Page 21 of New World Tea Company
Lifting the letter again, Bennet sighed,‘Unfortunately, the man appears poorly educated.’
He glanced about his library and thought of his home and estate.‘I shall attempt to improve his education in the years left to me. Longbourn’s master must be knowledgeable about farming and sensible…and this letter was not written by a gentleman with any sense.’
~~~
At the table for luncheon, Thomas withdrew the letter from a pocket and opened it before his family. He cleared his throat and said, “I have an announcement of some interest to us all.”
“What is it, Mr Bennet?” asked Mrs Bennet. “Has something happened?”
“Did Bonaparte land an army at Dover?” asked Elizabeth, intentionally creating more conversation. The ladies only calmed after Mr Bennet stood and called for order at the table after glaring half-heartedly at Elizabeth.
“Lizzy, I believe Bonaparte is burning towns and villages in Germany. No, this is a family matter. It appears my heir has written to me after all these years.”
Mrs Bennet sat back and gasped in true distress. “He lives? It is unsupportable that some stranger can take your estate from your children.”
“It is the entailment that my grandfather placed on Longbourn. Unless you and I can produce a male heir, WilliamCollins inherits the entire estate when I am dead and gone. His father was my cousin. That man’s mother was my father’s sister.”
“But you will live for many more years,” Elizabeth stated firmly to ensure her father’s compliance.
“Who is this man?” asked Jane. “You have never spoken of him before today.”
“The entailment distresses me, Jane,” Mrs Bennet explained. “Before today, your father has kindly remained silent to protect my feelings.”
“Mr Collins claims to be a clergyman who has recently received a living in Kent. And he has invited himself to visit for a fortnight to get to know us better,” explained Mr Bennet.
Mary asked her parents, “Has he come to look over the estate? Does he intend to count the silver and the linens?”
Neither parent corrected their youngest daughter’s remark, and Lydia smirked. Then, Mary asked to read the letter, and Mr Bennet handed it over.
“When does this Mr Collins arrive, Papa?” asked Kitty.
“On Thursday…tomorrow.”
Mrs Bennet huffed, “One day’s notice. How very rude.”
Her forehead wrinkled in thought for a moment, Elizabeth commented, “If he arrives on Thursday, we shall display Mr Collins for the neighbourhood at Lucas Lodge on Friday night. The ladies and gentlemen of Meryton can meet our father’s cousin.”
“Oh dear,” Mary said as she met her father’s gaze and then turned to Elizabeth. “Sister, if Mr Collins speaks in the same manner that he writes, no one will ever have the opportunity to speak again.”
“What do you mean?” Elizabeth asked, reaching for the letter that Mary handed over without hesitation.
Attempting to read the scribbles, Elizabeth sighed and said, “This letter is one continuous sentence.”
“And fills the entire page top to bottom and side to side,” Mr Bennet added.
~~~
“Charles, I do not wish to attend this dinner in some farmhouse on Thursday,” Caroline declared at lunch. “Lady Whatever spoke as if it were a grand event, but I saw that neither she nor her daughters were dressed appropriately.”
Miss Bingley shuddered before continuing, “I can only imagine what their furnishings and linens are like.”
Louisa and Geoffrey exchanged glances. They had both heard Caroline make similar remarks regarding the items in their London home where the younger sister and Charles had spent the previous season.
“Miss Bingley, there are many reasons to use household items as long as they are suitable,” stated Mr Darcy.
“I suppose for people who are just getting by, but for people such as us, we deserve the best things in our lives. Do you not agree, sir?”
Lifting his teacup and taking a sip, Darcy replied, “I enjoy a comfortable coat that I have worn for several years and would never replace the carriage my grandfather had built for the Darcy family to use. My housekeepers ensure that the best linens are reserved for special occasions or when the Prime Minister or my relatives from the north call for tea or dinner.”
