I'm so sorry it has taken so long, and that this chapter is so short! I live in New England on the coast, so power and internet have been going haywire all weekend with the storm! Next chapter will be longer, promise!
Thank you all for reviewing! And for pointing out that Bennet has only one T.
Enjoy!
Chapter 5
Mr. Darcy knew something was wrong when he saw all of the men, including the magistrate. Mr. Collins had the audacity to stand with them. He watched as Mr. Bennet embraced his daughter. Words were spoken before Mr. Bennet broke away and glared at him. He was confused, but then Mr. Bennet answered a question that Miss Bennet had apparently asked.
"Lizzy, Mr. Collins returned hours ago, without you. He brought with him the magistrate, claiming that someone had kidnapped you in the woods" Mr. Bennet told her.
Darcy watched as Mr. Collins stepped forward. He moved himself closer to Miss Bennet, as if he could protect her.
"My darling Lizzy, I was so afraid. Why, after you had made me the happiest man in world by accepting my proposal, I was distraught that our happiness was thus ended when you appeared to have been kidnapped." Mr. Collins stepped forwards, and laid a hand on her arm. His tone was overtly kind, dripping in false concern. Miss Bennet recoiled from his touch, pale as a sheet. Unconsciously, she leaned closer to him.
"Papa, that is not true!" Lizzy told him, turning to look at her father. She lowered her voice, so that only Darcy, Collins, and her father could hear. "I rejected Mr. Collins. He tried to compromise me!" She blushed as she said this, and looked down in shame.
"Lizzy dear, it is alright. Your father has given me consent to marry you" Mr. Collins stated. His tone was now harder, as if he could force her into accepting it as the truth. Mr. Bennet looked between the two of them and frowned minutely. "For who else shall want to marry a compromised woman like yourself?" He all but hissed. Mr. Hill, and Sir Lucas were too far away to hear anything, but Mr. Henry frowned in suspicion. The magistrate had inched forward.
"Papa, please" Lizzy begged.
"Lizzy, my dear, I wish there was another way. After you disappeared, Mr. Collins ran through Meryton assembling a search party, spreading the story of how you had been kidnapped by an unknown man, compromised. Now you show up with a torn dress, looking dreadful. Mr. Collins has offered to marry you, to save you from the gossip and shame"
Mr. Darcy understood the position Mr. Bennet was in, but he did not like it. This man was giving in, letting the lecherous man have his daughter. Mr. Darcy understood it, but he was not going to accept it. He had to find a way to remedy the situation. Poor Miss Bennet looked to be near tears. She looked up at him, and by chance, their eyes met. He was trapped. Without even realizing it, he was speaking.
"Mr. Bennet I compromised your daughter. I am prepared to take full responsibility for my actions. Mr. Collins need not settle himself with a compromised woman" He was loath to call her that, even if they both knew it was not true. Mr. Bennet looked silently at Mr. Darcy.
Lizzy was in shock. Did Mr. Darcy mean what she thought he meant? Did he wish to marry her instead? To save her from Mr. Collins yet again?
Mr. Darcy took a breath. Mr. Bennet still was silent, an eyebrow quirked in confusion.
"Mr. Bennet, I wish to marry your daughter"