Wretched Beginnings Chapter 11 – December 1812
Monday
Lady Catherine addressed the Christmas Dinner invitation to Rosings during Mr. Collins' weekly sermon discussion at Rosings. Mr. Collins stated the rectory council and deacons board, along with their servants, explained community members would visit from after services until half past three. He and Mrs. Collins were expected to be at the parsonage to receive guests. Mrs. Collins opined she would be excessively tired when the community left. Lady Catherine did not want to be bothered with hosting the community on Christmas; but she ordered Mr. Collins to ensure everyone who entered the parsonage was heathy.
Lady Catherine demanded to know if Mr. Collins had been notified of other events. He explained about meeting with the deacons board this week and discussing alms for Boxing Day. Mr. Collins mentioned the laying of the greenery in rectory on Christmas Eve Day and how the greenery would be burnt on Twelfth Night. He explained the reading of the Nativity at the special Christmas Eve service. The Christmas Day service included communion. Lady Catherine insisted Mr. Collins give her the cemetery, parishioner, rectory council and deacons board lists. She might need them for discussing rectory business. Mr. Collins eagerly retrieved them for his patroness.
Mary saw Mr. Collins walking back to Rosings with the lists in hand. She kept her counsel when Mr. Collins told her of his task. When Lady Catherine insisted she start cataloguing the cemetery, she would give Mr. Collins a copy of the lists. Since he wasn't calling on the sick and infirm…he could update the catalogue and lists. However, she knew before she gave him the copies, she must copy out another set or two of the lists she hid in her sitting room. She locked the lists, her ledgers and her funds in the bottom drawer of her escritoire. She kept the key to her desk, her stillroom, the silver pantry and her quarters on an old chatelaine which she retrieved from the dower house. Mary said a silent prayer asking for forgiveness of her mean thoughts and actions, although she felt Lady Catherine pressed the issue.
December 16
Mary appreciated Mr. Collins' meeting with the rectory council this morning. Mr. Talfort at Hunsford Inn messaged regarding the crates from Gardiner's Emporium. Mr. Manning directed the delivery to Hunsford Parsonage. The wagon master helped Mr. Manning store the crates in the stillroom until they began assembling baskets. Mrs. Gardiner sent a letter with the total amount expended for the baskets. She followed Mary's directives to spend the remainder of the funds on bolt ends of plain muslins, cottons and wools. The bolt ends were included in the order.
Everything Mary ordered for her or the house arrived also. She would be quite busy.
Mary and Mrs. Manning spent every available moment stitching bags to hold dry goods for the baskets. Mary created 20 alms bags for the rectory, and 40 alms bags and 40 sachets for the widows' baskets. She and Mrs. Manning made honey biscuits daily from the twelfth through the twentieth. Mary needed biscuits for the baskets, and for the drivers who delivered guests to the St. Thomas Tea. She also needed honey biscuits to keep Mr. Collins diverted during the tea.
Mr. Collins' clerical and gentleman's clothes, which he ordered the week of their wedding, were finished and delivered to the Gardiner home. Mr. Gardiner marked the packages well. Mary knew not to give Mr. Collins the new clothes until the day of the tea. She warned Mr. Manning in advance. She hoped the new clothes would divert Mr. Collins from importuning the widows.
~X~
Jane inventoried her sisters' winter wardrobes and noted their needs. Kitty wanted a new redingote with longer, fuller sleeves and a hood which would fit over a winter bonnet. Her older redingote was shabby and the sleeves were too short. All the Bennet ladies needed new flannel nightrails, wrappers and petticoats. Lydia protested the boring expenditure. Jane checked the status of winter boots for everyone. The ladies all needed new woolen stockings, heavier shawls and woolen mitts. The cold winter made everyone layer heavier clothes, even if they were just in the house. Jane arranged for the modiste to create a new kerseymere gown with heavy flannel petticoats for all the ladies for church. She refused to argue with Lydia over the depth of the decolletage or the lack of excess trim and flounces.
December 21 – St. Thomas Tea
Forty market baskets filled every available space in Mary's stillroom. The baskets contained a pound each of dried meat, dried peas, dried beans, coffee, herbs for tea, and nuts. The baskets contained a dozen of Mary's honey biscuits, half a dozen apples, and a bottle of sherry. Everything, except the sherry and the apples, fit in muslin bags which could be washed and reused for other things. A bag (holding £1, a lavender or rose petal sachet, and two four-hour beeswax candles tied together with a pretty bit of ribbon) topped each basket.
Miss Anne arranged with Mr. Knowles to deliver a large smoked turkey, a large cured ham, several dozen eggs, several pounds of butter and a large wheel of cheese to Hunsford Parsonage two days before the tea. Mrs. Havens sent breads, pickles, preserves, sweets and spiced nuts the day before the tea. Miss Anne paid for the food, preventing entry on any donations list to or from Rosings.
Mrs. Manning and Rose prepared wine punch, mulled cider and platters of cold meats, cheese and boiled eggs. The linen tablecloth made by Mrs. Bennet fit the morning room table very well. The best four-hour candles lit the rooms. The front door evergreen wreath with a cheerful ribbon lent a festive feel to the parsonage.
Mary asked the staff to wear their best black outfits for the day, and to keep pitchers of water in basins in the north guest rooms upstairs. Mr. Manning would help the ladies down from carriages and direct the carriages where to wait. Mrs. Manning suggested extra food and coffee or cider in the kitchen for drivers who stayed through the tea. Mrs. Manning would open the door, greet the ladies and introduce them to Mary. Barlow would then take guests upstairs to leave pelisses, redingotes, cloaks and bonnets on beds in the guest rooms. Maryanne would keep pitchers of water, soaps and towels at the ready. Mr. Manning provided a bucket of water to sit on every guest room hearth to stay warm for the washstands during the tea. Rose would keep refreshments ready for the drivers.
Mary dressed in her chestnut kerseymere dress. Barlow arranged her hair in a braided coronet with one of Lydia's gold lace ribbons arranged through and around the braid. She wore her best brown satin slippers, and her gold cross necklace and earbobs given to her by her parents on her six and tenth birthday.
Mr. Manning and Sexton Tucker moved the pianoforte from the rectory to the parsonage drawing room while Mr. Collins visited Rosings to discuss his Christmas sermons. Extra chairs, borrowed from the Dower House, were placed along the walls in the drawing room, Mary's sitting room, morning room and dining room. Extra chairs from the servants' quarters were placed in the hall by the kitchen for coachmen. Mrs. Havens sent plates, cups, glasses and cutlery for five dozen people from Rosings Park's ballroom storage to the parsonage. She sent several dozen serviettes. She recommended Mrs. Manning keep the serviettes, dishes and cutlery after the tea for serving the community on Christmas Day.
Mrs. Manning and Mary sighed with relief. Miss Anne's warning and donations would make this event a success.
"This is not necessary," Mary protested when her arriving guests presented her with small gifts of holly berry and leaf clusters, small mistletoe sprays, gold painted walnuts, tiny pinecones, and small bows made from remnants of materials, ribbons or handspun yarn to add to holiday décor. The three widowed sisters, who lived together, gave Mary a small bag of bay leaves, rosemary sprigs, a cinnamon stick, and dried holly berries. Poured in a dish, the mixture made a seasonal potpourri. Half a dozen widows gave Mary small cinnamon-scented Yule candles. Barlow put the gifts in the stillroom. Mary planned to share her bounty with her staff as a thank-you for helping today.
"We thank you for continuing a tradition which benefits so many of us. Thinking of us, in your first month in Hunsford, is very welcoming and kind of you." The widows thanked Mary.
Mr. Collins exhibited surprise to find three and thirty widows sipping tea, eating a wonderous repast and chatting among one another when he returned. Mr. Manning took his outerwear. "St. Thomas Tea for the widows of the rectory, Rosings Park and Hunsford," he replied when questioned by Mr. Collins. "Did you not know? This is the sixth year the tea has been scheduled. I believed the rectory council or the deacons board shared the charitable work the rectory conducts during the holiday season. Mrs. Manning and the staff have been baking for days to prepare for today. The ladies scrubbed down and polished up for a week now."
Mr. Collins fretted about becoming ill from so many people.
"Only the widow who have been well came today. The ill stayed home. Mr. Collins please join the drivers and me in the kitchen for food, or I can take a tray to your bookroom. Additionally, clothes you ordered have been delivered if you wish to see them. Today is an opportunity for the widows to be feted. We men stay out of the way."
"I choose a tray and the bookroom. I have changes to my Christmas sermon after meeting with Lady Catherine this morning." Mr. Manning steered Mr. Collins to the laden sideboard and indicated he should help himself. Mr. Collins filled a plate full with meats, cheese, eggs, bread and pickles. Mr. Collins poured a large glass of cider and added cutlery and a serviette to a tray. Mr. Manning carried the tray, leading Mr. Collins to his bookroom. "Ring for me if you need more food or drink." He placed the tray on the library table and closed the door to the bookroom as he left.
Lady Catherine arranged for a carriage ride past the parsonage at three. Mr. Collins flew out of the bookroom, greeting Lady Catherine's paused carriage. He invited Lady Catherine for tea with the widows gathered for the annual St. Thomas Tea. She seized the opportunity to view the public humiliation of Mary Collins. Lady Catherine expected the parsonage to be in a state of uproar. The well-organized event shocked her.
Mr. Collins proudly exhibited his improved bookroom, which no longer resembled the ramshackle room occupied by a clerical student. The arrangement reflected the pride Mrs. Collins saw in her husband's vocation. Mr. Collins suggested Lady Catherine enjoy tea and refreshments arranged by Mrs. Collins, in addition to visiting with the widows. He escorted Lady Catherine to the morning room, filling a plate full of sweets before returning to his bookroom.
Lady Catherine viewed the excessive changes to the first floor of the parsonage. Inquiries and conversations with the widows kept her too busy to view the changes in the remainder of the parsonage.
"In my experience, new wives are frequently ignorant about running houses and conducting their finances with thrift and economy. Too many of them have little or no knowledge of the important points of society and entertaining." Lady Catherine pronounced to the widows who gathered in the dining room for refreshments. "I am pleasantly surprised at Mrs. Collins' accomplishments," she prevaricated while dropping the silvered jelly dish, filled with nuts. One moment, she held the silvered dish…the next moment the silvered dish shattered on the hearth.
Mary knew instantly…the shattered dish represented Lady Catherine's punishment because Mary was prepared for the widows. Lady Catherine was denied the opportunity to humiliate her vicar's wife. Lady Catherine punished Mary for cleaning and rearranging the parsonage without her opinions. Additionally, Lady Catherine punished Mary for thwarting orders during the assizes.
"I'm sorry," Lady Catherine apologized insincerely. "Perhaps your uncle in trade can find a replacement for you."
"Thank you for your concern, but I cannot replace the first-place prize at a county flower show I won when I was four and ten." Mary calmly rang the bell for Mrs. Manning. "The silvered dish is shattered. Will you clean the glass and nuts? Clean well around Lady Catherine so she is not injured if she steps away to join the other ladies in the drawing room for music. Then you and Rose may refill the refreshments on the sideboard while Barlow refreshes tea cups and punch glasses."
"Barlow," Lady Catherine twittered. "You call your maid-of-all-things by the elevated rank of her surname?"
"I call my maid-of-all-things, who also acts as my personal maid, by her surname." Mary offered a steady arm to one of the widows who wanted to join the others in the drawing room.
Mary played Christmas music on the pianoforte for the widows. However, her heart ached because Lady Catherine destroyed one of the special things in Mary's life. She asked God for the patience and ability to be a good wife and to help the parishioners as much as possible in the coming year. She thanked God for a warm home and for the opportunity to help her family. She thanked God for the chance to help widows have a better holiday season this year.
When one of the widows offered to play, Mary visited with each of the widows. She learned their situations and any health concerns. "Ladies, I prefer none of you walk home in this cold. We are heating carriages to transport all of you to your homes. You needn't pay the coachmen either, for we have already done so. I have no problems nursing any of you, but I should not want to be the reason you became ill." Mary's eyes never slid to Lady Catherine, although her mind hammered the urge to do so. The widows grouped themselves according to where they lived.
Barlow and Maryanne helped the widows with their outerwear and bonnets. Mrs. Manning and Rose brought the filled market baskets to Mary to give to each widow as she thanked them for coming and wished them happy holidays. She invited each of them to the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at Hunsford Rectory. Mr. Manning helped ladies into warmed carriages, ensuring the coachman knew where to take the occupants.
The well-organized tea put Lady Catherine in a snit. She marched into Mr. Collins' bookroom, interrupting his work on his sermons. She lectured Mr. Collins on the excess of the event and demanded to know the cost, the benefactors, and how they knew to be prepared.
Mrs. Manning followed Lady Catherine, overhearing her demanding questions. She stepped into the bookroom and provided answers. They knew to be prepared as this would be the sixth year the event took place. She didn't know how much the event cost. Mrs. Collins wished she could thank the anonymous benefactors. She said whoever invited the ladies did them an excellent turn, as all the widows received an invitation. With the stress of the invitations out of the way, Mrs. Collins and the household staff concentrated on preparations. Mrs. Manning informed Lady Catherine her warmed carriage awaited her. Mary thanked Lady Catherine for attending and curtseyed goodbye, but did not offer her a basket of goods. Mr. Collins escorted Lady Catherine to her carriage, braving her silent rage.
Curate Stevenson appeared to help Mr. Collins deliver baskets to the three widows who were ill and could not attend. They were not sick, but infirm and avoiding the cold weather. The four extra baskets were given to Sexton Tucker, Curate Stevenson, the apothecary and the surgeon. Curate Stevenson asked the apothecary to call on the three widows who were ill.
Mary arranged for the pianoforte to be returned to the rectory immediately after Lady Catherine departed. She arranged for the extra chairs to be returned to the Dower House. She placed the silver band from the broken dish in her desk in her sitting room. She allowed herself a brief bout of tears. 'Stop…perhaps you believed once you left Longbourn you would never be insulted or ignored again. You are a grown woman, not a girl prone to tears. Lady Catherine will not destroy the good you have done today.'
When Mr. Collins returned from his basket delivery, he found Mary in her sewing room, embroidering handkerchiefs for her sisters and Mama. Any questions which he might have had about the tea were forgotten when he saw her industriousness.
"Shall I read aloud while you sew?" Mr. Collins offered. "I should practice my reading of the Nativity."
"Please," Mary knew she would pay more attention to her sewing than his reading. "I plan to have an early night as I am excessively tired. I thought we could eat a cold dinner. I ordered a hot breakfast for us tomorrow morning."
"Why didn't Lady Catherine or I know about the St. Thomas Tea?" Mr. Collins questioned Mary.
"You did not know?" Mary feigned surprise. "I understood the rectory council, the deacons board and Lady Catherine all knew of the annual event."
"I'm sorry…perhaps I knew, but the tea slipped my mind because of the holiday season." Mr. Collins apologized. "I will retrieve my things for practicing the Nativity reading. Should I ring for a tea tray?"
"Please," Mary continued to sew. She asked the Lord to forgive her for her prevarications about the St. Thomas Tea. She could not announce Lady Catherine invited the widows, without warning, to publicly embarrass and humiliate her. She could not announce Miss Anne warned her and helped her be prepared.
At bedtime Mr. Collins showed the packages of his clerical and gentleman's clothes to Mary. She admired his new clerical clothes and his gentleman's clothes. She assured him the fit and color of his gentleman's clothes would look well with her evening gowns. He admitted Mr. Manning would hang clothes in his armoire or placed folded clothes in his closet. For once, he admitted he had no room in his closet to hang clothes because of Lady Catherine's shelves. He felt more surprised when Mary left the door between their rooms open when she retired. He realized an early evening with his new wife might be more pleasant than sleeping alone.
~X~
Anne appreciated the most recent missive from Aunt Constance. Richard had been injured, but not seriously. He would return to London with a ship of sick or wounded men before Christmas. Anne would see him at Twelfth Night. He would collect a new group of recruits and escort them to Brussels after Twelfth Night. He would leave them with the garrison and continue on to Wesley's War Office in Brussels to learn his new placement. Aunt Constance thanked Anne for her latest letter which explained the issues with the St. Thomas Tea. She promised she and Uncle Reginald developed a plan for bringing Catherine to London so Mrs. Collins could run her household without continuous interference.
Anne's letter of reply to Aunt Constance warned of Mother's insistence to view Mary Collins' ledgers. She warned of Mother's insistence to view Mary Collins' pantries and advise on her purchases from the butcher. She warned how Mother interrogated Rosings Park staff to learn Mary Collins' home organization, daily schedule and tasks. Mother had been displeased because Mrs. Collins' staff would not gossip about their mistress. If Mother went to London, she wanted her aunt and uncle to expect her interference in their household.
December 22
Mary did not ring for Barlow until eight. When she finished her morning ablutions, she went downstairs. Mr. Collins waited for her in the morning room. They helped themselves to the hot breakfast laid by Mrs. Manning and Rose.
"Lady Catherine apologized profusely for breaking your pretty little dish. She suggests you contact Mr. Gardiner. Perhaps he can find another one for you." Mr. Collins apologized.
"As I explained to her, the silvered bowl cannot be replaced, but I thank you for your concern." Mary helped herself to eggs and ham strips, roasted potatoes, hot rolls and hot coffee. They had leftover sliced cheese, mincemeat pie, apple tart and almond pound cake from yesterday's tea.
"Surely it's not one of a kind. A duplicate must be sold somewhere." Mr. Collins applied himself to liberal plates of breakfast items and apple tart.
"I cannot replace my silvered dish." Mary would not show any emotion. "I did not purchase the silvered bowl at Gardiner's Emporium on a whim. When I turned four and ten, I won first place at a county flower show. Jane placed second, Lizzy placed third. Mother was beside herself for weeks because I had bested my prettiest sister Jane and my cleverest sister Lizzy Mother requested I return the bowl…as she felt we would entertain less than she would."
"I am sorry," Mr. Collins ate a bite of ham with a bite of cheese with a bite of apple tart. "What will you do?"
"I plan to give the silver rim to Mr. Gardiner. Perhaps he knows a metalsmith who can fashion a silver spoon for our first baby. Perhaps he can find another dish to fit the circlet. I shouldn't worry now. The deed is done." Mary cried enough over the dish yesterday. There seemed little sense in continually mourning like she lost a friend.
"You act like Lady Catherine deliberately broke your dish." Mr. Collins paused, his fork midway to his mouth.
"I do not think so meanly of your esteemed patroness. However, the dish would not have been broken had the bowl remained on the sideboard and not in Lady Catherine's hand near the hearth. I did not realize Lady Catherine is so old her grip on things is intermittent or palsied."
Mr. Collins gasped at Mary's comment.
"Two of the older widows mentioned the possibility. A few of them would have brought their tea and refreshments into the drawing room to hear me play the pianoforte. However, they worried about carrying cups and plates about the parsonage because of their unsteady gait and palsied hands. They are barely older than Lady Catherine and she uses a cane." Mary tried not to feel a twinge of guilt for planting a seed of doubt in Mr. Collins' mind about Lady Catherine. She also tried not to feel victorious about plucking some of Lady Catherine's unflappable feathers. Mary felt the cane represented an affectation and not a necessity.
~X~
After the music practice at Rosings, Mary expected to be questioned about the tea. However, Mrs. Jenkinson commented she had not been invited to the tea. She announced Mrs. Havens and Mrs. Gibbons who worked at Rosings were not invited either. She felt Mary directly cut all of them. Mary apologized, but explained she did not issue the invitations. Whoever issued the invitations was responsible for the cut. Mary explained she had a list of the ladies who attended yesterday, and she would add the three ladies from Rosings to the list to ensure they would receive an invitation next year. She asked if Mrs. Jenkinson knew anyone else who had not been invited. Mrs. Jenkinson stated Lady Catherine received an invite when she passed the rectory. She opined Mrs. Collins acted abominably when she did not offer a basket of goods to Lady Catherine like the other widows. Anne flashed Mary a warning glance and shook her head no. "Ladies, practicing Christmas songs with you has been a pleasure. Miss Anne, please practice your scales." Mary put on her redingote and bonnet and curtsied before she left.
Instead of departing Rosings, Mary went to the kitchen entrance. Mary apologized to Mrs. Havens, explaining Mrs. Jenkinson and the direct cut comment. Mrs. Havens thanked her but explained Rosings staff and Lady Catherine had never been invited to the tea before. The previous vicar started the tea to help the poor widows of Hunsford and Rosings. He discussed the situation with the Rosings Park staff. As they were supported by Rosings, they felt they should help the parsonage with cleaning and baking, rather than benefitting from the event. She drew Mary into her sitting room and closed the door. She apologized for her suspicions, but felt Mrs. Jenkinson endeavored to find out the cost, and the contents of the baskets. Lady Catherine returned from the event yesterday, quite vexed at its success.
Mary thanked Mrs. Havens for her information, curtsied and left Rosings out the kitchen entrance. She hid herself in the trees between Rosings and the parsonage. She entered through the back entrance of the parsonage, giving Mrs. Manning a quick explanation along with her redingote and bonnet. "I'll be in my sitting room. I would like a tray, with a pot of tea, along with a generous portion of leftover ham, turkey and cheese from yesterday…and a portion of mincemeat pie and the almond pound cake. If you would check on Mr. Collins to determine what to take him?"
Mary requested Mr. Manning purchase a half cord of apple wood to use in the fireplaces at Hunsford Rectory on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Lady Catherine would be warm, along with the rest of the parishioners. Everyone would be urged to place their warming bricks near the fireplace at the rectory. Sexton Tucker could use coals from the fires to warm carriages and wagons for the parishioners.
"Are you thinking of buying firewood for the parsonage?" Mr. Manning asked. "Rosings donates ten cords of firewood by Twelfth Night."
"I am not sure Rosings will be generous with us in the future," Mary laid out her copies of the rectory lists. She intended to create copies before Christmas. "I understand Lady Catherine is unhappy about the success of our tea yesterday. She is trying to determine the cost of the event, the contents of the baskets, etc. Will you ensure staff does not gossip?"
'Smashing your silvered dish wasn't enough punishment?' Mrs. Manning thought as she slid the tray for Mrs. Collins on the table. "Please ring if you require more hot water or anything else."
Mr. Manning reported Mr. Hadrian's pleasure at selling the half cord of apple wood, especially so close to Christmas. He had a standing order for ten cords of wood for the parsonage to be delivered before Twelfth Night. Rosings Park placed the order Lady Day to ensure the wood dried for use by Michaelmas. Mr. Hadrian always submitted the invoice to Mr. Knowles for payment.
~X~
After dinner, Mary met with Barlow, Maryanne and Rose. She taught the girls to stuff sachets for their mothers, and for Barlow's sister. She made extra sachets for her female staff to put with their clothes. She taught them to make lavender sachets to put in linen presses to fragrance the linens and keep pests away. She gave the girls a lesson in how to dry flower petals for sachets, soaps, candles and floral waters. She placed the winter potpourri from the trio of widows in a bowl to set in the drawing room on the mantle. She gave the girls a lesson in how to make dishes of flower petals to make rooms smell good. Then she split her small gifts from the tea guests with her four female staff. They were pleased and surprised to be thanked for their help. The little wintery gifts would be festive in their family homes.
December 24
"I wanted to spoil you for our first holiday together. Brown soup, roast goose with sage and onion stuffing, roasted garden stuff, potatoes and gravy, hot rolls, gingerbread with vanilla custard sauce and Christmas pudding for dessert." Mary found the thimble in her Christmas pudding. "Thrift and economy for the year," she laughed.
Mr. Collins found the wishbone in his Christmas pudding. "Good luck for the year. We should hurry with our dinner," Mr. Collins frowned at Mary's lack of haste. "Lady Catherine suggested I light the fires early and take the chill off the rectory. Make haste!"
"Sexton Tucker is tending the fires, using the half cord of apple wood I purchased especially for tonight and tomorrow morning. I have Christmas presents for you before we go to rectory." After dinner they adjourned to Mary's sitting room. Mary insisted he open both packages she left on the table.
"Mary," he stroked the soft black wool clerical robe. "I will be quite warm in my handsome new winter robe." He kissed her cheek and squeezed her hand. "You take such good care of me." He removed his old clerical robe and slipped on the new one. He stroked the sleeve. "Very nice, very warm, thank you Mary."
"Open the second one," Mary smiled.
"This is lovely," he admired the tapestry material.
"I made a book cover for the altar Bible and a bookmark."
"My dear, my presents are perfect for a country vicar," Mr. Collins declared gallantly. "Let us be off to the rectory so I put the new cover on the Bible before parishioners arrive for the service."
"I have one more thing…" Mary retrieved a pile of papers from her escritoire. "These are a copy of the lists which you gave to Lady Catherine. The cemetery list is important for tonight and tomorrow if anyone seeks the resting place of an ancestor. I made an additional copy of the cemetery list for Curate Stevenson and one for Sexton Tucker, should they be asked to locate a grave this holiday season."
Although he thanked Mary for her thoughtfulness, Mr. Collins kept his unease about the lists to himself.
~X~
"Thank you again for the Christmas dinner invitation, Lady Catherine," Mr. Collins shot his wife an anxious look.
"Mr. Collins, I am walking Miss Anne to the carriage since Mrs. Jenkinson ensured the carriage is warm enough." Mary hoped their leisurely stroll would give Mr. Collins enough time to flatter his patroness into a better frame of mind. "I purchased material with the remainder of the tea funds," she whispered to Miss Anne. "I will begin sewing alms bags for Easter."
"I heard your tea was a success. I'm pleased we foiled Mother's plans. Mrs. Havens told me Mrs. Jenkinson accused you of cutting Rosings Park staff. She attempted to discompose you in hopes you would reveal details about how much the tea cost." Miss Anne looked back at her Mother and whispered. "I'm quite vexed Mother broke your silvered dish. I ordered a new one from London for you."
"Thank you, but this is not your apology to make. Stay warm on your trip home." Mary allowed a Rosings footman to hand Miss Anne into the warmed carriage.
"Please close the carriage door so the carriage doesn't cool before Mother arrives." Miss Anne reminded the footman.
Mary walked back to the rectory and waited for Mr. Collins to escort Lady Catherine to her carriage. While Mary would eventually forgive Lady Catherine for destroying her prize, she would not forget.
~X~
After settling the house for the evening, William went to Mary's room. He poured them both a glass of wine, stoked the fire in her room, brushed her hair and plaited it. "Happy Christmas, dearest Mary." He set a small wooden chest on Mary's dressing table. While in London the week of the wedding, William Collins removed three pieces of his mother's jewelry from the bank. He wanted to surprise Mary for Christmas.
Mary opened the small chest to find three velvet bags. The smallest bag held a gold scrolled cross on a fine gold chain. "I think this cross is lovely William." Mary fastened the cross around her neck. "I will wear this necklace every Sunday," she promised.
"Open another bag, Mary," William urged.
Mary opened the medium-sized bag. She found a lovely seed pearl and gold broach. "This is lovely also. The seed pearls are so delicate."
"Open the last one," William urged.
Mary opened the last velvet bag to find a thin, etched gold bracelet, the design matched her wedding band. "William, this is too much," she protested.
"They belonged to Mother, and now they belong to you." He handed her a small key on a dark green velvet ribbon for securing the box.
Mary put the jewels in their velvet bags. She tucked the locked small chest and the key in a drawer in her dressing table. Mary kissed William with more passion than she knew she had for her husband.
"Thank you for the work you have done to the parsonage. Especially the door," he brushed her braid off her shoulder.
"I am thrilled because we can be discreet. I appreciate the connecting door more than you know." Mary smiled at her husband.
"Despite your early disappointment, I am glad you were able to surprise me. I am heartily sorry to have scolded you on my return. I never want to make you cry unhappy tears, my dearest Mary." William kissed her hands.
"I am happy to make our house a snug and comfortable place. I want you to be happy also, William. Stay the night with me," Mary offered. They had baths in the afternoon, and Mary insisted they take a rest to prepare for the services tonight. They would not sleep in because there were services to attend tomorrow.
Christmas
Mary held Mr. Collins in place at the rectory door until everyone departed. No longer would she allow Mr. Collins to ignore the remainder of his parishioners to bow in reverence and escort Lady Catherine to her carriage. She curtsied to Lady Catherine and her party, expressing Christmas wishes.
"Since we cannot have your delightful company for dinner tonight, might we see you for dinner on Twelfth Night?" Lady Catherine's request sounded like a scolding demand.
"Delighted!" Mr. Collins cried. "For we have no invitations for the evening and I am sure Mrs. Collins has not had time to make plans for us. We will be pleased to attend such elegant entertainments as your ladyship…"
"Yes, yes…but this inability to come to Christmas dinner is quite vexing!" Her eyes flashed angrily at Mary.
"You must allow Mr. and Mrs. Collins to spend time with one another. They are newlyweds who the community wishes to congratulate today. We have not invited a vicar to Christmas dinner since Papa died because they had the same plans Mr. and Mrs. Collins have. I am sure they will be exhausted. I doubt they will be able to endure a three-course meal and playing cards to midnight." Miss Anne commented in a droll tone of voice. "Mrs. Collins, may I borrow your arm to walk me to the carriage?"
Mary smiled and offered her arm.
"I didn't think the Christmas service would ever end." Miss Anne whispered to Mary. "I felt bad for you since our box has a direct view of the pulpit and the pianoforte. One-third of the congregation, who sat in Mother's direct line of sight, never fidgeted and never allowed her to view them daydreaming, sleeping or gossiping with neighbors. I'm sorry about the Twelfth Night invitation."
"I am becoming accustomed to sitting in the middle of the great dining table and having no conversation." Mary purchased items to make a Twelfth Night cake: currants, raisins, almonds, flour, sugar, mace, cloves, cinnamon, ginger and brandy. She would make one for midday meal on Twelfth Night and encourage the staff to partake. She copied out several special recipes of Aunt Gardiner's and purchased the required ingredients. Once they dressed for dinner at Rosings Park, Mary would give staff the evening off to visit family.
The grand dame's Christmas wishes to Mary were a bit curt, so Mary replied with a slight curtsey. Once the de Bourgh carriage departed, she sighed. "Sexton Tucker will douse the fire. We can walk home."
Mr. Collins grabbed his hat and gloves and offered Mary his arm. They strolled back to the parsonage. Mr. Collins buried his nose in the wreath. "This is quite fragrant and festive. I am sorry I didn't pay attention until Curate Stevenson mentioned the wreath," he thanked Mary. Mr. Manning helped with their outer clothes. The female staff wore their black dresses with white aprons and mob caps. Mr. Manning wore his best black Sunday clothes.
"Mrs. Manning just finished setting the sideboard in the morning room. Lady Catherine will inquire how your guests were received today." Mr. Manning advised. "Curate Stevenson, Sexton Tucker and I moved the pianoforte into the drawing room."
"We need to prepare you for visitors. Mrs. Manning and Rose will go to the kitchen and continue preparing food. I will help you change clothes and dress your hair. Today we will take care of visitors. Tomorrow you are alone. Sunday we will all take our rest. Monday we will clean and reassemble the parsonage," Barlow stated. "Maryanne will be here for laundry duty."
"Acceptable," Mary sighed with relief.
Fifteen minutes later, Mary wore her best russet brown silk dress from Longbourn with her new cream shawl from Kitty, with her brown kid leather slippers she wore for her wedding. Barlow dressed her hair using the gold combs. Mary wore her small gold earbobs and the gold scroll cross on a fine chain given her by Mr. Collins.
"The Mannings and I know what to do and what is expected. We will all do the best we can today." Barlow advised. "Several of the community are anxious to meet you."
Mary went to the kitchen. "Please tell me how we're prepared to feed a crush of people today."
"I followed your suggestion and traded bottles of mead and apple wine for supplies from the farms at Rosings – three large smoked turkeys, dozens of eggs and two rounds of cheese. We'll make mulled cider from the cider Mr. Bennet brought with him. We will serve the two large hams Mr. Bennet brought with him, the turkeys, cheese, boiled eggs, pickles, and sweets. The sweets are apple tarts, honey biscuits, spice biscuits, and fruitcakes. Mrs. Havens sent over baskets of breads, mincemeat pies and plenty of spiced nuts," Mrs. Manning looked Mary over. "You look nice, but you might not need the shawl as you move around. Just take a deep breath and we'll begin. You need to arrange the hothouse flowers Mr. Knowles brought with him for the table in the morning room and in the dining room."
~X~
"Your rooms, the cellar and the attic door are locked. Mrs. Manning has the keys. The guest bedrooms have Holland cloths to protect the furniture. People can leave their outerwear on the beds. There is hot water in the pitchers; there are extra buckets of water staying warm on the hearth in each room. Basins are ready with soaps and towels," Barlow announced. "Mr. Knowles and a handful of men from Rosings brought chairs and benches from the Dower House."
"The sideboard in the morning room and in the dining room are set. People can eat in either room or take plates to the drawing room, bookroom, or your sitting room." Mrs. Manning added the last of the serving dishes to the sideboard. "We should have plenty of plates, cutlery and serviettes from Rosings."
"The flowers are arranged," Mary tucked the last bloom into a vase. "Put a drop of honey in the water for the flowers to prevent them from drooping. I learned the tip from an apothecary, which is how I won first place in a flower arranging contest when I was four and ten. When the apothecary harvested flowers for creating medicines, he kept them in honey water until he could create the syrups, tinctures, tissanes, etc."
"Handy to know," Mrs. Manning acknowledged.
"I want all of you to take your leisure today when you can. Eat, drink and catch your breath before you resume your tasks." Mary directed. "The parsonage smells wonderful."
"Mulled apple cider, warmed with spices and slices of orange and lemon," Mrs. Manning winked. "The Rosings Park orangery generously donated the oranges and lemons."
Mr. Collins departed the bookroom where he watched for Lady Catherine's carriage to pass. "Are we ready? We should have asked Lady Catherine to approve our plans…she is attentive…"
"…to every detail. However, I learned from the best hostess in Hertfordshire, my Mother." Mary finished his statement. "If anyone has complaints…they need not put their feet under my table."
Mrs. Manning took herself off to the kitchen for a snicker which she had to share with the rest of the staff who laughed also.
~X~
"How long have you been married, Mrs. Collins?" Mr. Knowles asked.
"Five weeks. I've only been at the parsonage four of the five." Mary ensured the sideboards were ready, the flowers were ready, and extra chairs were placed throughout the parsonage.
"Four weeks? My compliments, Mrs. Collins. I've been in and out of the parsonage for the last fifteen years. This is the best the parsonage ever looked. Mr. Collins is a lucky man." Mr. Knowles appreciated the clean, comfortable parsonage. 'This is the first time since Amelia died when I missed the touches a woman creates in the home. Too bad the vicar worships Lady Catherine! Mrs. Collins deserves better!' He vowed to do everything he could to help ease Mrs. Collins burdens and tasks without interference from Lady Catherine.
"Thank you, Mr. Knowles." Mary winced when the door knocker reverberated against the door.
"Let the day begin," Knowles acknowledged. "Mr. Collins, Mrs. Collins, you should await your guests in the drawing room."
Visitors began arriving. Mr. Knowles answered the door. He showed the visitors to the drawing room. After greetings, Barlow took them upstairs to leave outerwear and freshen up if needed. Maryanne was at the ready in the north bedrooms with warm water, soaps and towels. Mr. Manning would show guests to the morning room or dining room where they could help themselves to food and drink. Many of them had not been inside the parsonage for a few years. They thanked Mary for the warm welcome they received and expressed wishes for a happy marriage.
Food and libations were consumed; card games were played. Charades were attempted by those who didn't mind making the room howl with laughter. Mary played eight sets of dance music so those inclined could dance. Mostly the dancers were young men and young ladies who accompanied their parents today. If there were not enough dancers to make a set, Mary played holiday songs and visitors enjoyed a sing-along. Groups of guests entered and left in thirty minute visits. At three o'clock, the crowd disappeared, and Mary felt exhausted.
Mary made a plate of food and a cup of mulled cider, sinking down into a chair in the morning room. "Everything is delicious, Mrs. Manning."
"Thank you, ma'am," Mrs. Manning curtsied. "You made an impression on today's guests."
Mr. Collins entered the morning room. He helped himself to a plate of food and a cup of mulled cider also. "Friday afternoon the ladies benefice society plan to call on you. They hope you will host and lead them twice a month. Several of them expressed surprise because we married so fast, but the changes in the parsonage surprised and pleased everyone. You have some champions I daresay." Mr. Collins toasted Mary.
"I hope they feel comfortable to visit us again." Mary enjoyed her mulled cider.
"I would not count on it. They have all heard Lady Catherine's edict about not entertaining or being entertained because of the danger to Miss Anne's health. Only families or community members which have been healthy for the last several weeks were in attendance today." Mrs. Manning set a pitcher of cider on the table so the couple could refresh their cups.
"Should you think badly of me if I have an early night?" Mary inquired.
"I'd be surprised if both of you didn't swoon from exhaustion. Finish your cider and I'll unlock your rooms and rouse the fires." Mrs. Manning offered.
They enjoyed the good food and the cider. They talked quietly with one another. Mary refused to gossip, but she did share important conversations with Mr. Collins. He did the same with her. After finishing their early supper, the Collinses adjourned to Mary's sitting room where Mary rang for the staff.
Mr. Collins distributed wages which Mary counted into small muslin bags for the staff. Mary distributed gifts and an orange. "As I am new to the parsonage, I have nothing saved for you for Boxing Day. Thus, the materials for a new set of work clothes. These are for you to share." Mary handed Mrs. Manning the bag of peppermints. "Thank you for your service this year and we hope the next year will be good for all of us." She handed a large muslin bag filled with a writing slate, chalk, flannel cloth and primer book to Barlow, Maryanne and Rose. "You will need those when we begin lessons after the holidays. I printed your names on the insides of your primer books. I want you to practice printing your name when you have time. The 12x12 piece of white flannel is to erase your practice printing on your slates. Do not worry about running out of chalk. I procured plenty for your lessons."
"Thank you, Mrs. Collins, for the prodigious care you give all of us." Mr. Manning thanked his mistress before their staff curtsied or bowed.
"I know my luck," Mary assured them. "I believe I have the most cheerful, hardworking, and attentive staff any vicar's wife could want. Mr. Manning, there is one food basket for each of the Manning, Barlow, Lowe and Ploughman families in my stillroom. They are well marked." Mary prepared baskets for her staff. A bottle of mead, a dozen apples, and a bag of nuts. She traded bottles of wine for a green goose, with potatoes, carrots, and onions for each family. She included a fruitcake which the staff helped bake. Mary added a crock of black butter to each of the baskets. The dark, sweet spread was a favorite of Mr. Collins. She made enough for him, and extra to share with her staff.
The staff thanked her for her thoughtfulness. They especially thanked her for the Christmas puddings. Maryanne found the silver coin and the anchor in the Collins' leftover Christmas pudding. Rose found the silver coin, Barlow the wishbone, Mrs. Manning the thimble and Mr. Manning the anchor in the Christmas pudding for the staff. They were thankful Mrs. Collins came to Hunsford Parsonage and took excellent care of them.
Less than twenty minutes later, Mary wore her night clothes. Barlow brushed and plaited her hair. Before she retired, Mr. Collins knocked on the door to her room. He handed Mary an orange before he stoked the fire in her room. "To a successful first Christmas in our humble abode. I will dress for bed and join you."
~X~
"Where are they?" Mrs. Bennet searched Kitty's closet. "I planned to give Mary's old dresses to Sarah for Boxing Day."
"Ma'am," Mrs. Hill attempted to explain. "Miss Mary left behind two dresses and a pair of boots for Sarah, but she took the rest of her things with her. Miss Kitty moved into an empty room. The dresses and boots are still serviceable. I gave them to Sarah the day Mr. Bennet returned and ordered a bowl of punch for the servants to celebrate Miss Mary's wedding."
"I'll thank you to stop making sixes and sevens of my room," Kitty scolded Mama. "I like everything in its proper place so I know people have been at my things. I have ribbons which are a little worn but still have some life left in them. I have a pair of woolen winter gloves, which are a little shabby, but still useable for daily wear. You may have them for Sarah." She handed them to Mama and shooed her out the door. Kitty locked her bedroom door and set her room to rights. She would slip a coin to Mrs. Hill later, for blocking the door to her room and preventing Lydia from joining Mama to ransack her room. Thank goodness Mama did not open the bandbox with her well-hidden best new things in it. She laughed to herself…thinking what Papa might say when he read the entry in her ledger.
~X~
"Brother," Georgiana Darcy sighed when they were finally left alone in the library at Pemberley. "Might I ask for another Christmas present from you?"
Darcy laughed. "The ermine muff and ermine trimmed bonnet were not enough? Do you want a pearl necklace? Or a new pianoforte with more music for your sitting room at Darcy House?"
"No, William," Georgiana hesitated. "I would like permission…"
Darcy tried to keep his face serene. 'Permission to do what? Be courted? Come out this season? Attend the opening ball for the Season at Almack's?'
"Please don't look at me so," Georgiana chided. "I know I'm asking permission to do a mean thing, and I don't like what I want to ask."
"Georgiana Grace Darcy…you may ask me for permission, but I may not grant it."
"I know we have been invited and will go to Twelfth Night at Rosings Park…but I earnestly entreat you not to leave me there, nor make me go to Rosings Park for Easter."
"I will leave you and Mrs. Annesley at Matlock House." Darcy hoped all of Georgiana's future troubles were this easy to fix.
"Thank you for ordering me to cease corresponding with Miss Bingley." Georgiana knotted her fingers together. "She reminds me of Mrs. Younge…extolling the virtues of Mr. Bingley instead of Wickham…creating intrigues which facilitate meetings… watching me with furtive looks on her face. I don't think she likes me. Not like how real sisters love and care for one another. I've seen the way she acts toward her older sister. I would never wish for a sister who acts thus. Mrs. Annesley related Miss Bingley's last letter expressed disappointment we closed the Darcy House and remained at the Matlock House. She revealed her disappointment to learn Mr. Bingley traveled to Bath with friends. She hinted for an invitation to spend Christmas at Pemberley."
"I will direct Mrs. Annesley to write Miss Bingley one last time. The letter will explain you cannot correspond with Miss Bingley in the foreseeable future, because you are concentrating on your studies. Give any future letters from Miss Bingley to Mrs. Annesley to handle them."
"Will you promise to protect yourself, so you are never compromised by Miss Bingley? I'm not in love with Mr. Bingley and I have no wish to be. I know he is your particular friend, but she is not my friend. Miss Bingley only cares about how she can use me, just like Mrs. Younge. However, instead of Wickham marrying me for my dowry, Miss Bingley wants Mr. Bingley to marry me for our social position and connections." Georgiana shivered. "I appreciate the early introduction to social climbers. When I come out in society, I will be able to see all the Mrs. Younges and Miss Bingleys attempting to ingratiate themselves."
"I'm in a very magnanimous mood, Georgie. I will grant your request. Just call me Father Christmas." Darcy laughed when Georgiana threw herself in his arms and hugged him hard. Darcy knew Georgiana assessed Miss Bingley correctly. Caroline Bingley did not care about anyone except herself. Her social climbing and lack of gentle manners marked her as undesirable marriage material. Only rakes and fortune hunters would take her for her portion. Darcy felt proud when Georgiana discerned Miss Bingley used them for social status. Darcy let his thoughts drift to Elizabeth and how she came to nurse Miss Bennet when she fell ill at Netherfield. They were both ladies who valued family. Darcy would not mind introducing the elder Miss Bennets to his sister.
Boxing Day, Saturday, December 26, 1812
Boxing Day proved quite busy for Mr. and Mrs. Collins. When they woke, Mary's room and the water in her pitcher were positively glacial. They helped each other dress quickly and hurried to the kitchen. He roused the kitchen fire and brought water for them. Mary made tea and they ate apple tart and mincemeat pie from Christmas Day. Mrs. Manning left a dozen boiled eggs, pickles, and bread along with a pot of potato stew and a platter of sliced ham, smoked turkey and sliced cheese for their meals the rest of the day.
"Merry Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Collins. Lady Catherine wanted you to have this basket with your wages," Mr. Knowles handed an envelope and basket to Mr. Collins. Mary offered Mr. Knowles food and drink, but he demurred. He brought a wagon to help Mr. Collins deliver alms and baskets. "I have a basket for Curate Stevenson and Sexton Tucker. I appreciate being able to do this with you. I unloaded cases of wines this morning to give a bottle or two to each of the tradesmen who visit Rosings. Half the Rosings Park house staff had Christmas off, the other half are off today. Kitchen staff, who stayed behind, will distribute the wine and feed the tradesmen."
"I must meet two deacons at the rectory. We're distributing the alms to twenty needy families." Mr. Collins announced.
Mary gave him a large muslin bag which held twenty smaller muslin bags she sewed for this purpose. "This bag holds small bags with ties. You put alms in the bags." She handed a leather coin bag from her lockbox to Mr. Collins. "I placed smaller coins in this bag if you need them to evenly distribute the alms."
"You are so thoughtful," Mr. Collins squeezed her hand in gratitude.
"I prepared the same for Papa to distribute alms easier on Boxing Day," Mary reminded him.
When Mr. Collins left with Mr. Knowles, Mary quietly removed the knocker and banked the kitchen fire. She lit fires in the drawing room and her sitting room. She appreciated Mr. Manning setting extra firewood and coal in all the rooms yesterday to ease fire building today. She took her household ledger with a bottle of ink, quill and blotter to the stillroom to inventory the basket Mr. Knowles delivered to them. The basket held gifts for the couple. Some of the contents of the basket came from the rectory board. The rest were from Rosings Park. A large freshly dressed pheasant, a large slab of cheese, a pound of coffee, a bottle of wine, a pound of nuts and a pot of honey filled the basket along with fresh garden stuff and a mincemeat pie. Pen wipers and fresh quills for Mr. Collins and two daintily embroidered handkerchiefs for Mary were included. Additionally, Lady Catherine gifted a new book of Great Families of England to educate Mary on her station in life. Mary set the bookmarked Great Families of England on an empty shelf in Mr. Collins' bookroom. He could share the book with parishioners, so they would revere Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She updated the catalogue for his bookroom.
Mary penned a lovely thank you note to the rectory council and Lady Catherine for the basket. She wrote a letter to the Gardiners, wishing them Happy Christmas. She thanked them for their help to become settled at the parsonage and for their help to create the baskets needed for the St. Thomas Tea. She asked them to gather more bolt ends and scraps and ship them with invoice when Mrs. Gardiner visited in March. She wrapped the coin holders to mail with the letter.
Mary sent a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, wishing them a Happy Christmas and inviting them to visit Hunsford Parsonage when they had time to travel. She wrote the duty letter she owed Mother with description of the St. Thomas tea, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. She included the menus and the flowers so Mother knew she used her hostessing lessons. She did not explain the broken silvered dish. She penned a letter to Kitty, asking how she liked her new room and reminding her to visit in March with Lizzy and Charlotte Lucas. Mary asked if Kitty went to the Winter Assembly in Meryton. Mary explained her maid-of-all-things, Barlow, attended the Winter Assembly in Hunsford and enjoyed herself immensely. She enjoyed listening to Barlow telling Rose about the assembly. She was reminded of when her sisters and Mother discussed assemblies and parties the day after the event. Her last sentence hoped all her sisters would enjoy the events between now and Twelfth Night.
~X~
December 26
Hunsford Parsonage, Hunsford
Dearest Lizzy,
I wish you were here to counsel me. My worst traits expose themselves…and I worry I will embarrass myself or Mr. Collins. Lizzy, I was rude, mean, and petty. I don't like displaying those traits. I told you about the sleeping room 'organized' for me. I told you about cleaning and polishing the parsonage, setting it to rights.
Mr. Collins' venerable patroness, Lady Catherine, is displeased with me. I'm too educated for her taste…yet my education is disdained because we did not have governesses, seminaries or masters. My pianoforte playing is tolerable, as long as I provide free music lessons to Miss Anne, or entertainment for Lady Catherine. I am reminded of Mother urging me to give up dancing to play music for Kitty and Lydia to practice their dance moves.
I have, once again, met a dichotomy. My first one was Mother and Jane, or Mother and you, or even Mother and Papa. Now I see a dichotomy in Lady Catherine and Miss Anne. While I despair of ever making my husband's patroness happy…I believe Miss Anne and I could be friends. Lizzy, I find myself thinking of Bible verses to quote at Lady Catherine. Many of the 'do unto others' vein, several 'thou shalt not' quotes, with additional Proverbs to season the unpalatable lessons. I don't want to be this way, Lizzy. I want to be a good wife, and a helpmate to Mr. Collins. However, I feel I am living with Mother again…where I am either criticized or ignored.
Mary threw her letter into the fire and watched the crumpled paper burn. Somehow, she released anger at the situation while watching her comments burst into flame. She busied herself, carefully wrapping the floral embroidered handkerchiefs for Mother and her sisters and the tapestry ribbon bookmarks for Papa with the letters to Kitty and Mother. She wrote to Charlotte Lucas, wishing the family Happy Christmas and inviting her to Hunsford Parsonage in March with Lizzy and Kitty. Mr. Manning could mail the packages and letters on Monday.
After completing her correspondence, Mary sewed. While Mr. Collins was out, she sewed new shirts for him. When he returned, she would finish three sets of sleeves for Mr. Collins. She would finish three mob caps for herself and her settee pillows. Before Midsummer, she needed muslin bags embroidered with herbs for storing her harvest.
Mary needed to make new drapes for the staff rooms. Once they were created, she would send the old drapes to Maryanne to launder. Once the old drapes were clean, she could make cleaning cloths from the faded parts, and save the better parts for other projects. Mary needed to sew bed, kitchen and bath linens. If Barlow and Rose saw her diligently sewing, they might practice their sewing during quiet times.
December 28
Mary breakfasted early with Mr. Collins and did not see him until late afternoon for tea and refreshments in her sitting room. Mr. Manning and Mr. Collins went to rectory to help two men unload wagons of firewood. When they finished at the rectory, Mrs. Manning prepared a midday repast for the men. Tomorrow they would deliver wood to the parsonage. Maryanne returned to the laundry outbuilding, while the remaining staff set the parsonage to rights.
For the remainder of the year, Mary continued walking to Rosings to practice on the pianoforte. Mr. Collins continued his days in his bookroom…watching out the window for equipage from Rosings. They met for dinner and shared their days. After dinner Mary worked with Mr. Collins on lessons to become a gentleman. While she kept a list of possible topics for sermons, she did not ask about the topic of the upcoming sermon. She knew how to appear to be an attentive listener from years of lectures from Mother. She would not meddle in his profession…if Lady Catherine didn't meddle in her life.