Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty-Eight

A few days later, plans were finalised for Mary to travel to Maidstone. Mr. Allen came and made the offer to Mr. Bennet, who realised the whole thing would be arranged with little expense to himself and agreed without bothering to consult his wife. Therefore, on Tuesday of the following week, a carriage arrived early in the morning to collect Mary and convey her to Maidstone.

Mary had never been outside of Hertfordshire having traveled but once to St. Albans and never through London. As the carriage passed through the outskirts of London, Mary was taken aback by everything she saw. Stopping once to rest the horses allowed her a brief chance to look around, together with both the maid and manservant who had accompanied the carriage. The carriage finally reached the Winters’ estate late in the evening.

“Welcome, Miss Bennet,” the matron of the home greeted their guest as Mary stepped down from the carriage with the assistance of the footman. “Mr. Allen had so many pleasant things to say about you, and we are so glad you could come stay with us for a time. Here, come into the house and meet my daughter. ”

Mary greeted her hostess and accepted the introductions. Mrs. Winters seemed a jovial sort of woman, very different from her own mother and, apparently, happy to have her there. She entered the drawing room where she was introduced to a girl a year or two younger than herself.

“Amelia, I would like to introduce you to Miss Mary Bennet. She will stay with us for a month or two and I hope the two of you will become friends.”

Amelia glanced up for a moment, briefly connecting with Mary’s eyes before lowering them to the floor again. Her greeting was quiet, so much so that Mary strained to hear her. Mary deduced the girl was shy, perhaps made more so in her grief. While Mrs. Winters wore the colours of half-mourning, Miss Winters still donned her black attire. She recalled what Mrs. Allen had told her of the girl’s loss and wondered what she might do to aid the poor girl.

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Winters. I hope you do not think it too forward of me, but since we will reside in the same house for the next several weeks, do you think we might do away with some of the formality and address each other by our Christian names? If you prefer, you may address me as Miss Mary if you are more comfortable with that.”

“I would be delighted to address you by name, Miss Mary,” the girl murmured. “Mrs. Allen told my mother that you play.” She allowed the unspoken question to hang in the air between them.

“I play some, but not particularly well. My parents never hired a master to help me improve, so I have learned only what I could manage myself. Mrs. Allen plays a bit, and she taught me some of the basics.” This was a sore point for Mary since she had frequently asked for a master, at least for a brief time, to help her improve, but the request had always been denied. Both her parents always claimed there was a lack of funds, but then they would purchase a new dress or a new book .

“I have a master who comes weekly, and I am certain that he would not mind assisting you as well,” Amelia said quietly. “My sister and I used to practise together and play duets. She was a far better pianist than I, but since she left us, I have spent more time practising by myself. I miss having someone to share it with.”

Mary smiled gently. “Then I would be delighted to practise with you, Miss Amelia. I have longed for a sister to practise with as well. I have three sisters at home, but none of the others were ever interested in playing.”

Conversation continued in this vein until Mrs. Winters reappeared and informed Mary that if she wanted to change for dinner, her trunks were waiting for her in her room. Both Winters ladies showed Mary to her room and Mrs. Winters was pleased at how quickly the girls seemed to take to each other.

She said as much to her husband while they dressed for dinner. “I think that Miss Bennet will be exactly what Amelia needs. Both girls were a little awkward at the start, but Miss Bennet began with a request to address each other informally, and I think that helped Amelia feel more comfortable. They have progressed to addressing each other as younger sisters and have not quite settled into the informality, but it is a start.” She then began to share that Amelia invited Mary to take part in her music lessons and even offered to practise duets together.

Mr. Winters agreed, stating, “That’s an excellent beginning. I apologise for not being here when she arrived, but some business kept me later in town. Have you heard anything about the carriage accident last week?” When his wife shook her head indicating she had not, he continued. “There were two men in a hired carriage, which was clipped by a carriage passing too quickly through town. The driver and the elder man were killed almost immediately, but the younger man was thrown clear. He is injured, but so far, he is still alive. They were also passing through as well, and from their luggage, we have determined he is a Mr. Collins, although we are not certain if he is William or Patrick. We have not looked through the papers too much, but we did find a letter with a return address to Longbourn which is Miss Bennet’s family estate. Perhaps tomorrow you would ask her if she knows the gentleman?”

Mrs. Winters nodded, and the two returned downstairs to meet the girls for a family dinner. The evening passed pleasantly, and even Amelia appeared in better spirits during the meal. After dinner, both girls played the pianoforte for a brief time before they all retired.

The following morning, Mary came downstairs late, finding the entire family had already breakfasted.

“I apologise for rising so late this morning. I am usually up far earlier,” Mary said when she came upon Mrs. Winters and her daughter sitting in the morning room sewing.

“You have no need for apologies, Miss Bennet. I know how tiring travelling can be and asked the maids not to disturb you. I am pleased you got the rest you needed. Now, come sit with us, and I will ring for a servant to bring you tea and some pastries. We typically break our fasts at half past eight although my husband is often up and away earlier than that. Amelia has begun visiting tenants with me, and I understand from Mrs. Allen that you have been doing the same with her.”

Mary nodded her reply, and the three discussed how they conducted their visits and the schedule the ladies kept. Mary quickly learned that Mrs. Winters was a diligent mistress of her estate and concluded that she would learn much from her example while here.

After Mary had eaten and Amelia sent to her studies, Mrs. Winters brought up the injured man housed in their village. “Miss Bennet, do you know of a Collins family? There was an accident involving two men and a driver recently, and we found letters identifying the men as Patrick and William Collins. We also noticed a return address of Longbourn in Hertfordshire on several letters and wondered if you knew the men. ”

“Mr. Collins is the heir to my family’s estate. It is entailed on the male line, and he is the next in line. I have heard only the elder mentioned, but I am not sure of his Christian name,” Mary replied. “Are they well?”

“The elder gentleman died in the accident, and the younger was seriously injured. He had been unable to speak thus far, so little is known about him. Do you know if either man is married?” Mrs. Winters asked.

“I know the elder was not. His wife died some years ago. I have heard nothing of the younger Collins,” Mary replied.

“When you write to your family, will you mention the death?” Mrs. Winters asked.

Mary sighed heavily. “I do not know. Mama will not react well to this news. I …” she sighed again, uncertain how much to reveal. The Winters had been kind and were friends of the Allens, so she thought they might be able to assist. “My mother would likely have attempted to force me into a marriage with the elder Mr. Collins in order to guarantee her ability to remain at the estate. I do not know what the Allens may have told you about my family, but … it is not a happy home most of the time.”

Mrs. Winters reached over to pat the girl’s hands that were clasped in her lap. She could see the knuckles turning white from how tight she held herself. “Mrs. Allen wrote to me and told me about your family. She mentioned some problems, including the proposed marriage to a much older heir, but did not mention the gentleman’s name. It is one reason we acted so quickly to bring you here.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Winters. I do appreciate your willingness to help a stranger,” Mary said, gripping her hands more tightly in her lap and not looking her hostess in the eye.

“You are also helping a stranger by befriending my daughter. I do not know if you realise it, but you have already helped her. I think your friendship will be good for both of you.” Mrs. Winters already liked the young lady who had come to stay with them and felt protective of her. From what Mrs. Allen had written, it seemed unlikely that Mary had ever experienced any form of motherly affection. She had an abundance of the feeling and did not hesitate even a little to provide a little to this poor child who was now in her care.

“Now, Miss Bennet, since this Mr. Collins is a relation of yours, once he is recovered, would you like to be introduced to him? It may be best for my husband to write to Mr. Allen to inform him of the death of the elder Mr. Collins so he can inform your father. Do you think that is best?”

Mary was not used to being consulted in these matters, but knowing what she did of her mother, she thought it best that Mr. Allen informed her father in person. Then, Mr. Bennet could share the news with Mrs. Bennet. Regardless of how she learned of the death of the heir presumptive, she would react poorly. Mary was uncertain of the legalities of the matter and thought to write Mrs. Allen and Mr. Phillips with the news as well.