AU Pride an Prejudice

For Clarissa's Sake

Fan Fiction

REMINDER While I do not have the estates within walking distances; I do have them closer than in the book.

Previously

Therefore, while they were dancing he smiled and thanked Clarissa by saying. "My Dear, you have done me a great honor." Mr. Bennet did not attempt to keep a smile frm spreading across his face. "You have shown more wit and spirit than many of your sex, and I esteem you for it."

Run in With Mr. Colllins

Ch. 8

Kitty had, at her father's request, taken Miss Grey in their carriage over to Charlotte Collins's home. He said they might as well see how Mrs. Collins was going to react, seeing as how she had always been so close to Elizabeth. It had been on their ride over Kitty had felt it only right to warn her father's future wife about Mr. Collins. She told Clarissa that Mrs. Collins was a sweetheart; her husband was another matter.

"I fear he may be quite impertinent and, well, not so polite. He very well may insult you and I fear he is not exactly known for having much use of his brains, though he claims to be a man of the cloth."

"As I told your father, I have met the man - once. And so I can honestly say he can hurl all the rude comments he likes, I will be delighted to give him a taste of his own medicine in return."

"You are braver than I am." The two quit speaking as Kitty stopped as they approached the Collins's home.

The parsonage had a brick facade with a tiled roof. Its several windows were covered with curtains which were not opened. The home was surrounded by a garden and a fence. Charlotte's home was not modest; however, it was still quite nice. Fortunately, Kitty thought, there was no sign of Mr. Collins.

"Hello, Miss Bennet." Charlotte stood in the doorway of her home and smiled upon Elizabeth's younger sister. "Is it safe to think this is your father's future bride?"

"Yes, this is Miss Grey. May we come in?"

"I would be more than happy to..." Charlotte smiled and was about to usher her visitors in when her husband came around the corner looking none too pleased to see who was at his door.

"Miss Grey, I beg your pardon, I must interrupt your intended visit with my wife, but I have a matter of great importance to talk to you about. I am not only the rector of Hunsford parish in Kent, but I am also the humble and devoted protégé of the illustrious Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I am also the cousin and heir apparent of Mr. Bennet, the proprietor of this estate, which will fall into my possession upon his death. It has been brought to my attention that you are engaged to be married to Mr. Bennet, who is old enough to be your father, and who has no male issue to secure his property. This is a most improper engagement, which can bring nothing but shame and misery upon both your families. Mr. Bennet is doing nothing more than exploiting your youth and taking advantage of your ignorance of life. He is giving you false hopes of fortune and happiness. He is also neglecting his duty to his daughters, who will be reduced to poverty and dependence on others when he expires. I beg of you to reconsider your engagement and break it off without hesitation. You are the daughter of a baron, and you deserve far better of a husband than Mr. Bennet, who is barely a gentleman by courtesy. You should exchange vows with a man of your own station, who can offer you true love and affection; not an old man who will most likely die in a few years. You should also take your father into your confidence, who I assume is ignorant of this dishonorable and horrid affair, and who would never approve of such an unequal match. I have no selfish interest in this matter, except for your welfare and happiness. I am simply acting as a friend and a relation, who wishes to save you from making a fatal error in such a major life choice." Mr. Collins spoke through his nose and his nasal tone was highly annoying.

Clarissa had heard enough and, since he had finally taken a breath and looked as if he were debating whether or not to continue his rant, she started in on her own. "Sir, someone ought to teach you how to spell assume, for you are as witless as my mother's favorite gobbling bird. Lady Catherine is nothing but a bad-natured harpy who has already been informed of my father's sanction. And - not that it is any of your business, but Mr. Bennet has receipt of my portion, which is land adjacent to his. If you are, as you say, her devoted protégé, then you most assuredly should have already been informed of what she already knows." Clarissa's eyes, so Kitty thought, blazed just as hard as her father's when someone had upset him. Mr. Bennet's intended was not finished. "He has more regard for me in his smallest digit than your pretended solicitude, which would not occupy half your smallest toe. And your so-called concern is only because you fear a son will be born of our union."

"I think it is best if you left. We desire to eat our meal as a family, as other visiting relatives have just departed for their home." Mr. Collins was not about to admit the truth of her last words, so he had come up with an excuse for them to leave; his wife's countenance showed she did not agree with her husband, but she dared not argue either, for he had been in a foul mood all morning.

88888888

"I declare," Kitty said to Elizabeth as soon as Clarissa had ascended the stairs after they had reached Pemberley. "She has no fear at all…She gave Mr. Collins such a set-down, called him dull as her mother's favorite feathered gull and told him someone ought to teach him how to spell assume. And then proceeded to call him out on his so-called concern. Said it was only because he feared a son would be born of her union with our father, not because he cared about her welfare. It was of the same Spirit as she faced Lady Catherine with, just as you have often done."

"She grows on me every day," Elizabeth replied with a smile. "Perhaps she can manage our father after all. Keep him on his toes, as it were."