Page 57 of Saving Jane
“Mr Collins was faithfully attendant to Miss de Bourgh throughout the day. Mr Darcy and Miss Darcy were most agreeable with our discussion of poetry underneath the great oak that anchored the fences,” she sighed. “And Mr Bingley entertained Jane the whole of the afternoon.”
“Jane and Mr Bingley? Did Mr Collins speak with your sister at all?”
Elizabeth looked up with a start. “Miss de Bourgh commanded all of Mr Collin’s attention–she made him ride with her in the phaeton to and from the meadow.”
Now Mrs Gardiner grew silent, and Elizabeth reached over to take her aunt’s hand.
“It was a lovely day, aunt. We created wonderful memories,” Elizabeth assured her.
But Mrs Gardiner surprised her niece by asking, “What would happen if Mr Collins fell in love with Miss de Bourgh and married her?”
Elizabeth’s eyes grew large before she answered thusly, “He would break the marriage settlement with our father and Jane would be free.”
“What of the entailment?”
“Mr Darcy explained to me that if Mr Collins broke the agreement, Jane could sue him and take the entailment for herself.”
“Did Mr Darcy explain this to you?”
Elizabeth blushed but nodded. Mrs Gardiner took Lizzy’s hand and observed, “Mr Darcy has been very dour in Kent. What has caused this change in his behaviour?”
“Lady Catherine is the cause; his aunt has been very difficult. Since his arrival at Rosings this spring, Mr Darcy discovered that his aunt has mortgaged some properties and placed Miss de Bourgh’s inheritance at great risk. He demands economies but Lady Catherine simply suggests that he marry Miss de Bourgh and solve their financial difficulties.”
“The nobility has need of money as much as any merchant or tradesman. It would seem they should not condemn men who work for a living, does it not?” Mrs Gardinerasked.
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Chapter 26.Aunt Gardiner’s Tea
The next day, Mrs Gardiner spent the afternoon in the garden, watching her children play while she kept an eye on the road. When she saw Miss de Bourgh driving her phaeton, she approached the road and waved to the heiress to stop at the parsonage. Miss de Bourgh pulled her pony to a halt to exchange pleasantries with the parson’s guest. They were quickly joined by the attentive Mr Collins.
“Miss de Bourgh, you honour me with your presence outside my humble home,” he gushed. “Have you need of water or assistance from myself or any member of my household?”
“Will you join us for tea, Miss de Bourgh?” Mrs Gardiner asked.
Before the awe-struck Collins can interject, Anne agreed. “I should be pleased, Mrs Gardiner.”
“Help her from the phaeton, Mr Collins,” Mrs Gardiner instructed the man. With Miss de Bourgh on his arm, Mr Collins led the way into the parsonage with the stately manner of a lord coming into the presence of the king. In the parlour, Mrs Gardiner placed Anne beside Mr Collins on the sofa, and the parson devoted his attentions to the heiress for her entire visit.
Puzzled by Mrs Gardiner’s actions, Jane nonetheless performed her duties as hostess and encouraged Mr Collins to attend to Miss de Bourgh’s comfort.
“Miss de Bourgh, I hear that you enjoyed the picnic,” Mrs Gardiner told her guest at some time during the tea. “Mr Collins spoke of your lovely gown and lively conversation more than once last evening.”
The parson blushed when Miss de Bourgh smiled at him most beautifully after hearing of his kind words. At the end of the tea, Mr Collins escorted Anne back to her phaeton and then Mrs Gardiner dismissed the pastor to have the final word with the heiress.
“Miss de Bourgh, you are a rich heiress–your life should be to your arrangement and liking. What are your father’s instructions in his will that concern your marriage?”
“When I marry, I become mistress of Rosings and my mother must move to the dowager’s house to live on an allowance that I specify,” Anne replied without hesitation.
Smiling and reaching out to grasp Miss de Bourgh’s hand, Mrs Gardiner smiled knowingly. “I believe your father’s requirement explains why Lady Catherine forwards the match with Mr Darcy soforcefully. She believes that after the marriage, Mr Darcy will take you to his estate in Derbyshire and leave Rosings for her. Your mother does not wish to move to the dowager’s house or live on a smaller allowance.”
A light appeared in Anne de Bourgh’s eyes with the revelation of Mrs Gardiner’s words.
“My mother preaches for the wedding with my cousin, but I do not care for Darcy as my husband. He is too silent,” Miss de Bourgh said confidentially to her hostess. “His eye has landed upon Miss Elizabeth I believe, and they can make each other happy.”
She leaned forward and whispered, “For myself, I prefer a man who speaks to me and praises my virtues and attributes.”
“Such as Mr Collins?” Mrs Gardiner suggested as Miss de Bourgh blushed a most bright pink.
