Mrs. Bennet sighed in delight. "Oh, my clever girl! You have saved us all. Mr. Darcy's fortune is substantial enough to fulfill the entailment clause and secure Longbourn forever. I am so proud you listened to my advice."

Elizabeth's cheeks burned as she glanced around anxiously. "Mama, please lower your voice. There is nothing secured nor saved - I am not engaged to Mr. Darcy!"

But Mrs. Bennet waved off her protests airily. "He is honorable enough to do right by you, have no fear." Her complacent smile faded as a thought struck her. "The clause to break the entailment will be fulfilled by your union...will it not?"

Elizabeth rubbed at her temples in frustration. "I do not know, as I have no intention of marrying Mr. Darcy! A compromised reputation does not necessarily constitute a binding union."

Before Mrs. Bennet could argue further, an all-too-familiar voice rang out behind them. "Cousin Elizabeth! And Mrs. Bennet, how fortuitous."

They turned to find Mr. Collins approaching, brows knitted in confusion. "I have heard the most ridiculous rumor that you, Cousin, and a Mr. Darcy were caught in a compromising position." He shook his head in denial. "I cannot imagine the people here would be so cruel as to spread falsehoods and endanger the reputations of others."

Elizabeth's heart sank at this evidence gossip had already taken wing. But Mr. Collins prattled on, oblivious. "Why, to sully the name of my esteemed patroness Lady Catherine's own nephew would be unthinkable! I am certain there has been some mistake." He sighed in contentment. "I shall reassure her ladyship this nonsense stems from idle fancy and malice when next I write."

Just then, Lydia and Kitty rushed up in a fit of giggles. "Oh Lizzy, have you heard? They are saying you were caught alone with Mr. Darcy!" Lydia dissolved into laughter.

Kitty elbowed her sister, trying in vain to stifle her own amusement. "Hush, Lydia! It cannot be true." Her speculative gaze turned to Elizabeth. "Can it?"

Before Elizabeth could deny such nonsense, Mrs. Bennet clasped her hands in delight. "It is true, as I have been saying! Your sister has saved us all."

Stunned silence greeted this announcement. Lydia and Kitty gaped at Elizabeth, eyes widening.

But Mr. Collins frowned, shaking his head in denial. "No, it cannot be. My cousin is not engaged, nor would Lady Catherine's nephew stoop to compromise!" He glared reproachfully at Mrs. Bennet. "I must ask you not to spread such falsehoods, as reputations are at stake!"

Mrs. Bennet lifted her chin, undaunted. "There is no falsehood. By dawn all shall know of Lizzy's good fortune!"

With surprising speed Mrs. Bennet pulled Elizabeth with her as she hastened off in search of Mr. Bennet. As they moved through the room all eyes turned to Elizabeth. Whispers sprang up as people slowly backed away, stumbling into each other in their haste.

She burned with mortification under the stares and whispers. "Mama, stop this nonsense at once!" she whispered. "There has been no compromise and there needs to be no betrothal!"

But Mrs. Bennet merely shushed her, weaving through the crowd with single-minded determination. "Do not make a scene, Lizzy. All will be well, you shall see!"

Amidst the walk to locate Mr. Bennet at one of the tables, Mr. Bingley's befuddled gaze met Elizabeth's. Then suddenly the crowd's whispers rose to a roar and then hushed.

Mr. Darcy had entered the ballroom. All dancing and conversation had ceased; only the musicians played on in ignorance. Mr. Darcy's scowl darkened, his accusing gaze pinned Elizabeth in place, mouth tightening with anger.

With hurried strides, he approached Mr. Bennet before Mrs Bennet and Elizabeth could relay the news.

"Mr. Bennet, a word in private if you please." His tone brooked no refusal.

Mr. Bennet glanced at him in surprise, then at the anxious faces of his wife and favorite daughter. "Certainly. Shall we step into the hallway?"

Mr. Darcy nodded curtly and led the way. The crowd parted to allow them passage, eager eyes following their progress.

When the door had shut behind them, a roar of chatter erupted and speculation reigned once more. Mrs. Bennet clasped her hands in delight at this development, turning to Elizabeth with a radiant smile. "There, did I not tell you all would be well?" she trilled. "No doubt Mr. Darcy means to ask for your hand!"

Elizabeth was dismayed and noticed Mr. Collins, who had followed Mrs. Bennet and Elizabeth, now glared at her with unfamiliar hardness in his eyes. His usual obsequious manner had vanished, replaced by anger and resentment. Elizabeth blinked in surprise, wondering if his usual foolishness had all been an act. Perhaps some cunning lay behind the guise of his complacent smile and groveling.

Jane appeared at her side, clasping Elizabeth's hands in dismay. "Lizzy, what is happening?" Her worried gaze searched Elizabeth's face. "Why did Mr. Darcy wish to speak with Papa?"

Before Elizabeth could explain, the hall door burst open with Mr. Bennet entering looking unusually grave. An expectant hush fell over the crowd as all eyes swung to Mr. Bennet in curiosity to gauge his reaction and learn the outcome of the mysterious tête-à-tête.

Mr. Bennet stepped forward, and crooked a finger, beckoning her forward to stand at his side.

With a mix of dread and relief, Elizabeth moved to join him.

Mr. Bennet glanced over the crowd with a frown. "We are leaving. I have called for the carriage."

A murmur of disappointment arose from the crowd at being thus denied further scandal and spectacle. Elizabeth stared at her father in surprise, but grasped Jane's hand and pulled her along as they made their escape from prying eyes at last.

The ride home was passed in silence, each absorbed in their own anxious reflections. Elizabeth gazed out at the passing fields and woodlands silvered by moonlight, longing to escape the tangled web they now found themselves ensnared in.

At length she could bear the quiet no more. "Why did you not allow me to explain the truth of events, Papa?" she asked.

Mr. Bennet sighed. "There was no purpose. Once tongues start wagging, truth has little chance to prevail or reputations to remain intact." He regarded Elizabeth with a hint of his usual humor. "You have caused quite the stir this night, my dear. I thought it best to remove you from further speculation before scandal erupts in truth."

Elizabeth's cheeks burned at this accusation. "I have caused nothing but accidental tumult due to Mama's foolish claims and refusal to listen to reason!"

Mr. Bennet regarded Elizabeth with disappointment. "I am surprised you would follow your mother's advice in scheming to trap Mr. Darcy."

Elizabeth stared at him in disbelief. "There was no scheming, no design - it was an accident!"

But Mr. Bennet waved aside her protests. "Mr. Darcy will call tomorrow to draw up the marriage contract. You have succeeded admirably in your goal, and Longbourn is saved at last."

A stunned silence from Elizabeth, reeling from Mr. Bennet's rare disapproval, greeted this pronouncement.

But it was broken by an indignant huff from Mr. Collins. "Mr. Darcy cannot offer for my cousin's hand!" he cried. "He has been engaged to Miss Anne de Bourgh, the daughter of my esteemed patroness Lady Catherine herself!"

Shock descended anew. Elizabeth clutched Jane's hands with horror.

Mrs. Bennet let out a shriek of dismay, fanning herself furiously. "Engaged? To another lady? Oh! My poor nerves!"

Jane squeezed Elizabeth's hand gently, her expression full of concern and sympathy for her sister's distress.

Mary tutted disapprovingly. "This is what comes of scheming. Falsehood and pretense will out."

Mr. Collins bristled with self-importance. "I assure you, it is true. Lady Catherine herself informed me of the engagement between her daughter and Mr. Darcy. Why, she will be most displeased to hear of this evening's events!"

Kitty and Lydia giggled behind their hands, thrilled by the dramatic revelations.

Elizabeth felt the blood drain from her face. "But I have made no claim on Mr. Darcy! I neither schemed nor pretended!" She turned pleading eyes to her father. "Papa, you must believe me!"

But Mr. Bennet merely sighed. "What's done is done. We shall see what comes of it on the morrow."

The carriage lapsed once more into uneasy silence. Amid the tumult Elizabeth felt tears slip unchecked down her cheeks. Her reputation now lay in tatters, ruined beyond all hope of repair by the cumulative effects of this disastrous night.

Elizabeth had barely slept, her eyes gritty and swollen from crying as the events of the previous night played over and over in her mind. The damage was irreparable, her reputation in utter ruins thanks to her mother's foolish claims, the vicious gossip that had spread through Meryton like wildfire and the unwelcome news that Mr. Darcy would be unable to marry her to save her reputation for he was already engaged to someone else.

She descended the stairs with Jane in silence, dreading the day ahead and the further censure it would surely bring. The small breakfast parlor contained an unwelcome sight - the oily and obsequious Mr. Collins, a smug smile upon his thin lips. Elizabeth's heart sank at his appearance.

Elizabeth sat in her chair with trepidation, still seated next to Mr. Collins. He stood with one hand on the back of his chair, clearing his throat importantly. The Bennets stared at him and each other, confused.

"My dear cousin Elizabeth, I am renewing my offer of marriage. I know that you refused me once before, but I am hoping that you may look more kindly upon my suit now."

Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest, but he held up a hand to silence her. "Please, hear me out. Your reputation has been utterly compromised by these false rumors of a betrothal to Mr. Darcy, who is in fact promised to another." Mr. Collins shook his head in well-feigned regret. "As such, your prospects are diminished and dowries uncertain. Never fear, if you consent to wed me, I shall ensure your reputations and dowries remain intact. Longbourn shall remain in the family, and you may continue to reside here even after your esteemed father has passed on."

"Mr. Collins, I must insist—"

He bowed deeply. "I have a comfortable home to offer, and shall always treat you with the utmost respect and affection. My dear Miss Elizabeth, please do me the very great honor of accepting my hand in marriage."

Elizabeth stared at him in stunned disbelief, scarcely able to credit what she was hearing. When she found her voice at last, it shook with indignation. "And if we refuse your generous offer?" she demanded. "What then becomes of our reputations and dowries, or Longbourn itself?"

A flash of annoyance crossed Mr. Collins' features before he composed himself once more. "Then I fear you leave me no choice but to withdraw my protection and support. Your reputations shall remain in tatters, dowries uncertain and Longbourn entailed away upon your father's death." His thin smile did not reach his eyes. "I urge you to consider my proposal carefully. It is a generous offer, given the circumstances, and your only remaining hope of security."

Mr. Collins' threats still rang in Elizabeth's ears when Hill entered to announce Mr. Darcy's arrival.

Mr. Bennet rose swiftly from his chair, casting a stern look at his daughters before quitting the room to receive the gentleman.

Apprehensive glances were exchanged around the table. Jane reached for Elizabeth's hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.

Mr. Collins' face took on a mottled hue. "Mr. Darcy! Here already? This cannot be borne!" He leapt up. "He shall not steal away my bride-to-be! I must speak with him at once!"

With that, he hurried from the room after Mr. Bennet, leaving the sisters to stare at each other in dismay.

"Lizzy, what shall we do?" Jane whispered anxiously.

Before Elizabeth could reply, they heard the raised voices of Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy echoing down the hall, and Mr. Bennet's stern admonishments for calm.

Kitty and Lydia dissolved into nervous titters while Mary sat rigidly upright, lips pursed in disapproval.

Mrs. Bennet merely fanned herself faster, letting out little whimpers of "Oh, my poor nerves!"

Elizabeth hurried from the breakfast room towards the raised voices, Jane close behind. They came upon Mr. Collins cornering a stern-faced Mr. Darcy in the hallway, jabbing an accusatory finger at him.

"How dare you steal away my cousin when you are already engaged to another!" Mr. Collins cried shrilly. "Have you no care for propriety or honor?"

Mr. Darcy's eyes flashed dangerously. "My affairs do not concern you. There is no formal engagement between your cousin and myself, though circumstances now require me to offer for her."

Mr. Collins spluttered. "Well I cannot allow it! Her reputation remains compromised, and thus I am still determined to make her an honorable offer as her clergyman and cousin. I insist you break off this sham engagement at once!"

At this, Elizabeth rushed forward, cheeks flaming. "Mr. Collins! You go too far. There is no engagement between myself and Mr. Darcy, nor shall there ever be one between us!"

Mr. Collins rounded on her furiously. "Cousin, have you no care for your family? I urge you to accept my generous proposal, as it is your only remaining hope of security!"

Mr. Darcy stepped forward sternly. "Miss Elizabeth's choice in this matter is her own. But I assure you, if I make an offer, it shall be an honorable one."

Mr. Collins whirled to face Mr. Bennet, "You cannot allow this engagement to stand! Mr. Darcy is already promised to Anne de Bourgh. And consider - Pemberley is so very far! Your dear Elizabeth shan't see her family but once a year." He smiled unctuously. "Whereas I can offer her a comfortable home right here near Longbourn. Surely you wish your daughters to remain close."

Mr. Bennet raised an eyebrow. "On the contrary, I should think distance from certain relations is much to be desired."

Elizabeth flushed, but Mr. Collins plowed on obliviously. "Think of propriety! Of your duty! Mr. Darcy must marry Miss de Bourgh, and Elizabeth must accept my offer, as I am both cousin and clergyman."

Mr. Darcy stepped forward angrily. "Sir, you presume much. I make my own choices."

But Mr. Collins appealed once more to Mr. Bennet. "For the sake of your family, you must intervene! Convince them to do their duty!"

Mr. Bennet's expression was grave. "The matter is settled. Elizabeth must marry Mr. Darcy."

Elizabeth stared at her father in dismay. "But Papa, I do not wish to marry without affection!"

Mr. Bennet silenced her protests. "You must, for propriety and your sisters' security. Mr. Darcy is honorable - he will see to your comfort."

Mr. Darcy bowed solemnly. "I shall endeavor to secure your daughter's happiness, sir."

Elizabeth looked desperately between the three men, feeling utterly powerless. Mr. Collins scowled, seeing his hopes dashed.

Mr. Bennet took her hands gently. "Forgive me, Lizzy. But you must see - this is for the best."

I hope you're enjoying the story!

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