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“They be Mr Collins’s, Master,” the young groom replied.

Bennet stared at the stallion. “Is he a thoroughbred?” Bennet demanded.

“Aye, ‘e be that,” Jack confirmed. “I ‘aven’t ridden ‘im yet, but I ‘ope I do soon. I think ‘e can fly.”

“And the other horse?” Bennet pointed at the gelding he had not seen before.

“That be the ‘orse ‘oo pulls Mr Collins’s gig. It be in the coach ‘ouse,” Jack related.

If his cousin was the owner of such a horse, he most certainly was not in want of funds. How could that be? There was nothing for it now; Bennet would have to quiz his cousin when he returned from seeing Peter Jackson.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

William had been missing riding Vulcan, so he saddled the stallion himself and took a short ride to the hill, called Oakham Mount, and back. At the same time he arrived back at the stables; William saw Cousin Bennet approaching on the back of the gelding who was housed in the stall next to Vulcan.

“Cousin, you are full of surprises,” Bennet stated after he dismounted and handed the reins to the groom. “I did not think that you would own such a fine horse, not to mention a second one to pull your gig.”

“Is it so very surprising that I should have a good horse? My father taught my brother Clem and me to ride from an early age. Clem and I used to race across the fields at Collins Hollow.”

“Collins Hollow?”

“My father’s estate near Faversham. Vulcan here is from a neighbouring estate with a good breeding programme. Father’s and my brother’s stallions come from the same estate.”

“Mr Collins, are you telling me that you were raised on an estate? How can that be? I was told that your family were farm labourers!”

“Cousin Bennet, there are not many labourers who send both of their sons to Harrow and then Oxford, but perhaps I err. I know that from my great-great-grandfather down to my own father, the Collins family have attempted to write to the Bennets of Longbourn, but we have never received replies. For that reason, it is unsurprising that you know not about Collins Hollow.” Collins looked to Vulcan, who he was still holding by the reins. “I want to see my horse back in his stall. May we speak later?”

All Bennet could do was nod. It seemed that much of what his father and grandfather told him about the Collinses was not based in fact. He walked back towards the manor house in somewhat of a shock.

William was not sorry he had allowed his cousin to see some of the truth of who he was. He could not stand idly by and allow Cousin Bennet to speak about his Collins family in that way. William was not sure, but he had a very strong suspicion that his cousin had not read the documents governing the current entail. He still wanted to observe for a few more days before he confronted his cousin about the estate and other things he was noticing.

He made his way back into the house. William climbed the two levels to his guest chamber and changed out of his riding attire, had a quick wash using the bowl of cold water on the dresser, and then dressed in his usual garb of a clergyman. On returning to the ground floor, he entered the drawing room.

“Mr Collins, what good timing. My girls are to walk into Meryton. You can escort them, especially Lizzy, and they will show you the town and introduce you to any of our friends they encounter,” Fanny not so much suggested as commanded.

There was no missing the way Cousin Elizabeth rolled her eyes on hearing her mother. However, she said nothing, and soon the six of them were walking down the drive towards the lane that led into Meryton. As Cousins Jane and Elizabeth were walking together, as were Cousins Kitty and Lydia, William made no attempt to attach himself to Cousin Elizabeth as Mrs Bennet wanted. Rather, he offered his arm to Cousin Mary.

She gave William a shy but grateful smile and took his arm, resting her hand on his forearm lightly.

Chapter 12

“Denny!” Lydia called out at the top of her voice as soon as the group from Longbourn entered the main street of the market town of Meryton. Before anyone could restrain her, Lydia, who was very pleased that Lieutenant Denny had returned from London, darted across the street.

Seeing his youngest cousin’s improper behaviour did not sit well with William Collins, but he was not her father or brother, so he had to bite his tongue and say nothing. There was no missing how embarrassed the three eldest Bennet sisters were at the youngest’s impropriety. Miss Kitty, whom William had dubbed ‘the shadow’, followed her younger and brasher sister towards the group of officers who were standing with a man who was doing his best to look like a gentleman.

“Should we join Cousins Kitty and Lydia?” William suggested.

Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary had been momentarily frozen with mortification at Lydia’s behaviour. The sisters’ shame deepened when they saw the disapproving looks being directed at Kitty and Lydia by some of their friends and neighbours. Not even Jane could find a positive way of looking at the flirtatious spectacle both of her youngest sisters were making of themselves.

Shaking off the disgust they felt, the three eldest Bennet sisters followed Mr Collins across the road to where the group of four men were standing with Kitty and Lydia.

“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Mary, it is a pleasure to see you.” Denny bowed as did Lieutenants Chamberlayne and Pratt. “I was explaining to your younger sisters that this very day I returned from London with our newest lieutenant, Mr George Wickham.”

Elizabeth admired the look of the new man. He was handsome but not quite as tall as Cousin Collins. His hair was dark brown; his eyes were a similar colour. What struck her was the open and honest look on his countenance.

Jane noticed the officers and their friend were looking at Mr Collins questioningly. “Mr Collins, I present to you Lieutenants Denny, Chamberlayne, and Pratt. As you heard, the gentleman is Mr Wickham. Gentlemen, our cousin, Mr Collins.”

“You will look ever so handsome when you are in your scarlet coat,” Lydia said flirtatiously as she batted her eyes at Mr Wickham.