Mary had woken early, the memory of the interview with Mr Collins burning a hole of a nameless emotion inside of her. Quiet reflection hadn't soothed it, nor had prayer. She had sat quietly in a chair unable to think of a title of any book that might help her current predicament, and the thought of Fordyce made her wish to cast the volume directly into the fire. She had behaved as she ought, she had never indulged in vanity, she had never promoted herself. She had quietly worked on her accomplishments, listened to her elders, embraced the teachings of the church and yet the burning emotion inside of her would not quiet, would not fade.
She had dressed and slipped out of her room, making her way downstairs. Dawn was creeping closer, and in the gloom of the predawn light, she made her way to the stable.
The stable hand had been at Longbourn since shortly after her parents' marriage. Longtime service allowed him to express no surprise at the early awakening and quiet request to saddle her father's hunter. Elizabeth was not the only sister who slipped out early. Mary knew from experience that Jane also took early morning rides. Their father had abandoned the habit once he found his horse missing on more than one occasion with only the admonishment that they would be careful, and if he expressed a need of his horse for business purposes, they would take Nelly instead.
Her father had obviously not requested Snapdragon be held back as the stable hand led him out of the stable and to the mounting block. Mary was glad.
Mounted, she headed for her usual route around the park down to the wood then a good mile gallop over the westernmost pasture before following the stream back to the house. If she was lucky, she might miss the morning repast and put off facing her mother's disappointment for not saving them all from the hedgerows.
The drumming beat of a steady canter soothed her. The path through the woods was smooth with years of use, and Mary and Snapdragon knew it well. As she pulled up to round the corner of the wall ready for the gallop she heard a shout and the beat of heavier hooves. Mary reined up turning to see Jane and Nelly come up.
"You rose before me," Jane said breathlessly by way of greeting. "I must only have missed you by a small amount. Are you well?"
Mary dropped her gaze unsure of how to answer.
"Well," Jane replied bracingly. "Then if you are sufficiently ready shall we be off? Nelly might not be quite up to the challenge, but I suppose we might make it around the gallop in good order. If you are in no rush to return, we could head up the lane and see if Lizzy is also abroad this morning. She would have made it to Oakham mount by the time we reach it."
Mary considered Jane's offer then nodded her acceptance. "I believe that would be acceptable. If you are also in no hurry to return. Mr Bingley may call."
Jane smiled slightly. "Perhaps, though I should not expect him to call today even if he were to return to Netherfield by visiting hours." She turned Nelly onto the wide track, Mary followed brought Snapdragon alongside and then kicked the horse into a run.
Mary swore to herself that she would never tell of the delighted whoop of joy that escaped her demure elder sister as Nelly set off after her. Nor would she forget the way the solid thundering of drumming hooves soothed her, drowning out the burning emotion she had no name for. Her own smile stretched across her face as the wind of their passage caused her eyes to water. The closeness between Jane and Lizzy she had long envied and the small morsels of time she was given with Jane were precious for their rarity.
It was truly no contest, Snapdragon was a better class of horse than Nelly, Mary won the race by two lengths. As they reined in to make the turn onto the lane leading to Oakham Mount at a more sedate pace, Mary felt able to answer Jane's question.
"I am, well, that is. I was not, but I think I shall be. Although I do not anticipate Mama being pleased with me."
Jane nodded leaning over to grip Mary's arm. "You shall not go where you are not happy to. If necessary, I shall tell Mama my news then her fear for the future can be put to rest."
Mary nodded her thanks, and they continued up the lane. The hilltop was empty, but they stayed a few minutes letting the horses crop at the grass watching the countryside around them.
When they turned to leave Jane indicated the bottom of the lane with her whip. "Shall we take the route Lizzy walks? The fields are not too wet, and there is a good sprint down the last half."
Mary nodded, and the horses were encouraged into a run down the hill. The road curved to the left where the gateway was, but feeling bold Mary kept straight on. Snapdragon took the ditch and the hedge with aplomb never wavering from his course. Mary looked over her shoulder as Jane and Nelly followed, the heavier horse landing well with only a slight stumble. Jane nodded to Mary to indicate all was well and the two sisters continued their ride home.
At the stable they handed the horses over to the stable hands and headed for the back door, dirty habits draped over their arms. The activity in the kitchen indicated that the rest of the family was still not fully risen, so Jane led them up the back stairs.
As they reached the landing Elizabeth slipped from her room. "I see I have missed the excitement this morning."
"I caught up to Mary at the gallop. We looked for you on Oakham Mount."
Elizabeth smiled. "I did not walk out as you see. I was unsure as to if Papa's restriction still applied although the gentlemen have left the area. I also did not wish to be elsewhere if my presence could be of some help."
"Then allow us time to change, and we shall go down together if that is acceptable to Mary?" Jane proposed. "If you wish to have Sarah bring you something, I will gladly speak to her."
Mary bit her lip her eyes falling to the floor before lifting them to her waiting sisters. "I should like to eat at the table. I do not wish to appear overset by the events."
Jane nodded and smiled. "Then let us ready ourselves, and we shall go down together."
When they entered the parlour, Jane sat beside Mary and Elizabeth took other side displacing a late arriving Kitty and Lydia from their usual seats. The new arrangement had Kitty raising an eyebrow, and Lydia noticed not at all.
Elizabeth could not help her own mental distraction, tensely waiting for her mother's usual effusive conversation. To her surprise, Mrs Bennet was unusually solicitous to each of her daughter's while pointedly ignoring Mr Collins' presence. Mr Bennet remained hidden behind his newspaper, so Elizabeth was unable to gather intelligence as to her mother's actions. It was then with concern for her sister, and a willingness to face down her mother's temper personally to spare Mary that Elizabeth applied herself to the conversation. It was also at that moment when her mother addressed Mr Collins.
"Mr Collins perhaps today would be a good day for you to pay your respects about Merton. It is a shame that Mr Bingley and his party shall not return before you take your leave, but you can at least assure Lady Catherine that you found her nephew in tolerable spirits. That shall surely bring her a measure of relief and you no small measure of satisfaction at being of use to her."
"Indeed, madam her Ladyship shall be most gratified to learn of such a thing. I have corresponded faithfully with Lady Catherine that her nephew has been so generous as to visit Longbourn while I was present. Her ladyship takes such prodigious care of all those that move within her sphere."
"Yes, that is fortunate for you indeed. I believe that Lady Catherine would be able to see you married in no more than four weeks once you return. It is a shame that things have not come out here, but have no fear that we shall hold it against you. Your overtures have been duly noted, and you may be assured that we shall remember you until that sad day which you return upon Mr Bennett demise. Shall I send Hill up to help with your trunks?"
"Mrs Bennet, I fear there has been some misunderstanding, though I am sure that the fault must be on my part. I wrote in my letter to Mr Bennet that I shall arrive at four o'clock on November eighteenth and I had no intentions of leaving until Saturday when I was to take the post back to my parish."
Mrs Bennet nodded sagely. "Indeed, but if Lady Catherine is to help you find a wife from one of the amiable ladies in Hunsford, we will certainly not keep you. A gentleman with everything you have to offer must make no delay."
Mr Collins drew himself up. "Your concern madam does you credit, but I believe that in this I have the right of it. My date of return is Saturday, and on that date, I shall return. But I shall consider that it would be correct of me to take my leave and shall do so before I return to Hunsford."
The rest of the meal passed in silence, Elizabeth exchanged a speaking glance with both Jane and Mary trying to comprehend their mother's sudden expressed urge to be rid of Mr Collins but to no avail as neither sister had any more understanding.
Finally, Mr Collins excused himself from the table, and before the door had fully closed behind him, Mrs Bennet threw her napkin up in the table declaring. "He is the most disagreeable, horrid man. So high and conceited. There is no enduring him." She sent a stern look around the table. "I warn you my dears, the goodness of a gentleman cannot be taken from his looks and words alone. Mr Collins is a wolf in sheep's clothing, and to think he is going to remain here."
A flurry of glances passed between the Bennet sisters wondering what had upset their mother so.
Mrs Bennet nodded decisively as she picked up her teacup. "Do not fret yourself, Mary. If you stay with one of your sisters until he leaves you shall be safe enough. I cannot think of what the world is coming to. Mr Darcy insults Lizzy, and now Mr Collins does the same to Mary. I do not know what has become of the world where so-called gentlemen believe that young ladies gently born can be insulted in such a manner, and I am to tolerate both men in my house? Oh, how it vexes me, Mr Collins is at least to leave, but Mr Darcy! I cannot bear having to allow him into Longbourn. I should not if Mr Darcy were not Mr Bingley's particular friend. I have suggested as best I may that he need not attend and yet he does. Oh, it vexes me. Why he cannot see that he is not welcome? And indeed how could he be, when he insults Lizzy in such a manner. For all his ten thousand a year, it has done him not a whit of good if his manners are so poor."
Mr Bennett stood from the table folding his newspaper, as he passed his wife he laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Take heart, my dear, while Mr Collins may be the heir of Longbourn he is not yet the Master. That title still falls to me, and as such he will be gone by the end of the day. As for Mr Darcy, I am afraid that you shall have to bear him, though I promise that I shall give you leave to send him to my book room just as often as you like. I believe that that might be best for all parties."
As good as his word to his wife, Mr Bennet saw Mr Collins was gone by mid-afternoon. Mary, Elizabeth and Jane watched from the stillroom window as Mr Collins ungainly clambered aboard the equipage, and his trunks were strapped on. The three of them held their breath as the vehicle lurched off and disappeared around the hedge taking its odious passenger away.
At supper that evening a revived Mrs Bennet effusively and equally praised the joy of having a house to one's self again and her husband for his taking excellent care of his family by removing a man that had pained her nerves so acutely.
Mr Bennet received the praise with equanimity and apologised for being the bearer of news that might cause his wife's nerves to become strained once more. Upon Mrs Bennet's suspicious inquiry as to his meaning, Mr Bennet withdrew a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Jane.
Jane unfolded the note scanning it quickly as a warm blush rose to her cheeks.
"Jane?" Elizabeth asked.
"It is from Mr Bingley, he writes to say he has returned and wishes to call in the morning. Mr Darcy and his sister are to accompany him."