Jane sighed as she observed Mr. Collins with Elizabeth. How quickly he became proprietary over Lizzy. It is but the matter of an hour since he allowed himself to be persuaded that Lizzy was his ideal wife. It was at this moment Elizabeth looked back at her sister, trailing behind the rest of the party. Of course, she would notice my preoccupation, Jane thought. She knew Elizabeth was concerned. Jane made no effort to walk with them or join their conversation. Every time Elizabeth slowed down Mr. Collins ushered her forward.
It was for the best. Jane needed this time. She needed to sort things out before confiding in Elizabeth. She also needed to control her anger, yet it only seemed to be growing with each step she took. Why was she, a woman of two and twenty, or Elizabeth, who was younger still, responsible for preserving their family's position? Should not her father feel this duty most keenly? Why should any but he secure the estate he neglected, support the wife he mocked, rescue the daughters he ignored? HOW DARE HE? How dare he leave this burden to his daughters?
That Elizabeth was being offered in sacrifice, when it should be her, grieved Jane exceedingly. It seemed quite unfair that Elizabeth was to be savior of their mother, the mother that didn't appreciate or understand her. And, despite what their mother believed, Elizabeth was made for more.
A life with Mr. Collins would break her. Others might not see it as such because Lizzy would always be fundamentally Lizzy. Her intellect and her wit would sustain her, but she would wield them like weapons. Jane did not want to see her dear sister became hard, sharp, and indifferent. Elizabeth was already too much like their father
Jane knew her anger was a distraction. She was doing nothing but stirring the same thoughts around in her mind. Jane forced herself to calm down. She must if she was to shield Elizabeth from her mother's maneuverings. Jane needed to think strategically.
'Our Jane is so sweet, our Jane is so even-tempered, our Jane is so beautiful.' Our Jane is never discussed in terms more substantial, for there are none who believe me to be so, Jane thought. Her uniform cheerfulness of manner belied her strength and cleverness. They were attributes assigned to Elizabeth, as if such things were in limited supply, only to be granted to one sister. Yet Lydia and Kitty are both allowed to be frivolous, Jane smiled. Jane knew she was more resilient than Elizabeth. Her yielding nature allowed her to adapt more easily, tolerate things others could not. That included Mr. Collins.
Jane was determined. She must go against her mother's wishes and marry Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins would have no objection. She did not believe her father would either. Why would he, when everything could be resolved with so little effort on his own part?
How was she to circumvent her mother, though?Mrs. Bennet had already persuaded Mr. Collins that Jane was very soon to be engaged. Jane knew her mother felt her eldest daughter's beauty would be the making of the Bennet family. And such beauty was not to be wasted on the likes of Mr. Collins even if he was heir to Longbourn.
Upon learning of Jane's decision, Mrs. Bennet and, by extension, Longbourn would be in uproar. If Mr. Bennet yielded to his wife then Jane's plans would be for naught. What would he feel most acutely? Losing Elizabeth, his favorite daughter, to Mr. Collins or listening to his wife bemoan the very thought of Jane marrying Mr. Collins in Elizabeth's place. Jane feared it was a fight that would not be decided in Elizabeth's favor. Mr. Bennet would, undoubtedly, surrender under the threat of listening to Mrs. Bennet's complaints for the rest of his years.
However, Jane was of age. She did not need her father's permission to marry. And surely, an eldest daughter marrying the heir to a family's estate would not be seen as scandalous, even if an elopement was required. Could she arrange matters more swiftly than her mother?
Before she could think on it further, Lydia gave an excited, and very unladylike, shout. "Denny!" She and Kitty trotted up to the officer and his companion, a young man, who they had never seen before, of most gentlemanlike appearance.
"Good afternoon, ladies. I trust you are well. Will you allow me to introduce you to my friend?" At their agreement, Mr. Denny introduced Mr. Wickham to the ladies from Longbourn, with Mr. Collins being made known to the gentlemen as well.
Jane noticed the interested gazes her sisters directed toward the young man. The expressions of Lydia and Kitty held no disguise. However, Elizabeth, though not as obvious as the youngest Bennets, seemed to share their appreciation. Elizabeth must be very intrigued, Jane thought. Usually, her expression was much more guarded.
As Jane focused on Elizabeth's attraction to Mr. Wickham, an idea sparked. When her mother was negotiating her daughters' future, she stated she did not know of any prepossession among her young girls. What if there was? Would that be enough to save Elizabeth? To save them both? While Elizabeth was unattached, she was vulnerable to Mrs. Bennet's efforts to marry her off to Mr. Collins. What if an alternative to Mr. Collins could be found? And could Mr. Wickham be that alterative?