A/N: I've been a little stuck on moving forward and this is maybe the 4th iteration of this chapter which is quite the change from my write-for-an-hour-and-then-immediately-post normal. It ends abruptly, so not all is so different.
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Jane welcomed the brief distraction afforded her by receiving a letter thanking her for the gifts she had sent from London. Her joy was not dampened by the frivolous sentiments therein as she viewed it as simply the truest expression of her sisters enjoying a carefree youth which she was actively protecting. She had not had such a physical reaction to Mr Collins's company and was gaining confidence she would be able to content herself here in Hunsford in her future life. She was also pleased with Elizabeth's support, she thought well of people partially because she was fairly averse to those dear to her disagreeing with her or thinking her foolish and her sister's help was proof enough that she had at least made peace with Jane's decision. This added to her strength and her appetite was unaffected the entire first fortnight in Kent.
Her serenity was genuine but was disturbed when the day of the musical evening arrived. Breakfast held no inducement and she began practicing until luncheon, the food still held no interest. She forced herself to drink her tea and added more honey than usual for her stamina to last until the evening. The nerves which her mother often complained of must be akin to this and it was quite unpleasant indeed and she would have felt a swell of empathy had not her general state of being made her temporarily unable to do so.
Mr Collins did nothing to calm her, as he seemed possessed of the same flustered energy and was unable to keep his worries to himself. Several times that day, he would walk into the room she had taken to practicing in with self importance, bestowing what he must think to be timely advice. As the day progressed, these statements morphed from what was first somewhat optimistic thoughts such as, "it is good you sing in English so that Miss De Berg may understand the words" and "you will be sure to mark each word carefully as you said yourself one is a cradle song your own mother sang to you and all your sisters" to more realistic, "Lady Catherine will no doubt be surprised you selected a lullaby to perform for Her Ladyship" and finally resorting to communicating that he could not but expect the worst. Mr Bennet withheld any observations he made regarding the absurdity of the situation and the principal participants, including his two daughters, as for once he was able to have the foresight that this evening would impact their lives in a significant and long-lasting manner.
Elizabeth was confident both of their efforts would be sufficient but worried Jane would work herself into quite a state to make a performance quite difficult and in this vein attempted to comfort her older sister and in so doing elevated Jane's nervous energy. Her father had been silent, which she chose to take the credit for, and no one could stop Mr Collins from speaking except Lady Catherine, and even she was only temporarily successful. She hesitated to, in an attempt to garner support, further reveal to their father that she herself was quite nearly as wound up as was Jane as she imagined this would only serve to invite his ridicule. When they all happened to be in the same room, Elizabeth suggested that Mr Collins show his garden to Mr Bennet, who had heretofore declined such a tour despite it having been offered nearly daily since their arrival, while directing a look to her father that dared him to voice again his disinterest.
"He is a scholar of the sciences and I cannot fathom why he has allowed such an opportunity to study such well-kept specimens. I imagine he will have many questions for you, Mr Collins, regarding your cultivation and care for each plant as well as your bees. Did you not mention you have begun to look into the art of bee keeping? Surely there are many fascinating details to discuss with such an educated man as my father."
She added the final praise to add a pull for Mr Bennet to acquiesce to her obvious scheming. At least to his eyes, for Mr Collins could not see interference from anyone as anything but charity, especially if he considered them above him in station or worth paying obsequience to. When Mr. Collins had easily accepted this idea and turned his outer clothes towards getting his outer clothes from the room, Elizabeth's father turned to her with eyebrows raised knowingly, nevertheless he did not interfere with her plans. Unsure if Mr. Collins was still within earshot Elizabeth gave this parting Instruction
"Be sure not to leave any potential question you may have unasked, father, for there is plenty of time before we must get dressed for dinner and begin our walk to Rosings."
She trusted he would understand what she was really telling him, that he was to distract Mr Collins for as long as possible, and was then given an eye roll along with a brief nod. The two gentlemen left the house and could be seen from the windows, Mr. Collins gesticulating with sweeping motions and her father absentmindedly nodding.
Lady Catherine had sent a carriage for them all at the appointed time and all went according to plan. Before dinner, the same guests as the previous fortnight gathered in the same room as they all had many times previously. Though Jane's singing voice had remained very weak, her rhythm and melody were carried by Elizabeth's accompaniment, who was by no means ostentatious even in her sonatas. The Colonel alone took notice of Mr. Darcy's expressions during the younger Miss Bennet's performance and smirked to himself. Conversation could not be had when Jane sang in order to hear her, especially when Elizabeth ceased playing for her sister to perform the cradle song.
Lady Catherine let it be understood that she was not impressed with Jane's voice but she also did not disregard her effort and the pertinent detail that, as a clergyman's wife, she would never be truly expected to have the same accomplishments as the young bride of someone as illustrious as her nephews. Elizabeth stifled her mirth and schooled her expression as she glanced towards his intended, Miss de Berg who was remarkable only in her natural frailty and chronic malaise. She of course could not be blamed for her limitations preventing her from developing artistic skills but the complete lack of any opinions or knowledge could not have result from physical weakness alone. Whether this mental insufficiency was one of choice was less certain, whether the determining factor was her lack of health or expectations from her mother.
As they were all about to be called to dinner, Elizabeth noticed that Jane was waning and to avoid any unkind judgement to fall upon her sister, she herself complained of a sudden headache.
"I shall not disturb the rest of the party's evening, but I must selfishly ask that Jane accompany me home. You will excuse us, Lady Catherine, gentleman"
Mr Collins looked as if he would have entreated her to stay, but his patroness instead agreed and had the carriage called with a magnanimous statement.