Chapter 36- Foiled Plans
The only purpose of Mr Collins that evening had been to indulge himself with food and drinks as much as possible. He was trying to calculate the expenses of his visit, and tally it with the rich variety of feast offered at Netherfield.
His clothes were getting tighter due to the extra pounds he had gained after coming to Hertfordshire.
Ah! This tart is delicious. Lady Katherine has the same variety, but I have never indulged myself to more than one at Rosing's.
By the time the dances started, he had eaten to his full and began indulging in the drinks. The hall was brightly lit. And suddenly, Mr Collins felt warm. His coat seemed to tighten round his body.
He felt that he needed some air. He rushed towards the balcony, but before he got out, a wave of nausea hit him, and he vomited on himself.
Trying to avoid the embarrassment, he entered the room on his left, hoping to get some privacy.
At the other end of the hall, Mr Hurst had been busy.
Ever since his wife had warned him about Miss Bingley's strange behaviour, Mr Hurst watched his sister-in-law carefully.
He saw Miss Bingley smile at Elizabeth, and he knew she was up to something. He kept his eyes on Miss Bingley the whole evening. He saw her send a servant towards Darcy. He noticed her hurry into the room at the end of the hallway. He saw Darcy move out of the gathering towards the room with a concerned face. He rushed to him immediately and stopped him.
"Mr Darcy, what is it?"
"It is Elizabeth. A servant gave me a message that she is unwell. She is in the room at the end of the hallway."
"There seems to be a miscommunication somewhere. Louisa just took her to the nursery to see the baby. You can find her there."
"Oh! I will go straight away."
Mr Hurst watched Darcy leave the room.
Caroline, I have foiled your plans. He thought.
A few minutes later they all heard a loud crash from the room and found Miss Bingley and Mr Collins in a compromised position.
Darcy was elated to find Elizabeth in good spirits in the nursery.
"I don't understand. Why did the servant give me that message?"
"This is all very fishy. I did not send any message."
They heard the commotion downstairs and hurried down.
Darcy and Elizabeth saw the crowd gathered around Mr Collins and Miss Bingley.
"Bingley, what happened?"
"I will explain later. Mr Bennet, sir, I would like to extend an invitation for Mr Collins to stay with us here till they are married."
Mr Bennet agreed. Elizabeth found the whole thing amusing. What a pair they will make?
Darcy somehow felt the incident was related to the message he got from Elizabeth.
The people of Meryton had not witnessed an engagement party that exciting. They all went home tired and happy.
Darcy handed Elizabeth into the carriage. They were to wed in two weeks. He could not wait for the day to arrive.
He went back into the house.
He found Mr Hurst, his wife, and Mr Bingley waiting for him.
Darcy knew from the dark look on Mr Bingley's face that something was wrong.
Mr Hurst quickly explained how he had watched Miss Bingley and how he had found out about her plans.
"Bingley, this is atrocious. I did not think your sister was capable of this. Does she think I will marry her by staging such falsehood?"
"Darcy, I am truly sorry. I did not expect this from her." He looked down. Darcy knew that there was something else.
"Mr Darcy, Louisa warned me about Caroline the moment you announced your engagement. I have been monitoring her mails. This morning she sent five letters to London. I had already instructed the maid not to post anything without my approval. I have the letters with me now. I feel unfortunate to be related to her."
"What has she written?" Mrs Hurst asked.
She grabbed one of the letters, and Mr Hurst handed over the rest to Darcy.
Darcy could not believe his eyes. It was directed to the Earl of Matlock.
The contents of the letter had all the details about Elizabeth's abduction. It had vicious details about Elizabeth's character, falsehood about having affairs with men in the village.
Darcy was enraged beyond measure. Mrs Hurst had tears in her eyes.
"Oh! Charles, what have we done to deserve her as our sister? Just read this, one cannot write such things even about their worst enemies. Elizabeth saved my baby and me. She put herself in danger. She does not deserve this."
Mr Bingley was scared to see Darcy's countenance.
"Bingley, your sister has behaved with utmost spite and vengeance. She has to pay for this. I have no other option but to report her conduct to the authorities. She needs to pay for this."
Mr Bingley summoned his sister. She came in looking angry and dejected.
"Caroline, for the first time in my life, I wish you were never born. How dare you write such things about Elizabeth? How dare you defame her character?"
"Shut up, Louisa! I have not written things that did not happen. She was abducted and compromised."
"Malicious lies about her character? When you are the one trying to compromise our brothers' friend. Are you even a decent woman?"
Darcy was extremely angry. He did not want to spare Miss Bingley.
"Bingley, I do not want to stand in the same room as her. I want to know your plan else I will take things into my hand."
"Mr Darcy, what have I done to earn this treatment from you? You choose to marry a fallen woman, but can't bear to stand in the same room with me?" Miss Bingley asked with arrogance.
"Elizabeth is not a fallen woman. Even if something had happened to her reputation, I would have still begged her to be my wife. Because I love her."
"Charles, you must take responsibility and teach your sister a lesson." Mr Hurst said.
"I have already spoken to Mr Collins. Caroline will marry him as early as possible. He accepted to hold the funds of her dowry in a trust and not touch them till their children are of age. Caroline does not get to enjoy the funds."
"This is ridiculous. You want me to live with that toad and not even be wealthy?"
"Yes, you will live in Hunsford parsonage and will lead a life which you are not accustomed to. Mr Collins does not even employ a cook. You will be managing the whole house by yourself."
Miss Bingley stared at her brother as if she was hit by a bolt of lightning. Darcy thought this was not enough.
But he did not want to stay in the toxic atmosphere any longer. He walked up to the Hursts.
"I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for us."
"Mr Darcy, this is nothing. Elizabeth deserves all the good in the world. Her kindness and good heart will always win over any evil coming her way."
Darcy shook hands with Mr Hurst and retired to his room.
What an evening? That woman she will never learn.
He thought about Elizabeth. He was amazed at how Mr Hurst and his wife had saved them both. He knew that it was only because of Elizabeth's good heart.
He vouched to himself that he would never allow her to experience anything but happiness in their life.
