Page 34 of Resilience

“I suppose that is good of him,” Elizabeth grumbled. She truly had no cause to distrust their cousin. It was the way her father was going about this whole matter that concerned her, and it seemed that at least Mr Collins had considered all that could go wrong for Mary. Mr Darcy trusted Mr Collins. Trusted him with three parishes, and obviously with his dealings with Mr Wickham as well. He must be a good man, but that did not mean that he would make Mary happy.

“It is very good of him, Lizzy,” Kitty insisted. “And Captain Denny is of a similar mind. It is true that he has not courted me, but then, he did not know if he could afford to marry me, so he never considered it. We all know that men must have something to live on, and so must their wives when they die. But he reminded me that he is my friend and has been since he entered Meryton. And he told me about his father. They fell out about the management of the estate when he returned from university. Denny was sent away because he wished to be involved and attempt new methods, and his father was unwilling to let him be of assistance. He says that since he has left home, the estate has been managed poorly, his mother has died, and he knows not what to expect when he returns. He would rather not feel like he is returning alone. If I came with him, he would feel that he was going into battle with a friend by his side, and he hopes that we might support one another as friends do, and that love might grow later. Is that not marvelous?”

“It does sound very nice, but are you certain that you wish to gamble your future happiness on the chance that love might grow?” Elizabeth protested weakly.

“The gentlemen seem as hopeful as we do, Lizzy, and that is enough to give me faith.” Mary answered. “I am touched that Mr Collins is willing to live in the north just so I might be close to my sister, and Kitty and I both feel strongly that this might be our best chance for happiness. And Mr and Miss Darcy live not five miles from Lambton. Is it not grand that we will already have friends nearby?”

“So you have accepted them then?” Elizabeth nearly whined. She hated that this was necessary and thoroughly resented both of her parents for their lack of care.

“We have. Both Captain Denny and Mr Collins have agreed to obtain common licenses, and we shall be married within a fortnight,” Mary informed her. “And my betrothed even negotiated with our father that we might have proper wedding clothes.”

“Indeed, Denny told me when they came out how impressed he was by Mr Collins’s shrewdness with Papa,” Kitty agreed. “Denny said that Mr Collins said that if they were to take all of Papa’s worries away in such a short time, that we must have our proper and rightful wardrobes to live in the north. When we marry, Papa must give us two hundred and fifty pounds each, so we may obtain fabrics from our uncle’s warehouse in London and then have our wardrobes made up when we arrive in Derbyshire.”

“Mr Collins worries that our clothes will not be warm enough. He has urged us to write to our aunt to see about having a few things made up quickly before we leave.” Mary patted Lizzy’s hand. “And there is something else that we hope will please you.”

“Oh, do say yes!” Kitty cried.

“I must know what it is first.” Elizabeth laughed.

“Lizzy, I am not ready to run a home, especially one that is neglected and has not had a mistress in some years,” Kitty whispered. “And Denny will need my help, and I will hardly know where I am to begin!”

“And I shall also begin my new life as a clergyman’s wife, and I will have two parishes close by to assist him with, as well as another far away in Kent,” Mary said. “I would feel so much braver if you were to come north with us instead of staying here or going to London.”

“Oh, do say you will come!” Kitty begged. “Denny and Collins say you may live with each of us by turns, or stay with whichever of us you feel most comfortable with. I do hope you will stay with me for some weeks at least, I do not know where to start, running my own home!”

“And we are not inviting you only to visit. Both of our gentlemen have given us permission to offer you a home with whichever of us that you like, permanently,” Mary said to Elizabeth. “You must not listen to Papa. You are no burden, Lizzy. You are my sister, and I love you. I would be happy and proud to offer you a place in my home.”

“Oh, Mary…I hardly know what to say.” Elizabeth was near tears.

“Say yes, Lizzy, and promise you will stay with me first, for I am certain I will have the greatest need of your advice,” Kitty exclaimed as Elizabeth gave her assent and the three sisters embraced each other, each with great hope that their new lives in Derbyshire would be happy and content.

I suppose I shall find out when I arrive in the north, if not before, whether the Darcys are disgusted by my friendship.

Chapter Fifteen

Wednesday 4 March 1812

Longbourn

Meryton, Hertfordshire

Dear Priscilla,

I write with news. My father has arranged marriages for Mary and Kitty. I admit I objected strenuously, because I wish for my sisters to choose for love, but the men my father chose for them have negotiated their terms with my sisters kindly, and they are both truly hopeful that they will find happiness in their new situations.

There is very good news as well. Kitty will marry Captain Denny, who is the heir to an estate perhaps an hour’s drive from Lambton, and Mary will marry Mr Collins, who is amenable to living at the rectory in Lambton so that Mary and Kitty might be close to one another. And I am to travel to the north and live with them, either by turns, or perhaps just with one or the other once their households are settled.

I am very happy that we shall all be so close to Miss Darcy, and I understand that Matlock is not a terrible journey. That is, if Mr and Miss Darcy do not object to my friendship since my sister has wed. I understand that the name Wickham is not well-regarded in Derbyshire. It has been some time since I last heard from Georgie. If your cousins would prefer not to recognise the friendship further due to the undesirable connection, I must of course accept it, for I rather wish I was not connected to Mr Wickham either.

Is the season all that you expected? Have you any suitors? I know that you speak of most men with contempt, but surely one must sweep you off of your feet eventually. Did you see King Lear? Was the performance a good one? I must hope to see it myself, perhaps when I visit my aunt and uncle again.

I regret that we will not enjoy the spring together in London, as we planned. Though as you know I planned to go to my uncle once I reach my majority, Mary and Kitty insist they cannot travel north without me to advise them, so I look forward to seeing you in the summer, my friend, when your family travels to Matlock. The wedding is on the sixteenth of March, only four days before my birthday. After that, we travel north, and I shall be at Lambton Parsonage, or Captain Denny’s estate, which I believe is known as Hawthorne Vale, near Kympton. I look forward to your next letter.

Lizzy

Monday 9 March

Newcastle