Proposals and Patronesses

Elizabeth woke to a nearly mid-day sun, but considering the time in which she got to bed it was to be expected. Once dressed, she retreated downstairs for breakfast but was bombarded by Mr. Collins on the way down.

"Miss Elizabeth I assure you I have requested and been granted your mother's permission for this address. You can hardly doubt the motives of my affection, my attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as soon as I entered the house I singled you out as the companion for my future life. But before I run away with my feelings, let me state my reason for marrying. I came to Hertfordshire in hopes of selecting a bride from one of Mr. Bennet's daughters as I am to inherit the estate."

He continued on explaining his reasons for marriage, but none as important as the significance of his patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He seemed to drone on. The longer he spoke, the more Elizabeth felt herself turning red. Her annoyance with the odious parson knew no bounds, and here he was proposing in a manner that did not resemble the heart. She wondered if he had ever experienced love, even in the simplest form of the word. She thought it best to interrupt him now.

"You are too hasty sir, I am afraid that I have given no answer, let me do so now. I thank you for your compliments, I am honored by your proposal, but regret that I must decline them."

"I hear that it is usual with young ladies to reject the man whom they seek to accept to keep him in suspense." He replied as beads of sweat dripped down his face, giving the gentleman a glassy complexion.

"I am not the sort of female to torment a respectable man. You could not make me happy, and I am convinced I am the last woman in the world to make you so." She felt as though she could not be any more clear, and yet he tried twice more. She remained firm in her clear denial and left the room in a huff.

"LIZZY!" Her mother cried upon hearing her rejection of his proposal. "I insist upon you marrying Mr. Collins! Go back now and say you have changed your mind."

"I cannot marry him, we will both be miserable―"

"You will marry him. In such cases as these, it is the duty of a daughter to marry and preserve the family estate. You will have this house. And indeed it is not like you have any other prospects."

Remaining calm, as her composure was the only way her happiness could be guaranteed, Elizabeth spoke softly. "Mother, cannot we ask father for his insight?" Without saying anything, Mrs. Bennet led the way into her husband's study.

"Mr. Bennet, we are all in an uproar. You must make Lizzy marry Mr. Collins. Lizzy says she will not have him and now the danger is Mr. Collins begins to say that he will not have her."

"Lizzy, come here my child" she walked towards him and he took her hands in his. She felt as though his approval of her decision would mean everything, her freedom. She looked into his eyes, but did not find the pride she expected, but rather worry.

"I understand your disposition Lizzy, but I also know of the sacrifices we make for the sake of our families. You love your sisters, don't you? Don't you want them to see them happy? I fear Jane would not do well as a spinster, would she? Your mother and sisters are used to such comforts that only an estate may bring, would you deny them of that which they are accustomed?"

Elizabeth was shocked and mortified by the implication of her father's words. Never had he spoken to her in such a way to her before. She knew him to neglect where his family was concerned, but never his favorite Lizzy! No, there must be some mistake! She thought that he would want her to be happy. He had found himself in a loveless marriage, yet he would expect the same of her!

She had always hoped for a marriage of love. She knew her circumstances, and the lack of preparation her father had taken, but surely he would not force her into a situation so similar to his own for the sake of the family. After all, their condition upon his death was his responsibility, not hers. No, no she would run to Aunt Gardiner's house and become their children's governess. Even if it meant not seeing her family ever again, simply to avoid being Mr. Collins' bride.

"Please, father. I am begging you, do not make me do this." Hot tears traveled the length of her face, her eyes riddled with worry.

"Elizabeth Bennet" he paused "go into the hall, apologize to your cousin, agree to marry him, and then you may retreat to your room should you wish to."

"No. I will not."

"Yes, you will. For if you do not, you will no longer live under this roof. You will not live with the Gardiners. You will have no one. You are not yet of age. You will marry Mr. Collins." With his final resolve, she stormed out of the study. She nearly ran into her cousin who clearly had been eavesdropping.

"I will marry you. I spoke irrationally earlier and I apologize." Before she could wait for a response she curtsied and ran up into the room that she shared with Jane. She locked the door and collapsed onto the bed in a weighted heap.

All her life, Elizabeth Bennet was her father's favorite. She spent countless hours in her father's bookroom as she learned what she could from her father. The man she knew best in the world. Who loved her, didn't he? Or she thought he loved her, until an hour ago. How could he punish her for his inaction in their lives? Was her sacrifice worth the pain that the union would bring to her life? Did her mother revel in the knowledge that her least favorite daughter would live a life married to such a man?

She prayed that somewhere deep within their hearts the love her parents felt for her would reverse their decision and she could be free from the leering gaze of one Mr. Collins. Such action she would soon learn would never come to be. After all, it would be some three weeks for the banns to be read, that was more than enough time to change the minds of both her parents. And if not her mother, she was certain her father would shift his allegiance. The portion of her heart which once held her affection for her father beamed with the hope that certainly, this union would never take place. Listening to her heart rather than her head, Elizabeth Bennet relaxed as slumber found her.