A/N: And so we move forward! I have edited chapter 1, again too. I like to be able to go over things at least two or three times before I post, and yet I still find mistakes or easily fixed plot issues. Again, if you spot anything that sticks out or is especially egregious, I'd appreciate a message! I apologize if that leads to confusion in the future. Fate and Folly feels like it's edging into farce. But, I have written strict notes to myself to make sure that it doesn't get too absurd, I'm not a fan of continual screeching. 😊 Hope you enjoy! - Cognisance

Fate and Folly

By Cognisance

Chapter 2

It only took two hours for Elizabeth to decide that hiding in one's room (or one's sister's room) was not a valid solution. After much debate, she and Jane decided on a strategic three-pronged approach. The first part was to be implemented after supper that evening. Unfortunately, fate had apparently decided that it was time to play, for at lunch their father read out the most ridiculous letter that either of them had ever heard, and threw their plans into disarray.

It all started very innocuously. "I do hope, my dear, that you have prepared a good supper for us this evening."

Mrs. Bennet looked up suspiciously at these words, "What can you mean by that Mr. Bennet? All of my suppers are prepared well. As you should know since you partake in them nightly."

Mr. Bennet smiled benignly, "It is only that we are to have a guest this evening."

"A guest? Who could it be that our regular fare is to be questioned? Unless Lizzy has invited Charlotte Lucas again, I can't think of who you could have invited on such short notice. And if it is Charlotte, well, I should think that my meals are more than good enough for her! And better than she is used to for certain. For at least here she is not involved in the making of them." Mrs. Bennet nodded with satisfaction at her set-down of the upstart Lucas girl, while Elizabeth and Jane both closed their eyes and sighed simultaneously. Elizabeth caught her father's eye upon opening her own, and frowned at the delighted smirk he sent her. Given her sister's story earlier and her own uncertainty that her father would aid them in putting a curb on Lydia, she was getting the uncomfortable feeling that her father's sense of humor was perhaps not as laughable as it had previously seemed to her.

"No, no, my dear, it is not Miss Lucas, but," he paused here for a long moment, "a stranger and a gentleman."

Mrs. Bennet let out a theatrical gasp, but Mary spoke before she could, "And who is the stranger, Papa?"

"Oooh, it must be one of the officers!" Lydia broke in, "Perhaps it is the dashing Mr. Wickham. You have not met him yet. He would be a stranger." Mr. Bennet held up a hand calling for quiet as Mrs. Bennet and Lydia began exclaiming in excitement over this idea.

"I am sorry to disappoint the both of you, it is not an officer, but our cousin Mr. Collins who is to come. The one who may, if he so chooses, throw you all into the hedgerows as soon as I depart this mortal coil." Elizabeth sat her napkin down by her plate, her appetite gone, and waited for her mother's outburst.

"Oh, Mr. Bennet! How could you invite-" Mrs. Bennet began before stopping mid-sentence as another thought visibly crossed her face, "A gentleman. A single gentleman?" She looked at Mr. Bennet expectantly as she emphasized single.

"Yes, my dear, he is single."

"And do you know if he happens to be marked?"

"From his letter, it would appear that he is not."

Mrs. Bennet's face, in which hopefulness had been growing apace, fell abruptly. "Well, what good is he to us then?" She said querulously, "Why must he come? Odious man. Well, I'll not be letting him count the silver or the dishes, and I hope you remember to tell him, Mr. Bennet, that the lovely Queen Anne furniture in the sitting room came with me as a present from my own dear papa, and it will go with me too. Along with the-"

"Yes, yes, I know," Mr. Bennet interrupted, he opened his mouth to continue just as Mary muttered "It's not Queen Anne, but Hepplewhite," into the sudden void of sound. Silence reigned for a moment. Jane set her napkin down as well. Their second youngest sister, Catherine, let out a delicate cough. She flushed as everyone's eyes were drawn to her.

"I apologize, I only need a drink," she smiled weakly as she reached for her water.

"Wine, Kitty, you should have wine, it tastes so much better," Lydia reached forward to grab Catherine's wine glass and shoved it at her, sloshing some onto the tablecloth in the process. Elizabeth and Jane flinched as Mrs. Bennet gasped.

"Kitty! You have spilt onto my mother's tablecloth, which, Mr. Bennet," she said as she turned to him, "is another thing that your cousin cannot have. Not that he would want it with such a stain on it." She turned again to Kitty. "How ever is Hill to get that out, I ask you?"

"Mama, I did not-"

"Madam, I would ask you to attend me," Mr. Bennet called the attention back to himself, he looked a little flushed himself, as if the rapid back and forth of the conversation had begun to strain his patience.

"As I stated, Mr. Collins will be coming for dinner tonight. He will arrive at four o'clock, so I would like everyone to stay at home to greet him." Lydia let out a loud groan at this, and Mr. Bennet speared her with a glare, "And I mean everyone, Lydia. That includes you."
"But, Mr. Bennet! We were to go to the dressmaker's today. I do not believe Mrs. Bell has heard a word I said about Jane's gown. Indeed, there is hardly any time left for it to be finished and she has yet to add the lace on. And Lydia's gown, well, if you could see the trim she applied! I am sure that you would be just as insulted as I was when she said that Lydia is the one that had requested that. As if a daughter of ours would have such taste. I said to her myself that it was very nearly a crime-" Mrs. Bennet broke off her speech as Mr. Bennet held a letter up.

"Perhaps if I just read this, I will be able to disseminate the important information without interruption." He pulled out his spectacles and settled them on the end of his nose with deliberation. Jane grabbed Elizabeth's hand and squeezed. Mr. Bennet cleared his throat loudly,

My Dear Sir,

I would express my most humble apologies for not engaging in a correspondence before now. While it has long been my express intention to contact you, I have been hereforth held back by delicate feelings of paternal loyalty. It did seem to me that in memory of my father's long standing feud with you, that it would be most faithless for me to set forth to even pen a letter, let alone to consider any possible healing of this breach between the two branches of our family tree. I am sure that you (as a son, yourself) can value the sentiment of aspiring to follow your elder's most cherished views! And perhaps this is the reason that you yourself have not taken the opportunity to write to me either. I do appreciate the forbearance you have shown in not placing me in the difficult position of possibly offending the memory of my father.

However having been recently ordained, and (I congratulate myself on the good fortune of) gaining a living under the most esteemed Lady Catherine de Bourgh, she has brought it to my attention that I have been neglecting my duty in not contacting you. As your heir apparent, she has most graciously shown me, that it is time to cast off the constraint that has long hindered me and reach out in civility to extend an olive branch to your family.

This being the case, my good sir, I propose to visit you Tuesday the 8th of October, promptly at four o'clock, and stay a sennight, until the Friday following. My departure being necessitated by Lady Catherine de Bourgh's disinclination to be in the hands of a curate for more than one service (and indeed my unwillingness to so offend the spiritual responsibilities laid upon me). I shall depart on Friday the 18th and I beg leave to apologize for this foreshortened visit.

I am most eager to meet my fair cousins, it being widely known of their comely appearance and humility. I have heard that the eldest two are marked, such a blessing for you and your wife! I am most grievously sorry to be the means of depriving the rest of them and your dear wife of their home at some future date and so with the blessing of the most compassionate Lady Catherine de Bourgh come fully prepared to admire them, and perhaps, with your blessing as well. . .well, I shall say no more on that for the moment.

I close with all sincerity and humbleness, your servant,

William Collins

Mr. Bennet folded the letter and took his spectacles off to slip them into his waistcoat pocket. Mrs. Bennet immediately began fussing again but found Mr. Bennet's eyes to be the only ones turned towards her. Lydia had leaned into Kitty before Mr. Bennet had finished that last word, and Elizabeth had turned to Jane shortly after.

"I do not believe we have yet met a more ridiculous man that this one seems to be," Elizabeth said quietly. Mary, who's seat was on Jane's other side, murmured an assent, before adding, "While his letter has such a tone of odd apologies and congratulations, it at least seems that he will be kind." Jane nodded in agreement.

Elizabeth glanced towards her in surprise, "Yes, though he sounds simple, he does not sound heartless."

Mary nodded, "While it may be difficult to endure his speech if he speaks as he writes, I would hope that we can all be kind in return." Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary shared a speaking glance at this conclusion and sighed as Mrs. Bennet's voice rose in prominence.

_OOOO_

Fitzwilliam Darcy paused in his correspondence as he heard the distinct rap his butler gave upon the door of his study. "Come," he called, setting down his quill and straightening his shoulders as the door opened and Nelson announced,

"Mr. Bingley to see you, Sir."

"Very good, Mr. Dawson."

"Shall I have some coffee sent in, Sir?"

"Yes, thank you," Darcy nodded in appreciation to Nelson as Bingley bounded into the room. Nelson exited, closing the door behind him.

"Well, Darcy, old man, I have done it and you may congratulate me." Bingley came to a stop before the desk, his smile stretching nearly from ear to ear.

"Very well, Charles. Congratulations." Darcy pushed himself up from the chair and walked around the desk to lead Bingley towards the wingchairs in front of the fireplace, "Now, what am I congratulating you on? And is it worthy of a drink stronger than coffee?" Bingley laughed, "No, no. Coffee will do me fine. But, come, surely you remember where I was on Friday!"

Darcy rubbed a hand over his eyes, "Friday," he mused, "You went for a jaunt to see-" he paused here, his eyes flickering to Bingley's laughing face.

"Bingley. Tell me you didn't sign the lease already. You had informed me that you wanted me to view it with you before you decided. We had made plans," here he stressed the word, "I was going with you next week." Bingley waved his hand brushing away all the import of 'plans' made.

"I am afraid that I must tell you what you don't want to hear! Yes. Yes, I did sign the lease. And it is for the better. Now instead of viewing the property with me, you may visit instead." Darcy looked into the hopeful eyes of his friend and felt a curmudgeon, but someone had to exhibit some sense.

"Is it even habitable? Did you actually go inside the house or just drive up to the solicitor's and tell them you'd take it? Are you sure you will be able to open the house in a week? Are there servants already there?"

Bingley straightened in his chair, "Now see here, Darcy-" he began when a knock was heard on the door. He fell silent at Darcy's call of, "Come," and a maid opened the door, carrying in a tray with coffee and biscuits. She froze for a second at the palpable tension in the room before hurrying to set the tray down and, after giving a curtsey, she moved quickly from the room.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Bingley picked up the conversation again, "Sometimes, Darcy, I wonder just how naïve you find me." He raised his eyebrows as he looked at his friend, "Yes, I know I'm impulsive. But really, did I actually go inside the house?"

Darcy sighed, "I don't mean to offend."

"No? It just comes naturally then." Darcy looked up in shock to see Bingley grinning. His mood already cheerful again. They both laughed as Darcy poured the coffee and handed Bingley his cup.

"I am sorry. I take it that means that you have seen the inside of the house, etc. . .?"

Bingley rubbed a hand through his hair sheepishly, "I did tour the house. It's been fairly well kept up. I do know that the housekeeper, Mrs. Nichols has been there with a skeleton staff. But, now that you mention it. I am unsure if she's begun hiring others, I was rather in a rush to get back to the solicitor's office to get the paperwork signed. So perhaps my invitation is slightly premature."

Darcy nodded, "The direction of the housekeeper could be done through the post if you are not able to go back this week. I thought you had business concerns yourself?"

"I have consolidated them. Some of the decisions are no longer applicable now that I have an estate leased. If we are able to host you though, you will come?"

Darcy's brows drew down, and he set his cup down with a clink, "We? Are your sisters to join you? So soon?" Darcy caught Bingley's grimace before he hid it with the excuse of a bite of biscuit.

A long moment of chewing later, Bingley said, "You know these shortbread biscuits of your cook's are quite the most wonderful I've tasted. Do you think she would mind passing along a receipt to my cook?"

Darcy folded his arms across his chest and spoke one word. "Bingley."

Bingley's face fell, "Does that me she won't? I'll just have to visit-"

Darcy cleared his throat loudly.

Bingley sighed, "Since you won't let me change the subject. Would it change your mind if I said they were?"

"You know I cannot abide Miss Bingley's fawning," Darcy said, "I am serious. She knows that I am soul marked. She knows she is not. Whatever the tons current ideas on the fashion of being so, her attentions are unseemly."

Bingley nodded his head apologetically, "I do know. And I will talk to her about it again. But Darcy, I don't know what else to do. I need a hostess and I'd like Louisa and Hurst to come. They cannot without towing Caroline along. Yet, I also need you there, your advice on estate matters will be invaluable, and it is something we've planned together for quite some time."

"I will agree," Darcy held up a finger, "On one condition. Miss Bingley cannot be the hostess."

Bingley flinched.

"Charles."

"She is supposed to be my hostess, Darcy."

"Then you can do without my help. I refuse to be overnight in a place where she is in charge of the keys or indeed, even where I am to sit at supper."

"Fine," Bingley's shoulders slumped, "I will make sure Louisa knows that I would like her to be hostess."

Darcy relaxed back into his chair, "There. That wasn't so hard was it?"

Bingley gave him a pained look. "I haven't actually done it yet, Darcy."

"Making up your mind is ninety percent of the problem, Charles. You're on to the easy part now."

"If you think that, I wonder if you have actually met my sister?"

_OOOO_