by C. J. Hill
Although now much concerned with the running of her new household and the matters of the village, while awaiting the arrival of her guests, Charlotte felt well prepared to undertake this new venture. Before long she had drawn up a plan of study that she believed would suffice without over-extending the children, and which would not cause any disapprobation from Lady Catherine as being too instructive.
Within a few days she had spoken with her husband, who agreed wholeheartedly with the entire plan, so long as Lady Catherine did, and had informed Lady Catherine and Anne over afternoon tea where she had not only gained the former’s condescending agreement to the idea but had also been made the generous offer of Anne’s help after morning church services had been attended. Charlotte was extremely pleased and gratified by the generosity of spirit Lady Catherine displayed and tried to make it known to her on her second visit after broaching her plan.
“Lady Catherine. I should so like to express my gratitude for your dedication to the people of the village – first the Betts’ cottage and now the school! Miss de Bourgh will be of great assistance to me when I begin; I already have got the agreement of six families to send their children to the school every Sunday and I shall need some help with organisation and deciding what their needs are.”
Anne smiled quietly but with obvious pleasure at being commended; Lady Catherine also looked rather pleased but of course wished to know more of the particulars.
“Naturally Anne is happy to help with such a charitable undertaking, it speaks well of the landowner if they are seen as having a concern for their tenants, and, as you have so kindly noticed, I am most attentive to the treatment and happiness of my tenants. When do you propose starting your school, Mrs. Collins? It will soon be Easter, you know, and most of the children will be required to work with their parents for the Spring planting and livestock management.”
“Indeed, I was advised about the timing of such things by Mrs. Betts, and so have planned to start in May after the rush of jobs has passed. Besides, my family and friend will soon be here and I should not wish to be too occupied while they visit. They will be here for a month at least and I hope to enjoy their company every day that they are here. Their comfort is assured and I also thank you for your generous gifts on their behalf.”
“Yes, well, I do what I can for those who need my help,” Lady Catherine acknowledged. “Of course, we also expect our guests over the Easter observances and will be much engaged with them for their stay. Anne will be needed here during that time to meet with her cousins and entertain them when I am unavailable. Please be assured that your party will be invited to Rosings to meet them - even though you say that you have already had that pleasure, I am sure that your guests will be most delighted to re-acquaint themselves with the family of de Bourgh and Darcy in the part of the world where they truly belong.”
“I am sure ma’am, that there would be nothing more pleasing to my father and Miss Bennet to become better acquainted with Mr. Darcy, and we shall all look forward to making the acquaintance of Colonel Fitzwilliam. We would be most honoured to be included in your party whenever you see fit to invite us.” Charlotte rose as she spoke. “And now I must thank you for your hospitality, but must return to the Parsonage in time for Mr. Collins’ supper. I wish you a pleasant evening. Please excuse me Lady Catherine, Miss de Bourgh.”
Charlotte quickly curtsied and left in rather a hurry as she realised she had stayed overlong at Rosings Park, excited by her new plan, rushing to arrive back at the Parsonage just as the clock struck six.
Mr. Collins was already in the dining room and clearly irritated at being kept waiting by his wife. He bowed slightly in her direction as she entered and Charlotte made the peace by approaching him and softly placing a kiss upon his cheek before sitting at her usual place at the table.
Slightly mollified by her unusual attention, Mr. Collins allowed himself to be led into conversation regarding his sermon writing - which was progressing well - and the parishioners would be the beneficiaries on Sunday; and his garden, upon which he expounded at great length and in even greater detail regarding the seedlings and shoots which were gradually showing themselves, thanks to the warmer weather. Charlotte then managed to weave in her discussion with Lady Catherine about the school and the impending visit of both parties’ guests.
“I assured her that I would like Anne to help with the school when we start in May, and Lady Catherine was most amenable to the idea. They will both be taken up with their visitors until then, as shall we be, but I have been assured that we are to be of the party when Lady Catherine desires it. Is that not thoughtful of her, my dear? I should think Lizzy and my father will be pleased to have such company to dine and talk with during their stay, do you not think so?”
“Your father, perhaps, but Miss Bennet is such a strong, opinionated character that I hardly know what she will think, much less say, when she comes face to face with Mr. Darcy again. Did you not tell me, my dear, that she abhors the man and considers him proud and prejudiced? I hardly think that it will be a felicitous meeting for either party. I would prefer to keep her at home and not expose her to company at Rosings Park where she very likely will reflect badly upon us with her opinions and improper attitude towards her betters.”
“William, you are too unkind! Lizzy will do no such thing when she meets Mr. Darcy again. While it is true that she has opinions and likes to state them openly, she is always respectful and does not go out of her way to antagonise. I will vouch that she will behave in a ladylike fashion. Do not be afraid of her upsetting Lady Catherine; Mr. Darcy has already had the pleasure of her company and knows what to expect! I cannot avert her opinion already formed of him.
“I must begin to arrange the house for our visitors. They will be arriving next week and there is much to do - cleaning, airing and arranging - which I look forward to with great pleasure. How exciting it is to be able to receive guests in one’s own home! Do you not take pleasure in it, my dear?”
“It is agreeable indeed to be so fortunately situated; I believe that my cousin will view me and our marriage with new eyes when she sees the comforts and connections we enjoy. Perhaps she will realise that her friend has made a prudential match after all? I know I should not dwell upon the past but I am thankful every day that she did not accept my proposal, and that you were kind enough to do so, my dear. She would not have been so favourable a partner and so effective a parson’s wife as are you. And I shudder to think how she would have been received by Lady Catherine after I see in what regard that lady holds you and your work. What a blessing that everything worked out for the best.
“In good faith, I tried to re-direct the entail of Longbourn but my intentions were misconstrued and sorely maligned. It is a heavy burden to be the one to inherit a house where so many rely upon that place for their shelter. Naturally, I would never ask anyone to leave unless I should need to of necessity; I would allow the Bennet ladies to remain in the house at their pleasure for as long as it did not incommode me. I have no need of two houses, grand as that sounds, but it is pleasant to know that one is truly mine in the future and that I may not need to rely upon having a benefactress for all my life, as I do now.”
“I know that the Bennets would be relieved to hear you say that about their home; truly, there is nothing worse for dependent women than to wonder where they will live if their provider dies before them. It is an aberration of the law that allows them to be turned out of their own home and have to give up all the possessions therein to make way for someone they hardly know and have sometimes never seen. It is all too hard upon us females but what should we do about it? Gain employment? Run a farm? Become teachers and open a school? It is most unfair that men have all the opportunities and freedom to make of their lives what they choose, and women have none.”
“My dear Charlotte,” Mr Collins interposed with some agitation. “Nothing can redeem me for being a man and having an education and a career, but I hope that I have shown you as much re
spect and friendship that you would wish for and that I consult you in all things pertaining to our life together? For I truly wish for our marriage to be one of mutual respect and affection and I look forward to you continuing to care for the parishioners with me and building a solid church family as you have already started to do in the short time you have been in Hunsford.”
Charlotte smiled at her husband and quietly agreed that he had not presented her with any defects of character about which she had been unaware upon their first meeting; privately, she thought he had consistently managed to surprise her with his warmth and respect for her, and his obvious desire for a happy family life only endeared him more to her. Rather than continuing to be the annoying and embarrassing person she had agreed to marry, she found that, as time progressed and her influence came more to bear upon his behaviour and speech, he was turning into a pleasant partner. Without the stress of having to impress an audience all week, he became more amiable and relaxed; only when at Rosings or at the church door did he revert to the ingratiating but pompous man so well known at Longbourn. Nothing would ever overcome his terror of saying the wrong words, or appearing less than grateful to his benefactress; and nothing would cure him of his desire for respect and deference from those he considered his equal or lower. Charlotte, however, was content to see that, for the majority of the week, in his own domain, he no longer felt the need to impress her with any of his traits – ingratiating and grateful, or pompous and ridiculous.
XXII
The intervening two weeks passed in a flurry of activity, the weather reflecting Charlotte’s eager anticipation of her guests by increasing in warmth, and all was in order both indoors and out by the time the carriage carrying her family and friend rolled briskly into the small driveway of the Parsonage, breaking into the usual late afternoon quiet.
With much excitement William rushed along the hall to inform Charlotte of the arrival only to be dismayed that she had, in fact, pre-empted him and was already stationed at the front door smiling with pleasure at her guests. William hurriedly found his place beside his wife and, catching his breath, proceeded to welcome the first guests to their home. Charlotte greeted them all with lively affection, most especially Elizabeth whom she found she had missed more than she had thought.
They walked arm in arm about the house and garden, trailing Mr. Collins, Charlotte’s father and sister hanging on his every word and asking interested questions of him. William, Charlotte could see, was most gratified but, the attention unfortunately had the effect of reverting his behaviour to what it once was and she could see that Elizabeth was watching him with her practised satirical eye; Charlotte wisely kept her countenance neutral, hoping that she would not have to be too severe in demonstrating her reluctance to join with her friend in her observations of her husband.
She had no reason to be concerned, as her friend, in the solitude of her chamber later that evening, meditated upon Charlotte’s degree of contentment, her guidance of, and composure in bearing with her husband, and acknowledged to herself that it was all done very well. Charlotte could not be faulted for her acceptance of her choice and all that it entailed; Elizabeth was more impressed than ever by her friend and was exceedingly glad she had made the journey to see it all for herself.
The first week passed swiftly by and it was soon time for Sir William to return to Hertfordshire; Charlotte bade him farewell and sent numerous messages to her mother and siblings in his safekeeping. She also sent a dozen eggs and some early peas to prove to her mother that all was well in Hunsford and that Charlotte had succeeded in making a home for herself there. She hoped that her father would convey in his usual honest manner everything he had seen so that her felicity in marriage would set her mother’s heart at rest.
It had been a busy week for everyone as Lady Catherine had lost no time in inviting the visitors to Rosings Park in order that she might have, primarily, a new source of company, but secondarily, the opportunity to be of benefit to the guests through her knowledge and advice. There was nothing so satisfying as when one could exert one’s opinion to make improvements where they were clearly necessary, and Lady Catherine certainly exerted hers upon, not only Elizabeth, whom she seemed to consider, despite her lowly connections, a worthy opponent in conversation, but also Sir William and his opinions. The younger Lucas daughter she had preferred to ignore, seeing no immediate benefit that her intervention could possibly make.
Charlotte had watched her father fold in awe under the pressure put upon him by the great lady, not thinking to object or defend himself, but had also watched Elizabeth, who true to herself as ever, refused to comply and returned comment for comment, quite shocking Lady Catherine with her opinions and forthright manner. However, she noted that the requests for their company at dinner did not diminish due to these altercations and so Charlotte watched the sparring with equanimity; it pleased her that her friend could debate at such a level with spirit and without any false modesty or going against her own beliefs.
Unfortunately, no such equanimity existed within Mr. Collins; he endured an exquisite agony between the delight he felt by pleasing his patroness through improving the social circle at Rosings Park, and the terror that his cousin would go too far with her pert opinions, and find himself censured and cast out because of his immediate association with her.
“She will go too far, Charlotte! I pray that you would speak with her and advise her to temper her wild opinions and questionable theories. Lady Catherine is not used to being spoken to in such a manner. She must be made to understand that she is no longer in Meryton and that she should behave with decorum, as you do. Surely she can see that, my dear?”
Charlotte demurred without promising anything and continued to take delight in the vexing of Lady Catherine, although she did mention to Elizabeth Mr. Collins’ concerns, to which Elizabeth responded:
“How foolish a concern, to be sure! I do not discern any great vexation on Lady Catherine’s part. Indeed, I believe that I add greatly to her enjoyment of our visits. Surely no one is content to be always in the right; a variety of opinion is beneficial to any animated conversation and should not be regarded as a threat on either side. But please assure Mr. Collins that, from now on, I shall endeavour to restrain my comments to the weather.”
“Oh! Eliza, do not change so remarkably! Lady Catherine will fail to understand when your usual animated argument is not forthcoming; she will consider that you have fallen ill and must have the doctor sent for!”
Laughing, the two friends then went for their usual walk along the lanes which were becoming full of new leaves and blossoms, encouraged by the clemency of the weather. Charlotte had, at the earliest opportunity, introduced her friend to the Betts family and had shown her the addition which was rapidly taking shape with the new roof sheltering the building below. Elizabeth had found it remarkable that, in a few short months, Charlotte had secured the trust of the local families and also of their owner to such an extent, and that this building project stood testament to her friend’s tenacity and desire to help those around her. She listened with great interest as Mrs. Betts itemised every good deed that Charlotte had accomplished over the cold Winter months for the people of the parish and that everyone now wondered how they had managed before through similar Winters without Charlotte’s involvement.
Charlotte had blushed modestly and removed herself from the conversation but privately she was gratified to hear such praise; she had no notion that this was the feeling of the village. Her hope that she would one day belong somewhere of her own may be closer than she had imagined and she vowed to continue lending her assistance whenever she could to help not only those in need, but also her own need to be accepted within her new community for herself and not just for being the wife of Mr. Collins.
Later that same day, while they were enjoying the warmth of the fire against the chill of the Spring evening, Charlotte reminded Elizabeth of the news she had revealed earlier about Mr. Darcy’s visit at the end of the week
over the Easter holiday.
“Do you wish to warn me against speaking at all while he is here, Charlotte?” Elizabeth teased, their earlier conversation still present in her mind. “Shall I merely nod and acquiesce whenever he speaks and behave as a proper young lady?”
“I should think he will be more confused than would his aunt should you behave in such a manner! No, my dear, I only wish for you to be aware of his coming and that Miss de Bourgh speaks very highly of him as a friend and cousin only. They are to be married, as I think you already know, although I cannot believe it from the knowledge I have of both parties. Neither seem fitted for the other; I believe that Lady Catherine is the only one fully engaged with the idea and, as you know, where that lady sets her mind, she will not be gainsaid. Their marriage would be a great benefit to both sides, of course, by keeping the family fortunes and lines intact.”
“Perhaps this will prove to be his undoing, Charlotte! If he is to marry Miss de Bourgh then he must prove himself a charming suitor to both the lady and her mother. I should like to see him in such a friendly light, I admit, after his taciturn nature in Meryton. This visit will provide us with some entertainment, I’ll wager.”
“Pray, do not provoke him, Elizabeth! I recall that you had an effect upon him whenever he came within speaking distance of you. Remember he pronounced you to be merely tolerable and spoke quite animatedly about the value of pride and prejudice when you visited Netherfield for poor Jane’s sickness last November.”
Elizabeth laughed merrily at the memory of telling Charlotte about her conversation with Mr. Darcy.