Page 61 of Saving Jane
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In the parlour, Anne de Bourgh encouraged Mr Collins to provide the unexpected guest with a room for the evening. “My cousin’s friend has a great need that we can assuage; does not the word of our Lord encourage us to help others?”
“But the parsonage is full at the present time with Miss Bennet, her aunt, cousins and sister visiting there,” Mr Collins said timidly. “All the bedrooms and servant’s rooms are filled.”
“Then you must come and stay at Rosings, Mr Collins,” Anne insisted. “Mamma, I insist Mr Collins stay with us while Miss Bingley remains at the parsonage.”
Anne turned toward the patient butler, “Livingston, have the housekeeper prepare the guest room next to Mr Bingley.”
“Really Anne, you take too much on yourself...” Lady Catherine tried to interrupt, but her daughter waved her mother’s objections away.
“It shall be as I say. Mr Collins, we shall break our fast tomorrow morning with scripture lessons and coffee.” Turning toward her mother, Miss de Bourgh asked, “Will you join us for scripture tomorrow morning Mamma?”
“Anne, you know I break my fast in bed and do not come downstairs before noon,” Lady Catherine replied testily.
“Oh yes, I had forgotten.” She seemed to consider her own schedule for a moment and then announced, “Mr Collins and I shall spend the entire morning with Fordyce’s Sermons in the library.”
Thus, the arrangements to house Miss Bingley were settled to everyone’s contentment except for Lady Catherine who worried at her daughter’s continued assertiveness, Mr Collins who worried that he was imposing upon the beneficence of Rosings, and Caroline Bingley who worried she was now regulated to the shelf with old maids as her dream of becoming Mrs Darcyfaded quickly.
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“Mr Darcy provided his carriage for you?” Caroline asked as the party travelled the short distance to Hunsford. “He never provided his carriage for me in town!”
No one paid attention to her comments and Mrs Gardiner directed the conversation with discussion of moving among the bedrooms.
“I shall move into Mr Collins’ bedroom and allow Miss Bingley to have my room.”
Upon arrival at the parsonage, Jane directed the servants to prepare the two bedrooms.
“But Miss Bennet, there is only one set of clean sheets,” the housekeeper informed the future mistress.
Without pause, Jane directed the housekeeper, “Move the sheets on Mrs Gardiner’s bed to the master bedroom and put the clean sheets on the bed for Miss Bingley. We shall have an early wash day tomorrow.”
“But wash day isn’t for three days Miss Bennet...”
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The parsonage was busy the next morning as Jane laboured with the maids to complete an extra wash tub of sheets and garments to spread over the shrubbery in the garden before breaking her fast. With it being Nanny Brice’s morning to rest, Elizabeth gave Edward his lessons and played with Emily to free her aunt to work with the housekeeper. Early in the day, there was a knock on the door and the maid ushered Charles Bingley into the parlour.
“Forgive this intrusion in your morning Mrs Gardiner but I came to speak with my sister.”
Mrs Gardiner welcomed Mr Bingley before she explained, “We have not heard or seen Miss Bingley yet, sir. Let me inquire with the kitchen if she requested a tray earlier this morning.”
Elizabeth remained in the parlour with the guest and the children while her aunt hurried into the kitchen where Jane was speaking with the cook.
“Jane dear, has anyone taken a tray up to Miss Bingley this morning?”
Glancing at the housekeeper and the cook who both shook their heads, Jane turned back to Mrs Gardiner.
“I do not think anyone has heard from our guest. Her maid came down early to break her fast with the servants, but she indicated that her mistress generally stays abed until noon.”
“Noon?” Mrs Gardiner shook her head. “Have you kept back some foods for her?”
Now Jane frowned–something most unusual and seldom seen. “I have asked Mrs Morris to prepare something for Miss Bingley when she awakes today but I shall speak to our guest and remind her that this is not a manor house. We eat together or we do not eat.”
“Mr Bingley has come to call,” Mrs Gardiner explained, and Jane’s face grew brighter. “He asks after his sister.”
Jane hurried to remove the apron over her day dress and check her hair in the reflection of the kitchen window. Then she followed her aunt back into the parlour. Mr Bingley rose and approached Jane when she came into the parlour.
