Sorry for the long wait. I was battling a bit of writer's block. I hope you all enjoy. I am glad that many agreed with Mr. Collins's ending. I think it is for the best as Charlotte will be able to remarry sooner than if he lived longer.


A sheet was brought to cover the body of the fallen clergyman. Mr. Philips arrived and was led into the front parlor. He was introduced to the colonel then invited to sit.

"What has happened?" he asked the gentlemen.

"Thank you for coming, sir." Mr. Darcy said. "It seems our need for your expertise has changed. We originally sent for you to assist with breaking the entailment on Longbourn..."

"Break the entail? I would be happy to assist with such if you could gain Mr. Collins agreement."

"How much do you know about the events in Kent and London?" the colonel asked.

"Bennet told me everything about the attack on Elizabeth. He said that Mr. Collins was not directly involved."

"Not directly, no, but involved enough that his wife took great offense."

"Elizabeth wrote Mrs. Collins and explained all that happened. My cousin delivered it and, after learning the truth, Mrs. Collins joined him on the journey here. She has accepted our offer of a cottage at Pemberley and believed Mr. Collins should have to give up his right to Longbourn for his part in harming a daughter of the house." Mr. Darcy explained.

"Indeed he should." Mr. Philips agreed. "I said as much to Bennet when he told me what had happened."

"Mr. Collins arrived with Lady Catherine just prior to myself and Mrs. Collins. We spoke to him about the matter. It was resolved that he would give up Longbourn and travel to Australia to minister to prisoners there. When he was being taken back to his room, he decided instead to flee and had a mishap on the stairs." Colonel Fitzwilliam explained. "He did not survive the fall."

"The sheet in the hall..."

"We felt it best to cover him until the doctor arrives. We wanted him to see the body before it was moved."

"A wise decision."

"With Mr. Collins's passing, there is the question of who the heir of Longbourn is."

"If Mrs. Collins is with child and births a son, he will be the heir." Mr. Philips said. "If she is not or births a daughter, the entail is broken. There are no other surviving male relations. The entail states in the event of such an occurrence the estate may be settled as the current owner sees fit."

Mr. Bailey entered to announce the arrival of the doctor. The gentlemen followed him out into the hall. The doctor was already kneeling, examining the body.

"Did anyone see the incident?" he asked, rising.

"I did, sir." Mr. Bailey said.

"Whereabouts on the stairs was he when he stumbled?"

"Near the top. About four steps down."

The doctor looked up the stairs and nodded, "It was a simple accident, tragic surely, but an accident. I will have a casket sent for. Will the body be laid out here or perhaps Lucas Lodge?"

"I will speak to Mrs. Collins." Mr. Darcy said. "She came down just after his fall. My wife is seeing to her upstairs."

"Of course. Have the body secured until the casket arrives."

The gentlemen thanked him and the doctor departed. Once the body was moved, Mr. Philips accompanied Mr. Darcy to speak to the new widow.


Upon retreating to Elizabeth's sitting room in the family wing, the two ladies sat together on the sofa. Elizabeth took her friend's hand.

"Are you well, Charlotte?" she asked then quickly said, "I am sorry. Of course you are not. Your husband has died. Forgive me..."

"Lizzie, do not be upset on my account." her friend remarked. "I do not want to sound heartless but I am relieved he is gone. He was not a good man."

"I would never think you heartless. I am sure that you have good reason to feel as you do."

"He never hit me, but he often made me feel unworthy. If I did anything that Lady Catherine disapproved of or that he believed she would disapprove of he would scold me like a child. He would say that I was disgraceful and improper. He would say he was ashamed to have me as a wife."

"I am sorry, Charlotte."

"It was my choice to marry him. You even tried to warn me against him."

"I thought you were too intelligent for him and I knew there was no love in the match. I did not think him a cruel man, merely a ridiculous one."

"I learned to manage him well enough by using Lady Catherine's edicts. She said men should not be always inside and should often see to the betterment of their property. Even before the Spring, I would remark on such things and he would scurry outside to busy himself with something. It was only if I did something that conflicted with that lady's opinion did he treat me poorly."

"I knew he had a high opinion of Lady Catherine but I did not think he would treat you so because of her."

"Nor did I." Mrs. Collins said with a sigh. "I knew Lady Catherine to be opinionated but I did not think her so evil as to physically harm someone either or Mr. Collins to stand by while it happened."

"Anne said he seemed shocked by Lady Catherine's attack on me."

"He may have been shocked at first but I think he was secretly pleased you were harmed." Mrs. Collins said. "When I invited you to visit I only wished you to see that I was happy and content so that you would not worry for me. I thought he agreed because he cared for my happiness and to show he held no ill will towards you or your family. As your visit drew closer I realized he was very bitter over your rejection of him. He said several times that you would regret him by the end of your visit. I am sorry for all that happened."

"You could not have known. I hope you know I could never blame you for anything that happened."

"Thank you, Lizzie."

"I hope you do not blame yourself either."

"I shall try not to."

"If you had not invited me to visit, I may never have met Mr. Darcy again. I would not be married now if not for you nor would I have become good friends with Anne."

"I expect the Rosings will be a very different place under Anne's management." Mrs. Collins said thoughtfully.

"I expect so. Lord and Lady Matlock plan to spend the summer assisting her in replacing staff and learning to run the house. She has much to learn but is eager to do so."

"I am sure she will do well."

"As am I."


A knock at the sitting room door was answered by Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Philips entered and were invited to sit.

"We wished to speak to you about what you wish to have done with your late husband." Mr. Philips stated.

"I do not think he should be buried here as he was not a member of the parish."

"Do you wish to have him sent to Hunsford then?"

"He was not well liked in Hunsford. His parents are buried in Richmond. That is the parish he was born to. I think it would be proper for him to be buried there, if it is not too much trouble."

"It is no trouble at all, Mrs. Collins." Mr. Darcy stated. "I will send word to the church there."

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy."

"I know the events of today have been upsetting and I do not wish to be indelicate about your loss,..."

"Mr. Philips, while I did not wish for Mr. Collins's death, I am not sorry he is gone. The entire journey here I was quite determined that he receive punishment for the trouble he caused for Elizabeth and her family. Elizabeth offered me a cottage at Pemberley in her letter and I was set on accepting before I left Hunsford. I did not expect to see Mr. Collins again after his departure from here."

Mr. Philips nodded, "I must ask if you are with child."

"No, I am not."

"Is it possible you do not know yet?"

"It is possible though I do not believe I am."

"If you do discover that you are, please inform me right away."

"Of course, sir."

"I have a copy of your marriage settlement at my office as well, if you would like to discuss the arrangements listed in it regarding your widowhood."

"Thank you, sir. I will come see you in a few days." Mrs. Collins replied. "What will happen to Longbourn now that there is no heir?"

"If there is truly no heir, Mr. Bennet will decide who will inherit."

"As it should be."

The gentlemen departed leaving the ladies alone once more.

"I should send a note to Lucas Lodge to inform them I am in Meryton." Mrs. Collins said. "Did my mother call today?"

"No."

"I suspected not. The colonel told me the notice for your marriage was to be in the paper today. She likely saw it and is deciding how to approach you. In the express she sent she seemed to believe that Mr. Darcy married Miss de Bourgh."

"Many were quite surprised by the identity of my husband."

"I am sure they were." her friend replied with a bit of a smile. "I was not so surprised."

"You did tell me you thought he loved me." Elizabeth remarked.

"I did though at times I was unsure. He can be a difficult man to discern."

"Indeed. I will fetch you supplies so you may send your note."

"Thank you."

Elizabeth collected her writing supplies from her chambers and returned. A note was quickly written and dispatched. Once the task was completed the ladies decided to join the rest of the household.


The rest of the day passed rather quietly until Lord Matlock's arrival just prior to dinner. As they were headed up to dress they were informed of the approaching carriage. The gentlemen awaited the carriage while the ladies retreated upstairs. Lord Matlock's carriage came to a stop and the gentleman stepped down. Mr. Bingley welcomed him and they entered the house. Mr. Bingley departed up the stairs and Mr. Darcy led his uncle and cousin into the front parlor.

"Where is she?" Lord Matlock asked.

"You look worse than I did upon my return from the continent." Colonel Fitzwilliam remarked.

"That is because I am preparing to go to war, not returning from it." his father replied.

"Lady Catherine is secured in a room upstairs." Mr. Darcy said. "She can wait for a bit. We were just going up to ready for dinner. Refresh yourself and join us. We can discuss the day's events after."

"A meal does sound appealing at the moment."

"A room has been made up for you in the family wing." Colonel Fitzwilliam. "Lady Catherine is in the guest wing so we should not be bothered by her if she decides shout her anger to the heavens."

"What of her parson? Your note said he accompanied her. Did you send him to his relations?"

"Mr. Collins had an accident." Mr. Darcy stated. "He is now in a casket in the ice house. Mrs. Collins is in residence still. She has decided to accept our offer of a cottage at Pemberley."

"For now, let us get your to your room, before the ladies see you and think you are some highwayman come to rob us. They have had enough excitement for one day." his son remarked.

Lord Matlock agreed with a nod and they headed upstairs.


Dinner passed with conversation that avoided the topic of unwelcome guests. Once the ladies had departed, Lord Matlock was told the entirety of the day's events.

"While I would not wish anyone dead, I am glad the man can no longer cause trouble." he said when all was explained. "I have sent men ahead along with horses. I will depart with Catherine at first light. With luck and fair weather I should be back in a fortnight."

"What about the remainder of Lady Catherine's things at Rosings?" Mr. Darcy asked.

"I had Anne write a letter before she left London. I sent it by messenger to Rosings when I departed. It stated that Lady Catherine would be staying with family and it has been decided that Anne will be taking the management of Rosings. It requested all of her personal belongings be sent to London so they could be sent on to her."

"Anne mentioned you plan to spend the summer assisting her."

"Yes, we are going to assist with replacing any needed staff, redecorating, and meeting the local gentry. Anne knows a few but I would feel better if I knew them as well." Lord Matlock said. "I will feel better when she marries. I worry someone will try to take advantage of her when she is left on her own."

"Perhaps she will find a suitor when she returns to London." Colonel Fitzwilliam remarked.

"I do not think finding a suitor will be a problem. Finding one who will want Anne for herself rather than her wealth and connections may be more difficult." Mr. Darcy commented.

"If you and Bingley can find ladies who love you for more than your wealth, I am sure Anne can find a gentleman to do so."

"We have been quite lucky." Mr. Bingley remarked. "Though I must remind you, we had to leave London to do so."

"Very true." Mr. Darcy said. "Perhaps Anne will have better luck in London than we did or perhaps she will meet someone in Kent. Lady Catherine did not invite the local gentlemen. Only a few of the local ladies called on her as they knew her before Sir Lewis died."

"I am sure your aunt will remedy that this summer." Lord Matlock stated. "She loves to entertain and will likely have Anne planning a dinner in the first week."


The gentlemen soon joined the ladies. Everyone was soon settled into their own amusements. Lord Matlock took up a seat near Anne and Elizabeth, "I hope the day has not been too trying for you both."

"The beginning of the day was rather pleasant." Anne remarked.

"Indeed." Elizabeth agreed.

"I am truly sorry Catherine arrived to spoil it. I truly thought that she would come to London."

"It is no fault of yours, sir. Lady Lucas wrote to Mr. Collins. She arrived believing William had married Anne. I am only glad Anne and my sisters were in the gardens when she arrived."

"I am glad as well. I am sure she would have been terrible to them." Anne said. "They have been so kind to me. I would have felt terrible if she had been rude to them. I believe Georgiana is quite frightened of her."

Lord Matlock nodded, "We are leaving at first light tomorrow. I wished to ask you, Anne, if you would like to speak to her. If she had gone to London as we expected there would not be the opportunity, but as she is here, I thought you might have some final words for her."

"I had not thought to. I hoped when I left Rosings it would be the last time I saw her."

"If that is your desire, I respect it."

"There are things that I wish to say but I know they will mean nothing to her."

"They do not have to mean anything to her, Anne." Elizabeth said. "What do they mean to you? Will you regret not saying them?"

Anne consider this for a few moments.

"I will speak to her, but I do not wish to do so alone."

"Your cousins and I will be with you." her uncle assured.

Anne nodded, "Thank you Uncle."

"You are welcome, Anne. I thought to speak to her before tea is served. Do you feel up to seeing her now?"

"Yes, I believe so."

"I will collect your cousins."

Lord Matlock informed his son and nephew of his plans to speak with Lady Catherine as well as Anne wish to speak to her mother. The men rose to accompany him. Mr. Bingley suggested cards to pass the time and the remaining ladies agreed.


As with the interview with Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine was brought to the sitting room in the guest wing. She was brought in by two footmen. Upon seeing her brother in the room she began to rant about her displeasure of her nephew's marriage.

"It is a disgrace. An absolute disgrace." she shouted.

"You will take a seat and be silent, Catherine." her brother stated sternly. "We are not in your throne room at Rosings. You are a guest in this house, albeit an uninvited one. Do not humiliate our family any further."

Lady Catherine looked shocked at being spoken to in such a way. Her nephews shared an amused looked as the lady took a seat.

"Now, Darcy told me he has informed you of your future living arrangements. We leave at first light tomorrow."

"What do you mean? What living arrangements?"

"The cottage in Wales." Mr. Darcy reminded her.

"Do not be ridiculous. I am going back to Rosings and taking my daughter with me. I will not have her in the presence of the likes of Elizabeth Bennet."

"Catherine, your actions caused harm to an innocent young lady..." Lord Matlock began but was cut off by his sister.

"Innocent? She is a trollop, a scheming wretch who stole my daughter's place."

"Mind your words when speaking of my wife." Mr. Darcy said coldly.

"I will write everyone lady in high society and tell them. No one will accept her, the Darcy name will be disgraced, and you will be a laughingstock. She seduced you with her arts and allurements as low born women do. Cast her off and I will allow you to marry Anne."

"Catherine, stop this nonsense." her brother said. "Darcy is married. He will not be marrying Anne. You are going to Wales to live. Our cousin, Owen Pritchard, will have the cottage ready when we arrive. He will oversee the management of your staff and inform me if there are any problems."

"I will not live in a cottage. I am Mistress of Rosings Park."

"You are not." Anne said firmly. "I am. Rosings belongs to me and you are no longer welcome there."

"How dare you speak to me that way. I am your mother."

"You may have birthed me but you were not a mother to me. A mother cares about their child. She tends her child when they are hurt or ill. She teaches them. She wants what is best for them, not for herself, but so they can be happy."

"Sentimental drivel. Your nanny and governess came with the highest recommendations. Mrs. Jenkinson attended the best school that can be expected for a companion."

"You dismissed my governess when my father died. There was so much more I could have learned."

"You can read and write. You knew simple figures. What more did you need?"

"Many ladies of lower circles can do far more than I can. I have no accomplishments, nothing to recommend myself."

"You did not need any of those things. You were to marry Darcy. If that dreadful girl had not usurped your place..."

"It was not my place nor did I want it to be!" Anne nearly shouted standing. "I have tried to tell you for years that I did not wish to marry William, that I wanted go to London. I wanted to learn things and meet new people, but you would not listen. No one listened to me. No one but Elizabeth. She was the first person to really listen to me. She is my true friend and you hurt her. You are nothing to me now." Anne took a deep breath and released it. "I have said my piece. I will rejoin my friends. Good bye, madam. I do not expect that we will see one another again."

She curtsied and departed the room. Lady Catherine stared after her then turned to her brother.

"Brother, you must believe me. Elizabeth Bennet has done this to our family. She has poisoned their minds. She turned my own child against me. She is trying to destroy our family."

"Catherine..."

"Where is Mr. Collins? Bring him here. He will tell you the truth about her. She took advantage of my poor, ill child and turned her against me so she could gain a rich husband."

"Collins is dead." Colonel Fitzwilliam remarked.

"Dead? How?"

"He fell down the stairs."

"I do not believe you."

"Believe what you wish, madam, but you have no allies here." Mr. Darcy stated.

"Darcy is right, Catherine." Lord Matlock said. "You have made your choices. Those choices, if found out, could ruin our family. You are the one who is a danger to our family. You will go to Wales..."

"If you try to force me out of Rosings, I will destroy all of you. I will tell all of society what you are doing to me. I will tell them Darcy took a fallen woman as a wife. I will tell everything."

"You will do nothing without the permission of our cousin. He and his wife will have say over every aspect of your life from the food that will grace your table to the letters you send and receive. Your staff will be made to understand that he pays their wages, not you. If you try to fire them or raise a hand to them, you will be punished."

"Punished how?"

"Nothing but gruel for a week or perhaps confined to your room like a child. I have a list of suggestions for Pritchard. I am sure he could come up with some on his own."

"He could make her sleep in the barn with the cows for a few nights." Colonel Fitzwilliam suggested.

"They may refuse to give milk if he does that." Mr. Darcy commented. "He could make her muck the stalls though."

"I will add that one to list." Lord Matlock remarked.

Lady Catherine gave an indignant huff.

"I recommend you get a good night's sleep. We have a long few days of travel ahead." Lord Matlock crossed to the door and opened it. "The footmen will see you to your room."

Lady Catherine rose slowly.

"Henry..."

"Good night, Catherine." he said dismissively.

She followed the footmen silently from the room.


Thanks for reading.