Chapter Eight
In the morning, Eden sat refreshed beside her exhausted family. They have arrived in the early morning, none of them with much sleep. Mrs. Bennet was hungover, moaning loudly about it.
Their mostly quiet breakfast was disturbed when Mr. Collins walked into the room in a state of agitation. They looked at him and he sat down hesitantly. He looked to Mrs. Bennet.
"Mrs. Bennet—I was hoping, if it would not trouble you, that I might solicit a private audience with Miss Eden in the course of the morning."
Eden's eyes dropped to the tablecloth, a jolt of shock running through her body. Lizzie's foot hit hers under the table. They made eye contact, Lizzie looking extremely apologetic.
"Oh! Yes, certainly," Mrs. Bennet said. "Eden would be very happy indeed. Everyone! Out! Mr. Collins would like a private audience with your sister."
She couldn't stop them if she wanted and lifted a hand to her throat as she felt something choke her up.
"Dear Miss Eden, I am sure my attentions upon you have not been unnoticed."
Actually, they had been. If Eden was remembering correctly, which she was, they had not spoken to each other once before their dance the night before.
"Almost as soon as I entered the house, I singled you out as the companion of my future life."
If she had not been raised a proper woman, Eden would have laughed aloud. She had not even been present when he entered the house. She had been ill until the day before the ball and even then, she had closed herself off for extra protection.
"But, before I am run away with my feelings, perhaps I may state my reasons for marrying?"
When she did not stop him, he continued.
"Firstly, that it is the duty of a clergyman to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add greatly to my happiness, and thirdly, that it is at the urging of my esteemed patroness Lady Catherine that I select a wife. My object in coming to Longbourn was to choose such a one from Mr. Bennet's daughters, for I am to inherit the estate and such an alliance will surely suit everyone."
The man dropped to his knees.
"And now, nothing remains for me but to assure you int eh most animated language of the violence of my affection."
"Mr. Collins—"
"And that no reproach of the subject of fortune will cross my lips once we are married."
"Sir, you are too hasty. I have made no answer." He was hardly bothered by her words.
"I must add that Lady Catherine will thoroughly approve, when I speak to her of your modesty, economy and other amiable qualities."
Standing from the table, Eden fixed a stern look on him.
"Sir, I am honored by your proposal, but regret I must decline it." She was everything but honored. He was taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovered.
"I know ladies don't seek to seem too eager."
"I am being perfectly serious; Mr. Collins and I will hear no more of the nature." He tried to smile.
"I must conclude that you simply seek to increase my love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females."
"Absolutely not. I am not the sort of female to torment a respectable man. I cannot not and will not accept you."
With that, she swept out of the room, leaving him on his knees watching her go. The nerve of that man. Just the night before he had been infatuated with Lizzie. It must have been Colonel Fitzwilliam that drove Mr. Collins onto Eden's path.
She could hear her mother start complaining and Eden went straight to Mr. Bennet. Mrs. Bennet followed after into the library.
"Oh, Mr. Bennet!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. "We are all in an uproar. You must make Eden marry Mr. Collins, for she vows she will not have him. Tell her that you insist upon them marrying."
"Papa, I will not," Eden said. "I have always said that if I marry, I'd marry for love, and I will not be thrust upon Mr. Collins."
"You will have this house!" Mrs. Bennet tried to guilt her. "You'll save your sisters from destitution. Think of your family!"
"I always think of them, for once I am thinking of myself. He showed no interest in me until he learned of Lizzie and the Colonel. I absolutely refuse to be someone's second choice!"
"Mr. Bennet, say something!" Mrs. Bennet cried.
Mr. Bennet looked to his daughter.
"So, your mother insists on you marrying Mr. Collins."
"Yes, or I shall never see her again!"
"Well, Eden. From this day on 'you must be a stranger to one of your parents… Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do." Eden let out a small happy laugh, throwing her arms around Mr. Bennet.
"Thank you, Papa!"
She hurried out of the library, a happy smile on her face before she saw Jane sitting on the stairs, face white. There was a letter gripped tightly in her hand.
"Whatever is wrong, Jane?" She dropped to the ground beside Jane, Lizzie on her other side. Jane started crying, burying her head in Lizzie's shoulders as she gave Eden the letter to read. Her eyes skimmed the paper, narrowing in at the end.
Mr. Darcy is impatient to see his sister and we are scarcely less eager to meet her again. I really do not think Georgiana Darcy has her equal for beauty, elegance, and accomplishments, so much so I must hope to hereafter call her my sister.
Best wishes,
-Caroline Bingley
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