Page 33 of The Wager
Finally, both his feet hit the ground. The black valise he’d refused to hand off to the groom remained in his hand, and the round parson’s hat stayed atop his head, although it threatened to topple off when he bowed low in front of their father.
“Mr. Collins,” Papa said. “Welcome to Longbourn. Please allow me to introduce you to my wife and daughters.”
“Thank you, Cousin Bennet. I am anxious to make their acquaintance.”
Papa began the introductions, starting with his wife and ending with his youngest daughter. When complete, Mr. Collins rocked on his heels and turned his attention to Mamma.
“I heard much of your daughter’s beauty, Mrs. Bennet, but now having met and seen them in person, it is obvious their fame has fallen short of the truth.” His gaze skittered in the direction of Jane “I do not doubt you seeing them all in due time well disposed of in marriage.”
Mary had not been wrong in surmising her cousin was here to find a bride. Elizabeth could not help the small smile that threatened to turn into a grin when she noticed Jane’s pursed lips. Mr. Collins was in for much disappointment if he expected to court Mamma’s eldest daughter.
They turned to enter the house and Mr. Collins rushed to offer an escort to Jane.
“Allow me, Cousin Jane,” he said, holding out his elbow in an awkward manner. With her inherent grace, Jane placed her hand lightly on his forearm and allowed him to lead her into the family parlor behind their mother and father.
Once settled with fresh cakes and biscuits, along with a fragrant blend of tea Uncle Gardiner had sent for them to try, Mr. Collins once again brought up the fate of his dear cousins and future hopes of matrimonial bliss.
“You are very kind, sir, to worry about family members you have only met just today.” Mamma looked around at her five daughters and gave them all a loving smile. “I wish with all my heart my girls make advantageous marriages. However, right now things are very much up in the air.”
“You allude, perhaps, to the entail of this estate.”
“I have not given it that much thought. There are a few eligible gentlemen in the area…”
Mamma paused and did not continue her sentence. It was not uncommon for their mother to lose her place in the conversation, although members of the family were comfortable with her silence, new acquaintances sometimes became flustered. Fortunately, Mr. Collins was not one of those people. He barreled on as though Mamma had not stopped talking completely.
“I am very sensible, madam, of the hardship to my fair cousins, and could say much on the subject, but I am cautious of appearing forward and precipitate. I can assure the young ladies I have come prepared to admire them.” He glanced again in Jane’s direction, who was helping Lydia and Kitty trim a bonnet. “At present, I will not say more. Perhaps when we are better acquainted—”
They were interrupted by a summons to dinner and once again Mr. Collins offered to escort the eldest daughter.
“Mr. Collins,” Papa said as the gangly gentleman crooked his elbow to Jane. “If you wish to be so formal, it is only correct you escort your hostess.”
With effusive apologies, Mr. Collins took Mamma’s arm and walked her into the dining room. The rest of the family followed in no particular order, although Jane and Elizabeth made sure they sat on either side of their father, with Mary sliding in beside Jane to prevent Mr. Collins from sitting next to his intended victim.
Papa gave a valiant effort to direct the conversation throughout the first course, however, Mr. Collins’s admiration for the hall and dining room took precedence as each room and its decor was praised. The dinner too, was highly admired and he begged to know to which of his fair cousins, the excellence of its cookery was owing.
“We are very well able to keep a cook, Mr. Collins,” Mamma said with a huff. “My girls are gentlewomen and have nothing to do in the kitchen.”
“Please forgive my presumption. It is only that my future wife must have some knowledge of how a kitchen is run as I have few servants.”
Once again, his gaze landed on Jane, who kept her eyes lowered and her attention remained riveted on her soup. As they waited for the footmen to remove the first course and commence serving the second, Papa began a conversation about his cousin’s ordination and receiving the living at Hunsford.
“I am very fortunate in my patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She is the daughter of an earl and the widow of a baronet. So far, she has graciously approved both of the discourses which I had the honor of preaching before her and twice she has asked me to dine at her home. I flatter myself that she approves of my company as she sent for me only the Saturday before I came to Hertfordshire, to make up her pool of quadrille in the evening.”
He released a contented sigh at the memory.
“Does she live near you, sir?” Mamma asked.
“The garden in which stands my humble abode is separated only by a lane from Rosings Park, her ladyship’s residence.”
“I think you said she was a widow. Has she any family?”
“She has one daughter, the heiress of Rosings, which is a very extensive property.”
“And what sort of young lady is Miss de Bourgh? Is she handsome?”
“She is a most charming young lady indeed. Lady Catherine herself says that in point of true beauty, Miss de Bourgh is far superior to the handsomest of her sex; because there is that in her features which marks the young woman of distinguished birth.”
“Did you just say your patroness equates beauty with rank?” Papa asked after wiping his mouth with a linen napkin.
