Page 22 of Obligation and Redemption

And how, when she considered the haughty character of the Marchese di Vivaldi, the imperious and vindictive nature of the Marchesa, and, still more, their united repugnance to a connection with her, how could she endure to think, even for a moment, of intruding herself into such a family!

Pride, delicacy, good sense seemed to warn her against a conduct so humiliating and vexatious in its consequences, and to exhort her to preserve her own dignity by independence.

Ann Radcliffe

The Italian

Over the course of the following week, Elizabeth unobtrusively remained at Longbourn with her family.

Her mother had finally begun to lament her efficacious skill at spreading what she would have considered at the time splendid news concerning her family.

No one had heard anything from Mr. Darcy, as he remained furtively ensconced at Netherfield.

Mr. Bingley had been seen on multiple occasions throughout the neighbourhood, at social gatherings and hunting parties; nevertheless, he did not mention his friend, and few had the gall to ask about him.

Mrs. Bennet had taken to her room, claiming her nerves were carried away, and she blamed her least favourite daughter, Elizabeth, for her own predicament.

She had forgotten that it was she who had first begun the unsubstantiated tales that now quite possibly could be the ruination of her family.

Should Mr. Darcy not do his duty and come apply for her hand, Elizabeth and all of her sisters could expect to be shunned by anyone who might offer a future for them.

However, as Mrs. Bennet had remained upstairs, she also persisted in her ignorance of the discussions taking place in Mr. Bennet’s study between Mr. Bennet and Mr. Collins.

The visitor at Longbourn had been in residence for the previous three weeks, which had been quite enough as Mr. Bennet reckoned.

At first, Mr. Collins provided amusement for the gentleman, but his presence had become wearisome, especially in the face of scandal, as he spent no small amount of time proclaiming to Mr. Bennet, and the rest of the family, the dangers of imprudence.

Elizabeth had begun taking meals in her room to avoid the castigation of the man against her character.

She avoided him at every turn, so she was unaware of the time he had been spending with her father, and her father had chosen not to share with her the topic of the deliberations, so as not to cause her undue distress.

Mr. Collins attempted to come up with a solution that would enable Mr. Darcy to be free to marry Miss De Bourgh.

He held Lady Catherine’s plans for her daughter as his greatest concern.

If he could secure Darcy’s removal from the clutches of Miss Elizabeth, he would be counted as most devoted.

And although Mr. Collins could not approve of Miss Elizabeth’s methods of attracting a man to herself, he could appreciate that she did in fact attract her share.

Her sister, Mary, was a pretty kind of girl, yet she did not have the vitality and allure that Elizabeth possessed.

In light of this, he had decided to offer for Miss Elizabeth, thereby securing her to himself and freeing Mr. Darcy for his cousin, Miss De Bourgh.

The plan was perfect. The Bennets would be destitute upon Mr. Bennet’s demise without Mr. Collins’s intervention.

And although that could be years away, the fear of the eventual certainty of his passing plagued Mrs. Bennet and began to play on the sensibility of them all, thereby ensuring their acceptance of his proposal.

At first Mr. Bennet had steadfastly refused any such possibility; nevertheless, as time dragged on without the great man showing his face at Longbourn, he had begun to fear the eventuality of having to accept Mr. Collins’s request for her hand.

He did not share Mr. Collins’s supplication with Mary either, for he knew that she had developed an unlikely tendre for him.

Mary had always been hidden behind her sisters’ exuberance and beauty.

The past fortnight had done much to improve her bearing, and Mr. Bennet would very much dislike seeing her hurt by the likes of Mr. Collins, and as much as Mr. Bennet hated to consider the reality of the situation, the truth of the matter was that his family needed Mr. Collins’s security.

Never had Mr. Bennet regretted so much his lackadaisical attitude towards his family’s future.

Elizabeth was summoned to her father’s study one morning just after breakfast. He had been reticent throughout the meal, while Mr. Collins had a look of great satisfaction upon his face.

With apprehension, Elizabeth knocked on her father’s door and opened it before she heard a response. “Papa, you wanted to speak with me?”

“Close the door, Elizabeth.” Her father then rose and assisted her to the chair across the desk from him.

He reached for the port and poured out two glasses, one for each of them.

Handing one to her, she characteristically lifted an eyebrow in question.

Elizabeth could often tell what her father was thinking; regardless, on this occasion, his words would shock her to the core.

Although early in the day for wine, she took a drink, knowing he would not have offered fortification without reasoning.

After several minutes of quiet, just when Elizabeth had determined to ask why she had been summoned, her father began, “The rumours seem to have taken on a life of their own, my dear. We have had no callers, so I asked Hill to determine the extent of the effects of your mother’s blathering upon our neighbours.

We have little hope that the scandal will die down of its own accord.

Apparently, news has even reached London, as an enterprising servant related the story to the papers in town.

News of Mr. Darcy’s shenanigans comes with a high price, you see. ”

“Who would do such a thing?”

“That is neither here nor there, my dear.” Thoughtfully, he continued, “Mr. Darcy will survive the scandal to be sure, as tomorrow’s paper will come up with new stories to relay and distract.

Many so-called gentlemen of his station use young women and get nothing more than their hand slapped and a reputation of being a Casanova.

His wealth will protect him; however, you do not have that luxury.

Your virtue makes you an acceptable bride to a gentleman; if that falls into question, your smiles and beauty will do little to attract a suitor worthy of you, especially in light of your small portion.

I am afraid that your heroic efforts at saving Mr. Darcy have put you in a tenuous position from which you will not likely recover.

If you were the only one to feel the effects, I am certain you could handle the change with fortitude and grace.

Be that as it may, your entire family will fall with you.

Your and your sisters’ dowries are insufficient to protect you in light of this scandal. ”

Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears as she attempted to hear her father out.

He was her protector and she prayed that he had an alternative, a plan to recover what the family once had before her mistaken act of kindness.

“Mr. Collins refuses to ask for Mary’s hand while the family suffers from disgrace.

He has offered an alternative that would save your reputation, secure our family’s future and afford you a place at Longbourn. ”

“Father, you cannot mean what I think. Tell me you are not suggesting….”

“Elizabeth, you must know that if there were any other alternatives, I would not impose upon you in such a way. Your happiness means a great deal to me, but my family’s welfare will be vastly affected by how we handle this situation.”

“But what about Mary? Although I do not understand her sentiments, she is quite taken with the man. Surely I could not hurt her in that way.”

“Elizabeth, he will not ask for her.”

“Papa, I cannot marry that man! He is a fool!”

“Fool or not, he makes a valid offer. He will inherit Longbourn. Due to the scandal, he cannot offer for Mary; however, if you agree to marry him, the scandal will be forgotten and your sisters will be able to marry where they will. And you will become mistress of your family’s estate when I am gone.

” At her look of horror, he continued, “Being married to someone whom you cannot respect can be insufferable at times, it is true, but really, my dear, there are amusements that will arise in your daily life that will make living with a foolish man bearable.”

“No! I will not!” Tears were now streaming down her cheeks. “Papa, I cannot marry that man. Please, do not make me; I beg of you. Send me away; I do not care where.”

“If it were only you, as difficult as that would be, I know I could do that. You are strong and intelligent and would endure wherever you are, but your sisters cannot. Elizabeth, Mr. Bingley surely could not continue in his admiration of Jane. We have neither seen nor heard from his sisters or that gentleman since leaving the cabin.”

“But what if Mr. Darcy offers for me? Have you made any effort to contact him, to make him do his duty? Is he even still in the area?”

“Yes, Lizzy, he remains at Netherfield. Yesterday morning I sent a missive to him requesting his presence. Nathan returned and confirmed to me that the gentleman had indeed received my note. Would you prefer Mr. Darcy over Mr. Collins should he make an offer?”

“Papa, I do not want either man, but of course between the two I would be inclined towards Mr. Darcy. But I have always desired to marry for love. Jane and I have agreed to only marry with the strongest of affections. Papa, please. Surely we do not need to make a decision today.”