Sorry how brief the last chapter was, as well as any mistakes in this one. Again, just point them out and I'll try to rectify them.
Elizabeth sat at the window, staring out as the rain poured, watching each droplet of water with an increased sense of worry that settled in the pit of her stomach. She scowled at her Mother's gloating words which resulted in her being reprimanded for scowling in general.
"Just as I suspected, Jane will have to stay the night. Mr. Bingley would never send her home in this weather. Lizzy you must not scowl so, it's not lady like. You should be glad for your sister. She gets to spend the night at Netherfield!" she boasted loudly, causing Elizabeth's scowl to deepen.
"Mama, do you not see the impropriety of the situation? Jane may stay at Netherfield, yes, but unprotected with two single men in the house. It could ruin her reputation and then she will never find a good husband. Not to mention that you sent her on horseback with little more to protect her than a shawl. What will you do if she falls ill?" At her words her Mother just scoffed, brushing aside the issues raised by her second daughter, whilst revealing her thought process of the situation.
"What impropriety? She is staying as a guest of Miss Bingley. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy I trust to be gentlemen and as such they will not compromise her in any way. If such an event even occurred then they would have to marry. And dear Lizzy, people do not die of colds," she finished. Her logic was flawed on too many levels for Elizabeth to even start to express the seriousness of the situation.
Thinking the silence was the result of her having won the argument, Mrs. Bennet smiled smugly whilst excusing herself, for she needed to see that dinner was prepared to perfection as to leave nothing available for Mr. Collins to criticise when he arrived that evening.
Mr. Bennet had announced with great glee to the breakfast table of the expected arrival of their cousin who was to inherit Longbourn once he passed. Mrs. Bennet had an immediate attack of nerves and her smelling salts were placed at hand in case they would be needed. Lydia and Kitty appeared completely indifferent to the situation and were moping over loss of an evening's entertainment at the Lucas' because of the rain.
Mary placed a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder and guided her sister back to the window; where she accompanied Elizabeth in her previous task. Neither sister needed to communicate their feelings as they felt the other's pains for Jane and the uncomfortable evening that would be inevitable considering the way in which the letter was written.
"Jane will be fine Lizzy; she will be back as soon as the rain lets up. We must prepare for Mr. Collins. You know as well as I do that he doesn't just visit to see Papa, not the Collins I remember from when we were younger." Lizzy sighed before turning towards her sister admitting defeat.
"I know, Mary. My guess would be that he is in want of a wife and hopes to secure one of us because he deems it fit in his mind. No doubt he wishes to choose one of us as well because Jane is the beauty of Hertfordshire. Maybe that is the only benefit of her being at Netherfield. It would be better if she is not here, he always followed her around when we were children. That soon stopped though." She smiled as she remembered the day she threatened her elder cousin if he didn't stop stalking Jane.
"He thought you were joking about that. I tried to warn him that you never joked when it came to protecting us. Quite fitting though," Mary mused whilst picking up the embroidery she was meant to be doing. "A toad for the toad." The two sisters laughed fondly at the memory. After regaining their composure Elizabeth shrugged simply before stating that he had it coming.
After stretching out her limbs from the cramped sitting position, she watched Mary attempt to fix the stitching before shaking her head, not even containing a giggle.
"Mary, you hate embroidery. What are you doing?" she quizzed, curious to her sister's odd behaviour. Her amusement was renewed at the scowl that graced Mary's features as she replied hotly that she promised Jane that she would have this done by the time she came back. Understanding crossed her face. It was hard to say no to Jane. She asked so little of anyone that when she did ask one hated to see the disappointment in her eyes even if she never expressed it.
"Would you like to practise a duet with me? For when the Lucas' reschedule their gathering? You know they will. Sir William is too fond of society to let a little rain prevent him from his pleasures." She pulled her sister with her, gently leading her to the worn instrument that had been in the house for as long as they could remember.
Mary tried to refuse, insisting that she had to finish the embroidery, but she couldn't resist the temptation her sister was baiting her with. That was how they were found a quarter of an hour later by their cousin, still playing as they hadn't heard his entrance; the embroidery had been forgotten on the table and the piano was singing sweet music assisted by the voices of the Bennet sisters.
As the song drew to a close, the ladies were slightly startled at the sound of a clap coming from behind them. As they quickly regained their composure they both rose to curtsey as their mother introduced them to the odious looking man who immediately reminded Elizabeth of a toad.
"Mr. Collins, these are my other daughters. Mary, my third child, she is well accomplished at the piano as you can tell. My second eldest, Elizabeth. My oldest is currently at Netherfield visiting a friend. She should be back when the rain lets up. Let me show you to your room where you can rest before dinner. Tell me, how was your journey?" Her endless babble continued as she guided the short gentleman through the halls of Longbourn.
Elizabeth shivered involuntarily as soon as he man left the room. Although he never touched her, the way he had looked upon her instantly made her feel dirty and she wished to rid herself of the feeling.
It was going to be a very long evening.
As they seated themselves for dinner - Mr. Collins seating himself next to Mrs. Bennet in Jane's usual seat - the rain finally ceased which gave Elizabeth hope that Jane would be home before they retired that night. For Mr. Bennet, a man who enjoyed laughing at people, the evening was a success. Mr. Collins had been every bit the spectacle that his writing had suggested and his joy was shared with Elizabeth with whom he shared knowing looks throughout the meal. He sympathised for his third daughter, for she appeared to be making an effort in trying to converse with the man attempting alternate topics other than the room, which made them all uncomfortable as he calculating eyes swept over their belongings.
After seeing Mary try and fail several times at averting their cousin's attention from blithering words that held no coherent meaning, Elizabeth decided to intervene and set the man on a topic he was bound to shine in.
"Mr. Collins, it is to my knowledge that you serve under the esteemed Lady Catherine. Is that correct?" She smiled with satisfaction as she watched the man puff up his chest as he bragged about his interactions with the Lady. His declarations ranged from his adoration of her kindness, her charm, and beauty to stating that her daughter was just born to be a countess.
During his tirade Elizabeth was trying to contain her laughter at the sight before her. She couldn't fathom with the amount he spoke how he could have eaten as much as he had. Mary, though quieter in her puzzlement, tried to prevent her younger sisters from appearing rude as they often interrupted the gentleman's speech to interject a random piece of information to Mrs. Bennet.
The rudest moment occurred when Mr. Collins had requested to read to them after dinner - a request that was soon regretted as they watched in dismay as he retrieved a large tome full of sermons from his possessions. He had been interrupted throughout the first page from Lydia remarking that she wanted to change the colour ribbon on her bonnet, a statement that brought Mr. Collins to a halt. He continued after the reassurance from Lydia that she wouldn't interrupt again. However, Lydia did so again after he had just started the second page, squealing in delight as she exclaimed that she had heard the best information from Maria Lucas at the ball.
"You will never guess what I got told!" Mr. Collins upon that interruption closed his book with a loud snap before rising and saying he should retire.
Mrs. Bennet, who hadn't guessed - not knowing, demanded her daughter tell her the information.
"The regiment is moving here!" she exclaimed. "Here to Hertfordshire. They are to stay in Meryton. Imagine, Mama, all the red coats." Lydia swooned, dropping down onto the sofa she had vacated during her speech to twirl dramatically around the room.
The noise that emitted from Mrs. Bennet was truly extraordinary to her daughters, for though they were used to their mother's loud tones they themselves couldn't have accurately predicted her reaction.
Not moments after Mrs. Bennet had expressed her joy following her girlish squeal, Mrs. Hill came into the room bearing a message for Mr. Bennet. After thanking Mrs. Hill he quickly read the letter, ignoring the curious gazes of his daughters. Silently he handed the note to Elizabeth who read the contents out loud after reading them herself.
Dear Mr. Bennet,
It brings me no joy to inform you that due to the rainfall that occurred earlier today, Miss. Bennet has taken ill and is too sick to return home at the present time. I have taken the liberty of housing her in one of my guest rooms and will do so for as long as is required, with your consent.
Your servant
Charles Bingley.
The rushed manner in which the writing appeared as well as the blotched out letters made certain words difficult to decipher but she managed to convey the message to her family. Mary was first to voice her concern with Elizabeth but they were soon silenced by their Mother who refused to think the worst.
"Be happy for your sister, she gets to stay at Netherfield for longer!" she proclaimed loudly, before reverting back to her conversation with Lydia.
Mr. Bennet shook his head and shrugged as his daughters' eyes turned to him. "Much too late to do anything tonight, my dears. I suggest you retire and visit Jane tomorrow." Nodding their agreement, they kissed their father good night and retired."
Her worry for her sister prevented Elizabeth from breaking her fast with her family the next morning. She was seated and was buttering her toast when her father came in.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, so early in the morning, dearest?" A smile played on his lips as he watched his daughter laugh at his question.
"I was trying to avoid company, hence the early hour." Elizabeth tried to keep a sombre face whilst telling her father about her new course of action to avoid her mother but she soon lost her composure.
"Well Lizzie, if that was your goal I should be offended," he declared, clutching his heart dramatically and causing Elizabeth to roll her eyes at the antics.
"Papa, you wouldn't want me to spend all your time with you? I'm quite sure Mr. Collins will devote himself to you, whilst informing you of his great patroness," she replied sweetly.
"You are many things, my dear. I had no idea being cruel was amongst them."
"I never believed you were so dramatic," she retorted.
"Touché, my dear. Send my regards to Jane, won't you!" he called as she donned her outer wear then left for Netherfield.
She quickly walked through muddy fields, skipping over large puddles and hopping over the wooden fences that separated the fields. Only slowing her pace when she saw her destination ahead, Elizabeth inspected her clothing.
Her boots were thick with mud, as were her skirts. Shrugging to herself she trudged forward, assuring herself that she was presentable for her sister and that was all she cared for.
"Good morning, Henry," she greeted the elderly butler that had served the house for many years.
"Good morning, Miss Elizabeth," he replied, smiling at the young lady that he had watched blossom from a mischievous child.
"How is Martha getting along with baby Joseph?" she asked, whilst he led her down the halls of Netherfield.
"He is sleeping better now miss, so she is able to get some peace. Our Sarah has been a big help. She just loves her lessons."
"Sarah is a pleasure to teach, always eager to learn. Would you please inform her that I may not be able to teach her this week due to my cousin's stay?" Elizabeth face turned grim at the mention of her cousin. The man just leered at her which made her uncomfortable. "Next week, I will bring one of Hill's puddings and some jam, as promised."
"I'm sure Sarah will understand. I would try to talk you out of such a thing but you are stubborn like your father," he teased.
"Thank you, Henry. I'm sure Papa will be pleased with that knowledge. Mama maybe not - I will be forced to endure lectures. Dear me, I shall keep it to myself or I will be dealing with a force to be reckoned with." She laughed at Henry's scowl. "Henry, I am only teasing. I am flattered really."
There discussion was soon ended as they reached the dining room, where the residents were. Henry knocked before entering to announce the arrival of Miss Elizabeth. As he retreated Elizabeth asked that he beg the forgiveness of Martha for the mud in the hall. He walked away muttering that Elizabeth would be the end of him.
Chuckling she entered the room with a smile on her face. She stopped in her tracks when she noticed the whole party was present including two new faces.
"Miss. Elizabeth, to what do we owe the pleasure?" Mr. Bingley asked kindly after inviting her to join their feast, which she declined.
"I have come to tend to my sister. How is she?" she questioned him, ignoring her audience.
"She has taken ill and has a fever. I called for Mr. Jones. He is to check upon Miss. Bennet this morning," he replied, dutifully showing real concern at the fact that Jane had taken ill. She nodded her understanding before requesting to be shown to Jane's room.
A cough from the unknown man made everyone look. Mr. Darcy rolled his eyes which made Elizabeth arch an eyebrow at his improper display.
"Miss. Elizabeth, may I introduce my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam and my younger sister Miss. Georgiana Darcy," he finished, whilst gesturing to his younger sister who seemed to express silent alarm at being brought to the centre of attention. Trying to ease the younger girl's discomfort, Elizabeth smiled.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. If you would excuse me I must tend to my sister." She curtseyed before following a different servant to Jane's chambers.