Reversed Fortune Chapter 10 - Confidences, a pride and prejudice fanfic

Thank you. I loved your comments.

There are some rather strong reactions to my story. It seems I've done it again, stirring things up. 😊

I will go back and tidy up the bits about the inheritance. But I want some of you to keep in mind that Mr Darcy Snr could leave his estate to whoever he wanted to. Just because FD is his son, does not mean that he automatically inherits – either at 15 or 21 or 30. He was fully within his rights to make his wife the guardian of the children and the estate. Or even leave the estate to his wife, with the proviso that it will go to his son on her death.

~~CC~~

Confidences

The following day, Mrs Benet needed a respite from Lydia's complaints about being kept at home.

Since Elizabeth was still busy showing Mr Collins about the estate, Mrs Bennet requested Jane's and Mary's company as she visited Mrs Phillips. The girls were only too happy to do so to escape Longbourn.

Mrs Phillips was surprised at the absence of the two youngest girls.

Mrs Bennet sighed. 'I am afraid that Mr Bennet's cousin stipulated that Lydia and Kitty have to learn decorum and propriety if we want to be able to live at Longbourn after Mr Bennet's passing.'

'Does that mean that you have put them back in the schoolroom?' asked her sister in astonishment.

'I have had to. At least while Mr Collins is visiting. Fortunately, he will be here for only another ten days. But once he is gone, the girls will be able to come out again. I do so hope that one of the officers will offer for them.'

'Mama, I do believe that bigamy is illegal in our country,' claimed Mary with an offended expression, before quickly lowering her eyes to hide her amusement.

'Bigamy? What are you talking about?'

Jane had understood the point Mary was making and explained, 'Mama, you said you wanted one officer for both Lydia and Kitty. I believe that they would prefer to have one husband each.'

Now it was Mrs Bennet's turn to look offended. 'You are getting to be as bad as Lizzy. You all know that I meant that they girls would want one officer each.'

'But have you forgotten what Mr Collins said? The girls do not have to find husbands immediately. They have time to learn comportment and at least some accomplishments. And as long as they learn how to behave like ladies, we can all continue to stay at Longbourn.'

'Did Mr Collins truly say that you could remain in your home?' enthused Mrs Phillips.

'He did indeed. But I am not certain that I wish to stay when that man becomes master of Longbourn. Would you believe he had the nerve to claim that Lydia behaved like a harlot?'

'How refreshing. A man who speaks the truth.'

'WHAT?'

'Why do you think that most families do not wish their daughters to be friends with Lydia?'

'Because they are jealous of her beauty and her lively ways.'

Mrs Phillips sighed. 'No, it is because your youngest have not the slightest sense of decorum and propriety. They still behave like wild children.'

Mrs Bennet's eyes widened at this speech, and she stared at her sister with a slack jaw for a full minute before she recovered enough to ask, 'why did you never say this before?'

'I did, but you would not listen.' Mrs Phillips sighed. 'You know that I am known as one of the biggest gossips in town, therefore people tell me things. One of those things is that people hope that Lydia will not ruin her sisters with her ill-informed and selfish ways.'

'Oh…' breathed a crestfallen Mrs Bennet. 'I thought that Mr Collins was being obnoxious and officious for suggesting that Lydia should return to the schoolroom…'

'He seems like a very sensible young man. I would like to meet this paragon.'

'Lizzy has appointed herself his minder. I wish he did not have a young lady whom he is courting because then I could encourage him to take that hoyden off my hands.'

'Mama, Lizzy is not the hoyden in the family,' Jane reminded her mother.

The lady waved her handkerchief dismissively as Mrs Phillips suggested, 'perhaps you could bring him to dinner tomorrow night?'

'We are engaged to dine at Lucas Lodge tomorrow night. The party from Netherfield will be there as well and Jane cannot miss the opportunity to engage to Mr Bingley in conversation.'

'Since Lizzy mentioned that she dislikes Mr Darcy, perhaps she and Mr Collins could have dinner here while you attend the dinner with Lady Lucas,' suggested Mrs Phillips.

'That is an excellent suggestion. This way Lizzy cannot scare away Mr Bingley or offend Lady Anne with her impertinent ways.'

Satisfied with this solution, Mrs Bennet asked for the latest news about her neighbours.

~~RF~~

Mr Collins gratefully accepted the invitation from Mrs Phillips, especially since it included Elizabeth. On their way into Meryton in the Bennet carriage, he was wool-gathering.

Since his arrival at Longbourn they had spent virtually every waking moment together and he realised that he was falling in love with the enchanting young woman. Since their first private conversation, both being aware that they had limited time available before he needed to return to Hunsford, they decided to ignore propriety which would limit their topics of conversation to banalities.

Instead, they had talked freely, and he had discovered that Elizabeth was probably most suited to him in disposition and talents. Her understanding and temper, though unlike his own, answered all his wishes. It was a union that would be to the advantage of both; by her ease and liveliness, his innate shyness might be overcome, and his manners improved; and she could benefit greatly from his judgement, information, and knowledge of the world.

While at first introduction he had immediately noticed that she was an attractive young woman, her personality eclipsed the pretty face as well as her light and pleasing figure. He appreciated that with her he could discuss any subject, and when he became too serious, she would gently tease him.

She was kindness itself to anyone in difficulties.

Although she was not perfect since he had noticed that on occasion, she displayed a barely controlled temper. She also was prone to snap judgements and would carry a grudge if she or a loved one was insulted or injured.

Collins admitted to himself that her imperfections were part of her charm and made her perfect in his eyes.

He wondered if it was too soon for him to speak what was in his heart, or whether he should give her more time. He did not wish to make her feel as if he was rushing her into making a decision.

He was shaken out of his introspection by their arrival at the Phillips residence.

As they approached the door, Elizabeth whispered teasingly, 'there is no need to be worried, they are all that is kind.'

Before he had a chance to respond, the door opened, and they were greeted warmly by Mrs Phillips, who barely waited to be introduced.

'Come in, it is so good to meet you. The family have been singing your praises.'

'It is exceedingly kind of you to say so… although I suspect that you are exaggerating,' Collins could not help but respond

'Perhaps just a little, but Jane and Mary are most grateful for your intervention with their youngest sisters.'

Collins coloured a little as he disclaimed, 'I was but following Mr Bennet's request.'

'My brother asked you to intercede about Lydia? Well, I never thought I would see the day. But then it is typical of him to get someone else to do his job,' huffed Mr Phillips while giving the young man a searching look.

'Pardon me for saying so, but you do not look like anyone in our family. That is a compliment, by the way.'

When Collins appeared puzzled by the bald statement, Mr Phillips clarified. 'Based on what I remember of your father, I expected someone much more heavyset and… I suppose greasy would be a good description.'

'Papa also commented that William is much more intelligent than his father, and while I cannot comment on Mr Collins Senior, I can vouch for the fact that Papa is correct in his estimation. Admittedly, his opinion might be coloured by the fact that William studied at Oxford, which, according to Papa, is of course superior to Cambridge.'

Everyone laughed at Lizzy's comment.

Mr Phillips was pleased to agree since he too had gone to Oxford, and he enjoyed comparing notes with Collins on their days at the school.

The conversation continued pleasantly, and in short order they sat down to dinner. At that point Mrs Phillips decided to change the subject.

'My sister tells me that you are courting a young lady. Would you tell us about her? What is she like?'

Caught off-guard by the unexpected question, Collins glanced briefly at Elizabeth, who was trying to hide a smirk behind her napkin.

Determined to pay her back for some of her teasing, but also thinking that this was a good opportunity to let Elizabeth know how he felt, Collins addressed Mrs Phillips, 'please forgive me if I sound excessively fulsome, but I believe the young lady to be the most wonderful person I have ever met. She is marvellously intelligent and educated; she is kindness itself to all about her, even when she teases me. I could converse with her for hours and whish for more.'

Mrs Phillips was impressed and a little sorry for her sister, thinking that her nieces could not compete with this exceptional woman. 'You have spoken of her mind and her character, but what about her looks?' she asked.

Collins smiled dreamily as he answered, 'her eyes sparkle with humour and compassion and are framed by the most beautiful face I have ever beheld.'

'Surely not more beautiful than Jane?' gasped Mrs Phillips.

'Perhaps I am biased, but in comparison to my lady, your oldest niece is a plain Jane,' replied Collins and out of the corner of his eye noticed Elizabeth blushing furiously.

Fortunately for Lizzy, Mrs Phillips was too focused on Collins to notice. No one noticed the quiet smirk which the observant Mr Phillips sported.

~~RF~~

The rest of the evening proceeded pleasantly but eventually Elizabeth and Collins declared that they needed to return to Longbourn.

Since Mrs Bennet had insisted that the carriage had to be available for her to return at her convenience, Lizzy and William had agreed to walk. 'It is but a mile and there is enough light from the moon to see well enough. We will be home in a quarter of an hour,' Elizabeth said unfazed.

Collins offered Lizzy his arm and they set off. They were about halfway to Longbourn when Elizabeth at last had a chance to reprimand Collins for his earlier comments. 'It was most ungentlemanlike to tease my aunt the way you did earlier.'

'Forgive me, but I do not recall teasing your aunt.'

'Surely you remember when she asked about your lady, and you responded in such a fulsome manner.'

'I told her nought but the truth.'

That simple statement stopped Elizabeth in her tracks. Collins perforce stopped also. There was just enough light for him to see her stunned expression.

'You meant what you said?'

'Every word of it,' he confirmed.

'Oh.' Elizabeth raised her free hand to her cheek which was burning hot despite the cool of the night.

When she had not said anything else for two full minutes while staring up at his face, Collins was getting rather worried... not only about Elizabeth's silence, but also about his own response to the sight of her parted lips which had not changed from her exclamation. He fought down an urgent desire to kiss those tempting lips and instead asked, 'are you well? You look…'

His words brought Lizzy back to herself. She closed her mouth and lowered her eyes which had been feasting on the handsome face above her. His lips had been especially fascinating and had held her spellbound. If it had been possible to blush more, she would have as she realised that she had wanted William to kiss her.

She shook her head to dispel that feeling which was both uncomfortable and exhilarating. 'I am well,' she responded. 'I simply had not expected you to say what you did, and it caught me by surprise. I had thought you were being so effusive to my aunt to ensure that she would pass that on to my mother so that she would not suspect that you had some slight interest in me.' She was babbling and she knew it, but she could not stop herself. 'I am truly quite well, but I think we had better keep walking.' Elizabeth made as if to suit action to her words, but Collins did not move.

'Elizabeth,' he said gently and waited until eventually she looked up at him. 'I apologise if I have made you feel uncomfortable,' he said with a contrite smile, which did nothing to settle Elizabeth's churning emotions.

'You have said nothing wrong; I simply was not ready to hear it… yet.'

Collins was relieved to hear the yet. It sounded as if she too was developing feelings for him as he had for her, but it seemed that she needed more time. 'Perhaps we could revisit this subject a week from now?' he suggested carefully.

Elizabeth took a deep breath to steady herself as she replied, 'a week sounds perfect.' She was not going to admit that at present she was simply afraid of her reaction to his presence. All her life she had been warned that women should not being wanton, but right now all she wanted was to lose herself in his embrace.

A week should allow her to get herself back under control. But a small part of her was still disappointed when he said, 'very well, my lady, a week it is.'

Fortunately for the peace of mind of them both, they arrived back at the safety of Longbourn only five minutes later.

~~RF~~

~~CC~~