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“Indeed, the chill you caught after dinner with the Bingley sisters, but it would seem you are friendlier with the brother?”

“Aunt, Caroline and Louisa are very amiable, but their brother… I had hoped…”

“Yes?”

“I had hoped we had reached an understanding… Indeed, I believed that he intended to visit me today… But now Caroline has written they have all gone off to London with further travel plans. It seems they will be away for some time. I do not know what to think.”

“Can it be that you mistook his feelings?” asked Mrs Gardiner.

“Oh, Aunt,” replied Jane. “I begin to worry just that. He seemed so devoted, but perhaps his feelings were not equal to mine…”

“Nonsense, Jane,” interposed Lizzy. “I never saw a more promising inclination; he was growing quite inattentive to other people and wholly engrossed by you. Every time you met, it was more decided and remarkable. No one who has ever seen you together can doubt his affection. Miss Bingley, I am sure, cannot. She is not such a simpleton. Could she have seen half as much love in Mr Darcy for herself, she would have ordered her wedding clothes.”

“Do you think your mother’s letter to Mr Darcy has prompted Mr Bingley’s removal?” Mrs Gardiner asked of Lizzy.

“It is either that or the machinations of his sisters who look higher for a match for their brother.”

“Oh dear,” said Mrs Gardiner. “Did your mother apprise them of your father’s passing in the letter?”

“No. I think she wished Mr Darcy to arrive at Longbourn unaware of the loss of our father’s protection,” replied Lizzy.

Mrs Gardiner shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Jane. If the Bingleys thought you ineligible before the squire’s death, I am afraid there is little chance Mr Bingley will renew his attentions now your father is gone.”

Unable to reply, Jane nodded stoically.

“I should ensure the children settle down properly,” said Mrs Gardiner. “They’ve had a long day and are probably overtired. Perhaps we can have a cup of tea when I come back down and talk about the future.”

Relieved of her aunt’s presence, Jane could finally acknowledge her fledgling romance with Mr Bingley was no more. Hiding her face in her sister’s shoulder, she wept.

Chapter 8: Tales of the new master

Mr Collins arrived back in Hertfordshire after lunch the following day and was greeted by Mr Gardiner who led him out to Longbourn’s wilderness for a promenade. From the upstairs sitting room, their progress was watched with anxiety by Mr Gardiner’s two sisters and the two youngest Bennets; while in the study, the three eldest Bennets sat by their father’s bier clasping each other’s hands.

As the men returned to the house, Mrs Gardiner consigned her children to Nurse before setting tea on the table with Hill.

“My wife has tea ready in the parlour,” said Mr Gardiner as he and the clergyman stepped into the vestibule.

“Well…” said Mr Collins, unsure of his duty.

“Please,” interpolated Mr Gardiner. “There will be plenty of time to pay your respects afterwards. You have had a long journey from Kent.”

Thus encouraged, Mr Collins made no further demur and allowed Mr Hill to divest him of his coat and hat.

“The servants must, of course, be paid by your sister or turned off,” remarked Mr Collins, as if Mr Hill did not exist. “I certainly cannot afford to have them eating their heads off at my expense.”

Mr Gardiner was rather displeased by this speech, but he answered it only with “Of course, Fanny will do so” to assuage the general factotum’s ears.

His initial alarms calmed, Mr Hill marched straight off to the kitchens to tell the first tale of the new master.

“May I introduce my wife, Madeleine,” offered Mr Gardiner upon entering the parlour, before requesting the presence of the eldest Bennet sisters from Hill.

Elizabeth and Jane arrived—Mary having declined attending so that she might continue sitting by the bier. The Bennet sisters smiled politely, but warily, at their cousin as they entered the room. As the tea was poured, Mr Gardiner enlightened his relatives on the progress of his negotiations with their cousin. Lizzy had apprised her uncle of Charlotte’s efforts on their behalf on the previous evening. Mr Gardiner had taken full advantage of that knowledge upon finding Mr Collins unwilling to depart Kent quickly but unsure on exactly how much time should elapse before his occupation of his estate.

“Mr Collins has generously agreed to delay his arrival at Longbourn for the full period of mourning,” said Mr Gardiner, stirring his tea.

“I cannot leave Lady Catherine immediately and must assist her in finding a parson of the highest quality,” added Mr Collins pompously.

“Clearly,” continued Mr Gardiner, “a bailiff or steward must be hired to oversee the groundsmen now Mr Bennet has passed.”