Author's Note: Okay, so I am changing up something from a previous chapter *slightly* There's a conversation where Mrs. Bennet talks to Elizabeth about Mr. Collins and tries to get her back to Netherfield because he's coming. I've decided I don't like that part there, especially since Mrs. Bennet wasn't supposed to know yet that he was coming (this is the problem with writing so slowly - I mess up my timeline!).
SO forget that part from back there. Instead, Mrs. Bennet just tried to get Lizzy back to Netherfield so Lydia could have a chance with Darcy. That's it. None of the Mr. Collins reasoning. I'll polish that scene up when it goes to the editor and for publishing. Because it makes this next part SO much better. Man, the second part of this chapter was FUN to write lol. And I know it's a cliffhanger. I'm trying, I really am - teething babies are the worst.

Chapter 17

Louisa Hurst carefully closed the door to her chambers, holding her breath as the latch softly clicked into place. Her husband was a heavy sleeper - especially after a night of heavy drinking - but the oddest noises would wake him earlier than he would like. She had little desire to face him after his cruel words from the night before.

She sighed and gave a slight tug on the collar of her dress, attempting to hide the bruise on her collarbone. When she and Reginald were first married, he had treated her with such kindness. It was only when Caroline had come to live with them that he had begun to drink in excess, which in turn had revealed a cruel side to him that had surprised everyone - including himself.

Things will get better, she told herself. Caroline is gone, Charles will return and be married, and maybe then Reggie won't imbibe as much. Just hold on a bit longer.

She absentmindedly rubbed the slight bulge from her abdomen as she walked down the hall. It was still too early for the quickening - at least, she thought it was, but there was so much she didn't know about being enceinte. With her mother having long passed on and no other married female relations nearby, there was no one with whom she could consult.

I wonder if there is a midwife in Meryton. Perhaps Elizabeth would know.

As if summoned by her thoughts, Louisa reached the staircase to go belowstairs just as Elizabeth did.

"Oh, Elizabeth! I was just thinking about you!"

"Oh dear, what have I done wrong now?"

Louisa began to stammer an apology, but then Elizabeth took her by the hand. "My dear friend, I was simply teasing you."

She blushed and said, "I supposed that is something I will need to become accustomed to, now that we are to be sisters. In fact," she took a deep breath, "I am hoping that you will continue to stay here after the wedding."

Elizabeth smiled. "I believe that is to be a condition of my sister's marriage: that I am allowed to reside with her, no matter where she is."

Louisa's face lit up. "That is wonderful! I very much look forward to having two such amiable sisters in my home."

The younger girl linked her arm with Louisa's as they descended the stairs and said, "You have said nothing of your own sister, nor the other three new additions. I begin to wonder if I am perhaps your least favorite."

This time, Louisa recognized the slight twitching of lips and twinkling eye that revealed the humor, and, as they reached the drawing room and took a seat together on the settee near the fire, she responded in kind. "Why, I thought it went without saying that I would be inviting your mother, Caroline, and Lydia to take up residence as well."

Elizabeth laughed and squeezed Lousia's arm. "Oh, well done, Sister!"

Louisa felt warmth rise within her, and it took her several moments to recognize the foreign emotion for what it was: pride at someone else's approval of her. She hadn't felt this way since her days at finishing school, where she would receive occasional bits of praise from her teachers over her accomplishments.

The sensations gave her the courage to say, "I actually wished to discuss another matter with you. Is there," she paused and blushed, "a midwife in Meryton with whom I might consult?"

Elizabeth's eyes widened slightly, and she squeezed Louisa's hands. "Yes, there is. Mrs. Fields is the wife of Dr. Fields, the parson of the living in Meryton. They are - quite coincidentally - planning to pay a call this afternoon to discuss the wedding with myself and Jane. Would you like her to visit you whilst she is here?"

"Oh, would she? That is, would you mind making the introductions?"

"It would be my honor."

And so it was that two hours later, Louisa found herself in her chambers, baring her stomach to a woman she had only just met a few minutes prior. Fortunately, Mrs. Fields had a kind, maternal nature that immediately made Louisa feel at ease.

Once the examination was complete, the plump, apple-cheeked matron sat back with a grin. As Louisa set her clothing to rights, Mrs. Fields said, "Well, my dear Mrs. Hurst, I would say that you are about halfway through your pregnancy. Your baby will come sometime in March, possibly April. Have you felt the quickening yet?"

"The quickening?"

"Oh dear, you really don't know much, do you? Well, your little one is always wiggling inside of you. As he or she grows larger, you'll start feeling those movements. It's a feeling unlike any other, dear. Some women describe it as a light tapping or a tickling sensation inside, a bit like the popping of small bubbles. Others say it's like the soft flutter of butterfly wings."

Louisa's eyes widened, and she placed a hand on her belly. "I thought I might have been eating something that did not agree with me," she confessed.

"Well, at first, it may be so subtle that you're not quite sure what you're feeling. But in time, these movements will become more pronounced, and you'll know it's your baby saying hello in its own special way."

This caused Louisa to smile gently and rub the bulge that was more pronounced now that it was free of her stays. As she did so, the sleeve of her dress pulled back, revealing the bruise that lay beneath.

Mrs. Fields's eyes narrowed, and Louisa tugged the lace cuff back down to cover the mark. The matron clucked her tongue and said, "I daresay you came by that the same way you did the one on your chest."

Louisa's hand flew up to her collarbone. "How did you know?" she whispered.

"I've seen the signs often enough."

"He wasn't always like this." Louisa hung her head, tears beginning to fall down her cheeks. "Ever since Caroline - my sister - came to live with us two years ago, he began drinking. Usually he only says things that are hurtful or cruel, but lately he has been a bit rough. He doesn't meant to, and he always apologizes when the drink has worn off."

Mrs. Fields gave Louisa a long, measuring look before nodding once. She reached into the large bag at her feet and pulled out a thick pamphlet, which she handed to her patient. Louisa took the publication and read the title aloud. "An Inquiry into the Effects of Ardent Spirits Upon the Human Body and Mind, by Dr. Benjamin Rush."

"Yes, it was written by an American author. One of the signers of their Declaration of Independence, in fact."

"How scandalous," Louisa said with a small laugh.

"My cousin is a doctor in the Americas, and he sent several of these pamphlets to me last year. It advocates for the ceasing of the excessive use of alcohol and highlights its detrimental effects on both physical health and mental well-being. I think you will find the arguments within to be quite compelling."

"Thank you, Mrs. Fields."

Louisa placed the pamphlet on a small table next to her bed, then stood to escort the midwife to the door. "I appreciate you taking the time to see me on such short notice."

"'Tis the lot of a midwife, to be called upon at the last minute!"

The two women shared a smile, then Mrs. Fields left the room to join her husband, who had been discussing final wedding plans with Jane and Elizabeth. Now that Dr. Fields was aware of the possibility of a special license for Jane and Mr. Bingley, he was prepared to perform the wedding ceremony at such a time that Mr. Bingley return to Meryton.

Louisa was about to leave her chambers to find Elizabeth when the door to the sitting room door she shared with her husband burst open, and Hurst came charging through.

"Davies said a doctor came to call on you. Why am I hearing this from my blasted valet? Dash it all, Louisa! Did I hurt you last night? I can't… I can't remember."

She watched in astonishment as he fell to his knees at her feet and caught the hem of her gown with his hands, tears streaming down his face.

"Reginald, what on earth?"

Doing her best to keep her balance, she hobbled over to the bed, him shuffling along on the floor behind her. Once she was safely seated on the mattress, she reached down and grasped his face with both hands, forcing him to look up at her.

"It's not even four o'clock, Reginald. Just how much have you had to drink?"

"Not a drop, Louisa, I swear on my mother's grave."

"Your mother's still alive, Reggie," she said with a wry smile. "Not that I don't wish otherwise sometimes, but still…"

Confusion stopped his tears, and after a moment of silence, the two burst into laughter that lasted far longer than the occasion merited. When their hilarity ebbed away, Louisa pulled Hurst from his knees and into a seated position on the bed next to her.

"Now then, if you haven't been drinking -"

"I haven't!"

"-then what's all this fuss?"

He took a deep breath. "I don't remember much of last night; just shoving you away when you tried to help me after I tripped. Then when I sent Davies to ask your maid a question about dinner this evening, he returned saying he couldn't speak with her because you were with a doctor. Tell me truthfully, Louisa - just how badly injured are you?"

Louisa flushed uncomfortably and looked away, but she couldn't help as one hand reached up to touch the bruise underneath her lace collar. Hurst reached forward and gripped her arm to see for himself, and she winced when his hand encircled the bruised wrist from a few nights prior.

"Good Lord, Louisa!"

Hurst's face paled, and his hands trembled as he tenderly pulled back her collar, revealing the lurid purple and blue mark just above her breast. The one on her arm had faded into yellows and browns, but it still bore the unmistakable shape of a man's hand around her slender wrist.

He gently placed his hand over the print on her wrist, where it matched the size and shape exactly. He then lifted a finger up and traced the edges of her bruised chest before leaning over and giving it a gentle kiss.

She sucked in a quick breath, watching him warily, unsure of what to expect from his abnormal behavior. "Reggie?" Her voice was soft, hesitant.

"Louisa, I -"

But whatever he was going to say would be forever unknown, as his attention was caught by the tract that lie on the table near the bed.

"What is this?"

She watched apprehensively as he leaned over her and picked up the publication that Mrs. Fields had left, mouthing the words of the title. His head snapped up, and his eyes bored into hers. "Where did this come from?"

Louisa bit her bottom lip and began to fiddle with the bracelets on her uninjured wrist. She looked down and said, "Dr. Fields came today to speak with Miss Elizabeth about the wedding. He's the parson, you see. His wife accompanied him, and I asked to speak with her."

She paused, keeping her gaze fixed on the bracelets. When he didn't interrupt, she continued, "She's the midwife here, and… well, that is… I haven't had my courses in a several months…"

Her voice trailed off, and she bit her lip again. The bracelets not doing their office, she clenched her hands tightly together, staring at her white knuckles, mentally begging him to say something - anything!

"Do you mean…? Louisa, are you with child?"

She nodded silently.

"Good God Almighty."

The rest of the words came out in a rush. "It was when she was checking me, to see how far along I am. She had to measure my stomach, you see, and she saw some of the bruising. I didn't tell her anything, but she guessed. I told her that you're not usually like this. She gave me this pamphlet. I haven't read it or anything, and I wasn't even sure if I was going to give it to you."

"Were you even going to tell me?"

A pause, then, "I don't know when I was going to, but yes, eventually."

Hurst exploded. "Eventually?! Louisa, do you not understand what could have happened? If I didn't know, and I drank too much, and I - I - my God, Louisa - you could lose the baby!"

Louisa buried her face in her hands and began to weep. Gasping for breath, she sobbed out, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

The only answer was the heavy stomping of boots, then the slam of a door, then silence.

"When we are married?!"

Elizabeth Bennet looked in horror at the large, greasy man kneeling on the ground before her. She rubbed at her eyes, wondering if she were in some part of a strange dream from which she had not yet awoken.

The day had taken a strange turn when Hurst had come storming from his wife's rooms after the doctor's visit, calling for his horse to be saddled. Elizabeth had gently knocked on her friend's door, but the answering maid said that her mistress was sleeping.

Once she had assured herself that Jane was also asleep, she removed herself to the library. When she had first come to Netherfield, it was quite sparse. Her father, quite generously, had placed an order of several books for her at the bookshop in Meryton. As novels typically cost at least a pound - if not two - it was a rare indulgence for herself, as she typically spent her pin money on more practical needs.

She had also discovered several more books on the shelves in the library the night before that appeared to be recent additions, and she was eager to explore the titles.

It was with great displeasure that she had been stopped by a footman just as she was about to enter her place of refuge. "Pardon me, Miss Elizabeth, but Mrs. Bennet and another guest have come to call on you. They are waiting in the parlor."

Elizabeth sighed and looked longingly at the comfortable chair near the library's fireplace, then turned and walked forlornly towards the room that held her mother dreading what she knew would be a most tedious half hour visit.

She'd had no idea.

To her utter shock, her mother was accompanied by a young man who was introduced to her as Mr. Collins, the heir presumptive of Longbourn. Before she even realized what was happening, Elizabeth had been outmaneuvered by her mother and was walking alone with the strange man in the gardens.

Not more than five minutes later, he had dropped to one knee and declared, "My dear Miss Elizabeth - Elizabeth, if I may be so bold - you can hardly doubt my purpose in calling on you today. I have your respected mother's permission for this address, so while it may be sudden for you, I can assure you that it is not for me."

At a loss for words, for perhaps the first time in her entire life, she could only gape down at the shining bald patch of skull on top his head. The man continued, "I came to Meryton with the purpose of taking one of my fair cousins to wife, in an effort to make amends for the dreadful situation in which you find yourselves upon the demise of your father. I was urged in this mission by my noble patroness, the great and wise Lady Catherine de Bourgh."

He said her name with a flourishing wave of his hand, which came dangerously close to brushing directly across her bosom. Alarmed, she took a step back and crossed her arms over her chest. Her actions went unnoticed, and his blathering went on. "At first, I had resolved to marry the eldest, as I heard she was the most beautiful of all my cousins, but I understand her to be quite unwell. Naturally, you are the next in line, and I have therefore single you out as the companion of my future life."

At this, he lifted his head and beamed up at her, perspiration dripping into his eyes. She opened her mouth to protest, but he lifted a hand and pressed a finger to her lips to silence the words. "Now, before you are run away with your feelings of gratitude, allow me to finish. My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances, like myself. Secondly, I am convinced it will add greatly to my happiness, and thirdly - which I perhaps ought to have mentioned first - is that my noble patroness commands it. She has even promised to visit you once we are married!"

It was these final words that pushed past the haze of shock and induced Elizabeth into anger. She pushed away the offending finger that had remained lingering on her lips for the man's speech.

"When we are married?" The words flew from her mouth, and she forced herself to keep from screaming. Just the thought of being tied to this man for the remainder of her life made her queasy.

Mr. Collins lumbered to his feet, stumbling slightly and grabbing hold of her arm to keep his balance. She gasped and attempted to yank herself from his grip, but he chuckled slightly. "My dear Elizabeth! Your modesty does you no disservice at all; but rather, it merely adds to your other perfections! You would have been less amiable in my eyes had there not been this little unwillingness. But now that we are engaged, there is nothing improper in a chaste kiss between lovers."

Elizabeth's eyes widened as the parson's pudgy face and fleshy jowls leaned in towards her. She could smell the foul stench of rotting food on his breath, and she turned her face away as his corpulent frame leaned into hers.

Pulling away with all her might, she could feel the bruises that would probably form. As he was much larger than she was, it was a hopeless case; shouting would do no good, as it would only lead to a compromise. Her best chance would be to run as soon as he let her free.

"Oy! You there! Let go of her!"

Elizabeth gasped in relief as Jamie's shout caused Mr. Collins's hand to loosen on her arm, his lips only a hair's breadth away from her own. She yanked herself free from his grasp and dashed towards Jamie, running with all her might.

"Miss Lizzy, are you alright?"

Jamie, who was standing on the front drive, looked at her in alarm. "Keep him away from me," she cried. "Mama brought him from Longbourn. He's Papa's heir, and he says he's going to marry me. Send someone for my father."

She ran into the house, calling for Grantham. When the butler appeared, his normally unflappable face betrayed his alarm at her disheveled state. "Miss Elizabeth? What on earth -?"

"Do not allow that man in here!" she cried. "Mr. Collins can wait outside until Mr. Bennet arrive from Longbourn. He is not to be granted entry unless myself or Mrs. Hurst allows it, and only if Mrs. Hurst has spoken to me first. Is that understood?"

Grantham's training took over, and he schooled his features back to their detached appearance. "Of course."

The butler turned and snapped his fingers at two footmen, then began issuing orders at other servants. Elizabeth left him to his work and made her way back towards the parlor, where her mother was standing at the window, looking out towards the gardens.

"Oh, a daughter married! My dear Mrs. Collins!"

Mrs. Bennet made to throw her arms around her daughter, but she was forestalled when Elizabeth raised her hand. In an icy tone, Elizabeth said, "I am not engaged, Mama. Nor shall I be anytime soon. Absolutely nothing you say will induce me to marry that man."

The delight on Mrs. Bennet's face instantly changed to a scowl. "Now see here, Miss Lizzy Bennet! I have not raised you to be such an ungrateful -"

But her words were cut short; Elizabeth's voice grew even colder. "Mother, you should think very carefully about what you do next. I can definitely assure you that you will not be happy if I take your place as mistress of Longbourn when Papa passes on."

"I… I don't understand. You would save us all! If you reject this offer - and it may very well be the only offer of marriage you get - I will not maintain you when your father is dead."

"And I, madam, will not maintain you at Longbourn if I am its mistress."

It took a full five seconds for Mrs. Bennet's mean understanding to process what her most intelligent daughter was saying, but when she was finally able to comprehend Elizabeth's words, her face paled. "You would not… surely not… certainly you would not turn out your own mother from her home?"

"You mean to say that you do not think I would remove you from my sight? The very woman who would condemn me to a life of misery with that… that disgusting oaf out there? Who would not listen to a single word I said? Who would force himself on me when I tried to reject him? Mama, I can safely promise you that if you were to succeed in securing my marriage to Mr. Collins, you would no longer live at Longbourn once I became its mistress."

The frost in Elizabeth's voice seemed to have frozen Mrs. Bennet in her place. After a few moments of silence, Elizabeth added calmly, "Now, the butler has been ordered to have Mr. Collins remain outside. My father has been summoned from Longbourn to address the situation as well. What is your choice, madam?"