Page 44 of Miss Gardiner
“No, not Hertfordshire. But perhaps Elizabeth’s friend in Kent; Mrs Collins was it not?”
Mrs Gardiner paused and reminded her husband, “The husband is the pastor…the heir who will inherit Longbourn.”
Her husband nodded to acknowledge his wife’s reminder but then he continued saying, “And I remember that commerce between the two households ended last December. Mr Collins will have no reason to communicate with Mr Bennet and mention the visit of his wayward daughter.
“I shall write to Mrs Collins tomorrow morning,” Mrs Gardiner informed her husband.
“You do not think I should write to…”
“No, Mrs Collins must ask her husband for the favour of a visit of a childhood friend.”
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Three nights later, there was an interesting conversation in the parsonage at Hunsford between the parson and his wife.
“But my dear Charlotte, what will Lady Catherine say?” Mr Collins cried when his wife informed him of his cousin’s need for a change of scenery.
Charlotte Collins smiled and laid a gentle hand on her husband’s arm. They were seated each in their favourite chair before the cold fireplace in the parlour with only a few candles lit to providelight this evening.
“Mr Collins, you will minister to a wayward cousin…ensuring her place within the grace of the church. In our quiet home, Miss Elizabeth will be able to mourn her beloved sister and heal,” Charlotte reminded him. “Lady Catherine will understand why the young lady does not impose on her gracious hospitality. You may certainly attend her ladyship’s teas and dinners, but I will remain close to our cousin to help her overcome her grief.”
“And her dress?”
Charlotte nodded, “She will attend church on Sunday with black ribbons on her sleeves and in her bonnet of course. Otherwise, she will dress modesty and walk out with hat, gloves, and parasol.”
Mr Collins frowned, “She must be escorted at all times. One of the girls perhaps?”
“I shall get one of the Jones boys,” Charlotte replied. “Elizabeth would wear out any maid with her walks, but Henry Jones is ten years, and he can be her escort.”
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“Hunsford?” Elizabeth asked with surprize in her voice when Aunt Madeline handed her niece a letter from Charlotte Collins that included an invitation for Elizabeth Bennet to spend the whole of the month of August with the Collins couple at the parsonage.
“How far is Hunsford?”
Uncle Edward replied, “I believe Hunsford is just beyond Ashford, near the Romney Marsh. It cannot be more that seventy miles, a good day of travel for certain. You can take the stagecoach to Ashford in a single day, then hire a pony cart to carry you on to Hunsford.”
“But can you…?”
Aunt Madeline rose to draw Elizabeth up from her chair and embraced her niece and said, “Lizzy, I have Nanny and Mrs Simple to aid me with the children. Cook, Howard, Alice and the new staff anticipate my every need.”
“We want you to heal,” Uncle Edward replied. “You cared for Jane for many months this year.”
“You are my child, Elizabeth; never doubt that. You were transplanted here, but you are a beautiful flower that graces my garden,” Aunt Madeline insisted. “And every flower needs time to rest and grow stronger before blooming again. Go visit your friend and heal. Write to us and the children with stories of your adventures in the beautiful meadows of Kent.”
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Georgiana Darcy’s morning began poorly. When she arrived in the dining room with Mrs Annesley to break her fast with her brother, she recognized immediately that something had happened; some piece of news irritated his sensibilities, and he was conflicted. Mr Banks left the room twice and the coachman and her brother’s valet both visited during the meal for quiet conversations with William at his place at the table; these were unusual interruptions to their morning ritual.
Eating her meal quietly, Georgiana kept her gaze on her brother the entire time. Once finished, she rose from her chair and approached William. Mrs Annesley remained silent while observing the interactions between the siblings. If Miss Darcy required instruction, it would come later.
“William, tell me about these interruptions this morning,” she said, laying one hand on his shoulder. “What has occurred to change your routine?”
Setting aside his newspaper, William looked up at his sister and considered attempting to distract her but decided he could no longer ‘protect’ her from everything; ‘Georgie’ was growing into a perceptive young woman. Darcy sorted through his morning letters searching for a particular paper as he explained, “Richard writes of a most strange situation that I must investigate with him.”
Finding the letter, Darcy hesitated only a moment before handing it to his sister to read, “Lady Catherine is searching for a husband for our cousin, Anne.”
“A husband for Anne?” Georgiana asked with some volume in her voice. “But Aunt Catherine vehemently demands you marry Anne every…for as long as I can remember. She even stormed into the house earlier this year and shouted about it!”
