Hey y'all! Sorry for the wait!
I have a question for y'all. Has anyone ever heard of the book Darcy's Story by Janet Aylmer? I found it in a second hand book store and it is really good. It is P&P told from Darcy's perspective, both before the original story starts and during.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pride and Prejudice
Mr. Bennet ground his teeth as his cousin Mr. Collins continued to drone on and on about something that he lost interest in twenty minutes ago. His cousin had written saying that he was coming to visit and that he wanted to extend an "olive branch" towards the family. The letter had become lost in the mail and didn't arrive until the day before Mr. Collins was supposed to arrive.
Mr. Bennet was hoping that the man's idea of an olive branch was different than what he feared it to be. Jane was not even out yet! He had seen the way that the man had eyed his elder daughters who were on the cusp of coming out. Jane was only fifteen and was not to be out for another few years. He had wanted to show the man that his fencing skills had not laxed though he may be getting a bit older.
At the moment that his temper was almost at it's breaking point, there was a knock at the door. The sound caused Mr. Collins to fall silent and Mr. Bennet praised Heaven above as he called for the person to enter. It was Miss Lowell who entered and once she realized that Mr. Collins was there greeted dipped into a small curtsey, "Mr. Bennet. Mr. Collins. I apologize, I did not realize that you were in conference in here. I simply came to ask Mr. Bennet if I could take the girls into Meryton to visit the book store. Mrs. Hill just returned and mentioned that she ran into Harrold who mentioned that Mr. Simmons had a new shipment including some books that you had ordered sir."
Mr. Bennet gave his consent and as Miss Lowell left the room, he noticed how Mr. Collins eyes followed her out. When he turned to face the Master of Longbourn again to begin speaking Mr. Bennet did not like the look in his eye one bit. Mr. Bennet felt a sense of protectiveness for Miss Lowell. His girls adored her and she had been vital in his girls' education. While he could teach them from books, Miss Lowell could teach them how to be able to in society and make friends wherever they go.
He needed to make plans to protect his daughters and the other young women in his household and possibly all of Meryton. He had met some men who that look in their eyes when he was in University and no females were safe. He cut Mr. Collins off and told him that he had some estate matters to attend to but that the Parson at the Longbourn church was always welcome for a visit and that he could have one of the young boys escort him there. Before the bumbling oaf could answer, Mr. Bennet rang the bell and Mr. Hill entered the room, "Hill have Tommy escort Mr. Collins to the Parson Andrews, then please come back with Mr. Winters so we can go over some business."
Mr. Hill nodded and exited his employer's bookroom and headed towards the kitchen where he knew the boy to be at this time. His mother was the cook and he spent his day helping his mother and others around the estate. He even got to play with the Bennet girls and take lessons with Miss Lowell. Mr. Bennet wanted everyone on his estate to have at the least the basic understanding of reading, writing, and sums. Entering the kitchen he spotted young Tommy where he knew he would be standing next to his mother and handing her stuff when she asked for it. He cleared his throat before speaking, "Tommy, Mr. Bennet needs you to take Mr. Collins over to Parson Andrews. Make sure the man is introduce to Parson Andrews, Mr. Bennet wishes for Mr. Collins to be out of the house for some time." Tommy nodded and left the kitchen to escort the man.
Mr. Hill then went out to the stables and grabbed Mr. Winters before returning to his employer's bookroom. Entering the room, the men found Mr. Bennet writing a letter at his desk with a look of deep concentration. He only looked up when he finished writing his letter. Neither man had ever seen him look so worried. Mr. Bennet took a breath before addressing the pair, "Gentlemen, we have an issue that needs addressing immediately. Mr. Collins has only been here for half a day and already I wish for him to be gone. I need you both to speak to the female staff members, I do not like the way that Mr. Collins has looked at the females in this house. I just finished writing two letters. One to my brother Gardiner in London asking if he and his new wife could take the girls and Miss Lowell for at least a few days while I wait to hear from the other friend I wrote to. I wrote to Mr. Darcy in Derbyshire. The girls and I were going to visit Pemberly and Darcy family in a months time anyway, so I am asking him if the girls can come a bit early and I will head up there after Mr. Collins leaves the area. I also need your help warning the residents of Meryton. All the young ladies of the area could be in danger. I have met men that had the same look in their eyes that Mr. Collins had when he looked at Miss Lowell. He may not stop when a young lady says no."
Both Mr. Hill and Mr. Winters nodded and silently made a silent promise that they would keep an eye for Mr. Collins and make sure that he never went anywhere near a young woman alone. The three men spoke for a few minutes more about what needed to be done and how they were going to do it. By the end of the meeting the men had a plan. When the trio split Mr. Winters went back to the stables and informed the stable hands that they needed to watch Mr. Collins and around the young ladies of the neighborhood. He also had one of the young men run into Meryton to post the two letters from Mr. Bennet.
Mr. Hill went to his wife and explained the situation and together the two of them told the rest of the staff and asked them to discreetly pass the word to the tenants. Mrs. Hill then went into Meryton and spoke with some shop keepers and shared what she knew about the man and what Mr. Bennet had observed. Her last stop was to the housekeeper at Lucas Lodge and passed on the message along with a short missive to Sir William from Mr. Bennet. It was to let the man know that the girls were leaving early and to give him the new date for when they would pick Charlotte up since she was going to Derbyshire with the Bennet girls. Mr. Bennet wanted to introduce her to Lady Matlock, Anne Darcy, and Lady Catherine. He wanted to help the girl find happiness. She practically became another daughter after his wife passed she was here so often.
Meanwhile in Meryton the Bennet girls and Miss Lowell met up with Charlotte and browsed the book shop. None of them knew that they would soon be on their way to London and then to Derbyshire a whole month earlier than planned. They also didn't know that a certain parson was having inappropriate thoughts about the three eldest Miss Bennets.
Hey y'all I hope you liked it. Don't forget to review and tell me what you think please!