Hedgerows
Summary: What if the Bennets were evicted from their home and were forced to live in the hedgerows? This story follows the Bennet ladies out into the cruel world after losing their beloved Longbourn. Will ODC find their way to each other?
Disclaimer: All characters are the property of Jane Austen or were inspired by her. © 2013
Premise: ["About a month ago I received this letter…It is from Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases."] (Mr. Bennet: P&P, Chapter 13)
["The Collins will turn us out before he is cold in his grave!"] (Mrs. Bennet: P&P, Chapter 47)
Chapter 1: Misfortune
3 February, 1812
Dear Mr. Collins,
It is with the deepest sadness that I inform you of the most terrible news from Hertfordshire. Our beloved Mr. Bennet has suffered a grievous injury from an unfortunate accident. The outlook is quite grim; he is not expected to survive.
I implore you to break the news to my dearest Charlotte in the most delicate manner possible as she has always held the greatest affection for the entire Bennet family.
Yours respectfully,
William Lucas
==oo==
Rev. William Collins could not believe his good fortune! He was about to become a member of the landed gentry! The second son of a second son, who had once only aspired to earn a humble earning as a country parson was now about to be rewarded for his patience and perseverance. His connections to the family of de Bourgh had served him well; however, now he was about to be a landowner and his station in life was about to be elevated. "Lady Catherine will be so pleased!" he said aloud as he hurried up the path to Rosings. His patroness had bestowed many kindnesses upon him and offered such excellent advice in his pursuit of a wife; surely her opinion on this matter would be infinitely useful. He was shown into the empty drawing room where he was informed that her Ladyship would join him momentarily. He sat in one of the brocade chairs, then thought better of it and stood in the center of the room to await the gracious Lady.
"Good morning, Mr. Collins. I hope everything is well," Lady Catherine said upon entering the drawing room.
He bowed deeply, displaying his respect and servitude to the Lady. "Good morning, Lady Catherine, yes everything is perfectly well and I hope you and Miss de Bourgh are enjoying the best of health this morning," he said with a nervous smile.
"Indeed we are; I thank you. To what do I owe your early morning visit? Is there a problem with a parishioner that needs my immediate attention?" she asked as she sat in her favorite chair without offering him a seat.
He had not previously notified the Lady of his visit and shuffled nervously from one foot to the other. "No, my Lady, indeed my news is not at all related to Rosings; instead my news is related to Longbourn in Hertfordshire," he told her; his smile twitched nervously while he absently wrung his hands together.
"Is that not the estate that you are to inherit?" she asked.
"Yes, Lady Catherine, indeed it is and it seems as though my inheritance is quite imminent. A letter arrived in this morning's post informing me of the impending demise of my beloved cousin, Mr. Bennet. It seems as though he has suffered a serious injury and is not expected to survive," he said gravely.
"I see," she replied pensively. "The title to the estate shall of course pass to you upon the expected sad event," she observed.
"Indeed it shall, my Lady," he replied, trying desperately to maintain a grim countenance, all the while bursting with excitement at the very idea of owning his own estate.
"You must travel to Hertfordshire immediately to claim ownership upon the death of your cousin, Mr. Collins," she said, bestowing her advice on the parson.
"Yes, of course," he eagerly agreed.
"It should come as no surprise to Mrs. Bennet that the estate is about to change hands and if she is wise, she will be prepared for that eventuality upon your arrival. I suggest that you watch the Bennets most carefully to ensure that no effects are taken from the estate without your knowledge," she cautioned him.
That thought had not occurred to him: "Yes, of course, that is excellent advice, thank you my Lady," he said, trying to recall the effects that he had seen during his stay at Longbourn.
"Of course, there is the matter of your bride, Mr. Collins." When he gazed at her with a confused countenance, she elaborated: "You have been married less than a month. Leaving your new bride behind will be quite distressing for her, I should imagine. But I shall be happy to look in on her while you are out of town, to make sure she is faring well in your absence," she told him, feeling quite satisfied at being able to offer such guidance to those in her employ; of course, she realized she would soon be in need of a new parson to replace Mr. Collins.
"Then you would advise me to travel alone to Hertfordshire, my Lady?" he asked, seeking her clarification on this suggestion.
"Of course, a new bride should not be subjected to such grievous events so soon after her joyous wedding, in my opinion," she replied.
"Oh yes, my Lady, I quite agree," he replied, unsure of how he was to explain his absence to Charlotte.
"You shall merely inform Mrs. Collins that I am sending you on business out of town and that you will return quickly," she instructed.
"Yes, yes, of course, that is excellent advice," he replied, relieved to have the advice and assistance of his formidable patroness.
She continued: "Of course, there is not to be a moment's delay; you must exercise your legal rights at the earliest possible moment; of course, you must show the greatest sympathy and deference to the Bennet's at their time of loss but you must avail yourself of your legal entitlement," she instructed.
"Yes, certainly, I quite agree," he said, nodding his head.
"Of course, now that you shall be leaving my employ, I shall immediately begin my search for a parson to replace you," she advised the parson.
"Yes that is very wise, Lady Catherine. You must allow me to thank you for your support and wise counsel during the course of our acquaintance. I shall be eternally grateful for the guidance you have provided and shall do my best to honor you as I become master of Longbourn," he said as he extolled praises on the benevolent Lady.
The Lady did not hear the parson's praises as she was already deeply absorbed in the plans that would be necessary for the replacement of the parson. His performance had been dutiful but uninspired; she was now in need of an experienced parson, one who would serve the community and its parishioners to their best advantage. She decided to write to the Archbishop and ask for his guidance in obtaining a replacement within the next six months. That should be enough time to have the Bennet widow and her children comfortably situated elsewhere.
She rose and left the room, leaving Collins in mid-sentence. The parson took no offence at this behavior as it was her usual custom; the Lady had so many responsibilities as head of the household and she was probably consumed with many estate issues, he reasoned. He returned to the parsonage and instructed his servants to pack his trunk for a short trip. "Charlotte, my sweet, I must inform you that Lady Catherine has asked me to take a short journey on estate business," he told his wife.
"But why does she not send her steward, William? Is he not responsible for handling her business affairs?" she asked, slightly irritated at the Lady's interference in their lives.
"Yes, of course, Mr. Mattingly is an excellent steward and more than capable of handling the affairs of Rosings, but she has requested my assistance and as her devoted employee I could hardly refuse, could I?" he replied, doing his best to reason with his inquisitive wife.
"No, I suppose not but how long will you be gone?" she asked.
"Only a day or two at the very most; I shall perform my assignment as quickly as possible and hasten my return to my lovely wife," he told her, holding her hand and displaying his most convincing smile.
"Very well, William, I shall expect you home in a day or two," she replied, accepting his explanation.
~~oo~~
Four hours later, Collins arrived at Lucas Lodge, the home of his wife's parents. Sir William Lucas welcomed his son-in-law warmly and after the formalities had been exchanged with each of the family members, the two gentlemen retreated to the library for a private discussion. Collins was advised that Mr. Bennet's condition continued to decline and that the end was imminent. "How did my daughter take the news?" Sir William asked Collins.
"Oh my dear sweet Charlotte; I had not the heart to tell her the news knowing how devastated she would be upon hearing of the Bennet's plight," Collins told his father-in-law. "I hope you agree that she should be spared such sorrow so soon after our happy wedding day," he said, trying his best to be convincing.
"Of course, Mr. Collins, I defer to your judgment as her husband; I know you have my daughter's best interest at heart," he told Collins.
(Author's Note: Dialogue and text were generously borrowed from the masterpiece: Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen, 1813.)
Continued in the published e-book "Pride in Meryton" by Cassandra B. Leigh