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Chapter 10
The days passed slowly for Elizabeth after her adventure in the rain. She spent her time above stairs caring for Jane. Jane's fever had finally abated; however, she was still week and the apothecary felt it best for her to remain confined to bed for a full week. Elizabeth would not leave her dearest sister throughout this time for fear that she might become lonely.
However, at her mother's insistence, Lizzy had joined the family in the drawing room after dinner three days after Jane fell ill. Jane and Elizabeth had not yet met Mr. Collins due to their restriction to their bedchamber and Mrs. Bennet was anxious that Lizzy, at least, make his acquaintance.
It seems that Mr. Collins had made his intentions known to Mrs. Bennet regarding choosing a wife amongst her daughters and she was now on a quest to have Mary make the match.
"Oh, Lizzy! What a fine thing it is for our Mary! I am so pleased. This will solve all of our problems. With Mary as the next mistress of Longborn, we need not worry about being thrown to the hedgerows when your poor father passes on."
Lizzy tried to interject at this point, but her mother's happy ranting would not be contained.
"And it will also relieve my mind to have Mary so well settled. I can tell you that with her bookish ways and refusal to do anything to improve her appearance that I had quite despaired over finding her a husband."
"Mama please! Mary is just not very comfortable in company."
"Well, it is neither here nor there since she is sure to be married soon. Now, you must join us tonight, I'll take no arguments from you. We do not want dear Mr. Collins to feel slighted at your extended absence now that Jane is on the mend."
"Yes, Mama. I will join you once I have Jane settled for the night."
"That's a good girl."
Then, as Mrs. Bennet walked away, it appeared that she was struck with a thought and turned to address her daughter once more.
"Oh, and Lizzy. Be sure to be agreeable but not too agreeable towards Mr. Collins tonight."
Elizabeth looked perplexed so Mrs. Bennet continued.
"I would not wish for Mr. Collins to turn his attentions towards you. Although you run about with your wild ways and rarely heed my advice, you do have some admirers in the Village and I have much more confidence in securing a husband for you than for Mary."
Her mother paused and uncharacteristically lowered her voice.
"Also, I have great hopes for Jane to secure Mr. Bingley. He was full of concern for her health. You would do well child to put forth some effort in encouraging his friend, Mr. Darcy."
"Mama, please do not set your hopes upon a match between that gentleman and myself. You must see that it is impossible." Lizzy whispered back as much to her mother as to herself.
"I certainly do not see that it is impossible. He is far above our sphere to be sure; however, I was born a tradesman's daughter and captured the heart of your gentleman father. It can be accomplished, my dear."
Lizzy was stunned into silence as she watched her mother walk away.
That evening, Elizabeth realized that her first assessment of Mr. Collins was, indeed, correct. He was ridiculous. He was a strange mix of equal parts obsequiousness and pomposity. It was obvious that he held no patience for her two youngest sisters; however, she could hardly fault him for that. Kitty & Lydia spent the time in which he was reading to them all by giggling and making noise. Lizzy was not fooled by their occasional apologies to Mr. Collins. She knew that Lydia hoped to dissuade him from further reading by annoying him. When that plan failed, Lydia loudly began telling their Mama about the recent gossip acquired from Meryton about the regiment of officers that recently encamped there. Mr. Collins finally gave up the book and immediately began a conversation with Elizabeth.
Mary had been politely listening to his reading up to this point. When she saw his intention to seek out Lizzy, she determinedly walked towards them and tried to take part in the conversation. Elizabeth was surprised but proud of her.
"Mr. Collins, if you have a moment, I would appreciate your wisdom regarding one of the passages you read earlier this evening. Reverend Fordyce's advice regarding duty to one's parents and God was of particular interest to me." Mary said sweetly.
Mr. Collins looked torn between his need to impart his greater wisdom on this subject and becoming better acquainted with the more beautiful sister, Elizabeth. Before he could form an excuse to dismiss Mary, Lizzy took the opportunity to grant them privacy to discuss.
"Mr. Collins, it was lovely to meet you at last but I must return to my eldest sister. I am sure that my absence will allow you to assist Mary in reaching a greater understanding of the Reverend's directives."
As Lizzy left the room, she was certain that her mother nodded in approval. If Jane were still awake, she would be happy for the laugh once Lizzy informed her of this evening's events.
A few days later, Kitty and Lydia burst into the parlor looking out of breath and full of excitement.
"Oh Mama! You'll never guess what I have to tell you!" Kitty exclaimed. Lydia quickly cut her off by shouting.
"Our Aunt Philips is giving a card party tomorrow evening to welcome the regiment. All of the dashing officers shall be there!"
"Lydia! You never let me tell any news!" Kitty cried.
In true ladylike fashion, Lydia stuck her tongue out at Kitty and continued.
"This is quite the most exciting thing to ever happen in Meryton. I hope that Lieutenant Denny and Chamberlain will attend. I am not sure which I will settle on since they both look very gallant in their red coats."
"I agree, my dears. A red coat can only improve a man's countenance. I was awfully fond of a red coat myself when I was a girl." Mrs. Bennet added dreamily.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes as her sister continued to speak about the officers. She almost felt sorry for the poor men! Kitty and Lydia had not ceased tittering about the officers since the regiment arrived this week.
"Where are Mary and Mr. Collins? Did they not join you on your walk to Meryton this morning?" Elizabeth asked her sisters.
"Oh lord! What a bore he is!" Lydia groaned.
"Yes, Lizzy, be happy that you were unable to join us this morning. He droned on and on the entire way to the village! Then he told Lydia and I that it would be unseemly for us to greet Denny." Kitty added indignantly.
"I do not see what is so unseemly about saying good morning to a friend. He was only on the other side of the road. I had to yell loudly to gain his attention." Lydia huffed.
"Truly, Lydia. A young gentlewoman should not be shouting at an officer on the street!" Elizabeth admonished her youngest sister. She glanced at her mother to see if she would support her rebuke but she was still smiling slightly to herself while looking out the window.
"Pah, Lizzy, you sound just like our cousin! You are just jealous that Kitty and I have met many of the officers while you have been stuck at home!"
"Well, I will be meeting many of the officers at Aunt Philips card party tomorrow so I believer that I can weather my disappointment. Now, can you please tell me what has become of Mary and Mr. Collins?"
Kitty and Lydia smiled at each other and then Kitty spoke up.
"After Mary completed her errands, we decided to call on Aunt Philips. Once she told us the news of her party, we said that we must rush home at once to inform Mama. Mr. Collins is such a very large man. I believe that he required a bit more rest before making the long walk back. Mary stayed to keep him company."
"It was so funny! You should have seen how red-faced and out of breath he became while only strolling about town. We were glad not to have to listen to his preaching on our return walk and we were able to give them some time alone. I was sure that Mama would approve." Lydia said with a look of satisfaction on her face.
Elizabeth decided that now would be a good time to take a walk herself. She could not deny that she was looking forward to the card party. She had too much time confined at home of late. She also had spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about a certain tall gentleman on horseback.
Her mother had said that both Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy had called the day after they were caught in the rain to inquire about Jane's health. It was a very kind gesture and she wondered if they would attend the card party. Her aunt was sure to invite them.
She was brought out of her musings by the sound of a horse. As she looked up, she heard his voice.
"Good day Miss Elizabeth. I am happy to see you walking about again."
"Good day Mr. Darcy. Thank you, I am glad to be out again too."
"How is Miss Bennet? Fully recovered, I hope."
"Yes sir. She is, which is why I have taken the opportunity to enjoy this fine weather."
She wanted to ask if they would be attending the party tomorrow evening; however, he spoke as if reading her thoughts.
"I believe we will have the pleasure of your aunt's hospitality tomorrow for a card party."
"Yes, my sisters and I are quite looking forward to it."
He continued to smile down at her from atop his horse. Once again Elizabeth felt a powerful draw to him. Could it be that he felt it too?
"Well, then, until tomorrow evening Miss Elizabeth."
Darcy tipped his hat and rode away. Elizabeth could not help the smile that graced her lips as she turned back towards home.
A/N: Thank you to all of the wonderful people who added this story to their favorites and followed it after the last chapter! Reviews, Questions, Comments?