A/N ok, I have read the reviews and done a rewrite - let me know what you think this time!

Chapter 11 - The Cousin

Fanny Bennet sat in her private sitting room deep in contemplation. Her husband's cousin was coming to visit, with, as was clearly written in his letter for those with eyes to see, an intent to seek a wife. Fanny frowned. She was determined that one of her girls would be that bride.

All the mothers of the neighbourhood sought the same thing: a position for their daughters in a respectable marriage which put them in possession of a good household. It was simply how society worked! Young women of gentle birth sought a husband - they could not work and still maintain their status. If they did not marry by around their middle twenties, they would be derided by their peers as "left on the shelf", "bonnet makers", "ape-leaders" or worse. Marriage was their only option to have a life of their own.

Fanny Bennet knew all this and was determined to avoid this fate for her daughters, and indeed, as she was fairly sure they had dowries and she knew they were all beautiful, she could not see that it would not happen. Although it had not happened yet which worried her.

So, she sat in her private sitting room, with a nice pot of tea brought up by Hill, deciding what to do about this young man who was coming to, in effect, call on her daughters.

Jane, clearly, was not a sensible choice as a wife for this new arrival. Fanny was quite sure that Mr Bingley was going to propose any day now, so it seemed silly to waste this new young man on Jane when she already had a suitor.

Elizabeth was next to Jane in birth and beauty and the obvious candidate to be next to marry. However, Fanny hesitated. Her Lizzy was so headstrong, so impertinent… could she make a good wife to a parson? Fanny loved all her daughters and wanted them married because everyone knew that a woman must marry, but… would Lizzy really suit as a parson's wife?

Fanny thought some more. That would leave the only other daughter out: Mary. And with that thought, Fanny cheered up. Mary would make an excellent parson's wife! Mary was not quite as beautiful as her sisters, it was true, so this young man might take some convincing that she was the best choice for him, but Fanny was sure she could do it.

~~ HoL ~~

One day in the second half of November, Mr Collins arrived promptly at four in the afternoon. The family assembled at the entry to the manor house to greet him. They saw a tall, heavy-looking young man of five-and-twenty. His air was grave and stately, and his manners were very formal.

Entering the house, he stopped to compliment most of the furniture he passed as they proceeded to the parlour. Mrs Bennet was quite pleased by how polite he was. Mr Bennet was quite pleased by how ridiculous he was. Mr Collins had not been long seated before he complimented Mrs. Bennet on having so fine a family of daughters, said he had heard much of their beauty, but that, in this instance, fame had fallen short of the truth; and added, that he did not doubt her seeing them all in due time well disposed of in marriage. This gallantry was not much to the taste of some of his hearers; but Mrs. Bennet, who quarrelled with no compliments, answered most readily. "You are very kind, sir, I am sure" as they arose for dinner.

At dinner, Mr Collins enquired which of his young cousins he should thank for dinner, but Mrs Bennet was unimpressed and informed him they were very well able to keep a good cook and none of her daughters had anything to do in the kitchen.

~~ HoL ~~

The next day, Mr Collins arose early. He had been very pleased with the friendly greeting he had received from his cousins, and had observed them closely as, while the family probably did not realise it, he was looking for a wife. Having now a good house and a very sufficient income, he intended to marry; and in seeking a reconciliation with the Longbourn family he had a wife in view, as he meant to choose one of the daughters, if he found them as handsome and amiable as they were represented by common report. He descended for breakfast, finding Mrs Bennet sitting by the fire. She looked up and smiled, pleased to see him. As was only polite, he bowed in greeting and then sat with her to make conversation.

It was a friendly conversation. It began with a description of his parsonage-house, and leading naturally to the avowal of his hopes, that a mistress for it might be found at Longbourn. Mrs Bennet, with many complaisant smiles and general encouragement, cautioned him against the two elder daughters, saying they were unavailable, but the youngest out daughter might well be of interest to him. This disappointed him a little, as the two eldest were real beauties, but he could see that Miss Mary was also very pretty and he need not be ashamed with her on his arm.

When he left Mrs Bennet for the buffet, she sighed with relief. It was done. Soon she would be able to worry less, one of her jobs complete.

~~ HoL ~~

Later that day, the young ladies of the house had decided to walk to Meryton and visit their aunt. Mr Collins had been visiting with Mr Bennet in his library but was most unwelcome, as his attempts at reading a folio were really just Mr Collins attempting to chat with Mr Bennet. After that, the young ladies were required to invite him on their walk. During the walk he attached himself to Mary, who was too kind-hearted to attempt to dislodge him. She was unpleasantly reminded of the smell of some of the local boys from when she was younger - Mr Collins certainly did not wash enough. She was thoroughly bored, but making polite noises, as he described his home at Hunsford to her and talked of the affability and condescension of his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, endlessly. By the time they reached Meryton, Mary was hoping never to hear the name mentioned again! In the main street, the older sisters noted some of the militia they had heard about standing around but, seeing no acquaintances, had no interest in talking to anyone. The younger sisters, not being out, of course did not talk to anyone at all.

The party entered their aunt's house and Jane introduced their cousin. He again committed a faux pas by comparing Mrs Philips' parlour to the small summer breakfast parlour at Rosings. Mrs Philips was eventually brought to understand the elevated standing of the residence her home was being compared to and Mr Collins was forgiven, but nonetheless he continued apologising for a good fifteen minutes. A pleasant tea was enjoyed once they got past the endless apologies and the ladies were invited back that evening for cards and supper. Enquiring who the company would be, they learned the officers would be invited. The older ladies weren't very interested in spending time with the militia officers and the younger ladies, not being out, were unable to attend an event that was more than family.

~~ HoL ~~

One morning, a few days later, Mr Collins addressed Mrs Bennet thusly:

"May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Mary, when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with her in the course of this morning?"

Mrs Bennet was most pleased. A proposal! At last! Just as she had hoped, this extremely eligible young man was ready to propose. "Certainly, Mr Collins, I shall fetch Mary myself". She thus left the room, and quickly found Mary preparing to practice in the music room.

"Come, Mary, come - Mr Collins would speak to you."

Mary, a dutiful daughter, was unresistant, if confused, when her mother took her by the hand and led her to the drawing room. "Kitty," Mrs Bennet said to her second youngest daughter, who had stayed behind in the drawing room, "come with me, I want you in the… music room". Kitty looked confused as she had already done her practice for the day, but went with her mother. Mary was confounded. "Mamma? I was just in the music room. Do you not want me there?" "No, no, Mary, I desire you will stay where you are and hear Mr Collins" she said and left the room.

Mary sat down and looked quizzically at Mr Collins to see what he wanted.

"Believe me, my dear Miss Mary, that your modesty, so far from doing you any disservice, rather adds to your other perfections. You would have been less amiable in my eyes had there not been this little unwillingness; but allow me to assure you that I have your respected mother's permission for this address. You can hardly doubt the purport of my discourse, however your natural delicacy may lead you to dissemble; my attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as soon as I entered the house I singled you out as the companion of my future life. But before I am run away with by my feelings on this subject, perhaps it will be advisable for me to state my reasons for marrying—and, moreover, for coming into Hertfordshire with the design of selecting a wife, as I certainly did."

Mary finally realised what was happening. She stood up and opened her mouth. Then she sat down. Then she stood up again, "Mr Collins. I now understand your meaning. You mean to propose." The gentleman smiled at her and opened his mouth to continue talking. Mary stepped forward as if to take his hand, but hesitated half way towards him and stepped back again. "Might I ask - before you continue, might I ask what my father said when you applied to him for permission to propose to me?" The girl's expression was hesitant and confused.

Mr Collins looked at her with surprise but continued bravely "Your mother spoke in approval of this conversation -" he started, but stopped - Mary was shaking her head. "No, no, sir, I gathered that from your initial speech. However, my mother is not in authority over the disposition of the family. Can you tell me what my father said when you requested his permission?"

Mr Collins hesitated a little. "I have not actually sought your respected father's permission at this point. I thought a discussion with you first would be preferable."

Mary fixed him with a wary eye. "Sir, given I have only known you for a few days and I am under age, I feel you are acting prematurely. I would appreciate knowing you have my father's permission to carry out this proposal." With that she stood and left the room - to find her mother outside the door. "Well?" asked her mother excitedly. Mary looked at her disappointedly and just shook her head and went up to her room. Mr Collins, having been given a mission, held himself up proudly, walked past Mrs Bennet without comment and proceeded to Mr Bennet's library for the suggested discussion. He knocked, entered, and closed the door behind him.

"Well!" said Mrs Bennet, turning away, now quite confused herself.

~~ HoL ~~

Within the library, Mr Bennet saw Mr Collins enter the room and responded by raising an eyebrow. Mr Collins sank into the seat in front of Mr Bennet. Where he had expected to come in proudly bearing the young lady's agreement, he was instead coming as a supplicant, begging permission before proceeding.

"Miss Mary has sent me…" he hesitated, looked uncertain then continued, "Miss Mary has stated that I must have your permission before I ask for her hand. I had spoken to her esteemed mother before proceeding, but apparently Miss Mary requires your consent before she will even discuss it with me." He looked up from his hands to Mr Bennet's face. "Sir, may I have permission to request your daughter's hand in marriage?"

A small smile flitted across Mr Bennet's face, giving Mr Collins false hope, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"So, tell me young man - what do you offer my daughter that she should accept you?"

Mr Collins puffed his chest up most importantly. "As you know, I have the privilege of holding the living of Hunsford and receive the condescension of the Lady Catherine de Bough on a weekly if not daily basis. I do not reckon the notice and kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh as among the least of the advantages in my power to offer," he said, in a very puffed-up manner. Again his cousin seemed to smile, but again it seemed fleeting. Collins couldn't understand why the man didn't seem impressed by his offer.

"So" continued Mr Bennet, "you think my daughter should leave the elegance of her father's estate to become… a parson's wife?"

Mr Collins, while silly, was not completely unable to take a hint. He slumped. "I do not think my offer is unacceptable. Many women would be happy to accept me, with my position", he said in a smaller voice than he had used earlier.

Bennet took pity on him. "Yes, son, many women would doubtless see the honour of your offer. I am sure you will have no trouble finding a wife. It just won't be one of my daughters. But, buck up lad. I am sure there are many ladies in the neighbourhood who are dying to make an eligible match with one such as you, having the enviable position where you benefit from the condescension of the great Lady Catherine de Bough!"

Mr Collins completely missed the sarcasm and swelled back up a little at what seemed to be a compliment. He then bowed and left the room not completely demoralised, if also not completely happy.

Mrs Bennet was waiting for him in the vestibule. She looked at him as he passed without speaking, then entered the library herself. "Thomas", she cried, "what has happened? I had Mr Collins at the point of proposing and Mary has walked away shaking her head! Please tell me you have sent him back to her!"

Mr Bennet looked up at her from his desk. There was a time for teasing and there was a time for explaining. As much as it would amuse him, this was not a time for teasing. He reached across the desk and took her hand "My dear, Mr Collins is a parson. Why on earth would I reduce one of our daughters to be a parson's wife?"

Mrs Bennet lower lip began to tremble. She cried out "But she would be married! A woman needs to be married! Do you want her to be a spinster?"

Mr Bennet had rarely seen his wife cry, for all her flustering and cries of her nerves, but today he could see she was on the point of tears, and he did not like it. "My dear, our Mary will be fine. Her life would not be improved by marrying a man like Mr Collins. Trust me, all will be well."

Mrs Bennet realised she would not succeed in this and slumped in the seat, then she rose and took herself to her room and had a good cry for her girls.

~~ HoL ~~

The next day, Charlotte Lucas came to call. She was met in the vestibule by Elizabeth who whispered to inform her that their cousin had attempted to propose to Mary, but their father had refused him. All was very awkward in the parlour where the ladies sat with Mr Collins, Mr Bennet being yet to leave his library. Eventually, Charlotte rose to take her leave and Mr Collins rose and asked if he might escort her. She agreed in a friendly manner and the two left the manor. Jane looked at Elizabeth and Elizabeth looked at Jane, then they both giggled.

A/N I wasn't going to do a Mr Collins chapter because he wasn't needed, not being the heir and my first thought on the plot line was he would attempt a compromise to get "his" birthright, Longbourn (it shouldn't be left to hopeless females! What was great grandfather thinking, etc) - but I couldn't bring myself to write it.

But then I thought - what about Charlotte? I am always sad when a plot line leaves Charlotte a spinster, so I decided to go with what we see here: an even more pathetic, unobservant Collins! I thought about making him grasping towards the estate "should have been mine" type of thing, but I just couldn't do it to him…

And for those of you wondering, I went for Mary rather than Lizzy because I really wanted the "what did my father say" and I couldn't see how if Lizzy were asked that the conversation wouldn't have gone just as it did in canon, and how is that a PnP variation? ;)

And, bonus points, I got to include more of one of Jane's sisters, who I have been really struggling to get in the story!