A Governess for Longbourne Page 7

  Mrs. Young hastened away from her listening post, keeping her steps silent, almost tripping a time or two on that crazy ramp on the stairs. She softly closed the schoolroom door behind her, but mentally with a slam. Pacing wildly, she muttered to herself, "How! He should get nothing! He killed his father, and this is what he receives? He should be taken out and hanged, not this nonsense of forgiveness and mercy!" So wild was her pacing and in her own world she was, she did not notice Mr. Collins slip through the door and lock it behind him.

  "Allow me to be of assistance." He simpered after some moments of observing her agitation. She jumped, squeaking in surprise. "I believe I am called on as a clergyman to comfort and sympathize with those who are in distress, so please, Madam, avail yourself of my assistance, and tell me what effects you so." Mrs. Young marshaled her great inner strength and pulled herself together, when she replied, her very proper governess demeanor was firmly in place. "It is nothing to concern yourself with, Mr. Collins. Was there something you wanted to speak to me about?" She said, not thinking of a way to get rid of him, as the man did not take hints.

  "Ah, yes." He took a breath to arrange himself and pose before beginning. "It is my good fortune, as you know to be the rector of the living at Hunsford, and as you know I am quite without a wife. Which I do believe it is the responsibility of the clergyman to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Indeed, I was reminded of this by Lady Catherine De Bourg, 'Mr. Collins,' she said, 'You must marry. Choose Properly, a gentlewoman for my sake. And for your own, let her be an active, useful sort of person. One not born too high, for one such should not be at ease in all kinds of society as you both must be to be of service in the Parish. She suggested I search for a bride when I came to Hertfordshire, for as you know, I am the heir of this house by entail, and a bride familiar with this area, would certainly be a boon in future." "And you wish me to help you find such a wife?" "To a point, Madam." He said cryptically, she did not have long to wait to understand his meaning. He drew a letter from his pocket and continued, "This arrived not an hour ago, a letter from her Ladyship herself!" He acted as If receiving correspondence from her ladyship were equal to receiving a note from the Prince Regent. "She was most grateful and impressed by your advice to me only days ago." Someone rattled the door, then footsteps were heard as they went to find a key. "Good Heavens, Mr. Collins! Did you lock the door?" "She tells me, and I quite agree, that you would be the perfect lady to fill the position of Parson's wife at Hunsford." Mrs. Young looked aghast. Mr. Collins moved forward, backing her against the desk, and stood far too close, leaning over her, "Mrs. Young, indeed, Henrietta, will you make me the happiest of men?" Mrs. Young opened and closed her mouth like a fish, astonished, and thought her rescue had arrived when she heard the person return and unlock the door.

  Mr. Collins ambushed her with a kiss and held her tight to him, leaning over her even further. It was this most inappropriate sight that greeted Sarah and Mrs. Hill.

  A clearing throat from one of the two interlopers told Mr. Collins that his plan had succeeded. They had been seen, it was enough. "I shall tell Mr. Bennett the happy news!"

  Mrs. Young sat on the desk top and knew that she was well and truly trapped. She would not have a job here once Mr. Bennett heard what Sarah and Mrs. Hill had stumbled onto, and certainly no one else would hire her without reference from Mr. Bennett, which with the appearance of low moral character as this scene depicted, she had no other choice to save herself from ruin, than to accept Mr. Collins' odious proposal.

  The letter from Lady Catherine was on the floor when Sarah returned and was cleaning. If she could read, she would have read, 'secure the hand of this governess as your bride by any means necessary.'

  It was to the chaos of exclamations of surprise and the retelling of Mr. Collins' version of events, with the attendance of Mr. Wickham, Mr. Saunderson and Captain Denny with Mrs. Bennett looking on from her chair, her eyes darting about in her efforts to take it all in; that Jane and Lizzie arrived with the Gardiners, Bingley, and Darcy and Georgiana.

  Jane looked about in wonderment, Bingley in his cheerful manner, Lizzie in confusion, Georgiana hiding behind her brother, having entered on his arm, Darcy stood in stony silence having caught sight of Mr. Wickham. "Kitty, What is going on?" Lizzie asked as she came over to greet them. The noise level from Lydia, Mr. Collins, and children just released from the confinement of the carriage caused Kitty to have to tell her twice before she began to understand. "Lydia is engaged to Mr. Wickham, and Mr. Collins to Mrs Young!" "Lizzie, Jane!" Lydia yelled. "Such a joke, we thought Father would disapprove, but he said yes!" She said, dragging her ghost faced finance across the room and hugged her sister's necks tightly.

  "Ah, my girls, you are home." Mr. Bennett interrupted, "And bring more chaos with you, I see!" He declared, amused by Lydia's manner and the children nearly running in circles. Lizzie greeted her father with a kiss on the cheek, then moved as close as she could get and held to Georgiana's arm in support as He turned to address the company.

  "There is so very much that has happened today, and some animosities to make right." He looked pointedly at Mr. Darcy, who glared back. "I ask that you all make appropriate introductions and settle in, and I shall tell you all."

  After the chaos died down, the children sent to the nursery to play, Mrs. Young was fetched from upstairs, Denny and Saunderson said their goodbyes and departed, leaving family business to family.

  When all had settled into the available chairs, a clear divide between the warring factions, with Darcy standing over Elizabeth and Georgiana on the settee by the window protectively. Jane sat by them, nearest the fire, Mr. Bingley standing at her side. Mr. Collins preened by the bookcase across the room with Mrs. Young on his arm, giving all the appearance of a startled deer. Lydia stood between Mrs. Bennett and Mr. Wickham, hugging his arm, while he stared at the floor. Mary, Kitty, and the Gardiners occupied the chairs around the table, Mrs. Gardiner pouring from fresh pots of tea.

  Mr. Bennett stood near the door watching his family, the tension between the two factions palpable. Mr. Collins, the only comparably calm one, despite his obvious joy, oblivious to the tension and turmoil released in waves by his new intended. Hers caused by two directions, one of course being the withering Darcy, the other her own fear of what this meeting would bring.

  "Well children," Mr. Bennett began, "Gardiners, Mr. Collins, Mrs. Young, It seems that a great many changes have all happened here, in a very short span of time; and there are a few apologies to be made, and forgiveness extended. While the actions are beyond redemption, as the good book says, no one is beyond forgiveness. To clear the air and not have secrets among my family, for secrets will tear a family apart; they should be said here, now before all. And let be known, that not one word of anything said in this room is for any other ears than those already here to hear it." He commanded.

  "Let us begin with you, Mr. Collins." He said, turning toward the man. He stammeringly replied, "Me, Sir?" "Yes. Your subterfuge in your purpose in coming and your methods to achieve your goal are most wanting in propriety and Christian feeling." "Good Sir, I..." "Can you deny that your dual purpose in coming was to secure yourself a bride, and more importantly, to assess the state of my health?" "In your terms, Sir, I seem to be most devious." "Divisional, I should say, Mr. Collins. And your methods more suitable to a scoundrel, than to a man of the cloth." Mr. Collins bore a look of exaggerated regret, and at Mr. Bennett's urging, stepped forward to address the assembly.

  "Ladies, and Gentlemen, er, uh, cousins and friends; I must sincerely apologize for my coming here for the purposes I did. It is true [that] I came to assess Mr. Bennett's health, for my own ulterior motives, which you might assume, as I am currently the heir presumptive to Longbourne." Mrs. Bennett's breath hissed through her teeth on intake and Lydia took her hand to comfort her. Darcy placed his hands on Elizabeth's shoulders, knowing how the insinuation of her dear father's death would affect her. "And the other matter, I
should have been honest about coming here to find a bride among the family." "By any means necessary. Mr. Collins?" Mr. Bennett coached archly. "I, ah, but, Lady Catherine...!" "My Aunt, Mr. Collins, gives many orders, but I should think you would have a higher authority to answer to." Mr. Darcy broached and turning to Mrs. Young, said "Madam, I do not believe you have been told the environment you may expect as Mr. Collins' wife. You might be the Lady of the house, but Lady Catherine runs it. Not giving orders to the staff directly of course, but she has her most particular ways of making everything as she wishes it to be, down to the food on your table every day. The announcement of your betrothal has not gone far beyond those in this room, and none here would fault you for deciding against him."

  "Such concern for my happiness, Sir;" Mrs. Young said when she found her voice. Mr. Collins looked warily between the two. "And after what I did to you both." It was Mrs. Young's turn in the center, she gracefully stepped forward and curtsied low to Georgiana. It was not my intent to be the cause of hurt for you, I was trying to hurt George Wickham, as he had hurt me. You see, I was not unknown to Derbyshire and to the fact that Mr. Wickham thought himself too good for his station, and who better than to bring him down a peg than Mr. Darcy, for surely he would never allow such a union as the son of a steward to his beloved sister, who could have any suitors from the first rank of England." "Why should you want to hurt Wickie? What did he ever do to you?" Lydia demanded. Mrs. Young slowly rose and turned to reply, drilling Mr. Wickham with her gaze. "I blamed him for the death of his father, my fiance. He had gone out looking for George in the pouring rain after the boy ran off in protest when He told him of our impending wedding the following week. But in the last few hours, I have realized, he was only a boy," her gaze softened, "and did not force his father to search in the rain, for he had found shelter in one of the barn lofts and was quite safe from the ill weather." Wickham took a step forward, "You were the Lady he spoke of? I confess I ran because I could not bear to hear him speak of loving another woman so well as he did my dear Mother." Mrs. Bennett sniffled. Wickham bowed an apology to her, she bowed her head in apology and accepting reply.

  Mrs. Young retreated to her corner by the fireplace, and Wickham turned to the Darcys, bowing once again. "You have every right to be angry with me. My actions were, as Mr. Bennett said, unpardonable. I deeply regret the hurt I have caused, and Darcy, your reproofs were well deserved. My character up to recently could not be vouched for but had you not sent me running headlong, I would not have been near the end of my rope and found the Lord waiting. I know you may not believe me, knowing my past as you do, but please believe my sincere regret and apologies, and wish to make it right if there were a way to do so.

  Before Darcy could speak, Georgiana softly said, "I believe him. Fitzwilliam, can you not see the change in him?" She implored Darcy with her eyes. "The arrogance is gone." And it was true, the Wickham before them today, only bore a facial resemblance to the one who had sought her out just months before. "What ever happened to you, Mr. Wickham, I now see in you, the man my father hoped you would be." Wickham choked back tears. "And you can make it right, by loving the bride you have chosen, who, by all appearances, loves you dearly in return." Georgiana graciously wished them every happiness.

  Mr Bennett once again stepped to the forefront, this time he brought Mrs. Bennett with him, and held her hand. "You are all our family, and as our daughters can attest, the rift in a family that comes from not letting go of anger and hurt widens and widens until it is a chasm that nearly cannot be bridged. That is not what I want for my girls. All of you," He looked in the eye, forgive, and let it go. For there is none other in the whole of the earth who will help you better in time of need, than those represented in this room. "I believe we could not wish you three more happily matched," he looked to Jane, Lizzie, and Lydia in turn. "we required that you would be provided for, but suitability of tempers." He smiled at his wife, and breaking the mood of the room, he himself had set, well my dear, shall we go in to dinner?"

  Lizzie and Jane remarked at their surprise at how the hour had grown so late, the Lizzie asked Georgiana quietly if she was truly alright. "Yes, dear Sister, I am quite well, for things could not have turned out better, I think. And I see now, that though I thought myself in love, I was but caught up in the romance of it all. Truly I have no cause to repine."

  Christmastide was a joyous affair, the laughter and excited squeals of the Gardiner children shaking off any melancholy remaining in the grown ups; and soon all were laughing and smiling. Christmas day was the perfect day for the double wedding, each bride looking resplendent in the bright sun.

  "Such a perfect day for such beautiful ceremonies, Mrs. Young." Mr. Collins said, catching her in the churchyard. She nodded brightly. "I must beg your forgiveness Madam for the method of attempting to claim your hand. It was most unbecoming of a man in my position and most disrespectful of you. It is my dear wish that you should choose to accept my proposal, for I could look high and low across England, and I don't think I could find another who could so well suit. You would be a crown to any man, Mrs. Young. I ask you, will you marry me and serve God with me, together?"

  Mr and Mrs. Bennett observed the happy throng together from the door of the churchyard, His apologies to her made last night in their chambers as he just held her as he used to. Illness had not changed who she was, nor her need to know she was loved; and holding close the wife of his youth, Mr. Bennett knew, that he too was loved.

  Epilogue -

  Mr. Collins and Mrs. Young wed in a quiet ceremony following the service a few weeks later after the banns had been read. They went home to Kent, and Mr. Collins began writing his sermons himself, and reading directly from passages of scripture and explaining them, rather than scriptures being chosen to suit what Lady Catherine wanted to say. The new Mrs. Collins was quite happy in her new situation in life, and taught many of the poorer children in the area how to read, among other things and the children were later able to improve their station due to that education and became a part of the merchant class, rather than servants as they would have otherwise been.

  Wickham and Lydia wed in early spring, and were very happy with their lot in life, their home in the north and ten children; one son they named after the old Mr. Darcy. Mr. Wickham continued well in his growth as a Christian, his influence on Lydia most positive and eventually Lydia trusted Christ herself, as he had that day in London.

  Mary and Saunderson wed after he inherited a small fortune the following year and was able to sell his commission and settle down.

  Mr. Bennett fretted over Kitty, as the gentleman who had her regard, did not step forward to come calling, so Mr. Bennett began calling on him, and he began to make calls in return, eventually leading to the happy event for he finally got up the courage to ask.

  Some of these events, sadly, Mrs. Bennett did not live long to see. As the chosen purpose for

  her life was fulfilled, her health declined over the summer and she passed away and was buried one year to the day that Mr. Bingley came to Netherfield.

  The healing of the mind and lifting of the guilt from the righting his wrongs and Mrs. Bennett's forgiveness, and loving her as she deserved that last year left Mr. Bennett with little regret. And when he took a bride a couple years later, he knew that Mrs. Bennett would approve the new lady of Longbourne Manor. Charlotte Lucas Bennett was a delight to converse and spend time with, knowledgeable in all manner of books and could discuss Chaucer and Byron with the best of them. She also bore to him a child, a boy named Albert.

 

 

 
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