Chapter 7

Now that their guests had departed, Charles had retired to his study after an afternoon ride with Darcy and was seated behind his substantial cherrywood desk, lost in thought. To say that he dreaded this difficult confrontation with his most troublesome sister would be an understatement, but it had to take place.

Caroline had finally appeared below stairs shortly before afternoon tea, ridiculously turned out in a gown befitting a peer calling on the Prince Regent at St James. As he had expected, she immediately accosted Darcy, and the man escaped the room as quickly as decorum would allow, pleading urgent matters of business that needed to be addressed. That Charles' sister was displeased with Darcy's hasty departure was clearly evident by the way Caroline stormed across the room and dropped upon the settee next to Louisa in a huff. Charles was sure that every servant in the house was aware of their mistress' pique by the volume of Caroline's thunderous berating of Mr Darcy's inconsiderate behavior, and on a Sunday no less.

With a sigh, the master of Netherfield reached for the bottle of port beside him and poured a liberal dose. Inasmuch as it was inevitable that he would have to endure Caroline's caterwauling again throughout most of this arduous endeavor, Charles felt he needed some liquid fortification beforehand. Once the glass was half empty and his anxiety adequately stilled, Charles rang for a servant to deliver his request for Caroline's company to the parlor.

It was a full half an hour later that she complied, which had come as no real surprise. At least she had given him time to finish his bracer before their battle of wills commenced.

"What do you want Charles?" Caroline stuck her head in through the door, but had no intentions of entering. She was not in the mood to endure whatever chastisement her ridiculous brother felt inclined to dole out.

"Come in Caroline and shut the door behind you." Charles' voice was as cold as steel and broached no opposition. Caroline entered the room with a nonchalant air, only just crossing the threshold and refused to fully close the door behind her.

"There is much work for me to sort out in the household, since I was indisposed yesterday. Please make it quick brother, because I can not spare the time for a lengthy conversation." In truth, Caroline wanted to avoid this discussion altogether and would use any excuse necessary to postpone it.

"Well, I suggest you take a seat and make the time, as you have much to account for." With determination Charles stood his ground and demanded her attention. He was determined that for once in her life, by God, Caroline was going to listen to him.

"Do not speak to me in that tone of voice Charles, because I am not obligated to remain and tolerate it." Caroline retorted defiantly as she headed towards the door to leave.

"I demand you sit down Caroline and I mean it. As the master of this house, I strongly suggest you do as I bid, unless you desire to spend the rest of the week alone in your rooms." Charles' typical air of geniality was nowhere to be seen as he slowly rose to his feet, squared his shoulders, and stood to his full inches.

"Alright!" Caroline turned towards him, stomped back into the room and dropped ungracefully into the chair in front of his desk. "There, are you satisfied now?" Caroline demanded, glaring daggers at her brother.

"Your compliance is an improvement, but no I am not pleased with your behavior." Charles retook his seat while staring at his sister in disgust, both for her ongoing failure to recognize the inappropriate tenor of her behavior as well as for necessitating this unpleasant conversation.

"You and I need to address your ridiculous preoccupation with Darcy. On numerous occasions I have warned you to leave my friend alone yet you persist in your unwanted attentions. He will never ask for your hand Caroline, no matter how you present yourself, so leave off and search for someone who will." Charles had tried previously to gently persuade his sister of the same, and to suggest that she look elsewhere, all with no lasting effect. He knew his comment was harsh, but Caroline did not understand subtlety.

"You are mistaken Charles and I will prove it. As I possess all the attributes necessary for the future mistress of Pemberley, I see no reason for him not to make me an offer." Caroline donned her haughtiest posture while looking down her nose in indignation at her ignorant brother's comment.

"Except for the fact that he detests you Caroline." Charles hated to be so brutally honest, but he needed to jolt Caroline back to reality somehow.

"What does liking or disliking your partner have to do with marriage? I have worked hard to acquire all the accomplishments that are expected in a perfect wife amongst the ton, thus I can see no obstacle to our match." Caroline was aware that Louisa despised Gilbert and theirs was a marriage of convenience. She could see no difference between their situation and that of herself and Mr Darcy. As anyone of good taste knew, a marriage did not require wives to much tolerate their husbands' presence for more than the space of an evening meal, or the occasional dance or game of whist at an assembly. And while Caroline certainly admired the figure Mr Darcy struck in his perfectly cut and tailored coats, she did not have any particular interest in discussing anything more than the latest gossip or fashions with him.

"What does him liking or disliking you have to do with marriage? Good lord Caroline, have you taken leave of your senses? Darcy is appalled by your constant clinging and fawning over him, to the point that he would do anything to escape a room that you occupy. What kind of felicity do you think you would have if your husband were to constantly scorn you?" Charles just could not comprehend the feminine mind and his sisters' least of all. This was the second time in two days that he had heard the same attitude. He could not imagine his Jane nor Darcy's Elizabeth ever believing such rubbish. Did most women just prefer to be unhappy?

"He is your best friend Charles, so he would eventually grow to accept me. We would settle into our own pursuits after we were married for awhile, as most couples of the ton do." Caroline had overheard the whispered talk of the married ladies of the first circle when they thought she was not paying attention. It was expected for the husband to take a mistress after the birth of his heir and acceptable for the wife to find a lover, provided she did so discreetly.

"You have just proven my point Caroline by holding such an opinion of Darcy's inclinations. As your brother, I have at no time desired to be this frank with you, but you have forced my hand. You would never be the perfect wife for Darcy, even if you were the daughter of a Duke with a dowry of fifty thousand pounds rather than the well-dowered daughter of an insignificant tradesman. You lack every single quality required to make him happy." It pained Charles to disclose this to Caroline, but she possessed little intelligence or wit - beyond the basest variety that took pleasure in the unhappiness of others - and no compassion or humor at all. Darcy needed all of these characteristics, as well as never-ending loyalty in a woman or he would be miserable.

With her obstinate insistence, Caroline had succeeded in forcing her brother to say something that hurt no one but herself. If there had been any other witnesses to her unbraiding, Caroline might have been forced to think before she spoke again, or even to consider that Mr Darcy was not worth exposing herself to ridicule. However, as her brother was the only other person in the room, her pique overrode her good sense which otherwise would have suggested that she return to her rooms and wait for a more opportune time to strike.

"How dare you disparage me, Charles. I am just as good as any Duke's daughter and better than most of the women of the first circles. When I prove you wrong brother and marry Mr Darcy, do not expect an invitation to Pemberley from me anytime soon thereafter." Caroline was furious with Charles for his slight and intended to make him pay for insulting her.

"Then you intend to continue pursuing Darcy, even though I have warned you off?" Charles knew what her answer would be before Caroline even voiced it, as he had been witness to his sister's obstinate mien since childhood.

"Of course I do. He just needs to be shown that I am the superior choice." Caroline raised her chin and dared Charles to contradict her.

"Then you leave me no alternative, but to disclose the consequences for your disobedience. You will no longer be my hostess at Netherfield. That honor will now go to Louisa, as it should have in the first place, as our eldest sister. Along with that…." Charles was not surprised when her screech brought his explanation to a halt.

"How dare you Charles?" Caroline pounded both fists down on the desk in outrage. "Louisa does not possess half of the abilities necessary to manage a household. She would botch the position and embarrass us all before the locals and Mr Darcy. You cannot be serious about doing this." Caroline sat back again and shook her head in disbelief at the unmindfulness of her brother. The man was ridiculous if he thought Louisa could supervise a household the way she could.

"Oh, but I am serious Caroline. And along with that, I will be halving your allowance for the next three months." Charles knew this would be the most affective way to dissuade Caroline from her present course. Mercenary should have been his sister's middle name instead of Marie.

"You cannot do that Charles, that money is from my inheritance." Caroline felt the blood drain from her face so fast that if she had not been sitting down she probably would have fainted. Charles would not be so mean as to do this to her would he?

"Legally, as your guardian, I can Caroline, since the interest from your dowry is the stipend you receive each month. You habitually overspend your allotment, requiring me to cover the difference. Just consider the other half partial repayment of your preexisting debt to me." Charles was pleased to see the moment that Caroline realize he was serious and finally lost all of her bluster.

"But what am I to do for funds when I am in town? As you have so meanly pointed out, you pay the modiste and you know how much one of my gowns costs. January is the latest I would be able to begin the preparations for my new wardrobe, since I cannot possibly start the season in gowns that I have already been seen in." Caroline was in such a quandary. Maybe she could get Charles to reconsider if she promised to leave Mr. Darcy alone.

"Well, then it is good that we will be staying in Hertfordshire because no one here has seen your gowns before." Charles smiled to himself at the look of disbelief on his sister's face at that revelation.

"Stay in this backward, godforsaken place? Oh I think not, and you cannot force me to stay a moment longer." Caroline's defiance had returned with that disgusting prospect and she was not going to take this outrage laying down.

"I am sure Aunt Matilda would love to have your company in Scarborough for awhile. Shall I call your maid to start packing for you?" Charles knew he had thrown the final trump. Caroline hated Scarborough more than Hertfordshire and could not abide Aunt Matilda at all.

"No Charles that will not be necessary since I will not be leaving. This place has changed you, brother, and not for the better. You would have never treated me this way in town." Caroline was far from pleased with Charles' new behavior.

"All that Netherfield has done Caroline is reminded me that I am the man in this family and it is about time that I acted like it." Charles was reveling in the power of finally besting his sister. He reveled in what it felt like to be one's own master.

"If I promise to desist from any marked attentions to Mr Darcy, would you reconsider cutting my allowance?" If the plan that Caroline had formulated worked she would not need to worry about impressing the younger Mr. Darcy at all.

"If in a month you have demonstrated to my satisfaction that you are sincere, then I will reinstate your stipend." Charles doubted that his sister was truly capable of such a feat, but only time would tell.

"Then I promise I will leave Mr Darcy alone." Caroline stated with total sincerity.

"Good. Now you are free to leave and go on about your business. Please tell Louisa I want to talk with her about planning the ball." Charles was ready to move on to more pleasant topics like dancing with Miss Jane Bennet.

"So you are really serious about holding a ball at Netherfield? I thought you were just placating that insolent Bennett child." Caroline was not about to try to discourage her brother in his desire, as it could be the perfect opportunity for her.

"I meant it. November the twenty-sixth is but nine days away and I believe that should give Mrs. Haskins plenty of time to make the white soup." Charles broke into a huge smile at that prospect.

"May I invite a few acquaintances from town?" Caroline had two particular invitations that she wanted to issue, so she hoped her brother would agree.

"Of course you can Caroline. It would be pleasant to have a few of your school friends in attendance." Charles thought that maybe if Caroline had a few of her peers around her, it might improve her interaction with the neighbors on the night of the ball.

"Yes, I am sure that they will find it quite enlightening. As soon as I find Louisa, I will let her know that you need to see her, brother." Caroline got up from the chair and left the room with joy in her step for the first time since they arrived in this horrible place. Everything was going to work out perfectly now.

"Thank you Caroline, I will see you at dinner." Charles smiled to himself as she closed the door. As the Master of Netherfield poured a celebratory drink and toasted his success, he could not help but think that everything was going to work out perfectly now.

DINNER AT LONGBOURN that evening was its usual raucous affair, with the din of feminine voices speaking over each other. The inappropriate utterances of Mrs Bennet and Lydia dominated the room. As the former regaled anyone who would listen with her expectations of Jane's triumph with Mr Bingley, the latter's incessant chatter was focused on her rapture with the officers she had met while having tea at Aunt Phillips home that afternoon. In other words, there was not one sensible thought aired the whole time they were at table. Lizzie could not help but be mortified by this blatant illustration of the superior quality of the company they had just left at Netherfield, even with the occasional outburst of ire from Miss Bingley.

Once the repast was finished and the ladies of the house had retired to the parlor for their customary nightly pursuits, Lizzie decided to brave her father in his book-room. After all the silliness at dinner, she was hoping for an intelligent conversation from her quick-witted, although misanthropic, father. As she rapidly turned the corner and entered the dimly lit hallway, she was almost run down by Mrs Hill carrying an empty tray in her hands.

"There you are Miss Lizzie! Thank heavens you appeared and saved me the fuss of scouring the house for you. Your father is asking after you child and he seems a mite upset, so you might want to go right in and see what he is about." Mrs Hill was worried about the master. He had not been himself for days.

"Thank you Mrs. Hill, that is where I am headed. Could you please ask Mrs Miller to pack some provisions for in the morning, since I expect we will be out until mid afternoon? There will be a guest accompanying your husband and me, so please have her prepare enough for three." Lizzie kept her request brief hoping their trusted servant would take the hint and ask no more.

"Oh, of course Miss Lizzie, I will take care of it right away, as I am heading that direction right now. Should I have her include a bottle of that sweet wine that you favor to share with the gentleman? Or perhaps if he is not from around here, he might prefer something else all together?" Mrs Hill knew that Robby would tell her all this evening while they got ready for bed, but she could not help but want the details sooner.

"You are a sly one Mrs Hill, fishing for the particulars, but yes, I am sure that a bottle of wine would be greatly appreciated by the gentleman." Lizzie was amused at the housekeeper's inquiry. Mrs Hill was the biggest gossip at Longbourn, after her mother of course, and Lizzie had learned long ago how to avoid her pointed queries.

"Very good then, sleep well and I will see you in the morning." Mrs Hill bobbed a curtsy and continued to the kitchen with the tray. She could not help but wonder which of the gentlemen from Netherfield would be riding out with them tomorrow, Mr Bingley or Mr Darcy, as she was sure it had to be one of them.

As soon as Lizzie knocked, her father bid her enter. She crossed the threshold to his refuge and closed the door. She headed straight to her favorite chair, a well-worn high-back, embroidered with hunting hounds and stacked high with her favorite tomes on land management. Once she had moved them to the table beside her, Elizabeth settled into the chair and studied her father's face, finding the signs of stress etched there as Mrs Hill had implied.

"It is good to have you home Lizzie. How was your stay at Netherfield?" Mr Bennet had not slept well in three days and was exhausted. Now that his Lizzie was back he hoped she would be able to help him solve his dilemma.

"It is good to be home, Papa, but no more inquiries about Netherfield, please. Mama bombarded me with questions before I even entered the house and I do not believe that you would honestly care a whit about the food that was served, the after-dinner entertainment, what Mr Bingley's sisters wore on every occasion that we kept company or when Mr Bingley will make an offer for Jane." Lizzie leaned back in her chair, scrutinizing her father more closely. She realized that her father must be seriously upset, since he had not even chuckled at her jest. As if that was not proof enough of his distress, he was now attempting to make small talk, although he abhorred mindless chatter.

"You have been sorely missed, child. There has not been a rational discourse in this house since you and Jane left. If not for Mr Hill's company I would have joined you at Netherfield days ago and begged sanctum myself." Although Mr Bennet said this in levity, there was some candor in his statement.

"Oh dear, I can just imagine how Miss Bingley would have reacted to that. Maybe it would have been more prudent to send mama, Kitty and Lydia to Netherfield instead." The image of Miss Bingley's shocked face as it paled from being descended upon by a gaggle of Bennet women was so comical that Lizzie chuckled out loud.

"Although a pleasant thought, I do not see how that would improve our circumstances, since we would probably find ourselves hosting the Netherfield party before the day was out." Mr Bennet paused and decided that this was the perfect lead in, so he began."That brings me to the issue I wished to discuss with you, since it appears we will be having a houseguest. The heir to Longbourn, my cousin Mr William Collins, will descend upon us at four o'clock tomorrow afternoon to visit for a fortnight." Mr Bennet knew that this whole situation was his fault. If he had only opened the man's letter when it arrived or turned it over to Lizzie to handle in the first place, they would not be in this predicament now.

"Oh Papa, what are we to do? Can you write and refuse him? Explain to him that Mama is ill and the stress would not be good for her." As Lizzie voiced her thoughts she realized it was already too late. Even if they sent an express, Mr Collins would be on his way before it arrived.

"That would be the reasonable course of action and I considered it, but I do not think it would work on Mr Collins. He is….well, here read the letter yourself then tell me whether you believe that approach would have deterred him." Mr Bennet opened his desk, pulled out the letter, and handed it to Elizabeth. As his second child scanned the contents of the page, her brow started to furrow with each word, until by the end of the missive she wore a worrisome scowl.

"Hunsford, near Westerham, Kent, 15th October.

"Dear Sir,

"The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured father always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach; but for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance.—'There, Mrs. Bennet.'—My mind, however, is now made up on the subject, for having received ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be my earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her ladyship, and be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England. As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures are highly commendable, and that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive-branch. I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologise for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends—but of this hereafter. If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o'clock, and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday se'ennight following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lady Catherine is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day.—I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend,

"William Collins"

"Oh good lord, the man is a sycophant and a fool. You were correct that a confession about Mama's ailment would not have stopped him. It likely would have hastened Mr Collins' arrival. He would have most likely seen it as his Christian duty, as a man of the cloth, to minister to, and provide succor for the poor afflicted woman and her family. How could such a dullard ever have been ordained in the first place? As for his patroness, this Lady Catherine de Bourgh, I have no respect for her judgement, if she saw fit to bestow a valuable living on this, this… insensible toady." Lizzie was incensed and appalled at the gall of this obviously self-seeking man.

"Maybe all of the reasons you cited are exactly why it was given to him in the first place, but that is immaterial. What is crucial now is how we handle Mr Collins and your mother's reaction to the arrival of the heir to Longbourn." Mr Bennet was sure that Fanny would make quite a scene. He would have to remember to have Mrs Hill close by with her salts as soon as Mr Collins appeared tomorrow afternoon.

"Could you send her to Aunt and Uncle Gardiner's in the morning? Mr Bingley is hosting a ball at Netherfield soon. Lydia and Kitty could accompany her to London to buy new gowns. With fittings and such that would keep her away for at least a se'nnight. Jane and I would gladly act as your hostesses in her absence, if it ensured Mama's safety." Lizzie thought this was a viable idea since they could do nothing to keep Mr Collins away from mama now.

"That is an excellent suggestion, except for two issues barring the way. The first is Mr Bingley and his rumored preference for Jane. Your mother would never leave Longbourn and possibly miss the gentleman's proposal to her favorite daughter. The other and most troubling is Mr Collins himself and his offered olive branch." Mr Bennet was no fool and saw through Mr Collins' convoluted words, to his thinly veiled designs beneath.

"Papa, I do not understand what is so grave about him offering his hand in friendship." Lizzie could not envision ever liking this cousin or wanting to be his friend, but the sentiment seemed harmless enough.

"Elizabeth, you are my most intelligent daughter, so I am surprised you missed his implication. Reread the line after the declaration of his desire for a peaceful resolution to the entailment and read between the lines." Mr Bennet witnessed the moment that she puzzled it out. In righteous indignation she hurled herself from the chair, waving the letter around in front of her, astoundingly emulating her mother with one of her handkerchiefs.

"Mr Collins is coming to Longbourn with the expectation of marrying one of us? Does he think he can just come here and choose a daughter, like picking a favorite from a litter of puppies?" Lizzie was furious with the audacity and arrogance of this so-called parson. With the proof of his pretensions still clutched in her hand, Elizabeth concluded that William Collins would be the last man in the world that she could ever be prevailed upon to marry.

"It would appear so. But do not worry Lizzie, I would never approve of a match with such a man, for any of my daughters." Mr Bennet might not be the most diligent of fathers, but he wanted all his girls safely settled and happy.

"Thank you papa, but I assure you that possibility never crossed my mind." Lizzie sat back down and started to relax back into her chair when a horrifying thought struck her. "Oh dear! Maybe it would be best if we all went to London after all. If I am correct, Mr Collins will take one look at Jane and settle on her as his choice. That is until mama informs him of her forthcoming engagement. As her least favorite daughter, who do you think she will recommend to him to secure her place at Longbourn for the rest of her life? Although you would not approve of the match in the end, I would still have to suffer that offensive man's attentions for the duration of his stay." Lizzie could just see it now, the idiot parson following her around everywhere she went, fawning over her every opinion and making a total nuisance of himself at the Netherfield ball as he stepped on her toes. No, she would not tolerate that kind of behavior from anyone.

"Daughter, you have never fled from difficulty in your entire life. Are you going to start now because of some ridiculous parson?" Mr Bennet stared in disbelief at his usually undaunted Elizabeth. That she would consider running away on this occasion, with the weighty responsibilities that she carried, was to be expected, but that she would verbalize her discontent was unheard of. This situation with Mr Collins had obviously unnerved her more than he thought.

"Of course not papa, but I can wish, can I not." Lizzie sighed wistfully, then started to lay out their best course of action. "Alright, since we cannot avoid him, this is what I propose. You tell Mama about Mr Collin's imminent arrival at breakfast tomorrow. Tonight, after we retire, I will explain the situation to Jane and Mary, then we can make plans on how to soothe her in the morning. Most likely it will be mid afternoon before I return with Mr Hill, so there is no reason that I should not be back before our guest presents himself. The three of us should be able to distract Mama enough to keep her relatively calm until she becomes accustomed to him being in residence. To my way of thinking that is the best we can accomplish for the moment. Is that acceptable to you, Papa?" It was a flawed plan, filled with too many uncertainties and variables in Lizzie's opinion, but it was the only option left to them.

"It seems like a workable recourse and we can change our devices as needed until we come up with a better strategy." Mr Bennet laughed to himself when he realized that this whole discussion sounded like they were planning a military campaign. The analogy was fitting after all, since Fanny would consider Mr Collins the enemy as soon as he invaded her home.

"It is getting late and I still need to talk with my sisters, so I should head upstairs. Mr Hill and I will be leaving early in the morning and I will probably not see you until we return. Just so you know, Mr Darcy will be riding out with us so I can show him the improvements that have been made to the estate. He knows everything Papa, so when you meet him you can talk freely." Although Lizzie wished that she could keep Mr Darcy's presence in the morning a secret from everyone, she owed it to her Papa to inform him.

Mr Bennet was astounded at Lizzie's revelation and at the casual ease with which she informed her father that she had shared perhaps the family's biggest secret.

"Why in heavens name would you disclose our intimate affairs to a virtual stranger, and one who you do not even esteem?" Mr Bennet wondered what power this gentleman from Derbyshire had to loosen the tongue of his usually discreet daughter.

"Mr Darcy and I have formed an admirable acquaintance, Papa, and I trust him. It would be surprising if such a taciturn man would think to tell anyone, even if I had not sworn him to secrecy. Do not worry Papa, all will be well." Lizzie hoped that when Papa met Mr Darcy he would understand and trust him as she did. Her father continued to look concerned, and Lizzie could see his desire to return to his solitude, pretending that there was nothing wrong. "Really, I am fond of him Papa. Perhaps I did not always like him so well, but he is perfectly amiable once you get to know him." Lizzie was pleased to see her father relax a bit with this reassurance.

"I suppose I will have to rely on your judgement in this. Now, go on child so you can inform your sisters, and I can get back to my book. Good night my dear and sleep well." Mr Bennet picked up his tome, opened it to the spot he had left off and waited for her farewell.

"May I take the letter with me to show to Jane and Mary? It might clarify some of the issues and make them easier to explain." Lizzie needed to warn her sisters off Mr Collins, and it would be tangible proof of his character and intent.

"Of course you can Lizzie, then you can throw it in the fire when you are through. I am sure that I will be forced to endure enough of his words in person, whether I want to are not." Mr Bennet resented the fact that his privacy was going to be invaded in the first place, but if it had to be disrupted, did it have to be by such a fool.

"Thank you Papa and good night. I will see you tomorrow." Lizzie got up, kiss her father on the cheek, and exited the room, closing the door behind her.

As she walked down the hall she pondered the gravity of their predicament. Mr Collins residing in the house was going to play havoc with the already chaotic atmosphere of Longbourn and was just another problem that would fall to her to handle.

Lizzie was not pleased with this muddle, and now she had to figure out how to explain the situation to her sisters. She was weary and wanted nothing more than to retire for the night, but she still had an obligation that had to be fulfilled. As she trudged up the stairs, Lizzie was pleased that at least she had her morning outing to look forward to, and her time alone with the intelligent Mr Darcy.