Pride and Prejudice 00 General Regency AU

Previously:

Charlotte then headed back home intending to do nothing more than to sit down and read book only to see two carriages at her father's home. One held an emblem of a earl and one was most assuredly Anne's Therefore, she cautiously stepped up to the one which had to be the de Borough's; it was.

Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men

NOTE: I know what happens in this chapter is out of character for Sir William and Lady Lucas but, PLEASE, bare with me. It is vital to the storyline and they quickly regret their heated words.

Proposals and ultimatum

Ch. 2

"Miss Anne? What is wrong?" Miss Charlotte peered in, and Anne's face was red, but not from sickness. Her eyes might as well have been guns shooting bullets, her nostrils bellows fanning a fire, her veins like a gutted pig's intestines overstuffed and ready to burst, and her knuckles—Miss Charlotte dared not even attempt to describe them, other than to think death might look better.

"Go inside and find out for yourself, and if afterwards you are happy, fine; if not—and you need a little break—go to the attic of the old bookshop in Meryton. I suspected this might happen, so I had a backup plan in place. Mr. Hansen will be gone for the next couple of hours. I have had others go there in times of trouble. He will turn a blind eye to anyone up there as long as you follow the note that I left in that room."

Now that statement piqued Miss Charlotte's curiosity and got Miss Charlotte indoors. She was stunned to see Lady Catherine and a gentleman who had to be William Collins, for he had facial features similar to some of Thomas Bennet's other relations.

"Since your daughter is home, I suggest she and Mr. Collins take a walk in the garden," Lady Catherine sat with her standard air of arrogance. "This is a private matter for them and one of which I am most certain she will be far more reasonable than, unfortunately, my Anne was with the Earl of Sussex."

So, that was what had her friend fuming. Her mother was at it again. If Miss Anne's mother would stop throwing titled men her daughter's way and really pay attention, she would see where Miss Charlotte's friend's eyes had truly turned. Oh well, not her fault if the lady was blind and deaf. And before Miss Charlotte could speak for herself, Mr. Collins had the audacity to usher her out the back door and into her parents' garden.

"My dear Miss Lucas…" Mr. Collins began speaking and gave Charlotte the urge to look around to see if a landowner from a large estate had lost their peacock. "With the deepest humility I possess, I come to you today as not only the heir of Longbourn but also a clergyman of no insignificant repute." So much for humility, thought Charlotte. He continued on. "I have carefully observed your many traits, goals you have met, which are very fitting for a woman of your gentle nature. You have been a beacon of light to many. You possess grace, sensibility, and the ability to manage a household that would benefit a clergyman's household. Your agreeable nature leads me to believe we would make the perfect partners in life. With Lady Catherine's approval, I present my hand to you in marriage…" Mr. Collins rambled on a bit more and finally finished, expecting Miss Lucas to graciously accept. Instead, he was surprised to hear Mary Bennet praised.

"I am quite flattered, Mr. Collins, but have you looked to Mary Bennet? Have you engaged in conversation with Miss Mary Bennet on such things as spiritual matters? You would be surprised at what insights she has for one so young, far more in-depth than I even have. Her respect for scriptures is beyond what I am capable of."

"I had not realized that. And what about her studies on other matters? Lady Catherine said the Bennet sisters had no training."

"Oh, but she is wrong. Miss Mary has poured her heart and soul into the studies of books and, while I confess she is no musician, her faithfulness to the pianoforte is far above those around her. They are, if I am not to lie, unparalleled. I doubt you would find any other person so devoted to her studies than Mr. Bennet's third daughter. Surely, you would agree that is a sign of a virtuous and well-ordered character, far more fitting for a parson's wife than I. And surely Lady Catherine could not argue when she is told how hard Mary has worked to be the kind of wife that would lift her husband up, and that would be a good thing for a parson on her grand estate."

"Yes, I am afraid you are right. I, sadly, must withdraw my offer of marriage." He gave a slight bow of his head.

It was not long before Charlotte's parents were both out in the garden, chewing their daughter out for not only rejecting Mr. Collins' offer but for planting the idea of proposing to Mary Bennet.

"How could you!" Sir Lucas bellowed. "You are older than Mary; I thought you had a better head on your shoulders than to turn down such a good offer of marriage. You turn around and go after Mr. Collins and do whatever it takes to get him to reconsider asking for your hand in marriage this instant!"

"And if I do not?" Charlotte asked, stunned her father, who had always been so jovial, happy, and gentle, was now furious beyond belief. However, she still asked the question, looking at both her parents as the inquiry was made.

"Then you are no daughter of mine." Her mother spat out and marched inside. Her answer nearly bowled Miss Charlotte over; again, this was not the mother she, and all her neighbors, knew.

"Do not look at me like that," growled her father. "Go get him back, or do not bother coming home!" With that, he too marched in the back door and slammed it shut.

Charlotte turned and ran, but not to Longbourn, but to Mr. Hansen's bookstore, and to the attic above his store.