Page 97 of Regrets

Mrs. Philips came to visit. She was eager to hear all about the wedding planning, and offered to assist in any way that she could. But before anyone could reply, she added, “And oh, before I forget! Mr. Rochester is returning to Meryton!”

“Mr. Rochester? But – but Longbourn is leased to Mr. Bingley!” Jane protested.

“Mr. Rochester is renting Purvis Cottage for now,” Mrs. Philips explained.

“Mr. Philips arranged all this?” Mrs. Bennet enquired.

“Yes; he said it would become common knowledge quite soon, as the Purvis servants have been given instructions to prepare for his arrival, so it was all right for him to tell me of it, and for me to tell you. You know how he is about keeping his clients’ secrets!”

“How old a gentleman is Mr. Rochester?” Mrs. Bennet asked.

“I understand he is in his mid-twenties.”

“Really! Well, that is a surprise! Quite young to have inherited such a property! I am glad that we will be allowed to meet him at last. He has been such a mystery for so long,” Mrs. Bennet said.

Lady Lucas, Charlotte and Maria were announced, and more enquiries as to wedding plans were made.

Charlotte gripped Elizabeth’s hands and whispered, “I am so very happy for you!”

“You must come and visit me at Pemberley!” Elizabeth insisted.

“Just try and keep me away!” Charlotte laughed. “Oh! Have you heard about Mr. Rochester?”

“Well, news certainly does travel fast,” Elizabeth laughed. “Mrs. Philips just told us about it.”

“We understand that he is a young gentleman,” Charlotte went on.

“And once again, all the mamas in Meryton will have their eye on him for one of their daughters,” Elizabeth said.

“But the mystery of Mr. Rochester will be solved at last,” Charlotte said. “That will be very exciting.”

Mrs. Hill came in, twisting her apron. Her voice high with excitement, she said, “Mrs. Bennet, ma’am, may I speak with you?”

Mrs. Bennet, surprised, rose and left the room with Mrs. Hill. She was back a moment later, and announced, “Mr. Rochester has just come to Longbourn and asked to speak with Mr. Bennet!”

Every lady in the parlour gaped at Mrs. Bennet. Lady Lucas recovered first and said, firmly, “I suppose he is introducing himself to all the important gentlemen in the neighbourhood.” Then she added, rather grandly, “It would not surprise me if he has already paid his respects at Lucas Lodge.”

“I am certain that you are right,” Mrs. Bennet nodded. “I shall have to host a dinner for him.”

Lady Lucas shook her head, firmly, “I had thought to do so myself. After all, Mrs. Bennet, you were the first to give a dinner for Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy; surely it is now appropriate for me to be the first to host Mr. Rochester.”

“They will argue about this for the next hour,” Elizabeth whispered to Charlotte.

“Yes, and your mother will likely win,” Charlotte whispered back.

“Shall we go for a walk, rather than listen to this?” Elizabeth suggested.

“Indeed,” Charlotte said. But before they could even get to their feet, Mr. Bennet walked into the parlour with an unknown gentleman.

“Ladies,” Mr. Bennet said. “Lady Lucas, Mrs. Bennet,” and he went round the room, naming all the ladies, concluding with, “May I present Mr. Rochester?”

Mr. Rochester bowed. “I am honoured to make your acquaintance,” he said, politely.

There was a moment of silence while they all stared at him. He was indeed quite young, surely no more than eight and twenty, and very handsome. He turned back to Mr. Bennet with a raised eyebrow.

‘Ah, yes,” Mr. Bennet said. “And Mr. Rochester is here to marry our Mary.”

Chapter Eighty-Five