A/N: Here's another chapter. I'm going to be gone for the weekend so I may not post another chapter until the end of next week. I've changed the story a bit further ahead. I know Elizabeth marrying Collins is kind of sickening, which is why I've made him a bit more palatable towards Elizabeth. I am trying to illustrate the differences between the sexes during this time period and how, for a lack of a better description, unfair it was.

Again, Elizabeth will be involved with Darcy why she is still married to Collins, I need to make this very clear because I know a lot of people have a strong aversion to extra-marital affairs and I don't wish to offend. I do guarantee a HEA for Darcy and Elizabeth, but it won't be till much later.

R&R please!

Chapter 6

Elizabeth awoke to a loud knocking at her door. Mrs. Bennet had been rousing the house for that morning, her shrill voice echoing off the walls, her banging on the doors jarring the inhabitants out of their beds. Sarah, their maid, had entered Elizabeth's room with a tray of tea and toast, telling her she was there to help her get ready. As Elizabeth ate Sarah stoked the fire, then brought up a pitcher of warm water with which to bathe. In less than twenty minutes Elizabeth was ready.

Downstairs Hill and Mrs. Bennet were both ordering the two extra servants they borrowed from the Inn as to where to set the tables, where the cloths for the tables were, the dishes, food etc... When Mrs. Bennet saw Elizabeth she clapped her hands together in delight.

"Now, you look beautiful!" She said. "Girls! Girls! It is nearly time!" She called up the stairs.

Mr. Bennet came in through the front door, looked at his pocket watch, and said, "Well, the bride is ready, at least."

Down the stairs came Jane and Mary, traipsing behind them were Lydia and Kitty, all of them dressed in pale pink. Mrs. Bennet said she hadn't seen such finer girls in all the county. Mr. Bennet said if they didn't leave now then Mr. Collins would marry whomever was close at hand.

Just as they were exiting the house Charlotte Lucas came up the front drive. "Good," she said, racing to Elizabeth, "I thought I missed you. I made this for you, Lizzy."

Charlotte produced a cloth bag she had been holding, and from its depths she withdrew a wreath of orange blossoms. Elizabeth's eyes widened at the beauty of it as Charlotte placed the wreath on her head.

"Now, isn't that beautiful?" Jane said.

Charlotte smiled, gave Elizabeth a hug and kiss on the cheek. "You are a beautiful bride."

"Thank you," Elizabeth felt herself begin to tear up.

Mr. Bennet cleared his throat, "I wasn't joking about Mr. Collins choosing another bride if his first doesn't show up."

"Yes," Mrs. Bennet added, "It is passed time we were there."

Crowded around the outside of the Longbourn chapel were the servants and tenant farmers of the estate, each congratulating the bride and family. Charlotte rushed inside to sit with her family before the bridal party entered. Inside the chapel were their friends and family, Mr. Collins waiting at the alter. He seemed to catch his breath when he first laid eyes on Elizabeth. She blushed and looked down, following her sisters toward her future husband.

The ceremony was short and sweet, and soon after the bride and groom signed their name in the registry. A loud cheer went up as they exited the chapel, each voice raising above the other in order to congratulate the newly married couple. The large wedding party made their way to Longbourn where a vast feast was waiting for the guests and baskets filled with mead, pies and pastries for the servants and farmers.

Mr. and Mrs. Collins were seated at a table where their breakfast was served to them, their special cake taking center attention. Their guests came to them one by one, saying how happy they looked and being assured their future lives together would be filled with joy. Mr. Collins sputtered out responses as fast as he could, but unable to keep up with each guest. Elizabeth smiled, taking small bites of her food, afraid if she ate too much she would be nauseated.

After the breakfast the cake was cut and enjoyed by all, a moist concoction of dried fruit and nuts with a pink glaze covering the top. It was just before noon when Mr. Collins was alerted the coach he had hired to take them home arrived. Elizabeth's trunk and bags were packed, the couple said their goodbyes, and were soon safely ensconced within. They drove a full fifteen minutes in silence, one taking sidelong glances at the other, then quickly looking away.

"Please," Elizabeth said, "tell me about our new home."

Mr. Collins smiled, glad at the opportunity to describe his home to her. He spoke of the flower garden in front and vegetable garden in back and the land attached to the Parsonage, over half of which was farmed out to tenants. They had a stable with two horses, a wagon and cart, the latter which he often used to visit those in need of counsel and those who were sick. "You may borrow it whenever you need to go into town," Mr. Collins offered, to which Elizabeth smiled.

He next spoke of their servants, the stable man and his young son, who often helped in the garden. Mrs. Shaw, the Housekeeper, Jenny the maid and Mr. Hancock, the cook. Mr. Collins assured Elizabeth that his income from rents was more than enough to hire out a nurse when the time came.

After a few more minutes of silence, Collins produced a book and asked Elizabeth if she would like him to read aloud. She thanked him, and settled back against the squabs, closing her eyes, and slowly drifted to sleep to the deep voice of her husband's reading, the hooves of the horses clopping, and the wheels turning along the rutted road.

Their journey lasted almost the entire day. They made two stops to rest the horses and to stretch their own legs. They arrived in Kent just as the sun was beginning to set and Collins tisked at being unable to show her the house in proper light.

"Look, there," Collins pushed aside the curtain at the window and pointed to a distant house visible only by the candle light from the windows, "that is the rectory."

Elizabeth squinted in the darkness but could make out only the vaguest outline. The carriage neared and soon stopped just outside the front door, which suddenly opened and out came a line of servants ready to receive their Master and new Mistress. Collins exited the carriage first, then with a wide smile helped Elizabeth down.

Arm in arm, they made their way to the house. Collins introduced each servant to his wife.

"Cook has prepared a small repast, sir," Mrs. Shaw said, "would you care to eat in the dining room or in your rooms?"

Collins looked to his wife before saying they would eat together in the dining room, but after they refreshed themselves. Mrs. Shaw curtsied as the couple entered the house. Elizabeth barely had time to take in any of her surroundings. The house was dark, with so few candles lit. Collins led her up the stairs and to a room, with a single candle burning on the night stand.

"This is the room I have prepared for you," Collins said, stepping in the center, arms wide. "It is across the hall from my own."

Elizabeth cast her eyes out the door and rested them on the closed door across the hall. She wondered if he would come to her tonight? She was so tired she felt like once her head hit the pillow she would fall immediately asleep. Collins pointed out the wash table, with fresh towels and warm water and assured her her things would be unpacked as they ate.

"Jenny is a good girl and has told me she is able to dress hair and help you with your clothes. All you need do is ring the bell," he pointed to a cord hanging by the bed. "Elizabeth," Collins came to her and held her hands in his, "I of course won't come to you tonight. We have both had a long day and deserve some rest."

Elizabeth couldn't help but feel relieved, but tried not to show it. Collins gave her a kiss on her cheek, then began to walk to his own room, telling her he would collect her in fifteen minutes. She closed the door behind him then stood there a full minute contemplating how she had gotten to this spot. Was it really only this morning they had been married? Though there was but fifty miles between herself and Longbourn, she felt the distance might as well have been a thousand.

Shaking herself out of her reverie, she began to wash the dust and dirt of the road from her skin. She removed her pelisse and gloves and set them on the bed. Checking the mirror, she re-pinned her hair then waited for Collins to knock. Soon enough he was at her door and leading her to the small dining room, again lit by a very small amount of candles so that she was unable to discern the color of the walls.

Their meal was eaten in near silence, except for the noises Collins made as he ate his meal, a noise very much like pigs rutting in their trough. Twice Elizabeth had to pinch herself in order to keep awake. Finally Collins took pity on her and ushered her back to her room.

"First thing tomorrow I would like to show you the rest of the house and grounds," he said.

"That would be lovely," Elizabeth managed to say without yawning.

Collins smiled. He closed the distance between themselves, moved as if to kiss her lips, then changed direction and landed on her jaw. Elizabeth giggled, causing Collins to chuckle.

"I am sure we shall both get used to this," Collins sighed. "Goodnight, Elizabeth."

"Goodnight, Mr. Collins."