I am ashamed at how long it took me to finish and post this. After this chapter, my story will be finished. I plan on writing an epilogue, but I'm changing the status to complete. Thank you all for your reviews over the past year, the support was simply astounding.
With Charlotte gone, there was nothing left to do but confront Mr. Collins, the lecherous toad that he was. She helped Georgiana carry the twins back to the nursery for their mid-afternoon nap, and from there went to her own room for a spell.
She sat in front of her vanity, staring at her reflection.
"You are strong" She whispered, "He cannot hurt you anymore" She pinned back a stray curl and straightened her necklace. She smiled at herself briefly before standing.
She pulled on her leather gloves. She was going to smack Mr. Collins, but she did not want his filth to touch her skin.
After that was done, she left her room, head held high despite the pounding of her heart. Her palms were clammy and she was breaking into a cold sweat. She was nervous.
Her husband had promised to meet her in the main foyer at midday, which was just about now.
True to his word, he was waiting for her, a grim look upon his face. It did not help her nerves.
"Darling" He greeted, "Are you positive this is what you want?"
"Yes" She whispered.
"Very well" He gripped her arm within his, 'But I am going to accompany you. He did not take his termination quite well, and I will not allow him to hurt you any further"
"I know you will protect me, love" She smiled lovingly up at him. The second he had taken her arm, her nerves had lessened. He was like a soothing balm "It shan't take long though. Just a few words and then I can finally move on"
"Might I suggest a swift quick to his groin area?" William suggested as they walked down the path to the garden where William had told Mr. Collins to stay. They could see him sitting on the bench from here.
"I am surprised he stayed in that spot" She commented softly.
"I was hazy on the details of which noble was coming to speak with him" William admitted. She took a deep breath as they got closer and closer.
His back was to them, but she could tell that he had put on weight. He was shaking slightly, and fidgeting with his hat in front of him.
He did not hear them approach. William cleared his throat several times.
Mr. Collins spun around quickly, his hideous face transforming into a nervous smirk as he took in the sight of her.
"Ah, my beautiful cousin Elizabeth" He greeted quickly, "What a surprise. You look ravishing, my dear, simply divine. Why, you rival Lady Catherine herself. Perhaps you can persuade your dear husband to reconsider my termination? We are family after all, dear Elizabeth, and Charlotte is your closet friend," He rambled.
"Shut your mouth, Collins" She hissed unable to take the grating of his voice. It wasn't causing her fear; the weight of William's arm within her own was keeping that at bay, but it annoyance and anger.
"Elizabe-" She dropped William's hand and moved closer to the now sweating man, slapping him cleanly across the face.
He was such an odious little man.
"My name is Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, and you will not address me at all" She told him, "I am here for one purpose and only one. To make you see that you have not ruined me, you lecherous parson" She took a deep breath, "You are nothing to me. You are less then the dirt on my boot, less then human. You are a pathetic excuse of a man, and I despise you. But for all the hatred I bear for you, I must thank you, for without you I would have never have married Mr. Darcy. I would have never fallen in love, would have never been blessed with two healthy little boys. So thank you, Mr. Collins, for your actions have only succeeded in making your own life miserable. I am happy and I am loved. And you Mr. Collins, you have until tomorrow at day break to vacate your home"
"You little bitc-" He reached out and grabbed her arm, but before even William could knock him out, she kicked her boot between his legs.
He dropped her hand with a high-pitched squeal, falling to the ground.
"Odious man" She spat.
And with that she turned on her heel, and grabbed William's hand. They walked briskly away from the man in silence. At the top of the hill that overlooked the garden they looked back to see if Collins had left.
He was still rolling around on the grass clutching his groin area.
She started to laugh. She laughed so hard that her eyes started to tear up, and before she knew it she was laughing and crying and struggling to catch her breath.
"Lizzy? Lizzy, are you alright?" William was questioning her, lightly shaking her shoulders. "Lizzy, don't cry, love" He wiped her tears with gentle hands, caressing her cheeks.
"Tears of joy" She managed to tell him. "Thank you, William, thank you for allowing me that"
"I would never deny you anything that you ask for, love" He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You were ever so brilliant, Lizzy. You were so strong, my love"
"I feel strong," She told him, "I feel lighter, somehow" She smiled a silly grin. "I cannot believe I was petrified of that man! The only power he ever had over me was my own fear!"
"You are free, my love" He wrapped his arm around her as they entered the house. "Might I say that was an impressive kick? I was in pain just watching it"
She laughed again then, and it felt great. It was carefree, something she hadn't been for ages. After nearly three years, she was finally free of that man.
She looked up at her husband and smiled. He looked down and gave her a quizzical look.
"Why are you smiling at me like that, Lizzy?" He questioned as they climbed the staircase to their chambers. "I know that look"
"Let's go to your bedchambers," She whispered, trailing her hand down his chest.
"It's the middle of the day," He told her with a laugh.
"Exactly" She told him, "What else is there to do? The boys are both asleep and Georgie is practicing, doesn't want to be interrupted"
"I love you, Elizabeth Darcy," He whispered as he picked her up bridal style after barring the door to his chambers behind them. She giggled and kissed his neck just beneath his ear.
"As I love you, Fitzwilliam Darcy"