Chapter XXXVII

Mr Collins' Fall

"People think dreams aren't real just because they aren't made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes."

- Neil Gaiman

Elizabeth didn't eat much of the food that had been laid out, she was having trouble keeping being crying, the idea of food held no pleasure. Only Lydia and the Gardiner's children seemed at all hungry, the rest of the Bennets merely picked at the food. The gentlemen had joined them about an hour after they had left the church. Elizabeth was surprised when her aunt after having a whispered conversation with her uncle came over to where she was standing with Jane, looking very serious.

"Lizzy, Jane - have you seen Mr Collins since Lady Catherine left?" Mrs Gardiner asked them quietly, her husband standing close by.

Elizabeth realized with a jolt that she had not seen him, with everything going on with her Lydia, her father's funeral and Mr Darcy she had not given him a moment's thought.

"No, I have not see him.", Elizabeth said quietly.

"Nor have I, he would not miss our father's funeral." Jane added. "Where can he be?"

"That is what the other gentlemen think as well," Mr Gardiner said, "that is why Mr Darcy had to take his place earlier. Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley are going to slip away to see if they can find him."

"I want to go with them," Elizabeth declared suddenly, taking herself by surprise.

"All can't all go or someone will notice." Mrs Gardiner said gently, "I don't know if anyone has noticed he is not here or have said anything."

"We only noticed when we carried your father out." Mr Gardiner replied, "I do not think anyone else has."

"Which is to our advantage." Mrs Gardiner said

"We must not tell Mama or the others," Elizabeth said, again surprising herself, "it would not do to have the neighbours know anything is amiss given Lydia's recent return."

"I will stay with Mama," Jane suggested, "If you will stay with me as well Aunt?"

It was soon settled that Elizabeth would go to the go with the gentlemen. While her aunt, uncle and Jane would stay with the rest of the Bennets.

ooOoo

William Collins was in his garden at Hunsford, it had been many weeks since he had been in Hunsford, and he had missed his garden. His plants, flowers and the bees, he was always at peace in garden. With Lady Catherine not far away, he could see the lane from here, in-case she or her daughter were to drive by. They depend on him, on his opinion and his advice. His wife was inside, sewing. It was a perfect picture, they would have children soon. She had told him, just the other night, when they were going to sleep.

Her head laying next to his on the pillow, he breathed in the smell of her hair his arms around her waist holding her close, her belly swelling from their child growing inside. He gently kissed the top of her head and she sighed against him. Turning to kiss him, he returned the kiss, she giggled slightly then they make love, slowly this time, before falling asleep in each other's arms.

ooOoo

"He's here!" A male voice said loudly, then the sound of running feet.

"He is drenched through," said another man's voice, sounding slightly out of breath.

"He must have been out all night, since he left Longbourn." Said the first voice.

"He must have tripped on that tree root there." said a third voice, this time it was female.

"And hit his head on the way down."

ooOoo

William woke to an empty bed, he got up to look for his wife. She was sitting on the floor of the nursery, a little boy was playing with some tin solders near his mother, he had his mother's eyes, William was his name, in his and his father's honours. A little girl with his eyes and Elizabeth's curls, Catherine, named after Lady Catherine of course, was playing with a doll under the window. Elizabeth was playing with the baby, who they had called Thomas, after her father.

Elizabeth smiled brightly when she saw him, holding out the baby for him to take. Little William shambled to his feet to hug his father, with a cry of "Papa! Papa!" Catherine following not far behind her older brother. William smiled down at his children.

ooOoo

"He has a very high fever," said a female voice.

"Doctor Russell will be here directly." another voice said, this one was male.

ooOoo

His wife was sitting in the small sitting room of Hunsford sewing, her back towards him, he walked towards her to greet her and ask about the children, there was something wrong.

As he reached her and touched her shoulder lightly, "Elizabeth-"

"Why would you do that?" her voice was cold, not at all like the voice of his dear wife.

"Do what? Where are the children?" He asked looking around the room.

"Not look for Lydia? She is your sister?" She was on her feet now, looking angry.

"I did look for Lydia." He tried to explain.

"Why would you not want to marry me?" There was something wrong with her face - it was changing.

He stepped away from her, he had to find the children.

ooOoo

"He has broken his leg." A man's voice said, "he must have done it when he fell, there is a large bump on his head -"

ooOoo

He left the sitting room, the children were often in the kitchen at this time of day, he would look for them there - Elizabeth was following him.

"Who is Miss Smith? Why would you marry her and not me?"

He turned back to look at her, it was not Elizabeth but Mary Smith speaking with Elizabeth's voice.

"Why would you do that?"

A maid appeared, "Lady Catherine." She said with a curtsy before withdrawing from the room. Lady Catherine entered the room looking angrier than the last time he had seen her, she also seemed to have grown about 6 feet.

ooOoo

"If he wakes it is a good sign."

"He keeps calling out - screaming even."

"He is dreaming, it is the fever."

ooOoo

Lady Catherine looked down at him.

"You must leave Hunsford!"

"Lady Catherine, I am your most humble servant-"

"Tonight, you must be out tonight!"

"The children Lady Catherine, you would not have them turned out of their home?"

Mrs Bennet appeared from the other room, "My Lizzy is such a good girl, letting us all live at Hunsford. I was telling Lady Lucas just the other day that she is such a dear girl."

A child laughed and ran down the passage and into the room, it was his son William.

"Such a ill-mannered child. No respect, he is just like his father."

"Lady Catherine, I beg you to reconsider?"

"You must get out!"

"Please Lady Catherine, I implore you -"

"You are a disgrace!"

"My sister is ruined and it's entirely your fault" Elizabeth was standing with her hand on her son's shoulder.

"Papa you should have gone after our Aunt." Little William said seriously, "Or Lady Catherine will carry on being angry."

ooOoo

"Any change?"

"He was crying out a few hours ago, but has been quiet for the last hour."

"His fever is getting worse."