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“And when Mama insisted he must go after Lydia and Wickham,” Kitty added, her voice unusually sharp, “he just stood there stammering about local inquiries.”

“He threatened to find another bride,” Mary said unexpectedly, “when Lizzy refused to be rushed to the altar.”

“You should have heard Lizzy’s response,” Kitty added with a flash of admiration. “‘Then look elsewhere, sir,’ she told him, ‘for I will not be rushed to the altar while my father lies not yet cold.’”

Jane squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. “It was well said, Lizzy.”

Mrs Gardiner’s eyes sparkled with approval. “Very well said indeed. And I trust Mr Collins now understands where he stands?”

“I hardly know,” Elizabeth admitted. “He’s barely spoken to me since, except to mutter about his inquiries at local inns.”

“And what of your engagement?” her aunt asked gently.

Elizabeth sighed. “He hasn’t actually ended it, despite his threat to look elsewhere. And his behaviour…” She glanced at Jane. “Well, we have only family as witnesses to his conduct. Without Papa here…”

“The law,” Mrs Gardiner said carefully, “tends to take a different view of a gentleman’s word against that of several ladies, particularly when those ladies are family.” She paused. “Though if Mr Collins were to repeat such sentiments in front of Mr Darcy or Mr Bingley…”

“He’s more likely to repeat his concerns about Lady Catherine’s opinion,” Mary observed. “He seems most anxious about her response to all this.”

“Yes,” Elizabeth said dryly. “Her opinion appears to be his primary concern in this matter.”

Mrs Gardiner’s expression suggested she had more to say on the subject, but at that moment Hill appeared in the doorway.

“If you please, ma’am,” Hill said to Mrs Gardiner, “Mrs Bennet is asking for you. She is quite distressed about the sleeping arrangements. ”

“I’ll come with you, Aunt,” Jane offered, rising gracefully. “Mama might be more easily settled if we explain our arrangements together.”

Elizabeth watched them go, then turned back to Mary and Kitty. There was still so much to discuss, but her mother’s hysterics must take precedence, as always.

* * *

Longbourn, Book Room - Mr Collins

Meanwhile, in his temporary sanctuary of the book room, Mr Collins was growing increasingly anxious.

Lady Catherine had not yet replied to either of his letters.

He had written first to inform her of Mr Bennet’s death, assuring her that this slight delay would not prevent him from returning to Hunsford with his bride before the week’s end.

The second letter had been far more difficult to compose.

His cousin’s disappearance weighed heavily on his mind-not only had it delayed his marriage and return to Hunsford, but worse, he would forever be tainted by association with the scandal.

That it had happened within hours of his cousin’s death only made matters more shocking.

He, Mr William Collins, would surely be blamed for the elopement.

Even in the best case, if they found Lydia and she married Wickham, the scandal would persist. And in the worst case…

No, he dared not think of what complete ruin awaited the Bennet family.

His own reputation would be equally damaged after his marriage to Elizabeth, for a sister’s shame must be shared by all.

To think he had been pushing for an immediate wedding!

He had almost packed his bags that very evening and fled to Hunsford, but duty had required him to remain and make some effort to find his poor silly cousin.

Yet now… might there not be a way to ensure she remained merely a cousin rather than becoming a sister?

Would Lady Catherine perhaps allow-nay, advise-him to break the engagement?

Surely connecting the honourable house of de Bourgh to a family tainted by scandal would be unconscionable! It would be far better to end the engagement entirely. For Lady Catherine’s sake, of course.

And then there was the matter of Mr Wickham himself. Mr Collins had thought him a very polite, engaging young man-though Elizabeth had seemed to enjoy his company rather too much for a woman betrothed to another.

And Mr Darcy’s involvement was most peculiar.

That such an illustrious gentleman, Lady Catherine’s own nephew, should take such an active interest in finding Lydia…

Mr Collins had noticed how his betrothed and Mr Darcy seemed to gravitate toward each other, their heads bent in quiet conversation. Most irregular.

For now, he would continue his cursory search for Lydia Bennet, returning to Longbourn only when absolutely necessary. Lady Catherine would reply soon, and he would, as always, take her excellent advice. Though he rather thought he knew what that advice would be.

Of course, he must handle the matter with proper Christian charity.

The breaking of the engagement would have to be managed delicately-perhaps he could arrange for the Bennets to stay with their relations until more permanent arrangements could be made.

Yes, that would be best. He could not be seen to cast them out entirely; after all, they were his cousins, and he had a duty to them as both a relation and a man of God.

The small cottage on the estate might do for Mrs Bennet and her daughters, Jane, Mary and Katherine, once the current tenants’ lease expires.

Mary, at least, showed proper appreciation for serious matters, and Jane would surely be married to Mr Bingley soon enough.

As for Elizabeth… well, she would naturally need to remove herself from the estate entirely.

Perhaps to her Aunt and Uncle Phillips in Meryton, or her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner in London.

Yes, that would be most proper-demonstrating his Christian charity while ensuring appropriate distance from the scandal.

After all, he could hardly have his former betrothed living on his estate.

And Lydia, of course, could never be permitted to return to Longbourn, regardless of whether she was found and married or not. Such behaviour could not be countenanced on his estate. Lady Catherine would certainly agree with that decision.