Mrs. Gardiner Takes a Hand by Jeannie Peneaux

Author:Jeannie Peneaux [Peneaux, Jeannie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B0C2437YBK
Goodreads: 128241896
Published: 2023-04-09T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

22nd November 1811

Rose House

Mr. Collins,

I had cause to reread your last letter since having first glanced over it and now I find myself dissatisfied by the ambiguity therein as regards your bride.

I have, this very evening, been the recipient of a most impertinent rebuke from a mere Mrs. Bennet of Longbourn. Of course I had not an inkling of what had caused her rancour when she shrieked at me in the most ill-bred way that you had run off with her cook.

I told her in no uncertain terms that she was as vulgar a person as had ever wrongfully been admitted into society. If she is in error – a very likely possibility, given that she is quite, quite mad – I command you to break off any engagement to your cousin immediately. You ought not encourage any connection with a family that has that woman in it.

If she is correct and her information is good, I must inform you of my serious displeasure. I abhor disguise and I despise deceit. If you have indeed joined yourself to one of the servant classes, your wife will never be recognised by me and your names will never be mentioned by any at Rosings. I will hold you as responsible as Mrs. Bennet for the humiliating spectacle I was subjected to this evening, in full view of my friends and acquaintances.

You may be assured, Mr. Collins, that my wrath is not a thing to be courted – Mrs. Bennet will discover this herself. I trust, sir, that you will not also find it out. If you have deliberately deceived me, I shall be extremely angry and the consequences will certainly affect your whole life as a clergyman.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

23rd November 1811

29, The Barley Row

My dear husband,

I write, a little uncertain of how I am to relate to you what has occurred here in Bath. Do not be alarmed on my account, however; I am well enough – my chest is certainly easier to bear now than it was. Fanny may be taxing in some ways but she knows how to take care of me. I hardly minded her taking over the ordering of the household – you will recall I told you long ago that she is used to having her own way. It is just as well that you were not able to come with us, for I think my sister would annoy you mightily. She seems to be under the impression that she is seventeen again and catching the eye of every young gentleman in society. Again, you must not fret – she means nothing by it. I suspect she enjoys the attention, because in Meryton she goes out and about in company with her daughters, so obviously most of the envious looks go to them. The variation in society has been good for me – to accompany Mrs. Bennet of Longbourn does indeed mean that more doors are open to me than if I were just Mrs. Phillips of Meryton, you know.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.