Wretched Beginnings Chapter 6 – end of November 1812
Saturday, November 21
Edward Gardiner was a kind, educated and sensible man. He took one look at his niece's split lip and wanted to call Mr. Collins out! Madeleine Gardiner welcomed their guests last evening. Mr. Bennet and Mr. Phillips wrote an express to their wives, assuring their safe arrival in London. The expresses also contained a threat – pin money would be cut in half if anyone discussed Mary or the situation. Both men removed knockers from their front door. They ordered their wives to avoid making calls or accepting callers. Mr. Bennet banned his daughters from making calls, accepting callers, or walking into Meryton. They were to stay at Longbourn until his return. There would be financial penalties for those who disobeyed his orders.
Gardiner did not inquire about their guests before he went to Gardiner's Emporium. Dray wagons were due this morning, transporting goods from the docks. Now, sitting at his dining table, his anger colored his enjoyment of the fine breakfast Madeleine ordered for their guests.
Gardiner took the men to his study after breakfast. He asked Bennet, Phillips and Collins for the reason for the hurried marriage.
"I must send an express to my patroness, the venerable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, of Rosings Park, Kent," Collins stated.
"I forbid you to contact her until after the wedding," Bennet interrupted. "I will not have her hasten to London and attempt to extricate you from your duty! I believe Lady Catherine interfered in our lives enough by ordering you to visit Longbourn and offer for one of your cousins. I also forbid you from ever revealing you compromised my Mary."
"As a guest in my home, Collins, you will do nothing to upset my lady and children, my niece Mary, or my brothers Bennet and Phillips. Is Mary determined to have him?" Gardiner asked Bennet. "For I would provide her a home and introduce her to more worthy men."
"Mary is determined to have Longbourn so she can provide for her mother and sisters in the event of my demise." Bennet stared out the window rather than observe Collins.
"Gentlemen," Phillips defused Gardiner and Bennet's anger by setting out three copies of the marriage settlement. "Read and prepare to sign. Then we will discuss what to do."
Gardiner's ire slightly modified when he read the marriage settlement. "I have a change I would like to make to the marriage settlement." The men paused, awaiting Gardiner's words. "I approve of the 90-day relocation codicil. The paperwork should elucidate Collins only provides the cottage and the two servants. Excess goods, not funds, from the main farm helps support Franny and any unmarried daughters. I believe Phillips and I should oversee Franny's accounts to prevent overspending." Bennet, Phillips and Gardiner agreed and the included the change in the marriage articles. Phillips rewrote the marriage articles and laid them out to be signed.
"I will only sign as a witness if the three of you swear to never reveal the contents of this paperwork to either of my sisters. Neither of them are known for their discretion and I do not feel Hertfordshire should know such valuable information." Assured the men would not reveal the contents of the marriage settlement, Gardiner signed as witness.
Gardiner agreed to take the gentlemen to their respective banks Monday morning, followed by a trip to the Doctors Commons to seek an appointment with the Bishop. As they were not peers, the Bishop of London might not grant a special license. However, since Collins was a man of the cloth in a difficult position, the Bishop of London might be amenable. Gardiner felt Collins would bear the cost for a special license and the Stamp Duty. Gardiner did not consider a common license. A common license required they marry quietly in Meryton or Hunsford. Gardiner suggested they send up a prayer to God for a resolve to this situation.
~X~
"You will marry the morning after Mr. Collins receives the special license. The Gardiners will host a wedding breakfast before you depart to an inn to spend your wedding night and the remainder of the week. You will stay in London until Saturday when you and Mr. Collins travel to Hunsford. Mr. Collins will send notice to his servants to prepare for your arrival. I can't stop him from notifying Lady Catherine after you marry, but I have prevented her notification until you marry." Mr. Bennet explained the long conference behind the doors to Mr. Gardiner's study.
"Can we marry on Wednesday, Father? I think my lip will not be swollen and the split will be partially healed and less prominent." Mary rarely asked for special favors; Mr. Bennet's heart broke to grant this one.
"I don't care which day as long as that libertine marries you, my child." Mr. Bennet pressed a kiss to Mary's forehead.
"Wednesday is the best day of all according to old wives' tales." Mary attempted to assume a brave face.
"Wednesday afternoon Mr. Philips and I will return to Meryton and Longbourn. We have decided Collins fell in love with you at first sight and offered for you immediately. I will insist your mother and Aunt Phillips explain your marriage and removal to Kent to share Mr. Collins' living at the Hunsford Parsonage. There will never be a whisper of compromise, ever."
Mr. Bennet held out a piece of paper to Mary. "This is a layout of the parsonage at Hunsford. Mr. Collins admitted he is uneducated in household arts. You must establish your home beginning the day you reach Hunsford. Establish yourself with your servants first thing. I imagine they have been ordered about by Lady Catherine, since Mr. Collins seems incapable of independent thought and action. However, since you are paying the wages of your servants, and not Lady Catherine, you are buying their loyalty and silence. If your housekeeper reports your activities to Lady Catherine's housekeeper, then you should hire a new housekeeper."
Mary hoped the Hunsford Parsonage servants would not assume she was as silly as Mr. Collins. She hoped his patroness did not assume she was an ignorant chit either.
"In the spring, we will send your setting hens, rooster and two dozen pullets. We'll send your piggy sow and her newest farrow. We will send your two beehives from the orchard. We will share cuttings from your herb garden which are in the conservatory. I know you are anxious to have an herb garden again, Mary."
"I need lavender plants, Father. Mr. Hill will know where to thin the lavender in the spring. I will need at least four dozen plants to establish a good bed at Hunsford. Six dozen would be better. I must have Mr. Collins draw a design of the glebe so I know where I might plant things."
"I'm sorry we cannot send the pianoforte to you. Mr. Collins assured me you will be able to practice daily on the pianoforte at the rectory. Mary, you are a sensible young woman. Mr. Collins is a loquacious fop. As he is ignorant in his manner of address, I worry his education was but a sketch. He has no grace and revolts one's sensibilities. I know you will be a good wife to him. Keep his feet to the fire so he is a good husband and provider for you. Hunsford will provide a decent life if you only have one or two children." Mr. Bennet told Mary of the promises he extracted from William Collins.
"I don't care for men who are ruled by their wives…yet you will need to be firm. Lady Catherine will attempt to interfere with your marriage and life. Marriage is not easy in its early days. After midday, you should discuss the staff and amenities at Hunsford Parsonage. You should discuss the layout for the parsonage and glebe. You must make lists of household goods to take with you. Mr. Collins can send a letter to the Hunsford staff to prepare for your arrival next Saturday. I will not let him notify Lady Catherine before the marriage. I will not be gainsaid in this matter." Mr. Bennet was heartily ill of the woman's name, and he had known it less than a day.
~X~
"Mr. Collins, may we have a conversation?" Mary brought a tea tray with her, with a plate of sugar biscuits. He sat at a small table in the corner of the Gardiners' drawing room. She broached the subject of his living.
"I dislike discussing my living," Mr. Collins stiffly informed Mary.
"I do not ask so I know how many pairs of silk stockings or how many boxes of confections I can purchase. I ask because my task is to provide a good home for us, Mr. Collins. Mother is excessively fond of entertaining and is known as the best hostess in Hertfordshire. However, such a reputation comes at a price. I do not spend excessively, but I must know how I am to care for our home." Mary prepared his tea to his liking and offered him the plate of biscuits. She received the express from Mrs. Hill as to what items to purchase and the amounts needed for the next six months. She suggested items which the Collinses might receive in baskets from Rosings Park.
"I earn £300 pounds per year. The wages for the curate and sexton are paid by me, which is £50 each. My servants' wages, taxes and tithe are another £100. The final £100 provides food, household supplies, clothes for me, pocket money, etc. The glebe provides space for a garden and for poultry. There is an orchard and you will be able to keep your bees. I'm looking forward to more of the delicious honey biscuits which you make." Mr. Collins enjoyed the good quality brown tea and the sugar biscuits which Mrs. Gardiner provided. Mary gave Mr. Collins paper and pencil to draw a map of the glebe for her.
'One hundred pounds a year.' Mary's spirits plummeted. 'We need food and household supplies for six until I can grow a garden, harvest from my bees, harvest from the orchard, etc. Perhaps, if my piggy sow has a large farrow, I can trade three piglets for a dairy cow. I will need a dairy room at the parsonage to make butter and cheese. If we butcher two hogs a year in November and again in June, we might have enough bacon, ham and salt pork to provide meat for a year, but I would need to find a smokehouse and possibly trade for our meat to be smoked.'
'I know the forests around Longbourn and what I can forage. However, I must walk out daily to learn the forests around the rectory and parsonage. I need to know where to forage for spring mushrooms and ramps. There is no ice house at the parsonage, so I must consider how to get ice when needed. I'm accustomed to living on fifty pounds a year. My four percent is two hundred pounds. If I use half my funds for me, then I can use half for wages for a maid and for a laundry maid, seeds, more bees, more animals, more garden equipment, stillroom supplies, plus supplies for butter and cheese, and payment for smoked meats. Still, I will feel more settled if I buy everything we need now, and then economize as we build our life.'
"May I contact your housekeeper, Mrs. Manning, to inquire which supplies she has stored at the parsonage? I require help to determine what to buy in London and take with us to Hunsford." Mary looked at her list of things to purchase. Longbourn's attics, pantries and cellars were stuffed with the cheeses, smoked meats, fruits and root crops which would feed a family of seven and a staff of five through the winter. I regret leaving behind the wines, cider and mead which are curing in Longbourn's cellar.
Mr. Collins seemed to square his shoulders. "I am paid £75 each quarter day. Calculations indicate I will be paid $300 yearly."
"How do you pay the curate and sexton?" Mary looked at her pages of careful calculations.
"Twelve pounds per quarter with an extra pound at Lady Day and Christmas. Mr. Gardiner suggested I withdraw £100 to establish us at the Hunsford Parsonage." Mr. Collins explained about the invitations to Rosings, and the baskets of goods from Rosings which cut down on the costs of food at Hunsford Parsonage.
Mary's calculations for food stuffs, coal, candles, soaps and miscellaneous supplies, plus clothing needs for Mr. Collins would take most of the funds supplied by Mr. Collins. The costs for seeds and herbs for medicines, plus stillroom supplies, miscellaneous sewing needs, and the wages for a personal maid and a laundry maid would take most of the funds supplied by Papa. Before she purchased anything, she would send a franked express to Mrs. Manning. Mary had to know what supplies had been purchased for the parsonage. She needed to know supplies in storage…such as soaps and candles, and food stuffs.
Saturday, Longbourn
"Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst did not need help or advice from anyone on how to set the ball. The excellent preparations included plenty of chaperone chairs, and a brilliantly lit and decorated ballroom. Lusters on the mantle reflected light in the gilt mirror. Candelabras were set with six-hour candles. Lovely flowers and ivy from the hothouse entwined around four columns which marked the boundaries of the dance floor. The preparations included an excellently painted floral motif on the floor beneath the main chandelier, and printed dance cards." Lizzy related her portion of the ball.
"What of the flowers, Lizzy! Too much ivy is extremely vexing." Mrs. Bennet fussed and frowned as she poured hot tea after filling a plate full of hot food.
"The ivy complimented the autumn flowers which were carefully selected from Netherfield's hothouse. The musicians were seated in the decorated mezzanine. There were violins, harp, drum and flute accompaniments along with a pianoforte. The musicians wore black evening kits."
"I suppose there were many faintings from the heat in the ballroom and too many people." Mrs. Bennet washed down a large bite of hot roll with a gulp of tea.
"Not a one of which I am aware." Jane daintily cut her ham and potatoes into small bites. "I also didn't hear of any ripped gowns from poor dance partners nor from overcrowded rooms. Mr. Bingley's servants tended fires on the outside terrace to warm the air if one wanted to step out for fresh air. The ballroom was the perfect temperature. The lit low fire warmed the ballroom before the ball, and didn't add excessive warmth during the evening."
"What about the servants?" Mrs. Bennet directed her question at Jane with a wave of fork and knife.
"Navy blue livery with gold frogs were worn by a dozen footmen who circulated to take cloaks, guide the replacement of food and drink at supper, and guide guests to card tables and sitting areas. One servant attended the door to the ballroom and announced guests as they entered." Jane wiped her fingertips on her serviette. "Once we were announced, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst opened the ball. Then Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley circulated the room to ensure young people were introduced to potential dance partners. Mr. Bingley danced the first set with me. Mr. Darcy danced the first set with Lizzy. Mr. Darcy's cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, danced the first set with Charlotte Lucas."
"Oh, I so dislike such accommodations." Mrs. Bennet protested, her fork embedded in a potato. "Arranging enough partners to take the floor causes an uncomfortable silence between the sets."
"Announcing everyone when they entered the ballroom facilitated introductions later. Indeed, except for Colonel Fitzwilliam and a few of the militia, everyone knew one another. The dances were not delayed, Mama. The musicians had each dance set timed perfectly." Lizzy sipped her tea, awaiting the next question.
"How did one have time to enjoy refreshments?" Mrs. Bennet displayed her vexations by cutting and stabbing the ham and potatoes on her plate. The cutlery made awful scraping sounds which annoyed Lizzy.
"Lemonades and wine punch along with various flavors of small rout cakes were available from the liveried servants and a refreshment table." Jane's calm voice didn't soothe Mama. "I enjoyed the lemonade and lemon rout cakes offered to me every second set. Mr. Bingley offered refreshments to his dance partners."
"I dare say every man ensured the ladies had refreshments. I had a delicious white wine punch before the supper set, and nibbled on a spice rout cake." Lizzy concentrated on her breakfast, for if she watched Mama, she would burst into laughter.
"I suppose continually offered refreshments reduced the amount and variety of dishes at supper." Mrs. Bennet primly set her tea cup in her saucer, piqued.
"Indeed not," Lizzy realized Mrs. Bennet would find fault with every pleasant aspect of last night's ball. "White soup, three kinds of fish, roast goose, turkey and fowl, large haunches of venison and beef, cold ham and game pies, roasted potatoes, twelve kinds of garden stuff, cheese platters, a variety of breads, jellies, pickles, fresh fruit displays, and several kinds of sweets were served with wines."
"I suppose one could not engage in conversation because of the constant music and dancing?" Mrs. Bennet asserted.
"We would not know, Mama, for Lizzy and I danced every dance. We saved our conversation for our dance partners and for the supper table." Jane didn't let the excessive questions deter her breakfast.
Lizzy, however, struggled to not laugh aloud at Mama's questions and attitudes.
"Were there plenty of dance partners? Did anyone sit out dances for wont of a partner?" Lydia wanted to gloat over someone sitting out for lack of partners.
"Indeed not," Lizzy slyly winked at Jane. "My dance card was half filled before the opening dance ended. Even Charlotte had a partner for every dance and two offers for the supper set. She danced the first and supper set with Colonel Fitzwilliam. Charlotte, Jane and I sat with Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam at supper. We shared the main table with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley." Lizzy passed the black butter to Jane, with a slight smile on her face.
"That proud and disagreeable man danced?" Mrs. Bennet expected Mr. Darcy only danced with Bingley's sisters as he had at the assembly.
"Mr. Darcy danced with me, Jane, Charlotte and Miss King. He danced the supper set with me." Lizzy smiled when she remembered Miss Bingley plotted to ensnare Mr. Darcy as her dance partner for the supper set. When Darcy left the meeting, Bingley and Fitzwilliam flanked him, leading him directly to Lizzy, Charlotte and Jane. "Colonel Fitzwilliam, by the way, is the cousin of Mr. Darcy. He is the second son of the Sixth Earl of Matlock. He is in the regulars, not the militia."
"A colonel? In the regulars? An earl's son?" Mrs. Bennet cried. "Oh, I should have gone distracted by his red coat. Did he have good manners?"
"Proper manners, good conversation and an excellent dance partner," Lizzy confirmed.
"An earl's son!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed again, her cutlery clattering on her plate. "Oh I am so vexed you didn't attend last night, dear Lydia. I'm sure Colonel Fitzwilliam would have appreciated your liveliness and your enthusiasm to dance."
"Colonel Fitzwilliam danced the first set with Charlotte, the second set with me, the third set with Jane, the fourth set with Miss Goulding, the fifth through seventh sets with the Long girls. The eighth set, he conversed with Sir William, Colonel Forester, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Stratton King. He danced the supper set with Charlotte. After the supper, he danced with Mrs. Hurst, Mrs. Forester, Miss Locke, Miss King, Miss Purvis, and Miss Jones. He danced the final set with Miss Bingley." Lizzy enjoyed detailing the actions of the earl's son. "Colonel Fitzwilliam said his mother, the Countess of Matlock, ensures he knows the latest dance steps for she frequently relies on him as an extra at her balls."
"I am so envious!" Lydia burst out. "I am determined to hate Mr. Collins even more, since he caused us to miss dancing with officers!" She nodded at Kitty as if to draw her into agreement. "Did any of the officers ask about me…us, at all?"
"No, I'm sorry they did not." Jane gently relayed the distressing news to her sisters. "Mrs. Forester, Lady Lucas, Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, Charlotte, the Miss Longs, Miss King, Miss Goulding, Miss Jones and Miss Locke danced with many of the officers. Miss Bingley didn't have a partner for the supper set, because she and Mrs. Hurst were busy with hostess duties."
"What did Mrs. Forester wear?" Kitty wanted to know the fashions of the evening, while Lydia pouted about missing the ball and no one asking about her.
"Gold dress, with a golden hairpiece, which held two gold-tipped white ostrich feathers. I remember seeing them wave brilliantly while she danced with all the officers." Lizzy related. "She carried an elegant white ostrich fan. Her silk gloves were gold with white embroidery."
"All the officers?" Lydia grimaced, filled with jealousy. "All the officers?"
"She danced every dance because Colonel Forester, twelve officers and Colonel Fitzwilliam were in attendance. I heard she danced with the officers in alphabetical order to not show favoritism to any." Lizzy noted the high color in Lydia's cheeks from vexation. She would send an express to Papa at Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's house. He would be dismayed to miss this ridiculous display of jealousy by Mrs. Bennet and Lydia.
"What about the dresses?" Kitty inquired again. "What did Maria Lucas wear?"
"She didn't attend; she is a full month younger than Lydia. Only Sir and Lady Lucas, Charlotte and John were in attendance." Lizzy explained. "Lady Lucas and Charlotte were both dressed in new blue sarsenet gowns with dark blue lace and ribbons. Miss Bingley wore persimmon orange and Mrs. Hurst wore sea green. Miss Bingley looked quite handsome when she danced with John Lucas, as he wore a dark green coat. Her persimmon orange dress was disconcerting when she danced with officers in their red regimentals."
"Who else attended?" Kitty interrupted Mama's muttering and Lydia's pouting.
"Miss Mary King wore a lovely sapphire blue gown, with white sash, ribbons and lace. The gauze overlay split on the side to show the sapphire satin skirt. She wore white roses in her hair." Lizzy reported.
"Oh la! She's such an ugly freckled little thing. I'm sure she had no dance offers." Lydia smirked.
"I believe Miss King has been using Gowland's Lotion daily; her freckles have quite gone away! Her hair is more blonde and less red. She looked so elegant, dancing with men who wore blue coats, and with the militia in their red regimentals. Mr. Stratton King, her uncle, escorted her for the first dance set. She danced with Jonathan Locke, the apothecary's son and with Samuel Jones, the surgeon's son. They came home from Cambridge especially for the ball. She danced with Mr. Darcy's cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam and with Colonel Forester. I believe her gown was as fashionable as Miss Bingley's and Mrs. Hurst's gowns. She must have purchased her gown in London! I have not seen the materials for her gown at the modiste in Meryton." Lizzy hid a smile behind her tea cup.
"While it is rude to discuss funds, the percents from Miss King's funds will allow her to purchase brilliant gowns for future assemblies. Several young ladies, including Miss Bingley, were envious of her ostrich fan. The handle can be wrapped with ribbon to match the gown she wears." Jane refilled her tea cup. "Miss King's chaperone held her fan, silk reticule and gauze wrap while Miss King danced."
"This is so unfair! I asked Mr. Bingley to host a ball! Now we must wait until the Christmas assembly in Meryton. Who knows how many officers will be gone! They will probably visit their families during the holidays! We shall have no partners at all!" Lydia burst into tears, wiping her eyes on a corner of her serviette.
"Yes, the militia leaving is a sad thing," Lizzy teased her sister. "With the possibility of officers gone to visit their families, the Christmas Assembly could leave young ladies without partners. However, since young ladies under the age of six and ten did not attend last evening's ball, all the other ladies had plenty of partners. I heard Mrs. Purvis and Mrs. Goulding suggest an age limit for the future assemblies."
Mrs. Bennet and Lydia howled their disdain for such a ridiculous rule.
"Mama, you would be so pleased. Jonathan Locke and Samuel Jones both asked to be remembered to you. They were exceptionally disappointed because Mary did not attend." Jane slipped a little on dit into the conversation.
"Truly?" Mrs. Bennet's tea cup paused in midair from surprise.
"Indeed," Jane affirmed. "Mr. Jonathan Locke sought the first dance set with Mary, and Mr. Samuel Jones sought the supper set with Mary. Additionally, they were disheartened to hear Mary entertained our cousin, Mr. Collins, with Papa."
"What a pity they wanted to dance with Mary," Lydia sniped. "Although I allow they probably found better partners."
"They partnered Miss King, Charlotte, the Miss Longs, Miss Purvis, Miss Goulding and her cousin Miss Herrington, and duty danced with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. Lizzy and I each had a dance set with them." Jane smiled at the vexation which Miss King's name gave Lydia. "I believe they danced every dance set."
"Kitty, Mrs. Hill told me Mary gifted her room to you," Lizzy took this moment to let the ball news irritate Lydia. "Would you like Jane and my help when you move your things today?"
"Who does Mary think she is, giving away bedrooms at Longbourn?" Lydia argued.
"Indeed," Mrs. Bennet flapped her handkerchief. "I should be the one to make such a decision! Mary is not mistress of Longbourn yet!" She planned to send an express letter to Mary at the Gardiners. She wanted the white linen tablecloth and serviettes, silk pillow and silvered dish returned. Mary assumed a great deal to take things which were needed at Longbourn or were not intended for her. Mrs. Hill included them in the list of items packed for Mary so the household catalogue could be updated. Jane would be required to update the household catalogue. Mrs. Bennet had not bothered with the task since Jane turned six and ten. She expected Jane to teach her sisters how to create and update a household catalogue.
"Papa said I deserve to have the room because I am older than Lydia. This morning Mr. Hill rearranged the room to suit me. Sarah cleaned the room and put out fresh bed linens. While we have been eating breakfast, Mrs. Hill and Sarah moved my things from the room Lydia and I shared to my new bedroom. I'm thrilled to have a room and bed too small to share with others. I'm thrilled to have a writing desk in my room. I shall write Mary directly, and thank her for such a thoughtful gift." Kitty drank her tea and ate her breakfast, feeling a great deal calmer than she ever felt before. For once, Lydia would not take her best things and claim them for her own. After breakfast, Kitty would go to the room she shared with Lydia and fetch everything of hers which had been left behind. She would keep wearable clothing. Anything in less than good condition would be given to Sarah. Kitty had a key to lock her room and she would use it. She would not allow Mama to give her room or its contents to Lydia.
When Papa distributed their pin money at Michaelmas, he repaid Kitty what Lydia owed her. He repaid Mary what Lydia and Mother owed her. Lydia had to balance her ledger three times because Papa claimed her ledger did not list Mary's loans, Kitty's loans or the funds which Mrs. Bennet gave her. Lydia argued against paying funds she borrowed. She endured a lecture from Papa about economy and thrift. Papa threatened to cease allowing Lydia the four percents from Mama until she could prove her proficiency at managing her ledger.
Her sisters and Mama huddled around the newest fabrics, ribbons and fashion plates Aunt Gardiner brought with her. Kitty gave funds to Aunt Gardiner with a request for a silk handkerchief, a pair of silk stockings, a pair of silk gloves and a silk reticule. She also requested two finely milled bars of rose soap for washing her hair, and a bottle of rose perfume. No one noticed the package of her new things which arrived the week after Aunt Gardiner's visit. Aunt Gardiner sent the package to Papa, with a request to keep Kitty's secret. Kitty entered the invoice in her ledger.
Kitty hid her things in the bottom of an old bandbox which held her ugliest, old bonnet. Lydia never looked in Kitty's old bandbox. Kitty requested rose pink silk thread and four lengths of rose pink silk ribbon also. In the privacy of her own room, Kitty planned to embroider her initial on her handkerchiefs. She planned to add pink ribbon roses to the tops of her stockings. She would hide rose pink stitches inside her gloves and reticule to mark her things, so Lydia could not acquire them. The days of giving way to Lydia's tantrums and Mama's spoiling Lydia were past. Kitty had her own room to provide solitude. Now she understood how Mary dealt with Mama and Lydia for years.
Lost in her own thoughts, Kitty missed the remainder of Jane and Lizzy's discussion of the ball. She left the breakfast table before Lydia, racing to her room and locking the door.
Saturday, Netherfield
"Roberts, thank you for not offering to marry Miss Bingley. Her presence would be insupportable at any of my holdings." Darcy spoke candidly with Roberts who brought today's clothes to Fitzwilliam's room so Darcy could dress.
"I considered marrying her and moving to Bath, on my brother's estate. They are turning a tidy profit providing fresh eggs and milk, fresh meats, and fresh garden and orchard stuff to the Bath. Miss Bingley's £30,000 would allow us to expand the holdings, enlarge the livestock herds and crops, hire more workers and purchase more dray wagons for delivering goods. Miss Bingley would be housed in the Steward's House on the estate – with a total of twenty rooms, six servants and a once-a-month trip into Bath if she behaved herself. Certainly, she would not need her wardrobe of silk dresses."
"A once-a-month trip?" Darcy could barely contain a smile.
"Miss Bingley would have minimal pin money. I've heard of her excessive spending of Mr. Bingley's funds. I would prevent her excessive patronization of the stores on Milsom or Bond Street and I would not open any accounts for her. Everyone knows you have no rank and name without land." Roberts helped his master dress.
"Yes, nothing is more important than becoming landed gentry," Darcy admitted.
"Which is why you are here…to help Bingley become a good master of his own property." Fitzwilliam commented.
"If Miss Bingley attempts to compromise you again, I will return to Mr. Bingley and press my suit. I would be loath to leave you sir, but I will not allow your compromise." Roberts promised. "There are worse things in life than a fashionable wife with £30,000. However, she would find I am not as amenable as her brother."
"I am removing myself from her presence today. I need to dress for riding out. You will pack me. No one, except my staff, will use the Darcy coach when departing later this afternoon. We are not providing transportation to London for Miss Bingley or the Hursts. When you arrive at the Darcy House, notify the staff Miss Bingley and the Hursts are never granted entrance."
~X~
"I am decided, Bingley, I am not opening Darcy House. I will move Georgiana and myself to the Matlock House until we return to Pemberley. Nor will I allow Georgiana to come out early and be saddled with your sister as a particular friend. When Georgiana comes out, she will be guided by Lady Matlock." Darcy announced.
"I'm glad you are both still here, because there is a situation." Bingley handed a letter from his solicitor to Darcy, and sat in a chair, cursing his fates. He had planned to go to Longbourn today to ask Mr. Bennet to allow him to court Miss Bennet, but this situation took precedence.
~X~
"NO! We're not having any sport today or in the immediate future! You attempted to ruin us!" Bingley shook a letter at Hurst once he cleared servants from the dining room and from the hall. "This missive came for me yesterday, but Caroline decided to keep it from me until today! What were you thinking? Where did you hear of this scheme? My solicitors have twenty requests for funds from men at your club. They claim you promised I would match their investments in this scheme. You have no right to guarantee my funds against anything. I control Caroline's funds and will not allow her investment. If Louisa allows you to bankrupt your funds, both of you can spend the rest of your bankrupt days at your father's estate…working as common laborers to put meat on the table and pay for the roof over your heads."
"I don't see why you are so vexed," Hurst shrugged while refilling his coffee cup. "Everyone at my club is anxious to get in on this scheme!"
"Yes, anxious to get in on a scheme with my money! I will not invest funds in a steam circus in Bath, Brighton, Liverpool, Plymouth and Scarborough. I am not convinced they will sell enough one-shilling tickets to repay my loans. Before I become involved, I would investigate the steam circus in London and its profits. I'm leaving directly for London to meet with my solicitors this afternoon if possible. I will meet with them Monday morning at the very latest! I must stop this demand for Bingley family funds immediately." Bingley slammed his coffee cup back onto the saucer.
"Fine," Hurst pouted. "But I don't know why we must depart so fast. Surely the situation isn't so dire."
"You are leaving this afternoon because I want you in London, at your club, telling your friends and acquaintances you misspoke yourself. I'm not backing anyone's funds for the scheme! You had no right to involve me in this scheme when you were in your cups!" Bingley shouted.
"Voices carry," Darcy admonished Bingley. "Servants talk."
Bingley closed his eyes and frowned. "After Fitzwilliam, Darcy and I eat, we are departing for London. We're going by horseback. I left directions with my house steward, Mr. Nichols, to close the house and ship our clothes and personal items with you. When I arrive in London today, I will send a letter to the Hurst House, notifying them the three of you will arrive today, before dark. My carriage will take you straight to the Hurst House. Once you are delivered to the Hurst House, my equipage will return to the Bingley House. My servants will not allow you entry to the Bingley House, nor use of my equipage! You will stay at the Hurst House in London, for I swear if I set eyes on any of you, I will forget I'm a gentleman."
"Mr. Darcy's carriage will hold his staff, my valet, Welding, and Fitzwilliam's batman, Armstrong, in addition to our luggage. Caroline and Louisa will not attempt to ride in Darcy's coach. Now, if you will excuse me, I must meet with Roberts and give him a bank note for £5,000 because Caroline attempted to compromise Darcy last evening with help from Louisa. This is the last payment I take from Bingley funds. I will not cover overspending by any of you. If Caroline attempts compromise again, she will suffer the consequences of her actions! When I determine how dire our circumstances are, we'll talk about Caroline's Season and opening the Bingley House. I may sell the Bingley House to recoup any losses." Bingley threw his serviette on the table and stormed out of the breakfast room.
"You might counsel your wife and Miss Bingley against compromise efforts." Fitzwilliam counseled Hurst and set his serviette on the table. "I don't think you want to give most of their living or legacy to servants who have been compromised." He nodded to Darcy who stood at the door of the morning room. They needed to be on their way.
Propriety dictated Darcy could not write Elizabeth a letter, telling her why he and Bingley had to leave Netherfield Park so quickly. He could not reveal Bingley's financial situation which Hurst created. He could not trust too much information to someone as indiscreet as Mrs. Bennet. Since their first evening at the Meryton Assembly, Mrs. Bennet hinted about an understanding between Bingley and Miss Bennet. Everyone living or passing through Hertfordshire had heard of Bingley and his portion, or Darcy and his portion. The blasted woman repeated every bit of gossip she knew or heard to Mrs. Phillips, Lady Lucas and Mrs. Long. They, in turn, repeated every bit of gossip they heard about everyone else. Meryton and Hertfordshire were like the ton, nothing to do but gossip.
Until Darcy would see Elizabeth again, he would keep the memory of the supper set with Elizabeth alive in his memory. Saying goodbye to her this morning after the ball had been filled with promise, which he could not keep at the moment. He remembered her sparkling eyes, her smiles, and leading her to the dance floor. He would not dwell on how her gown accented her light and pleasing figure while they danced. He would never again smell lavender without thinking of Elizabeth. Until he saw her again…he would remember.
Roberts related Netherfield Park was not the only house to take down their knocker after the ball. Servants related the absence of the knocker at Longbourn also. Most sensible people were still in their beds, having a lie-in after last night's festivities. He asked Mr. Nichols and Mr. Mason to explain their departure to London for urgent business. He apologized but did not know when they would return.
Saturday afternoon, Longbourn
Lizzy put on her walking boots, warmest spencer and bonnet. With Mary gone, someone needed to go to the farm and ensure delivery of eggs and milk every morning. Mary discussed the morning tasks with the Hills before she left. Lizzy returned to the house with a basket of eggs and a bucket of milk. Sarah had a clean pair of house slippers, petticoat and dress warming in the kitchen. Lizzy changed in the stillroom, feeling the loss of her sister Mary. Sarah quickly fixed Lizzy's hair. "Why is the house so quiet?" Lizzy questioned Sarah.
"I do not believe the quiet will remain for long," Sarah sighed. "A groom from Netherfield brought a letter to Miss Jane. An express from Mr. Bennet for Mrs. Bennet arrived. She is upset because Mr. Bennet will allow no visitors and no calling on neighbors until his return. Miss Jane and you are directed to read the express."
Before Lizzy could ask the rest of the news, a shriek and wail accompanied Mrs. Bennet thudding back up the stairs to her quarters. "I need my smelling salts, Hill, Hill! I have such spasms and flutterings all over my body. Hill, Hill!" Her handkerchief fluttered as she wailed and muttered.
"Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have orders from Mr. Mason to close Netherfield Park. Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam departed this morning as did their personal servants. Miss Bingley and the Hursts depart this afternoon. Miss Bingley wrote they will not return." Sarah shook her head at the news. "Bad form, leaving the community without calling around to give their goodbyes."
Mrs. Hill brushed past with smelling salts and a full cordial of medicinal sherry. She paused and spoke in a low voice. "Mrs. Bennet should be happy because Miss Mary's marriage to Mr. Collins saved her from the hedgerows. However, she will consider Bingley's removal from Netherfield Park happened because Miss Jane did not secure him fast enough."
Lizzy escaped to Papa's study. She hid in the window seat, behind the drapes, burying her head in her arms which rested on her knees. Her mind swirled with thoughts and emotions. 'What happened? Why would Mr. Darcy leave without warning? He said he wanted a private conversation with me. I thought he would ask for a courtship. I hoped…if we came to know one another better, he would offer for me at Christmas, with an eye on a spring wedding. I hoped to learn if he is the one man who would best suit me. I had been ready to consider a life with him. I am thankful Papa is gone for a few days because he would see my face, and know something is wrong. Jane needs me to be strong because Mama will make herself sick by weeping and wailing.'
Sunday, London
"You may attend church with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner in addition to Mr. Phillips and Papa," Mary informed Mr. Collins. "I am not comfortable in society yet. I will spend the time you are gone reading my Bible and asking for God's guidance as we go forward in this marriage."
"Very well, my dearest Mary," Mr. Collins' effusive reply rattled Mary's calm demeanor.
"When you return from church, there will be a cold collation for midday meal. Before we eat, we can walk around the gardens. This afternoon we must discuss Hunsford Parsonage, work to be done, and supplies to purchase."
~X~
The little Gardiner girls greeted Mary with perfect little curtseys. "Lizzy tells me both of you give the best hugs." The girls wore pale lavender dresses, trimmed with pale yellow ribbons. Their plaited hair held pale yellow ribbons also. The dresses had no lace or flounces, but lovely sprigs of lavender were embroidered around the neck. They threw themselves into Mary's arms with enthusiasm.
"You are so lucky," Amelia sighed. "You have curls like Alice. I'm so jealous."
"Perhaps the curls accompany the name, for my second name is Alice also. Mary Alice Bennet. I understand great-grandmother Alice had curls also." Mary hugged Alice, who was a little cherub, with bright eyes like Lizzy, and pretty rose cheeks like Kitty.
~X~
"Aunt," Mary began her request in a timid voice. They were alone in Mrs. Gardiner's private sitting room. Mr. Gardiner entertained Papa, Mr. Phillips and Mr. Collins in his study. "Would Uncle Gardiner feel imposed upon if I gave him a list of household items needed at Hunsford Parsonage?"
"Perhaps I can justify your request if I know your reasons," Aunt Gardiner replied.
"I am not sure which warehouse has the best product for the least pence. I don't believe Mr. Collins would appreciate accompanying me to purchase our needs. I would purchase in Hunsford, but I worry the shopkeepers will gossip about me spending Mr. Collins' money. Mrs. Hill recommended purchasing enough supplies for the parsonage to provide for us until Midsummer. I calculated costs for an additional supply of coal, candles, and soaps. I calculated for food stuff, wine and ciders, and coffee and tea."
"I understand completely," Madeleine Gardiner accepted the lists from Mary. "The household items list is long, but your Uncle Gardiner and I can have your goods assembled by Friday. You can reimburse us when you come to tea on Friday. We will arrange for one of our dray wagons to follow you to Hunsford with crates, trunks, etc. on Saturday. I will take you to the seed and plant warehouse which I use, and to the stillroom warehouse I use."
"Thank you," Mary consulted the lists before her.
Aunt Gardiner quietly discussed what Mary could expect as a living on Mr. Collins' £300 per annum. Mary would be expected to spend her percents on clothing and personal needs, wages for a personal maid, wages for a laundry maid, and any supplies for entertainment (music, books, art supplies, special sewing projects, etc.) She would tithe from her percents also, plus charitable donations.
Mary opined she would be able to stretch her food budget by growing a kitchen garden and orchard. She needed to raise her own poultry and sow babies, keep her own bees and grow an herb garden. She must continue to practice thrift and economy. Mary sighed, concerned she could not make mead until next year when she harvested honey. She and Sarah made ink in the spring, but she couldn't bring a bottle of ink with her. She added ink, quills, ledgers, everyday books, and paper to the list of household items. She added a second lock box to hold household funds.
Aunt Gardiner discussed the list of material needed for Mary's mob caps and Mr. Collins' clerical robes. She recommended half a dozen sets of sleeves for Mr. Collins. Uncle Gardener wore sleeves made of sailcloth which tied at the wrist and elbow. They protected his shirt sleeves from ink blots or stains. Aunt Gardiner added the material to Mary's sewing items list. The ladies segued into discussing the upcoming holiday and the rectory which led Mary to add two spools of purple ribbon and two spools of white ribbon to her list of things to buy. She would need them to decorate the greenery at the parsonage. The rectory should provide candles and ribbons needed for the Advent Calendar.
Aunt Gardiner recommended a covered basket or a bandbox where Mary could store the ribbons year after year until they were too old and shabby to be seen. Mary would probably obtain greenery for Christmas in Hunsford or Westerham. The sexton would take the greens out of the church and burn them on Twelfth Night. Madeleine noted Mary's solemn face. "What worries you so, Mary?"
"What if I can't manage as well as I think I should? What if the congregants at the rectory don't approve of me? What if the community is not welcoming? What will I do if I have no society other than Mr. Collins? I've grown up with four sisters, Aunt and Uncle Phillips, the farms, the church and the community."
"My dear Edward, your Uncle Gardiner, required managing. He intended to establish his business with minimal personal distractions. He lived in the attic rooms of his warehouse. My father, the draper and tailor in Lambton, brought us to London on a shopping trip for our store. One of the successful tradesmen my family worked with held a tea to introduce my family to all the tradesmen they utilized for supplies. Mr. Gardiner attended the tea. I was smitten to be honest. My lovely Mama understood and knew what to do since Mr. Gardiner seemed oblivious to me."
Aunt Gardiner smiled at the memory. "Mama took me to Mr. Gardiner's warehouse. She explained she sought some silk which matched my green eyes. Mr. Gardiner spent the morning looking at my eyes and searching for the right color. Mama felt faint and asked him to set the material aside, guaranteeing we would return to shop. She took excellent directions for the closest tea room but messed them up entirely as she repeated them to Mr. Gardiner. He left his clerk in charge and escorted us to the tea room. We had a lovely midday respite."
"We returned to Mr. Gardiner's warehouse. Mama explained she wanted linen which brought out the natural rose color of my cheeks. By the time Mama invited him for dinner with us at our accommodations, Mr. Gardiner claimed my lively green eyes reminded him of the fields when he grew up in Meryton. He likened the roses in my cheeks to the damask roses which decorated his mother's garden." Aunt Gardiner smiled. "There are ways of managing one's husband and one's house. Enough of my chatter, finish your lists so we may review."
"I need stillroom items, three trunks, valise and a dressing case. I need more supplies for my art box." Mary eyed a pianoforte in the advertisements for £30 and sighed. She had funds she saved from her pin money and from selling her eggs, honey, herbs and piglets. She had so many things to do between now and next spring when she could grow herbs and set chickens. Almost a full year would pass before she could harvest honey. She could not access the interest on her marriage settlement until quarter days next year. She had to stretch the funds which Papa and Mr. Collins would give her.
~X~
Mary sighed while her aunt brushed her hair while Mary readied for bed.
"What is on your mind Mary?" Aunt Gardiner asked.
"I'm worried about our first night," Mary admitted nervously.
"I will ask Mr. Gardiner if he talked to Mr. Collins. If he has not, your papa and both uncles can counsel him. Did you bring a bottle of your medicinal sherry with you? If Mr. Collins does not offer you wine on your wedding night, drink a cordial of the sherry to ease your nerves." Aunt Gardiner answered her questions as honestly as possible. She stroked Mary's pensive face. "This may be a wretched beginning, but I have faith in you." She explained everything Mary should do on her wedding night to prepare for the marriage bed. She explained the marital act, and urged Mary to not consider her mother's vapors too much.
"There is more to marriage than the prospect of a comfortable home, a husband with a patron and an assured income," Mary selected a ribbon to hold her hair once plaited.
"Your duty is to make a comfortable home. His duty is to provide a good income to support his family. You are a sensible young woman, Mary. You have been taught to keep a good home and set an excellent table." Aunt Gardiner smiled. "All men need handling, for some do not invite esteem and some rule by fear. How you and Mr. Collins begin together is your duty, Mary. I don't believe he has a clue about marriage, other than his patroness requiring him to seek a wife. He knows nothing about how to run Longbourn. You should use the Hunsford Parsonage to teach him to become a gentleman. Your father is a good man, but his farms need as much attention as his books."
Mary sighed.
"Mary, every husband needs directing. However, you must use a kind, polite and gentle manner with excessive logic. If you must throw in a sweetener…food and affection will turn the stubbornest head. You've seen how your mother's whinging and nerves are ignored by your father." Aunt Gardiner didn't dwell on the Bennets' shortcomings. "Mary, be aware. Mr. Collins is a male Franny Bennet, full of self-importance and lacking tact."
Mary sighed and put her head in her hand. She would not succumb to nerves or vapors. She was made of sterner stuff. Aunt Gardiner finished plaiting her hair and kissed her on top of her head. "Pleasant dreams, Mary."