Chapter 15

"Get away from my sister" Lydia stormed at the gentleman that was trying to make headway from a clearly frightened Jane.

Kitty barged into him knocking his arm away from Jane. He sputtered but then Lizzie and Mary came upon them. "Mr Jameson I will ask you to leave the vicinity of my sister" said Lizzie her tone was not going to brook any argument from him

Jameson looked about him and others in the park were looking at the known rake. The Gardiner children who had been busy feeding the ducks also came to stand with their cousins and the footman decided he had better intervene. Marching over to the girls, he coughed loudly, to draw attention to himself. "Sir, please step away from the ladies" Roberts the footman that worked for the Gardiners.

"I would just like a word with Miss Bennet" Jameson was growing desperate. Miss Bennet was just the type of beauty he liked and he didn't have a mistress at present.

"No sir you can have nothing to say that I want to hear" Jane was firm, the man had whispered a few things to her which left her in no doubt where his thoughts were leading. She trembled a little thanking all that is holy that her sisters were with her.

Jameson looked at her but had to admit defeat. He would have to visit his favourite brothel maybe they had someone that resembled Miss Bennet. He grew hopeful, he sketched a bow and turning on his heal he left the sisters and the park.

The sisters gathered together and their cousins clustered round Jane. They gave her a few moments to gather herself together. As all the bread had been given to the ducks, they decided it was a good time to go home. Roberts let them go first staying a few steps behind them. As they were walking, they noticed the most odd-looking man. He seemed to know them. As none of them knew him they carried on walking "I say there" he said to them. "You are the Misses Bennet are you not"

Jane looked at the man "We are sir, how may we help?"

"I want my estate back" the oddity said to them

"Golly you are Mr Collins" Lydia said to him

"That is not within our power to grant" said Mary "You would have to go to the crown"

"How did you find us" asked Elizabeth

"Oh that part was easy you all have been known to me for some years I have visited Longbourn several times over the years and talking to some of your neighbours I found out about the Gardiners and his profession once I had those it was very straightforward to find his address and wait for one of you to turn up but to have all of you here before me is quite overwhelming. Your father has gone to great lengths to keep me from you.

He stepped closer to them "May I offer my arm we are close cousins are we not" he simpered at them

Kitty could only stare in horror as she was the closest to them Lydia looked at him as if he had grown two heads "What is that smell" she proclaimed loudly. The smell did seem to be emanating from the odd little man. Amelia and John also held their noses whilst Maisie looked at him in horror "You smell very badly sir" Maisie looked shocked to have said such a statement out loud.

Mr Collins acted as if he hadn't heard anything untoward still intent on bringing himself to the notice of his cousins. He looked them over which made all of the girls feel like they should be at market. It was just so offensive. Lizzie looked him straight in the eye and said "Sir your manner is offensive, you can have no other business with us so we shall bid you good day" Not even bothering to curtsey they all hurried out of the park, "Roberts if that gentleman should follow us back, he is not to be admitted under any circumstance.

"Yes Miss Elizabeth" Roberts sent the gentleman a look that in no uncertain terms meant desist and leave.

Collins saw the look he already had the address of the Gardiner's so that look did not bother him. After seeing all the sisters up close, he knew he wanted one of them for his wife but which one. They were all beautiful. He thought he had best offer for the eldest first. He had also better speak to his cousin regarding the estate. He had rented a hack so thought himself very clever to wait for the girls to call for their carriage and he could follow them then.

The girls spent another hour with their aunt, they didn't say anything about Mr Jameson but they did mention Mr Collins, but only after Maisie said something about the very smelly man. Their aunt was concerned but their safety was in numbers she also called Robert to the sitting room "please inform the other servants that under no circumstance is Mr Collins to have entry"

Robert nodded and left to carry out his task.

The rest of the time was spent pleasantly. They would all be seeing each other again that evening at Darcy House for dinner. Jane looked at the clock and reminded her sisters that they should be leaving soon so as to dress for dinner. Robert was summoned to signal the carriage and bonnets and spencer's were handed round by the maid and into the carriage they all got. They didn't see their cousin fall in behind them after making sure the door was closed. Traffic home was light so they made good time. They stopped at Mr Bennet's study to make sure he was still well enough to come with them that evening. Mr Bennet was in excellent spirits having changed earlier and discovering a Sophocles on his book shelf so he waved them away to change and went back to discover more of Elektra.

Due to his horse not being up to scratch Mr Collins hadn't seen which house the girls had gone into there were two possibilities so he thought he had better wait around and see if anyone he recognised emerged. Two hours later and the carriage pulled up again and Mr Bennet himself emerged on the arm of a footman. His daughters followed and after their father settled themselves into the carriage. Mr Collins settled himself on the hack and again followed as closely as possible.

They made good time to Darcy House. Darcy, Bingley, Warner and a footman were all waiting for them to arrive. Mr Collins watched as they all went into the house.

Somehow Darcy managed to manoeuvre Elizabeth just into his study and fall onto her lips. He groaned with the sweetness a noise emanated from her throat at her enjoyment. The kiss ended and he held her to him. "When did you know"

"The first day my love, when you smiled at me and I saw your dimples I knew myself to be lost, and you?"

"When you first looked at me with your beautiful eye's my love I knew myself to be in trouble" he said They smiled at each other in total understanding. They turned and started to walk to the parlour where family and friends awaited.

The knocker sounded and the footman opened the door a message for Mr Bennet said a voice imperiously. The footman waved him to enter. Mr Collins on seeing Elizabeth in front of him immediately pounced onto her and holding a knife at her throat demanded to be taken to her father. At first Mr Darcy looked in shock then seeing the frightened eyes of his love said coldly "this way sir"

He led them into the parlour and everyone turned in shock at seeing the knife and where it was aimed. "Mr Collins" barked an imperious voice "What is the meaning of this attack on a Peer of the Realm unhand her at once"

"The only peers I see are you milady and your brother the earl and his wife" Mr Collins said "I am here to demand my property back and as I have compromised my cousin she will have to marry me too, of course I should have offered for the eldest first"

Mr Bennet stood slowly Bingley's arm there to help and steady him "Unhand my daughter the Countess of Flintshire"

"c c c countess" he stammered

He didn't see Richard step up behind him his sword unsheathed till he felt the cold steel on his throat. "Unhand the Lady if you value your life"

The knife clattered to the floor as Richard said "I see no compromise" sounds of agreement met his statement with Bingley saying "hear hear"

Mr Collins fell to his knees managing to avoid the blade that Richard had moved slightly. Mr Darcy moved to catch Elizabeth as the family rushed to her side. Lady Catherine told the footman to get some rope so he could be tied. Richard retrieved the knife the parson had held and said he would call the local watch so they could take charge of him. Wellesley who had been standing with Mr Bennet and Lord Matlock looked at Mr Collins as if he was worm food "You will hang for this if it's the last thing I ever do, how dare you threaten the life of a Lady"

With her sisters surrounding her helping her to a chair Georgiana pressed a glass of wine into her hands. Jane rubbed her shoulder tears streaming down her beautiful face. Lydia the anger welling up in her once and for all marched over the now snivelling man and slapped his face as hard as he could "you nasty smelly man how dare you touch Lady Flint"

Collins could feel the threat of losing his bladder or his bowels he had done a great wrong and he a pastor. His anger and pride had guided him and now for what he had lost everything including his estate he knew that would be confiscated he also knew no amount of apologies was going to save him now.

The two guards of the watch had taken Mr Collins into custody and Wellesley himself had wrote the charges down. Other subjects were found to discuss, Jane dried her tears and Lizzie stopped shaking. Lady Catherine herself summoned a footman with more wine.