~O~

Dashed Hopes

In the morning, the family were finishing their breakfast when Collins strolled into the dining room, greeting the occupants.

As he stood by the sideboard to fill his plate, the ladies all rose and excused themselves to attend to their duties. Collins was too stunned and affronted that they did not remain while he ate, that they were gone before he found his voice. 'Cousin, you really should teach your ladies proper behaviour. It is extremely rude to walk out on a guest.'

'Perhaps you should consider whether it is polite of a guest to arrive late for breakfast? My mother and daughters have duties, overseeing various household and estate matters. Would you throw my whole household into disarray because of your tardiness?'

'But Lady Catherine says…'

'Would not Lady Catherine expect you to be on time?'

'Collins managed to say, 'Oh,' around a large mouthful of ham, eggs and bread.

'Precisely,' Bennet said with finality, picking up his newspaper so he did not have to watch Collins cramming his mouth full of food. Collins refilled his plate twice more before he said, 'Shall we discuss my estate now?'

Bennet put down his paper. 'Indeed, but to ensure you understand all the implications of the entail, I have arranged an appointment with Mr Phillips, our solicitor in Meryton. It is about a mile. Do you ride?'

Collins looked shocked. 'Certainly not,' he spluttered. 'It is bad for my health.'

Bennet looked at the corpulent parson and thought carrying that man would be bad for the health of the horse, but he held his peace. Instead, he offered, 'Very well, I shall call for a carriage.'

On their way out of the house, Mr Hill informed Bennet that the ladies had need of the carriage and he had therefore taken the liberty to have the gig readied, as he handed Bennet a satchel, which hiss master accepted with a nod of thanks.

~O~

At the office of Mr Phillips, Bennet made the introductions and once they were seated, Phillips commented, 'I was wondering if you would visit today as you are nearly an hour late.'

'I expect that Mr Collins was fatigued from his travels,' Bennet replied with a bland expression while Collins wore a pinched look.

While he was raised in very humble circumstances by an illiterate and miserly father, having been awarded a living at an early age had given him an inflated sense of self-worth. As a consequence, he did not take censure well. In this situation in particular where he felt he was showing such condescension towards his relatives.

'At least you are here now,' Phillips agreed before turning to Collins. 'Mr Collins, I gather that you have been told of the entail to heirs male which was placed on the estate of Longbourn by your mutual ancestor.'

'Indeed, My respected father was most eloquent on the subject, which is how I discovered that my cousin has had the misfortune to only sire female offspring. As, according to the entail, females cannot inherit, I came to make the acquaintance of my cousins and learn something of my inheritance.'

'But you have never yet seen the entail document?'

'No, indeed, as it remained with Longbourn and the Bennets.'

'Just as I thought. I believe it would be best if you took the time to read the document and when you are done, I shall answer any question you might have and provide clarification on any point.'

'Ah, yes. I shall be pleased to discover exactly what is included in my inheritance,' Collins said with great dignity. Turning to Bennet he added, 'It is gratifying that you are punctilious in ensuring that this matter is dealt with in an open manner.'

Taking the document, Collins proceeded a careful study of the clauses contained therein.

Phillips and Bennet relaxed back into their chairs as they watched Collins nodding to himself with a self-satisfied smile as he read the first part of the document. The smile turned to a perplexed frown by the time he finished reading. Collins shook his head and flicked back to an earlier clause, whereupon his frown took on an angry cast.

'This cannot be right,' he cried, looking up at Phillips.

'I can assure you that this document and the stipulations are perfectly legal and accurate. As you have discovered, the entail was created to secure the estate to the fifth generation of descendants of Mr Henry Bennet. Mr Thomas Bennet here is the fifth generation of Bennet males who have inherited Longbourn. Once it came into his possession, the entail ended. Mr Thomas Bennet now owns Longbourn outright, to do with as he wills.'

'But my father specifically told me that if Mr Bennet had no sons, Longbourn would come to me.'

'Your father was wrong.'

'How do I know that you did not add some name of an heir who never existed.'

Phillips nodded to Bennet, who opened the satchel he had brought and extracted the family bible. It was one of the few items which had survived the fire at Longbourn, as Mrs Bennet had picked it up on her way out of the house.

Bennet placed it on the desk and opened it, allowing Collins to see and compare all the entries with the names on the entail document.

To Collins' chagrin they matched perfectly, but even worse was the entry of William Bennet from five generations earlier which had been struck out.

'Why has my ancestor's name been crossed out?' Collins demanded.

'Because of his gambling he amassed such debts that his father was forced to sell the bulk of Longbourn. Disgusted with his son, he disowned William Bennet,' Bennet explained.

Phillips added his own opinion. 'To ensure that future generations could not squander what was left of Longbourn, he created the entail. Although if Henry Bennet had ever considered that his entail could open the way for a descendent of William Bennet to inherit, I am certain he would have worded it differently.'

'Why did you make me come all this way? Could you not have explained this in a letter?' Collins demanded, although it came out mor like a whine.

Bennet fixed him with a penetrating look. 'Would you have believed me?'

Collins took his time to think about the question. His shoulders slumped as he shook his head. 'No, I would not have believed you. I would have assumed that you were trying to cheat me out of my inheritance.'

'I believe that you have all your answers.'

~O~

As they returned to the gig, Collins asked diffidently, 'Might I see Longbourn while I am here?'

Bennet could not restrain his sense of humour further. He answered, 'Certainly. But I should warn you, knocking me over the head and dumping my body will not help you. I have already made a will, nominating my daughter as my heir.'

Collins was about to protest that he had no such intentions when he saw Bennet's smile. 'Very funny,' he muttered.

Bennet acceded to the request and guided the gig to the site of the destroyed Longbourn manor house. Along the way he provided some of the history of the family and the estate.

The comment Bennet had made about his daughter being the heir refused to leave Collins' mind. He thought it would not hurt to try once more. 'Would it not be an advantage to have your daughter marry me to keep the estate in the family?'

With a sigh, Bennet explained, 'I raised the question with my daughters and none of them are willing. And before you ask, I would remind you that according to canon law a woman cannot be forced into a marriage she does not want. And I would never even consider coercing one of my daughters. No matter what inducements a man might offer.'

Collins had to be satisfied with that answer. Fortunately they arrived at the site of the fire and he looked around at the remaining buildings. 'Did you not say the manor burned down? What is that building?'

'That is the old steward's cottage.'

'Even this is bigger than my parsonage.' Collins sighed. 'It would have been wonderful to call this my home.'

'I always wanted a home which belonged to me,' he murmured. He wanted to be angry at having been denied what he had believed was going to be his inheritance. But the documents had been genuine and very clear.

Collins could not even be angry with his ancestor for behaving so badly as to be expelled from the family. As Bennet reminded him, 'William Bennet was the younger son. He was never going to inherit. But you have your own home.'

'But I have only at Lady Catherine's pleasure.'

'Did no one tell you that a living is for life. As long as you properly do your job ministering to your parishioners, it cannot be taken away.'

Collins stared at Bennet. 'Are you quite certain?'

'Absolutely. You are free to consult with our vicar to confirm my opinion.'

A slow smile spread across Collins' face. 'Perhaps things are not so bad.'

~O~

The four youngest Bennets had been pleased to deliver the laundered drapes which used to grace the mistress' suite to the vicar for his charities.

After the delivery was made, the girls enjoyed a stroll along the High Street where they indulged in some window shopping.

Lydia excitedly pointed out a bonnet in the window of the milliner's, 'Look, Mary. What do you think of that bonnet? I think it would look simply divine on you.'

The discussion regarding the suitability of the bonnet was cut short as the sisters were addressed by an acquaintance. 'Miss Elizabeth, Miss Mary, good afternoon. May I say how delightful it is to encounter you so unexpectedly.

Turning towards the gentleman, Elizabeth answered for her sisters. 'Good afternoon, Lieutenant Denny. It is a pleasure to see you too,' she said politely but not warmly.

'May I introduce to your acquaintance a friend of mine who has just arrived to take up a commission with the militia?' Denny indicated a remarkably handsome young man with a charming smile, but whose looks, Elizabeth felt, were spoiled by the flash of calculation in his eyes.

Receiving reluctant permission, Denny introduced Mr Wickham to the two older sisters and added, 'I am afraid that I am unable to complete the introduction as I have not yet had the pleasure of an introduction to your companions, Miss Elizabeth.'

'As our father is not present, you will have to wait until he is able to give permission for an introduction as our youngest sisters are not yet out.'

Given this information, Wickham put on has most charming smile and bowed towards Cathy and Lydia. 'Surely an exception can be made. How shall I know how to think of these pictures of perfect loveliness?'

Before Elizabeth could intervene, Lydia cocked her head and treated Wickham to a frank examination from his artfully disarranged hair to his polished boots. Moving her eyes back up to meet his and pursing her lips she asked, 'Really, sir? Are you expecting me to be flattered by such tired poppycock?'

'You hurt me. I am quite sincere in my admiration,' cried Wickham.

'Sir, you should confine such blatant admiration to ladies closer to your age... much closer. And I have to say that our father delivers those lines with much more conviction than you do.'

'Your father says such things to you?'

'We are exceedingly fortunate that we have a most attentive father who demonstrates to us the flattery used to lure unsuspecting ladies. How else are we supposed to learn to discern the nonsense men spout when on the hunt?'

'You think I would stoop to such behaviour. I am devastated that you could think so badly of me, and we have not even been introduced.'

Lydia had to work hard not to laugh at the kicked puppy dog expression Wickham sported. 'If I have truly misjudged you, I apologise.'

Wickham's face cleared at those words. He knew that if charm failed, he could always induce guilt to sway a girl, especially in girls not yet out. He was so secure in his ability to charm that he missed Lydia's phrasing, as she was certain that she had judged him correctly.

His glee was short-lived as a deep voice interjected, 'But such an apology is unnecessary, Miss Bennet. You are an excellent judge of character.'

The words alerted the group to two newcomers.

Darcy and Bingley had been riding into Meryton on their way to Longbourn when they spotted the Bennet sisters and their companions. Pleased to see Elizabeth, Darcy dismounted and led his horse towards them, followed by Bingley.

Darcy had spent weeks becoming familiar with Elizabeth, causing him to recognise a certain stiffness in her posture as she was speaking to the officer, he recognised as Denny, and another man whose back was towards him. Darcy's arrival was just in time for him to hear a very familiar and even more unwelcome voice.

Wickham's face lost all colour as he whirled to face Darcy, who glared at him, as he said, 'When one comes across a snake in the grass, one does not require an introduction to recognise a reptile.'

'Are you following me?'

'Indeed not, as I would prefer never to lay eyes on you again. I have been here for weeks. But I could ask the same question. How come you are here?'

Denny thought to intervene. 'Mr Wickham is an acquaintance of mine whom I encountered in London, and I was able to convince him to sign up with the militia.'

'Good heavens, Wickham. Are you saying that for once in your life you are going to work for your living?'

'I have agreed to accept a commission in the militia. Are you planning on ruining my chances yet again?'

'In the past you were the one who squandered all your opportunities as well as all the money I paid you when you refused the living my father had planned for you. But if you are sincere in wanting to improve yourself, I shall not stand in your way.'

'See that you do not,' Wickham grated and indicated to Denny that they should leave, while he cursed fate for putting Darcy in his path and himself for incautiously giving Darcy a chance to inform Denny and the ladies that he had been compensated for the living he had rejected. Before he had a chance to use it, Darcy had countered the sad tale of the denied living which Wickham used to garner sympathy and was his most potent weapon to receive the favours from young girls.

As Wickham turned to leave, he had just a moment to notice the welcoming smiles all the ladies directed at his nemesis. What was the world coming to if Darcy was more popular than himself.

~O~

~O~

A/N

Since there is some confusion about Bennet's wealth, here is how it works out.

Longbourn starts out with an income of 2,000, estate expenses are 500 leaving 1,500.

Longford is 3 times the size and therefore makes 6,000, estate expenses are 1,500 leaving 4,500.

Bennet inherited Longford from his great-grandfather when he was 4. It is reasonable to assume that since the old man lived quietly, there would also have been some cash available for emergencies. 20K is not unreasonable for a well-run estate. This fund is separate from the profits.

The estate is held in trust for Bennet until he reaches his majority, and the profits are invested each year in the funds (4%) attracting compound interest.

Soon after, Bennet inherits Longbourn and after his marriage lives on the profits of Longbourn, while he continues to invest the profits from Longford.

By the time Gardiner wants to start his business, Bennet has 200K in the funds from his profits. Giving Gardiner 50K leaves 150k.

Being an attentive landowner, he increases the income of Longbourn to 2,500 and Longford proportionally to 7,500, while the expenses for both remain close to the same. The extra 500 from Longbourn pays for his daughters' expenses.

By the time Bingley et al arrive, Longford profits have accumulated and compounded to approx. 400K.

The emergency fund has compounded to approx. 100K.

If his 50K investment with Gardiner has grown by 8% on average, it is now worth approx. 200K.

So, the cash funds are a total of 500K plus his investment is 200K. The value of Gardiner's business of which Bennet owns 50% – who knows.

Now we get to the interesting part.

Longbourn income = 2,500

Longford income = 7,500

Total income of the combined estates = 10,000

Income from cash funds 500K 4% = 20,000

Income from investment 200K 8% = 16,000

Bennet's total income in 1811 = 46,000

Darcy is a pauper. – Lady C and Rosings are not even worth a mention.

On a related but slightly different note – from a 19th century perspective it is perfectly sensible to combine Longbourn and Longford. Not only was it one estate originally but the attitude was that the bigger the estate the more power the family possessed. The reason for entails and primogeniture was to ensure the estates did not get split up.

By giving the girls 100K each, they can each buy an estate – just like Bingley's fortune of 100K.

Here endeth the history lesson.

As for John Cleland's novel published in 1748 – it was Fanny Hill, Memoires of a Woman of Pleasure. He also wrote several other risqué stories.

Collins should be ashamed of himself even knowing what it was…

~O~

A Most Attentive Father (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2024