Elizabeth quietly entered the house and paused to ascertain the state of the other members of the household. The only sounds appeared to be of the servants preparing breakfast in the kitchens. She walked over to her father's study and found the door ajar, meaning that he also had not yet risen. She ascended the stairs and quietly slipped into her room. It was too late to sleep, so she walked over to the window seat and picked up her book. As it was one she had read before, she could read it without paying attention to the story.
Mr. Darcy admired her, but clearly he struggled with his admiration. He was never calm when in her presence. Her merits were not enough for him to consider courtship or especially marriage, as her situation was so low. Through no fault of her own, she had lost the most eligible bachelor she will probably ever know. She did not love him, but his intelligence made him admirable. He was not very good at carrying conversations, but Elizabeth had been witness to enough incessant chatter with her family to not desire more. Her final thought was that Mr. Darcy was already planning on coming over today to speak with her father, and Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy would leave for London, perhaps forever.
Movement in the bed interrupted her thoughts before she could decide if she wanted Mr. Darcy to stay away or return soon, and Jane rose from the bed before Elizabeth could even get out of her seat. Jane quickly walked over to the window seat and embraced her sister.
"Good morning! I thought you would be the first to wake, but with your walking shoes on, I must assume you never slept."
Elizabeth could not help laughing. "You are correct Jane. I met Mr. Darcy on my walk this morning, and now I have no idea what to think about anything. Jane, I must tell you everything. He and Mr. Bingley are coming to say goodbye before they leave for London today." With the introduction started, Elizabeth proceeded to tell Jane about both conversations. Jane quietly listened, but she fidgeted with her hands in agitation. She had never believed anyone could be so deceitful as Mr. Wickham appeared to be. They talked quietly for two hours, until the rest of the house began to stir.
Suddenly, there was a commotion downstairs. Mrs. Bennet came tumbling into the room and grabbed Elizabeth by the wrist to pull her to stand up. "Lizzy, make haste! You are needed downstairs. Mr. Collins would like a private audience with you!" Looking at Elizabeth's dress, she quickly added, "Why are you in your walking clothes? You cannot be thinking of walking today. Make haste! Change into something pretty! Hill! Hill! Where is Hill?" With that she fled the room in search of Mrs. Hill.
Elizabeth went to her wardrobe to change, but she was so distraught she could hardly see her clothes. "Jane, what shall I do? I cannot go talk to Mr. Collins after all that I have been through! Surely he knows I would not want to marry him! I could never be happy with him."
"Lizzy, you must be calm. You need not agree to marry him, but please be patient with him, as he will inherit the estate." Jane walked to the closet and picked out a modest dress that looked pretty enough to pass her mother's scruples, while not encouraging Mr. Collins. "Here, this one will look nice. Now, put it on before she returns and picks out another that she deems more suitable."
With a chuckle, Lizzy grabbed the dress and began to change. After a few moments, the sound of a carriage could be heard coming up the drive, and Jane looked out to see who it could be. "Mr. Bingley has come!" She returned to help Elizabeth with her hair. "At least now your conversation with Mr. Collins will be delayed!" They laughed for a few moments before becoming serious again.
"Well, let's get this over with!" Elizabeth stated before stepping out the door of her room. She paused at the top of the stairs and saw Mr. Darcy enter her father's study. She gasped as she realized how handsome and tall he was. She remembered herself as Jane walked past her, eager to see Mr. Bingley. They could hear Mrs. Bennet loudly thanking Mr. Bingley for the marvelous ball and expressing her wishes that the event may be often repeated in the future.
As they entered the parlor, Jane took a seat next to Mr. Bingley, while Elizabeth chose to sit next to her mother, who immediately got up to allow room for Mr. Collins. Disappointed that he had already chosen another seat, Mrs. Bennet came up with another plan.
"It looks to be a marvelous morning! The gardens must look marvelous this time of the morning. Elizabeth and Jane had been talking of going for a walk this morning."
Jane, taking the hint, replied, "Mr. Bingley, would you allow me to show you the gardens?" Mr. Bingley immediately replied in the affirmative, and they left smiling.
Unfortunately, Mr. Collins had also taken the hint. "My dear Miss Elizabeth, the garden would be an excellent way to enjoy nature. My exalted patroness, Lady de Bourgh, always says that it does the heart good to take a walk in the morning. Would you do me the honor of walking out with me?"
Without agreeing, Elizabeth stood up and went to get her bonnet. How can I get out of this? Surely Jane would not abandon me. She hurried to try to catch up to Jane, but they were already out the door. How can Jane do this to me?
Outside, Mr. Collins took her arm and led her to a bench, just a short distance from the windows of Mr. Bennet's study. He offered her a seat on the bench and sat down next to her. He immediately began his proposal, though it took some fifteen minutes to actually get to the point. Elizabeth blushed as she considered the absurdity. Unfortunately, Mr. Collins regarded that as assent and began speaking as if they were betrothed before she had even had time to respond. He even grabbed her hand and attempted to kiss it, but she pulled it away at the last minute. When he started to speak of going to speak to her father, she found her voice.
"Mr. Collins! You forget, I have not given an answer! Let me do so at once!" She paused for breath, and to calm her nerves. It would not do to insult him, as Jane had said. "I thank you for your gracious offer, but I must decline. I am convinced I am the last person who could make you happy, and you could never make me happy."
"I have heard this is the practice of elegant females to refuse an offer in order to increase their admirers' affection by prolonging the suspense. I must, therefore, beg your leave to go talk to your father, who will certainly sanction my offer, and this will be settled." After another quarter of an hour spent extolling the virtues of his patroness and himself, he walked away, and Elizabeth sighed with relief. One thing she knew, Mr. Bennet would not force her to marry him!
She immediately rose and walked in the direction of Jane and Mr. Bingley, hoping to escape her mother's attention. With Mr. Darcy in the study, Mr. Collins would have to wait to speak to him at any rate.
The conversation Mr. Darcy had begun with Mr. Bennet was going well. Mr. Bennet was not of a mind to believe Mr. Wickham's story, so understanding Mr. Darcy was easily done. What was weighing on Mr. Bennet's mind, however, was another matter entirely. He had heard Mr. Darcy did not care for his Lizzy and was surprised to see them dancing last night.
"Mr. Darcy, first I must thank you for telling me. I will make inquiries in town to see if his debts are large and encourage the shopkeepers to complain if they are. With only being here for less than a month, he cannot have done much damage." He paused as a look of relief passed Mr. Darcy's eyes. Did he actually think that I would not listen to him? "But there is one thing I do not understand: why did you tell me? Certainly, you simply could have stayed silent, and not much damage would have been done."
Mr. Darcy shifted uncomfortably. "That would have been easier, but not honorable. Mr. Wickham is a conniving cheat. Knowing what he is capable of, I could not rest after I heard from Miss Elizabeth that Meryton viewed him in a favorable light." He paused, wondering if he should continue.
"What does my daughter have to do with this? I know you dislike her, yet you danced with her last night, and apparently you saw fit to share this history with her."
"I assure you I do not dislike her." Mr. Darcy rose and walked over to the window, unsure of himself. He felt awkward discussing his reasons for acting the way he did, and he still did not know how deeply he felt about Elizabeth. "When I danced with Miss Elizabeth last night, I found out that she believed Wickham's lies. Knowing that he is a seducer as well as a liar and a gambler, I wanted to warn her not to believe him, so I spoke with her after the dance. After doing so, I realized I should also talk to you, as you are in a better position to protect the shops of Meryton."
"Mr. Darcy, what are your intentions toward my daughter? You must have seen that this is not an ordinary ballroom discussion to be having with a young lady."
Darcy flinched, realizing he had been cornered into declaring himself. "And your daughter is not an ordinary lady. She has caught my attention even though she clearly dislikes me." he paused. "I have no designs on your daughter at present, given her connections and the exuberant nature of her mother and sisters, but I do admire her. I am to leave for London to spend the holidays with my sister. I do not know if I will ever return to Hertfordshire. That is why I chose to speak to you today."
Mr. Bennet, not entirely surprised that his wife would be the downfall of his elder daughter's prospects, walked over to the window to join Mr. Darcy in looking out the window, and noticed Mr. Collins sitting down next to Elizabeth. Chuckling, he said, "It seems that my cousin has finally come to the point at last."
Darcy gasped as he realized that Mr. Collins was proposing. "Surely, she would not accept him?" He had not thought that she would accept someone else. The idea of her with another man disturbed him, and he could not repress a shudder at the thought of the life he would never have with her. Then he thought of the life she would have as Mrs. Collins and neighbor to his aunt. Suddenly, his resolve to forget her began to waver, not for the first time.
Not knowing the depth of Mr. Darcy's struggles, Mr. Bennet knew she would never accept Mr. Collins, but he could not help teasing when such a case presented itself. "He has a good living, and it would mean she would inherit Longbourn when I die."
"But he is an idiot!" Mr. Darcy paused to calm himself. "My apologies. I should not have said that."
"Apology accepted. I guess we will see if she accepts him in a few moments. But I do not think it right that you watch them. After all, this is a private matter."
Darcy walked over and sat back down in his chair, unable to ignore the window. Without thinking, he spoke. "I love her, but my station requires that my wife be of high society. I have my sister's reputation to consider as well as my own."
Startled by Mr. Darcy's declaration, Mr. Bennet could not respond immediately. "Is this why you say you have no designs on her? You think society would shun you?" He paused, and then added, "You strike me as the sort of fellow who would not care what the ton would say. You never seemed to think of other's opinions while I have seen you in public."
Mr. Darcy scowled at the thought of being seen in such an unfavorable light. He had never had to justify his actions before. "You are right. If not for my sister, I would not worry about the ton. But they can be cruel and heartless, and she is innocent."
"Your care is commendable. But, would your sister want you to make such a sacrifice for her?"
Darcy was about to respond, but he then saw the moment when Mr. Collins took Elizabeth's hand. He gasped, "Good God!" The next instant, they saw Elizabeth reclaim her hand and speak to Mr. Collins, who then started talking again and, after a long monologue, left her alone in the garden.
Mr. Bennet chuckled, "It appears you were right. She seems to have refused him."
Darcy released a breath he had not realized he had been holding. "Mr. Bennet, when I return to Hertfordshire after the holidays, may I call on Miss Elizabeth?"
"I thought you meant to stay away."
"I do not think that is possible."
"Ask me again when you return. That way, no one expects anything. If your admiration lasts through the holidays, then we will see. I expect that Mr. Collins wishes to speak to me, so you will have to excuse me. Thank you for your company."
"Thank you, Mr. Bennet." With that, Mr. Darcy left the house in search of Mr. Bingley.
When Darcy walked outside, he saw Jane and Elizabeth in a tight embrace, both laughing and smiling. Mr. Bingley was behind them, watching their sisterly affection with a big grin on his face. He must have proposed! Mr. Darcy walked over to the group, and the sisters split apart when they saw Mr. Darcy approach. Jane curtseyed in acknowledgement of his presence, but Elizabeth blushed and looked away. Why should she be shy? Does she think I will not approve? At least no one is congratulating her on her engagement!
Mr. Bingley spoke first. "Darcy, I'm engaged! What say you?"
"Congratulations!" Darcy shook his hand. He also turned to Jane to wish her congratulations as well, but before he could turn to Elizabeth, a screech came out of the house.
"Lizzy!" Mrs. Bennet could be easily heard as she ran out the side door. Realizing that in the absence of Mr. Bennet, Mr. Collins must have gone to tell Mrs. Bennet that he needed her help to convince Lizzy to marry him, Elizabeth quickly left the group and tried to catch up to her mother before the rest of the group could hear their conversation. Alas, it was not to be. Mrs. Bennet came out quickly and, without looking to see if others were near, began again, "Ungrateful child! You have frightened him off! We could have stayed in this house when your father died if not for you! Go back now and say you have changed your mind!"
Elizabeth took a quick breath and whispered in hopes of calming her mother's nerves or, at least, in hopes of her lowering her voice. "No. I will not change my mind; please do not worry. Jane and Mr. Bingley are just behind me, and they have news they wish to share, but first Mr. Bingley must talk to Papa."
Mrs. Bennet looked behind Elizabeth and saw the others coming towards them. While Elizabeth's words were lost on Mrs. Bennet, she did not wish to frighten Mr. Bingley away.
"Oh! Mr. Bingley! How wonderful of you to visit today." She bowed to Mr. Bingley, who bowed in return. Elizabeth repeated her words that he wished to speak to Mr. Bennet, and finally, Mrs. Bennet listened.
"Mr. Bennet will be vastly happy to speak with you as soon as he is done speaking to Mr. Collins. There is an urgent matter needing his attention." Turning, she saw a white faced Mr. Darcy also in the group, but she did not realize what had upset him so. Thinking still that he disliked her daughters, she could not prevent a rude tone in her voice from escaping. "Mr. Darcy, you are welcome here too. Would you care to come in and have some refreshments?" While she did not like him, she knew that if he left, he would take Mr. Bingley away as well.
"Thank you." In a few long strides, he caught up to Elizabeth and offered her his hand and escorted her inside, while Mr. Bingley escorted Jane. Elizabeth sat down in a chair, unsure of what was happening around her. After her talk with Mr. Collins, and knowing Mr. Darcy had spoken with her father, she would have preferred to be alone to order her thoughts. Her mother was clearly ecstatic about Jane, but would that prevent her displeasure over Mr. Collins? And what was Mr. Darcy thinking now? Surely, if he disliked her mother's behavior before now, this morning's display would reduce her standing with him even more. Yet he had escorted her inside and was sitting next to her! It was all too much!
Mr. Darcy was fidgeting with his cuffs, trying to calm his anger. He could not decide if he was angrier at Mr. Bennet's mention of Mr. Collins being a good match for Elizabeth or at Mrs. Bennet's behavior towards Elizabeth for refusing him. Surely, Mr. Bennet had been teasing him. The entire neighborhood described Elizabeth as the favorite daughter of Mr. Bennet. His anger shifted towards the latter cause of distress. How could Mrs. Bennet not realize the distress she was causing her own daughter? At any rate, how could she insist Elizabeth marry such a man as Mr. Collins, even to save the family? One thing was clear: Miss Elizabeth was not mercenary and would not marry simply to secure her future. He tried to shift his thoughts away from the lady next to him and noticed Jane smiling at Mr. Bingley. How could I have thought that she does not care from him? Miss Bennet is as radiant as the spring, and as happy as Bingley. Clearly, she is not mercenary either. How could two such charming ladies have grown up with such a mother?
These thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Charlotte Lucas, coming to invite the family to a dinner at her house. Elizabeth, glad of the distraction, rose and welcomed Charlotte warmly as they moved to a part of the room where they could talk in private. Lost in conversation, they did not hear the study door open. They startled when Mr. Collins acknowledged to the room that he would not stay another day in that house after Elizabeth's refusal of his hand. Charlotte, not knowing much about the situation, recovered first and offered to let him stay at her house for the remainder of his visit. He accepted graciously, and left to pack his bags.
Mrs. Bennet immediately went to her husband's study to talk to him. Thankfully for Elizabeth, Mr. Bennet refused to make her marry Mr. Collins, despite her mother's continued insistence. As Mrs. Bennet forgot to close the door, two of the occupants of the parlor listened in horror to the entire conversation. Elizabeth could hardly breathe as she stared at her hands in her lap. Mr. Darcy silently cursed his inability to discuss trivialities. Mr. Bingley was too wrapped up in staring at Jane to notice the tension in the room, and Jane was likewise occupied.
Finally, Mrs. Bennet declared herself ill and immediately went upstairs to her rooms. Mr. Bingley, who had been lost in his own thoughts of his angel, saw his opportunity and went into Mr. Bennet's study to request permission to marry Jane. The discussion was short, and both removed from the study to make the announcement that Bingley and Jane would marry at the end of March.
Once the commotion died down, Mr. Darcy said that it was time for them to take their leave. Jane and Elizabeth escorted them to their carriage. Jane stepped off to the side with Bingley to share a tender moment, but Elizabeth walked with Mr. Darcy directly to the carriage. Mr. Darcy bowed to Elizabeth. Before he could stop himself, he took her hand and kissed it gently. "I will return after the holiday, and I hope I may call on you then."
Blushing, Elizabeth turned away. "Very well," was all she could say. She quickly went back up the steps and waited for Jane to finish saying goodbye, as Mr. Darcy climbed into the carriage. Mr. Bingley finally climbed into the carriage, and Jane followed her sister up the steps. Inside, they split up. Jane returned to the parlor, but Elizabeth, too exhausted to continue conversing with her family, went up to her room. On her way up the stairs, she passed Mr. Collins coming down. He looked at her and said, "My patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, would be displeased to hear of a woman of no fortune who disregarded a proposal that is so well suited to her."
"She will have to bear her own displeasure, as I wish for more than a suitable marriage of convenience." Elizabeth retorted, then remembering her sister's admonition to be pleasant, added, "Have a safe journey, and please say hello to the inhabitants of Lucas Lodge for me."
In the carriage, Bingley was too ecstatic with his good fortune not to talk about his lovely fiancé. Darcy listened but rarely responded. After two hours, Bingley finally realized his partner was disturbed. "What ails you, Darcy? You are more pensive than usual. Are you upset with my choice of wife? I know you always said a gentleman would not wish for her connections, but I am too in love to care what society will think of me. They will either accept her or not."
Mr. Darcy turned out the window, relieved that the reason for his distress was not apparent. "I am pensive because you will not let me get a word in edgewise. I am very happy for you, and I know that you deserve your happiness. You have been a great friend to me, and I always hoped you would marry a partner who loves you. I believe you have found her."
"But you seem unhappy?"
"I am just wishing I could be as happy as you. I need to spend Christmas in Town, but may I visit you after the new year?" He paused as he thought of missing Christmas with Elizabeth. "And may I bring Georgiana? She is not out yet and, therefore, cannot enjoy the London season."
"You need never ask. I would love to see Miss Darcy again, but I will not tarry in town as my angel awaits me in Hertfordshire! I have already told her that I will return in a week." Bingley paused and noted his friend's sour face. "What of my Jane's sister, Miss Elizabeth? I know you danced with her last night and could not take your eyes off her this morning. Should I be wishing you congratulations as well?"
Darcy considered how he should respond. Deciding that Bingley deserved the truth, he replied, "No. Her father refused to hear me on that subject until I return. They still believe what I said at the assembly, that I found Eliz…Miss Elizabeth not handsome enough to tempt me. I cannot believe I said that so loudly for everyone to hear. Now, she thinks ill of me, and I will have to work to win her hand, if I choose to do so."
"Surely, if you let her get to know you, then she will not be able to help liking you. You have been such a great friend to me. She seemed to enjoy challenging you at Netherfield when she was nursing dear Jane, and she will enjoy challenging you in the future."
"I can only hope. Bingley, I am tired, so I think I will try to get some rest now." Darcy lied. He was not tired, simply not comfortable talking about his feelings or the woman he loved. He closed his eyes and turned his head away from Bingley. Bingley took the hint and remained silent, but he could not help the occasional sigh or chuckle escape him as he thought of his future.