Page 57 of The Bennets: Providence & Perception

Mr. Bennet did his best to appear serious. “Well, such an accusation made against someone I hired must be fully investigated, as I am sure you know. One cannot take drastic steps without being absolutely certain of the guilty party, correct? And any behavior in a man of the cloth that reeks of deception and underhanded tactics should be punished properly, do you not agree?”

“We are entirely of one mind there, dear cousin,” Mr. Collins assured him. “Entirely one mind! There is no question that such a man should be dismissed at once.”

“I am exceedingly glad you agree with me. Then you can brook no opposition when I inform you that your tenure as ‘curate’ to Mr. Yarby has come to an end and you will have no further interference in his management of things at Longbourn rectory.” He watched as Mr. Collins nodded his head in happy agreement before the words sank in.

Mr. Collins’s mouth fell open, and he stammered, “I beg your pardon? You are dismissing me?”

“Indeed, I am. For as you just stated, any man of the cloth who blatantly lies should be fired, and at once. And since I am now aware that you blackmailed Mr. Yarby to take you on as curate by threatening to reveal the attachment between his sister and me, I can no longer have you in my church. For who would tolerate a man in the pulpit with a mouth full of scripture but a heart filled with deceit? Not I, most assuredly. You have taken a share of Mr. Yarby’s salary long enough. I have written to the bishop to confirm my decision, but your time as curate ends now.”

“But the letter I gave you—Mr. Yarby is the liar, not me!” Mr. Collins sputtered, flecks of spittle flying in his agitation.

“Sadly, I must inform you that the letter you received in response to your inquiry was written and signed not by Yarby’s former employer but by the senior Mr. Thomas Smethurst, who suffers from senility.” Mr. Bennet pulled out two pieces of paper. “Here is the recommendation for Yarby written by the younger reverend, Mr. Charles Smethurst, and here is the reply you received. As you can readily see, they are in two quite different hands. And just to be certain, I wrote Mr. Smethurst once again. He was most apologetic that his father’s response to you had slipped past the housekeeper and into the post. They try to watch out for the poor old man, he wrote, but somehow, they missed intercepting his reply to you. I cannot fault you for being deceived, but I can indeed fault you for the motivation behind your actions. They were reprehensible and not those of a gentleman.”

Mr. Collins’s eyes narrowed. “Yet you did form an attachment to Mrs. Withers while still in mourning! That news can still hurt you, you are aware.”

“As for even thinking of spreading gossip about me and Mrs. Withers, my full mourning ended today, Mr. Collins, and Amelia and I plan to marry in June. The banns will be read next week. Some may whisper about the suddenness of the attachment, but we care little for the opinions of village gossips. We are only determined to act in a manner that will shortly secure our mutual happiness.”

He stood. “I wish you luck in finding a new position, Mr. Collins. May I suggest you apply yourself vigorously to that endeavor, seeing as you now have a wife and a child to support. Good day.”

Mr. Bennet reached the door just as the housekeeper opened it to bring in the tea tray. Mr. Bennet stepped aside for her, then reached for the platter of warm scones. He picked one up.

“This smells quite delicious, thank you.”

He took a satisfying bite. And without a backward glance, he walked home.

Chapter 38

And so it was that, on the third Saturday in June, the reverend Mr. Yarby happily performed the marriage ceremony for his sister and Mr. Bennet as friends and family looked on with great joy. After much debate in the Bennet household, Mr. and Mrs. Collins were invited. Since the Lucases were coming, it seemed impossible not to invite them, reasoned Mr. Bennet. Such a snub would have led to questions, and that might have required explanations that would surely have been harmful to the Collins family. And while he did not much care about Mr. Collins’s reputation, Mr. Bennet did not wish to see Charlotte’s feelings hurt. Amelia was in agreement, so all were asked to attend.

However, as it turned out, Mr. Collins was unable to be at the festivities as he was called north to interview for a position at a small parish in the town of Haswell in County Durham, and due to timing and the distance, as Charlotte explained, would be unable to return in time. Charlotte enjoyed herself at the reception, catching up with her dear friend Eliza and showing off her son, Alexander, who sadly continued daily to bear an increasing resemblance to his father.

If Mr. Collins still harbored any hopes that the haste with which Mr. Bennet and Amelia married would cause a scandal, he was disappointed. Over the past year, Amelia had endeared herself to many in and around Meryton, and the majority of people pronounced themselves “quite delighted” with the match. Such a kind and sensible woman would only be a good partner to Mr. Bennet, all agreed.

A honeymoon was delayed for the happy couple, however, as the following Saturday, Robert Yarby and Mary Bennet became man and wife. Yarby’s former rector, Mr. Smethurst, journeyed to Longbourn to perform the ceremony and stayed on to substitute for him at the church the next two Sundays. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet hosted a grand wedding breakfast for the couple in Longbourn’s gardens. Mary seemed to never stop smiling, and more than one guest was heard to note how “Mary has so blossomed this past year,” and “who would have ever thought it possible?” Robert had eyes only for his bride, and it was clear his love was genuine.

Kitty and Phillip Yarby sat next to each other at the breakfast, and those who closely observed them wondered whether another wedding might be forthcoming. Phillip had set up his business in Meryton and was already doing well. He was hunting for a comfortable cottage in the area that would be suitable for a man in his position—one who anticipated taking a wife in the near future, it was rumored.

The next day, both newlywed couples left on their honeymoons. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet went north to tour the Peak District, where they anticipated many happy walks together. Walking was, after all, how their romance began in the first place. Mr. and Mrs. Yarby traveled to Oxford where they planned to explore that town’s delights, including the many bookshops, museums, and libraries.

When the happy couples returned, they found that the servants had transferred all of Amelia’s things to Longbourn House and all of Mary’s possessions to the rectory cottage in a near seamless transition. Amelia teased her new stepdaughter—or was it sister-in-law now?—that since Mary had helped her choose the new fabrics and wall papers, she could not be other than completely content with the parsonage décor. Of course, the Yarbys were invited to come over at least thrice weekly for family dinner, and Mrs. Hill was heard to remark that, in all her days at Longbourn, she could not recall so many happy dinners with so much joyful laughter ringing through the halls.

***

March 19

Dear Lizzy,

I write with such happy news! Indeed, I am so excited that I can scarce hold the pen, so pray pardon the blots. Amelia has been safely delivered of a boy—a baby brother for us all! James Robert Bennet made his appearance around midnight after a scant four hours of labor, much to everyone’s relief. Papa chose the name himself. Amelia wanted to name him Eugene, but he said he preferred James. Robert was, of course, chosen in honor of Amelia’s brother, (and I can report with complete authority that “Uncle” Robert is quite pleased about it too!).

James is as good looking a babe as one can expect for a newborn, and appears as if he will favor Papa greatly, though that could change in time of course. Perhaps he will have Amelia’s hazel eyes. We are so grateful that the pregnancy was without trouble and the birth was not difficult. I can only hope Robert’s and my child will come as easily. I expect to share word about your next niece or nephew in another two months although I already feel large as a house!

And even more news—our sister Kitty has just told us she and Phillip are also expecting a child—so soon after their Christmas wedding! It seems the Bennets/Yarbys are multiplying at a rather prodigious rate. Kitty is making over one of the smaller bedrooms in their house for the nursery and has kindly asked Amelia for advice. I believe it is Kitty’s way of making up for her previous disagreeable attitude towards Papa’s attachment to Amelia. I can assure you, however, that all of that discord is long forgotten.

Papa is quite over the moon with happiness. Indeed, his marriage to Amelia has been nothing short of transformative. He spends less of the day alone in his library and more time out and about in the community. He laughs often and truly seems joyous every minute of every day. He already speaks of taking his new son for long walks and teaching him all about the estate. When I remember how I might have succeeded in my deceitful attempt to force Papa to fire Robert and send him and Amelia away, I still cannot help but feel shame.

By the way, I owe a debt of gratitude to Georgiana. I recently learned that she told you of our talk when I first confessed my terrible lies, and because of that, you took the initiative to write to Amelia when I was with you in February of last year. That letter brought Robert to Pemberley where he told me of his love for me. Had Georgiana not spoken to you, the happiness I feel every day as Mrs. Robert Yarby would not exist.

We are all exceedingly joyful to learn of Georgiana’s engagement to Lord Godwin, and we look forward to the wedding this fall. It seems her first season has secured her happiness for the future. Tell her I do not regret in the least missing out on a Season in London with her. I am quite certain I could not have had any happier success than I found in my own back garden.

Finally, forgive me for passing on a bit of village news in case Charlotte Collins has not already written it. Mr. Collins accepted the rector position in Haswell and moved there last July, but Charlotte and the baby are only now planning to join him. She told people that she did not go north with him because she wanted to be certain the job was a good fit for her husband, and also that she would find everything in the tiny rectory as it should be. But others have whispered she was punishing her husband for having a dalliance with a serving girl in the tavern beneath the rooms he had temporarily rented. It may be just a rumor though, and I feel a bit guilty for even repeating it here. In either case, I do hope they find happiness in Haswell and make a good home for themselves, since they can no longer look forward to one day assuming possession of Longbourn House, now that Amelia has given Papa an heir!

Oh, Lizzy, when I think of how everything turned out for us all, it seems like a fanciful dream, yet I know it is all true, and I give thanks for it every day. I hope that Mama is smiling down from Heaven, knowing that all her daughters are finally wed and, above all, that Longbourn will remain—at least for the foreseeable future—firmly in the hands of the Bennets.

Much love,

Your sister Mary

THE END