Wretched Beginnings 1813 – Chapter 4 – March
Sunday, March 7
"Mr. Collins is attentive to Mary," Mrs. Gardiner confided to Lizzy as they walked to the Hunsford Rectory for services. They observed Mr. Collins and Mary greet everyone on the front steps of the rectory.
"Perhaps because Lady Catherine is not present to command his attention." Lizzy commented quietly.
"That's quite unforgiving, Lizzy." Mrs. Gardiner chastised her.
"Did you know Lady Catherine ordered Mr. Collins to send Mary home to Longbourn a week after they were married? She purchased a single seat on a post coach for Mary." Lizzy's eyes glittered with malice. "I cannot feel excessive Christian charity for someone who has so little regard for my sister."
"Alone…she wanted Mary to travel alone?" Mrs. Gardiner gasped.
"Yes," Lizzy explained the circumstances of Mr. Bennet's travel to Hunsford Parsonage in early December. "Lady Catherine's removal to London has greatly eased my sister's relationship with her husband, the church and the community." Lizzy related Mr. Bennet's praise of Mary and her life at Hunsford. He admitted Mary had done quite well for herself, despite any slights from Mama, or inattention by Papa. Lizzy felt his revelations meant he changed. Mrs. Bennet and Lydia might not appreciate Papa's involvement in their lives, but her sisters and the neighbors would.
"I know the Countess of Matlock," Mrs. Gardiner revealed. She told Lizzy of the charity they both sponsored. "She is nothing like Lady Catherine."
Miss Anne de Bourgh entered last with her cousins, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. They slipped quietly into the de Bourgh box. Darcy forced himself to concentrate on the sermon, and not his surprise at seeing Elizabeth Bennet. The sermon was not as obsequious as Darcy and Fitzwilliam anticipated. Last to be seated, they were the first in line to greet Mary's family. Elizabeth Bennet stood next to Mrs. Collins when services ended. Mrs. Collins would introduce her family and friend the congregation.
"I would like to entertain you and your guests later in the week." Anne apologized. "My cousins are resting today, and will begin tasks for Rosings first thing in the morning."
"We have no fixed engagements," Mary commented. "Mr. Collins and I hoped to invite the three of you to dinner on Wednesday evening, half past seven. We will have drinks, followed by dinner. I apologize for the shortness of the invitation. However, I did not want to wait a fortnight to satisfy society's expectations before I issued an invitation to dinner."
"We will be glad to attend!" Anne and Mary chatted for a few more minutes while Mary introduced Mrs. Gardiner to Miss Anne and Colonel Fitzwilliam while the men renewed their acquaintance with Lizzy, Kitty and Charlotte.
"Might I ask if we will taste that delicious honey glaze of yours?" Mr. Darcy anticipated a fine meal if Mrs. Collins as good a hostess as Mrs. Bennet.
"Perhaps," Mary smiled. "I have a few new receipts to introduce to unsuspecting guests."
"I hope to taste your honey biscuits once again," Colonel Fitzwilliam opined. "I haven't tasted them since last November when I visited Darcy at Netherfield Park. The Netherfield cook tucked them in our saddlebags when we returned to London." He noticed Darcy and Miss Elizabeth exchanged uneasy glances at one another. 'That situation needs to be addressed.'
March 8
Lizzy wore her summer bonnet with ribbons and bows of primrose. The warmer spring weather urged Lizzy to don a lighter linen walking gown and spencer. She wore cotton gloves and carried a cream leather reticule. 'Pockets…I simply must find a way to have pockets in my walking gowns. I would allow Mama one flounce if she would allow me a pocket!'
Darcy strolled before reviewing the Rosings ledgers. He wanted the fresh air to awaken him. He saw Elizabeth Bennet, sans bonnet, twirling in a small patch of sunshine which crept through the trees. She abandoned her reticule beside the bonnet. Darcy watched Elizabeth spin in the open space, the sun on her face, the skirt of her gown twirling around her. Darcy had not forgotten Elizabeth's thick wavy, chestnut tresses, or her warm, dark eyes which sparkled brilliantly with unexpressed humor. He imagined he could smell her lavender scent the moment he saw her light and pleasing form in the grove.
Lizzy stopped and opened her eyes slowly, staring at Mr. Darcy.
"I like the way you enjoy nature, Miss Elizabeth. Yes, I watched. I know you like long walks and prefer being out of doors to being confined inside. I like the way your eyes sparkle and the way your hair gleams in the sunlight." Darcy tried to temper his smile, but his dimples deepened. "Please forgive me for leaving Netherfield without notice in November."
"I forgave you when Mrs. Gardiner explained the situation," Lizzy was thankful to learn why the Bingleys abandoned Netherfield Park. "I believe this visit will be good for the Bennet sisters. Mary seems happy with her situation at Hunsford Parsonage. Kitty blooms from her lessons with Papa and under the tutelage of her sisters. Before she meekly followed Lydia's lead at fashions, flirting and fascinations. Mary wants us to be more competent about growing and using herbs when they returned to Longbourn. I believe she misses the herb garden she tended so carefully."
"Fitzwilliam and I make an annual tour of Rosings Park. We review the estate books, meet with Mr. Knowles, suggest changes or repairs to the estate, and discuss investments. However, knowing Lady Catherine is busy in London, I felt determined to appear sooner and stay longer," Mr. Darcy explained. "Miss de Bourgh compliments Mrs. Collins healing suggestions. I hope she can heal our cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam." Darcy did not reveal the warning letter from Mrs. Collins regarding Wickham and Lady Catherine.
"Do only you and Colonel Fitzwilliam visit Rosings in the spring?" Lizzy retrieved her bonnet from the stone bench and tied the dark primrose ribbons in a bow near her right ear. "I wondered if Miss Darcy ever accompanied you."
"Georgiana and I attended Twelfth Night. Georgiana is as shy as Lady Catherine is overbearing. I'm glad Georgiana is with our Aunt Constance in Bath right now. My mother died when Georgiana wore leading strings. Aunt Constance treats Georgiana like a daughter. She does not expect perfection in manners and deportment, nor excessive accomplishments from my sister, like Aunt Catherine does. She realizes Georgiana is shy and needs slow and steady introductions to society before she comes out next year." Darcy clasped his hands behind his back to keep from touching Elizabeth.
"Miss Darcy does not enjoy the company of her cousin, Miss de Bourgh?" Lizzy tried not to stare at the handsome Fitzwilliam Darcy.
"In the past, very little occupied Georgiana's time while we were here. Because of her frequent illnesses, Anne did not provide much company for my sister. Aunt Catherine would not allow Georgiana to walk or ride while here because Anne could not join those activities due to her illness. However, Georgiana would be forced to exhibit and subjected to criticism from Aunt Catherine. My aunt compares Georgiana's accomplishments to the imagined accomplishments Anne would achieve if she were healthy." Darcy's heavy sigh evidenced the burdens and guilt he felt. "Also, Lady Catherine has never forgiven Father for not naming her as guardian for Georgiana. Fitzwilliam and I are constantly berated by Aunt Catherine for our care of Georgiana."
"I know about enduring constant criticism. I imagine such actions from Lady Catherine did not endear her to Miss Darcy." Lizzy attempted to tease, but her heart could not feel the jest. Lizzy did not want to speak of the criticisms Mary endured from Lady Catherine.
"Indeed not, however, Anne's recovery has been surprising. She is healthier than she has been for over a decade. I would not mind bringing Georgiana to Rosings to visit Anne. However, Aunt Constance invited Georgiana to spend the summer at Matlock Estate. They have more summer guests than Pemberley does. Aunt Constance feels attending a summer house party at Matlock would be good practice for Georgiana." Darcy saw conflicting emotions cross Elizabeth's face, but he could not interpret them.
"Will you bring her with you to Netherfield Park if Mr. Bingley invites you for a house party?" Lizzy knew to phrase questions to get a complete answer. When one asked direct questions, they were not always answered directly.
"I know you wonder at the relationship between my sister and Bingley, since Miss Bingley put Georgiana forward as Bingley's future bride. Georgiana and I appreciate Bingley like a brother. We treat Fitzwilliam the same way. My lovely little sister is not out yet. She has just abandoned her braid and let out her hems, but does not anticipate receiving suitors." Darcy smiled indulgently.
"Ah, yes," Lizzy laughed. "The infamous abandonment of the classroom and the braid for the joy of the drawing room and suitors! My sister Lydia practiced putting her hair up for six months before she turned five and ten. Poor Kitty should have enjoyed her coming out when she turned seven and ten, but Mama forced Kitty to wait from April to June so she could share her coming out with Lydia. Lydia's wails about being left alone in the classroom wore on Mama's fragile nerves. Mama ignored everyone's protests and allowed Lydia to come out at five and ten."
"Then I am heartily glad for Miss Kitty to be here with her sisters and friend." Darcy declared. "Letters from my shy sister describe the exhibits, concerts and theatre in Bath with Aunt Constance or her companion, Mrs. Annesley. Georgiana endures the society of the Pump Room, and favors the circulating library and walks in the Sydney Gardens. While Georgiana cannot attend public balls for another year, she takes dance lessons from a master. She has individual masters for music, drawing, and French lessons. She has a riding master who praises her form and adept handling of her horse."
"I feel Miss Darcy is lucky. Mary urges us to learn everything we can because Miss Anne laments her indifferent education."
"Anne never experienced a Season in London. I believe she might join Georgiana next year since her health steadily improved. Anne feels her age might be against her, but if she and Georgiana had one another for support, their first Season might be enjoyable. I am grateful for Anne's masters, but I wish she had felt better. She could have joined Aunt Constance and Georgiana in Bath." Darcy opined.
" Lady Catherine did not consider education as important as the position to which one was born. Mama thinks the same way. She argues I should learn to enjoy embroidery and other arts and accomplishments instead of reading." Lizzy almost laughed. "We are at the edge of the grove. No one saw us walking and talking. We are not compromised. However, I would not inflict Mr. Collins and his questions on you if you escorted me to the parsonage door."
Darcy bid Miss Elizabeth adieu at the edge of the grove. He truly did not feel ready to invite questions or criticisms.
~X~
"Is there fresh fish to be had?" Mary paused over the menu slate.
"Fresh perch is available from Rosings," Mrs. Manning replied. "I asked for four and twenty servings to be delivered on Wednesday."
"Very well, we can make a receipt which I have rewritten: Baked Perch with Salomene Sauce. Lightly season the fillets with salt and pepper, bake until done. Cook rice and place in the bottom of a dish, arrange the cooked fillets on top. Cook the Salomene Sauce and pour over. Garnish with parsley and scallion greens." Mary passed receipts to Mrs. Manning. "We will serve my receipt for Creamed Peas and New Potatoes. The receipt is a variation of Peas in White Gravy. I believe you will need to make double the receipt of the Creamed Peas and New Potatoes. My father and uncles like the receipt excessively."
"Since we emptied the Longbourn wagon Saturday, Mr. Hill departed today after breakfast. He inquired at the Hunsford Inn and the Westerham Inn to see if they had something to deliver to Hertfordshire. I gave Mr. Hill the letters you wrote to your mother and father." Mrs. Manning viewed the menu slate and the inventory slate.
"We must continue to provide meals for Sexton Tucker while Mrs. Tucker helps us with this house party."
"I offered such to both. They will take meals with us in the kitchen, and will feel free to use the staff common room." Mrs. Manning explained.
"I thought to ask Curate Stevenson to dinner; will the Tuckers be offended?" Mary hesitated.
"Not at all. The Tuckers took dinner with parsonage staff several times while parsonage and rectory work occurred. Curate Stevenson attended tea and dinner at Rosings Park after the previous vicar left and before Mr. Collins arrived. The Tuckers do not expect to dine in the same circles as the vicar or curate. Speaking of which, while Rose, Barlow and I are busy preparing dinner for your guests, Mrs. Tucker and Lowe will prepare dinner for staff to eat. Cider for staff to drink. We'll prepare a second apple cake for staff, also."
"Very well then…" Mary intended to host a dinner for the staff and the Tuckers at the pub once her guests departed. "I would like a bottle of claret and a bottle of sherry in the drawing room before dinner. We'll go through to the dining room. First course will be cream of celeriac soup, and Baked Perch with Salomene Sauce with rice. They will be removed for beef steaks in brown sauce, mashed potatoes with brown gravy, coleslaw with apples and nuts, broccoli spears, whole green beans, and a red currant and orange jelly. Second course consists of roasted duck with onion and sage stuffing, roast pork with roasted wild forest mushrooms, roasted potatoes, roasted butternut squash, honey glazed carrots, cream peas and new potatoes, fresh spinach with bacon and green scallion dressing, and cinnamon applesauce. Plenty of herbed rolls and butter for both courses. Our sweets are almond pound cake with brandied cherries, lemon flummery with lemon biscuits, and apple cake. We will have wine with dinner. Please make sure there is port and cigars to offer after dinner." Mary gave Mrs. Manning a slate with Wednesday's dinner menu, thanked her and joined her guests in the morning room for breakfast.
Tuesday
"I'm so glad you're here," Mary squeezed Lizzy's hand across the work table in her sitting room. "Tomorrow night we have ten for dinner – Mr. Collins and me, you, Kitty, Charlotte, Aunt Gardiner, Miss Anne de Bourgh, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Darcy and Curate Stevenson. Miss Anne gave us Lady Catherine's oldest carriage at the end of February. Since Mr. Hill returned to Longbourn, Mr. Manning moved the carriage from Rosings to our carriage house today."
"Have you told Mama about your new carriage?" Kitty concentrated on even buttonhole stitches on a woolen redingote for the poor of Hunsford Rectory. "You know how she raptures about pin money, gowns, jewels and carriages."
"I know, but I have not told her. I described some of the rearrangements of the parsonage, but I did not say the furniture came from Rosings Dower House. I described my two silk gowns I bought in November to wear to Rosings. I told her Mr. Collins gave me a gold scrolled cross for Christmas, but I did not tell her about the seed pearl broach or the gold bracelet. They belonged to Mother Collins." Mary hemmed a pelisse for a young girl.
"The gold cross you wore Sunday is lovely," Charlotte hemmed a small dress for one of the parish children. "This material is nice, quite warm for winter. Where did you get such a quantity of good material?"
"Miss Anne donated crates of her heavy wardrobe to the benefice society to remake into clothes for children of the parish." Mary explained proudly. "The large cloaks yield heavy, fine woven, woolen fabric for pelisses or redingotes. The stuff lining makes dresses."
"I detect your fine hand in that situation," Aunt Gardiner observed.
"Indeed," Mary admitted. "Miss Anne wore such heavy materials she could barely move. When she changed to appropriate materials in new styles, she could move more. Now she takes daily walks in the fresh air. Additionally, I taught her housekeeper and companion to create medicinal broths to build her blood. She is much changed from when I came here last November."
"How did Mr. Collins' patroness react?" Aunt Gardiner finished removing the silver frogs and excessive trim from an indigo blue woolen cloak.
"When Lady Catherine de Bourgh returns, I am sure she will react with the most gracious condescension and amiability which a great lady of substantial property can muster. Miss Anne is learning how to run Rosings while Lady Catherine has been in London. I think her improved health impressed the staff at Rosings and her cousins. If her mother isn't pleased with how she looks or acts, Miss Anne will apply to the Earl of Matlock for his support and protection."
"Indeed," Aunt Gardiner commented. "Weekly we would hear of faithful customers who fled to Bath for the winter. Mrs. Bennet wrote me monthly, asking me to take her to Bath if I took a trip that way. What will you do with this hooded cloak? Surely there is someone who could wear this once the finery is gone and sensible buttons are added."
"Oh, I'm glad you found the blue one. I have buttons for it in my workbox." Mary handed them to Aunt Gardiner. "Miss Anne allows me to keep any of the clothes for my maids. That cloak will fit Barlow quite well without alteration. Miss Anne claims there is a dark green hooded cloak in the crates which will look well on Lowe. I have buttons for the dark green cloak also. The cloaks were cut large to allow Miss Anne to wear several layers of clothes under them. They are in excellent condition because Miss Anne only wore them to church."
~X~
Lizzy almost giggled when Mary gave the fine linen tablecloth and serviettes to Barlow to press for Wednesday's dinner. They would serve for second course and the sweets course. Mary had a linen tablecloth and serviettes from the parsonage for first course. Mary smiled at Lizzy's contained laughter. Mary related Mother wrote, demanding the return of the best things Mary purloined. She asserted Mary could have them back when Mr. Collins assumed ownership of Longbourn. In the meantime, Mother found herself bereft of their use. Mary related the letter from Mother, demanding a guarantee Mother woul remain Longbourn's mistress until her passing.
"I wrote Mother about the Twelfth Night dinner at Rosings. I told her how white damask tablecloths are admired by the ton this year. I related the menu and entertainments. I'm sure she felt impressed with the guest list." Mary smiled when Aunt Gardiner shook her head.
"I almost remember her reading out your letter," Kitty admitted.
"I'm hoping you will help me," Mary explained about Mr. Collins' lessons, staff lessons, and Miss Anne's offer for Mary and her guests to receive lessons from her masters. "I am out of practice at dancing," Mary apologized. "I have not danced since Michaelmas Assembly with Jonathan Locke and Samuel Jones last year. If you ladies plan to attend Hunsford's Spring Assembly, I need some practice."
"As the heir apparent to Longbourn, Mr. Collins needs to learn to be a gentleman. Gentlemen dance. They may be like Mr. Darcy and not care to dance, but they must know how." Lizzy teased.
"Mr. Darcy doesn't like to dance?" Kitty questioned.
"Would you dance if every matchmaking mother in England sought to capture you as their daughter's husband? They don't care if Mr. Darcy is a good man, educated, kind to his servants and his tenants, responsible, and decent! They don't care if he has a happy marriage as long as they gain from the connection!" Charlotte made an excellent point.
"Wouldn't you rather have someone caring and responsible for the people under his protection, than someone who only values his tenants for the money they supply him? You know what Netherfield Park has been like since the Allertons moved and Netherfield Park became a lease property." Mary added her point to the conversation. "Mr. Mason tries, but the tenants need more support."
"Mr. Collins demanded we not to set our caps at Mr. Darcy because he is engaged to Miss Anne. We are not to aim for Colonel Fitzwilliam either, as he is the son of an earl." Lizzy concentrated on turning wool scraps from the parish sewing project into squares for Mary to make into quilts for babies. She sorted three, four and five inch squares by size into a spare basket.
"There is no understanding between Miss Anne and Mr. Darcy," Mary shook her head. "They need time, without Lady Catherine, to discuss their options. Mr. Darcy needs someone educated, confident and caring. Miss Anne needs someone like Colonel Fitzwilliam, who sees all the issues of a problem and makes informed decisions. He is a gentleman and a warrior."
"I wish Mr. Darcy were more open with his feelings. Sometimes when we discuss things, he lets something slip and I learn more about him." Lizzy continued to trim scraps into quilt squares.
"I know you may not believe me…but ask Mr. Darcy to give you ribbon lessons. You can polish your ability to operate a one-horse gig. Take a drive, pack a food basket, pick a pretty place to picnic at Rosings Park. Take a good book you can read to one another. Challenge him to a skipping stones contest." Charlotte advised. "Watch him…and before the February face takes hold…tease him, talk to him, etc."
"Tell me about your husband's patroness," Lizzy needed to change the subject.
"How brazenly honest do you want me to be?" Mary concentrated on her stitches, avoiding looking at Lizzy.
"Completely honest…no prevarication…you are a parson's wife," Lizzy reminded her sister.
"I'm also not a gossip," Mary countered. "However, I see no reason not to warn you. Lady Catherine provides prolonged discourses about a great many topics."
"Are they learned discourses or dominating opinions?" Lizzy inquired.
Mary shook her head and smiled demurely. "I would not remove your anticipation or enjoyment of Lady Catherine's conversations."
Lizzy sighed again.
"Lizzy, we all need gentle guidance to correct our faults. I am headstrong and set in my ways. You may not believe that, but I am. I need a schedule, so I know I'm giving the most and best I can every day. I believe we shall live quite differently than Papa and Mother if and when Mr. Collins inherits Longbourn. I do not condemn them, but I see where we could improve Longbourn for future generations. As you have seen from the simplicity of my tables, I will not put us on the river tick by entertaining." Mary offered more tea and honey biscuits to her company.
Wednesday
"That is a most unfortunate color…neither brown nor purple!" Kitty shuddered when Mary unfolded a muddy brown redingote.
"The redingote is well made, but I think colorful buttons would brighten the garment." Mary considered the hooded woolen redingote. "I hoped the redingote would fit Rose; but I believe it will fit her younger sister Ivy for a year or two. I would like to find something to improve the looks."
Kitty took Mary's scrap basket from the armoire and held different colors against the redingote. "The redingote has too much brown for purple buttons to look well. Black buttons would work, but seem so dull. Neither the red nor the rose look well with the redingote." Kitty dropped a piece of sprigged muslin on the redingote. "Look…the lavender goes well and also the pale primrose." The ladies all had opinions on primrose or lavender. Since Mary had extra primrose buttons, the primrose won.
Barlow joined them to finish hemming two gowns she received from Mary. She hemmed two of her gowns which were refit for Rose. Rose appreciated her new gowns. Mary showed the redingote to Rose, who claimed primrose was Ivy's favorite color. Mary suggested when Rose had Sunday afternoon off, she take the gowns she had outgrown and the redingote to Ivy. Lizzy added a pair of her primrose short cotton gloves and a small primrose reticule to the items for Ivy. She packed them especially to donate to Mary's benefice society.
"You don't save your castoff clothes for Boxing Day?" Kitty seemed surprised at the industriousness of Barlow.
"I feel giving clothing away should be a continuous process," Mary explained. "I am making new gowns. I feel it is sensible to give my older gowns to Barlow. We fit Barlow's gowns to Rose and will give Rose's gowns to her sister Ivy. I gave things to Sarah when I left Longbourn. Since I didn't have anything to give to my staff on Boxing Day, Aunt Gardiner suggested materials for new clothes for Christmas. The parsonage is better served if the servants all have brown and cream clothes for every day. I had black dresses and fine white cotton aprons and caps made for the ladies. We first used the black set for the St. Thomas Tea. Now the staff wear black clothes when we entertain. The modiste is making two sets of brown and cream clothes and one set of black and whites for Lowe and Mrs. Tucker. They will be completed before a fortnight ends. Aunt Gardiner brought me more materials to give to staff when they sign their contracts on Lady Day. I admit I like the looks of the staff appearing in similar clothes when they create a receiving line for guests."
~X~
"We have arrived." Richard left the carriage before the footman could open the door. He waved off the footman and held his hand out to Anne, helping her from the carriage. The Hunsford Parsonage, a grey rock house with a charcoal grey painted front door, hosted a spring wreath of dried lavender.
The parsonage dinner party was a success. Mr. Manning, wearing his best blacks, served. Mrs. Manning, Barlow and Rose wore their best black dresses with fine white aprons and caps. Kitty claimed she could not wait to tell Mrs. Bennet about the beautifully set table, or the lovely floral centerpiece (created from Rosings' hothouse) in a silvered bowl. The best six-hour candles gleamed in silver candelabra. The menu provided three well laden courses.
Aunt Gardiner wanted the Baked Perch in Salomene Sauce receipt. Kitty asked for the new roasted butternut squash receipt, which she enjoyed. Mr. Collins explained Mrs. Manning prepared extra roasted butternut squash and made the best butternut bisque soup from Mary's new receipt. Everyone begged for both receipts. Lizzy would write Papa, explaining Mary served his favorite creamed peas and new potatoes. Darcy requested the receipt for his cook. He claimed his cook appreciated the honey glaze for poultry receipt. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Anne both begged for the honey biscuits receipt. Mary kept the dinner conversation light and lively. Everyone ate, drank wine and chatted sociably.
"The library at Rosings is very fine," Darcy affirmed. "The Rosings' library is not as vast as my library at Darcy House, but certainly outranks the library at Netherfield Park."
"Indeed," Mary regretted she did not have as much time to read as before when she lived at Longbourn. "Marcus Tullius Cicero said if your house has a garden and a library, you have everything you need."
"Cicero, the Roman scholar and lawyer?" Colonel Fitzwilliam queried. "I would be hard pressed to remember any quote other than something Wesley or Nelson said."
"Father received a Cambridge education. He insisted we be able to read, write and calculate sums. We learned science, history and geography. We read classical literature. We all speak French, but Jane, Mary and I can read and write French as well. Mary is also fluent in Latin." Lizzy explained.
"Not fluent," Mary demurred. "I can read and write some Latin, which I need for my horticultural studies."
"Mr. Bennet taught Jane, Lizzy and Mary how to manage an estate." Aunt Gardiner claimed. "Kitty is learning to balance ledgers and manage the estate."
"Why would he teach you estate management?" Mr. Collins inquired. Females did not require a man's education.
"Papa taught us how to balance accounts and read ledgers. I know Jane, Mary and I helped him with the accounts and ledgers for Longbourn's resources. I learned the total costs to run a 100-acre tenant farm for a year, between the rent, labor, seeds, upkeep, farm animals, tithe, interest and taxes." Lizzy sighed. "Then Papa insisted we learn the costs and upkeep for Longbourn and its four tenant farms. He believes if a female is aware of the work needed by an estate, they are better helpmates for their husbands. He ensured we understood the reason for crop rotation and breeding stock rotation."
"Mama taught us housekeeping and managing servants. She taught us to sew and embroider. Aunt Gardiner shares new embroidery patterns and sewing tips. Our Aunt Phillips taught us French and drawing. We play the pianoforte and sing. Jane and Lizzy have the loveliest voices." Kitty added.
"You have achievements without a governess? I have not accomplished half of your lessons and had some of the best tutors and governesses in England." Anne's masters were company for one another, and for Anne. A peeved Mrs. Jenkinson acted as chaperone after she had been Miss Anne's governess, nurse and companion. Anne requested the French and dancing master please come forward as soon as possible. She did not want to wait until April for lessons she needed now.
"They accomplished even more. Mary's gardens and orchard are the gems of Longbourn," Aunt Gardiner proudly proclaimed.
"We learned fun things also," Kitty explained. "Horseback riding, archery, drawing and painting, dancing and playing cards."
"You ride?" Colonel Fitzwilliam questioned Lizzy. "I'm quite surprised, for you seem to enjoy walking so much."
"I do enjoy walking." Lizzy admitted. "I like to wake early in the morning and walk for an hour or so before the rest of the world awakens. I enjoy watching the sun rise, the flowers bloom and the trees ripen with fruit. Mary enjoys working in her gardens early in the morning. Kitty studies before breakfast. Jane sews and mends before breakfast. I fear we will never be accepted by the ton…for we keep country hours."
"Mary's honey biscuits are finer than ones I have tasted in London. Lizzy makes the best butter pound cakes. Jane makes excellent jams and preserves. Kitty makes an excellent white wine punch. The Bennet ladies create menus, set a lovely table or tea tray and arrange flowers." Aunt Gardiner pointed out. "However, not one of them can paint a screen or a table, nor net a purse, for they all feel those accomplishments are foolish endeavors."
"Truly, you are accomplished women," Darcy smiled at Lizzy.
"Perhaps we don't have the air of the ton, or the manner of dress which Miss Bingley praises highly." Lizzy teased Darcy. "But most of us read to improve our minds. Cognito Ergo Sum – I think, therefore, I am."
"Latin, Miss Elizabeth?" Colonel Fitzgerald laughed.
"I know a bit of Latin, but Mary knows more," Lizzy noted. "Papa taught me how to read Greek, so I could translate Homer. Since we arrived, Mary has been teaching us new scales to improve our pianoforte skills. As we have had time, I've been teaching Kitty to play chess."
Before the evening ended, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam organized a riding party and picnic for Saturday and a garden party for Sunday afternoon.
"Ladies, let us retire to the drawing room. Mr. Manning, please bring port and cigars for the men to enjoy." Mary led the ladies away; frowning at Mr. Collins who attempted to join the ladies.
"Collins, stay with the men," Fitzwilliam directed. "For I know the ladies do not care for male conversation about taxes and politics."
"I knew you would be a wonderful hostess," Anne whispered to Mary. "I think Mother didn't want you to entertain. Not because of me or possible illness, but because you would make friends and have people to stand against her."
"I had the servants set card tables in the drawing room for entertainment after the men join us." Mary informed the ladies. They adjourned to the drawing room to wait for the men Kitty agreed to show Miss Anne to set a table for tea. Mary agreed to teach Miss Anne to create floral arrangements. Lizzy and Charlotte agreed to teach Miss Anne to create tea and dinner menus. Mrs. Gardiner agreed to teach Miss Anne to write proper invitations.
Lizzy and Kitty were shocked when Mr. Collins proved an excellent Whist partner. "Mary is an excellent teacher," he gushed. He would not say so…but he appreciated the door between their rooms. No one could hear him walk the hallway to her bedchambers. He hoped Mary would be with child before spring turned to summer. Perhaps if she were with child, she would be more compliant when Lady Catherine returned to Rosings.
~X~
"Despite Mother's influence, Mrs. Collins made the parsonage into a comfortable home. She is everything and nothing Mother wanted for the wife of her vicar. She is not born too low or bred too high. She is industrious and thrifty. Mother approved of those qualities. However, Mother did not want an educated, intelligent, well-spoken woman who is knowledgeable about dealing with difficult people." Anne laughed. "We are invited to Wednesday dinners at the Hunsford Parsonage for the next several weeks. If you can ignore the silly man she married, Mrs. Collins is excellent company."
"I remember Mrs. Collins being modest and kind on Twelfth Night." Richard enjoyed sitting in the library at Rosings Park with Anne. "Her husband acted like a sycophantic fop. I don't think any religious man should be so deferential to a patron. The fervor he displays when venerating Aunt Catherine should be reserved for worshipping God."
"Yes, he's so different from our last vicar, and she's so different from our last vicar's wife. One of these days we will have a husband and wife in the parsonage who are not a study of contrasts." Anne held her sherry glass up in a toast.
Richard asked Anne about her work at Rosings while Lady Catherine stayed in London. Mr. Knowles met with her daily and discussed topics of necessity and interest not only at Rosings but also in Hunsford and Westerham. She understood the need to repair cottages, enlarge barns and increase workers. She understood the need to level the roads, improve the bridge across the local river, and repair the assembly hall.
~X~
Collins entered Mary's room after they were both dressed for bed. Mary anticipated Mr. Collins availing himself of her marital duties. Instead, he frowned and spoke quietly. "I don't appreciate your sisters putting themselves forward to Mr. Darcy or Colonel Fitzwilliam."
"You mean the discussion of their abilities and accomplishments?" Mary felt Mr. Collins willfully misunderstood the conversation. "Do you remember Lady Catherine mentioning Miss Anne needed a music master and a dance master before she became mistress of Pemberley? She has been too ill this past decade to improve or polish her education or her accomplishments. Just as you have never had gentleman lessons, she feels her education and accomplishments are lacking. Everything requires education and practice. A lady can give orders to staff, but unless she knows what staff do in their positions – she could court disaster. A maid, who has never assisted in a washhouse, might destroy fine silk by using the wrong soaps to clean. She may wear areas on clothes by uneven scrubbing on a washboard. She may cause clothes to mildew or rot by not rinsing and wringing clothes properly before setting them to dry."
Mr. Collins stared at Mary.
"You would not order a gardener to assume care of the livestock if they have never diagnosed an animal disease before, or treated a sick animal, nor birthed offspring. You would have ill animals from lack of proper food or from animal stalls improperly cleaned. You could lose necessary offspring needed to increase herds by improper birthing and aftercare. If you don't know to remove a newborn calf from a dairy mother in a timely manner…the amount of milk produced lessens. You could have hens setting on improperly fertilized eggs which means no baby chicks to enlarge poultry runs and rotted or ruined eggs. If you miss breeding cycles for animals, you lose the opportunity to increase herds. If you continually breed the same dam to the same stud, you weaken the stability of your herd. If you do not practice crop rotation in your fields, kitchen and herb garden, you deplete the soil of nutrients. Crop rotation is important for the soil and to ensure abundance of the harvest. With four farms, each on a different rotation cycle, you achieve a crop of grains, food for animals, and pastureland for animals each year."
"Regardless, I still feel they put themselves forward…" Mr. Collins chided.
"Lady Catherine told Miss Anne she does not need an education or accomplishments as she has a sizeable dowry and connections. Yet she mentioned hiring masters for Miss Anne on Twelfth Night. Miss Anne asked my sisters and my aunt to enumerate what Papa and Mother taught us so Miss Anne could garner support for hiring music, art, French, dance, sewing and education masters. Miss Anne feels she is at a disadvantage because the last decade saw neither an improvement in her health, nor an increase in her education or accomplishments. While you were with the men after dinner, Miss Anne spoke with my sisters, aunt and friend. Each one of them agreed to teach Miss Anne what they could so she could improve herself."
"What will you teach Miss Anne?" Mr. Collins asked suspiciously.
"Sums, how to keep ledgers, the importance of providing for the sick, infirm and needy, different herbal teas to ensure she stays healthy, how to embroider botanical forms, how to draw botanical forms, and the importance of gleaning education from books. I can teach Miss Anne to drive a one-horse gig. She can teach me the ribbons for a phaeton and ponies. Colonel Fitzwilliam can teach her how to ride a horse. Mrs. Havens can teach us the care for family historical paintings. Lizzy can recommend which poets and books to read. She is no fan of Byron and prefers Shakespeare's sonnets. Kitty and Miss Anne can practice their French with Lizzy, Mrs. Gardiner, Charlotte or myself. Mrs. Gardiner and Kitty can teach Miss Anne hostessing tips from Mother. We can all share receipts and menus, while Miss Anne teaches us how to assemble guests and seating by precedence at dinners."
"Still…" Mr. Collins did not want to let the topic drop.
"Mr. Collins – the sexes separate after dinner because men have business interests and worldly news to share with one another. The ladies meet and discuss staff issues. We discuss how to determine the amenities of guest rooms. We do not just gossip and nibble confections, or discuss every facet of last night's ball or assembly. We are not limited to discussing fashions. We discuss which composer is easier to follow – Hayden, Mozart, Bach or Beethoven. We offer to share books and music with one another. We discuss our embroidery and offer to share patterns with one another. We agree to share our fashion plates with one another. We discuss receipts to share. While you men plan hunting, fishing, or riding parties, we plan dinners, card parties and musical evenings."
"Do you guarantee not encourage your sisters or friend to set their caps at men above their station?"
"Mr. Collins…" Mary felt her ire growing. "As my sisters have penurious dowries, they have only their character, education and accomplishments to recommend them." She watched his unmoved stance. "Fine…let's end this unnecessary chiding. I guarantee I have no plans to throw my sisters into the paths of Mr. Darcy or Colonel Fitzwilliam." Mary turned from her dressing table to set her eyes upon her husband.
Under the unwavering stare of his slightly vexed wife, Mr. Collins chose the option of nodding and bidding Mary a good evening before returning to his room. Even if he had the intent to avail himself of the marital bed…he felt Mary would not welcome him tonight.
Thursday
Lizzy stood in the cool air of her room and selected a yellow walking gown with green stripes. 'This will do for my morning walk. I can add a light spencer. The weather has been sunny and fair. Perfect walking weather.' She brushed and bound her hair in a braid and pinned a simple bun before slipping out the door to the park at Rosings. She completed half of her ramble when she encountered Darcy.
Mr. Darcy joined Lizzy and while they walked, they discussed books, music, and family. "Forgive my curiosity, but what set of circumstances led your sister to marry my aunt's toad of a parson?"
Lizzy abandoned her manners and laughed long and hard. Then, sensing Darcy failed to be amused, she sought to control herself. "I am sorry, your description of Mr. Collins mirrored my family's sentiments at first."
"At first?" Darcy frowned. "Is he vastly improved in essentials?"
"Oh yes," Lizzy laughed. "You will see for yourself at Saturday's riding party and picnic. Mary strives to make a gentleman out of him."
'Silk purse, sow's ear.' Darcy hoped his face did not reveal his thoughts. "Speaking of changes, my family is greatly indebted to Mrs. Collins. This is the first time Fitzwilliam and I have seen Anne in good spirits and in good health. She became ill when she turned five and ten and had not recovered when Sir Lewis died a decade ago. We thought Anne too fragile to live to majority."
"The surgeon, apothecary and midwife in Meryton are all dismayed by Mary's marriage and move. However, seeing my sister so happy and settled, I have to forgive…" Lizzy stopped talking. She almost revealed Mary's secret.
"Forgive…" he picked up on the word.
"Forgive Mr. Collins for stealing her away from us. She sent letters twice a month to Jane and me, explaining how to plant and care for the kitchen garden, the herb garden, and the orchard. Mary sent letters with healing receipts which only she knows." Lizzy explained.
"Miss Elizabeth, please forgive my curiosity. I know the entail upset Mrs. Bennet. Did she force your sister to accept Mr. Collins?" Darcy inquired.
"Mr. Darcy, such questions ruin my enjoyment of nature and my walk." Lizzy increased the speed of her stride.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot imagine Collins romantically courting your sister. Aunt Catherine thought he would offer for one of you and then she would have a chance to meet the girl. However, they married so fast…" His voice trailed off as Lizzy's face hardened. "I see," Darcy retorted icily. "Is attempting to compromise a man a lesson which all accomplished young ladies learn?"
"My virtuous sister Mary did not compromise anyone!" Lizzy snapped. "How dare you question her sensibilities and her manners! Papa almost shot that scoundrel! Mama felt torn between being saved from starving in the hedgerows and wanting Mary to stay at home to nurse her nervous headaches and the vapors."
Mr. Darcy stared at Elizabeth and then made his way to a stone bench under a tree. He sank onto the bench. "I am all astonishment. I don't know whether to call Collins out or shake his hand in admiration."
"You think compromising my sister is honorable!" Lizzy's face and furious voice made Darcy explain himself.
"Miss Elizabeth, please allow me to apologize. I do not admire compromise. I abhor deceit and feel compromise is deceit of the highest order. I would never believe a parson to sink to such actions to claim a wife. Although, Mr. Collins' manners were so abhorrent a year ago, I imagine compromise to be the only chance he had at an educated, kind, gentle woman like your sister. I would call him out for his actions, but I know I would best him in pistols, swords, and boxing. Perhaps when Mrs. Collins has a son to inherit the entail, I will undertake the exercise."
"Mr. Collins did not plan a compromise. The afternoon of the Netherfield Ball, Mr. Collins visited Longbourn to renew his familial relationship. Because of the entail, Lady Catherine ordered Mr. Collins to offer for one of his five Bennet cousins. My youngest sister, Lydia, came to my room. Partly dressed; she carried a ball gown with her. She claimed she wanted my approval of the gown. However, as she owns one ball gown, it was a ruse." Lizzy leaned against a tree and spoke honestly to Darcy.
"Do you know the real reason?" Darcy could not imagine how a half-dressed silly girl like Lydia Bennet could lead to the compromise of modest and skilled Mary Bennet.
"Lydia demanded I not keep Mr. Wickham to myself at the ball. She and my sister Kitty wanted to dance with Mr. Wickham if he attended. Then she flounced out of my room and encountered Mr. Collins. Seeing a partially clad Lydia, Mr. Collins averted his eyes. They tried to avoid one another. He had only been in the house a few hours. Mr. Collins' guest room was at the top of the main stairs. Mary's room was at the top of the servants' stairs. Mr. Collins rushed into what he thought was his guest room, which was my sister Mary's room. He knocked her down when he rushed in. She screamed, which alerted the entire house. Papa and our uncle, Mr. Phillips, took Mr. Collins and Mary to London. They were married the following Wednesday and came to Hunsford Parsonage the following Saturday. Neither Mr. Collins nor Mary plotted against one another."
"I'm sorry to be so vexatious about compromise. I've been avoiding such situations since I inherited Pemberley upon Father's death. Aunt Catherine expounds about the perils of house parties…which includes compromise. I believe that is one of the few pieces of her advice which I believe to be true. Your sister's secret is safe with me." Darcy revealed Miss Bingley attempted to compromise him in the early morning hours after the ball.
"Thank you for telling me about Miss Bingley. If you have recovered from your astonishment, we should complete our walk. I do not wish to be caught here by Mrs. Jenkinson or my cousin. Situations might arise…" Lizzy turned to walk, laughter floating over her shoulder. Lizzy had to laugh, or she would find Caroline Bingley and wring her neck! She felt grateful because Mr. Darcy was NOT compromised and forced to wed.
~X~
Mary observed Lizzy return to the parsonage from a morning walk. She would finish her ledgers and day books before breakfast. She entered the date for last evening's dinner, the guest list, and the menu. She noted which dishes were popular with her guests, noting the need to make twice the new peas and potatoes for the next dinner. She also noted which receipts needed to be copied out for her guests.
Mary urged Anne to cut back on the number of dishes she served while Fitzwilliam and Darcy were present. Anne insisted she and her cousins eat meals with the masters in the morning room to ease the task of the servants. Mary opined one soup, one fish, two meats, two potatoes and four garden stuff would complete the menu with one or two sweets. No one expected a heavily laid table, or excessive sweets during Lent. Mary simplified her informal family dinners when she arrived at Hunsford Parsonage. She and Anne discussed her 'simple' dinners which were 'approved' by Lady Catherine.
On Barlow's page, Mary noted Kitty trained Barlow to fix hair in three different styles, and they were serviceable. Barlow needed more time to polish the hairstyles, but Kitty patiently explained the different hairstyles. Mary noted the indigo blue cloak she gave to Barlow. She indicated the dark green cloak she gave to Lowe. Mary noted she passed two day gowns to Barlow, and she in turn passed two to Rose. Thanks to the daily servings of milk, Rose became less thin in her person and grew taller since Mary came to Hunsford Parsonage.
~X~
Miss Anne sent riding habits over to the parsonage first thing Thursday morning. Six pairs of boots, hats and gloves accompanied riding habits. Mary and her guests fitted riding habits to themselves and spent Thursday sewing. Mr. Knowles and the grooms found and polished six side saddles, left over from the days when Rosings hosted riding parties. They would fit the saddles to the ladies when they arrived at Rosings for the riding party.
Mary chose the Devonshire brown riding habit and refreshed the riding hat with gold ribbons from Lydia. Lizzy selected the dark green riding habit with gold frogs. She had pale green ribbons which she could use to redecorate her riding hat. Kitty chose the pearl grey riding habit and selected her deep pink ribbons to redecorate the hat. Charlotte chose the dark blue riding habit with black frogs. The hat which fit her had grey ribbons. Kitty gave her the black ribbons and feathers from her hat to refresh what Charlotte had.
Aunt Gardiner offered to adjust Kitty's riding habit if she taught her sisters and Charlotte how to redecorate their riding hats. Lizzy laughed at the hats, as they looked like miniature top hats which men wore. Mary removed the trim from the bottom of her riding habit and removed a ridiculously ornate train. Unsurprisingly, her sisters repeated her actions. Mary showed the ladies how to make reticules from excess material. The excess trim from her habit trimmed the reticule. She took the ladies old ribbons from their hats for her scrap basket.
Mrs. Gardiner did not intend to ride. Miss Anne explained about her music and art master. Mrs. Gardiner intended to ride with them in an effort to keep Mrs. Jenkinson from questioning the masters.
~X~
"These are all the ledgers for the estate?" Anne questioned Darcy when he settled in the study used by Sir Lewis during his tenure.
"I believe so," Darcy admitted reluctantly. "Is there something you need to know?"
"Mother purchased a commission for George Wickham in the militia after Michaelmas last year." Anne related the story of Betsy Hannigan and her child. "I need you to examine these ledgers and educate me on the expenditures, and any discrepancies."
Darcy revealed Mary Collins wrote and warned him of the situation. "If Aunt Catherine paid Wickham out of her personal funds, the entry will not be in any of these ledgers. You might find her personal ledger in her suite, but I take mine with me when I travel. I will read and analyze every paper, ledger, etc. which you find. But…discretion is the better part of valor. You cannot let Mrs. Jenkinson, or anyone loyal to your mother know I am educating you about how Rosings Park functions."
Then Anne revealed her greatest secret. She had been in Sir Lewis's study and found the key to the safe. The contents bored her, until she found Sir Lewis's Bible, with a letter to her, and a copy of his will. She did not remove the Bible from the safe, but she read the documents. She gave the key to Darcy and recommended he have a good read.
~X~
"He's a bottle-headed black calf," Fitzwilliam reported to Anne when Mr. Collins finally left. He accompanied Mrs. Jenkinson and Colonel Fitzwilliam to call on tenants while Anne and Darcy reviewed the ledgers for Rosings Park. Mr. Collins gossiped more than a lonely widow at a wedding breakfast.
Anne stared at Fitzwilliam, mirth dancing in her eyes.
"I must be tired. I reverted to rough language of His Majesty's Army. A bottle-headed black calf means witless parson." Fitzwilliam apologized. "Church services in our encampments lasted about as long as a social call. We usually had an opening prayer, an opening hymn, a five and ten minute sermon about important battles from the Bible or about honor and duty, a closing hymn and a closing prayer."
"Collins is better now than a year ago. I thank Mary for her ceaseless efforts to improve him." Anne poured Fitzwilliam and Darcy a brandy and poured herself a sherry. Anne appreciated resting and talking with her cousins, rather than allowing Mrs. Jenkinson to order her day.
"Do you think less of me because I need a rest from the King's Army?" Fitzwilliam watched how Darcy and Anne reacted to his question.
"You've been a soldier for a decade," Anne explained. "I admit I worry you will sustain an injury which will linger for life."
"You've given your time, talent and efforts to the King's Army, and made advances in rank on your own merit. You could retire, sell your commission, and come to Pemberley. I have three smaller estates, the size of Netherfield Park, which could use a sharp mind and a guiding hand." Darcy offered. "You can have a life apart from the King's Army."
"I have considered retiring, but I want to do more with my life than run an estate for my parents, my brother or my cousin. I want to be more than an equerry for royalty or sport a smart uniform for the Horse Guards. The War Office offered me a desk job as a procurement officer for the field battalions. I know I will be bored to vapors if I live at Matlock House, work at the War Office, and perform as an extra guest at Mother's ton dinners." Fitzwilliam shrugged.
Fitzwilliam learned estate management from his father. Reginald Fitzwilliam believed both his sons should know how to manage Matlock Estate and Matlock House. He observed too many second sons inherit titles and properties without effective lessons on how to keep the boards together. He watched too many second sons plunder family resources. Reginald witnessed marriages based on the amount of the debutante's dowry instead of her qualities and accomplishments.
Fitzwilliam split his time between Anne, Darcy and the guests from Hunsford. Fitzwilliam and Darcy rode the estate and met with Mr. Knowles. They inspected the farms and spoke with the tenants. Fitzwilliam felt grateful Knowles and Darcy did not include Collins during their working tour of Rosings.
Darcy and Fitzwilliam enjoyed visiting Mr. Knowles at the Steward's Office located on the main farm of Rosings Park. Mr. Knowles used a large, one room stone cottage for the Steward's Office. Mr. Knowles met with tradesmen, horse traders, auctioneers, gardeners, farmers, woodcutters, day laborers, dairymen, poulters, gamekeepers, stablemen and grooms in the casual yet warm setting. A masculine desk sat before a large bookcase with bound leather ledgers. The room smelled of tobacco along with honeysuckle when the windows were open in the spring and summer. The dishes and accessories were sturdy ceramics, tins and woods. Nothing dainty or ladylike occupied space in this sanctuary for men. Excellent mounted deer heads decorated the wall by the door. The large chairs were wood and leather. The fireplace occupied one wall of the building, with a large space to the left to hold wood and a large space to the right to hold scuttles of coal.
Darcy felt surprise…and relief…by what he learned from Sir Lewis's safe. However, he checked with Knowles to see what improvements Lady Catherine had ordered during the last year. He felt disappointed she had not taken his advice for the past half-decade. She instructed Mr. Knowles to perform the most needed repairs, and not the preventative measures suggested by Darcy. During their working tour, Darcy gave Knowles a comprehensive list of work to be performed on tenant cottages, barns, and fences. He ordered repair work on bridges and leveling lanes which connected sections of Rosings to another. He authorized funds from the Rosings Park operating account to begin the work needing done.
Anne requested Mr. Knowles and Darcy inspect both the Dower House and the Steward's House. Anne wanted repair work needed for both the Dower House and the Steward's House completed before the first of June. Knowles and his six sons lived on a farm beholden to Rosings Park, instead of living at the Steward's House, located near the manor house.
Friday, March 12
Mary and Lizzy woke just after dawn and met in the kitchen to plan today's work. Mary and Lizzy would boil a batch of comfrey before breakfast. Once the comfrey water cooled, they would water the herb garden. Mr. Collins would help water the acreage behind the outbuildings with Mr. Knowles and workers from Rosings.
Mr. Knowles brought Mary a market basket of young dandelion greens. Some people ate them. Mary set Barlow to boil the dandelion greens until they were tender. Once the boiled greens cooled, Mary would show Lizzy and Barlow the dandelion tissane receipt. Knowles brought a basket with breakfast for the parsonage and workers. He let Mrs. Manning know Rosings kitchens would send a basket of food for midday, and a basket of meat and garden stuff for the parsonage use. The house smelled like fresh baked bread and fresh hot coffee, enticing everyone to complete tasks before breakfast.
Lowe brought hot water to Charlotte and Kitty and asked them to help one another dress as she would help Mrs. Gardiner next. She apologized but the Collinses were busy in the gardens until breakfast. Kitty put on a rose pink cotton day gown, embroidered with pale pink roses on the bands of the puff sleeves and neckline. Kitty had a deep rose pink shawl she used with her day gowns. Her soft, warm shawl enhanced her complexion quite well. She sat in Mary's sitting room, studying until breakfast. She completed the list of questions Papa prepared for this portion of her studies. She would mail the answers to Papa later today after she wrote a letter to Mama and Lydia.
Mrs. Gardiner helped in the kitchen. Charlotte gathered eggs and fed the chickens while Mr. Manning fed the pigs and Daisy. Then Charlotte and Mr. Manning set out hot water in buckets with a wash basin and towels for the workers to wash before breakfast. Mr. Collins ate with Mr. Knowles and the men. Knowles felt confident they would finish tending the acreage by midday.
~X~
After breakfast, Mary utilized her stillroom, creating peppermint lotion for Colonel Fitzwilliam to massage into his sore knee. A bottle of Gowland's Lotion and a large spoon of peppermint syrup from her medical chest would help when his knee ached. She recommended the lotion for any aching joint. Mary taught Lizzy and Barlow to strain the new dandelion greens. The greens could be chopped and added to stew. She condensed the liquid before bottling, creating a dandelion tissane which Colonel Fitzwilliam could use to help his injured knee. She packed a basket with items for Colonel Fitzwilliam. She would carry the basket to Rosings when they went for their ride and picnic.
Mary approved of the cherry almond rout cakes, and honey biscuits Mrs. Manning created for the meeting of the benefice society. Her guests would join her in the drawing room, sewing clothes for the needy while sipping good brown tea and nibbling on Mrs. Manning's sweets. Mary hoped Mr. Collins would be busy during the benefice meeting. He was a distraction and not helpful. Barlow would pour and serve in the drawing room, with Lowe's help. Mary expected four and twenty ladies, but there could be twice as many since Miss Anne planned to attend.
~X~
"Where are your excellent cousins who we met at church on Sunday?" Mrs. Seaton glanced around the well-filled drawing room at Hunsford Parsonage while addressing Miss Anne.
"My cousins are inspecting farms with Mr. Knowles, my steward. The Richardsons and the Dryers are arguing over boundary lines. I want their argument settled before leases renew on Lady Day. There's work to be done on tenant houses, barns, fences and bridges." Anne observed the full drawing room. She would describe the scene to Fitzwilliam and Darcy. They would recognize desperate matchmaking mothers. "I hope Darcy and Fitzwilliam will accompany me while calling on some tenants this week. Additionally, I thought we would call on Mrs. Adams and her two widowed sisters. They are hostessing the Spring Assembly, to which you are all invited."
"When are you putting out your knocker, Miss de Bourgh," one of the matrons inquired.
"Not until Mother returns from London. I don't expect to see her until after the Season ends." Anne replied apologetically. 'If these silly women think I'm pouring good green tea and slicing the lightest sponge while they bat their eyes at Darcy and Fitzwilliam…they are quite mistaken.'
"Will you and your cousins attend the Spring Assembly?" Another matron asked.
"We have not decided. The Spring Assembly is set for Lady Day. We will be busy with the tenants. Mrs. Collins invited us for dinner so Rosings staff can attend the assembly if they desire. I've been invited to join my aunt, the Countess of Matlock, and my cousin, Miss Darcy, in Bath for May and June." However, Anne knew she would not flee the field. She would only leave Rosings Park if and when it became necessary.
Saturday, March 13 – Riding Party and Picnic
"Goodness," Mrs. Manning held the door open for Mary and Barlow. They both had full bags hanging from around their necks, along with a full large basket in each hand. "I planned to send Mr. Manning in search of you. Breakfast will be served after you have a chance to refresh yourselves."
"We've had an excellent morning," Mary and Barlow set baskets on the stillroom table, followed by the sacks from their shoulders. Mary withdrew a rudimentary map from her pocket. "Fifty steps east from the bridge is a group of spring ramps. I explained to Barlow you can only harvest one quarter of what you see or the ramps will not reproduce next year." She looked at the map intently. "Another fifty steps is a trio of elderberry bushes. We'll watch them in May to harvest when ripe. Another hundred steps is a perfect spot to put a fish trap or two this spring and summer. There is a trio of white birch trees where we can harvest bark to mark the fishing spot."
Mary scrutinized her map. "Several steps north we found the wild violets. Fifty more steps east we found wild mushrooms. Another one hundred steps we found sorrel, yarrow and wood garlic within fifty feet of one another. Another fifty steps we found a wild plum tree. I want to transplant saplings in the fall. The last fifty feet we walked this morning led us to the wild asparagus. I could not believe the size of the patch we found. I marked my find with a red ribbon on a nearby tree. In the fall we should transplant the wild asparagus to a designated space in the garden. Dandelion greens were available up and down the creek banks."
"I'm grateful to have made several of those large bags with long strings to hang over a shoulder. I'll make more dandelion tissane for Colonel Fitzwilliam. I'll boil the wild violets for floral water. We'll wash and roast the ramps and mushrooms with chicken for Sunday dinner. Asparagus for Sunday dinner also. We'll dry the sorrel and wood garlic for soups in the fall. We'll dry the yarrow for medicinal purposes – fever, cold, spring sniffles."
"You had a productive morning," Mrs. Manning helped sort items to be washed and prepared.
"Those bags can go to the laundry, but I need fresh ones in the bottoms of the baskets. We might not have as excellent a day foraging as today, but I want to be prepared. I want to redraw the map for clarity, but add a pencil to the baskets. I want to go to where we stopped today and continue walking the creekbank. I have to ask Miss Anne for permission to forage on Rosings Park land." Mary commented. "Fall will be quite busy. I want to clean the creekbank by the glebe. We can use the downed wood for fires, and the piles of leaves for compost."
~X~
"Hunsford Parsonage and Rosings Pare are so peaceful," Lizzy murmured.
"I feel quite envious of Mary," Mrs. Gardiner sighed. "Mary's quiet routine is so pleasant and peaceful. I approve of Mary's efforts to make a comfortable home and life for herself. The village is very enjoyable. While I do love Edward and our four children, I will miss the parsonage when I return to London Monday."
"As will I," Lizzy agreed. "The glebe at the parsonage is pleasant, but these walks on the extensive grounds and gardens of Rosings Park are among the best I've encountered. They are as pleasant than my walks around Longbourn. I hope Papa won't miss me too much until the first of May. I enjoy being here with Kitty, Charlotte and Mary."
"Be sure to prepare a letter I can give him when I go to Longbourn," Mrs. Gardiner directed. "I will let him know how much you and Kitty enjoy spending time with Mary."
~X~
Mr. Collins received an express letter from Lady Catherine along with her corrections for his Sunday sermon. She stressed the Collinses should not host a dinner party with her daughter and two nephews as guests. Mr. Collins' station did not rate such lofty guests. She stated Mrs. Collins would not know how to guide a dinner conversation with the grandchildren of an Earl. Lady Catherine did not approve of Mrs. Collins' menu. She commented it was too rustic for grandchildren of an earl. Mr. Collins loathed mentioning the letter because he knew Mary would discuss the situation with Miss Anne.
"I don't know who informed her," Mary commented after Mr. Collins let her read the letter. "However, Miss Anne needs to know someone reports her activities to her mother. I will discuss this with Mrs. Manning. Someone from our kitchen reported the menu to Lady Catherine." Mary suspected Mrs. Tucker gossiped, as they had not incurred this situation before.
"Will you have time today to copy my sermon on clean paper in a neat hand? I would like to practice tonight before bed." Collins asked.
"I can do that after we return from the picnic." Mary liked doing this for Mr. Collins. She intended to cut the excess, arrange the sermon logically, and check Lady Catherine's biblical references for accuracy. She also encouraged Mr. Collins to keep copies of his sermons in a portfolio. Mayhap two or three dozen of his best sermons could be gathered together to create a reference for future sermons. When she mentioned the idea to Mr. Collins, she would not refer to the station of rank sermon which Lady Catherine preferred preached monthly.
~X~
Mary gave Colonel Fitzwilliam bottles of the dandelion tissane. "One cup of the dandelion liquid with two cups of ice. Make a compress to put on your knee to reduce the swelling. When the ice melts, give the liquid to one of the staff to put in the ice house to freeze. You can break up the frozen dandelion water, put in a clean cloth and apply the ice to your knee. When there is not enough liquid to freeze into ice, begin again with a cup from the bottle and two cups of ice. Drink green tea whenever you can. Moderate your drinking at night. Stumbling around while foxed may cause more damage to your knee. Put your leg up between tea and dinner time." Mary advised, while providing the dandelion tissane receipt and a list of written directions. "Climbing stairs will exercise your knee."
After Colonel Fitzwilliam thanked her for the dandelion liquid, Mary walked to the window, not wanting to look at Colonel Fitzwilliam. "There's more," she began hesitantly. "Soaking in a hot bath will soften tight muscles and will relieve aches and stiffness. If your knee swells or bruises, then you may let a surgeon apply leeches – only to the swollen or bruised area of your knee– not your arm. If you must travel in a carriage, arrange to have a seat to yourself where you can prop your leg up, knee bent to reduce swelling. Wear trousers instead of breeches. They provide more room for your limbs." Once Mary stopped blushing, she continued. "The small bottle is peppermint lotion. Pour a guinea-sized spot in the palm on your hand. Spread it over your knee to ease the ache, especially in the morning after you ride, or before you walk out for hunting. The lotion will also ease the ache of your bruised ribs also."
"Thank you for aiding me, Mrs. Collins," Fitzwilliam spoke gravely. "Thank you for healing Miss Anne also. I cannot believe the change in her from Twelfth Night to now. A decade of ill health, and you've healed her in what…three months?"
"Miss Anne was an excellent patient. She knew not to push herself too much. She followed my suggestions well. I am pleased she is improving. I predict she will feel like a new woman by Twelfth Night next year. Mrs. Jenkinson, however, is waiting for her to faint or falter so she can have me arrested for attempted murder."
"What are you thinking?" Fitzwilliam saw a look flash over Mrs. Collins' face.
"While I'm pleased about Miss Anne's return to health," she paused. "Colonel, if there is a possibility you and your cousin, Mr. Darcy, could intervene on behalf of Miss Anne…"
"With Lady Catherine…"
"Yes. I don't want to disparage anyone…but…"
"Aunt Catherine is so overbearing, you worry your patient will not continue to be healthy?"
"I do not think Lady Catherine would hurt her daughter…but I am not convinced she will encourage Miss Anne either. Especially if she is aided by Mrs. Jenkinson. I will not gossip, but I will warn. You should watch Mrs. Jenkinson's conduct with Miss Anne and with her masters. I understand Miss Anne's French master and dance master arrive tomorrow. Ensure she has time to work with them without interference from Mrs. Jenkinson."
"Understood." Fitzwilliam solemnly promised Mrs. Collins he would do everything possible to help his cousin continue to regain her health. He understood Anne's previous ill health prevented her from openly opposing her mother.
~X~
Fitzwilliam looked well in his green coat and tan breeches. His Hessians were highly polished. He hoped Anne would approve of his attire. His hands lingered at Anne's waist when he lifted her into her saddle. While Anne wore a blue riding habit when she took the ribbons of her phaeton and ponies, she felt like a fraud. Fitzwilliam smiled when she took horseback riding lessons. Pearl, the pretty grey mare she rode, stood patiently, waiting for Anne to adjust her riding skirt and take the reins. Anne admitted Fitzwilliam's and Darcy's preferred stallions scared her. They were tall, powerful horses which required skilled riders. Anne felt convinced her cousins were excellent horsemen.
Their riding lesson excelled today. Fitzwilliam and Anne talked about his regiment while they led the way. The Collinses and Miss Lucas rode next. Darcy rode behind them, so he could correct Collins' seat. Kitty and Lizzy were thrilled to ride sedate steeds. The good breeze fluttered the ribbons of the ladies' riding hats during the sunny ride. The two groomsmen who drove the landau were present to care for the horses. Mrs. Gardiner rode in the landau with Mrs. Jenkinson and Miss Anne's art and music masters. Mrs. Jenkinson could not interfere with Miss Anne or overhear conversations of the riding party.
Anne's footmen arrived at the large pond at Rosings before the riding party. They set a picnic in the gazebo located near the pond. They were present to serve the party at a round table laid with a white cloth, and appropriate cutlery and serviettes.
The good conversation prevailed; spring flowers scented the warm air. Darcy and Fitzwilliam entertained the ladies with a rock-skipping contest. Mary tried not to laugh when Darcy endeavored to improve Collins' rock-skipping skills. Mrs. Gardiner and Mrs. Jenkinson brought their embroidery.
The men flew brightly colored kites while the young ladies sketched the landscape with the art master offering instruction, direction or compliments. The music master brought a lap harp and entertained everyone with music. Eventually, they put their amusements away and applied themselves to the picnic. Everyone enjoyed the fresh air, eating cold salmon mayonnaise, sliced ham and cheese, garden stuff salad with white wine vinaigrette dressing, small baguettes with butter, and fresh strawberry tarts. Mrs. Gibbons packed cold flasks of lemonade.
"Fitzwilliam introduced us to baguettes," Anne explained. "He spent his first Monday morning in the kitchen at Rosings, explaining several types of bread he ate on the continent. We had a wonderful brioche with apricot or blackberry jam for breakfast this morning."
"With strong coffee, like they make in France," Darcy laughed.
"We had baguettes for almost every meal while we were on the continent," Fitzwilliam explained. "I'm quite fond of ham and cheese baguettes with hot soup for midday and dinner. We had fried eggs with bacon or ham baguettes for breakfast with lots of hot coffee. Baguettes are a fast meal when you're in the saddle." He told the company about the lovely sites and famous rivers he saw in France, Italy and Spain. He explained food which he tasted there. He opined he might have considered his time on the continent as a Grand Tour, if he hadn't been involved with the war.
"Mother would not let me travel without a picnic hamper of specialty items from Fortnum and Mason like dried fruits, assorted nuts, mini biscuits, marzipan, cheeses and preserves. She would add different blends of tea from Twinings on St. James Street. My batman is excessively fond of the nut shortbreads which she included in the hamper," Fitzwilliam explained when his female companions asked how they lived and ate in the war. "I am part of the Iron Division, under Wesley. My commanding officers send me with dispatches and wounded soldiers to the War Office. I would return to the front from the War Office with a good mount provided by Father and a pack animal loaded with food provided by my brother. My commanding officer hoped I would return with pounds of coffee and pots of orange marmalade, in addition to new recruits."Fitzwilliam, as a soldier, was accustomed to long hours in the saddle. He reminded the ladies they might be sore since they had not been born in the saddle. However, he felt certain they would all improve with continuous lessons.
Anne looked forward to soaking in a hot bath and forgetting that parts of her ached. She reminded everyone of the garden party tomorrow…and asked them to stay for dinner tomorrow night. "We won't dress for dinner. Whatever you wear for the garden party will be fine attire for the remainder of the day."
~X~
"I am sorry but clergymen and officers do not provide the company I desire. I need an educated, kind man. I do not care if he is a tradesman or a gentleman farmer. I may be a shelf sitter, but Maria might marry well and improve my living situation. Although…Mother would sacrifice my happiness and longevity to any man silly enough to offer for me." Charlotte replied to Mary's apologies because Curate Stevenson could not join them today. "I like Curate Stevenson quite well, but not enough to encourage a courtship, let alone consider an offer of marriage. I am not mercenary, but the matrons in Meryton were overwhelmed with Mr. Bingley's five thousand a year."
"I thought if I didn't marry, or live with one of my married sisters…I would consider renting the Steward's House at Longbourn and work as a stillroom maid, apothecary and midwife." Mary admitted. "I never expected to marry. I urge you not to condemn yourself to spinsterhood yet."
"We are taking a rest before dinner?" Kitty asked. "I feel like parts of me are numb."
"I vote for an early night also," Collins announced. Riding 'properly' exhausted him. Obviously the way a vicar sat a horse was different from how a gentleman sat a horse. His arms ached from rock skipping and kite flying. His new gentleman's clothes itched and his new gentleman's boots pinched. If they were to continue Saturday riding parties with Miss Anne and her cousins, he might ask for soup and stew on Saturday night…just to put his head on a pillow faster.