Page 79 of Introducing Mrs. Collins
She was staring at Lady Catherine’s gullet when that lady launched straight into her favourite pastime – gentle interrogation – with all the interest of a general inspecting the troops.
‘You now have a full staff, here, do you not, Mrs Collins? It appears so. Did the majority stay on when the Bennets vacated?’
‘Indeed, most of them did, which made the transition much easier. Indeed, all stayed but Mrs Hill, who has gone with Mrs Bennet. So, it worked out very well for us that Mrs Brooke was willing to come to be with us from Kent. We are very fond of her.’
Apparently satisfied, Lady Catherine pivoted to a new topic. ‘You have seen Mr Darcy and his wife, I believe?’
‘We have indeed had that great pleasure, your ladyship,’ began Collins, ‘and we hope it was apparent the extent to which myself and Mrs Collins are natural and sympathetic successors to the legacy of the estate. In time, we—’
‘When did they depart?’
Charlotte answered now. ‘About six weeks ago, Lady Catherine. Elizabeth was the last of the family to remain in the house, even while Mr Collins and I settled in. Her presence in that period was comforting for both of us – she was able to say farewell to the house, while I had company and guidance while learning the shape and running of a new household.’
‘And was it a comfort foryou, Mr Collins, to have Mrs Darcy here?’ asked Lady Catherine pointedly.
Mr Collins hesitated before saying, ‘To be sure, my lady. I was pleased to be able to accommodate the wishes of both ladies.’
Lady Catherine raised an eyebrow.
My, she is in a mood to stir the pot today,thought Charlotte, but a part of her reflected guiltily on what had just been said. Howhadit been for her husband to have the woman who rejected his proposal stay in his house, with her more handsome, more wealthy husband? She had hardly considered it.
She inwardly berated herself, while Lady Catherine’s conversation moved on to Elizabeth’s impending child. Charlotte was pleased to note a surprising warmth from her on the subject. Apparently, all past resentments were forgotten in light of the promise of a Rosings grand-nephew. And yet Charlotte had the distinct feeling that her remarks on the subject of offspring contained a subtle barb meant for her.
While Lady Catherine paused, Mr Collins tentatively ventured a question of his own. ‘If I may ask, how fares Mr Smithson? I do hope he is guiding the parish well?’
‘You may ask.’ Lady Catherine seemed to give such a simple question rather a lot of thought. ‘He is a little less fervent than he was when he first arrived, and I think it no bad thing. He is surprisingly keen on his pastoral role. He has been present at three deaths already.’
‘An impressive record, my lady,’ attempted Collins. ‘May I enquire as to who it is that has—’
‘I believe he will hold the fort very well, Mr Collins, until such time as I find the appropriate person to take the living.’
‘Oh,’ said Collins shortly. ‘I had assumed you would bestow it on him?’
Lady Catherine lifted her teacup. ‘No,’ she returned, without further explanation.
She took another sip, placed her cup down and announced, ‘I would rather not remain any longer in this sitting room, which I remember and dislike. I would welcome a turn around your grounds, if you would honour me.’
‘Gladly,’ said Charlotte.
Mr Collins also expressed approval of the plan, but in many more words.
‘You are settled well here then, Mrs Collins? You look settled,’ observed Lady Catherine, as the three of them wandered across the lawn.
Charlotte laughed out loud at her observation and could not explain the reason.
It was Mr Collins who replied, abashed at his wife’s irreverence. ‘We are happy indeed, your ladyship, and consider ourselves blessed. There is still much to learn, but I relish it, for God did not mean us to sit idly.’
‘No, indeed.’
Once Lady Catherine had seen all that the gardens had to offer and adequately passed judgement on them – the rose garden’s scent was deemed rather overpowering, and the trees in the orchard had been too sparsely planted – she stated that she would bid them farewell. They all made their way to the drive, where Lady Catherine’s maid and carriage awaited her.
As they neared, she sighed. ‘Ah, I have dropped my glove somewhere. I believe it must have been in the rose garden, when I took my handkerchief out to sneeze; they really were pungent. Would you be so good as to retrieve it, Mr Collins? You know best what route we took.’
Once Mr Collins, who naturally leapt at the opportunity, was a safe distance away, Lady Catherine invited Charlotte to take a turn with her around the drive.
‘I am glad to have a moment alone with you, Mrs Collins. I think you have made some wise decisions recently, for the benefit of all. I wished only to commend you on your resolve.’
Charlotte found it hard to believe this was all Lady Catherine wished to say. After a moment, she was proved right, as Lady Catherine proceeded to make enquiries which were well beyond the bounds of propriety: asking whether Charlotte was with child.
