“How bad is it?” Mr. Gardiner asked at once.
“As bad as can be. We had all pinned such hopes on Mr. Bingley, but it seems he cannot be brought to the point.”
“What of this Mr. Darcy?” Mr. Gardiner enquired. “He escorted Jane home; we hoped an attachment might form. He is extremely eligible, Madeleine tells me.”
“He may be eligible, but he has not come courting. And now there is a Viscount, if you can credit it, one who is Mr. Darcy’s cousin, and he evidently has formed an interest in Charlotte Lucas, of all people! Not that I begrudge Charlotte her good fortune, far from it; but I do wish he had cast his eye on Jane or Lizzy.”
Mr. Gardiner winced. “Thomas, I wish I could help you. The firm is waiting on a ship to come in from India, and if all goes well, then –“
“No, Henry. The Bennets have taken enough from you. After Christmastide, I will speak with Philips about leasing out the estate. I believe we may live in a small house quite easily with the rent from such a lease.”
“I cannot believe you would leave Longbourn,” Mr. Gardiner said, shaking his head.
“I wish I did not have to,” Mr. Bennet replied. “But needs must when the devil drives. At least Mary will have a good home.”
“This Mr. Collins – he is a decent man?”
“He is, which is most surprising, given his father. Mary will be happy with him.”
“I am glad of it; Mary has not had an easy time of it.”
“With me as her father and Fanny as her mother? No, she has not.”
“Thomas, I did not mean –“
“No matter.” Mr. Bennet spoke softly. “I have done a good deal of thinking of late, and I am not proud of myself.”
Mr. Gardiner had no ready response for this. The two men sat in silence in the cold room.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Mr. Collins arrived at Longbourn the day before the wedding ceremony. He had journeyed in some state, sitting comfortably in a fine carriage that had been loaned to him by his patroness in order to bring his bride and her possessions to her new home with ease. Mary was very touched by Lady Catherine’s kindness, and thought she must not be too dreadful a woman if she could do something as thoughtful as this.
Mr. Collins was presented to the Gardiners and, since all parties were disposed to like one another, there was a good deal of conversation and laughter. He was asked many questions about his situation in Kent, which he answered with commendable brevity; in turn, he asked Mr. Gardiner many intelligent questions about his business in London. When he asked if outsiders were allowed to invest, Mr. Gardiner replied that of course they were, but in any case, Mr. Collins was now family, and if he wished to invest in Mr. Gardiner’s business, why, he was very welcome to do so.
***
Mrs. Gardiner took Mary off to the side that evening for, as she put it, a little talk. She began, “Mary, I congratulate you. He is an excellent choice.”
Mary blushed rosily.
“And I can tell that he is fond of you, and you of him, and that makes me very happy.”
“Thank you, Aunt,” Mary answered, humbly.
“Has you mother spoken to you about what to expect on your wedding night?”
“She has, yes; you know I live on a farm, Aunt, so I did have some idea. She assured me that it is not at all terrible if you are fond of the man.” Mary was blushing heavily as she spoke, but it was clear that she was not frightened.
“Good; I was ready to step in if you had concerns, but it sounds like everything is well.”
Mary, who was not usually given to spontaneous displays of affection, hugged Mrs. Gardiner, an action which touched the older woman deeply.
“Mary, I wish to give you your wedding gift now, if you do not mind.”
“Of course, Aunt.”
Mary followed Mrs. Gardiner into the guest room. Mrs. Gardiner handed the girl a large gift, wrapped in brown paper, which Mary opened at once.
