Page 12 of A Most Beloved Sister
Gardiner
Hands shaking, Elizabeth let the letter she held flutter to the floor.
“Papa, how on earth did you…? Why didn’t you tell…?”
He gave a wry smile. “Ever since Jane was born and the midwife urged me to get rid of her, I have set aside a small amount of money to bribe worthless young men to marry her. With each daughter, my hopes of a son to give her a home lessened. I have since done my best to send any extra money to your uncle to invest so all of you will be cared for.”
“But then why have you not told Mama? You hear her complaints about the hedgerows!”
“And risk her hounding me to spend it until I give in? No, my Lizzy, I am aware enough of my faults to know that I wouldn’t be able to stand against her haranguing.”
Rather than disagree with her father—especially as she knew he was most likely correct in his self-assessment—Elizabethchanged the subject to another part of the letter that concerned her. “Your heir is coming to visit?”
“Ah, yes. I received a letter a month ago and finally responded when I wrote to your uncle to send the latest installment to invest. Mr. Collins, who may throw you all out of this home as soon as I am dead, has extended an olive branch towards us.” He laughed at Elizabeth’s questioning expression. “Those are his words, my dear. Here, take a look.”
Mr. Bennet extended his hand, offering her the folded paper he had been using as a bookmark.
She reached for it, then stopped, her fingers only inches away from taking it. “I will only take it on the condition that you respond to my uncle’s letter while I read.”
Chuckling softly, Mr. Bennet laid the untouched letter on his desk, pulled a fresh sheet of paper from a drawer, dipped his pen in the ink, and began to write. Only then did Elizabeth pick up the discarded missive to read.
Dear Sir,
The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honored father always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach: but, for some time, I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance.
My mind, however, is now made up on the subject, for having received ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honorable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be my earnest endeavor to demean myself with grateful respect towards her Ladyship,and be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England.
As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence, and on these grounds, I flatter myself that my present overtures of good will are highly commendable, and that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive branch.
I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologize for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends, but of this hereafter.
If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o’clock, and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday sennight following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lady Catherine is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day.
I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend,
William Collins
Elizabeth felt as if she had swallowed a heavy stone. Refolding the letter and placing it back on her father’s desk, she said with false cheer, “Well, I do not think we can hope him to be a man of sense and intelligence.”
“No, indeed. I greatly anticipate many hours of amusement at the man’s expense. Now, don’t tell your mother. I wish to surprise her, and I do not want to hear her moan about his visit until it is absolutely necessary she be made aware.” Her lipstightened in displeasure, but he raised a hand to forestall her protestations. “No, Lizzy, I will not be swayed on this matter.”
Left with no choice but to obey her father, Elizabeth agreed. “Very well, Papa. Have you finished the letter to my uncle?”
Without so much as a word, Mr. Bennet passed it over to his second daughter. She took it and made her way from the room, worry settling into her soul at the rapid changes coming all at once.
Chapter 4
Only a few days after the assembly, the ladies of Longbourn made a call on those who resided at Netherfield, and the visit was soon returned. It was clear that Bingley’s sisters, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, had little desire to interact with anyone but the eldest Miss Bennet, who was both beautiful and well-mannered. They took to her side almost immediately upon their arrival at the Bennet estate, and they spoke with no one else.
Mrs. Bennet watched the exchange with great pleasure, certain that these particular attentions were the result of the ladies’ favorable opinion of Jane as their future sister.
Elizabeth, on the other hand, felt nothing but trepidation. True, it was almost impossible to not be affected by Jane’s simple goodness. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were continually disarmed by Jane’s happy manners and unassuming nature. Elizabeth heard them say as they left, “I’ve never met a more delightful girl in all my life!”
But what would they think when they realized that her gentle nature wasallthere was to Jane? Would they wish to continue the acquaintance with such a simple girl?
Elizabeth, who was only one year younger than Jane, as their parents were eager for an heir to end the entail, was raised alongside the elder sister.
It was very clear by the time Elizabeth was a year old herself that her skills were far beyond those of her sister.
