Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice by Wells Linda

Author:Wells, Linda [Wells, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-02-16T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

“One more day.” Lydia said loud enough for everyone to hear. “La, I cannot wait!”

“What happens tomorrow, Lydia?” Mary asked.

“Is that when Aunt and Uncle Gardiner arrive?” Jane said quickly and shot a look at her youngest sister, who rolled her eyes.

“No, no, they arrive on Monday.” Mrs. Bennet fluttered her hand. “Oh, my dear brother, I do hope that he brings everything that I asked for in my letters!”

“Mrs. Bennet, your brother is not coming to fulfil your wishes.”

“Well if we would visit them for Christmas, I could do my own shopping! Imagine that, a Christmas in London! We could have stayed with Lizzy if she had not gone off to Derbyshire.” She frowned then nodding to Jane; she pointed her knitting needles at her. “However, a visit to my brother would have given you, dear Jane, the opportunity to call on Mr. Bingley.”

“Mama, I would never do such a thing!” Jane blushed.

“Oh, call on his sisters, but of course you would be going to see him. Waiting until Twelfth Night to come back! You mark my words, he will have his head turned by one of those painted actresses, and then where will you be? No, no, I will speak to my brother, he will take you back with him and you will call at Mr. Bingley’s home.”

“He does not have a home, Mama.”

Mrs. Bennet stared. “No home in Town?”

“No. He . . . he stays with the Hursts or Mr. Darcy, and if they are not there, he stays in a hotel.” She looked up from her sewing to find all eyes on her. “Lizzy told me.”

“Oh.” Mrs. Bennet sniffed. “Well. I will tell my brother . . .”

“No, Mrs. Bennet, we will not foist our daughter on a man who said he will be back in a few weeks time.” Mr. Bennet said tiredly.

“Surely he would not travel on Epiphany!” Mr. Collins demanded.

“Fine then, he will arrive on the 7th of January, will that satisfy all of you?” Mr. Bennet folded his newspaper and shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“Papa, are you well?” Jane stood to pour him some tea and bringing him the cup, set it down beside him.

“Of course he is well.” Mrs. Bennet cried. “It is me who is suffering! Oh, my poor nerves!” She looked at Mr. Collins sitting with Mary and sighed. “You leave tomorrow, Mr. Collins?”

“Yes, yes indeed, madam. Lady Catherine wants me returned for Sunday services without fail.” He spoke eagerly and turned to pat Mary’s hand. “I regret having to leave behind my dear Mary, but she can be assured that when I next come, it will be to enter into the holy estate of matrimony, and together we shall begin our walk down the primrose pathof our future together.”

Lydia made a face and Kitty coughed. Mary beamed, “Oh, Mr. Collins, you say such lovely things! Did you ever take up writing poetry?”

“I did not!” He looked struck by the idea. “However in my spare time perhaps I

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