A Woman of Influence (46 page)
Read A Woman of Influence Online
Authors: Rebecca Ann Collins
"That does not surprise me at all, for who would want Lydia Wickham for a mother-in-law?" asked Becky.
"Who indeed?" said Catherine, before continuing.
"She complains also that she was offended at not receiving an invitation to your wedding. Oh poor Lydia, she is such a silly woman--Mama used to say that she has changed not at all since she was fifteen and eloped with Mr Wickham, to the chagrin of poor Jane and Lizzie. She believes you have deliberately slighted her."
Becky was astonished; what could she possibly say in reply? Inviting Lydia had never even been contemplated. They had not met in years until she had turned up at Mrs Collins' funeral in full formal mourning!
"Must I respond?" she asked, a little bewildered by this unexpected intrusion of Lydia Wickham into their lives.
"Not unless you wish to, since she does not actually ask anything of you. I suppose she merely wished to grumble about not being invited to the wedding," said Catherine, and Becky made an instant decision.
"Well then, since nothing I can say is likely to satisfy any of Lydia's concerns, and as I have no suggestions for a suitor for her daughter, I had best ignore it," she said, putting the letter back in the basket.
As she opened the rest of her letters, Becky was struck by the amount of comment that her wedding to Mr Contini had aroused among their general acquaintance, some of whom had not corresponded with her for years. Clearly, there were those who felt that marriage to a handsome "foreign gentleman" was a matter for congratulations, while others expressed surprise and, presuming that he spoke only Italian, wondered if Becky intended to learn the language herself!
That their ignorance amused rather than angered her was an indication of the lightness of her present disposition.
"I have to say, Cathy, I am astonished at all these people taking the time to write and express such strange concerns. I should not have thought my marriage warranted such interest," she said as she picked up the last letter left in the basket.
It was from Jonathan Bingley, and to judge by the date, had been written only a few days ago.
As she opened it up, Catherine heard a quick intake of breath and, not wishing to pry into her sister's affairs, said nothing, while Becky's exclamations grew ever more excited. Then, turning to Catherine with a look of absolute delight upon her face, she handed her the letter.
Intrigued, Catherine began to read.
After a paragraph of casual pleasantries, expressing his hope that they had enjoyed a pleasant holiday in Italy, Jonathan Bingley wrote:
My main purpose in writing is to acquaint you with two matters that will
be of interest to you.
be of interest to you.
First, there is the matter of a letter I received from your daughter
in-law, Mrs Pauline Tate.
in-law, Mrs Pauline Tate.
She assured me she was writing unbeknownst to her husband, but
because she felt he, despite her pleas, had not been willing to do so. She
claims she decided to approach me on the grounds that I was the trustee of
the late Mr Tate's American estate. Mrs Tate contends that since you have
remarried, you no longer need all of the money in the Trust, and it is unfair
that her husband and children should be denied some benefit from it.
I have written to Mrs Walter Tate, stating my opinion that neither
she nor her husband Walter are entitled to any benefit from the Trust,
because it has been sequestered for your use alone under the terms of Mr
Tate's will. Besides, I have pointed out that I have no power at all to make
any changes to the dispersal of the benefits, only to carry out exactly the
intention expressed in your late husband's will.
because she felt he, despite her pleas, had not been willing to do so. She
claims she decided to approach me on the grounds that I was the trustee of
the late Mr Tate's American estate. Mrs Tate contends that since you have
remarried, you no longer need all of the money in the Trust, and it is unfair
that her husband and children should be denied some benefit from it.
I have written to Mrs Walter Tate, stating my opinion that neither
she nor her husband Walter are entitled to any benefit from the Trust,
because it has been sequestered for your use alone under the terms of Mr
Tate's will. Besides, I have pointed out that I have no power at all to make
any changes to the dispersal of the benefits, only to carry out exactly the
intention expressed in your late husband's will.
I sincerely hope that will be the end of the matter. I do not expect that
you will be troubled in any way by another such attempt. The fact that
your son Walter did not agree to make the approach suggests that we will
hear no more from that quarter.
you will be troubled in any way by another such attempt. The fact that
your son Walter did not agree to make the approach suggests that we will
hear no more from that quarter.
Catherine looked stunned. "Becky, I cannot believe what I am reading here; it is hard to imagine that even Pauline, who is not averse to pushing her own interest, would stoop to such a devious device as this and without her husband's knowledge."
Becky seemed untroubled. "Neither could I, but nothing Pauline does surprises me anymore. However, Jonathan has dealt with her in a most satisfactory way, I think. At least, I can be grateful that Walter did not lend his name to her clumsy, mercenary effort."
Then, with a smile, Becky urged Catherine to return to the letter. "But read on, Cathy, there is far more interesting news on page two."
Catherine did as she advised.
On another matter, which is likely to be of much greater interest to you at this
time,
Jonathan wrote:
time,
Jonathan wrote:
I have given some time to considering your proposition for purchasing a
small printing business, and while I have not had an accountant look at
the figures, I am not set against the idea, if it can be sensibly managed.
My enquiries have revealed a considerable demand for the kind of
service such a printery would provide, and I do not mean only the publica
tion of novels by ladies.
small printing business, and while I have not had an accountant look at
the figures, I am not set against the idea, if it can be sensibly managed.
My enquiries have revealed a considerable demand for the kind of
service such a printery would provide, and I do not mean only the publica
tion of novels by ladies.
I am informed, by those who are better acquainted with the business of
printing than I am, that there are several other possibilities--catalogues,
invitations, posters, pamphlets, and similar items. It will require some
careful planning and accounting, which is why I believe I should like to
discuss some of these matters with you and Mr Contini when we meet later
this year, before making a final decision.
printing than I am, that there are several other possibilities--catalogues,
invitations, posters, pamphlets, and similar items. It will require some
careful planning and accounting, which is why I believe I should like to
discuss some of these matters with you and Mr Contini when we meet later
this year, before making a final decision.
If a business may be purchased for the right price and a suitable person
be found to manage it, you may well look forward to the day when you will
have your own personal imprint. Then, perhaps, Becky, in a few years, the
name of Rebecca Collins will be as well known in literary circles as that of
Miss Charlotte Bronte, whom you admire so much.
be found to manage it, you may well look forward to the day when you will
have your own personal imprint. Then, perhaps, Becky, in a few years, the
name of Rebecca Collins will be as well known in literary circles as that of
Miss Charlotte Bronte, whom you admire so much.
He concluded with the customary salutations and good wishes, but Catherine could scarcely contain her delight.
"Oh Becky, this is excellent news." She rose and the two sisters embraced.
"Indeed it is, Cathy; it is such good news, I could not have asked for a better homecoming present," said Becky.
Then, seeing Mr Contini and Frank Burnett returning from their tour of the property, she added, "Come, we must tell them at once," and they walked out across the lawn, towards the lake, to meet their husbands.
Appendix
A list of the main characters in
A Woman of Influence:
Becky Tate (nee Collins)--daughter of Charlotte Collins and widow of Mr
Anthony Tate, publisher, of Matlock in Derbyshire
Josie (deceased)--Becky's daughter and first wife of Julian Darcy
Anthony Darcy--young son of Julian and Josie and the next Master of Pemberley
Catherine Burnett--Becky's elder sister
Frank Burnett--Catherine's husband
Jonathan Bingley--son of Jane and Charles Bingley
Anna Bingley--Jonathan's wife
Catherine Burnett--Becky's elder sister
Frank Burnett--Catherine's husband
Jonathan Bingley--son of Jane and Charles Bingley
Anna Bingley--Jonathan's wife
Signor and Signora Contini--friends of the Darcys and Bingleys
Mr Aldo Contini--their nephew and a friend of Jonathan Bingley Emily Courtney--cousin of Jane and Elizabeth, daughter of Mr and Mrs
Gardiner and wife of Reverend Courtney of Kympton
Dr Richard Gardiner--brother of Emily, husband of Cassandra Darcy Cassandra Gardiner--daughter of Mr and Mrs Darcy Julian Darcy--son of Mr and Mrs Darcy of Pemberley Jessica--his second wife and daughter of Emily Courtney
Emma Wilson--daughter of Jane and Charles Bingley, sister of Jonathan Mr James Wilson--her husband, a judge of the County Court
From the pages of
Pride and Prejudice:
Pride and Prejudice:
Mr and Mrs Darcy of Pemberley
Mr and Mrs Bingley of Ashford Park
Mrs Charlotte Collins (nee Lucas)
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank her many friends who have helped with information for this book and especially Ms Claudia Taylor, librarian, for her specialised research.
Thanks are due also to Marissa O'Donnell for the artwork, Anthony for technical assistance with her computer, and Beverly Kleinjan Wong for her excellent work on the website. So also to the many readers who have sent their comments, which are greatly appreciated.
To Miss Jane Austen, as always, heartfelt thanks for her inspiration.
--Rebecca Ann Collins
www.rebeccaanncollins.com
About the Author
A lifelong fan of Jane Austen, Rebecca Ann Collins first read
Pride and
Prejudice
at the tender age of twelve. She fell in love with the characters and since then has devoted years of research and study to the life and works of her favorite author. As a teacher of literature and a librarian, she has gathered a wealth of information about Miss Austen and the period in which she lived and wrote, which became the basis of her books about the Pemberley families. The popularity of The Pemberley Chronicles series with Jane Austen fans has been her reward.
Pride and
Prejudice
at the tender age of twelve. She fell in love with the characters and since then has devoted years of research and study to the life and works of her favorite author. As a teacher of literature and a librarian, she has gathered a wealth of information about Miss Austen and the period in which she lived and wrote, which became the basis of her books about the Pemberley families. The popularity of The Pemberley Chronicles series with Jane Austen fans has been her reward.
With a love of reading, music, art, and gardening, Ms. Collins claims she is very comfortable in the period about which she writes, and feels great empathy with the characters she portrays. While she enjoys the convenience of modern life, she finds much to admire in the values and world view of Jane Austen.
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