Enjoy š
~MoL~
Assembly and Assumption
Longbourn ā 1811
Two years had passed since William Collins had arrived at Longbourn and the changes were many and varied, and some of them were nothing short of amazing.
All necessary repairs had been made to the estate. Fields were properly drained, the fences were secure and the tenants' cottages were snug homes for the residents. Collins had made himself very popular amongst the local merchants by buying supplies from them, and the local labourers as he had employed many of them to achieve his aims.
Not only had he found new tenants for the farms which had been deserted during Bennet's reign, but all but one of the tenants had adopted the new four course crop rotation system. While it would still be a few years until they could reap the full rewards of the changes, the estate was as profitable as it had been during the time of Mr Bennet's father, and the income was steadily improving.
The manor house too, had received some improvements. In a couple of small boxrooms on the first floor and in another small storage room on the ground floor, Collins had installed the latest inventionā¦ flushing toilets, which had earned him the gratitude of the maids, who did not have to empty the chamber-pots any longer.
Even the newly refurbished dower house had seen the installation of this facility, as one of the dressing rooms had been converted for its use. Mrs Bennet was thrilled with all the changes which had taken place.
She, who had rarely walked in the past, had gone to the dower house on an almost daily basis while the work was being carried out.
The house was now simply but comfortably furnished with excess furniture from the manor, which had been polished until it shone. The Bennet sisters had also insisted that their mother should choose some of the paintings she had purchased over the years to brighten up the walls.
When Mrs Bennet tried to demur, she was surprised to find that Elizabeth was the spokesperson for the sisters. 'Mama, since you were the clever lady who took the trouble to purchase these paintings to provide us with dowries, it seems only fair that you should have at least some of them to enjoy. Uncle Gardiner assures us that there is more than enough for us to have a secure future.'
Mrs Bennet was touched by her daughters' love and could only agree. Once the finishing touches had been completed, she could not get enough of strolling through the various rooms, lightly brushing her hands over the smooth or soft surfaces.
She had a home at last.
~MoL~
Of course, not everything had gone smoothly. The main problem had been the ladies' education.
Five of the ladies had been quite eager to gain new knowledge and master accomplishments, keeping Mrs Taylor extremely busy.
Since Mrs Bennet had already calmed down significantly once she lost her fear for the future, it did not take too long for Mrs Taylor, ably assisted by Jane, to teach her proper comportment. Mrs Bennet also learnt the duties incumbent on the mistress of an estate, and she applied herself to the tasks with determination and the assistance of her daughters.
Mrs Bennet revelled in the respect she was accorded after she amended her behaviour. There was only one fly in the ointment. She did not have as much leisure time as she had in the past, and there were days when she considered it would be a good thing if Collins married. These thoughts became more frequent once the dower house was complete and beckoning.
Unsurprising, Lydia had complained bitterly about being forced into a routine of study. 'Mama, I would much rather learn to dance and flirt so that I can catch an officer to marry and go to balls and parties every night.'
'Lydia, have you forgotten that Mrs Taylor married an officer, and they had barely enough money to get by. Do you truly want to cook and clean for your husband and only get one new dress per year?'
Lydia pouted, but persistence and the unwavering determination by Mrs Bennet to ensure that her daughters should be in the best possible position to make good marriages, forced even her youngest daughter to capitulate.
Fortunately, the older girls only needed minimal instruction, having learnt much from Mrs Gardiner, as in the early days Mrs Taylor needed to focus on her oldest and youngest student.
Over time, there were significant improvements in Jane's knowledge of French and history. Elizabeth's fingering on the pianoforte improved, while Mary learnt to infuse some feeling into her playing. Kitty still had much to learn, but she displayed an unexpected talent in drawing, which Mrs Taylor encouraged.
All in all, William Collins was pleased with the progress of his cousins. He was especially pleased that Elizabeth had mostly overcome her habit of poking fun at people. In recent times she reserved that practice for those people who deserved it, while she generally only indulged in good-natured teasing. As a result, his cousin was becoming much more popular amongst her family and her neighbours.
~MoL~
'Mr Collins, Mr Collins,' cried Fanny Bennet as she bustled into the house.
When Collins stepped into the hall from his study, where he had been busy recording the results of the harvest, Mrs Bennet did not give him a chance to speak. 'Did you hear, Netherfield Park has been let at last,' she informed him, full of excitement.
'I had not heard, but although that news is interesting, why are you in such excitement over it?'
'I was visiting my sister and she informed me that the lessee is a young man of fortuneā¦ a young and single man.'
'Mrs Bennet, while I can see that such a man would think you a most charming and beautiful lady, you must remember that you still have a husband,' Collins teased with an impish smile.
That comment earned him a startled glance, before the lady playfully swatted his arm and cried, 'Oh, pish. You know perfectly well that I am excited for my girls. There are so few eligible men available these days that it is perfectly reasonable to be thrilled at the opportunity to meet someone new. Perhaps he will fall madly in love with one of my daughters.'
'And when is this paragon expected to take up residence at Netherfield Park?'
'Martha told me that he would take possession in two weeks, although he will be sending his staff beforehand to make the house ready.' She beamed at him. 'The gentleman and his party should be in residence just in time for the harvest assembly.'
'In that case I shall have to visit Netherfield Park and welcome the gentleman as soon as I return from Rosings,' offered Collins with a smile.
'I knew that I could rely on you to do your best for my girls.'
'Do not forget that they are my family too.'
~MoL~
On the Monday before the assembly, Mrs Bennet was dismayed to receive an express from Mr Collins.
'What does our cousin have to say?' enquired Jane as she saw her mother's expression after reading the short missive.
Mrs Bennet glanced up at her daughters who were gathered in the parlour as they were waiting for dinner. She read aloud, 'My apologies, but I have been unavoidably detained at Rosings. I will do my best to return in time for the assembly. Although, if I should be late, I hope you will be able to enjoy yourselves, nonetheless. I am certain that Sir William Lucas will be only too pleased to perform the necessary introductions to your new neighbours.'
'Oh. That is too bad. He had promised to dance with all of us,' mourned Elizabeth.
'Never mind your dances,' exclaimed Mrs Bennet. 'He will not be able to meet Mr Bingley and perform our introductions. It would look much better being escorted by the master of Longbourn.'
'But Cousin William assuredly has the right of it. I feel confident that Sir William will be delighted to perform the introductions, so we will not miss out,' Jane reassured her mother.
~MoL~
As Mr Collins had not returned by the time the Bennet ladies were ready to leave for the much-awaited assembly, Mrs Bennet escorted her three oldest daughters, while the younger two remained at home with Mrs Taylor.
They were greeted on arrival by Sir William who immediately asked, 'Is Mr Collins not with you?'
When informed of the obvious, he cheerfully offered, 'In that case I hope you will allow me to do the honours when the party from Netherfield arrives.'
Assured of introductions, Mrs Bennet joined the matrons while her daughters sought out Charlotte Lucas, who greeted them with a mischievous smile. 'Have you come to discover what I know of the mysterious party at Netherfield?'
Charlotte had always been a good friend to Jane, despite being five years older. Because of their friendship she had tolerated Elizabeth when she was being difficult while she was influenced by Mr Bennet. Since the gentleman's departure and her change in attitude, Elizabeth had discovered Charlotte's intelligence and the fact that they had much in common. As a result, Charlotte was now good friends with the three oldest Bennet sisters, while Kitty and Lydia were friends with Charlotte's younger sister Maria.
'Are they mysterious?' asked Elizabeth in response to Charlotte's tease.
'Only insofar as very few people have met any of them.'
'Shall we have the pleasure of meeting them tonight?' asked Jane. She hoped that there would be more gentlemen to partner the ladies as there was always a shortage of men at the dances.
'Papa said that Mr Bingley has accepted on behalf of all of his party. And before you ask again, he has only met Mr Bingley, who mentioned that his group consist of two ladies, Mr Bingley's sisters, and four gentlemenā¦ himself, two friends plus his older sister's husband.'
Elizabeth gave a relieved smile. 'Perhaps we only have to sit out one set each instead of two, so that everyone has a chance to dance.'
~MoL~
The second dance of the first set had just started when there was a commotion near the entrance to the assembly hall as the party from Netherfield arrived.
Everyone, including the dancers, glanced in their direction. In the lead was a handsome young man with strawberry blond curls, escorting a young woman with similar colouring. They were followed by another couple who had to be Mr Bingley's sister and her husband. Trailing them were two men. One was moderately tall, well built and quite handsome with sandy coloured hair.
Elizabeth nearly missed a step in her dance when she saw the last man who entered. He was a powerfully built man who towered above all his companions. He was exceedingly handsome with dark hair and piercing blue eyes, which were noticeable even at a distance. The only things which spoiled the effect were his rigid posture and his impassive mien.
As she forced herself to focus on the dance, she still caught a glimpse of Sir William Lucas as he bustled up to the group to welcome them.
~MoL~
Sir William greeted Mr Bingley and was delighted when the gentleman introduced his companions.
'I would like you to meet my family. My sister and her husband, Mr and Mrs Hurst, and my younger sister Miss Bingley, who will act as my hostess.'
Sir William greeted them pleasantly but was nearly bowled over when Bingley continued the introduction and presented the Honourable Henry Fitzwilliam, the third son of the Earl of Matlock and his cousin, Mr Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire. 'We are honoured to have such illustrious company at our humble festivities,' he enthused, before he proceeded to introduce his own family.
As Charlotte was without a partner for the first set, she was with her father and delighted to grant Mr Bingley the next set of dances.
Sir William went on to introduce the group to the leading families of the area, although it did not take long for Mr Hurst to drift towards the refreshments and Mr Bingley's sisters soon followed.
The three remaining gentlemen accepted the introductions according to their nature. Mr Bingley with friendly enthusiasm, Mr Fitzwilliam with a roving eye towards the ladies, and Mr Darcy with punctilious courtesy but little warmth.
By the time they reached Mrs Bennet, the first set had just ended and she and Mary were joined by Jane.
Mrs Bennet was most gratified that Mr Fitzwilliam's eyes lit up on being introduced to Jane and he immediately requested her next available set. As Mr Bingley was to dance with Charlotte first, he was pleased to engage Jane for the set following and Mary for the one after that.
Bingley complimented Mrs Bennet on the beauty of her daughters, whereupon she gushed, 'My girls are indeed all quite lovely and accomplished It is a pity that Elizabeth is busy chatting with her friends and not here for you to meet her, especially as she loves to dance.' She turned to Darcy. 'Do you like to dance too, Mr Darcy?'
'I do not,' replied the gentleman repressively.
'What a shame. We are always short of gentlemen these days.'
Before she could say anything further, Sir William excused himself to continue with his self-appointed duty to introduce the gentlemen to as many people as possible before the next set started.
~MoL~
Meanwhile Elizabeth was indeed chatting with a friend.
Charlotte Lucas was pleased to inform her about the identity of the various people in Mr Bingley's group.
On being told the identity of the most handsome man, Elizabeth wondered if he could be the same gentleman who had been mentioned by Mr Collins on numerous occasions. She thought, I wonder which side of his personality he is going to display tonight, the pleasant friend who is uncomfortable in company or the haughty gentleman?'
~MoL~
~MoL~
Master of Longbourn (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright Ā© 2023