Page 37

“Mr Collins, Mr Collins, you must come in here,” Mrs Bennet called out, seeing him in the hall. He made to turn for the stairs to go to his room, but Mrs Bennet rushed out, grabbed his arm, and forcibly pulled him into the room.

“Are you unwell?” she asked, seeing him in the light of the room. “Never mind, it’s not important. We need your help, dear Mr Collins.” She declared, pointing to Elizabeth.

He looked away when he saw the object of his recent hopes and desires.

“Tell her, Mr Collins. Tell her as her cousin and, more importantly, a man of your profession. Tell her that she must make this right for the sake of the family.”

His previous anxious state turned to one of indignation, and his fortitude returned. He wanted to say much to the woman to whom he had directed his heart. As a minister, meant to set a good example, he could not say what he felt like telling her. Language he had never used but had heard enough from his father. He paused momentarily and took a deep breath before making his pronouncement.

“Whoever the scoundrel may be, you must make it right for the sake of your family, or your sin will taint us all.” he declared solemnly. “As for me, you may consider our courtship at an end. I shall have nothing to do with you from this point forward.” He sniffed and stuck his nose up into the air.

“Courtship? I was not aware of any courtship.”

He glared back at her. “You must have noticed the extra attention I have paid you over the last few days.”

“I did not,” she lied.

“I noticed your amorous affections, Mr Collins,” Mrs Bennet interrupted, “and it pains me greatly that you are disappointed in her.” She fibbed with a pretended look of disappointment. He was about to reply when her demeanor changed, and she continued. “Now, as a minister, make her see reason and set things right. For the good of all of us, she must marry the man who has ruined your chance at happiness.”

He looked grimly at Elizabeth, nodding in agreement. “Your mother is correct. For the sake of this family, you must marry, or you bring a permanent stain to us all.”

To his surprise and shock, Mrs Bennet pulled him to her in joy and hugged him tightly.

“Thank you. Perhaps now she will do her duty and not deny her mistake. Think of it, my daughter to be a countess.”

“A countess?” he spluttered. “Mrs Bennet, please let me go,” he declared, trying to push her away. “Explain yourself.”

She relented in her happiness at his agreement and released him. “You did not know. The scoundrel we are speaking of is Mr Darcy.”

“Mr Darcy? Mr Darcy of Pemberley is here? But, this cannot be.”

“Yes, that is the one. He is the gentleman you met the other day.” Elizabeth said as the man began to look positively sickly. She knew it was wrong, but his reaction was the only bit of joy she felt.

“You said Mr Bingley and a friend.”

“A friend who happens to be Mr Darcy. Did you not hear Mr Bingley introduce him as Earl Fitzwilliam?”

“No,” he cried in a high-pitched voice. “If I had, I would have assured him that his aunt was in perfect health when I left.” He shook his head as if clearing those thoughts from his mind. “That is beside the point. You cannot marry him,” he declared forcefully.

“I can if I want,” Elizabeth countered, causing a cry of joy and gasps throughout the room.

“Do you know who he is?”

“Of course I do, I have met him.”

“He is the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. My esteemed patroness.”

“I am aware.”

“Then you must know you cannot marry Mr Darcy.”

“I know no such thing.”

“He is engaged to Miss Anne de Bourgh, heiress to Rosings.”

“I believe that will not be an issue as I have it on good authority that he is not.”

“I do not know where you received this information, but I know without a doubt that you are mistaken.” He declared with all the authority he could muster

“I have it on the best authority that he is not engaged.”

“Lady Catherine de Bourgh says he is.”

“Then perhaps she should tell him.”

“This will not do. I forbid you to marry him.”

“I will marry him if I want,” she replied to the further cries of joy of her mother.

“Mr Collins, you just told her she must, and she now says she will,” Mrs Bennet added.

“That was before I knew with whom you were talking. Now, if you will excuse me,” he said, rushing from the room and up the stairs.

Elizabeth said nothing until she was sure he would not hear. “I did not say I would marry him. I said I would if I wanted.”

“You will if your father orders you to marry.”

Elizabeth had no answer and made no protest. She wanted to leave the room, but her mother insisted she stay. She sat there in misery as her mother continued the visit with Lady Lucas. It was some time before their guest decided it was time to leave. She stayed longer than her regular visit, hoping to hear Elizabeth break down and admit the rumor was true.

“I think I shall be leaving,” Lady Lucas said as she got up and hastily bid her farewells, still unwilling to look Elizabeth in the eye.

Elizabeth sat back in the chair and closed her eyes as her mother and Lydia talked excitedly. As far as her sister was concerned, this was the most exciting event ever. Lady Lucas had been gone for five minutes or so when Mr Collins came stomping down the stairs. He hurried down the hallway and out the front door. Lydia rushed to the window to look out.

“He runs faster than you would think,” she said, leaning closer to the windowpane, almost pressing her nose against it but avoiding touching the cold glass. “He is chasing after Lady Lucas’ carriage.”

“Whatever for?”

“It looks like he has a letter in his hand that he is waving at the carriage. Perhaps he needs to go to the post.” She continued giving a running dialogue until he was in the carriage, and it started off.

Mr Collins did not return to Longbourn until late. He halfheartedly apologized to Mr Bennet for not informing them that he would not be there for dinner and went to his room without another word. The family welcomed his absence, as they did not have to endure another night of his reading.

Elizabeth waited until they were settled in their beds before revealing Mr Darcy’s proposal to her sister.

“Have you set a date?” Jane asked excitedly.

“I have not said yes.”

“Lizzy, why ever not?”

“I am not in love with him.”

“He must have feelings for you to ask.”

“Jane, there is something I must tell you. You will be shocked.”

“Did you say no because of Mr Collins?”

Elizabeth sat up in bed. She could barely see Jane from the moonlight coming in from the window.

“Heavens, no! Good gracious, why would you say such a thing?”

“You said it was shocking. You marrying him would save Longbourn.”

Elizabeth shook her head slowly. “Nothing could induce me to marry that man. I would run away and join a band of gypsies before that happened.”

Jane laughed, as that had been her usual threat from when she was a child. Anytime she did not get something she wanted or something went poorly for her, she would tell them she would run off with gypsies. Elizabeth lay back down laughing as well.

“I would this time.”

Jane laughed again at her serious tone. “If that was not the shocking news, what is it?”

Elizabeth proceeded to tell her why the rumor started. Jane did not know what to say.

“Are you disappointed in me?”

“Of course not. You thought you could help him. Now go to sleep. Why would you not want to marry him?”

“You know I want to marry for love just as you do.”

“You must like him, or you would not have always been with him, arguing about books and plays.”

“Father said practically the same, and it was only a handful of times.”

“Still. He is handsome and strapping.”

“There is that, but…”

“He is wealthy.”

“One cannot deny that fact.”

“And now he is an earl, he will be in want of a wife, for…”

“Do not dare say it, Jane Bennet,” she said indignantly. Jane laughed. Elizabeth sat up, grabbing her pillow. “I will throw this pillow at you.”

“In want of an heir or two,” she said quickly before burying herself under the covers. Elizabeth threw the pillow. The heavy winter quilt muffled the sound of her sister’s laughter. Dropping back onto the bed she turned her head to look out the window. The stars twinkled up in the night sky.

“I can’t believe this is happening to me.”

“It could be much worse,” came the muted reply. “It could be our cousin.”

“A shooting star.” Elizabeth cried, watching as it crossed the window and disappeared.

Jane poked her head out from under the covers. “Quick, make a wish.”

“I already have.”

“If he already asked you, when is he coming to see Papa?”

“I don’t know nor care. He is going to town and hopefully he will change his mind once he is gone.”