A/N - Once again, I want to thank everyone for reading and sending me comments, they're all very helpful and wil help make this a better story when I come to review/rewrite it.

Just so you know, I'm writing ahead and currently on chapter 28 - where Collins loses something important to him - all a part of his punishment (no, sadly it's not a Bobbitt). Chapter release may slow down a bit after then.

20th November

'What idle dream, what lighter thought. What vanity full dearly bought,' (The Lady of the Lake, by Sir Walter Scott)

Mr Darcy paused in his reading, 'I think your father has arrived.'

'Oh, yes.' Elizabeth, who had laid her head back and closed her eyes to more easily concentrate on the words, opened her eyes and straightened up, 'At last. I must thank you for a most distracting reading. The time has flown by. 'tis poetry I had been hoping to read for some time now and you read very well.'

'You are most welcome.'

The study door opened and an agitated Mr Bennet entered, his eyes fixed anxiously on his daughters, followed by Mr Bingley.

Jane stirred and awoke. 'Papa?'

'Jane, Lizzy. This is a bad business.'

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, and then said, 'Papa, why did Mr Collins come here? What was he thinking to descent upon Netherfield without a proper invitation? I cannot work it out.'

'I did write to defer his visit, but he chose to ignore my wishes. It seems he plans on making a habit of it, because he also ignored me when I told him not to come here.' Mr Bennet sighed, and continued, 'When he arrived he was hoping to meet the entire family. When I told him that my wife was unwell and where my other daughters were, he was rather offended, I think, that you weren't all at home waiting for him.'

'He expected us to all be there, waiting for his unwanted appearance?'

'I believe so. I told him why you were there and he informed me that he would visit, as he wanted to meet you all as soon as possible. I told him not to go and why, and I thought he had accepted that. Now I know better.'

Jane stirred and asked, 'What happened?'

'I wondered where he had disappeared to, part way through the day. He told Mary he was walking to the village and when he didn't appear for dinner we were rather relieved to be spared his rather tedious company. Still, I sent one of the grooms to look for him, without success, and I was about to start a search party, thinking he had become lost, when a footman from Netherfield arrived with a note saying he was there.'

Jane again spoke. 'But why was he so insistent on meeting us, that it could not wait a few days?'

Mr Bennet shot a look at Mr Darcy before answering, 'Judging by some of the hints he was dropping, his patroness was insistent he soon marry. I think he came here looking for a wife, and it seems he was hoping to have a wider choice than just Mary.'

Elizabeth shuddered at the thought. 'When he arrived, he took one look at Jane and would not leave her side without my interference.'

Mr Bennet nodded, his face unusually grim. 'Now, tell me what happened this night.'

Jane nodded to her sister bidding Elizabeth to speak.

Elizabeth's eyes moved to look at the bundle of linens then back to her father. ''tis not a pleasant tale, Papa.'

Mr Darcy offered Mr Bennet a seat and brought a glass of brandy for him before encouraging Elizabeth to continue.

She told the story, a tear trickling down her cheek as she related not immediately going to her sister's room after waking. 'God forgive us, we waited in the passage! If I'd known…' She shook her head and impatiently wiped her cheek. 'When the crying began, I thought she was just suffering another nightmare, but when I entered-' she blushed deeply then continued, her colour remaining high. 'there was a strange shape in the bed and it was moving. Up and down and a man's voice making sounds of… of pain.' She broke eye contact and blushed a deeper red before continuing the story. 'I suppose it was not pain, after all. Not for him, anyway. When he sat up I saw who it was and he said he was celebrating with his betrothed! Papa, we all know there is no way Lydia would choose to marry a clergyman.'

Mr Bennet looked grey, and his fists tightened on his glass. 'Indeed not. She has not even met the man before this night and not even my youngest daughter, silly as she is, would ally herself with Mr Collins, had she done so.'

'Oh, Papa.' Elizabeth swallowed. 'Mr Collins and Lydia. We were too late.' She pointed to the bundle by the door, 'Those linens tell the story - he is… I think he has defiled her.'

'Worse still,' added Jane, in a whisper. 'He thought it was my room. 'tis all my fault.'

'It is not your fault. You cannot say that,' said Elizabeth, firmly. 'You did not invite him into your room, nor did you invite his attention when he first arrived at Netherfield. He crept into the room and attacked our sister of his own volition.'

'Quite right.' Standing and moving over to Jane, Mr Bennet gently stroked her hair before dropping a kiss on the top of her head. 'Jane, my dear, you are not to blame. Nor you Lizzy, so do not think it. I know what you are like, child, and you would take all the blame to yourself should I let you. The blame, if there is any to be claimed beyond that of Mr Collins himself, is mine. I knew what his father was like and it seems he is more like his father than I realised.'

Mr Darcy, who had been looking thoughtful, finally spoke. 'I wonder why he thought Miss Lydia's room was the one Miss Bennet was sleeping in.'

'I was wondering that myself earlier,' said Elizabeth, 'and I came to the conclusion he must have been watching us when we retired for the night. Jane was vaccinated this morning, no, yesterday morning now, and wished to say goodnight to Lydia. We both went into her room, although I told Jane to keep away and not get close to Lydia for now. I went into my room to collect my jug of water, as Lydia's jug was empty. I assume he stopped watching at this point, and did not see us both leave and go to our own rooms after giving Lydia some laudanum and waiting for it to take effect. She has been having trouble sleeping.'

Mr Darcy nodded, 'I see.'

Mr Bennet looked about the room, but not seeing the one he was searching for said, 'Loath as I am to see him at this time, where is Mr Collins? I suppose I must speak with him.'

Mr Darcy stepped forward. 'My cousin took him elsewhere. His presence in this room was upsetting your daughters.'

Mr Bennet sighed heavily. 'Well then, you'd better take me to him.'

Darcy hesitated before they reached the parlour door. 'Before we go in, might I speak with you, sir?'

Mr Bennet hesitated, rubbed his face with a tired hand, then nodded. 'A delay would be welcome. I find myself unable to comprehend the events of this night. To now confront my own relative, a clergyman no less, and capable of such a vile act… I cannot deny, I find myself rather at a loss.'

Darcy looked at Mr Bingley, who nodded. 'Let us go into the library, we can be private there.'

The three men settled into armchairs, fresh glasses of brandy in hand. They sipped their drinks and stared into the fire, contemplating the events.

Eventually, Mr Darcy laid out his thoughts, 'The main fact is that Miss Lydia could bear fruit from this attack. Only time will provide the answer and it is possible that by the time of her recovery, we will know one way or the other. I must admit, the thought of binding her to a man who would treat her in such a way, when she is gravely ill and under the influence of laudanum, does not sit well with me.'

'Yes, I agree,' said Mr Bennet, thoughtfully. 'I must ask Lizzy if she knows when Lydia last had her - pardon my frankness, gentlemen - courses. Once cannot live amongst so many women without hearing more than one would want.'

'No, indeed,' muttered Mr Bingley, pink-cheeked.

'Another consequence of his actions could be rather serious for Mr Collins, as it is likely he has infected himself with the smallpox. He refused the vaccination, after all.'

'Well, well. I would call that divine retribution.' Mr Bennet nodded, somewhat approvingly. He was silent for a moment, a thoughtful look on his face. 'I think I can see where you are leading me, Mr Darcy. You think we should wait.' He glanced over and Mr Darcy nodded to confirm his suspicions. 'Few of us currently know of these events and I can assume you gentlemen do not want the events that occurred under your roof to be broadcast. Lydia is to be isolated for at least the next fortnight and Mr Collins will need to be quarantined for at least the same. My girls will certainly not wish to tell anyone. The servants are mostly abed, can we count on the loyalty of those who are abroad?'

'I will make sure of it,' said Mr Bingley. 'and Mr Collins will be locked away under guard.'

'I will ensure Mrs Bennet has no knowledge of it,' said Mr Bennet dryly, 'else she, unwell as she is, would find a way to inform her sister and the entire country would know by the morning.'

Mr Darcy agreed. 'We plan to post a guard outside of Mr Collins' room and ensure he has limited contact with only the most loyal of staff. If it becomes inevitable—should a consequence of the liaison prove likely or gossip start to spread—I can apply to my Godfather for a special license and they can be wed here.'

'Good, good. although I would prefer to find another answer to that problem. At least this should give me some time to ponder the problem.'

'Another answer?' said Mr Bingley.

'I think,' said Mr Darcy, 'Mr Bennet would prefer his daughter not be bound to her violator. It may be possible to find another man to marry her, perhaps?'

'Just so. I would prefer Mr Collins be strung up, in actuality. Finding my Lydia a different husband would be preferable, but that would likely take more money than I can afford, and she would no doubt object unless he wore a red coat.' He sighed and his face drooped with fatigue. 'I will ponder the matter and consult with my brother in London. Brother Gardiner is an astute and sensible man and may know of a colleague in need of a gently-bred, if silly, young wife.'

The confrontation was not easy on the tempers of any of those present, not least Mr Bennet, as Mr Collins attempted to place the blame for his actions on Lydia.

Mr Collins had been sitting for quite some time in the smallest and most uncomfortable chair Colonel Fitzwilliam could find, in the coldest part of the room, so he was chilled, tired and half-dozing when Mr Bennet and Mr Darcy entered the room. Mr Bingley was not with them, having gone to first speak to those few of the staff who were awake, and then to join the ladies, at the request of their father. Mr Bennet had asked Mr Bingley to persuade them to retire—although he knew his Lizzy would likely refuse, Jane would likely submit.

Mr Bennet, flanked by Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, looked down at Mr Collins for some time, waiting for a sign of recognition.

Eventually Mr Collins gave a start and peered up. 'Ah, Mr Bennet. I am glad to see you. There seems to have been a slight mishap.'

'A slight mishap, Mr Collins?' Mr Bennet looked grim. 'I told you not to come here yet you ignored my words, and now you are trying to tell me that you accidentally fell onto my youngest daughter while she was sleeping in her sickbed?'

Mr Collins looked confused and stammered, 'N-n-no. Not exactly.' His eyes scanned the room, then he leaned forward slightly and confided, 'I had actually hoped to speak with your charming eldest daughter. My esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, insisted I make this visit to fulfil her desire that I set a good example in my parish by marrying. She suggested I choose one of your charming daughters, saying that that any one of them would be delighted to accept the offer of my hand, being as I am to inherit Longbourn after your sad demise. After meeting only one of your five daughters, I realised it would be unfair on the others that they not be given equal chance of marital felicity, and so determined to come here to visit with them, and despite your warning I was most warmly welcomed. Of course, after meeting my cousin Jane, it was obvious that she should be my choice, as is her right as the eldest. I was unable to find time for private speech with her during the day, therefore, as the weather fortuitously trapped me here overnight, I decided-'

'You decided to force her hand?' Mr Bennet, bellowed in outrage.

'Ye- No!' Mr Collins appeared shocked at the suggestion. 'Indeed, I only wanted to speak with her privately to inform her of her good fortune and then decide on a date for our nuptials.'

'You planned to creep into her bedchamber in the middle of the night. For a private talk?'

'Y-Yes. There were too many interruptions during the day, cousin Elizabeth was most insistent I spend time with her. She would be my second choice of course, but as I had already decided on cousin Jane, I must let my dear cousin down. I can only marry once, after all.'

'Mr Collins!' Mr Bennet, paused to control his temper. The only obvious sign was a hint of colour in his face and the clenched fists at his sides. At lower volume he continued, 'As my Jane is already betrothed, the likelihood of your being anything but a nuisance to her is minuscule.'

Mr Collins leaned back, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. 'She… she is already betrothed? I am astonished that is so. Despite her looks, she has so small a portion as to make her near unmarriageable. Why was I not told? Had I known I would, of course, selected another of your daughters to receive my attentions. I am sure Lady Catherine de Bough would suggest my cousin Elizabeth be the appropriate choice, as she is next in age and is almost as attractive-'

Mr Darcy leaned in. 'I do not think so.'

Mr Bennet glanced thoughtfully at Mr Darcy, before saying, 'No indeed. Not my Lizzy! But we are straying from the point. None of your explanations explain why you were found in my youngest daughter's bed, having just violated her against her will.'

In an offended tone, Mr Collins said, 'I did no such thing.'

'You forced yourself on her. There is proof.'

'It was not forced, she seemed happy to accommodate me.'

'She'd been given laudanum to make her sleep! She was barely conscious!' bellowed Colonel Fitzwilliam, unable to restrain himself any longer.

Mr Collins drew back, shocked, and rather alarmed, by the anger emanating from the large man in uniform. 'Well, she seemed awake to me, and more to the point, enjoyed the experience, I am sure. I am not inexperienced in the art of lovemaking and-'

'Which is, of course, why she was hysterical during and after your attack and needed another dose of laudanum to calm her. You are a liar, Mr Collins,' interrupted Mr Darcy.

Mr Collins looked offended. 'If she regrets the act after, then I cannot be to blame, considering she accepted my touch and responded like, well, like a courtesan to my advances.'

Mr Bennet expanded, his face turning red. 'How dare you!' He ground his teeth together, then suddenly a grim smile appeared on his face. 'Well, I have news for you, cousin. You may remember I told you not to come here and why. Quarantines are not set up for no good reason. There is illness here and the reason we assert – an assertion you choose not to believe for some reason - that my daughter, Lydia, was not in fact conscious during your assault is because she was dosed with Laudanum. The young lady you were recently extremely intimate with, that you assaulted, has the smallpox. In fact, if I remember correctly, she is currently at the most contagious stage too.'

Mr Darcy and the Colonel nodded agreement as Mr Collins looked from one to the other. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead and panic spread across his features. 'I… But what can I… I demand to see the Doctor,' he said.

'Not until we have finished discussing your abhorrent actions this night,' said Mr Bennet, implacably.