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Longbourn Drawing Room - Elizabeth

J ane and Elizabeth parted after they entered the house, Elizabeth having the decided feeling that Jane had a plan, though what it was she knew not.

Jane went straight to Mr Bennet’s study, while Mrs Bennet, hearing them come home, called Elizabeth into the drawing room, where she and Mr Collins were still speaking and planning.

“My dear cousin, or as I should say my dear Elizabeth,” Mr Collins began and then corrected himself as she entered the room, taking her by the hand and leading her to a seat by the table.

“You have made me the happiest of men.” He beamed at her. Her countenance betrayed her distaste - how could she marry him if she could not even stand to have him smile at her like that?

She gave him a very forced smile and then took out some work and sat quietly, only half listening to her mother and Mr Collins plan her life.

She was quietly amused how little input they required from her to do so.

She did inquire if he had finished his letter to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, to which he replied that he had not quite done so.

About half an hour later Jane and Mr Bennet entered the room, they looked slightly happier than they had before and more determined.

Jane took a seat next to Elizabeth, and like her sister she picked up some work and took little interest in the conversation.

A glare from Jane told Elizabeth to remain silent.

Mr Bennet walked over to his seat by the fire, as had become his habit since his illness and picked up his newspaper and began to read.

They continued thus for a few minutes, the only noise was the discussion between Mrs Bennet and Mr Collins, until Mr Bennet addressed Elizabeth and Mr Collins as he turned the page of his paper.

Mr Bennet looked up from his newspaper. “We had better have your engagement announced in the newspaper Lizzy, don’t you think Mr Collins?” He found the section he was looking for while Mr Collins beamed. “But there is no rush. I shall write to them next month or so.”

Mr Collins’ face fell visibly at these words.

“But Mr Bennet,” his wife declared, clearly agitated, “they are to be wed before Christmas. We have already decided it all.”

“But there can be no rush,” Mr Bennet returned, still not looking away from his newspaper.

“My dear sir,” Mr Collins interjected, “my noble patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh advised me in no uncertain terms that I should be married as soon as it possible and since it will not be a large wedding there can be no need to delay the matter, now-”

“I think you misunderstand me.” Mr Bennet interrupted, “there is no reason to have such a hurried wedding, there is no reason at all. There is my daughter’s reputation to consider in this.

A hasty wedding is never a respected marriage and that I cannot permit.

” He spoke very firmly. “And consider my dear, the wedding clothes,” he said, turning to his wife.

It was Jane’s turn to join the conversation; she spoke first to Mr Collins, “Yes, nothing respectable can be arranged so quickly, your bishop would not approve of doing otherwise.” To Mrs Bennet she said, “We must surely go to London mama, after Uncle and Aunt Gardiner have come to Longbourn for Christmas?”

Mr Collins was surprised by the turn of events, but after a moment he agreed that it would be a much better idea to not move quite so fast. Mrs Bennet took a little more convincing.

But seeing Mr Collins agree to the plan and that her husband and eldest daughter were decided against her in this she had little choice but to acquiesce.

Jane smiled at Elizabeth, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

Elizabeth realised this was Jane’s plan - to purchase time.

While a part of her felt a flicker of hope, Elizabeth tamped it down quickly.

Yes, time might help a little, but what could truly change in a few months?

Still, she couldn’t help but admire her sister’s determination and quick thinking.

Perhaps Jane saw possibilities that Elizabeth, in her resigned state, could not yet perceive.

Elizabeth found relief in the knowledge that Mr Collins would soon depart back to Kent. Then she would only have to deal with his letters, which he made no hesitation in promising he would be sending them often.

It did not seem that Jane was done, for not long after this had been decided, Mr Bennet invited Mr Collins in his study so that he could have some peace to finish his letter.

As her father left the room Elizabeth could see how much older her father looked, but there was also a determination that had not been there before.

Not ten minutes after they had withdrawn, the carriage was announced for Jane and Elizabeth. Elizabeth looked around at Hill in surprise when she came to call them. Mrs Bennet was also surprised by this, however she was not as surprised as her daughter.

“Hill, why have you called for the carriage?” she asked.

“Tis for Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth ma’am, the master ordered it for them,” Hill said, looking as confused as Elizabeth felt.

Jane cheerfully elaborated, “Caroline insisted on making me promise at the ball to call on her as soon as I could. I mentioned it to my father after Lizzy and I returned this morning.”

It seemed that Jane was not yet done with her plan.

“Oh Netherfield, yes of course you must go.” Mrs Bennet was in too much delight to question why Elizabeth was going as well as Jane. “Well come on then, there is not too much left of the morning and I must write to my sister Gardiner about going to London.”

As the carriage rattled along the familiar road to Netherfield, Elizabeth studied her sister’s face intently. “Jane, what exactly are you planning?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

But Jane merely smiled, a secretive glint in her eye.

“You’ll understand soon enough, Lizzy,” she replied softly.

Elizabeth noticed how Jane’s gaze seemed far away, lost in thought.

Every now and then, a blush would creep across Jane’s cheeks, and Elizabeth could only wonder what - or who - her sister was thinking about.

The air in the carriage felt charged with anticipation and unspoken words.

They arrived at Netherfield to find the house in a state of mild disarray.

Trunks lined the hallway, and servants bustled about with barely concealed urgency.

Miss Bingley greeted them at the door, her usual poise somewhat ruffled.

Her smile was strained as she explained, “I am afraid you’ve caught us at an inconvenient moment.

My brother is just about to leave for Town on urgent business, and the rest of our party will be joining him shortly.

” She glanced at Jane with a mixture of irritation and triumph.

“In fact, I was in the process of writing to Miss Bennet about our sudden departure when you arrived.”

Miss Bingley was on the point of turning them away when Mr Bingley came down the stairs. He smiled broadly when he saw them.

“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, I am very glad to see you,” he said as he led them into the parlour and asked Caroline to call for some tea. “I trust you enjoyed the ball the other evening?”

Jane blushed a deep shade of pink, “Very much so, it was a delightful evening, was it not Lizzy? I do not remember ever enjoying an evening more.”

Elizabeth could not believe her ears, Jane had never been unguarded in her speech. Not that she was saying anything that it was improper for her to say, but it was more the warmth with which she spoke. She could see the surprise and pleasure in Bingley’s eyes.

Before Elizabeth could agree with her sister, Miss Bingley cut her off, she was clearly not at all pleased, “Charles you have forgotten that you were this moment on your way out on very pressing business?”

“Yes, I must go soon,” he said without really paying her any attention, with all of his focus being on Jane who asked, “Is your business likely to keep you in town long?”

“I am not sure,” replied he, “some time, but I hope not too long.”

“We are to go to our aunt’s house in Gracechurch Street after Christmas,” Jane hesitated before saying, “so maybe we will see you there, if you have not returned.”

Bingley’s smile widened, while the frown on Miss Bingley’s face grew more pronounced. “Indeed, I would like that very much.”

Elizabeth noticed a new determination in Jane’s eyes as she spoke to Mr Bingley.

Her sister’s usual serenity was tinged with a subtle urgency, her smiles more deliberate.

It was as if Jane had awakened to the precariousness of their situation and was resolved to secure not just her own future, but Elizabeth’s as well .

The visit did not last much longer, Mr Bingley did indeed need to leave for London. But Elizabeth was satisfied that she had discovered another part of Jane’s plan. And she was happy in the knowledge that no matter what her own fate was, her sister would be happy in hers.

The sisters spoke very little on the way home, as there was very little to be said.

“You do know that you don’t have to do this?” Elizabeth said, concern evident in her voice.

Jane replied quietly, “Just like you know you didn’t have to accept Mr Collins.” Then, more seriously, she added, “I am fairly confident of my own heart, as I am of his.”

“But Jane,” Elizabeth protested, “it is not you.”

Jane’s voice was firm as she responded, “I would have risked a great deal more for you.”

Lydia and Kitty had walked to Meryton that morning and were delightfully telling Mrs Bennet all the news that was to be had when the two old sisters entered the house.

Mary was sitting with Mr Collins, his letter finished.

Mrs Bennet at first was upset that Mr Bingley had left for town, but was very pleased that they had gone to Netherfield that morning.

“What luck girls, that you should have gone this very morning to call on Miss Bingley.” She was very well pleased. “And how lucky it was that we had just this morning decided to go to town with my dear brother.”

Later, Lydia approached Elizabeth with a mischievous grin. She leaned in close and whispered, “I have something to tell you Lizzy that I think will amuse you. You should have seen Mr Wickham’s face when I told him that you were engaged to Mr Collins.” She laughed loudly. “He went quite pale.”

Elizabeth felt her cheeks grow warm, a mixture of embarrassment and an emotion she didn’t want to name flooding through her.

Mr Wickham’s reaction stirred something in her heart, but she quickly suppressed it.

She had made her choice, for better or worse.

Glancing nervously at Mr Collins, who was approaching with his usual air of self-importance, she steeled herself for another tedious conversation.

As Lydia skipped away, Elizabeth took a deep breath, reminding herself of the reasons behind her decision.

She plastered on a polite smile and turned to speak to her future husband.

“I believe you mentioned that the grounds around Rosings Park are very fine,” Elizabeth ventured, attempting to show interest. “Are the grounds mostly formal gardens or are there woods and more wild parts to it?”

Mr Collins’ face lit up at the opportunity to expound on his favourite subject.

“The grounds of Rosings Park are indeed very large and impressive,” he began, puffing up with pride.

“The formal gardens near the house are particularly splendid. Lady Catherine spared no expense in their design and upkeep. Why, the rose garden alone cost-”

As Mr Collins launched into a detailed account of the various expenses associated with maintaining Rosings Park, Elizabeth found her attention wandering.

She had hoped for descriptions of shaded woodland paths or secluded spots where she might find solace in nature.

Instead, she was treated to an itemised list of Lady Catherine’s expenditures.

She nodded politely, her heart sinking as she realised how little her future husband understood her true interests.

The remainder of his stay was in a similar vein, as he spent much of his time talking to Elizabeth of Rosings Park, his noble patroness and her elegant daughter so that she would know how to act and what to expect when she arrived.

The days following Mr Collins’ proposal passed in a blur for Elizabeth. Each hour seemed to bring a new challenge - her mother’s effusive joy, her father’s worried glances, Jane’s quiet concern. By the time Mr Collins prepared to depart, Elizabeth felt as though weeks had passed, not mere days.

As the week progressed, Mr Bennet’s health took a noticeable turn for the worse.

On Friday, he was confined to his bed, his usual wit dimmed by fatigue and discomfort.

The house seemed to hold its breath, the usual bustling atmosphere subdued by concern.

However, through sheer force of will, Mr Bennet rallied enough strength on Saturday to bid Mr Collins farewell.

As he shook the oblivious clergyman’s hand, Elizabeth caught her father’s eye.

The look they shared spoke volumes - a mix of resignation, sorrow, and a touch of their old shared humour at Mr Collins’ expense.

Later that night, as Elizabeth lay in bed, the weight of her decision pressed upon her.

She imagined Mr Collins’ face, his pompous smile, his overbearing manner.

A shudder ran through her. ‘For Jane,’ she whispered into the darkness.

‘For all of them.’ But even as she repeated these words, a part of her rebelled against the sacrifice.