Page 48 of Saving Jane
Mr Gardiner exchanged glances with his wife as Mr Bennet and Mr Collins exchanged remarks that grew heated. Mr Darcy stepped between the two men before they came to blows.
“Gentlemen, you will be silent!” he roared, and Mr Collins fell back while Mr Bennet grew sullen.
Darcy pointed to a chair beside the fireplace and Collins retreated to the location. Leaning forward and whispering to Mr Bennet, Darcy asked, “Sir, do you wish to break the engagement?”
Mr Bennet glanced toward Jane for a moment but then shook his head and returned to Mr Gardiner’s side. Darcy turned toward Mr Collins but before he could direct the conversation, Collins spoke, “Mr Darcy, Lady Catherine will be displeased with both of us if we do not put the settlement into better terms. Her Ladyship assured me that you would arrange everything to suit her requirements.”
“Mr Collins, you have entered a binding contract with Mr Bennet and his daughter Jane to marry her, keep her as your wife for your life, give her children and make her mistress of your house. Youhave agreed to see to the care of his widow and any unwed children of his marriage at the time of your inheritance.”
“But these terms...”
“Mr Collins you will not interrupt me!” Mr Darcy commanded, and the parson sank back in the chair.
“There is nothing in the agreement that allows you to make demands for alterations. In fact, sir, if you fail to live up to your end of the agreement, Miss Bennet has actionable cause to sue you and take the entitlement for herself.” Collins stared at his fiancée for a moment as though seeing her for the first time. “I suggest sir that before you sign another contract with anyone–a tenant, steward or merchant that you have the contract reviewed by an attorney that you trust.”
“Do they mean to cheat me out of my inheritance?” Collins demanded to know. He turned back to Mr Bennet and exclaimed, “My father always said you cheat! You cheated at university! You cheated at cards!”
Darcy stepped up and pushed Mr Collins back into his chair once again. “Mr Collins if you say another word, I shall use my considerable influence and power to strip you of this entailment and give it to Miss Bennet free and clear.”
Collins was silent and Darcy continued, “The settlement works to protect you as well Mr Collins. Miss Bennet must marry you in June or her father defaults on the agreement and you would have actionable cause then to sue him for all he owns today.”
Before Collins could make any rude remarks Mr Darcy added, “But I am certain that Miss Bennet will fulfil her side of the agreement; she will marry you, bear your sons and daughters while being mistress of whatever house you are master–be it the parsonage in Hunsford or the manor house known as Longbourn.”
Everyone looked at Jane who managed to smile at Mr Collins before she rose, curtseyed and said, “Mr Collins, we shall be man and wife this June.”
Mr Bennet made no comment and Mr and Mrs Gardiner waited until Mr Collins finally agreed. “Very well Miss Bennet. Our marriage settlement will not be changed, and we shall marry in June.”
“I have a request,” Jane said, clearly and without emotion in her voice though Elizabeth feared it cost her sister dearly to be so collected.
“Yes, Miss Bennet,” Mr Darcy replied, not waiting for Mr Bennet or MrCollins to speak.
“I should like to visit Hunsford before the wedding. Mr Collins, would it be possible for you to arrange for my stay at the parsonage for a month at Easter?” Jane looked at Elizabeth and took her sister’s hand. “I am certain that my sister will accompany me to view our future home, take the staff in hand and set the house to rights.”
“But who would act as chaperone for you and your sister, Miss Bennet?” Mr Collins asked. “There is no one suitable in the house and Lady Catherine is a full mile or more from the parsonage. It would be inappropriate for young ladies such as you and your sister to reside under my roof without the appropriate oversight of a lady from your family of the older generation to...”
“My wife will not attend,” Mr Bennet informed the company. “I would not trust her as far as East Bourn during the day and never overnight.”
Elizabeth and Mr Darcy were both caught off guard but pleased to hear Mr Gardiner say, “I believe that my wife can act as a suitable chaperone for my nieces for a month-long visit to Hunsford.”
Mrs Gardiner rose and curtsied to Mr Collins. “I should be pleased to visit with my nieces Mr Collins.”
“Well then, that settles everything,” Mr Bennet said. He rose and went to the sideboard for glass of port.
Mrs Gardiner escorted Mr Collins to the door, asking for the number of bedrooms and space for servants. “How many children will you bring?” the parson asked suddenly.
“There will be many children at Hunsford in a few years, Mr Collins. My three children and their nanny will bring life to your parsonage sir. I am certain you can anticipate having many children soon–Jane’s mother had five children in just seven years.”
Mr Collins paused to consider Mrs Gardiner’s estimation of Jane’s potential for giving him children and suddenly he paled.
“We shall arrive in the middle of March and remain as your guests until the middle of April,” Mrs Gardiner promised. “We shall set all to rights in the parsonage in preparation for Jane’s arrival as your bride in June.”
~~}{~~
Elizabeth and Mr Darcy managed to find a private corner to talk while Mr Bennet and Mr Gardiner escorted the attorneys to the door. Mrs Gardiner returned without Mr Collins, and she went to Jane.
“We shall set Hunsford to rights at Easter my dear. Things will be well,” Mrs Gardiner assured her niece beforeshe stepped to the hall and ordered tea.
“How have you been this winter, Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy asked.
