Battle of the Dragons Chapter 23, a pride and prejudice fanfic

~O~

Dragon Slayer

Not feeling comfortable about staying in a house which was still occupied by its former mistress, Mrs Bennet and Gardiner accepted an invitation to stay with Isabella. Elizabeth was included in the family party due to the potential upheaval to come at the parsonage.

They left after a brief tour of the house, during which Mrs Bennet became even more convinced that she had no wish to live in such an enormous mansion.

On their way to Ravenswood, they stopped briefly at the parsonage to gather Elizabeth's belongings.

'My apologies for leaving without warning, but my mother and uncle arrived unexpectedly and will be staying with Aunt Isabella. I feel that I should be joining them, especially with all the disturbances occurring at present,' Elizabeth explained carefully.

'Thank you. I confess that with all the changes lately, I feel pulled in a dozen directions. But promise that you will still visit frequently.'

Elizabeth was only too happy to promise.

~O~

In the morning, Mrs Bennet insisted to go to Rosings to speak to Lady Catherine.

'Fanny, you know that Lord and Lady Matlock promised they would deal with their sister. There is no need for you to be involved in any unpleasantness,' Gardiner protested.

'No. I must be there. I was in exactly the position in which Lady Catherine is now.'

Isabella intervened. 'Not exactly. You only have a modest jointure and five daughters. Lady Catherine has a large jointure and no dependants. She will be perfectly comfortable.'

Mrs Bennet, who had much time to think during the night, tried to explain. 'Aunt Isabella, technically you are quite correct. But it is not the money which is the problem. The crux is that Lady Catherine is used to being in charge as mistress of Rosings, in the same way as I am mistress of Longbourn. It is the same situation only the size of the estates varies.'

Isabella smiled fondly at her niece. 'I grant you that the situation is very similar. But you are talking about getting a small house so that when the time comes, you can be comfortable. You only ever wanted security for your girls and yourself. Lady Catherine does not wish to give up her position.'

'Be that as it may. I must go there and look her in the eye. This is a battle I must fight on my own. At least now I do not have to fear any man or woman.'

Her daughters rushed to her side for a fierce embrace. 'We are so proud of you, mama,' exclaimed Elizabeth, heartily seconded by Jane.

Isabella and Gardiner looked on, feeling a little surprised but equally as proud of the lady.

~O~

The family arrived at Rosings and walked into Bedlam.

When Lady Catherine had joined her relations and the solicitor for breakfast, she had started an argument about her future disposition which had lasted throughout the meal. No matter what anybody said, she would not be swayed. Lady Catherine was the mistress of Rosings and Lady Catherine would remain the mistress of Rosings. Any other situation was insupportable and would not be borne.

As soon as she finished eating, she moved to occupy her position of power from whence she had ruled the estate for nearly three decades. She stormed into the drawing room to issue edicts from her throne… only to find her throne gone.

She was in full voice demanding the return of her chair when the party from Ravenswood walked in… without being announced.

'How dare you enter my domain uninvited and even unannounced, bellowed Lady Catherine, momentarily diverted from her previous decree.

'I know this is difficult for you to accept, but this is not your domain any longer,' Mrs Bennet said almost gently.

'How would you know anything? You are just the wife of an insignificant country squire,' spat Lady Catherine.

'Because of the entail on my husband's estate, I have lived in fear of losing my home. I know what it feels like. I am sorry that in your case your fear has come true, but I will not cede my birthright to a virtual stranger, even if we are second cousins by marriage. But just as I will eventually have to give up my home to Mr Collins, who is a distant cousin, so must you give up your home to me. At least you have the means to be comfortable.'

Mrs Bennet had slowly approached Lady Catherine, flanked by Isabella and Jane, while Elizabeth and Gardiner remained in the background.

Lady Catherine was about to call Mrs Bennet an impostor, who falsely claimed a connection to the de Bourghs. Yet when the three ladies stopped only a couple of steps away, the family resemblance between them could not be denied. And worse, the family resemblance to the wife of Sir William de Bourgh was unmistakable. There were slight differences in their figures due to age and children, but they were all tall, slim (or relatively so), blonde and blue-eyed. And they all stood tall without trying.

Lady Catherine had seen the portrait of Lady de Bourgh often enough in the picture gallery. Looking at the attitude of the Duchess, Mrs Bennet and Miss Bennet, Lady Catherine was reminded of a picture hanging in the small family parlour on the first floor. She was certain that that picture of Lady de Bourgh had been painted as a joke… as it depicted her in armour, standing over a felled dragon.

It was most unfortunate that for years, Lady Catherine had gleefully accepted the epithet of the Dragon of Rosings.

Now she was confronted by three ladies whose attitude of a dragonslayer was unmistakable.

Lady Catherine's shoulders slumped as she turned to Lord Matlock, defeat written all over her features. 'Brother, would you be so good as to take me to London.'

~O~

Lady Catherine had gone to her rooms to oversee the packing of her belongings as she would leave the following day. Lady Matlock had accompanied her to ensure the packing went smoothly and did not include de Bourgh family heirlooms.

Once the ladies had left the room, Matlock, Richard and Darcy bowed to the ladies. 'My respect Mrs Bennet, ladies. That was the most remarkable victory I have ever had the privilege to watch,' the Earl proclaimed as the others vigorously agreed.

Darcy addressed Elizabeth with a smile. 'I was surprised not to see you leading the charge.'

'I was the rearguard. My mother, aunt and sister made quite the pretty picture. I would have spoiled the symmetry.'

'While you ladies are unarguably beautiful, pretty was not the description which came to my mind,' commented Richard who could not help his grin. 'I was thinking terrifying. You put me in mind of an unstoppable avalanche.'

Mrs Bennet blushed and playfully hit his arm. 'Surely not. We are just gentle ladies who would not hurt a fly.'

'And Genghis Khan was just a peaceful misunderstood traveller.'

~O~

Determined to deal with all the unpleasantness in one fell swoop, Lord Matlock, on the request by Mrs Bennet sent a note to the parsonage for Mr and Mrs Collins to join them at Rosings.

The couple were welcomed in the drawing room, where everyone except Lady Catherine and Lady Matlock had gathered.

As soon as they were seated, Collins looked around and asked, 'How may I assist Lady Catherine in her hour of need?'

'Lady Catherine has no need of you,' Matlock said, as it had been deemed that he would be the right person to ask the necessary questions. 'I asked you here to discuss the living of Hunsford. I understand that Lady Catherine awarded it to you last year.'

'That is correct. I was most fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the great lady, whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish. And ever since then it was my earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her Ladyship and I was ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England.' It seemed that in times of stress, Collins reverted to his customary verbosity.

'Can you remember precisely on which day Lady Catherine granted you this honour?'

Collins beamed. 'That day shall remain in my memory forever. It was the twentieth of April in the year of our lord 1811.'

'And you can confirm that it was Lady Catherine who appointed you and not Miss de Bourgh.'

'Oh, yes. Lady Catherine was indeed the gracious lady who showed me such condescension.'

'Did you know that the birthday of Miss de Bourgh was the second day of April?'

'No, I did not. No one ever mentioned it.'

'Or that Miss de Bourgh turned five and twenty on her birthday last year?' When Collins just looked puzzled and shook his head, Lord Matlock continued. 'On that day she inherited Rosings and all the responsibilities and privileges which come with the estate. Such as appointing the rector for Hunsford.'

Collins might not have been the brightest man but even he started to show some concern, although he wisely kept quiet.

'I am afraid that I have to tell you that Lady Catherine did not have the authority to grant the living of Hunsford to you.'

Collins' face fell and he started to tremble as he thought about the revelation while Lord Matlock waited patiently. If Lady Catherine did not have the authority to grant the living, then he was now in danger of losing his home.

The home which he had used as an enticement to win the favour of his Charlotte.

The home he had been so proud to exhibit to his cousin to make her regret her rejection of his proposal.

If he was to lose his home, he would be homeless. Suddenly he recalled Mrs Bennet's laments about being thrown into the hedgerows. He also remembered how in his mind he had gloated over the fact that it was in his power to evict the women who had disrespected him.

He nearly burst into tears as he thought eviction could be his own fate.

Suddenly his expression cleared. 'Surely, now that Miss de Bourgh has passed and Lady Catherine, as her nearest relative, has inherited, the great lady can ratify my appointment,' he cried.

'I am afraid that you are misinformed. Lady Catherine has no claim on the de Bourgh holdings. Rosings has been inherited by Sir William de Bourgh's oldest great-grandchild.'

'Surely, the new master of Rosings will see my worthiness to this position.'

'The new owner of Rosings is most concerned that the rector is a charitable man. One who protects all in his care… particularly female relations.'

During this speech, Collins started to squirm in his seat as he was reminded again of his thoughts only moments ago of how he had anticipated evicting his female cousins on the death of Mr Bennet.

Lord Matlock seemed to read his mind as he glanced at Mrs Bennet and nodded.

'I do recall that you had plans to evict us as soon as you inherited,' she said.

Collins exclaimed fearfully, 'That was but a momentary aberration. On reflection, I could never do such a thing. And I will assure my new patron of this.'

'But what if I do not believe you? Men have made all sorts of promises to gain an advantage.'

Collins was too concerned with his own thoughts to pay close attention to the lady's words. 'Mrs Bennet, I am certain that the new master of Rosings will be more perceptive than a simple female like you.'

Isabella pursed her lips and said clearly, 'Open mouth. Change feet.'

While the comment was directed at Collins, several people looked at Darcy, who looked uncomfortable, but none said anything to interrupt the main proceedings.

Collins furrowed his brows at this non sequitur.

Isabella drawled, 'You just insulted the new mistress of Rosings. Your potential patroness.'

'My patroness,' Collins gasped and returned his gaze to Mrs Bennet who looked at him as if he was something she had scraped off her shoe.

'Indeed. The simple, powerless female whom you were planning to evict from her home the moment her husband died, and you inherited, has just inherited the grand estate of Rosings Park.'

That revelation was too much for Collins. After all the shocks of the past week, his mind could not deal with this latest unexpected and most unwelcome situation. After all that had happened, he had no expectation of mercy from that lady. Despite being a member of the supposedly stronger sex, he fainted.

'Oh, dear. Did someone bring my salts?'

~O~

Both Jane and Elizabeth had brought vinaigrettes in anticipation that their mother would suffer an attack of nerves. With all that had happened only within the last day, they had thought it a sensible precaution.

But somehow their mother was rising to the challenge, yet others fell by the wayside.

Even before Collins fainted, Charlotte, being quicker on the uptake, had turned pale. While Jane ministered to Collins, Elizabeth quietly reassured her friend. 'Be easy. But after all the offences your husband has perpetrated against my family, mama is getting some of her own back, while ensuring he does not backslide.'

Charlotte still looked unconvinced, but she held her peace.

It did not take long to rouse Collins and soon he was sitting up, sipping a restorative brandy. Gradually he lost his pallor and dazed expression. He shot furtive glances at Mrs Bennet, who waited until he appeared fully recovered.

Once she had his full attention, she explained, 'Yesterday we discovered that thanks to Aunt Isabella's mother, our family is related to the de Bourghs. Since Miss Anne de Bourgh was the last in the primary line, the inheritance of Rosings Park has devolved onto me. I am now the mistress of Rosings Park, although upon her marriage, I will hand over that position to my heir apparent, my daughter Jane.'

'I am sure Cousin Jane –'

'Miss Bennet to you,' Jane interrupted.

'Forgive me,' Collins simpered. 'I was just trying to say that I believe Miss Bennet will make an outstanding mistress of Rosings.'

Mrs Bennet continued relentlessly. 'I want to ensure that the clergyman looking after the parishioners in her domain is suitable. Since your wife is a dear friend of my daughters, I have decided to allow you to prove that you can do better than you did with Lady Catherine as your patroness.'

'You will ratify the living of Hunsford?' Collins asked hopefully.

'Not yet. After all, the living is for life. I have no wish to inflict an unsuitable parson on the community indefinitely. Therefore, I have decided to employ you as a curate for one year. You may continue living in the parsonage and enjoy all the benefits of the position, except that it will not be permanent until you prove yourself.'

'Charlotte, I look to you to advise your husband in the proper behaviour for a parson.'

Charlotte heaved a sigh of relief and smiled as she answered, 'Mrs Bennet, I thank you for your trust. I am certain that my husband will live up to your expectations.'

They both looked at Collins, who nodded vigorously.

Isabella watched the whole performance with pride. Who would have thought that her flighty niece could show so much strength.

~O~