"Thank you, Hill." As the maid withdrew, Elizabeth hurried down and was surprised to find Mr. Collins eagerly conversing with Charlotte.

Pulling Jane discreetly aside, who had followed her downstairs, Elizabeth whispered "Please help Mama search again for the inheritance paper while I keep our cousin occupied."

Jane nodded. "I will do my best."

"Charlotte, how lovely you look today," Elizabeth greeted her friend warmly, attempting to draw her attention.

But Mr. Collins interjected pompously, "Yes, indeed, the very picture of youthful grace and modesty!"

Charlotte flushed slightly at the overt compliment. She opened her mouth to respond, but Mr. Collins barreled on obliviously.

"Why, I dare say your pleasing countenance rivals even that of my esteemed patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh in her youth!" he declared.

Charlotte's eyes widened in surprise. "You are too kind, sir."

"And your keen intellect is evident in your thoughtful conversational manner," he continued effusively. "So modest, yet so insightful for one of your tender years!"

"You flatter me, Mr. Collins," Charlotte demurred, looking mildly embarrassed by his excessive praise.

"Not at all! Why, your prudent perspective and wise insights would be an ornament to any household," he asserted.

Charlotte shot Elizabeth a bemused glance, seeming unsure how to respond.

"Come, let us stroll outside while the weather holds," Elizabeth suggested brightly to Charlotte.

"Capital idea!" Mr. Collins exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "What better way to enjoy these fair autumn days than in the charming company of you ladies?"

Elizabeth suppressed a sigh as Mr. Collins inserted himself into their walk uninvited. Offering Charlotte an apologetic glance, they set off down the garden path.

True to form, Mr. Collins immediately launched into effusive monologues extolling Charlotte's many merits. "Why, your graceful deportment and modest bearing would be the envy of ladies at court!" he declared.

Charlotte flushed, murmuring vague thanks as he prattled on.

"And the way you mind your steps to avoid trampling the blossoms - what care you show for God's creation!" Mr. Collins exclaimed.

Elizabeth had to stifle a laugh at this absurd compliment on Charlotte's normal walking ability. But her friend merely nodded politely, seeming unfazed by his excessive flattery.

Mr. Collins went on and on, praising everything from Charlotte's poise to the elegant curve of her neck to the pleasing symmetry of her features. Through it all, Charlotte bore his nonsense with good-humored restraint.

Elizabeth marveled at her tolerance, and wondered what Jane was uncovering back at the house. She could only hope her sister had successfully unearthed the entailment document by now.

Charlotte glanced at the position of the sun and sighed. "I should be getting back. I told my mother I was just popping into Meryton for a few things."

Mr. Collins looked alarmed. "My dear Miss Lucas, you walked here unaccompanied?"

Charlotte shook her head, flushing slightly. "No, of course not. My brother brought me part way, then continued on ahead to run his errands in Meryton."

"Ah, I see," said Mr. Collins, mollified. Then his brows furrowed again. "But does your brother plan to escort you back as well?"

Charlotte bit her lip. "Well, no. You see, I said I would only be an hour or so. I thought I could make my own way back while he finished his business in town."

Mr. Collins drew himself up, scandalized. "A young lady walking alone? I cannot allow such a thing!"

Charlotte smiled placatingly. "I appreciate your concern, but I walk these paths often. I know the way quite well."

But Mr. Collins remained adamant, shaking his head. "It is too dangerous. As a gentleman and a man of the cloth, I cannot permit you to risk your safety in such a manner."

Charlotte shot an amused glance at Elizabeth, who had to stifle a laugh. Clearly Mr. Collins envisioned himself as a chivalrous rescuer.

"Truly, I will be fine—" Charlotte tried again, but he spoke over her protestations.

"Miss Lucas, I must insist on escorting you back to Lucas Lodge myself. It is the only proper thing to do, to ensure you return safely."

Charlotte hesitated, not wishing to encourage the pompous man. But refusing his offer might also draw more notice than she wished.

With an apologetic look at Elizabeth, she finally relented. "If you are quite sure it's not too much trouble, I would appreciate an escort, Mr. Collins."

His chest puffed up importantly. "It is my honor and duty. We shall set out at once."

He bowed elaborately to Elizabeth. "We must continue our pleasant stroll another day, Cousin Elizabeth. Duty calls me elsewhere for now."

Elizabeth smiled faintly. "Yes, of course. I understand completely."

She and Charlotte exchanged knowing looks. At least enduring Mr. Collins' company was a sacrifice for Charlotte's own benefit, not Elizabeth's.

"Shall we be off then, Miss Lucas?" Mr. Collins extended his arm rather Presumptuously.

With only the slightest hesitation, Charlotte took it. "Goodbye Lizzy," she said over her shoulder. "I shall come again soon if I can escape for another 'trip to Meryton.'"

Elizabeth had to cover her mouth to hide her laughter as she waved them off. She suspected Charlotte would conveniently "forget" her fabricated errands to town in the future to avoid rousing suspicion.

She shook her head in amusement as she watched the pair walk down the lane, Mr. Collins gesturing elaborately with his free hand as he expounded on some point or other. Poor Charlotte! Elizabeth was glad to be spared his conspicuous companionship, though she felt guilty leaving her friend to bear the burden.

With a rueful smile, she retreated indoors to find Jane. There was still the pressing matter of locating the inheritance document, after all. She found her elder sister in the study, searching methodically through their father's desk.

"Any luck?" Elizabeth asked.

Jane shook her head. "Nothing yet pertaining to the entailment. Just old property surveys and correspondence."

Elizabeth's shoulders slumped. "I fear Mama was imagining things. Surely a document of such importance could not simply vanish!"

"We must keep looking," Jane said gently. "Even if Mama was mistaken about the clause, the original entailment must be here somewhere. We just have to find it."

Elizabeth nodded, determination rekindling. "You're right. We cannot give up."

Just then, Mrs. Bennet bustled into the study, fluttering her hands anxiously. "Oh girls, did you find it yet?"

Jane attempted to placate her mother. "Do not worry, we are still searching. It is a large house."

"Well search faster!" Mrs. Bennet urged. "We must secure your futures before it is too late."

"Mama, take a breath," Elizabeth said firmly. "We are doing all we can. But we must be methodical."

Mrs. Bennet wrung her hands, glancing around the disordered study fretfully. "Oh, where did I see that paper? It must be here somewhere..."

Elizabeth exchanged an exasperated look with Jane. Their mother was no help, too scattered to recall anything useful.

"Mama, why don't you see if Hill or Cook know of any other places estate documents may have been stored over the years," Elizabeth suggested diplomatically.

Mrs. Bennet brightened, happy to have a task. "Yes, yes of course! Brilliant idea. I shall ask them straight away." She bustled from the study with renewed purpose.

Elizabeth shook her head as she left. "Somehow I doubt the servants will have any insights if we cannot find it searching directly. But at least it will distract Mama from hindering our efforts."

Jane laughed softly. "Your thinking is wise as always, Lizzy."

Elizabeth grinned. "I only hope it is wise enough to locate the blasted document!"

The sisters redoubled their efforts searching the study. After another hour passed with no success, they expanded to the library, then the dining room. But the mysterious paper remained elusive.

Elizabeth was growing weary and frustrated until Jane made an excited sound from their father's dining chair. "Lizzy, look!"

She held up a thin, folded document she had extracted from beneath the rug edge by their father's usual seat. The sisters exchanged thrilled smiles.

"This could be it!" Elizabeth said breathlessly, unfurling the paper with trembling fingers. Her face fell.

"No, it's just an old wine list," she said dejectedly, her excitement evaporating.

Jane's shoulders slumped. "I really thought we had found it that time. Where else can we search?"

Elizabeth sighed, tossing the useless paper aside. "At this rate, it will be faster to look where it is not rather than where it could be. We have scoured every logical place."

Jane nodded thoughtfully. "Let us tackle the upstairs rooms next then. Even if unlikely, we might as well eliminate them."

Thus energized with new optimism, the sisters headed upstairs to methodically search the bedrooms one by one. They started with their parents' room, then moved on to Mary and Kitty's shared room, followed by Lydia's. All they uncovered were old keepsakes and trinkets, no hidden paperwork.

Finally, only Elizabeth and Jane's room remained. As Elizabeth searched under the bed, she called over her shoulder, "Jane, did you check inside the mattresses? Perhaps Mama hid it and forgot where."

When no response came, she bumped her head sitting up in surprise. "Jane?"

She turned to see Jane standing frozen, staring at a piece of paper in her hands, eyes wide.

"Jane, what is it?" Elizabeth asked impatiently.

Wordlessly, Jane turned the paper so Elizabeth could see. Across the top in their father's flowing script were the words Last Will and Testament of George Bennet.

Elizabeth's jaw dropped as she scanned the document, heart pounding wildly. There, near the bottom, was the clause they sought:

If any daughter of my son Thomas Bennet shall marry a man of good standing and substantial financial means, said daughter shall hereby inherit Longbourn House in fee simple absolute, the entailment notwithstanding...

"Jane!" Elizabeth gasped. "You found it!"

Jane seemed unable to speak, just kept staring in shock at the pivotal paper she had discovered tucked under their parent's mattress.

"However did you think to look there?"

Jane laughed, finally finding her voice again. "I cannot say! I was just searching every corner. Oh, Lizzy!"

Elizabeth shook her head in amazement. "To think it was under our very noses this whole time." A wicked grin crossed her face. "Wait until Mama finds out. She will be thrilled beyond measure!"

Jane smiled. "I confess, Mama will be unbearable having proof she was right about the clause after all."

"Now there can be no doubt!" Elizabeth declared. "With this, Mr. Collins' claim on Longbourn dies. And Mr. Darcy need not rush to the parson for a special license."

Jane nodded, her fair face glowing. "I must admit, it will be a relief not to feel so pressed for urgency. A winter wedding would be lovely, if Mr. Bingley offers for me."

Elizabeth squeezed her sister's hands affectionately. "Of course he will. You shall have your winter wedding, I am sure of it now."

Jane and Elizabeth rushed to their father's study, where he sat reading by the fire.

"Papa!" Elizabeth cried. "Jane found the entailment document just as Mama said existed!"

Mr. Bennet looked up in surprise as Jane presented the paper triumphantly. "See, it's right here where it mentions a daughter marrying well breaking the entail." She pointed to the clause in the flowing script.

Mr. Bennet examined the document, his eyes crinkling in amusement. "Well, well, it seems you girls were right after all."

Mrs. Bennet, who had followed her excited daughters into the study, clasped her hands to her bosom, her eyes widening dramatically. "Did I not tell you! Did I not say it was real all along!" She fanned herself rapidly, as if barely containing her emotions.

"Oh, my dear, clever girls!" she exclaimed breathlessly. "Such fortunes you have brought us! Our futures are secured! The estate saved!"

But Mr. Bennet held up a hand to quiet her exclamations. "Yes, yes, the document is real it seems. But let me read further..." He adjusted his spectacles and scrutinized the paragraphs below.

His eyes narrowed and he frowned slightly before looking back up at his expectant daughters. "You found the entailment, true enough. But your grandfather, rather suspiciously I might add, included a further provision."

He tapped the paper where another clause was written. "It states here that if my brother's son, Mr. Collins, marries prior to any of you wedding a man of substantial means, he will still inherit Longbourn regardless."

Stunned silence greeted this pronouncement. Elizabeth and Jane gaped at their father. Mrs. Bennet clutched her chest dramatically. "No!" Mrs. Bennet cried, "It cannot be! Not when we were so close!"

"What?" Elizabeth finally gasped. "But...but ..."

Mrs. Bennet collapsed into one of the wingback chairs before Mr. Bennet's desk, her arms hanging down the sides as she squeezed her eyes shut. "Oh, my poor nerves! I can scarce endure such news."

Opening her eyes, she fixed Mr. Bennet with a tragic look. "Surely you must be mistaken, Mr. Bennet. Our futures cannot hang by so precarious a thread!"

When he merely shook his head, she released a great wailing sob. "That odious Mr. Collins shall be the ruin of us all! To lose Longbourn, and my dear girls cast out...oh, I shudder at the thought!"

Mr. Bennet held up a hand. "Come now, Mrs. Bennet, let us not be melodramatic. The girls shall not be forced into destitution."

Mrs. Bennet scowled at her husband through her tears. "And how can you be so certain, Mr. Bennet? With Longbourn lost, their fortunes are ruined!"

Mr. Bennet shook his head. "Trust my sneaky father to have a contingency plan. Your cousin still has a claim it seems, if he acts quickly."

The sisters deflated. Jane said tentatively "But Lizzy is already engaged to Mr. Darcy..."

Mr. Bennet held up a hand. "Ah, but you are not wed yet. The provision states Mr. Collins must only marry first, not necessarily announce his engagement first."

Elizabeth groaned, sinking into a chair. After all that, the entailment still threatened Longbourn falling from their hands! Mr. Collins need only hurry to the altar with some woman.

Jane bit her lip worriedly. "What are we to do?"

"Well, Mr. Collins is not engaged yet," Elizabeth pointed out with fading hope.

Mrs. Bennet waved a hand dismissively. "Yes, but not for lack of trying, the silly man!"

"Let us hope your young man returns quickly from Town," said Mr. Bennet.