Mr. Bennet’s mouth dropped with the offer. “You would give up your son’s future inheritance?”
Mr. Collins softly smiled, “I never wanted it, you know. My land now brings in about a £1,000 a year and William only wishes to be a parson. He wants to attend school and learn a bit and do Godly work. What would he do with my land and yours? He would only lease them out and being a landowner means nothing to him. I wish for his happiness and becoming a parson is his greatest wish.”
“It would be...” Mr. Bennet blew out his breath. “What is wrong with your health, Mr. Collins? Is there no hope?”
Mr. Collins laughed, “I offer you an end to the entailment and you ask me about my health? You are very kind, sir.” He cleared his throat. “It is the stomach, Mr. Bennet. Doctors guess cancer and think I have four or five months at best. William knows but has not accepted the fact that I will be gone from the world and needs the care of other family members whom he can rely on to help him through his loss, the loss to come.”
Mr. Bennet contemplated his next move and spoke a few minutes later. “I will agree to your proposal under one condition. I do not like the idea of an entailment but I also do not wish to see Longbourn broken up in five parts for my daughters to get their share. I would like to have our agreement state that should your son elect to become a landowner by the age of... thirty, he will have the choice to inherit Longbourn, as long as my family will not be tossed into the hedgerows. If he does not choose before his thirtieth birthday or I should pass before that time, an heir of my choosing will inherit Longbourn, male or female, and the estate will not be split apart. By then, my daughters should be married off and I can designate one of my daughters or my first grandson as heir. How do you feel about that?”
Mr. Collins’ mouth dropped, “You are most generous, Mr. Bennet! To offer William more than twelve years to make his choice is beyond belief. Thank you, sir. I can have my solicitor draw up the agreement right away.”
The gentlemen shook their hands. “We will take care of your son, Mr. Collins. He will be part of our family and I will see if I can pull some favours from of my old associates to get him into Oxford this fall. He will have his heart’s desire and he will always have a family as long as he knows what is expected of him. I will not tolerate misbehaviours and I hope he knows it.” Mr. Bennet confirmed.
“Yes, sir. He knows what is expected as a clergyman and has lived a wholesome life. I would love to see him married before my passing but he is too young and his education is a priority.” Mr. Collins sat with a broad smile. “Thank you. I truly appreciate it.”
“Well,” Mr. Bennet replied, “Do you have any further questions or requests? We should return to the drawing room.”
Mr. Collins answered, “Just one, sir. Is that what I think it is? Where in the world did you get such an exquisite replica? It is a magnificent miniature!”
Mr. Bennet beamed, “It belongs to my daughter Lizzy but I begged for the privilege of keeping it here so I can look at it often. It was given to her by a special friend and it is a priceless treasure.”
“It certainly is, sir. It is an incredible construction and I could look at it for hours on end.” He replied in awe.
“You will be here for the next week and you are at liberty to sit in this room to inspect it as often as you wish.” Mr. Bennet generously offered. “We are family, Collins.”
His cousin smiled. “Yes, sir, yes, we are.”
The gentlemen returned to the drawing room to join the others and Mr. Collins was very pleased to see Mrs. Bennet speaking cordially to his dear son. Although despairing for the short time left on earth, he was relieved that his son would not be alone in the world with no one to think kindly of him.
~*~
April 1805
“You lad, there!” William shouted, “What are you doing up there? What is your name?”
“Who are you?” The child responded, “What’s your name? I am Liam.”
William responded, “I am Mr. Darcy, Liam. I cannot see your face, boy. Come down and speak with me. Have you seen a little girl here? Lizzy Bennet? This is her tree and she is supposed to be here.”
“No one can own this tree! This part of the land does not belong to anyone and it’s for everyone’s use!” The boy retorted after landing on the ground.
“Lizzy?!” William reacted, recalling their conversation at their very first meeting. “What in the world are you doing dressed like a boy?”
Lizzy smirked as she took off her hat and her long, curly hair fell. “If boys can wear dresses as children and get breeched when they grow, why can’t I wear breeches when I grow in exchange?” He laughed, “I promised mama that I wouldn’t wear boy’s clothing but I wanted to surprise you. Welcome back to Hertfordshire, Will!”
William chuckled as he embraced her. “I hope she will not be angry with you,
