Chapter XXXVIII

Jimmy & Billy

"Oh, brothers! I don't care for brothers. My elder brother won't die, and my younger brothers seem never to do anything else."

- Oscar Wilde

James was a soft-spoken, polite young-man, he had never liked being the centre of attention. When he was younger he had often wished he were cleverer, handsomer and rich, but at the age of 22, he knew such things were dreams that were not worth chasing. He was to study hard and hopefully find a situation as a curate. He knew he was unlikely to get a living of his own. But he was happy with a simple life. He would study his books in the evening by the fire and in the early morning he would take a walk. Living in the city as he did he was not very pleasant to walk, but he hoped that one day he would be able to walk around the country side.

His father had not be a particularly wealthy man, but had tried to do right by his two sons. His older brother had done fairly well for himself, he had a patron and a good living. Their father had always told Billy that he would do well for himself. That he would one day be the master of an estate, a land owner. Jimmy, as his father called him, would need all the help he could get and it would be up to Billy to take care of him, make sure he kept out of trouble. James had happened across a bottle of wine one evening as a child, of about eleven and managed to drink the entire thing. His father had not been at all happy with him, and from that day onwards he was the one who needed to be watched, to make sure he did not do anything silly.

Billy had delighted in keeping an eye on his younger brother and reporting all of his misdeeds. Jimmy had hated him for it. But has he grow old he discovered ways to keep parts of his life away from Billy. Not that there was much to hide, but the odd stolen biscuit from the kitchen, not paying attention during their lessons and other small acts of rebellions that young boys commit. He did not think about his brother much. They lived very different lives.

James was walking back to his room after having a light supper out, there was a little mist and air was wet and slightly chilled. The coat he was wearing was only an old one that had been almost worn through. Although he knew it was little use he draw the sides of the coat closer together to try and keep some of the cold out. He hurried towards his building, he would just pop inside and get a warmer coat and his umbrella and then head out for something to eat. There was a pub around the corner that reasonable priced and he was rather fond the food.

He was just about to head up the stairs when his landlady Mrs Brown, called out to him from her sitting room, which was near the front door. She left her door open so she could keep an eye on her tenants.

"There's an express come for you."

"An express Mrs Brown?" He said with his one foot on the bottom stair. "For me? Are you sure?"

"Of course it is for you." She replied rather grumpily.

James sighed and walked into the small over cluttered room. Mrs Brown was sitting near the fire, her feet resting on a foot rest. A empty glass that had contained sherry on a little table next to her.

"There it is." she said pointing to a letter rest on a table the stood against the wall.

ooOoo

"His fever is getting worse, I do not believe he will last until morning." Dr Russell said slowly after examining his patient yet again. Mr Collins had not regained consciences since he had been brought into the house the day before. Dr Russell had hardly left his bedside since. Elizabeth had not been to her bed, she was too busy fetching water and trying to keep her mother calm. Jane and Kitty were assisting in this as they could, Lydia however was not being helpful at all and Mary was required to try and calm her down.

"What will happen if he dyes?" Mrs Bennet cried as soon as Dr Russell left the ladies in the drawing room. "They are not even married yet? If Mr Bennet had not died for they had married."

"Mama, if they were married it would make no difference at this stage. Mr Collins is gravely ill." Jane explained in her gentle way.

"We will be thrown out of the house." Mrs Bennet continued. "What happens to Longbourn if Mr Collins does not survive the night? Who is his heir?"

Elizabeth and Jane looked at each other blankly. They had always known that Mr Collins was their father's heir. Since his father was the son of their grandfather's younger brother. They have never wondered who would inherit Longbourn if Mr Collins did not have any sons. It was not something that they would have to think about for a long time. Elizabeth in fact had hardly been able to consider anything about what her life would be like after her wedding. It was if Mrs Elizabeth Collins as she would be or might still be was a person entirely separate from her.

"Mr James Collins in the heir." Mary quietly said.

Mrs Bennet turned to face her third children quietly, "What did you say?"

Mary spoke again, this time in a slightly bolder voice. "Mr James Collins, he is Mr William Collins' younger brother."

Mrs Bennet seemed pleased by this, she turned back to Elizabeth and Jane as she spoke.

"Lizzy you must write to this Mr James Collins directly, and invite him to Longbourn."

Elizabeth gasped in surprise at her mother's words. "Mama, I cannot write to him."

"Why of course you can you silly girl. He is your husband's brother. It is only right that you should write to him."

"Mama!" Elizabeth exclaimed in shock. "I am not married to Mr Collins."

"You are as good as married." Mrs Bennet declared heatedly.

"I do not believe the bishop or the church of England would agree." Mary said quietly.

"What do you know about it?" Mrs Bennet said turning to face Mary again.

Jane who had remained silent for most of this exchange suddenly spoke, "Mr Gardiner can write to him."

"That is an excellent suggestion." Elizabeth declared. "I believe my uncle and aunt are with their children at the moment." Standing to leave as she spoke. At the door she paused before asking Mary to join her. Jane followed behind them leaving their mother alone in the drawing room.

They found Mr and Mrs Gardiner indeed with their children, the eldest two of whom had just been put to bed. The younger two did not understand why their aunts were not wanting to play with them as they normally did when they came to Longbourn.

Mrs Gardiner smiled kindly at her nieces, and motioned for them to remain quiet as they approached.

"Is something the matter my dears?" She asked them in a whisper.

"Aunt, shall we go to father's book room." Elizabeth said quietly. "We can talk more easily there."

They made their way into the room in silence. Elizabeth took a deep breath before she entered, she had not been in this room since before her father's death. Even Mr Collins, in an uncharacteristic show of compassion and respect had disturb very few of the books and papers that lay littered around the desk and tables. The book Mr Bennet had been reading before he became too ill to leave his bed was resting on the arm of his favourite chair near the fire. His reading glasses resting on top, just waiting for him to carry on from where he had left off.

"Lizzy?" Jane said gently, trying to regain her sister's attention to her and their aunt and uncle.

Elizabeth turned away from her father's chair and forced her thoughts to return at the point at hand. She quickly explained about Mr Williams' brother, Mary adding some detail here and there. And then requesting her uncle to write to this young-man.

ooOoo

James could hardly believe what was happening. His brother was dead. He had inherited the estate that their father had always longed for him to inherit. But it seemed he would not be enjoying the fruits of becoming a landed gentleman. He had been taken suddenly ill.

The carriage shook suddenly as it hit a pothole in the road. James sat up a little more and looked out of the window. He did not know what to expect from the Bennets when he arrived at Longbourn. Their uncle a Mr Edward Gardiner had seemed pleasant enough in his letter. But would the young lady who Billy was to marry, expect from him. Five young-ladies! He could not imagine so many ladies in one family. What would they be like, this cousins of his.

He had known that his brother was to be married of course, but he had not been expected to attend the service. He was expected to keep his head down and study. That was his lot in life as the second son.

He had travelled from London by post and now the Bennets' carriage was carrying him to their house. No, not the Bennets' carriage, but rather his brother's carriage. How very strange it all was.

The carriage turned corner and slowed, they had arrived.

The footman alighted to open the door and put the step down for him. James stood slowly, brushing his coat as he did so, wishing that he had been able to get his better coat back from the tailor, who was trying to mend it yet again. James had caught the sleeve on a door handle the week before and ripped it. But there had been no time to get it before he had to leave. Billy would no doubt say something about his appearance. He took a deep breath and left the safety of the carriage.

Seven ladies and one gentleman stood before him, the Bennets, their uncle and aunt most likely. Two of the ladies were older than the others, indeed the youngest lady looked little more than a girl. Thankfully it had stopped raining. This made it easier to walk towards the group, even if he did stand in a puddle on the way, getting mud on his clean boots.

The gentleman walked towards him to greet him and introduce himself, he was indeed Mr Gardiner. He started to introduce the other ladies. Mrs Gardiner and Mrs Bennet were easy enough to identify. Mrs Bennet being the older of the two. The daughters however were a completely different matter. He was not sure which was which and was not sure he could remember their Christian names.

The one was particularly handsome, she was either Miss Bennet or Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Or was that the one standing at the back in the black dress with the dark blue shawl? The youngest he was fairly sure was a Miss Louisa Bennet, or was she Miss Mary Bennet. He would just have to call them all Miss Bennet and hope that he would not have to address them too much when they were all together.

Mrs Bennet smiled at him and led him into the house, all the time talking. "My dear Mr Collins," She began, "It is such a pleasure to have you visit us.

"Would you care for something warm to drink? And you must want something to eat maybe a little soup and bread- cook has just finished some lovely pies. Would you care for one? They are delightful."

She hardly seemed to require an answer from him. And before very many minutes had passed he was sitting in a warm room, near the fire with a warm bowl of soup, a slice of chicken pie in front of him and a glass of wine resting in his hand. She had been very particular that he sit there. He had never known such attentions. He was a poor gentleman, who had enough money for his board and food and with very little to spare. When he was finished eating Mrs Bennet instructed one of her daughters to take him upstairs to his room.