by Jann Rowland
The affront which bloomed on Mrs. Bennet’s countenance was mirrored on Elizabeth’s who had never heard the man speak to her mother in such a manner. It was fortunate that Mary interjected at that moment, otherwise, they might have exchanged further words in anger.
“Let us all speak rationally, shall we not? Come, Mr. Collins, sit beside me. I am certain Elizabeth has no qualms about answering your questions.”
For Mary’s sake, Elizabeth would oblige, but not for her odious husband’s. Though Mr. Collins glared at her for some moments, he sat beside his wife, though his scowl never wavered.
“Now, you will tell me at once, Cousin,” said he as soon as he seated himself. “What have you kept from us? What have you done to cast this spell on Mr. Darcy and his relations?”
“Of what do you accuse her?” asked Mrs. Bennet. “How can Lizzy be at fault for receiving a welcome from a man and his family?”
“It is no surprise the family is so good as to accept her,” said Mr. Collins, “despite her unfortunate character, for they are everything to be praised. But I suspect your daughter has an ulterior motive and design which I cannot allow. In short, I suspect you of throwing yourself at Mr. Darcy, hoping to provoke a proposal of marriage.”
Elizabeth could not help the sardonic laughter that burst forth from her breast. “Can I induce a proposal from a man who does not wish to offer one? What you are saying is nonsensical, Mr. Collins. A gentleman has the duty and privilege of offering a proposal, and a woman, only the right of refusal. How can I induce a man to propose?”
“You cannot,” said Mr. Collins, his nose rising into the air. “It is not my purpose to insinuate that Mr. Darcy is incapable of resisting the advances of a temptress—I would not injure him so. However, it has always been my opinion that you possessed the capacity of attempting to insert yourself into his notice, perhaps using underhanded means to steal that which is not yours.
“It seems you have forgotten, Cousin, so I shall remind you. Mr. Darcy is engaged to his cousin, Miss Anne de Bourgh, by the voice of every member of their family. She is the heir of a magnificent estate, of noble lineage and the finest breeding. No pretense on your part can change the fact that you cannot compare to her in any way. Now what do you have to say for yourself?”
“Only that I have never met Miss de Bourgh and have no notion of attempting to compare myself with her.”
Mr. Collins’s returning glare was no less petulant than it was angry. “And so you should not.”
“What are you saying?” demanded Mrs. Bennet. “Lizzy, what does Mr. Collins mean? Has Mr. Darcy made overtures to you?”
“Of course, he has not!” exclaimed Mr. Collins. “Do not even suggest such a thing, Mrs. Bennet. Do you wish the condemnation of the earl to come down upon us?”
“I cannot imagine how the earl can rule Mr. Darcy if he has taken a fancy to Lizzy,” snapped Mrs. Bennet. Elizabeth could see her mother was becoming agitated.
“If you had raised your daughter to be mindful of her own good, she would not be so ungovernable.”
Mrs. Bennet’s posture screamed affront, but Mr. Collins ignored her in favor of Elizabeth. “Now, tell me once and for all, Cousin: have you attempted to draw Mr. Darcy in? Has the gentleman made improper advances toward you?”
“Do you accuse Mr. Darcy of improper behavior?” asked Elizabeth. “That is amusing, Mr. Collins, for you seem to suggest the man prone to reprehensible dealings with young ladies.”
“Do not twist my words. Now, what happened while you were gone? Did the gentleman make any overtures?”
Elizabeth had no notion of ever surrendering to Mr. Collins, and his current behavior induced nothing other than contempt. However, he had asked her a direct question, and to demur now was dishonest in Elizabeth’s eyes. Though avoiding the subject altogether was acceptable, for she did not believe she was bound to offer him any information that was not his concern, Elizabeth was an honest woman and not inclined to telling untruths. Therefore, though she understood the firestorm her answer would unleash, there was no other answer to give.
“For his reasons you will need to approach Mr. Darcy, but yes, the gentleman did make overtures. My intention is nothing more than to be a dutiful wife to him.”
Three gasps echoed throughout the room, and had the circumstances been different, Elizabeth might have found mirth in the way they had responded as one. For a moment after her declaration, it seemed to Elizabeth that Mr. Collins could find no response, and while she knew that state of affairs could not continue, she wished for as long a respite as she could manage. Thus, it was not Mr. Collins who gave the first response.
“Are you engaged to Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth?” asked her mother, her voice tremulous.
“I am, Mama,” replied Elizabeth. “Mr. Darcy proposed three days before I left Snowlock, and I have accepted.”
“I would never have expected the gentleman to act as soon as he did,” said Mary. “Mr. Bingley always spoke of him as a prudent man.”
“Prudence is not something that Mr. Darcy lacks,” replied Elizabeth, smiling at her sister. “It took him some time to come to his resolution, and there was a time when I thought he would never reach it.”
“My last daughter engaged!” shrieked Mrs. Bennet, her excitement catching her understanding. “And to a man as wealthy as any man we have ever met! What a fine thing!”
“She is not engaged!”
It seemed Mr. Collins’s wits made an unfortunate return, for the man glared at them all, though with wild eyes filled with fear.
“I assure you, Mr. Collins, Mr. Darcy has asked for my hand, without coercion or any devilry on my part.”
“No, no, no,” exclaimed the gentleman, shaking his head. “You are yet underage and require permission to marry, and I shall certainly not give it.”
“What silliness is this?” demanded Mrs. Bennet. “For the last time, you are not Lizzy’s guardian and never have been. My husband left that duty to my brother.”
A sudden thought entered Mrs. Bennet’s head and she turned to Elizabeth with wide eyes. “That is where Mr. Darcy has gone—to ask permission of Mr. Gardiner. That must be what Miss Darcy was speaking of yesterday!”
“You are correct, Mama,” said Elizabeth. “Mr. Darcy wished to secure Mr. Gardiner’s approval as soon as may be.”
“Mr. Gardiner’s approval or lack thereof is irrelevant!” cried Mr. Collins. “Mr. Darcy is not at liberty to marry you, for he is engaged to his cousin, Miss de Bourgh. Heaven and earth, Cousin, do you intend to go against the wishes of a peer?”
“Lord Matlock was happy for us, Mr. Collins,” said Elizabeth. “If you wish to go to his lordship and make a fool of yourself, that is your choice. As for Lady Catherine, she has no means of compelling her nephew to obey.
“I am sorry, Mary,” said Elizabeth, turning her attention away from her sister’s odious husband, “but my instinct was correct. I shall go to Jane’s house at once.”
“No, you shall not!” said Mr. Collins, rising to loom over her once again. “Though I cannot say what manner of falsehood you have used to impose upon those honorable people, I shall not allow this travesty to go forward. From this moment, you are not to see Mr. Darcy again, or any other member of his family. Moreover, you may consider yourself returned to the schoolroom, for it is clear you do not possess the maturity or sense of your worth which would allow you to move in society the way you should.”
Mrs. Bennet surged to her feet. “You cannot do anything to my daughter! She is not your charge.”
“I can and I must,” said Mr. Collins, fixing her with an implacable stare. “Lady Catherine has placed her trust in me, and I shall not fail her. Go to your room, Elizabeth, for you are confined there until further notice.”
“Why are you accosting my fiancée, Mr. Collins?”
As one, four heads turned toward the sound of the voice. Mr. Darcy stood within the door, Georgiana standing behind him, regarding the scene with utter shock. It struck Elizabeth at that m
oment that Mr. Darcy could look quite intimidating when he was angry.
The master of the house stood and stared at Darcy, slack-jawed and uncomprehending, which was not much of a departure from his usual state. When he did not move to respond, Darcy stepped forward, allowing his physical presence to force the other man back until he had cleared a path to Elizabeth. With her way clear, Georgiana darted forward and sat beside Elizabeth, grasping her hands and looking at her dear friend as if to assure herself that Elizabeth was well. Then his shy little sister raised her eyes and impaled him with a look of such contempt that Mr. Collins could not mistake her feelings for him.
“I assume you have informed your family of our understanding,” said Darcy to his beloved.
With a wan smile, she said: “There was no other choice, William.”
“I imagine there was not.”
The exchange seemed to spur Collins to action, for he glared at Elizabeth and drew himself up to his full height, saying: “You came into my house and did not even have the decency to inform me of such important matters as this? For shame, Cousin. It is clear my work to improve you will be more difficult than I had imagined.”
“I suggest you be silent, Collins,” said Darcy, drawing the man’s shocked eyes to him. “The reason we agreed not to say anything is because we knew what your reaction would be. You have not disappointed.”
“But I am disappointed in you, sir.” Collins’s mouth constricted into a curl of contempt. “How could you have forgotten your noble roots, your very position in society? How could you neglect your betrothed, that fair flower, Miss de Bourgh, who must taste disappointment of the most acute kind if you persist with this mad design of taking so unsuitable a girl for a wife?”
“There is nothing unsuitable about Miss Bennet, and I would thank you not to imply otherwise.”
Mr. Collins shook his head. “Come, sir, I think with a little distance, you will conclude that she is not worth angering your dearest relation.”
“None of this is your concern, Collins,” said Darcy, “but for the sake of ensuring you understand, I shall explain. This matter of an engagement between Anne and myself has been nothing more than my aunt’s fantasy. She has no signed contract with which to coerce me. Anne and I decided long ago that we did not wish to marry. We have my uncle’s support, and much of my decision to offer for Miss Bennet was at my aunt’s active suggestion that I consider her. There is nothing you can say in response, and I would appreciate it if you would not attempt to do so.”
It was clear Mr. Collins was becoming desperate, for he looked to Elizabeth; had Darcy not been there, he realized the toad would have laid hands on her. As it was, he made the right decision, for Darcy would have thrown him in the dust if he had so much as laid a finger on her. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Darcy again and seemed to take another tack.
“I must ask you to leave my house, Mr. Darcy.”
“Nothing would make me happier,” replied Darcy. He turned to Elizabeth and said: “We can send for your effects another time; at present it would be best if we departed now.”
“No, Mr. Darcy!” squealed Mr. Collins. “I shall not allow you to take her away. Elizabeth, go to your room at once!”
“You are not my guardian, you stupid man!” exclaimed Elizabeth, rising to face Mr. Collins. “I should have listened to Jane! I shall not stay in this house a moment longer.”
This time Mr. Collins did attempt to lay hands on her. Darcy blocked him, none too gently, his glare informing the man what would happen if he attempted such a thing again. The man’s lip curled in petulance, and he lashed out.
“Then begone! Do not come back, for you shall never be welcome at Longbourn!”
“It would please me to never be in your presence again!” snapped Elizabeth.
“Know that I shall not allow this to stand, for I shall inform Lady Catherine of your betrayal. She will know what to do.”
“Come, Elizabeth,” said Darcy. “Let us depart at once.”
The two girls rose and clutched each other, edging their way toward the door while Darcy watched Mr. Collins to ensure he did not do something stupid. The other Bennet ladies sat in shock, watching their youngest depart. Then a spasm of grief came over Mrs. Bennet’s countenance, and she stood to berate Mr. Collins.
“You would deny me my daughter? You selfish, odious man!”
Mr. Collins, confronted by the mother of his wife, responded in the most reprehensible manner Darcy had ever seen. The man stepped to her, causing her to lose her balance and fall back into the sofa, where she watched him, fear blooming in her eyes.
“Foul woman! It is your fault! You have filled her head with these notions of covetousness and greed! Well, I shall not stand for it! Go with your daughter, devil woman, for you are no longer welcome in this house!”
Mrs. Collins seemed to find her voice, for she said: “Mr. Collins, perhaps—”
“Silence, Wife! I am the master of this house, and I shall not be swayed from my purpose!”
“Come, Mama,” said Elizabeth, stepping forward to grasp her mother’s arm. “Let us go to Jane, for it is clear you cannot live here any longer.”
“Collins, I have seen misbehavior in my life,” said Darcy, confronting the estate’s master with clenched fists, “but I have never seen the likes of a man throwing off his mother-in-law in a fit of petulance.”
Collins drew himself up yet again, but Darcy was not of a mind to allow him to speak. “Be silent, you sniveling cretin! Not another word from your mouth, not if you value your life! Do not approach my betrothed again, for it will go ill for you if you do!”
By this time, Elizabeth and Georgiana had led a hysterical Mrs. Bennet to the door and were guiding her out into the entrance. It seemed he had cowed Mr. Collins for the moment, for the man did not dare to say anything. Still seated in her chair, Mrs. Collins was watching her husband with disgust. Darcy caught her eye for a moment, and she gave him a grim nod, which Darcy took as the means to extricate himself from the room. A moment later he was striding through the entrance to his carriage waiting beyond.
“Come, Mama, let us go. You shall always have a home with Jane or me—Kitty will assist, I am certain.”
While Darcy was of two minds of enduring Mrs. Bennet’s antics, he was not about to say anything at the moment.
“I am forced from my home, with nothing but the clothes on my back!” wailed Mrs. Bennet. “How shall I endure it?”
“We can send for your possessions tonight, Mama,” said Elizabeth. “Do not concern yourself with them. All will be well.”
“I shall speak to Bingley when we arrive at Netherfield,” added Darcy, summoning a smile for the distraught woman. “Between us, we shall see to it.”
“Mr. Collins has always wanted us all gone, Mama,” said Elizabeth. “You are better to make your home away from Longbourn, for you are no longer welcome.”
Though the woman did not calm appreciably, she allowed Elizabeth to guide her into the carriage, following her and sitting next to her. Georgiana followed and Darcy climbed up behind her, giving the driver the order to proceed back to Netherfield. Though he had come, hoping to coax Elizabeth to come to Netherfield for the day, he had never expected to almost come to blows with the detestable Mr. Collins. The only good to come of it was that there was no question of Elizabeth’s staying under Mr. Collins’s roof anymore.
“I know you all informed me of the folly of staying at Longbourn,” said Elizabeth when they had departed. “It appears I should have listened to you.”
“You could not have predicted this, Elizabeth,” said Georgiana.
“I did predict it, Georgiana,” replied Elizabeth. “It is only that I could not envisage Mr. Collins would have the acuity to divine the truth with such haste.”
“I am also put out with you, Lizzy!” said Mrs. Bennet. “To keep such news from your poor mother; how am I to bear such disdain for my poor nerves?”
The smile which came over Elizabeth’s face be
came her, though there was little mirth in the situation. At that moment, she proved her ability to turn tragedy into a means to smile, for she addressed her mother:
“Then let me inform you of what happened, Mother. I am certain you shall agree that I have attracted an excellent man.”
With these words, Elizabeth began the tale, and in this way, they passed the rest of the journey to Netherfield. For a time, they forgot their troubles.
Chapter XXXI
Knowing her mother’s character, Elizabeth had always possessed a healthy respect for her ability to fix her attention on something to the exclusion of all else. Further to this was the ability to carry an impressive grudge. Elizabeth had once known her mother to refuse to speak to a woman of the neighborhood for two years complete when the woman had said something disparaging to her. Mr. Collins’s actions had been far more egregious, and thus, Mrs. Bennet’s enmity would be far longer lasting. Mrs. Bennet stated her feelings at great length the morning after her removal to Netherfield.
“That Mr. Collins is such an odious man,” said she, a refrain she had stated at least a dozen times since they sat down to breakfast that morning. “And Mary! A daughter I raised betraying her mother in such an infamous manner! I can scarce comprehend it!”
“In all fairness to Mary,” said Elizabeth, “I do not think she could have contradicted her husband in front of us all. If you recall, Mary did attempt to blunt the worst of Mr. Collins’s excesses.”
Though Elizabeth did not think her mother wished to exonerate her eldest daughter at present, Mrs. Bennet gave a tight nod. “I suppose you must be correct, though I will own that Mary’s behavior since her marriage has not been the best. Her tightfisted and miserly ways are beyond anything I might expect from her!”
Elizabeth and Jane shared a glance, both thinking the same thing. Mary was pious, could be moralistic, and to Elizabeth’s thinking her excess of economy was nothing more than a natural extension of these traits. That did not even take into account Mrs. Bennet’s mismanagement when she was the mistress.