Some days later…..
Elizabeth paused in her ministrations, as she trailed a finger down the barely warm cheek of her father. His warmth was leaving him, every day he grew weaker and weaker. Jane and Kitty had informed her of this in hushed tones earlier this morning before breakfast. They were worried, and were correct in their estimations. Mr. Bennet would be dead soon, and once he was the Bennet women would be left at the mercy of Mr. Collins, or the expense of their uncle. Elizabeth knew that she would soon be forced to make a choice, one which would either secure or collapse her family's future. A choice that she was not even certain was hers to make anymore, not if Mr. Collins had anything to do with the matter.
She worried for her mama. Worried that Mrs. Bennet would choose today of all days to revert to her former self and show the tenants of Netherfield what they were truly missing-a peek behind the curtain, if you will. Elizabeth doubted that Mrs. Long and Mrs. Goulding, or any of their other, loquacious neighbors had kept their tongues to themselves about the former behavior of the Bennet ladies, particularly Mrs. Bennet and Lydia, but she did not wish for that horrid Miss Bingley, nor her insipid, empty headed sister, Mrs. Hurst to even catch a glimpse of an infamous Bennet display that her mama seemed only to exhibit while she was under extreme duress.
The upcoming evening would exhibit much of that, as the Bennet ladies and servants had spent the entire week readying Longbourn to entertain Mr. Bingley and his guests. Lyddie and Mary had polished every scrap of silver they owned, Jane had painstakingly embroidered a new tablecloth for their dining table, and Kitty had spent time in the kitchens assisting Mrs. Hill.
Elizabeth-Elizabeth had done her duty, a duty for which she had been instructed on ever since the Collinses had supplanted the Bennets within their own home. She was to be mistress of Longbourn one day soon, and it would not do to have the mistress of such an estate sully herself with servants work. Not like his mother had, Mr. Collins had said, going on to remind her of why his father had hated hers to begin with.
He was not the heir of Longbourn, at least not in the manner that he had wished it. Not while his cousin was alive and could still produce an heir. Even so, he was not the master, merely cousin to the master who could not produce an heir upon an entitled estate. Anything he inherited would be the result of another man's incompetence, and while the elder Mr. Collins would accept that, accept it as his just due, he would not be grateful for such a circumstance.
And thus, Elizabeth directed the servants and her siblings in their endeavor to ready Longbourn for such prestigious guests.
Blinking away the tears that had rapidly formed, Elizabeth gave her papa a gentle kiss on his forehead before leaving the room to ready for their guests. While crossing the hallway, she met Mr. Collins as he made his way into his own room to prepare.
"My dear," he gave her a considering, expectant glance, before she realized, with a growing twist of fear, that he was waiting for her curtsey. She did so quickly, hoping he would not take any offense at her lapse, and Mr. Collins took her lightly shaking hand within his own overly warm, moist hands.
"I had come to commend you for your prodigious attention to your duties as the future mistress of such an estate, but I fear I spoke too soon, unfortunately. My dear," he reiterated in a simpering tone, as though he were speaking to a simpleton, and his grip tightened, and she dared not even attempt to draw her hand back.
"I understand the love and affection one feels for one's own father, in that you and I are united. We both have gone through an insurmountable amount of grief in a short period, what with the passing of my own dearly missed father, and the accident that has claimed the faculties of your own father. But one should not neglect one's duty, especially on such an occasion. Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and the rest of the party shall be arriving soon. Send your sister, Miss Jane in to tend to your father, if he requires attention. Otherwise, my dear, you had better go in to ready yourself for our guests arrival."
Mr. Collins paused and puffed out his chest, as though he were a proud peacock, seeking to coax its future mate by the sway of his vibrant plumage.
"Of course, it should do me great honor if you should stand by my side, to present a united front for our guests."
Elizabeth held her face taut, soothing the muscle within her cheek, as she considered his words. His intent. She was grateful that he had not forced himself within her personal boundaries, as he had done the night of the assembly, and now she had to extricate herself from him as delicately as possible. Mr. Collins leaned into her, his eyes lingering on her form. She inhaled sharply, remaining stock still as he continued his perusal of her. She did not want to move, not wanting another moment between them.
"Of course, Mr. Collins. I do apologize. I shall go and ready myself right now." she finally managed to say softly, her voice gentle and unhurried, as his grip slowly slackened, and she was free.
Elizabeth walked to her own room, and drew the door shut, her heart beating wildly. She glanced down, her hands still shaking. She drew them to her, trying to coax herself back into her natural self before getting ready for their guests. Elizabeth was determined that she should give the Bingley sisters nothing to gossip about, particularly concerning the behavior of Mr. Collins, and for that she should need to be at her best. Their neighbors had enough gossip to sustain them until she married Mr. Collins, especially with the attention Mr. Bingley paid to Jane.
His kindness was noted particularly among the sewing circle headed by Mrs. Goulding and Mrs. Long, and while Jane may have feelings for Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth was certain that Mr. Bingley did not return those feelings. He was simply being polite, a courtesy afforded to Jane because of her beauty, and would soon fade away.
A knock on the door startled her away, and she opened it hesitantly, to reveal her mother, and sisters-Jane and Lydia. Elizabeth was taken aback to see that her mama was smiling. Elizabeth allowed them into her room, staring dumbly at Mrs. Bennet as Lydia gaily skipped into the room, her arms full of gowns. Jane followed Lydia at a sedate pace, while Mama glided into the room as though she were walking on air.
"Mama, are you quite all right?" she finally asked, not able to keep the bewilderment out of her voice. "Do you need to lie down? I am sure Mr. Collins-."
Mrs. Bennet waved off Elizabeth's concerns with a gay laugh. "No, don't be silly Miss Lizzie. Am I not allowed to be happy that we are receiving guests at Longbourn? Even though I am not the mistress of mine own home, I take delight in setting a table for our neighbors and guests. I taught you exceedingly well-how to direct the servants, and of course, Kitty has taken to aiding Mrs. Hill in the kitchen with my dear Lydia, why should I not be happy, when our guests shall bear the fruits of my labour? Especially Mr. Bingley!"
That last name was thrown out with a note of triumph in her voice. Elizabeth's heart sank, and her gaze rapidly went to Jane, who was studiously studying the folds of her gown. She moved forward to her mama.
"Mama, I really do not think-."
Mrs. Bennet directed Elizabeth to sit at the vanity. Elizabeth did as her mother bid, her mind anxiously examining the facts, applying them to the current situation at the ready. The last thing the Bennet ladies needed was their mama throwing her crippled, eldest daughter to the most eligible man in the country, especially in front of his gossiping, elitist sisters. Tongues were already wagging due to his attentions toward Jane, which were no more than a gentleman being courteous to lady-except Jane was not a simple lady, and Mr. Bingley was more than a mere gentleman.
"Mama-" Elizabeth tried again, to have Mrs. Bennet brush off her attempted warning once again.
"Now, now Miss Lizzie. Allow me to arrange your hair, and leave the rest to me. Oh praise the Lord!" she sighed graciously, casting her eyes up towards heaven for a brief moment. In the mirror, Elizabeth met the eyes of her sister Lydia, who rolled them in good humor to Elizabeth's expression.
"I am doing this for you, miss!" Mrs. Bennet admonished her daughter, as she continued to arrange her hair.
"Mr. Bingley is a kind and gentleman, nothing like the odious Mr. Collins or his father! I thank God everyday that that man is dead, and pray that Mr. Collins will soon follow him!" she exclaimed dramatically, clasping her hands in a beseeching prayer for a moment.
"Mama!" Elizabeth was alarmed at the thoughts in which her Mama chose to voice aloud. "Mr. Collins could hear you-!"
"Oh pish posh, Miss Lizzie! That odious man is situated quite comfortably in the master's rooms, no doubt enjoying the luxury that Mr. Bennet left behind!" her voice took on a tremor at its edge. Lydia abandoned her fondling of the ribbons she held in her hand, and drew her Mama to her.
Elizabeth gave her sister a grateful look, thankful that her youngest sister had become so grown up and mature in the past few months. Although Mama depended heavily on Lydia and Jane, in the beginning, it had only been Mary who had the forbearance to withstand Mama's changing moods with grace. Of course, Jane had always been her favorite. Her golden, first born child. But after Jane's accident, when she could not bear to think of what had happened, what it had cost Jane, but then some time later, Lydia had brought herself forward to be an object of contentment, no doubt at Mary's urging.
Mrs. Bennet returned to Elizabeth's side, wiping her eyes.
"Now, as I was saying, Mr. Bingley is an opportunity for us. I know what those people are saying of us! Of our dependence of that odious man! My dear Jane," she cast her eyes back at Jane, who was determinedly arranging the ribbons that Lydia had disheveled, "has always done her best to benefit her family, and this time is no different! Mr. Bingley shall be our savior, so you shall not have to marry that vile man!"
Mrs. Bennet patted Elizabeth's finished hairstyle.
"There now, Miss Lizzie. Now, let Jane take your chair so I can arrange her hair as well! She has to look beautiful for Mr. Bingley!"
In the end, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst did not even allow the Bennet ladies the luxury of enjoying a meal before they started in with their inquiries, although they were simply reiterating the same questions that had been asked of them while dining at Netherfield. Perhaps they wished to show Mr. Bingley, first hand, where all the hopes of her mama would end. The meal had been shared with polite, if somewhat distant conversation, as Mr. Bingley struggled to come up with topics of mutual interest between the two men. Eventually they fell into a cordial conversation about the running of estates.
Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth noted furiously, was of no help in this area. He resolutely focused on eating his food, only giving short, precise answers when Mr. Bingley or even Miss Bingley included him in the conversation. She did not understand why she had persisted in the hope that he should not do as he always did, which was silently glower at anyone who tried to speak to him, who was not of his own party. His particular treatment of her, a tidbit Elizabeth had been surprised had not made its way into the conversation yet, was simply a false honor to bestow upon himself, she realized. That he should be one of the few to be respectable and kind to one of those poor Bennet girls, well his pride should certainly bear it tolerably well.
Mrs. Bennet was still inordinately cheerful, although Mr. Bingley had yet to address Jane with anything more than a "Good evening, Miss Bennet". On the other end of the table, Lydia, Mary, and Kitty had been clustered together, and, Elizabeth was pleased to see, amusing themselves with quiet conversation, after exchanging short pleasantries with the Bingley sisters.
"As I understand it, Mr. Collins," Miss Bingley started, "you are also new to the country of Hertfordshire. How are you finding it so far?" she asked in a somewhat indifferent tone, her eager look betraying her interest.
Mr. Collins gave an excited start, at being addressed directly. Although it should not surprise her, not with the amount of time she had spent in the company of Mr. Collins, it always shocked her at how eager he was to receive attention from those he perceived as his betters. In regards to his and Elizabeth's relationship, she was the submissive. Every moment of time he spent with her was a gift that she should always show her utmost gratitude for. Yet it was his betters that he sought his validation from.
"I most graciously thank you for your inquiry, Miss Bingley. I am finding the country air quite tolerable, and of course, I have with me the company of my dear cousins."
Miss Bingley turned to Elizabeth, awarding her with an interested glance.
"And what of you, Miss Eliza?"
Elizabeth nearly choked on the small bite of food that she had been in the process of swallowing when Miss Bingley turned her attention onto her. Taking a small sip of water, she cleared her throat and glanced back at Mr. Collins, mindful of what had happened directly after her first interaction with Miss Bingley, as she had no wish to repeat such an encounter. He gave her an encouraging smile, happy that such a lady was addressing his betrothed, and she returned Miss Bingley's unwavering stare, head on, her confidence somehow bolstered by the fear coursing through her body.
"I do not understand to what you are referring to, Miss Bingley. As I explained on our earlier visit, I have lived in this county all my life, and have rarely left. Generally our family would spend a few weeks with our uncle near spring, at his home in London, as my papa hated going to London during the Season. "
Miss Bingley gave her a condescending smile.
"Of course, Miss Eliza. I was referring to how you and your family were enjoying the company of your cousin, despite the dreadful circumstances." Beside her, Mrs. Hurst echoed her sister's sentiments with a murmured, "dreadful".
"I simply wished to express my condolences to your family, Miss Eliza, Mr. Collins." she said, giving Mr. Collins a significant look.
"There have been so many tragedies in your family, in such a short period of time." she said, referring to not only Mr. Bennet's condition, but the death of Mr. Collins' father.
The table went silent, as Mr. Bingley attempted to repair the damage his sister had wittingly caused.
"Yes, as my dear sister has said, I have expressed my condolences to your cousin, but have not had the opportunity to do so to you, Mrs. Bennet," he said, addressing Mrs. Bennet, who preened under his attention, "and his daughters." he said, meeting the eyes of every Bennet lady in the room, lingering on Jane's figure.
"That is indeed very gracious of you, Miss Bingley." Mr. Collins offered, his voice booming. "It has indeed been a very trying time for our family. Especially with the death of my own most excellent father most recently. He was indeed the backbone of our father, and his loss is greatly felt to this day. However, I do my best to try and emulate his conduct, to the betterment of my fair cousins."
Miss Bingley turned to her sister with an expression of anticipation, although she concealed it with a generally pleasant, interested look on her face. Elizabeth saw it, however. If there was one thing she had learned, since her papa's accident, it was to see the motivations of the gossiping hoard of women that surrounded herself and her Mama in their drawing room in the weeks after the accident, all of them intent on squeezing as much detail out of them as possible, to go and spread to the neighbors.
"Is that the reason that you recalled Miss Lydia and Miss Catherine from society, sir?" Miss Bingley inquired, a baffled and bewildered edge overtaking the tone of her voice.
A clatter of cutlery was heard, as Mrs. Bennet aggressively used her knife and fork to cut herself a bite sized piece of meat. Her mouth was now within a narrow line, as for once she fully comprehended the intent of Miss Bingley's question. Elizabeth felt Mr. Darcy stiffen beside her, yet he said nothing. She should soon have to train herself to not be surprised at that, for the duration of his company.
She glanced to and fro from Mr. Collins, Miss Bingley, and Lydia and Kitty. Lydia and Kitty, who had been talking quietly amongst themselves, as they had been warned by Mr. Collins that he would send them to bed early, in front of their guests if he shamed them by acting as vulgar and free with their manners as they had before he entered their lives, and had now stopped talking entirely, and focused their attention on their plate of food.
Mr. Bingley, of course, attempted to come to their rescue.
"Now, now Caroline, I do believe that is not appropriate conversation for our evening. We are having a wonderful meal." He turned to Mr. Collins. "I apologize for my sister, Mr. Collins."
Mr. Collins shook his head grandly, "No, no, my dear Mr. Bingley. It is quite all right, I am quite happy to answer your dear sister's question."
He turned to address everyone at the table, his eyes especially fixed on Elizabeth's pale face. She did not know which to feel first-anger, shame, or embarrassment over what was about to happen, and only wished, not for the first time, that she and her family could disappear all together.
"When my beloved father and I arrived at Longbourn, after our dear Cousin Bennet's accident, which robbed him of his faculties, we found our dear cousins were abiding under a rather lax household. Of course, before his own senseless death, my dear father implemented some new rules for my fair cousins to abide by."
Mr. Collins rambled on, unaware or uncaring the look undisguised looks of interest and consternation Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were giving each other, shocked at how much he was revealing, yet that only piqued their appetite. Mr. Bingley clearly did not know what to do, as he looked from his sisters, to Mr. Collins, to Jane, his mouth falling open in surprise.
"That is not to say that my own dear cousins, Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth were not the most amiable ladies you should ever have had the pleasure of keeping company with, although my fair cousin Miss Elizabeth's tongue is rather sharp at times."
At Miss Bingley's knowing look, he rushed to assure her, "Something, we are of course, rectifying, aren't we my fair cousin? Fordyce's Sermons, a favorite of mine while I was in seminary. It has been very useful in the instruction of my youngest cousins, Miss Lydia and Catherine, who, I am afraid were led to be very wild and unsociable girls. Too young for society and the amusements offered."
His voice took on a cheerful lilt, "And, as you can see Miss Bingley, my fair cousins have certainly learned to temper their behavior!"
Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst followed his gaze to a red faced Lydia and Kitty, and exchanged knowing glances.
It was only afterwards, when the Bennets, Mr. Collins, and their guests were gathered in the small sitting room for coffee and tea, that Mr. Darcy drew near to Elizabeth, who was seated by the fire, alone. He held Elizabeth's eye, and her breath caught in her throat as he simply fixed her with an unreadable look. His eyes softened minutely, and then spoke.
"I do not believe Miss Bingley meant to be quite so brusque, Miss Elizabeth." he said, his voice almost gentle. She watched his face, as the shadows from the lanterns and fire played with his features. Elizabeth looked away, unable to meet his gaze. There was something akin to pity, except she would have felt insulted had he pitied her, given his understanding of the situation she and her family found themselves in.
She also felt another flare of anger, for he had said or did nothing while his dear friend's sister humiliated her family, and thoroughly enjoyed herself while it happened. Any apologies from him, or from Miss Bingley would also register as false and insincere.
"But I would like to take the opportunity to offer my condolences, since the subject has been brought up. After a long illness, one that lasted several months, my own dear father died when I was barely at the age of my majority. I have a sister, Georgiana, who is the same age as your sister, Miss Catherine, who also suffered an unjust amount of pain due to our father's long illness. It-it robbed us both, but especially my sister of having a father for a very long time, before he died."
Mr. Darcy paused awkwardly, before stating "I experienced feelings of extreme grief, it was only the love of my sister and cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam, that pushed me through to the end. I only experienced relief when my father died-I-I-" here he stammered, looking away, "I was happy that he was no longer in pain." A grave expression fixed his face. "It does get better, Miss Elizabeth. But the pain will never go away."
Elizabeth cleared her throat, finding her voice at long last. She gazed at Mr. Darcy in bewilderment. What a man of many contradictions! Yet again, she still did not know why her mind dwelt on the character of Mr. Darcy.
A proud, arrogant man, who thought nothing of teasing his friend for being disappointed that the most beautiful woman in the room was lame, yet here he was, exposing himself to her in the most private of ways! It was only she, of the whole of Meryton, Elizabeth surmised, that had seen something of the true Fitzwilliam Darcy. She doubted Miss Bingley had seen such a side to Mr. Darcy, or if she had, she had dismissed it just as well as she had dismissed Elizabeth's pain at her father's condition.
Elizabeth felt a twinge of pity for Mr. Darcy at those thoughts, and for that she did not know why. He was nothing to her, and would most likely be gone in a few months, with Mr. Bingley right along side him if his sister did not have anything to say about it.
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I thank you for your kind words. It is the most understanding anyone has been since the accident."
Mr. Darcy gave her another low bow, at the waist, and stalked back to his friend's side. Watching him go, Elizabeth's eye was caught by Mr. Collins, who gave her a significant look. She withheld a fine tremble, as she knew there would be a conversation to be had about her private conversation with Mr. Darcy.