Hello Everyone

-blows the dust off her stories and is handed a handkerchief by a rather grumpy looking Darcy-

Welcome back to

Golden Cage

As promised this chapter is dedicated toTarlily and Benda Rulezwho granted this story its 90th and 95th review

I own nothing you might recognize and as you might have guessed the real world has thrown me a curve ball of two in recent months so my muse decided to go into hibernation for quite some time. If I have lost the thread of the story a bit I apologize.

Now with the formalities concluded I bring you the long awaited.

Chapter 13 Mangled Meetings

Skydancinghobbit

"For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?"

In her lifetime growing up in London Elizabeth had become acquainted with a great many people, yet in her memory not one creature had yet stood out so firmly as one, William Collins. Sitting in drawing room the next morning listening to the man prattle on about the improvement to his dwelling and his fortune in attaining it so quickly she attempted to find a proper words to do him justice.

Insufferably fell short of the mark by several yards.

He preened and strutted like a prized rooster in front of a gaggle of hens. Every word that fell from his lips dripped with an arrogance and vanity that set her teeth on edge. Happily they been summoned to and sat down for morning meal before she had time to do more then share a glance of wonder with Kitty who kindly passed her a filled cup of tea before she had time to do justice to the fresh bread with a fresh strawberry preserve that the good housekeeper kept on hand.

Still the man continued to speak, pausing so infrequently to draw breath it was a wonder he did not choke on his food! First complimenting the parents quite unnecessarily on having such a fine family of daughters. As if that was anything to be helped or improved on by his words, then on the well appointed furnishings and prospects from the windows. There was nothing beneath his notice as he even commended the tidiness of the fireplace and the brick a bra-ck on the mantle.

His droning voice has faded to a dull murmur as she finished her toast and moved on to the selection of fruit before a sudden change in tone happily caught her attention.

"Cousin I am to understand you have recently returned here from London I trust the change of air does nothing to dampen your health!"

Elizabeth gave a tiny start before releasing the man was speaking to her and she set her teacup down slowly to give her mind a moment to process his words and organize her reply least she say something to offend their guest by revealing she had heard not a word he uttered after they had taken their place at table

"No indeed Sir I find that the country air always does one good, there are some lovely walks about and I enjoy them regularly"

Though not unpleasing to the eye no one would have called the rather stout man sitting across from her handsome but with his current skeptical expression under such dark heavy brows. She would have supposed that she had said something quite shocking.

"What a lady like yourself? Oh Surely you jest with me cousin."

Correctly reading her expression that she in fact did not jest he frowned in a displeased fashion as he considered her. Rather like she thought a father considering a young child who had erred in some fashion or another.

"Quite ill advised I would have thought it will do your complexion little good to be out of doors so much. Lady Catherine has often scolding the young ladies of our neighborhood on the subject and she is a lady of great wisdom indeed! To much sun and exertion without proper moderation she has said it quite injurious to the health!

"Do you not agree Mr Bennet?"

Mr Bennet's brows shot upwards as he folded down the edges of his paper to glance at his guest and in turn his daughter. His expression clearly broadcasting his opinion that the good clergyman had taken this advice far too seriously in his turn as he briefly met her eyes before speaking.

"Elizabeth is in fine health, I thank you for your well meant concern sir, you may find a turn in the garden to be greatly beneficial after breakfast we find it to be an excellent start to a day"

She had just lifted her cup to her lips again and sipped her cooling tea to hide her smile as he gave a startled look and hastily agreed before returning to his breakfast without another word. Though she did not know her father well she found that she agreed with her uncle he had a sharp sense of humor and was agreeable when the mood suited him.

Her mother however beamed across the table at her spouse who frowned a moment before understanding flicked across his features and Elizabeth went pale as her mind presented her with a shrewd surmise of what the man was after as he cast a look around the table watching each of them in turn rather in the same fashion she had watched another man do before buying a new mare for his stable. Her appetite vanishing she hastily asked and was granted leave to write a letter. Despite the frown on the countenance of their guest that followed her from the room she was glad of it.

Walking to the hall and then up the stairs to her room was but the work of a moment. Sitting at the table she inked her pen and began to write. In such haste she could not entirely answer for the prose presented but it was legible and she was grateful for it remembering the pains her aunt had taken in teaching her properly.

"So my dear Caroline I beg your wisdom, Louisa, if she is present, I fear this odious man may in fact be looking for a wife! Not unusual as he is now well provided for with a parsonage and a wealthy patroness, my father is in no position to refuse such a request yet I would sooner write to my good uncle and be off to London before I would be a wife to so vain a man!

Having lightened her worries a page later she ended with a closing that showed a calmer more rational approach to their guest that she had not doubt would inspire a smile from her two friends.

In short my dear Caroline in the space of a morning he has thrown all my good notions of proper decorum out like day old milk. I do not think a single gentlemen who has been raised by his father would have a proper idea of how a young women should behave, how could that that be without a mother or sister? we none of us wish to be confined indoors all day! His patroness has seen fit to instruct him in this matter to the view I would surmise to aide in finding a proper lady to tend his household.

Lady Catherine it seems has many opinions and Mr. Collins seems to adopt quite a few as his own, in justice to him I must also include that he has only just recently gained this place and does not seem to be without a reason for his deference.

She must be quite formidable indeed.

So we reach the end of Chapter 13-hands out cookies and tea-

So what think you gentle readers of this Mr, Collins? quite a condensing rooster we have on our hands, where do you think he fits into our tale?

Would you have him as a villain or a hero? Cast your vote in your review.

Whomever grants this story its 105th review will earn Chapter 14's dedication

Stay tuned therefor for Chapter 14. The Proper Wife

Skydancinghobbit

P.S. Please take a moment to check out my other stories they need love too you know ^_^