Page 31

The ladies of Longbourn had gathered in the drawing room, awaiting their cousin’s appearance. Mrs Bennet was both angry and hopeful of the visit. Angry that she would have to entertain the man who would take her beloved home and remove her from the top of local society. Hopeful in that he would take one of her daughters off her hands in the interim.

Jane was not to be one of his potential brides. She would make that clear from the start. There was no point in getting his hopes up to marrying the prettiest when she already had a wealthy suitor.

Her remaining daughters each had their own individual and unique qualities. While homely, Mary played the pianoforte and was versed in scriptural knowledge. Both skills suitable for a pastor’s wife. Kitty was comely and when not around her sister, was demur. While not a skill, it was a trait suitable for his occupation. Lydia was the prettiest next to Jane, lively and enjoyed dancing. Because of her age, she was the least likely to win their cousin’s affection. She did not mind having Lydia around longer as she enjoyed her company most of all. Having been much like Lydia in her youth.

When she peered at Elizabeth, she had trouble imagining her married to a rector. While tolerable to look at, she was headstrong and opinionated. She had the bad habit of disappearing for hours at a time to go wandering around the fields like a gypsy. Hardly what a man of the cloth would be looking for or desire in a helpmate. Mrs Bennet eyed the girl closely and pondered why she was fidgeting and appeared nervous as she looked between the book she held and the doorway. It was out of character for her. She began to wonder if she harbored the possibility of a match?

Elizabeth did not know what to think at the moment. She could not think, at least not think properly. Her mind was in upheaval at the dilemma she faced. The most handsome man in the kingdom could walk through the doorway, which would not change the fact that she had no desire to marry a stranger. Not to an earl, not to a pastor. Even if their cousin was handsome, did her father expect her to swoon at the sight of him? After all, she had not swooned at the sight of Mr Darcy. She let out a small gasp wondering where had that thought come from?

Her apprehension grew as the footsteps coming down the hallway grew louder, but her thoughts returned to Mr Darcy. In contemplating him, she did have to admit that he was handsome. She again wondered why that particular thought came to her. In all the time she had spent with the man, that he was handsome had never entered her mind.

Her eyes refocused on the doorway when their cousin and father walked into the room. The ladies of Longbourn stood to be introduced. She heard gasps from Lydia and Kitty. If she were forced to make a choice, she already knew which it would be. She should not judge a person by their appearance, but the man was shaped like a grape with its pedicels for limbs and a head stuck on top.

Elizabeth suddenly had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. What if Mr Darcy refused to renew his offer? After all, why should he care about rumors circulating in a portion of the country where he had no connection except a friend? As Mr Bingley only held a lease on Netherfield, he might be gone within the year.

Mr Darcy was a man of vast fortune, increased now with more land holdings and a title of nobility. Why would he care about the daughter of a country squire who had already refused him?

She wanted to scream to drown out her thoughts. She did not want to marry. The rumors might die out, and all these ridiculous thoughts racing around her head would be pointless.

After the introductions were made, they all sat for tea. To Mrs Bennet’s delight, her husband sat their guest in the chair next to Elizabeth.

“How was your journey?” Mr Bennet questioned his cousin as no one seemed willing to speak up to begin the conversation.

“It was wonderful from the moment I stepped outside the door of my humble abode until I stepped through the door here of this magnificent home,” he replied, his face beaming with joy. His teeth, while white, looked like haphazardly arranged dominoes.

Mrs Bennet was perturbed by his comment, and only a warning look from the master of the house prevented her from wailing about the unfairness of the entail that would deprive her of her beloved home.

“First, my esteemed patroness, Lady Catharine de Burgh, sent her carriage. I should say one of them, as she has many. It happened to be the very phaeton that her daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh enjoys driving around when the weather suits her constitution. Of course, it was not driven by Miss de Bourgh,” he laughed. “That would have been too much of an honor for my humble soul,” he continued, eliciting hastily suppressed giggles from Lydia and Kitty.

“That certainly would have been astounding if she had,” Mr Bennet teased. Collins gazed at his cousin, unsure if he was jesting.

“You must know Lady Catherine is responsible for prompting me to end the chasm between our two families.”

“I thought in your letter you mentioned that it was your recent ordination and the desire to bring peace and harmony to all families in your care.”

“Yes. I admit that my inner conflict was between honoring my clerical vows and my father’s memory. It was Lady Catherine who suggested I heal the rift. Earlier this year, she lost a brother with whom she had been at odds with and had not spoken to in some years, much to her regret now that he is gone. She wisely said, ‘life is like a hand of whist. One never knows what will be dealt until it is in your hand, so you must make the best of it.”

“Most profound,” Mr Bennet replied. Mr Collins nodded his agreement as Elizabeth rolled her eyes at her father.

“She also rightly pointed out that if I have turmoil in my own family, how am I to adjudicate the minor squabbles of those under her oversight that do not need her attention.”

“Most wise of her not wanting to deal with the trivial matters.” Mr Bennet said, nodding.

“She is as wise as Solomon in solving problems between husbands and wives, neighbors, and tenets. Nothing is beyond her purview that happens on or near her estate. She believes knowing the most intimate details about what takes place in the village is imperative. She said to me, ‘Mr Collins, if you are to counsel your parishioners in marriage, you must find a lady and marry.’ What sage advice it was, so here I am.”

Mr Bennet looked over at Elizabeth, who looked on her cousin with barely hidden disdain if he knew his Lizzy. He gave her the slightest of winks. He would have his fun, and she would have to settle on Mr Darcy whether she liked it or not. Glancing at his wife, he knew that once the rumor reached her ears, she would insist on marriage and caterwaul until the deed was done.

“Is there no one available for marriage in your parish? Where did you say it was again?”

They were all surprised when he clapped his hands together, and his face brightened with a huge, toothy smile.

“I should have started there, dear cousin. You should see her estate, Rosings Park. What a grand house it is. It is one of the best in the country, no doubt. The chimneypiece alone cost eight hundred pounds.”

“That is quite the sum, but before we delve into the architectural marvels of her home, where are you located.”

“Why from my bedroom window,” he colored slightly as he spoke. “You can see her home through a gap in the trees.”

Mrs Bennet could take it no longer. As he spoke, the odious man leered at Jane as if he had already secured the promise of marriage.

“I don’t know if Mr Bennet has already discussed this with you, but our Jane is soon to be engaged to a man who has recently moved into the neighborhood.”

“Mother!” Jane cried, blushing in embarrassment. Her mother ignored her and looked directly at Mr Collins.

“Perhaps not formalized yet, but I think there is an understanding and only matter a time. He is to have a ball, where I believe he will make the announcement. However, my other daughters are free from obligations.”

Lydia and Kitty were shaking their heads, doing their best to hide their horror. Mary sat stoically, hands folded in her lap, debating with herself if the desire for marriage could overcome the man if he offered. Elizabeth had already made her mind up from the moment she set eyes upon him.

Their cousin looked crestfallen at the information. When he arrived in Meryton on the mail coach, he had made a few inquiries about his cousins. By common report, they were said to be attractive and pleasant. As soon as he saw Jane, he made his choice. Not only was she the senior and, therefore, should be the first to marry. She was also the prettiest and well proportioned of them. He had already dismissed the two that had been tittering and whispering as completely unsuitable. Lady Catherine would never tolerate such behavior. Disappointed, he looked back at Jane one last time in what could have been before turning his gaze to Elizabeth.

“I am happy that you informed me forthwith,” he said, smiling at Elizabeth.

A chill ran down her spine. What if the rumor spread? Would her father really force her to marry one of them? What if Mr Darcy withdrew his suggestion to make amends and save her reputation? Would her father make her marry the man before her to quell the ridiculous story and save the family? A tiny shudder ran through her body, giving her a chill.

That evening, dinner was unbearable for Elizabeth, as her mother placed Mr Collins next to her. They all had to sit through him drone on about his patroness and her daughter, their estate, and the changes she suggested around his home. The only nice thing she could say for that man was that his table manners were better than his outward appearance would suggest.

After an hour with Mr Collins in the parlour disrupting their normal routine, the ladies retired early for the night. As they readied for bed, Elizabeth felt guilty that she had not told Jane about her morning encounter with Mr Darcy and his suggestion.