One more chapter, thanks for all the comments still, and for the few people who wanted the ladies to start bigger and better investments, it won't be in this book (they are comfortable but not rich) but I may keep it in mind for a future story.

Chapter Four

Upon returning to Longbourn the ladies had been surprised to learn that their cousin, the presumptive heir to the estate, was expected for a visit of two weeks. Mr Collins was unknown to them, and his letter, which Mr Bennet finally shared with his family a full month after receiving it, did not lead them to expect a clever man.

When the young man arrived, exactly at the time he had told them to expect him, they found him to be a tall, heavy-looking man of five and twenty, with a stately air and formal manners. It did not take the ladies long to understand the purpose of his visit; the young parson was in search of a wife, and he was set on marrying one of his cousins.

"Well my dears," Mrs Bennet started once her husband and his cousin had finally left them to discuss the estate in Mr Bennet's book room, "what think you of Mr Collins."

"His offer to reconcile with our family is commendable, but that is about the only positive feeling I can express," Elizabeth stated sitting down on the sofa her mother occupied.

"Maybe it was only the result of his travels," Mary added, "but his speech is over-long and far too centred around his patroness. Why in only three hours since he first arrived, I believe we already know more of the lady than if we lived in Kent!"

Mary had been the most disappointed out of the sisters. She was not romantic and would have happily married the heir to Longbourn had the man been at least a little sensible. Her faith was strong enough, so his being a clergyman would not have mattered, but she could not accept his devotion to the great Lady Catherine De Bourgh, nor could she condone his placing her Ladyship's dictates above the teachings of the church or the good of his parishioners.

Mrs Bennet sighed, sad to see one more potential son-in-law turn out to be utterly unsuitable. "I agree that the man is rather ignorant, conceited and obsequious, but we will have to bear his company as best as we can for the next fortnight. I believe he intends to pursue you Jane, for he was staring at you more than I like to see. I can distract him and transfer his affections to one of your sisters."

Catherine and Lydia gasped, both sporting matching looks of horror on their pretty young faces, making Mary burst into laughter.

"I do not think Mama means to push him onto either of you, you know," Mary said once her laughter had calmed.

"No indeed." Cried her mother. "No, I was thinking of Lizzy actually, as I believe you are not interested in the man for yourself, Mary dear. Lizzy is the only one of you who can reject him with your father's support, or at least with a little less anger."

"But what if Mr Bennet does not support my decision?" Elizabeth asked pensively. "I see where your thoughts are going Mama, and I agree that we cannot risk him courting Jane, or any of my sisters for your husband may find it amusing to force a marriage, but are we certain he will not sacrifice me for his enjoyment?"

"It is a risk, my love, but a lesser one than for Jane or Mary. And I have a few ideas of what we could attempt to prevent a marriage, should he and your father not accept your rejection." Mrs Bennet closed her eyes for a moment to gather her thoughts and put them in as coherent a manner as she could. "I will tell him Jane is being courted, which while untrue, will be sufficiently justified when he sees Mr Bingley's attentions. Sorry Jane dear, I know you are not ready to decide what to do with that gentleman, but it will only be a passing mention, nothing to damage your reputation. I expect he will automatically transfer his attentions to you Lizzy as the next daughter in age, and as you are very beautiful too, he will feel very happy with his choice. Now, you will need to keep your attitude as neutral as you can, my dear, for if you openly push him away before he offers, he may then attempt to gain Mary's hand, and we wish to avoid that." She thought a little longer. "When he offers, for I expect he will just before his scheduled return to Kent, you will refuse and I will make a huge scene about it, please accept my apologies in advance, for I will need to be overly shrill and mean. This should prompt your father to support you. For good measure, I will pepper all my reproaches to you in the next two weeks with comments that will ensure Mr Collins will never find you suitable for his Lady Catherine, my sweet obstinate headstrong girl, it should do the trick just fine."

Elizabeth laughed. "I am torn between wishing to avoid our cousin's declarations and wanting him to offer so I can see that performance, Mama. Very well, I will sacrifice two weeks of peace to ensure my sisters are spared, but I expect to be given any extra lemon tarts every time we have some for a whole month after Mr Collins' departure." Lydia pouted at that comment, for she loved lemon tarts as much as her second eldest sister, prompting the remaining girls to join in Elizabeth's mirth.

Mrs Bennet's plan worked perfectly well, and Mr Collins started to assiduously court his cousin Elizabeth, leaving her seldom alone with just her sisters' company.

Mr Bennet enjoyed seeing his cousin make a fool of himself in front of his daughter immensely, and for a few days he was so contented by the display that he limited his barbs to his wife and his younger daughters to the breakfast table; this was a relief for the ladies who already had to bear Mr Collins' company for they would not risk leaving Elizabeth alone with the parson.

Lydia expressed a desire to visit town again the day following Mr Collins' arrival and every sister except Mary agreed to go with her. Mary was not as fond of exercise as her sisters and had no wish for a walk into Meryton, nor did she need anything from the shops. Mr Collins of course was to attend them, at the request of Mr Bennet who was most anxious to get rid of his cousin; despite finding entertainment in observing Mr Collins, Mr Bennet was used to enjoying many hours of peace in his library and the incessant chatter of the parson was better enjoyed with parsimony.

"Mama," Lydia said as soon as the six Bennet ladies were safely ensconced in the pink parlour while Mr Collins challenged his cousin at backgammon, "we met a very handsome new officer today. Or rather he will be an officer soon, for he only just arrived. A Mr Wickham, with very pleasing manners too. Aunt Phillips has invited him to her party tomorrow night with the other officers."

Catherine placed her hand on her heart and joined her sister in praising the newcomer. "He is everything a gentleman should be, Mama, such a fine countenance, and he engaged us in cheerful conversation so easily."

Elizabeth frowned. "Did any of you notice his reaction when Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy arrived upon our group?"

Lydia answered: "I noticed Mr Darcy barely acknowledged us and rode off as soon as he could, but that doesn't seem to be out of character. What did you notice, Lizzy?"

Elizabeth shot her youngest sister a brief smile before continuing. "I do not believe Mr Darcy left because of us, rather he reacted strongly to Mr Wickham. When they perceived each other's presence both gentlemen changed colour and countenance. Mr Wickham turned pale, I would even say he looked worried, while Mr Darcy turned very red, an angry red I thought at the time. I do not know the history between the gentlemen but they are not on friendly terms."

"That would explain Mr Darcy's lapse in manners," Jane suggested, "it did surprise me at the time, as he could have avoided our group easily enough in the first place; greeting us and leaving abruptly made no sense to me before hearing your observations, Lizzy."

"But Mr Wickham is the most handsome officer in Meryton." Lydia pouted.

Her mother intervened on hearing this statement. "This may be the case, Lydia, my sweet, but until we understand more of the gentleman's character, you will remain cautious. A pleasing appearance will not make your life happy if you end up trapped in a union with a man either too poor to support you or hiding wicked tendencies."

Lydia frowned and nodded, accepting her mother's warning despite the attraction she had felt for the new officer; she had after all daily examples of the evils of an unequal marriage.

Sensing the deterioration in her sisters' mood, Catherine changed the topic quickly. "Mama, I have been thinking of Mr Collins." Lydia snorted, but Catherine ignored her. "I still feel it impossible for any of us to esteem him, as you know, but I realised today as we were walking home that he is a good man underneath his ridiculousness. Oh, I do not say he is clever or has pleasing manners, and I dare say both Lydia and I came close to laughing openly as we walked back home, but I do not think Mr Collins is mean or selfish, nor does he seem prone to most of the vices I see if our father or the younger Mr Goulding."

Elizabeth was observing Catherine carefully. "You seem to have something more in mind, sister. Out with it, what are you planning for our cousin?"

"Charlotte," Catherine said simply.

The other ladies looked at each other, it was such an obvious, elegant solution to the problem of Mr Collins that none of them could believe they had not thought of it first.

Miss Charlotte Lucas, their neighbour and Elizabeth's closest friend outside her family was seven and twenty and desperate to not be a burden on her father or her brother John. She had little in the way of dowry, but Mr Collins had a good situation in Kent, and good prospects for the future.

"Kitty," Lydia exclaimed, "that is inspired indeed. We must take our cousin to meet her this very afternoon. Why, I believe he will get on beautifully with Sir William too."

"Indeed it may be a good prospect for dear Charlotte," Mrs Bennet said calmly, "but let us not get ahead of ourselves here. We will introduce him to the Lucases, and then we will ask Charlotte whether she believes they will suit. We must allow her to decide before we say anything to Mr Collins."

The conversation carried on cheerfully until luncheon was called. Mary and Elizabeth would take Mr Collins to Lucas Lodge, giving their sisters a break from hearing of Lady Catherine's bountiful condescension.

"Darcy, a word, please." Bingley sounded different, if he didn't know better, Darcy would say his friend was angry at him, however, that was not possible as nothing out of the ordinary had happened, and in any case, the younger man never got angry.

He followed Bingley into the library and bluntly asked. "How can I help you?"

"You still have not apologised, have you?" Charles was frowning, and Darcy was confused.

"What should I be apologising for? I do not believe I have acted in a manner that has harmed you or your sisters. Perhaps..."
"Not to me, and certainly not to Caroline," Bingley interrupted, "you have not apologised to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I will have a similar discussion with my sister, do not worry about that. Your behaviour since we have been in Hertfordshire has been haughty, disdainful and at times downright rude. If you continue insulting my neighbours without any repair or apology, I will ask you to return to London, for as I now understand, I will never be accepted in the community here with supercilious sisters and a proud haughty friend. I am ashamed of the three of you, and I am ashamed of myself for not stopping you before." The young man who hated conflict more than anything was shaking with a mix of anger and fear by the end of this speech and pacing furiously in front of his astonished friend.

Darcy had paled at first before recovering; he was unsure whether to laugh at Bingley's rage or to be angry himself. He attempted to win a little time to think and maybe gain a few more details on exactly what was happening. "I have behaved as I always do, Bingley, I do not see what I should be apologising for."

"Do you not? Let me see, I believe it was a comment about a charming young lady being tolerable but not handsome enough for you to dance with, or was it the part where you implied she had been overlooked by other men, at a dance where male partners were noticeably few. Does that jog your memory, for let me tell you, the lady heard you, she heard very clearly indeed."

Darcy was horrified as he recalled that statement; only now did he realise how much it must have hurt Miss Elizabeth if she had indeed heard him. "I did not know anyone but you had heard, and it is now several weeks ago, surely she would have forgotten the insult after all the attentions I paid her."

Bingley snorted. "What attentions? You and Caroline have constantly attacked her as she was tending to her sister under my roof. Did you not imply that she was lacking as you said only half a dozen ladies are accomplished in your opinion. I fail to see how the fact she does not draw or buy horrendously expensive clothes like my sister is that big of an issue, but the list you and Caroline came up with was truly ridiculous." He thought for a moment, not noticing his friend's expression of shock and heightened colour.

"And that's another thing, Darcy, since we arrived here, you have sided with my sisters on far too many occasions when they behave abominably. They have been rude, snide and sometimes vulgar, yet neither of us has done a thing to rein them in. I am utterly disgusted by my apathy, which I justified at the time by my dislike of conflict, but what is your excuse? Why did you not tell me how vitriolic Caroline was when Miss Elizabeth was in residence, while I was distracted by my growing affection with Miss Bennet? What is the little side joke between you and my sister about Miss Elizabeth's eyes that has had the two of you sneering at the poor girl so many times?"

"There is no joke, and I do not agree with your sister, not at all, I just haven't said it. I accidentally told her that I admired Miss Elizabeth's beautiful eyes one night at Lucas Lodge, that is all. Do you genuinely think I dislike Miss Elizabeth?" Darcy's mind was reeling at his friend's attack, he needed time to think and look back at his interactions with the fascinating young lady he could not get out of his mind.

Bingley snorted again. "Of course, I believe it, and so does she, her sister confirmed it today. When I visited Longbourn, alone as you all but ran out of town this morning, another example of the rudeness we were just talking about, I asked Miss Bennet if I could formally call on her, and she asked me for time before answering. I blurted out a silly question about whether or not she liked me and she opened my eyes to all your and Caroline's interactions with her family. She was angry. Neither she nor her sister have forgotten your insult, and you have made Miss Elizabeth very uncomfortable with your frowning and staring at her while Caroline constantly attacks her without any opposition from anyone in this house. I have thought of all I witnessed and heard during my ride back here, and Jane is correct, you have both behaved disgracefully, and I have been a fool not to notice or intervene. I need to know whether you will apologise and change your behaviour, or whether you prefer to leave."

Darcy sat down heavily, one hand rubbing his neck. "I will apologise, but I need a little time to think on everything you and apparently Miss Bennet just said. I assume you will not give up on the lady, despite her obvious family issues."

Bingley's anger came back quicker than Darcy thought possible and he approached his guest's chair, towering over him for once. "Give up? I love her, Darcy, and I think she will be the making of me if I can just win her heart. She likes me a lot, but will not allow herself to fall in love with someone who will let others openly disparage or harm her sisters, I would have thought you could respect that, I certainly do. Do not dare say a word to attempt and change my mind, for I can see clearly who will be the better influence on my life and happiness."

Darcy raised his hands, palms outwards, to stop his friend. "Peace, Charles, I was not attempting to dissuade you, only to ascertain your resolve. Your sisters will push you and test you, but if you address them in the same manner you are currently talking to me, I do not believe they will be an issue."

Bingley's anger dissipated just as quickly as it had flared up. "I do not expect any support from either Louisa or Caroline, but I am quite happy to send them back to London with Hurst. I will be cutting all of Caroline's credit lines in Bond Street, as I am tired of her chronic overspending. She has a small allowance on top of the interest on her dowry, and that will remain, nothing more. When I go to town, I will remain at the club, not at Hurst's place any longer for I always seem to end up covering far too many of their bills as well. I am done with my sisters unless they perform the most spectacular turnabout in their attitude, and fast."

He finally sat down as well. "I want Jane, Darcy, I love her and I cannot imagine my life without her. The fact that she had the integrity to turn my offer down in defence of her sister and their family only endears her more to me. Can you imagine being the recipient of such love and loyalty?" His eyes seemed to have lost focus as his mind wandered down the path of a future life with Miss Bennet at his side.

Darcy spoke softly. "Maybe I can imagine. And if you allow me to remain, I will support you and attempt to repair the harm my behaviour did to your standing in Hertfordshire."

Later that night, Darcy tried to remember all his interactions with the Meryton community. He had been in the area for over five weeks, and he was soon ashamed to realise he could not remember having initiated even one polite interaction with any of Bingley's neighbours, not even with Miss Elizabeth. When the Bennet sisters had resided in the same house, he had attempted to not inflame Miss Bingley's jealousy further, instead of firmly putting the lady back in her place, and assuring her he would never make her Mrs Darcy. At the time he had believed Miss Elizabeth had teased him in a flirtatious manner, but when analysing these interactions with the new understanding of her initial dislike of him, it was obvious that her teasing was thinly hiding her pain and disgust; she had not flirted, she had cleverly and quite efficiently put him down, mocked him for his pride and conceit, and he had not even noticed. Such a clever woman, he thought with a smile.

Repairing his reputation in Meryton would be difficult. And he suddenly saw yet another obstacle. George Wickham was in town; he had been talking with the Bennet sisters and an odd plump man earlier today, and instead of protecting the young ladies Darcy had turned his back on them, riding back to Netherfield in anger. He must address this with speed, for Wickham would start spreading his usual lies within days; he may already have started. Darcy would need to be up early and somehow he must find a way to talk to Mr Bennet and warn him, but as he had not yet exchanged more than a word with the gentleman, would he even believe anything Darcy said?

Another shock went through his mind. He was in love with Elizabeth, there was no reason to deny that fact any longer; he may not be able to claim her as his wife due to her position in life, so far below his own, yet he would not deceive himself and deny his feelings. With his poor behaviour, he certainly had not raised her expectations; at the very least he should have been friendly and polite with such a gem of a woman.

Earlier today he had vowed to support his friend's pursuit of Elizabeth's sister, yet he had never spoken to their parents at all beyond the briefest of greetings, and these only when he absolutely could not avoid it. He would never allow a man who had behaved in such a dismissive manner to approach Georgie. He would call out a man who called his beloved sister tolerable but not handsome, for she would be hurt beyond belief. How did he end up being that man? For the first time in his adult life, Fitzwilliam Darcy was ashamed of who he had become.