“I am surprised you did not return at once to Kent,” said Darcy. “My aunt would have needed comfort. Was she agreeable to you staying here?”
Elizabeth frowned. She had not thought of that, but Darcy was right. From what she had heard of Lady Catherine, she was a tyrannical woman who expected everyone around her to serve her. Why would she expect her parson to comfort others rather than dancing attendance on her?
Mr Collins looked struck by the question. He opened and closed his mouth several times.
“I… I offered to return to comfort her, but your aunt was insistent I remain here and comfort the Bennets in the loss of their daughter, and of course that I might receive their familial comfort in my own loss of my dear cousin. I wished to be with Lady Catherine, but I knew I could help her more by being where she instructed me.”
“How very selfless of her,” murmured Darcy. Elizabeth knew he was not convinced.
Mr Collins beamed at him. Mr Darcy eyed him steadily. Elizabeth stood between them, looking from one to the other in bemusement. She sensed a certain tension between them, at least coming from Mr Darcy.
“Thank you, Mr Collins,” said Darcy tersely. He raised an eyebrow and looked down at the man, looking as proud as he had when Elizabeth first knew him. He nodded as though dismissing him. Mr Collins for his part seemed extremely reluctant to leave, but awe of Darcy’s rank must have won out. He gave a simpering bow and moved away, though he cast frequent glances behind him.
“Give Mr Bingley my regards,” said Elizabeth.
“I will. I will return soon. I shall leave you to…” He nodded towards Elizabeth’s family. Mr Collins still observed them so Darcy could only caress Elizabeth’s hand before he jumped back into the carriage and called instructions to the driver to take him to Netherfield. Elizabeth stared after him, feeling a pang at his absence.
Chapter 43
“Well, Lizzy,” said Mr Bennet. “Now that the excitement of receiving you home has passed, I hope we can all be rational. Tell me what happened, my dear?”
Elizabeth glanced at her aunt and uncle. “How much do you know?” she said.
Mr Bennet shrugged. “Your uncle did not say much in his letter. Just that you had been abducted, but you escaped and were safe with them. He said you had much to tell, but he would allow you to share the details.”
“You were abducted with Mr Darcy,” said Lydia with a giggle. “Does this mean you will marry him? He will have to have you now.”
“Be quiet, Lydia,” said Mr Bennet in an uncharacteristically harsh tone. Lydia stared at him in astonishment and pressed her lips together in a tight line, looking deeply wounded. “Lizzy and I will discuss that later. For now, I only wish to hear what happened.” He looked around the room. For some reason, his warning gaze lingered a little longer on Mr Collins. Finally, he nodded at Elizabeth.
“Go on, my dear.”
“I had escaped —“Elizabeth glanced at Mr Collins, “I mean, I had left the ballroom to have some peace. I thought the library would be the best place to find it. I heard a sound coming from one of the nearby rooms. Wickham walked in and saw me. He had some of Mr Bingley’s possessions in his hand.”
“Impossible,” Lydia declared. “Wickham would never be a common criminal. He is too charming and handsome.”
Elizabeth did not know what to make of that logic, so she declined to respond.
“The man he was with — Jerry Shaw — I think he wanted to hurt me to prevent me from telling anyone what I had seen. Wickham persuaded him they should take me with them instead and leave me far from home to give them time to escape.”
“So he saved you,” cried Kitty. Her eyes were shining. “That is just like him.”
“He was also responsible for me coming face to face with a wanted criminal, Kitty. I am not so quick to absolve him.”
“Yes, but…”
“Anyway,” said Elizabeth firmly. “Darcy — I mean, Mr Darcy, was out in the garden taking a walk. He saw them take me and pursued us. He almost overpowered them until a third man, Jameson, attacked him and knocked him unconscious. We were put into a wagon and taken to an inn several hours away.”
“Mr Darcy was trying to save you?” asked Mr Bennet.
“He did not have time to return to the house for help.”
Mr Collins shifted in his chair. “I hope you understand the gravity of what you have done, Cousin Elizabeth. With your tendency to wander alone, you forced Mr Darcy, the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, no less, to put himself in harm’s way to save you and bring harm to his own reputation in doing so.”
Mrs Bennet nodded as though Mr Collins spoke wisdom. She patted him on the hand.
“Fortunately, the situation can be remedied.”
Mr Collins smiled at her and settled down again, mollified. Elizabeth was surprised he took her necessary marriage to Darcy in his stride. She expected more ranting about how it would disgrace Lady Catherine to be connected to her. Perhaps he had some faint traces of common sense somewhere.
“What happened then?” asked Mr Bennet with a stern look at his wife and cousin.
Elizabeth told them about the inn and how they were hidden in the wagon and taken to the house in the woods. She told them of being put to work in the house and the threats they endured and how Darcy was forced to write to his uncle.
“And what did they plan to do with you?” asked Mr Bennet. “We did not receive a ransom note. You had no monetary value to them. Why did they keep you instead of letting you go as Wickham intended?”
“And where did you and Mr Darcy stay?” asked Lydia. Jane gave her a reproachful look, but Lydia only grinned.
Elizabeth looked around at the avid faces around her. A movement in the doorway caused her to turn her head to see the servants gathered there, hanging on her every word. She swallowed and glanced at her aunt and uncle. Her uncle rose from his chair and pulled at his waistcoat.
“At this point, I think it best if we adjourn to your study, Bennet,” he said. Mr Bennet fixed Elizabeth with a long look. Her face burned under his scrutiny, knowing what he was thinking. He nodded.
“Yes, I think that is best.”
Elizabeth followed them from the room, hearing Kitty and Lydia burst into giggles as she left.
“Close the door, Lizzy,” said Mr Bennet. He sat at his desk and fumbled with his pen as he stared at the desk before him. Uncle Gardiner nodded at Elizabeth and gave her a quick, reassuring smile. She took a deep breath and looked at her father.
“Your uncle told me they forced you to perform a marriage ceremony with Mr Darcy,” he said finally.
“I was, sir.”
“And you shared a room while you were captured? And also spent many nights alone together when you escaped?” He looked at Uncle Gardiner. “I also understand you and Mr Darcy consider yourselves married, regardless of the legalities of the ceremony.”
Elizabeth’s face burned. “We did not — we did not consummate the marriage,” she blurted out.
Mr Bennet nodded. “I am glad to hear that. Because I understand neither Mr Darcy’s nor your uncle’s solicitor could decide on the validity of the marriage. Considering Mr Darcy’s wealth and holdings, they err on the side that it is not. Does Mr Darcy intend to marry you so there is no confusion about your status?”
“Of course he does,” said Elizabeth. “He would have married me, regardless. He is an honourable man.”
Mr Bennet put his pen down and relaxed in his chair.
“And what does ‘regardless’ mean?”
Elizabeth blushed. “I mean Mr Darcy and I want to marry one another. We will not do it out of necessity. I want to know for sure I am his wife.”
“I told you how I found them, Bennet,” said Uncle Gardiner. “Marianne and I were pleased to see how they were together. It is clear our niece loves him, and it is equally clear that Mr Darcy loves her. We could not get rid of him out of the house once Lizzy was with us.”
“Hmmm.”
Mr
Bennet removed his spectacles and polished them with the corner of his coat. His eyes were lost in thought.
“And will you be happy, Lizzy?” he asked next. Elizabeth looked at him in astonishment.
“I am marrying the man I love, and he loves me. Why should I not be happy?”
He smiled at her.
“You came together under strange circumstances, my dear. Forced together and then forced to protect one another with the constant fear of losing one another before you. You cared for one another as you travelled to London. You also had the belief that you might really be husband and wife. All that can do much to form a bond between two people. But it is a bond that may not last in everyday life, and that, my dear, is where you will spend most of your marriage. I hope and pray that there are no more abductions and escapes in your future. You will not always have a threat to life hanging over your head. You both know the other is an excellent partner in a dangerous situation, but that does not mean you can weather the thousand little slings and arrows that normal life will throw at you. Besides, you are still feeling the effects of your adventure, and it increases your regard for Mr Darcy and his for you. What happens when that wears off? Will you still love one another?”
“I do not doubt it,” said Elizabeth. “We saw much of one another’s character, especially when we were under extreme stress, which I believe is when a person’s true self emerges. We both saw that in one another, and we both liked what we saw. We learned to be very honest with one another and talk to one another even when it was difficult. Darcy says we are blessed to have had such a trial together as we can enter marriage more confident in one another than most people can boast on entering the marriage state. I am sure there are couples who have been together decades who could not have gone through what we did together and come out the other side with enormous affection and respect for one another. I trust him, and I respect him more than anyone in the world.”
Mr Bennet’s lips tugged in a smile. He looked up at his brother-in-law.
“You were right. How passionate these young lovers are. Look how spirited my Lizzy is in defence of the man she loves.” He turned back to his daughter. “I am sorry to say, you are right, my dear. I cannot think of many couples who could have gone through what you did and come out as you have. Perhaps Edward here, and Marianne, but I do not know about any others.” For a moment, a look of sadness flickered across his face. Elizabeth knew what he was thinking. He could not have gone through it with his partner and come out the stronger. His wife’s character and his own would not allow that to happen.
“Perhaps if we all had such an opportunity,” he said with a sigh. “I should arrange for your sisters to be abducted with young men. I wonder how Jane and Mr Bingley would fare?”
“Jane and Mr Bingley? Are they engaged?” Elizabeth’s heart lifted.
“Not yet but we hope they soon will be. The young man haunts our house day and night, offering what help he can. Your mother hoped it was only out of respect for our circumstances with you that he has not proposed yet. I am sure that upset her more than anything else.”
“I hope you are right,” said Elizabeth with a smile. “Perhaps we could have a double wedding. I hope I have your blessing, sir? Do you have any other objection apart from your fear that our feelings are merely a result of the previous weeks?”
Mr Bennet shook his head. “None at all. There would have been nothing to do about it if I had. You must marry Mr Darcy either way, but it puts my heart at ease to know you marry for love. I could not have endured the misery of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life, my child.”
Uncle Gardiner wandered over to observe the books on Mr Bennet’s shelves, politely declining to hear the implied insult to his sister. He was too sensible a man to deny the truth of it.
Elizabeth’s knees felt weak with relief. She could not have endured it if she knew that she, his favourite child, was making him miserable through her choice of husband.
“Where is your young man? I thought he would wish to speak with me.”
“He will return later. He wished to see Mr Bingley to assure him of his safe return.”
Mr Bennet nodded. “Well, I suppose he will shut me away in here later and demand you be married as soon as possible. I will explain that we need time to call the banns, but he will rant and storm about his love for you and threaten to change the law of the land to have you sooner.” He grinned at his daughter’s blushes. “Never fear, my dear. You and your Mr Darcy will be married as soon as…”
The study door burst open. Elizabeth spun around to see Mr Collins hurrying into the room.
“You must forgive my intrusion, sir, but I could not help but overhear…”
“It is a hard thing to help when your ear is pressed to the door,” agreed Mr Bennet. “Well, what seems to have caused you to forget your usual exquisite manners?”
Mr Collins hurried to the desk, wringing his hands.
“My dear Mr Bennet, you cannot allow the marriage to go ahead,” he cried.
Chapter 44
A sound at the door caused Elizabeth to turn. Her mother and sisters stood in the doorway, hanging on every word.
“By the marriage, I am assuming you refer to the one of Elizabeth and Mr Darcy?”
“The very one, sir. It is impossible for Cousin Elizabeth to marry a man of Mr Darcy’s position. It would disgrace him in every respectable household in the kingdom. You must not allow it. My noble patroness will be most displeased if she hears of such talk.”
Mr Bennet leaned back in his chair. There was a certain glint in his eye as he looked at his cousin. Elizabeth eyed Mr Collins indignantly. Who was he to concern himself in her affairs?
“I do not think this is your decision to make, sir,” she said. “Only Mr Darcy and I will decide if we marry or not. My father has given us his blessing.”
“What is it you propose, Mr Collins?” asked Mr Bennet. “Lizzy’s reputation has been compromised. A story like this will not stay quiet for long. She must marry to preserve her reputation, and as Mr Darcy is the one who compromised her, and as they are willing and eager to marry one another, I do not see the difficulty. If Lizzy does not marry him, what is she to do?”
Mr Collins clasped his hands behind his back and drew himself up.
“I will marry her,” he declared in a pompous tone.
Mr Bennet blinked. Elizabeth stared at him and tried not to laugh.
“You will marry Lizzy? A man in your position, with the care of so many people’s immortal souls in his keeping, to marry a fallen woman whose reputation has been destroyed? No, I cannot believe it, sir.” Mr Bennet’s expression was scandalised.
“That is an excellent point, Father,” said Elizabeth. She tried to look grave. “I am sorry, Mr Collins, but you are far too admired. People look to you for moral guidance. How would it look if you married a woman who has spent several weeks all but living with another man?”
Mrs Bennet gasped. “Living with another man! Oh, we are all ruined! Ruined! I must…”
“Do be quiet, Mrs Bennet,” said her husband. “You knew what her circumstances have been. As we can see, Lizzy has a bevy of suitors all willing to claim her hand. It would not surprise me if Wickham turned up at the door to beg for her hand to make amends.”
“A highwayman also made me a sort of offer,” said Elizabeth cheerfully.
Lydia gasped. “How thrilling! I would have chosen him!”
“He is currently residing in Newgate if you wish to see him,” said Elizabeth.
“Do not encourage her, Lizzy,” said Mr Bennet. “Well, I can see you are in luck. Several men are all vying for your hand. I think we can rule out the highwayman, but you have Mr Collins and Mr Darcy before you as potential husbands.” He threw his hands up. “However will you choose between them?”
“Mr Collins is not to be thought of,” said Elizabeth, piously. “I could not live with myself if I caused him disgrace.”
Mr Collins turned to her. H
is expression was solemn.
“My dearest cousin,” he said. “Though you are a fallen woman, steeped in sin, whose name is destroyed in all respectable society, I would not consider it a dereliction of my spiritual duties if I were to take you as my wife and help cleanse the stain that clings to you as surely as mud sticks to a farm animal. I will not be unkind to you though I may feel it necessary to remind you of your station from time to time. But I shall only do so in my role as your husband and moral guardian.”
Elizabeth did not know what to make of that. She cast about for something witty to say, but his words were so absurd, she found herself tongue-tied. She looked at her father for help, but he appeared to struggle between amusement and outrage.
“I should also tell you I consider us all but engaged already, and that has not changed, though you spent the past few weeks all but living in sin,” Mr Collins continued. He smiled at her as though expecting her to be thrilled by his benevolence. “I know, I know. You were abducted and held prisoner. It is not your fault you have lost your good standing and name in society. Nonetheless, you have lost them. However, I will marry you despite your transgressions, and cover you with the cloak of my protection.”
“I am not sure how you can consider us engaged, sir,” said Elizabeth in confusion. “Was there a proposal I do not recall?”
“Oh, do not be tiresome, Lizzy,” said Mrs Bennet. “You know perfectly well Mr Collins was planning to propose the day after the ball. I told you, and you all but agreed to marry him. The proposal would have been a formality, but it was inevitable that you would have accepted him. Mr Collins is most generous to take you in your soiled state. Most men will want nothing to do with you now.”
“Apart from Mr Darcy,” said Mr Bennet mildly. “He seems more than willing to take her from what Lizzy and my brother have told me. I am surprised at you, Mrs Bennet. Mr Darcy is one of the wealthiest men in the country. An alliance with him will be more beneficial to the family than one with Mr Collins.” He held up his hand. “Aside from your connection to the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh, of course,” he said as Mr Collins’s face turned a dangerous shade of red. He turned his attention back to his wife. “Why are you so keen to promote a match with Mr Collins when Mr Darcy offers a more attractive alternative?”
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