Page 12 of Collins Takes Charge

I hope to see you at Rosings Park soon.

Your niece,

Anne de Bourgh

“Even for Catherine, this is far beyond the pale,” Matlock spat out. “I wonder if she is insane?”

William Darcy was shocked more than any other in the room. Although he would never marry Anne, he had always thought that due to her birth as the daughter of an earl, his late mother’s sister was above reproach. He had accepted her ideas on maintaining the distinction of rank. Well, almost. Aunt Catherine had always railed against his friendship with Charles Bingley, the son of a tradesman from Scarborough.

Although Richard had pointed out the contradiction in the way William treated those socially below him and Bingley, whose money came from trade, Darcy had rejected the premise. But now to discover what his aunt had been doing threw many of his long-held beliefs into question.

“We must make for Rosings Park at first light,” Matlock stated. “Andrew, Richard, and William, can you join us?”

“I have no engagements for the next few days, Father,” Hilldale replied.

“Same for me, Father. I have leave for the next fortnight, so I will ride with you to beard the dragon in her lair,” Fitzwilliam agreed.

“I am afraid I do have a prior commitment,” Darcy related. “You all know of my friend, Bingley.” He saw nods from the four Fitzwilliams. “I am to join him on the morrow to visit an estate for lease in Hertfordshire, some twenty miles from London. I cannot allow him to go on his own and take the lease without my approval.”

None of William Darcy’s family members pointed out how arrogant he sounded. This friend was five and twenty, so why did he need William’s approval to spend his own money?

“I will not ask you to break a prior engagement. It will be enough having your aunt, Andrew, and Richard with me,” Matlock allowed.

“Bingley is a puppy, and who knows what he will do if you slip his leash?” Fitzwilliam jested, well, partially so. “You go be with your puppy, and I will tilt at the dragon and rescue the maiden fair locked away in her tower.”

“Richard, have I not requested you stop calling Bingley a puppy?” Darcy demanded.

“Climb down off your high horse, William. I was jesting,” Fitzwilliam claimed.

Darcy harumphed. He did not enjoy being the object of laughter. He stood. “I wish you all the best in discovering the truth at Rosings Park.” With that he walked out, his head held high.

“That nephew of mine is too high in the instep. He needs to discover all is not as he thinks it is,” Lady Elaine stated as she shook her head.

The master and mistress of the house issued orders for an early morning departure on the morrow.

Chapter 5

Bishop Lankershim enjoyed a diversion that caused him to laugh as much as any other man. However, the letter he held in his hand was not amusing because the writer had been perfectly serious. He shook his head as he read it again.

20 May 1811

The Great Estate of Rosings Park

The property of the Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh

Bishop Lankershim,

How dare you ratify the appointment of one who did not show me his true character when I interviewed him to be my parson in the Hunsford Parish?

The man is disrespectful and does not honour the natural order that I, a Peer of the Realm and one of noble birth, have the wisdom to direct him in his duties. He refuses to follow my instructions, he rejected what I commanded him to include in the sermon this past Sunday, and he will not share the concerns of the parishioners with me.

How am I supposed to correct their wrongs and exhort them not to be lazy if I know not what their dearest concerns are?

I hereby command you to remove this man from my parish. A man who will not follow my orders is not fit to be a clergyman, never mind, hold a living. If this is not addressed, I will have no choice but to write to the Archbishop and command him to sack you as well.

While I am writing to you, I want you to order all of the clergymen in your influence to make sure to include, in every sermon given, the absolute requirement of deference by their parishioners to those above them in rank.

I expect to hear that you have followed my commands without delay.