Chapter 4 The Proposal
Scottish blessing:
If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.
Darcy entered the great hall to join his friends. Campbell leapt from his chair, eager to be on his way home and away from Lady MacBennet who seemed oblivious to his dislike. Charles followed, albeit reluctantly, loathed to leave Jane's side but they had overstayed the usual time for a visit, many times over.
Charles ordered their horses saddled and bade their hosts' goodbye.
Campbell was particularly eager to be off, mounted his horse in a flourish and kicked his mount into gallop while Darcy and Charles followed in a much more sedate pace.
The folks on Eilean Bennet had finally awoken and were milling about to do their chores, belatedly and in much hurry. Campbell was not in a mood to slow down for anyone and jumped the fence of the empty pigpen to avoid some maids that was headed up from the lake with baskets full of clean clothes. His horse's front hoof landed in a pile of manure, it slipped on the slick substance and did not make the jump out of the pen. The horse and rider slammed into the fence, sending Campbell flying over the horse's neck and glide headfirst into a barrel. The maids screamed, Charles and Darcy jumped off their horses and ran to the MacBingley brother that lay unconscious on the ground.
The commotion alerted the rest of the inhabitants of Eilean Bennet and all milled to the scene of the accident.
Charles was wrought with worry and could not think straight, leaving it to Darcy to take charge of the situation. He tried to awaken Campbell and examine him for any obvious breaks. He did not find any but it became apparent that he would not awaken anytime soon.
Elizabeth and Camkirk were the first from the Eilean Bennet keep to reach the injured man. The maids stood helpless at a distance, watching without the wherewithal to aid.
Elizabeth put her cheek to his mouth. 'Good, he is breathing.' She put two fingers to his throat and felt a pulse as well. His heart was beating at a frantic pace.
"We should get him inside to check for further injuries. Moira, get mama's smelling salts. We will put him in the infirmary on the ground floor so we do not have to jostle him about so much.
Camkirk!"
The man obviously understood what she meant without her having to say it. He reached under Campbell's arms and lifted his torso. Darcy grabbed his legs while Charles stood tearing at his hair. They proceeded slowly to the Castle, guided by Elizabeth who ordered the maids to fetch water and clean cloth. They awoke from their stupor and scurried away to do her bidding.
The infirmary was bare from all but basic necessities. The bed was simple but serviceable and had a nightstand on either side, a few chairs lined the wall but there was nothing else.
Moira came with Lady MacBennet's smelling salt and handed it to Elizabeth. She applied it under his nose and to everyone's relief, he came to but immediately wrenched himself to the side and relieved himself of the content in his stomach. Luckily for Elizabeth, he had not moved in her direction. He fell back onto the pillow and moaned.
Charles hastened to his side and called his name but Campbell muttered something intelligible.
"He needs rest," Camkirk's voice rose above the din. "And darkness, these head injuries tend to lead to sensitivity to light. Pull all the curtains but one, Moira. I need a little light when I examine him more closely. Everybody out except you, Mr Darcy. I need someone to 'elp me undress him, are you up fer it?"
Darcy nodded. Elizabeth took Charles' arm and pulled him out of the room since he was not being helpful in any way.
"Mr MacBingley, may I offer you a cup of tea while the men see to your brother? I suspect that Campbell cannot be moved for a while. If you want to stay with your brother, I will arrange for a room to be readied for you."
"Yes, thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I cannot bear the thought of leaving him. You are very kind."
"Nonsense, it is what neighbours do. I will find some writing supply as well. You probably want to alert your family as soon as can be. I will have a rider at your disposal when you have finished the note."
Fiona MacBennet chose that moment to assault Elizabeth with questions. Jane clandestinely pulled Charles aside and out of their mother's path. Elizabeth gestured for a room and writing supplies and Jane made sure he had each before she left him to aid Lizzy calming their mother.
The entire castle was in an uproar when Camkirk and Darcy emerged from the infirmary.
"How is Campbell doing?" Jane inquired anxiously.
"He is as well as can be expected. He has a concussion, he is nauseous and he has a severe headache. In addition, he is somewhat confused but that is not uncommon when you have taken a severe blow to the head. He will need rest and peace for a few days until the headache has cleared. It would be unwise to move him before that."
"Certainly not, he is welcome to stay for his entire recovery. You must not concern yourself with accommodations." Fiona MacBennet was nothing if not a good hostess, especially when there were handsome bachelors to be had.
"Yes, thank you Lady MacBennet. Your daughters have given me a room and writing supplies. I am grateful for your hospitality."
Fiona preened at the praise, both of her daughters and herself. Charles would be engaged to Jane before their visit was over, she would see to it.
Darcy cleared his throat. He would love to stay near Elizabeth but he had no excuse to do so. Campbell was not his brother. With Charles at Eilean Bennet, he might as well go home...
"I will bid you farewell and a speedy recovery to your brother Charles."
"What? You cannot desert me now?" Charles announced pleadingly. "Please say you will stay, Darcy. You always know what to do. You just experienced it for yourself, I am useless during an emergency. You do not mind an extra guest, Lady MacBennet?"
Jane locked her doe-eyes on MacBingley, thinking he was so cute and not afraid to express his flaws.
Elizabeth was less impressed. He should make an effort himself, not rely on others to sort out his problems. In that way, he would never learn anything.
Not surprising, Fiona agreed wholeheartedly to Charles' scheme. Darcy might think that Elizabeth was unworthy of his notice but Fiona MacBennet had several other daughters who were. Elizabeth was taken, Mr Collins was anxious to embark on the long journey back to his patroness. The proposal was most likely to come sooner rather than later.
If not, she would push the event forward herself.
Darcy was hauled up the stairs between Lady MacBennet and her maid. Camkirk winked at him, he did not understand why but guessed it was of little import. He was dragged to the room opposite of MacBingley the elder and a note was quickly dispatched for a change of clothes and other necessities to be brought.
It dawned on him then that the Laird and his protégé, Mr Collins, had been conveniently absent during the ordeal and none of the participants had asked for either of them. Not so strange in the circumstances of Mr Collins but odd for the laird himself.
Supper became a trial for Mr Darcy. The entire MacBingley clan had descended upon the MacBennet keep and the ambience was far from convivial.
The air was thick with animosity while the accident was explained many times over.
Elizabeth seemed to be particularly on the edge, puzzling since it had been Lady MacBennet who had slapped Lady MacBingley, initially.
It made sense that she evaded himself but why she also took pains to avoid Lady MacBingley was a mystery.
He knew there had been an altercation between Elizabeth and Campbell but they had been children at the time. Campbell looked like he had come out the victorious one after a few unkind remarks about her appearance. It was her bane in life, to be disparaged for her looks. Being mocked for the colour of her hair was a repetitive occurrence, in addition, Campbell had told her to wash the dirt off her countenance. Rather difficult to achieve when the dirt was her freckles. The tale said that Elizabeth had scrubbed her face for days without success, Darcy hoped they were exaggerating.
Why Campbell had been so mean in the first place, had never been more than alluded to but it was clear that Elizabeth had done something...
Lady MacBennet and Lady MacBingley appeared to have resolved their differences, chatting happily after the supper had finished. The men were offered a respite from the cackling in the laird's library, drinking and smoking. Darcy was not too keen on either. Most of all, he wanted to retire, preferably not alone. The thought was a novelty for Mr Darcy. At five and twenty he was not particularly eager to be caught in the parson's mousetrap. He was of age and had the means, it was the will that had been lacking. Up until now, that was. How could that woman have gotten under his skin, into his mind and penetrated his guarded heart in such a short time? He had known her for two days, for crying out loud! Perhaps he should leave... Conjecture up some excuse about Georgiana and head back to England and the safety of Pemberley before it was too late?
While his thoughts were churning he knew he was just puffing his chest, he would never follow through. He was in it too deep to resist the pull she had on him.
Yesterday, he had been floored by her beauty.
Today, he had seen some of her mettle. It left him yearning to know more, to see more, to experience every aspect of Elizabeth MacBennet of Eilean Bennet Castle.
As soon as the guests left, Darcy retired. Checking in on Campbell before he ascended the stairs to his room. Campbell was sleeping peacefully.
Had Elizabeth been a little less preoccupied with her own thoughts, she might have saved herself a lot of trouble but she was far from attentive.
One man, in particular, was occupying her mind, day and night, as she ascended the stairs to break her fast.
It was early yet, her mother and most of her sisters were still asleep. Only Jane was present at the table and she was occupied by a surprisingly early riser, Charles MacBingley. Elizabeth had pictured him as a late sleeper but here he was looking fresh and rested, as was Jane. Elizabeth felt like a washed-out cloth, sleep had evaded her for the second night in a row. Her dreams were invaded by a screeching Lady MacBingley, standing over her demanding an apology that Elizabeth had blatantly refused to give. For ten years she had kept that promise, never wavering in her resolve which is why she avoided Lady MacBingley. She knew it would be the first thing she would mention if she got Elizabeth within earshot. Then there was Mr tall, dark, handsome, annoying and frustrating. Always hovering in the background, in her mind and in reality.
He sat a few seats away, picking at his food absentmindedly.
Mary, Lydia and Kitty joined her at the table as she was chewing her last piece of bread. Worse yet her mother was ascending, time to make herself scarce. Too late, her mother called her to her side. Wanting a word with her in private, ominous in itself.
Lady MacBennet sailed into a smaller parlour and gestured for Elizabeth to enter, Elizabeth obeyed only to come face to face with their dreaded guest, Mr Collins.
"Mr Collins asked for a private audience with you, Lizzy."
The door closed behind her, she turned to ask her mother what she was about but she was not there. She slowly returned her eyes to the odious man in front of her.
He held a single thistle in his hand which he offered her with the words:
"I have decided that you are my future wife."
Elizabeth was sure her heart would stop beating in share fright but when he elaborated on his ridiculous reasons to enter this doomed marriage, her heart reclaimed its previous pace. Calm before the storm as he droned on about his patroness' wishes and promised not to hold her Scottish ancestry against her like he had not been Scottish born and bred himself. He had settled for her in lieu of Jane since he had no interest in moving to the Scottish Highland, for Jane or any other female.
Elizabeth declined politely when the maelstrom of obscure reasons to marry, paused for a breath of fresh air.
The nitwit did not take no for an answer and made up some ridiculous notion of elegant females wanting to increase the suspense of their suitor by declining their first offer.
He had the guts to step closer to her and reach for her hand.
Elizabeth locked both her hands on her back while the buffoon loomed a foot over her. His breath was foul and she took a step back from him and bumped into the wall.
"I assure you, I am not the kind of female who would torment a respectable man for sport. When I say no, I mean it under no uncertain terms. Good day, Mr Collins."
She turned the handle and opened the door that was not closed but had been left slightly ajar.
Her mother and two younger sisters stumbled into the room.
"Foolish, headstrong girl. You will marry Mr Collins."
Elizabeth took a calming breath before she replied: "I will not."
Her mother clutched her breast in a theatrical performance of wounded sensitivities.
"You most certainly will! Wait until your father hears of this..."
"He cannot make me!"
Elizabeth became aware of their audience a little too late to prohibit them from making a spectacle of themselves.
Not only were their house guests present but the MacBingley clan had come for an early visit to their recovering son.
"If you do not marry Mr Collins, I will never speak to you again."
"Fine, I am not that fond of talking. A little quietness would set me up nicely."
"How dare you speak to your mother like this?"
The slap resonated across the great hall, in front of their guests, including Mr Darcy. She was a grown woman, not a toddler to correct.
Elizabeth's thinly worn patience snapped. She clenched and unclenched her fists whilst she fought for calmness but it deserted her entirely when her father entered the scene.
"What is all this ruckus about, so early in the morning, in front of our guests, no less? Elizabeth, I expect better of you."
"I will never marry him! I will never marry any man for that matter. I will be spinster aunt to Jane's ten children, teach them to ride and play the pianoforte very ill indeed."
She turned on her heel and marched out of the keep, but she did not stop at the yard. Her determined strides continued over the bridge to the mainland whilst her braid whipped her back in indignation.
"Are you heading to England? May I offer to transport you, at least as far as the northern counties."
A deep baritone addressed her from behind.
She lengthened her strides but she was chanceless in outpacing him.
"No, thank you! You may turn your offer to Mr Collins, I would not mind if he was in England..."
"Consider it done. I am certain he would not refuse the nephew of his beloved patroness."
A tinkle of laughter escaped her despite her furious state.
"It is a lovely thought, Mr Darcy, but they are probably busy planning my wedding as we speak. I am sure they would convince you to postpone for a day, making the effort mute."
Darcy's heart pounded painfully in his chest. Would she welcome an offer from another man? I will never marry any man... The words resonated in his mind. Could she be serious or were the words spoken in anger?
"You do not believe that your father will support your decision?"
"I think we both know, Mr Darcy, that I have little choice in the matter, my vehement objections notwithstanding. This juvenile protest of mine is likely to be my last mischief."
'Not if I can help it!' Mr Darcy thought.
"I will leave you to your adventure, Miss Elizabeth. Goodbye!"
Mr Darcy bowed deeply and headed back to the keep.
If it was anything he could do for his Highland siren, it would be done.
He had imagined himself to have time to woo her and hopefully change her opinion of him but none of that mattered if she was Mrs Collins...
When Elizabeth returned, late in the evening, Eilean Bennet Castle was suspiciously quiet.
The MacBingley clan had returned home, save for Charles who was keeping his injured brother company. Campbell was doing well but the remaining headache made it unwise to travel. Charles did not mind and continued his attentions towards Jane. Jane was the only MacBennet Campbell could stomach, she was therefor allowed into the infirmary as long as she was well chaperoned. Campbell took no chances with a MacBennet, regardless of her obvious affection for his brother. Lady MacBennet was widely known for her ardour towards marrying off her daughters.
Mr Collins had left and with him Mr Darcy. He had received an express, urging him to his noble aunt, at Rosings Park in Kent, to attend an emergency. Elizabeth hoped it was nothing dire since the journey alone would take more than a week, about the same time the message had taken to deliver. Her suspicions were confirmed when she discovered that no rider with any kind of message had arrived at Eilean Bennet Castle on this day. He must have done it for her but why? She had accepted his apology, twice. Perhaps he was three times is the charm kind of man.
His leave-taking had left a hollow in her heart. He had been her first brush with infatuation, regardless of the brevity of the sentiment. A brief sojourn with insanity, quickly quenched by the man himself...
It was more than that though, Elizabeth reluctantly admitted, at least, to herself.
A new emotion had enticed its way into her heart. An undefinable craving had settled in her chest.
*Retained fetal membrane, a common condition appearing 2-10% of all broodmares after 12-14 hours of foaling. (the horse)
*Whilst the highlanders added Mac before a Christian name, the lowlanders added son after the Christian name, to create their surname. I imagine Mr Collins was ashamed of his Scottish roots (he was not a wise man) and therefore changed his surname from Collinson to Collins to hide his ancestry...