Prudence and Practicality

by C. J. Hill

  She felt that she was gradually acquiring an understanding of the people under her husband’s care and hoped that she would eventually be able to break through their natural reticence and be accepted as a friend and confidante by some of them. With some families it was an uphill battle to assure them that she required nothing in return for her help; that she was happy to help without recompense. And Charlotte certainly was happy to help with the little she could afford from her household budget. In this she and her husband were now in complete accord; that they should not keep their fortunate excess hoarded away like a rich man’s treasure, but should use what they could spare for the assistance and benefit of those less fortunate.

  However, it was a growing source of irritation for Charlotte that Lady Catherine, with all of her excess of riches, did not contribute more to her villagers as befits the lady of the manor. Try as he might, Mr. Collins could not shift the dismay Charlotte felt every time she entered Rosing Park and compared it to some of the almost-hovels which she had visited that day; never before had such disparity and unfairness been brought to her attention. She had shared her concerns with her husband until she saw that criticism of his benefactress, who had bestowed so much upon them, was upsetting to him, and she now kept her opinions to herself so as not to risk his disapproval. Charlotte secretly hoped that Lady Catherine would observe all of her work in the village, and the affront to her pride would persuade her to increase her own participation.

  The sound of fast-paced footsteps progressing down the hall alerted Charlotte from her reverie to the fact that something extraordinary must have occurred, and she turned to greet her husband with a smile as the door flew open.

  “My dear! Please forgive the intrusion. Here is the post - two letters for you. Lady Catherine’s carriage has just drawn into the drive and I see Miss Anne alighting. Make haste, my dear! She cannot be out in that weather for too long. Hall is bringing her in here now.” Mr. Collins stopped his directives and looked approvingly around the little parlour.

  “I see that everything is in order, my dear. I would not want Miss Anne imposing herself upon you unannounced, and discomfiting you in your own parlour. How pleasant it is in here now. The fire makes a warm welcome indeed.”

  Then as Mr. Collins scurried anxiously back to his book-room to await events, Charlotte tidied away her letter-writing and the two letters delivered by her husband, and closed the desk lid. She smoothed her hair and dress and waited composedly for Miss Anne to approach down the hall, smiling a welcome to the young woman as she entered after Hall announced her.

  Anne de Bourgh was a small, thin, rather insipid girl with a constant sick-room pallor about her that was always emphasised by the elaborate attire she was required to wear both by her mother and her position in society. Perhaps her biggest disability was her acute shyness with strangers and Charlotte was happy that, at last, she was becoming more comfortable in Charlotte’s presence, particularly in the absence of her mother.

  “Mrs. Collins. I apologise for interrupting your business so rudely but I wished to call in with a message from my mother as I returned from the village.”

  Charlotte smiled her greeting and motioned for her visitor to sit close to the fire before continuing.

  “Mamma wants you to know that she has visited her tenant farmer, Mr. Betts, and is most concerned about the state of their living conditions - apparently they have only two rooms and many children. Mamma feels that they struggle and she does not wish to lose the family at Michaelmas. Farmer Betts hinted he might have to leave due to the cramped quarters in which they find themselves. Mamma would like to speak with you at the house this afternoon over tea regarding this predicament.”

  Charlotte could hardly keep her countenance as she listened to Anne’s explanation for her visit. It was Charlotte herself who had understood the dissatisfaction of the Betts family; she had mentioned the situation to her husband in the hope that Lady Catherine, after hearing the news of an unhappy tenant from her concerned clergyman, might speak with Farmer Betts in order to avoid losing one of her best tenants. True to her nature, which was to harass or bully her tenants into submission, Lady Catherine had evidently not managed the affair to the preferment of both herself and Farmer Betts, otherwise she would have no need of Charlotte’s intervention.

  “Please tell Lady Catherine that I should be delighted to take tea with her this afternoon, and will be only too pleased to help in any way that I can. May I tempt you to partake of some coffee this morning before you venture out into the cold again, Miss Anne? I should be glad of your company.”

  Anne visibly relaxed and smiled with relief at the offer of pleasant company and the distraction of chatter over a warm drink.

  “Thank you, yes. I should enjoy that if you are certain I will not inconvenience you. I have sent Mrs. Jenkinson on up to the house as she has a headache. Shopping tires her so and, I confess, I find her company to be tiring after a while, as I am sure she finds mine. There is only so much about which we can converse before our topics are all used up!

  “Do tell me what has been keeping you busy these past few days, Mrs. Collins. You always have such interesting tales to tell about your life in Hunsford.”

  Charlotte rang the bell and ordered the coffee, and then settled back into her chair, trying her utmost to make her narrow life in the Parsonage appear interesting to a lady with an even narrower life, constantly constrained by her mother, etiquette and ill-health. Fortunately, Charlotte had much experience in entertaining conversation; she had practised enough with Elizabeth over the years of their friendship, and she had enough wit to enable her to deliver a very vibrant and amusing picture of her household and visits to the sick of the village which entertained Miss Anne enormously.

  A pleasant hour was spent and Anne rose to leave, looking so much more relaxed and happy than when she arrived, apologising again for her interruption and reminding Charlotte of her promise to take tea with her mother later in the day,.

  As Charlotte walked with Anne to the carriage, Anne added as an afterthought to their conversation.

  “I believe we shall have some visitors next month, Mrs. Collins. My cousins come every year around this time to oversee the handling of the estate and to make reports of what is to be done. We are quite jolly for a while as Colonel Fitzwilliam is a pleasant conversationalist and Mamma adores him. Our other cousin, Mr. Darcy, is less talkative and prefers to stay in his rooms when he is not required at meals and meetings. He talks with Colonel Fitzwilliam but hardly says a word to Mamma or me unless he must; he is really quite distant and aloof if forced to be alone with us. They both also have guardianship of Mr. Darcy’s young sister, Georgiana, so they must do a lot of business together, which accounts for their closeness and friendship.

  “You must meet them when they arrive; I shall insist Mamma include you in the party as she takes a very great interest in both your and Mr. Collins’ attachment to Rosings. Perhaps Mr. Darcy will speak with you more than he does me.”

  Charlotte listened with astonishment! That Mr. Darcy, the very one who had slighted her friend at the Assembly Rooms and had treated Mr. Wickham so cruelly, should be visiting Rosings in the near future was news indeed, but she found herself denying any such hope of their meeting being felicitous.

  “I assure you, Miss Anne, that Mr. Darcy will not care to speak with me anymore than he does with anyone else! I have had the opportunity to observe him in my home village of Meryton on several social occasions when he visited with his friend, a Mr. Bingley, and I can vouch that he spoke very little there either. I doubt I shall be holding many conversations with Mr. Darcy. But Colonel Fitzwilliam does sound a rather charming gentleman and I look forward to making his acquaintance.”

  “I am sorry to hear of your already fixed opinion of Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Collins. I did so hope that you would provide some distraction and interest for him this year. We stay so much the same and your being in the neighbourhood is something new for us to introduce to him in par
ticular.”

  Charlotte smiled at Anne as she watched her climb into the carriage and the footman tucked the blanket around her legs.

  Anne lent out of the window and smiled.

  “I am sorry that Mr. Darcy does not meet with your approval but please promise you will come when they are here, and not feel afraid of him!”

  “If your mother does us the great honour of inviting Mr. Collins and me to meet your cousins, then we shall be very happy to accept the invitation, despite my prejudgment of Mr. Darcy! I shall endeavour to enliven your cousin but shall not promise anything!”

  Charlotte waved Anne goodbye and hurried back to her parlour to read the two letters that she had put away when her visitor appeared. Charlotte was excited to see if one was from Elizabeth responding to her entreaties to visit.

  In great excitement, Charlotte withdrew the letters from the desk and saw that, yes, one was from Eliza, her careful writing clearly denoting the address. The other was from her mother, which Charlotte put aside for later; she could already guess at the contents of that and was very glad that she could delay reading her mother’s observations and directions regarding her perception of Charlotte’s incorrect running of the Parsonage, until she wanted to.

  Standing in the window for the light, Charlotte broke the seal and read:

  Longbourn House

  February 15th ~

  My dear Charlotte,

  Here is happy news indeed!

  Father has reluctantly given his consent for me to visit with you in March! He refused for the longest time as he relies upon both Jane and me to provide him with conversation and sensible company, as you well know. Jane will still be gone during that time, indeed we plan to pick her up from my aunt’s house in Gracechurch Street after my visit with you. However, he has relented rather grudgingly, and so I am to come in March! He has threatened to remain in his book-room for the duration of my absence and not to emerge until both Jane and I return!

  I do so look forward to seeing you again and meeting the redoubtable Lady Catherine in person. You must keep your promise to show me the fireplaces, Charlotte, not to mention the staircases! I am anxious to see all of the sights you have described in your letters, the woods and parks, and your new acquaintances. Maria and I plan to stay for a month at most if that will be agreeable to you, but I understand that your father will only stay for a seven-night before returning to Meryton. However, I am certain that you already know of their plans!

  I will not delay sending this letter by writing more – very soon we shall speak in person!

  In anticipation,

  Your friend,

  Elizabeth

  Charlotte smiled at her friend’s lively style and quickly opened her mother’s letter which merely confirmed her earlier suspicions regarding housekeeping admonishments, but also outlined the intended travel plans of her father and sister, just as Lizzy had mentioned.

  “Mr. Collins! Such news have I had this morning!” Charlotte was all eagerness at midday dinner to discuss her communications of the day. She served up the meal waiting on the table as Mr. Collins took his place and spread his napkin over his jacket front in order to protect his shirt from his exuberant eating.

  “My dear! You appear excited – it must be good news in the letters this morning?”

  “Well, first of all, I heard from Lizzy that she will visit us in March when my father and Maria come. Eliza and Maria will stay a month at least, unless I can convince them to stay longer. Oh, how anxious I am to see them!” Charlotte ate some of her meal as she waited for the response she knew was coming from her husband when he could manage it.

  “Well, well, Cousin Eliza is to visit us here in our humble abode, is she? How satisfactory, my dear. She will be able to see first-hand how well we are settled, how fortunate we are in our situation. How pleasant for you, too, to have some company in your new home. I know you have missed your family and friends all this time. As for myself, I shall be pleased to greet my cousin and repay her family’s kind hospitality to me.”

  “No, indeed, Mr. Collins, I assure you I have not felt the lack of my family. I have been too busy settling into my new role here as your wife. I must admit a little to the lack of my friend as she has always been able to amuse and improve my mood, and that I confess I have missed a great deal.

  “However, that is not all my news, Mr. Collins,” she continued as he smiled at her while shovelling in his meal again.

  “I spoke with Miss de Bourgh today and she has asked me to speak with her mother regarding the Betts and their situation. I believe that I have made an impression upon Lady Catherine with my attention to the local people, and she wishes to help in my endeavours.”

  Mr. Collins nodded, swallowing his mouthful and wiping his mouth with his napkin.

  “Of course, Charlotte, she must begin to realise that you do good work in the neighbourhood and that your help is an improvement upon hers. But pray be careful, my dear, that you do not completely overshadow her efforts and put her to shame. She would not like to be thought second best, although I must admit you have made a difference in the village already in such a short time.”

  “Naturally I shall be most aware of not making her uncomfortable, although I do very much doubt that such a thing could occur in such a powerful woman. However, my other news from Miss Anne is that Mr. Darcy shall be visiting Rosings Park next month and that we will be invited to be one of the party! Consider, Mr. Collins! Mr. Darcy, who was so unpleasant and aloof at Meryton and Netherfield, and who would hardly speak when you introduced yourself, will be forced to suffer our company at Rosings!” Charlotte laughed heartily at the idea of Mr. Darcy’s discomfiture at finding her husband at his aunt’s house, if he did not already know of it.

  Mr. Collins looked shocked at his wife’s irreverence and quickly swallowed his mouthful.

  “Charlotte, take care! Mr. Darcy is the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh! How can you be so disrespectful towards an esteemed personage such as him? He treated me with the utmost respect, given the circumstances; he understands the exact social expectations due to his rank and position and clearly, I was at fault at the Netherfield ball. I will endeavour to make amends to him at the earliest opportunity as I would not have him thinking badly of me and my ill-advised actions. The position I hold within his aunt’s patronage could certainly be in peril if he perceived me to be ill-suited for the position. I am sure that Lady Catherine relies upon his judgment in such matters.”

  Mr. Collins managed in this way to increasingly convince himself of his imminent dismissal as soon as Mr. Darcy should set foot inside Rosings; indeed, he appeared to have his bags mentally packed and ready for removal and, much to Charlotte’s consternation, could not see that he was merely working himself up upon figments of his imagination.

  “My dear! Calm yourself, I beg of you. How can you imagine that Lady Catherine would allow herself to be so swayed by her nephew after she has selected you personally and shown you so much favour and kindness? To imagine that she would reverse her every good opinion of you in response to an opinion formed solely upon a single ill-advised encounter in a crowded ballroom is nonsense! An encounter, I would like to add, that did not improve Mr. Darcy’s standing amongst the guests there either. Indeed, William, you must not think of anything so ridiculous as to believe she would cast you off in an instant, and calm yourself.”

  Charlotte reached across the table and touched his hand lightly with her fingers; he turned his hand over and squeezed hers tightly as he strove to regain his composure.

  “I have never had anyone speak so kindly and strongly in my favour before, Charlotte. I admit I am more used to being brought down than being built up and it makes for a pleasant and welcome change. Thank you, my dear wife, you have quite consoled me. Of course you are right and Mr. Darcy’s coming here is no threat to our situation. I was mistaken and felt a panic but now I am feeling much better knowing you are on my side.” He smiled at Charlotte, and releasing her hand,
continued with his dinner.

  Charlotte returned his smile, wondering once again, what had happened in her husband’s past to make him so contrastingly diffident and decisive within the space of a single mealtime. And what had Miss Anne meant when she said her mother takes a great interest in William’s and her comfort in Hunsford and that she wanted her patronage to be noticed? By whom? Mr. Darcy perhaps? Charlotte could not imagine what was being hinted at and so decided that she must allow things to unfold as they would.

  She forbore, however, to mention to her husband something that had only just occurred to her; Mr. Darcy’s visit would coincide with that of Lizzy’s! Mr. Collins, therefore, had nothing with which to concern himself; Lizzy would provide enough of a distraction for Mr. Darcy, Charlotte was certain!

  XVIII

  At four o’clock precisely, Charlotte pulled the bell chain of Rosings Park and heard the loud clanging reverberate from the depths of that grand building. She was ushered into the parlour and greeted by both Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh, who were waiting expectantly by the fire.

  “Mrs. Collins. How good of you to wait upon us this afternoon! I understand that you have already spent an hour with Anne this morning but she tells me that you merely discussed the weather and other homely topics so there is still some scope for conversation.”

  Charlotte smiled and, after sending a querying look at Anne but receiving no encouragement or coded facial information, merely responded in kind.

  “Indeed, Lady Catherine. The weather has rather been on my mind these past weeks – most wet and cold – Mr. Collins is anxious to start upon his garden but is constantly forestalled by the inclemency of the weather. He is most keen to begin our self-sufficiency as soon as possible and thereby set a good example to his parishioners.”