Page 78 of Collins Takes Charge

“Clem, I know that you, like several generations of Collins men before you, would have preferred to be the one to reclaim the Bennet name,” Ophelia sympathised with her husband. “That being said, I am happy for our sons. Will you write to William and tell him what Mr Hampton said?”

His dearest wife had the right of it; he would have liked to be a Bennet as well. However, he was pleased that from his sons on, all his line would have their original family name once again. Now if only William would be able to make their Cousin Bennet see that no reason existed for the two branches of the family to be at odds.

“We wrote to him a few days ago. Hence, I expect a letter from him soon. Once we receive it, I will reply and advise him to change his name now,” Collins responded.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Just before the Bennets, how well that sounded, arrived from the dower house, the butler handed the master of Collins Hollow an epistle.

“It is from William. Did I not say we would receive one soon?” Collins crowed.

“You did, my dear. I suggest we wait for Clem and Bethany to arrive, and at that time you can read it to all of us at the same time,” Ophelia proposed. As if speaking of them had summoned them, the aforementioned couple walked into the sitting room seconds after the words had been uttered.

“Welcome, Mr and Mrs Bennet,” Collins said warmly. “There is a new letter from William,” he held up the missive. “Unless you object, I will read it to everyone now.”

There were no objections.

29 November 1811

Longbourn

Mother, Father, Bethany, and Clem,

There is so much to tell since my previous letter. I will begin with news I am very happy to share.

In my last epistle, I mentioned that I was close to asking Mary for a courtship. Well, I did, she granted it, and Bennet gave his permission and blessing.

Only one complained, Cousin Fanny. She wanted me to offer for Cousin Elizabeth. Thankfully neither of us agree with her. It took her some time, but she has come to accept that she has no say in who I do, or do not, connect myself with.

To that end, I will not wait until I inherit to reclaim the Bennet name. Unless any of you object, I would like to change my family name as soon as I receive word that you are all sanguine with my doing so. No one has asked or pressured me to do this; it is my choice.

Now to the changes. There are many, and the reasons for some I will not write about. When we are in company again, I will share what I am able.

Allow me to begin to say that the rift between our families is no more. Bennet asked me why there had been one, and I explained the history from when Father’s great-grandfather took the Collins name. Not only did he repent for the way the Bennets have treated the Collinses, but he has also issued an invitation to Longbourn if, or when, you desire to visit.

“Any further missives will be read and not ignored as they have been in the past!

“I am sorry my father did not live to see this day,” Collins lamented, his voice gruff with emotion. “So much lost time as a family because of pride.” He shook his head and returned to the words on the paper.

Thanks to a great shock (not anything I will write here) Cousin Fanny has realised that she was not raising her youngest two daughters as gentlewomen. They are back in, and Bennet is seeking a governess and companion to educate them, as well as assist his wife to learn the ways of the gentry. He admits that he should have educated her rather than mock her over the years.

Thanks to my friend, Fitzwilliam, I was able to employ 6 former soldiers to protect my cousin’s daughters. They did an estimable job at the ball I mentioned would be held at Netherfield Park. By the by, regarding that estate, Mary tells me it belongs to her uncle, Edward Gardiner. Yes, the same one you invest with.

I did raise the issue of the entail and the clause that would allow me to take Longbourn now. Bennet has pledged to change, which will include employing a steward. To that end, if either Father or Clem have any recommendations for a steward who is able to manage a mid to large-sized estate, please ask if they would work in Hertfordshire. If so, please forward the name(s) to me here. Bennet is also aware that the entail demands he maintain the dower house in good repair. It is not in good condition; however, he has pledged to change that.

The miscreant I spoke of previously has been permanently dealt with. No, he was not killed; he is a guest at Marshalsea thanks to the over ₤3,000.00 in debt receipts of his that Darcy was holding.

The libertine was not able to work on anyone in the area, which is very pleasing. You will not believe it, but said reprobate, unintentionally mind you, actually assisted with the ‘great shock’ I referenced above.

Before any of that, Mr Darcy apologised to Cousin Elizabeth, and the two started over without their pride and prejudice as a barrier this time.

Cousin Jane, very politely, told Mr Bingley that she was not interested in a man who needed to mature first.

In my humble opinion, another man’s eye has fallen on Cousin Jane, and he is anything but capricious, irresolute, or immature. It is very new; hence, I have nothing more to say about it at this juncture.

Thanks to my curate, George Keating, for agreeing, and my patroness adding her permission, I will be able to remain at Longbourn for another sennight or so. It is both to further my courtship with Mary and to assist Bennet to make the changes he needs to on the estate.

The tenants are sceptical that Bennet is going to be an attentive master. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. I believe that we will be able to attract tenants to fill the vacant farms, and within a year, Longbourn will have an income much closer to what it should be. As you know, with me it is not the money I care about, but the health and welfare of my family and the dependants of the estate. For Longbourn to be able to do so adequately, it must be returned to a sound footing.