impediment to their future happiness. He agrees to take Lydia for the price of the special license and three hundred pounds.”

  ++**++

  The following morning, Mr. Bennet called his wife into his study after reading letters delivered that morning. Elizabeth was surprised to hear raised voices as their parents spent a full hour discussing some new letter that their father had received as well as Mr. Hamilton’s proposal. When she left her husband, Mrs. Bennet retired above stairs for the remainder of the morning, only returning to the family in the afternoon for tea.

  After announcing Lydia’s impending marriage to Mr. Hamilton of Bath, and unleashing Lydia’s enthusiasm for her pending nuptials, Mr. Bennet called for Elizabeth’s attention.

  “Your mother and I have spoken at length and we have decided to send you to London to visit with the Gardiners until Christmas,” he told his second daughter. “It will lessen the noise in the house and according to your mother, ‘throw you into the path of rich, young men’.”

  “London?” asked Elizabeth, glancing at her mother who had not recovered her colour. “Why do you want me to go to London in the fall Mamma? The season is over and there are no parties or balls with young men looking for wives.”

  Mrs. Bennet did not reply though Kitty sighed and said, “I wish I could see London!”

  “I sent an express to your uncle this morning and we shall hear his answer Wednesday and you will travel to town Thursday.”

  ++**++

  When Uncle Gardiner’s response arrived on Wednesday morning, it included the invitation for Elizabeth to come to Grace Church Street. The remainder of the day, the sisters set to mending any stockings that Elizabeth would need and then packing her trunk. Following a cold supper, the Bennet family retired quietly.

  ++**++

  Early Thursday morning, Mr. Hill guided the family carriage into Meryton where Elizabeth left with the first post coach to London. By the afternoon, she was safely delivered to Grace Church Street where their aunt and uncle gave her tea before asking Elizabeth of the recent occurrences at Longbourn.

  “Did you father tell you why he sent you to London?” Uncle Gardiner asked.

  “He said that he wanted to lessen the noise in the house for his sake and for Mamma’s nerves. And Mamma believes the streets of London are filled by rich young men looking for a wife,” Elizabeth replied. “But I think he will soon send for me – he will tire of writing his business letters with me in town.”

  ++**++

  The first days passed slowly for Elizabeth – other than reading and walking in the park with her cousins she sewed and made a new dress for her cousin Emily and a shirt for baby Henry. Then she attempted to sew a shirt for young Edward, her aunt and uncle’s eldest child, but the shirt did not fit. The second time, her aunt helped her measure and cut new cloth and she sewed a suitable shirt for her cousin by the end of the next day. Then Elizabeth pulled apart the first shirt and sewed a rag bag to hold scraps in the bench where Aunt Gardiner kept her sewing needles, threads and cloth.

  ++**++

  It was a full week after her arrival in town before a letter from Mr. Bennet arrived for Mr. Gardiner with the plans for Lydia’s marriage; the details were complete and the settlement documents signed. The bride was to travel with her father and meet her husband that very day for the wedding with a new gown made from the blue muslin that was to be Mary’s gown.

  A second letter from Jane arrived and through bitter tears, Elizabeth read of her youngest sister’s departure from Longbourn.

  ++**++

  Lydia sees the whole affair as an adventure and she does not understand why there have been no parties in farewell. Our mother is inconsolable and blames herself for Lydia’s fall. We have packed her clothing, spoken to her clearly again and again but she does not care for any of our advice.

  Sir William and Lady Lucas blame Lydia for Maria’s downfall but they cannot speak of it in public without drawing attention to their daughter’s ‘elopement’ to East Bourn.

  The vicar preached about the sin of fornication again this Sunday and we did not invite him to dinner this week.

  Father promised that he will write to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner again upon his return.

  ++**++

  It was ten days before another letter came from Mr. Bennet and the most pertinent paragraphs contained important information.

  ++**++

  Lydia is now Mrs. Angus Hamilton. He has a busy tavern and prosperous future but he welcomed Lydia’s dowry of three hundred pounds – a paltry sum to bribe the man to take my daughter and her unexpected visitor. They were married by special license in the church so he’ll have to keep her.

  She was laughing when I left and I only hope her happiness lasts.

  ++**++

  Chapter 3.

  Jane’s News from Longbourn

  Letters from Longbourn continued to be few though Elizabeth found something of interest to share in letters to her sisters and father almost every day. Uncle Gardiner brought ship captains to Grace Church Street for supper on successive nights and the men told exciting tales of privateers, pirates and sea monsters that Elizabeth included in her letters. Finally one afternoon, an interesting letter from Jane was delivered to Grace Church Street.

  ++**++

  Dearest Lizzy,

  Everyone has enjoyed your letters with the tales from the brave sailors on the sea bringing cargo to London to fill our uncle’s warehouses. I am pleased that you are enjoying your visit with our uncle and aunt. Have our cousins grown much since we saw them in summer?

  And for once, I have news to share that will be unusual. Our Father announced that his cousin and heir was to visit and stay with us for a fortnight. He arrived yesterday and I am to tell you all. His name is William Collins and he is a parson with a parish in Kent. Our cousin is a young man of five and twenty years with an education from university and tendency to speak over-long on every subject presented to his attention.

  Mamma is quite taken with him and solicits his opinion on curtains, dishes to serve at supper and reading material for after supper for my sisters. I keep to my sewing.

  As his visit is only for two weeks duration, I believe we can bear with his company and see him off before the end of the month.

  Your most affectionate sister,

  Jane

  ++**++

  After the children had been taken to the nursery for the evening by their nanny, Elizabeth spoke of the visit of her father’s heir to Longbourn.

  “And how is this man your father’s cousin and heir when he is not even a ‘Bennet’?” asked Aunt Gardiner.

  “I do not know Aunt. My father was estranged from the man’s father – some argument from Universi
ty days that was never resolved. But the entailment is the only thing my mother thinks of other than gowns and parties,” Elizabeth said.

  “That is not fair Elizabeth,” her uncle replied. “Fanny loves you girls very much and she is worried for your future.”

  “Is our future truly that dire Uncle?”

  “I am afraid it is and your father does not address it in the least.” He motioned her to sit beside him as his wife quietly listened. “Your father’s estate makes an income of two thousand a year – a modest fortune that allows the seven of you to live very well with servants, new gowns, horses and ample food. Your mother’s dowry was five thousand pounds invested in the four percents. How much income does that make for your father each year?”

  Elizabeth performed the calculation in her head and answered, “Two hundred pounds a year.” She looked up her uncle. “That is a small income but will cloth and feed everyone.”

  “But consider if your Mamma also must pay rent, buy wood and coal, pay servants and taxes from that sum. If she and your sisters were not at Longbourn, how would she live with only two hundred a year?”

  “Not very well,” Elizabeth conceded before falling silent for a moment; the Gardiners recognized that their niece was considering different ideas.

  Mr. Gardiner rose. “I must review my accounts before bed. Thank you for a pleasant supper my dear.”

  He stepped close to his wife and kissed her cheek before departing for his office.

  Mrs. Gardiner waited for a moment and then asked, “May I know what you are thinking Lizzy?”

  “A lady is not permitted to work, is she?”

  “A gentleman’s daughter may only serve as a governess or lady’s companion and retain her reputation,” her aunt replied. “With Lydia’s fall, I fear that it may be hard for you to find a husband in Hertfordshire – some men will not take you in any case because of the lack of fortune. A bad family reputation may make it doubly hard.”

  “So if I do not marry, I must be a nanny or companion,” Elizabeth concluded. “Those positions are treated as servants in many households.”

  “I believe you should not give up on marriage, Lizzy,” Aunt Gardiner said. “I take great joy in making a home, raising my children and comforting my husband.”

  “But who comforts the wife?” asked Elizabeth.

  “The husband – when he is a good man – comforts his wife. They are one person in many ways.”

  Elizabeth fell silent once more; she knew her parents were not a good match. Another two days passed before another letter arrived at Grace Church Street for Elizabeth. This time, the letter came from Mary.

  ++**++

  Dear Elizabeth,

  I take pen in hand to write of news. Our father and mother have forbidden Jane to write and tell you of these events but she is so affected that I feel compelled to inform you. Our parents have arranged for Jane to marry Mr. Collins. Mamma spoke plainly to Jane of her duty as the eldest to secure our place here at Longbourn after our father’s passing.

  When Mamma stated that she sent you to London to remove you from Longbourn, I pressed her for the reason. She said you would likely interfere and convince our father and Jane not to accept an arranged marriage – this is why she talked with Father to send you to the Gardiners until Christmas.

  I understand I shall be in Father and Mother’s disfavour when they learn I have written to you with this information but I find this arrangement unsettling – I fear Mr. Collins is not an intelligent man. On more than one occasion, Jane attempted to speak to Mr. Collins regarding tenants, cows and crops but he will not hear anything she says. We fear he will quickly ruin the estate when he inherits.

  Though there is nothing we can do – Jane’s future is set as Mrs. Collins – I had to write and tell you.

  Your affectionate sister,

  Mary

  ++**++

  “Aunt, may I speak with you?” Elizabeth asked after reading Mary’s letter.

  “Certainly, my dear,” Mrs. Gardiner said setting her sewing to one side. She stood up and closed the parlour door before giving her niece her full attention. “I do not wish for the maids to carry our conversation to the cook.”

  Elizabeth handed over the letter from Mary and Mrs. Gardiner quickly read the front and back of the page.

  “I am not surprised at this engagement,” Aunt Gardiner told her niece. “Your uncle will be relieved that your father is making some arrangements for the future.”

  “But Aunt – my father and Jane know nothing of Mr. Collins other the acquaintance of a single week. How long did you know Uncle Gardiner before you wed?”

  “I knew your uncle for several years before we were engaged – he was frequently in Lambton on business. I was surprised but pleased when Mr. Gardiner asked my father for an engagement in spring. They talked several times and he came to supper three times before the banns were read and we were married.”

  Elizabeth asked, “Did your father consult with you? Were you asked for your consent to the marriage?”

  “No, my dear, I was not consulted. My father announced one afternoon that he had reached an agreement with Mr. Gardiner for my hand. Two months later, we were married and leaving Lambton for London.”

  “But...”

  Her aunt took Elizabeth’s hand and squeezed it slightly. “Mr. Gardiner is the very best of men; he is a most caring husband, attentive father and noted tradesman. I would never have found a better husband if I had searched the entire kingdom.”

  ++**++

  That evening, Mrs. Gardiner shared Mary’s letter with her husband and they asked Elizabeth to sit with them and discuss her feelings.

  “I cannot tell you what I feel this evening Uncle,” Elizabeth said. “I have heard of arranged marriages before but for Jane to be engaged to this man so quickly after my family met him concerns me.”

  “But your cousin’s situation is appealing. He is the next master of Longbourn,” her uncle explained. “This marriage will allow your family to remain in the home they have always known and secure their future despite Lydia’s fall.”

  “But what of his character? He may not be a good husband or master for the tenants.”

  “Jane has many good qualities – she can mould him into a good man and good master for the estate,” Uncle Gardiner said. “I have spoken to your father several times that he should make plans for the future and he has never shown any concern before now. He wrote to me earlier this week about the engagement with instructions not to discuss it with you until it was time for our visit at Christmas.”

  Elizabeth felt a tear roll down her cheek as she thought of the cost to her sister of her father’s poor planning. When her uncle handed her the letter from her father, she almost did not read it but Uncle Gardiner turned to the most pertinent section.

  ++**++

  I have determined that my heir – William Collins – is a poor character but again, he is my heir and Longbourn goes to him upon my death. I believe that his sudden appearance and request for marriage with one of my daughters is Providence smiling upon me once more. I shall engage my brother Phillips to prepare the engagement settlement immediately and obtain a binding signature from Mr. Collins before any gossip reaches his ears.

  Mrs. Bennet has spoken to Jane and with my eldest daughter’s gentle nature, her consent to the engagement was a small matter. I know this is not the settlement I had hoped for any daughter at one time but we must make some arrangement for the future.

  With Jane’s marriage to Mr. Collins, I know that Mrs. Bennet will be secure in her future and she can soften her vocalizations of the need for suitable husbands for her remaining unwed daughters. Peace will be restored to Longbourn.

  ++**++

  Humiliated to learn of her father’s willingness to sacrifice Jane so easily, Elizabeth handed the letter back to her uncle. “My father rushes to engage Jane to Mr. Collins because of the fear of gossip.”

  Now Elizabeth fretted and moped about the house on Gra
ce Church Street but her aunt tolerated her low spirits and allowed her niece to take long walks when the footman was free of his duties and could accompany her.

  Two mornings later, Elizabeth finally received a letter from Jane.

  ++**++

  Dearest Lizzy,

  I have missed your letters in recent days. Are you well? I find that I must write this morning – after some persuasion, Father has granted me permission to share my news with you – Mr. Collins has made me an offer of marriage and I have accepted. The settlement papers were prepared by Uncle Phillips and both Father and Mr. Collins signed. Mr. Collins did not think it necessary that I sign the settlement but Mamma insisted and I did. Thus our engagement is finalized.

  You may ask how this event came about so allow me to reveal all. Not long after Mr. Collins arrived, he made his intentions known to the entire family – he sought one of our father’s daughters as his wife to atone for inheriting the estate and our mother quickly pointed out the benefits of accepting Mr. Collins hand – I shall return to Longbourn as mistress, and the future of my mother and sisters will be secure.

  I know you Lizzy – there is a frown on your face and an argument forming in your mind but there must not be any disagreements over this marriage. As mother brought to my attention, I will be three and twenty this spring, and have not received any proposals of marriage– I am on the shelf like Charlotte Lucas. She says that I am ‘too beautiful’ and that men are afraid to approach me.

  Mr. Blackstone continues to preach on immorality among young women on Sundays and the neighbourhood grows tired of his sermonizing. Even Mary has refrained from any discussion of his sermons on Sunday afternoons. However Mr. Collins enjoys talking with Mr. Blackstone and he has become a frequent quest at our table.