Mary smiled gently. “Then I would be delighted to practise with you, Miss Amelia. I have longed for a sister to practise with as well. I have three sisters at home, but none of the others were ever interested in playing.”
Conversation continued in this vein until Mrs. Winters reappeared and informed Mary that if she wanted to change for dinner, her trunks were waiting for her in her room. Both Winters ladies showed Mary to her room and Mrs. Winters was pleased at how quickly the girls seemed to take to each other.
She said as much to her husband while they dressed for dinner. “I think that Miss Bennet will be exactly what Amelia needs. Both girls were a little awkward at the start, but Miss Bennet began with a request to address each other informally, and I think that helped Amelia feel more comfortable. They have progressed to addressing each other as younger sisters and have not quite settled into the informality, but it is a start.” She then began to share that Amelia invited Mary to take part in her music lessons and even offered to practise duets together.
Mr. Winters agreed, stating, “That’s an excellent beginning. I apologise for not being here when she arrived, but some business kept me later in town. Have you heard anything about the carriage accident last week?” When his wife shook her head indicating she had not, he continued. “There were two men in a hired carriage, which was clipped by a carriage passing too quickly through town. The driver and the elder man were killed almost immediately, but the younger man was thrown clear. He is injured, but so far, he is still alive. They were also passingthrough as well, and from their luggage, we have determined he is a Mr. Collins, although we are not certain if he is William or Patrick. We have not looked through the papers too much, but we did find a letter with a return address to Longbourn which is Miss Bennet’s family estate. Perhaps tomorrow you might ask her if she knows the gentleman?”
Mrs. Winters nodded, and the two returned downstairs to meet the girls for a family dinner. The evening passed pleasantly, and even Amelia appeared in better spirits during the meal. After dinner, both girls played the pianoforte for a brief time before they all retired.
The following morning, Mary came downstairs late, finding the entire family had already breakfasted.
“I apologise for rising so late this morning. I am usually up far earlier,” Mary said when she came upon Mrs. Winters and her daughter sitting in the morning room sewing.
“You have no need for apologies, Miss Bennet. I know how tiring travelling can be and asked the maids not to disturb you. I am pleased you got the rest you needed. Now, come sit with us, and I will ring for a servant to bring you tea and some pastries. We typically break our fasts at half past eight although my husband is often up and away earlier than that. Amelia has begun visiting tenants with me, and I understand from Mrs. Allen that you have been doing the same with her.”
Mary nodded her reply, and the three discussed how they conducted their visits and the schedule the ladies kept. Mary quickly learned that Mrs. Winters was a diligent mistress of her estate and concluded that she would learn much from her example while here.
After Mary had eaten and Amelia sent to her studies, Mrs. Winters brought up the injured man housed in their village. “Miss Bennet, do you know of a Collins family? There was an accident involving two men and a driver recently, and we found letters identifying the men as Patrick and William Collins. We also noticed a return address of Longbourn in Hertfordshire on several letters and wondered if you knew the men.”
“Mr. Collins is the heir to my family’s estate. It is entailed on the male line, and he is the next in line. I have heard only the elder mentioned, but I am not sure of his Christian name,” Mary replied. “Are they well?”
“The elder gentleman died in the accident, and the younger was seriously injured. He had been unable to speak thus far, so little is known about him. Do you know if either man is married?” Mrs. Winters asked.
“I know the elder was not. His wife died some years ago. I have heard nothing of the younger Collins,” Mary replied.
“When you write to your family, will you mention the death?” Mrs. Winters asked.
Mary sighed heavily. “I do not know. Mama will not react well to this news. I …” she sighed again, uncertain how much to reveal. The Winters had been kind and were friends of the Allens, so she thought they might be able to assist. “My mother would likely have attempted to force me into a marriage with the elder Mr. Collins in order to guarantee her ability to remain at the estate. I do not know what the Allens may have told you about my family, but … it is not a happy home most of the time.”
Mrs. Winters reached over to pat the girl’s hands that were clasped in her lap. She could see the knuckles turning white fromhow tight she held herself. “Mrs. Allen wrote to me and told me about your family. She mentioned some problems, including the proposed marriage to a much older heir, but did not mention the gentleman’s name. It is one reason we acted so quickly to bring you here.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Winters. I do appreciate your willingness to help a stranger,” Mary said, gripping her hands more tightly in her lap and not looking her hostess in the eye.
“You are also helping a stranger by befriending my daughter. I do not know if you realise it, but you have already helped her. I think your friendship will be good for both of you.” Mrs. Winters already liked the young lady who had come to stay with them and felt protective of her. From what Mrs. Allen had written, it seemed unlikely that Mary had ever experienced any form of motherly affection. She had an abundance of the feeling and did not hesitate even a little to provide a little to this poor child who was now in her care.
“Now, Miss Bennet, since this Mr. Collins is a relation of yours, once he is recovered, would you like to be introduced to him? It may be best for my husband to write to Mr. Allen to inform him of the death of the elder Mr. Collins so he can inform your father. Do you think that is best?”
Mary was not used to being consulted in these matters, but knowing what she did of her mother, she thought it best that Mr. Allen informed her father in person. Then, Mr. Bennet could share the news with Mrs. Bennet. Regardless of how she learned of the death of the heir presumptive, she would react poorly. Mary was uncertain of the legalities of the matter and thought to write Mrs. Allen and Mr. Phillips with the news as well.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
In London, the Darcys were settling into a new routine. The couple attended the tea at the Matlocks, first sending a note to confirm that Lady Catherine had departed before they arrived.
“Darcy, Elizabeth, we are pleased to welcome you back to London.” The ball celebrating your wedding will occur in just under a fortnight so we must do what we can to prepare. I know, Elizabeth, that you are not unknown in theton,but you will still need to be introduced as Mrs. Darcy,” Lady Matlock said in greeting.
Darcy frowned. He tolerated most society events but, right now, he wanted little more than to return to Pemberley with his wife. "Aunt, I agreed to the ball, but we intend to depart for Pemberley early in December. We will spend the holidays at my estate."
A frown appeared on his aunt's face. "I know that was your intention, Darcy, but before you depart, you should spend a week or two doing the rounds to establish your wife in society. You would not want anyone to think you are ashamed of your wife."
"Of course I am not," Darcy snapped. "But we do not wish to remain in town for much longer than that, and I intend to spend far more time at Pemberley over the next few years. Georgiana has several years before her come out, and while we may be required to spend a few weeks in London each year, I am married now. Surely, there is even less of a reason for me to attend society events since I am no longer seeking a bride."
“You cannot forgo all society now that you are wed. Even if Georgiana will not come out for several more years, you must maintain your contacts so Georgiana can make an acceptable match. You will also need to handle business matters occasionally, and you take pleasure in attending certain events in London," Lady Matlock objected.
Elizabeth stepped in. “We will attend some of the musical evenings we are invited to, along with the theatre and the opera. We will not forsake town entirely, but I doubt we will spend more than a month or two here each year. There is no reason for us to attend a full season until Georgiana is ready for her debut in society. Once she is successfully launched, it is likely we will spend little time in London until it is time for our own children to enter society.”
Lady Matlock was displeased but recognised the futility of saying anything else now. She believed she could more easily persuade her new niece to stay longer each year once she learned to enjoy her status as Mrs. Darcy.
Darcy spoke again, recognising the look on his aunt’s face and wanting to turn to conversation to what he wanted to discuss. “What happened with Lady Catherine last evening?”
