Setting the scene...
~~~o0o~~~
Despite arriving home late at night after the Netherfield Ball, which she had attended with her family, Elizabeth Bennet was up at dawn and going for her almost daily walk. Her destination was Oakham Mount, to enjoy the peace and serenity of watching the sun rise from her favourite place in the county.
Her mind and heart were in turmoil.
It had started just after Netherfield had been let to Mr Bingley. At the first assembly Mr Bingley attended, with his family and friend, his friend, Mr Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire, had insulted her.
A few days later, a chance comment by one of their neighbours made Mr Darcy realise that he had been accidentally overheard, and he made a point of apologising to Elizabeth during a party at Lucas Lodge.
Since then, Elizabeth had had a number of conversations with Mr Darcy, and discovered that he was exceedingly intelligent and well educated, as well as remarkably open-minded when discussing esoteric subjects. She had come to enjoy their debates, although some people might call them arguments.
There was one thing that confused her though. When indulging in a battle if wits, the gentleman was relaxed and expressive. Yet at other times he became excessively distant. Those were generally the times when he would stare at her from across a room. She could not make it out.
She felt rather ambivalent about his company. While he was very attractive, intellectually and physically, he was also haughty and dismissive. A combination that made her feel both attracted and repulsed. She could not decide which was stronger.
Last night at the ball he had asked her to dance. While he was an excellent dancer, the exercise was not entirely pleasurable for Elizabeth, since the gentleman seemed to have been struck mute. All her efforts at conversation only elicited brief answers. In the end she had avoided him for the rest of the evening.
Her musings were interrupted by the unexpected arrival of the gentleman, who greeted her politely but seemed to be uncomfortable.
They chatted for a few minutes, during which time Darcy informed Elizabeth that he would return to London this day, since he had not seen his sister for several weeks and was anxious to spend time with her.
At the end of this explanation, Darcy blurted out, 'please forgive me if I raised your expectations. I have come to realise that the pleasure I took in our debates could be misconstrued. But the difference in our stations prohibits me from following my heart.'
Elizabeth listened with growing disbelief. The nerve of the man. Thinking himself oh so superior to herself the company in Meryton. He thought having an Earl for an uncle made the daughter of a gentleman unworthy of marriage to him.
Luckily, she had the perfect response, since only a few days prior, her father had received a letter, which he had shared with her, but kept from the rest of the family. His great-great-uncle on his father's side of the family was approaching his final days, which at the ripe old age of eight and ninety was to be expected. Since all other males in his line had pre-deceased him, the only possible heir was Mr Bennet. The letter had reminded Mr Bennet of the almost forgotten fact that the old gentleman was the Duke of Barrington.
As Elizabeth was leaving for her walk, she had noticed a rider in the livery of Barrington, sporting a black armband, approaching Longbourn on a tired horse. She came to the conclusion that Mr Bennet had come into his inheritance. A circumstance which made Mr Darcy's reference to status laughable.
'Mr Darcy, please put your mind at ease, as you have greatly relieved my own mind. I apologise if I was presumptuous to think you might be inclined towards me, but since I treasure our friendship, I was afraid that I would cause you pain by having to reject you. I am exceedingly grateful that you are aware of the expectations society places on making an appropriate marriage.'
Darcy was stunned. It had not occurred to him that Miss Elizabeth would reject him, but it only confirmed his high opinion of the lady. She had the exquisite grace not to throw herself at him, the way so many other females did. She appreciated that society expected him to make a match from his own circle.
He now regretted even more that she was unsuitable to a man of his consequence.
'Thank you, Miss Bennet, for being so understanding. I too enjoy our friendship and wished for us to part on good terms.'
~~~o0o~~~
As soon as Elizabeth returned to Longbourn, she was intercepted by her mother, who insisted that she must grant Mr Collins a private audience. Elizabeth tried to demur, but Mrs Bennet physically pushed her daughter into the parlour, closing the door behind her.
Grandfather Bennet, who had been the son of the Duke's younger brother, had very firm views about women, and entailed Longbourn to the male line. Since Mr Bennet only had daughters, who also had not yet produced a son, Mr Collins, being the son of Mr Bennet's cousin Martha, was the only male in the family, and therefore the heir presumptive.
Mr Collins had arrived the previous week to meet his estranged family, and to choose a wife from his cousins. Since Mrs Bennet told him that his first choice, Jane, was expecting a proposal from Mr Bingley, he had fixed his attention on Elizabeth, much to her disgust.
Mr Collins was waiting in the parlour for Elizabeth and proceeded to propose in the most insulting manner possible.
Elizabeth did her best to curb her temper, and politely refused, only to meet with complete disbelief that she could spurn his generous offer. When after her fourth refusal Mr Collins still could not grasp the fact that she was not interested, Elizabeth stormed out of the parlour, almost knocking over Mrs Bennet in the process.
Mrs Bennet was about to congratulate the couple, when she noted the stormy expression on her daughter's countenance. 'What did you do, you ungrateful child?' she demanded.
'I have told Mr Collins four times that I will not marry him, and he refuses to believe me. I am going to speak to father.'
'Your father? Yes, he will make you see sense and ensure that you marry Mr Collins.' Mrs Bennet scurried after Elizabeth, who stormed into her father's bookroom.
'Father, Mr Collins has proposed but refuses to accept my rejection.'
'Mr Bennet, you must make Lizzy marry the man,' shouted Mrs Bennet at almost the same moment.
Mr Collins, who had trailed behind the ladies, added his own voice. 'Cousin Bennet, I have come to request Cousin Elizabeth's hand in marriage.'
Mr Bennet looked in consternation between the intruders. 'Lizzy, do you wish to marry Mr Collins?'
'No, Father. We are completely unsuited.'
'Cousin Collins, your request is denied. You may leave. You too may leave, Mrs Bennet. Lizzy, stay. I wish to speak with you.'
Collins and Mrs Bennet spluttered in protest, but Mr Bennet was unmoved and repeated his demand to speak with his daughter… privately.
Eventually the occupants of the room acceded to his demands. Two of them did so with ill grace.
Elizabeth collapsed into a chair. 'Thank you, Father.'
Mr Bennet's eyes twinkled as he replied, 'you are most welcome.'
~~~o0o~~~
Ooops (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2021