~MoL~

Arrivals and Amelioration

Longbourn – 1809

That evening, Collins had a relaxing dinner with Darcy, enjoying a wide-ranging conversation.

When the subject of books came up, Collins commented, 'I noticed that you have marked about two-thirds of the books on my list. Surely you already own all but the rarest of them.'

'I do like to have copies of my favourite books in London. And some of your books, while not particularly rare, are still difficult to find.'

'I suppose, considering your purported wealth, you have the funds, and you can spend them in any way you wish. I confess that I am pleased not having to spend time on finding several buyers. I would like to have an opportunity to start the improvements as soon as I can.''

Darcy chuckled, 'Even without the formal valuation, I am already convinced that you will be able to afford the improvements you wish to make to your estate.'

'It is not my estate yet, and it may never be. After all, Mr Bennet may live long enough to father a son.'

'Yes, and I will grow wings and fly to the moon.'

'At least that is safer than the sun, as poor Icarus found out.'

'Precisely. And I do know my limits.'

Collins cocked his head. 'Since when have you become modest?'

'Since I started thinking about some of the advice you have given me.' Darcy sported a chagrined smile as he said, 'It seems that you were right about my prejudices. Some months ago, I met that tradesman friend of Henry's, and it appears that apart from being immature and fickle when it comes to the ladies, he seems to be quite a pleasant young pup.' Darcy noticed Collins' raised brows when he mention Bingley was fickle and went on to explain, 'As far as I cant tell, he simply falls in love quite easily, and a few weeks later she falls out of love just as quickly.'

Even though Collins was not impressed by that attitude, Bingley was still quite young. Perhaps he would grow out of it. Instead of commenting, he asked, 'How did they meet? I confess that I wondered that Henty would choose such an unusual friend.'

'It seems that you and Bingley do have something in common. To hear Henry tell it, Bingley saved his life. It turns out that Henry has become something of a womaniser and several lads took objection to his latest choice of paramour. Bingley came on the scene when four of them were laying into Henry and waded into the fray. By the time they got away, Bingley was even worse for wear than Henry. Henry was impressed that a complete stranger would come to his aid and immediately declared them to be friends. They have been fast friends ever since.'

Collins shrugged. 'I suppose not everyone is more interested in learning than ladies while they are at school.'

Darcy agreed, 'Yes, we are definitely in the minority.'

~MoL~

The two young men had breakfast early in the morning as Darcy hoped to cover a significant distance by day's end.

Once he finished his first cup of coffee, Darcy said, 'I have been considering your situation. If you will not be offended, I would offer my advice about your estate.' When Collins opened his lips, Darcy cut him off with a small laugh. 'I know, I know. It is not your estate yet, but since you are the leaseholder, it is your estate and your responsibility.'

'I was only going to say, that I would appreciate any advice you would care to give.'

'In that case, I suggest we ride together until you need to turn off and we can discuss the best use of the funds which you will have available.'

When Collins agreed, Darcy said, 'Speaking of funds, here is a downpayment on those books. This should allow you to affect the most urgent repairs.' He handed over a bank draft for one thousand pounds.

'You call this a downpayment?' Collins asked in surprise.

'Indeed. I know how much some of those books sold for. In total this is only a fraction of their worth.'

'I shall bow to your greater knowledge on this subject,' Collins agreed. He felt thrilled at the thought how much good he could do with the full value of the books.

Once they finished their meal they set off in Darcy's carriage, with the Longbourn vehicle following behind. They discussed estate matters until it was time for Collins to switch to his own coach. By that time he felt his head might explode from all the information Darcy had imparted.

~MoL~

Immediately upon his return, Collins threw himself into the work of restoring Longbourn.

In an effort the keep peace and garner local knowledge, he discussed his plans with Elizabeth.

His cousin was more confused than ever. She still wanted to hate him for having turned her world upside down but found the respectful manner in which he discussed the changes with her to be a great balm to her ego.

When he commented, 'Your father must have been very proud of you for your extensive efforts towards Longbourn,' she started to recognise, albeit reluctantly, that her father had duped her when he graciously allowed her to assist in managing the estate. Elizabeth realised that Mr Bennet had let her shoulder most of the tasks which would have taken him away from his books. And he had made it seem as if he were doing her a favour by trusting her.

That comment also highlighted that instead of praising her, Mr Bennet had teased her. 'Just think what all those fogies would say if they knew that a mere slip of a girl can do what they can. All those men would run screaming from you.'

In hindsight, Elizabeth thought that her father had laughed at her. Did he value me only for making his life more comfortable? Or perhaps not even that that. Was he laughing that I could not see that he was using me. She felt utterly mortified at that realisation.

As a result, slowly but surely Elizabeth came to shift her dislike to the person who deserved her disdain.

~MoL~

Another nail in the coffin of Elizabeth's loss of regard for Mr Bennet came during another conversation with her cousin.

She commented on her mother's indiscriminate spending.

'I am afraid that I must shatter your illusions. Yet again,' said Collins with an apologetic look. 'Yes, your mother spent large sums of money each year, but she did not squander it on fripperies.'

'Papa said that mama wasted money on useless paintings and such. Which was why there was not enough money to make the needed repairs.'

'Cousin Elizabeth, please think carefully about the question I am going to ask. If your mother had not spent that money and your father had been able to use it as he wished, would he have spent it on maintenance or additional books?'

Elizabeth opened her lips to immediately declare that her father would have done the right thing by Longbourn, but then she remembered an instance where he had promised to make repairs, but next thing she knew, another crate of books arrived, and the repairs were never made. She closed her mouth without uttering a word.

Collins watched her reaction and said gently, 'I am sorry, cousin. It gives me no pleasure to upset you, but your father is an exceedingly self-indulgent individual. If he had exerted himself, much could have been done to maintain the estate and provide dowries for you and your sisters.'

'Instead, they both threw money out the window,' Elizabeth said with a defeated air. 'I suppose we should be grateful that the sale of the books provides funds to restore Longbourn, even if it does not help my sisters and me in the short term.'

'Ah, but that is where you are wrong. You see, all those paintings and knick-knacks which your mother bought were her way of saving for the future. Like the books, the paintings have value and can be sold, which will provide funds for your dowries.' Collins did not mention that Mrs Bennet had simply spent the money out of pique rather than with an eye to the future, but it seemed like a good way to improve Elizabeth's opinion of Mrs Bennet.

'Mama saved for our dowries?' Elizabeth exclaimed in disbelief.

'Admittedly, your Uncle Gardiner was a big help. He very cleverly bought things for a fraction of their worth, but the initial funds for those purchases came from your mother,' Colins said quietly and was pleased at the reaction from his cousin.

Elizabeth stared at him wide-eyed as the reality of his words sunk in. The father whom she had worshipped had abandoned her without a backward glance. In stark contrast, the mother whom she had dismissed and derided for being stupid and a spendthrift, had slowly but surely ensured the future of Elizabeth and her sisters.

For her, the world spun and came crashing down in a pattern she could not recognise. As she struggled to sort through the new facts, it became obvious that much of what she had known was true turned out to be a lie. She felt mortified that despite her vaunted intelligence she had not been able to discern fact from fiction.

Her beloved father had completely fooled her and she had not seen his deceit. That humbling thought was the final straw and she burst into tears of heartbreak and shame. She was barely aware of the hand which pressed a handkerchief into hers as she sobbed into its folds.

Elizabeth also did not notice the soothing murmur and the awkward pats to her shoulder until the storm of weeping subsided. She made good use of the handkerchief and at last she raised her eyes to meet the concerned look of her cousin.

Before he had a chance to enquire to her well-being, she gasped out the most difficult words, 'I am sorry.'

Collins gave her a reassuring smile. 'Do not trouble yourself further. I quite understand.' His smile widened as he said, 'Perhaps you should follow my philosophy, only think of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.'

When Elizabeth finally calmed down, she was left with a burning anger towards Mr Bennet for making a fool of her.

~MoL~

A few days later, several people arrived at Longbourn.

The first ones, who only stayed a few hours were Mr McMasters, the valuer whom Darcy had sent to assess the books, and his assistant. They arrived at mid-morning, having left London at dawn.

While Mr McMasters was busy, Collins sent for Mr Phillips to notarise the valuation. The valuer made quick work of it, since Collins handed him the lists of books Phillips had prepared, in duplicate. On several occasions McMasters exclaimed in pleasure when he handled a particularly rare tome.

When he finished, he sighed in pleasure. 'Mr Darcy will certainly be pleased to have found such treasures. It is fortunate that his income allows him to indulge in such an expensive interest.'

When Phillips saw the grand total of the valuation, his brows rose into his hairline. 'That should certainly restore the estate,' he muttered as he notarised both copies.

Now that their job was finished, McMasters and his assistant accepted light refreshments before setting out to return to London.

Collins immediately posted a copy of the valuation to Darcy at Pemberley.

A week later two carriages and Darcy's man of business, along with trusted footmen and sturdy boxes, arrived to collect the books, some of which were bound for London with the agent, while the bulk were destined for Pemberley.

Collins, Phillips, and the agent supervised the packing of the books, checking them off the lists, while Phillips also checked the total values.

Once everything was packed, the agent handed Collins a cheque for the full balance in exchange for a bill of sale itemising the transaction.

Once the agent and the carriages had left, Collins turned to Phillips with a smile as he waved the cheque. 'I think I can afford to be generous. I believe I will send the rest of the books to Bennet.'

'The timing is perfect. I just received a note from Bennet informing me of his new address,' Phillips agreed before he broke into a huge grin, 'I believe we will be able to hear his howls of anguish even here when he discovers his treasures are gone.'

~MoL~

The final person to arrive was a Mrs Taylor, who presented herself and a letter of introduction from Lady Catherine. The appearance of the large carriage with the de Bourgh crest caused quite a stir amongst the inhabitants of Longbourn.

Mrs Hill announced, 'Mrs Taylor from Rosings Park in Kent,' as she escorted the young woman to the parlour.

Since Collins was supervising the last of the harvest, Mrs Bennet greeted the newcomer. As soon as the introductions were complete, Mrs Bennet asked, 'Are you perchance the companion sent by Lady Catherine?'

'Indeed, I am. I have with me a letter of introduction to Mr Collins.'

Mrs Bennet explained Collins' absence and offered Mrs Taylor a chance to refresh herself before joining her and the sisters for tea.

As soon as they were settled with steaming cups, Mrs Bennet bombarded the young woman with questions. 'While we wait for Mr Collins to return from his duties, will you not tell us about your background? I am interested to know how you can benefit my daughters. Do you know anything about the duties of the mistress of an estate?'

Having expected an interrogation, Mrs Taylor was prepared to answer. 'My father owns a small estate in Kent. My mother was the daughter of the local parson and a very good lady. I have one brother and two sisters. Father hoped for all of us to make a good matches and therefor employed an excellent governess to teach us all the accomplishments required for a lady as well as about the duties of the mistress of an estate.'

She paused a moment before adding, 'her student in the latter subject included my mother as her upbringing had not included that subject.'

Mrs Taylor gave a rueful smile. 'As I said, mother was an excellent woman but somewhat romantic. She thought that a man in uniform was the most dashing sight. Being at an impressionable age, I became enamoured with the idea of marrying an officer rather than a boring gentleman farmer, which was my father's choice. Eventually, being of a stubborn disposition, I did end up marrying a captain in the regulars.'

Mrs Taylor shook her head and grimaced slightly. 'I soon discovered why my father had objected to my choice of husband. While he was a decent man, his pay was barely sufficient to feed and clothe both of us. While the interest on my dowry was helpful, we still struggled financially. Two years ago, he was sent to the continent… he did not survive even the first major battle. After his death, since I only have forty pounds per annum, I had to look for a position to make ends meet.'

'Could you not return to your family? After all, you are a gentlewoman,' suggested Jane.

'I did return for a time. But my father passed away and my brother's wife was disinclined to support me. She made her displeasure known by assigning me the most disagreeable tasks around her home. In the end, I was grateful when Lady Catherine approached me with a potential opportunity for a respectable position.'

The story which Mrs Taylor told touched Mrs Bennet's heart. But it was the part about the lady's mother having to learn to be a gentlewoman which decided her. Because of the lady's mother, Mrs Taylor obviously would understand and not look down on her for needing to catch up on her education.

Mrs Bennet made a decision. 'Welcome to Longbourn. I hope you will be very happy here.'

~MoL~

A/N:

Well, the set-up is complete. I can now focus on the story.

I appreciate all your comments.

Btw Collins is not giving up his position at Hunsford.

~MoL~

Master of Longbourn (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2023