The Bennets: Providence & Perception

THE BENNETS: PROVIDENCE & PERCEPTION Copyright © 2023 by K. C. Cowan All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For information: P.O. Box 34, Oysterville WA 98641 ISBN: 978-1-68131-073-2 This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Cover design by Janet B. TaylorFront cover drawing by Anne TimmonsBack cover drawing by Charles Edmund Brock, Persuasion, Chapter 10 (1909)Edited by Ellen PickelsBook layout and design by Ellen Pickels Published in the United States of America. Table of Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Acknowledgements About the Author To my mother, who never denied me a book and told me often, “You are a writer.” She was right. Chapter 1 “Mr. Bennet!” A shrill and familiar voice yanked Mr. Bennet’s attention from the book he was peacefully enjoying and startled him so thoroughly that he lost his grip, dropping the reading material into his lap. He took a moment to compose himself and mark his place, then turned to the doorway of his library where his wife stood. Her tapping foot, he noted, clearly signaled her irritation. “Mr. Bennet, the carriage has arrived. Are you not going to wish me well?” Mrs. Bennet rarely set foot in her husband’s library unless it was the only way to converse with him. Mr. Bennet knew that his wife, never a reader, found the room dusty and dull, preferring to spend her time in the family’s sitting room or upstairs in her private bedroom. Her absence from his book room made it that much more of a sanctuary for Mr. Bennet, which is why he spent so many hours in it. He took a deep breath and studied his wife who was wearing her new pelisse trimmed in swan’s down, purchased solely for this trip. When he had chided her over the bill, she had thrown a fit, declaring that of course she must look her best on her visit, or what would the acquaintances of their youngest daughter think of her? No point in bringing it up again, however. He just smiled. “I am, my dear,” he replied calmly. “Have a good trip. Would that I could join you to see our Lydia and Mr. Wickham—not to mention the grandchildren. But I must devote myself to securing a new rector for Longbourn parish. We have been without one for nearly a month now.” “Yes, quite inconvenient for Mr. Dudley to die so suddenly. How could he be so vexing?” Mr. Bennet suppressed a smile. “Well, the good Lord giveth and taketh away in equal measure, and I am certain He must have had more important things on His mind than how His calling Mr. Dudley home would force me to give up my share of the visit.” He gestured to some papers on his desk. “Bishop Wilson has sent me applications for three highly viable candidates from which to choose Mr. Dudley’s replacement. While you are intent on pleasure up north, I shall study them carefully. By the time you return, we very well may have a new vicar.” Mrs. Bennet made a scoffing sound. “What does Bishop Wilson have to do with it? You own the advowson. That gives you the ability to choose whomever you wish for Longbourn parish! Why should Bishop Wilson have a say?” “It is true the advowson gives me complete and legal right to fill the living. As it stands, however, I have no particular rector candidates in mind just now, so I thought it best to ask for some guidance from our bishop.” He chuckled. “It cannot hurt to stay on his good side, after all, and let him believe he had a say in my choice.” “I suppose you are right,” Mrs. Bennet said peevishly. “Oh, if only Mr. Dudley had left us sooner when all five of our daughters were still available. Then you could have given the living to Mr. Collins, and he might have married one of our girls!” “Thanks to Charlotte Lucas, that ship has long sailed, my dear, and I think it highly unlikely my cousin would have been willing to leave the distinguished patronage of Lady Catherine de Bourgh in any case. Besides, with three of our five daughters securely wed, we can have little reason to complain. Now, come—you have a long ride ahead of you.” Mr. Bennet escorted his wife outside to the waiting carriage. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the moist, earthy odor of new spring growth. A breeze sent white petals down on them from the nearby blossoming apple trees, causing Mrs. Bennet to brush them off her new coat in agitation. Their middle two daughters, Mary and Kitty, were standing by the carriage. Each gave their mother a hug and kiss, then Mr. Bennet helped her inside and gave her a peck on the cheek. Mrs. Bennet fretted as she settled into her seat. “I should feel safer on the long journey if you were with me; I fear for my poor nerves! Are you absolutely certain you cannot join me?” “Young Master Miles will keep you safe; have no worries. It is nearly mid-May now,