Section I, Next Section
Chapter 1
"Mama, when is Mr. Collins to arrive? My feet are tired of standing about in this silly manner, and I am certain that my dress is getting dust all over it," Lydia complained with a huff, crossing her arms angrily as she blew a bit of hair out of her eye. Her mother just gave her a sympathetic smile.
"Oh, I am sure he will be here soon. How abominable of that man to make us wait here for so long while he lounges about in his carriage, no doubt thinking about the day he will turn us out from our home," Mrs. Bennet sobbed. "Oh, that hateful man."
"Mrs. Bennet, if it makes you feel any better, know that I plan on living a good while longer than you expect me to," Mr. Bennet teased as she swatted in his direction.
"Oh Mr. Bennet! How can you vex me so when you know how fragile my nerves are?" Mrs. Bennet clucked, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief while Lydia danced about, as if it would keep the nonexistent dust from settling on her dress. Elizabeth and Jane just exchanged one of their frequent looks.
"Look, Mama! I think I see his carriage," Kitty exclaimed, pointing off into the distance where a moving black object could be seen.
"So it is, Kitty. So it is! He has come at last," Mrs. Bennet replied, somewhat happier than her previous comments had been. "Remember girls, be on your best behavior. This is your cousin, and the man in charge of all of our fates, so I don't want to hear that you have been vexing or annoying him. Be polite, look your best, and most important... KITTY DO STOP COUGHING!"
"I do not cough for my own pleasure, Mama. It is the dust that irritates me so," Kitty said angrily as she coughed into her handkerchief.
"Well, do not cough so much! Try to keep it in, for if Mr. Collins is half as annoyed with your coughing as I am now, he will..." Mrs. Bennet was cut off as the carriage pulled in front of the group, which stopped abruptly as the carriage rocked back and forth.
Immediately, out of the carriage popped a short, fat man who was hunched over as he rubbed his hands together. He gave the Bennets a sickly sweet smile and a deep bow, as Lydia and Kitty both tried to hide their laughter. The short man reminded Elizabeth of a little troll or elf as he smiled, showing his yellowing, crooked teeth to the group. Elizabeth felt bad for the man, as he was not one of the prettiest weeds that could inhibit a garden, but she realized that she and her sisters would have to be nice to their cousin.
Mr. Bennet was just about to speak as another man emerged from the carriage as well. He gave the ugly man a nod and a smile, and, as if on cue, the horrible man went back into the carriage as it sped away quickly down the lane. The Bennets were left in surprise. In front of them stood a young man, on the verge of being called handsome, yet not close enough to be so. He was in his early thirties, if Elizabeth guessed correctly, with light brown hair, dark green eyes, and skin that seemed on the verge of becoming tanned. His left cheek possessed a dimple that was noticeable as he gave the family a warm smile.
"Mr. Bennet, it is very good to finally meet you at last," the man said joyfully with a bow. "This must be your lovely wife, Mrs. Bennet, and your daughters, that I heard so warmly spoken of from my late father."
"Mr. Collins," Mr. Bennet replied, more of a question than a statement. The man made no correction, and Mr. Bennet continued on. "It is very good to finally meet you."
"And you, Mr. Bennet, for I heard much about you from my father. It is a delight that I can finally meet you and your family," Mr. Collins added.
"Yes, although I cannot say that I have the pleasure of knowing much about yourself. My brother and I never kept in touch much over the years, although he did write to me occasionally," Mr. Bennet replied, slightly irritated.
"I am sure that he wished he could have written more often, but he was a very busy man, and in the end he was too ill to do much, let alone write," Mr. Collins said softly.
"He was a good man," Mr. Bennet concluded, and there was a grand pause amongst the group.
"Come, Mr. Collins," Mrs. Bennet said, finally speaking up. "We must get out of this dust and wind, and get you inside. You must be furiously tired from your long journey. Kitty, please tell Hill that we wish for some tea."
With this comment, Mrs. Bennet whisked Mr. Collins inside, followed by all five girls, who were unsure of what to think of their cousin. Yet none could doubt that they found him to be handsome and a bit attractive, as well as very easy and friendly. Yes, each of the girls decided. He would be a welcome addition to Longbourn.
Chapter 2
"Tell us about yourself, Mr. Collins," Mrs. Bennet inquired as the family sat down to dinner. "I am sure you lived a very exciting life."
"Some people would claim that my life was very dull, growing up in a small town that was nothing like the excitements of London," Mr. Collins stated. "Yet I would much rather live in the country than in the city. I am sure you agree, Mrs. Bennet, for you and your family are as happily situated here in Hertfortshire as I was in Cheshire."
"Of course, Mr. Collins, our family is very happily situated here. There is no other place that I would rather live, although I can admit, from personal experience, that there are some that think nothing of the country at all," Mrs. Bennet ranted, and Elizabeth knew that she was talking about Mr. Darcy. "I, for one, am interested in hearing about your life."
"Very well, but if I bore you or your daughters to death, remember that I have warned you first," Mr. Collins cautioned, and Mrs. Bennet just gave a wave with her hand.
"My father was Mr. Bennet's younger brother, who was adopted quite young by his wealthy aunt and uncle. He was educated by them, and, because he was to inherit the Collins' estate and fortune, decided to take upon himself the last name of Collins. He met my mother shortly after. The two fell in love, and were wed almost immediately after in a chapel near Bath," Mr. Collins said. "But I am sure you knew of this already."
"Yes, my husband did tell me some of the particulars," Mrs. Bennet replied. Mr. Bennet only nodded as he remembered those painful memories of when his best friend and younger brother, only two year his junior, was taken away.
"I grew up in Cheshire, five miles from the small yet admirable town of ------, in a small estate with my excellent parents, and not three miles from the home of my wealthy uncle and aunt. I was educated, of course, and given one of the best educations a young man could receive. When I was of the age, I joined the army," Mr. Collins began. Lydia and Kitty exchanged a look as their eyes grew wide at the prospect of a redcoat in their home.
"I was in the army for a few years, as I intended to make it my profession, and rose to the rank of Colonel. After my father's early death, my mother and her family found the arrangement unsuitable, and forced me to leave my post. My father had no objections when he was alive to the army, but my mother secretly had. One of her own brothers had gone into the army, and it had turned him very wild and reckless, and believed that it would do the same to me, one of her own beloved boys. My mother deemed that it was not proper for someone of her family, and with such an inheritance to be his one-day, to go on in such a profession. Her elder brother (my uncle) agreed wholeheartedly with her ideals, and they both persuaded me to leave my post." Mr. Collins paused, remembering his own happy memories of his past.
"My mother, while being very sensible and compassionate, was, as I must confess, not happy with my father's family. My mother had come from a wealthier family than my own excellent father, and while she loved my father with all of her heart, she did not share the same sentiment for his family. She believed that she had put up with them long enough, and, with my father gone, was determined to cut herself off from them. I was also cut off from knowing my father's family, as my mother decided I need not know them until it was absolutely necessary," Mr. Collins said sadly as Mrs. Bennet winced. "I was then decided for the church, which I did not mind so. After receiving my orders, my mother's brother purchased me a position in Kent, where I have found my new life and profession to be calm and comfortable."
"My dear mother died a few months ago, and I decided then to seek out my uncle's family. My father had often talked warmly of you, Mr. Bennet, and I was determined to finally meet you, my aunt, and my cousins," Mr. Collins said, ending his story and finally taking a breath.
"That is quite a sad story," Lydia said with a sigh, determined to get on this former redcoat's good side.
"Aye," Kitty agreed, nodding her head furiously.
"With the sadness I have found many blessings, and it is hard for me to look back on my life with anything but happiness. I have found peace in my new job, and I wonder if I would be half the person I am today if I had not left the army," Mr. Collins replied.
"Who is your patroness?" Mrs. Bennet asked, munching away on a carrot. "I understand it is a very noble lady."
"Yes, Ma'am. She is Lady Catherine de Borough, who lives with her daughter, Anne, just across the lane from my home in her estate, Rosings Park," Mr. Collins answered, and Mrs. Bennet smiled.
"Has she no sons to speak of?" Mrs. Bennet asked, her brain thinking of a possible match between one of her daughters and a wealthy son.
"None. Her daughter is the heiress of Rosings, and will one day inherit a large fortune and the estate. It is a very sad business, for Anne is not of the healthiest constitutions, but I suppose God throws everyone a few hardships in their life," Mr. Collins replied, and Mr. Bennet nodded.
"The poor girl," Mr. Bennet agreed, finally piping up after the touching story Mr. Collins had told only moments before.
"She does manage, despite the fact that she has not the strength to play at the pianoforte, go for a stroll in the woods of Rosings, or attend any of the social functions or dances when in London," Mr. Collins added.
"I wonder if it is really a misfortune that she cannot attend a dance, Mr. Collins, for young ladies should be improving themselves with books and music rather than frivolous dances," Mary spouted. "I am sure that you, as a man of the church, would agree with me on that subject."
"Books and music are important attributes to any young woman, Miss Mary, but dancing is also another notable accomplishment in most young women. I, for one, am quite fond of a dance, and I must say that it a ball would be quite disagreeable with no young ladies present as partners," Mr. Collins replied, and the group laughed.
"You will be quite glad that you have come when you have, Mr. Collins, for there have been many assemblies lately," Elizabeth said.
"Aye, and Lady Lucas has promised that she will have another gathering within the week, which will be an excellent opportunity for you to meet up with some of the neighbors," Kitty added with a smile.
"Assemblies are nothing to a ball. Oh, how I long for a ball," Lydia said in her whiny voice. "It has been ages since the last one, and that was last November when Mr. Weston still owned Netherfield."
"Mr. Bingley has promised to throw a ball soon. I thought you would have remembered that, Lydia, or were you too busy flirting with Captain Carter to hear the news from our Aunt Phillips," Kitty stated blankly, and Lydia just pulled a face at her sister.
"I am not sure if you have heard of our new neighbors, Mr. Collins, so I shall tell you. A Mr. Bingley from London has lent one of the nearby estates, Netherfield, which you surely must have seen from your carriage on your way here. It was the fine brick estate with the large windows and the majestic parklands. Do not mistake if for Lucas Lodge, which is only a bit smaller than Longbourn though not as fine as Netherfield or thus. But Netherfield is such a grand estate, Mr. Collins, and I am sure that you will be delighted it, even if it does not compare with Rosings Park," Mrs. Bennet said proudly.
"Rosings Park is indeed a beautiful estate, but that is in my limited opinion. I am sure that Netherfield is just as grand and happily situated as other estates in this area and others. I confess, though, that I already find Longbourn to be the most happily situated estate I have ever seen," Mr. Collins said modestly, and Elizabeth was impressed by his easygoing manner. "What sort of a man is Mr. Bingley? I have heard of him, but have not met him myself."
"He is a very charming neighbor, so outgoing and friendly without an unkind word to anyone. Quite the opposite of his friend, Mr. Darcy, who is the most proud, disagreeable man I have ever met," Mrs. Bennet replied, flailing her arms about. "And his sisters, Mr. Collins, are quite..."
"Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, of Derbyshire?" Mr. Collins interrupted, nearly choking on a mouthful of meat, and Mrs. Bennet nodded.
"Have you heard of him? I dare say that perhaps one of the other travelers might have told you about him on the way to Longbourn, but..." Mrs. Bennet was once again cut off.
"He is the nephew of Lady de Borough," Mr. Collins replied, and it was Mrs. Bennet's turn to almost choke.
"So then...you two are...acquaintances?" Mrs. Bennet asked, reaching for her glass of water.
"We are more than acquaintances, Mrs. Bennet. We are quite good friends. His cousin, the Colonel Fitzwilliam, and I were in the military together at one point. It is through him that I met Mr. Darcy, and since then we have been quite close. I had no clue that he was to be staying in Hertfortshire this winter," Mr. Collins exclaimed, quite elated at this news.
"You...you are friends with Mr. Darcy?" Mrs. Bennet asked again, confused by the portrait Mr. Collins had just painted of the neighborhood's most hated man, and also a bit in shock.
"Yes. I've known him about four years," Mr. Collins replied, munching away on his dinner. "He is quite a gentleman. I am sure that he will be just as elated to see me as I am him, for I have not seen him since last April, when he visited his aunt."
"Well, Mr. Collins, I feel that I should warn you not to hold any resentful feelings against your "friend" if he does not present the best manners towards you while in Hertfortshire. He may enjoy your company in Kent, but he may think himself too "high" about you while you are in our company. Everyone that we are acquainted with fine Mr. Darcy to be the most arrogant and proudest man," Mrs. Bennet exclaimed angrily. "He slighted my poor Elizabeth, you know."
Instead of the compassionate look expected, Mr. Collins gave Elizabeth a questioning look after hearing this bit of information.
"What did he say of you, cousin?" Mr. Collins asked as Elizabeth felt a knot growing in her throat.
"He...he, well, he said that..." Elizabeth began, her tongue tying, before being cut off by Mrs. Bennet.
"He said, when asked to dance with her by his excellent friend Mr. Bingley, that he found her only 'tolerable and that she was not handsome enough to tempt him'," Mrs. Bennet clucked. "See, is he not an odious man?"
However, at that moment, Mr. Collins burst out into laughter.
"I fail to see the humor in this, Mr. Collins," Mrs. Bennet spat angrily. "Please enlighten us." Mr. Collins took a deep breath.
"If you are referring to the Mr. Darcy I know, then you are grossly mistaken as to what his meaning is. What he said about Elizabeth was not an insult, but an inside joke between him and his family, and also some of those who know him well, like myself, and probably Mr. Bingley as well," Mr. Collins replied, and Mrs. Bennet rolled her eyes.
"I fail to comprehend," Mrs. Bennet added, and Mr. Collins sighed.
"I remember him telling me that when his sister, Miss Darcy, was younger, she often wished to go with him and his parents to the many assemblies in London. She was, however, too young and not out yet, so that was impossible. Her father didn't want to disappoint her, so he said that if her brother would take her, he would allow her to go," Mr. Collins began.
"I don't see where this story is going," Mrs. Bennet said, somewhat impatiently.
"Mr. Darcy's response to this was to tease her, and he told her that 'she was tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt him' into choosing her as a partner. Mr. Darcy and his cousin, the Colonel, still tease Miss Darcy with that same phrase," Mr. Collins added, and Mr. Bennet chuckled under his breath.
"Well, I do think that it was abominably rude of him to say such a think about our Elizabeth without her prior knowledge of the joke," Mrs. Bennet huffed, and Mr. Collins smiled.
"I can understand your distress, but I do not believe it was meant for anyone's ears but Mr. Bingley, who understands the joke," Mr. Collins explained. "Otherwise, I believe you are being very quick with your opinions on Mr. Darcy, for at first glance I too found him to be proud, but realized only later that he is just reserved, and shy, in his responses to new acquaintances. He has been through many hardships in his life, despite his young age."
"Well, I feel no sympathy for that man. Just remember that I warned you about Mr. Darcy, and you shall see his true nature for yourself at the Lucas' gathering," Mrs. Bennet replied, shaking her fork (which still contained a bit of chicken) at him. Mr. Bennet, however, just chucked to himself.
Chapter 3
The next day proved to be as beautiful as the previous, with less of the irksome wind that had bothered Lydia so. All of the girls had decided to take the opportunity of the warm fall midmorning, as this weather was uncommon for the time of the year it currently was. Lydia and Kitty were busily occupied playing a game of horseshoe while Mary read her book nearby and commented ever so often of the total impropriety of the game. Jane and Elizabeth went on a stroll through the gardens while Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Collins were engaged in the same activity. However, both groups were engaged in different conversations, as the girls spent most of their time speaking of the guests at Netherfield while Mr. Collins commented on Longbourn, the area, and the Bennet daughters.
"You have five very fine daughters, Mrs. Bennet," Mr. Collins remarked as he watched them in their various outdoor activities. "I doubt I have ever seen five girls that were so accomplished and pleasant to be around, no matter where I have been."
"Yes, my daughters are admired wherever they go, for they all have a very fine sense of decorum and a favorable manner which makes it hard for anyone to find ill in them," Mrs. Bennet agreed. The look on Mr. Collins' face was hard to decipher, so Mrs. Bennet decided to make sure that he didn't set his hopes on Jane. "Especially Jane, my eldest. Mr. Bennet and I are very well pleased at the prospects that she will very soon be engaged."
"I am very glad to hear that, Mrs. Bennet, for I worried that such a beautiful girl like that might never settle down," Mr. Collins said happily, and Mrs. Bennet gave an inward sigh of relief. "When the engagement takes place, you will have to write to me directly so that I may be one of the first to send my congratulations and to wish them the best after their wedding."
"You have my promise on the matter, Mr. Collins, although I believe that the engagement will happen so soon that it may take place while you are in town," Mrs. Bennet said optimistically. Mr. Collins just nodded as he looked off towards the four Bennet girls, as one was absent from the group of giggling girls.
"Mama, Kitty and I are to go to Meryton to see if Denny has returned from town," Lydia said, gasping for breath as she ran towards her mother as the last Bennet girl was accounted for.
"Why don't you take Mr. Collins with you? I am sure that he would love to see the sights of the town, meet some of our acquaintances..." Mrs. Bennet asked, giving Mr. Collins a fond look. Lydia just looked hopefully at Mr. Collins as the other four Bennet sisters looked curiously at Mr. Collins.
"Of course. Why, it is such a glowing day that I believe we should all go for a walk. What do you say to that?" Mr. Collins asked to the group, and all four of the girls' smiles were all of the answer needed.
Lydia and Kitty lead the group towards town, giggling and smirking as they whispered about the various officers to themselves. The two youngest girls were upset that Mr. Collins was not walking towards the front, as the two had become infatuated with their former-redcoat and quite handsome cousin. Mary had roped Jane into a conversation about the new sermon book she was reading and Jane bore the conversation as best as she could, trying her best not to yawn. Elizabeth and Mr. Collins were near the back of the group, as he was telling her all about the countryside of Kent and the town that he had grown up in. Elizabeth was impressed by the feeling that he portrayed for each of the places, and the warm praises that he had for both.
Upon reaching town, Lydia and Kitty immediately located Denny speaking with another young man nearby one of the various shops in Meryton, and the two young girls determinedly dragged their sisters and cousins towards the men. Elizabeth was struck by the gentlemanly appearance that the other man held; while he was not as handsome as he could be, he seemed to be full of a sense of goodness and righteousness, which impressed Elizabeth greatly.
"It is good to see you all once more," Denny said cheerfully upon first encountering the group.
"Aye, and you, Denny," Lydia said flirtatiously.
"Did you enjoy seeing your family again?" Elizabeth asked, trying to make some normal conversation while her youngest sister batted her eyelashes.
"Yes, although I wish I could have stayed longer," Denny replied with a laugh. "But duty called me back to Meryton."
"I'm glad you've come back," Lydia added with a smile, and Kitty nodded as well.
"May I introduce to you Mr. George Wickham, who has just recently joined the militia here," Denny continued as Lydia and Kitty immediately began to whisper furiously to each other. "This is Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Miss Mary Bennet, Miss Catherine Bennet, Miss Lydia Bennet and..."
"Mr. William Collins, our cousin," Jane added. "He has just arrived for a visit from Kent."
"It is good to meet you all," Mr. Wickham said with a small bow. "It is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of five beautiful young ladies, and I hope to be seeing you, and your cousin, more frequently in the future." Lydia sighed at his elegant and expressive declaration.
"We are to go to our Aunt Phillips for the evening, Mr. Wickham. Won't you and Denny join us?" Lydia asked quickly.
"Lydia!" Jane scolded under her breath, but Lydia just turned her head away from her sister in a sign that she would not listen.
"We have not been formally invited by Mrs. Phillips..." Mr. Wickham began, but Lydia cut him off with a loud huff.
"It is no matter, for there will be others from the town there. Our aunt hosts the best gatherings," Lydia added persuasively. "You must come."
"If we must, Wickham," Denny said in mock hesitation.
"Yes, I suppose we must," Wickham replied in the same fashion, and everyone, except for Mr. Collins, laughed at this dramatic display.
Lydia and Kitty were quick to involve Denny and Wickham in their own conversation. Jane had the misfortune of being spied upon by Wickham as being very beautiful, as he was quick to include her in the conversation. The beautiful daughter of a gentleman was not one to overlook in any occasion, and Mr. Wickham had plans brewing in his mind. Mr. Collins and Elizabeth stood off to one side, and Mary to the other as she began to read a small book that she had pulled out of what seemed to be thin air.
I will repeat that it was a misfortune that Jane had been included in the conversation with the officers, for at that moment Mr. Bingley was seen riding towards the group. Elizabeth watched Mr. Bingley's facial features light up as he saw Jane, but dim a bit as he saw the two officers speaking with her. It could be said that Mr. Wickham's features showed a particular interest in Jane, which angered and even caused a bit of jealousy on the part of Mr. Bingley. Nevertheless, he did stop his horse next to Elizabeth and Mr. Collins and was quick to address the two.
"Miss Elizabeth, it is very good to see you and your sisters again," Mr. Bingley said with a forced smile. "I was about to venture towards Longbourn to inquire after your sister's health, but I can see that she is doing well."
"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Bingley. Jane is doing well, and would have told you herself if she had not been commandeered in another conversation at the moment," Elizabeth replied, hoping that would clear up any misunderstanding of the moment's instances.
"I see," Mr. Bingley said slowly, but Elizabeth could tell that he was quite a bit more at ease after that sentence than he had been before. Mr. Bingley, at that time, noticed Mr. Collins standing nearby, and cleared his throat in an indirect way, causing Elizabeth to remember common courtesy and introduce the two.
"Mr. Bingley, this is our cousin, Mr. William Collins. Mr. Charles Bingley lives not three miles from us, at Netherfield," Elizabeth introduced politely.
"So you are Mr. Collins," Mr. Bingley exclaimed. "Darcy heard you were in town and he hasn't stopped talking about you since! I must confess, I was rather curious as to who you actually were."
"As I were you, Mr. Bingley, for I have heard so much about you," Mr. Collins replied, smiling. "I had heard, though, that you were looking father north for an estate."
"There was a particularly fine one that I found, but my sister, Caroline, detested being so far away from London. Instead I have settled here, and I couldn't be happier with the neighborhood or the people," Mr. Bingley praised, and Elizabeth smiled inwardly. "I understand that you are from Cheshire?"
"Yes, I am," Mr. Collins replied humbly.
"It is a very beautiful part of the country," Mr. Bingley confessed. "I believe it is one of my favorite counties, besides Hertfortshire."
"What about Derbyshire? I think Darcy would have both of our hides if he knew we hadn't stated that county as our favorite," Mr. Collins teased, and Mr. Bingley just laughed while Elizabeth looked on curiously.
"Too true," Mr. Bingley replied in mock horror as he thought of his fake fate. "However, I can be sworn to secrecy if you promise not to tell as well."
"Agreed," Mr. Collins promised.
Elizabeth took that time to turn towards the other conversation to see how things were faring for her beloved sister. Jane, however, was not having a wonderful time, as Mr. Wickham was not being hidden about his admiration for her. It was obvious that Jane felt nothing for Mr. Wickham, yet he could not see the look on her face of utter boredom. Elizabeth laughed inwardly as she thought of her normally pleasant sister who found no fault in anyone being annoyed by someone, while thanking God that Mr. Bingley was not looking in Jane's direction. Elizabeth had just turned back to Mr. Collins' and Mr. Bingley's conversation when she saw Mr. Collins move in closely to Mr. Bingley.
"Mr. Bingley, I was wondering if you could send a message to Mr. Darcy from myself," Mr. Collins whispered low enough that no one heard except the two gentlemen, and Elizabeth, who moved in a bit closer to discreetly hear.
"Of course, Mr. Collins! I would be happy to," Mr. Bingley replied in his usually, obliging manner that was quieter than usual.
"Could you please tell him that he is here, so she should not come," Mr. Collins said slowly, still in his whispered voice. "Those word exactly, please."
"Yes, of course. I will tell him directly," Mr. Bingley said with an earnest smile, before raising his voice. "You will be coming to visit shortly, correct, for you are very welcome at Netherfield. I know Darcy is very anxious to see you again, and would have come to Longbourn if he wasn't engaged in important business."
"Thank you, Mr. Bingley. I will have to hold you up on that offer," Mr. Collins said with a smile.
"I should be off," Mr. Bingley said hesitantly, throwing a look in Jane's direction. Elizabeth noticed this, and had to smile to herself. "Good day, Mr. Collins, Miss Elizabeth."
"Good day," Elizabeth replied with a joyful smile on her face. Yet inside, Elizabeth wasn't feeling as cool and composed as she appeared to be. Elizabeth kept replaying Mr. Collins' words over and over in her mind, wondering what they could possibly mean. 'He is here, so she should not come.' The only 'he' that it could possibly be was the new Mr. Wickham, if at all, but who was the she? And what was the problem with amiable Mr. Wickham that anyone, no less a young lady, would have to avoid him?
Elizabeth began to look in Mr. Collins' direction, eager to ask him for more details on the matter, but noticed that he had now joined the rest of her sisters, and the officers, in walking towards their Aunt Phillips' home down the lane. Elizabeth had to quicken her pace to catch up with the group, and when she finally did, she remained silent while her mind was racing a mile and minute.
Chapter 4
Mrs. Phillips was known about the town for hosting gatherings of good taste and much enjoyment, and this night was to be no exception. Besides Denny and Wickham, other officers had been invited, as well as many other families from the area. Lydia and Kitty had been quick to secure dances with most of the officers, including their own cousin, while Mary had procured herself a corner and was intently reading her book. Jane was off in the room somewhere, speaking to one of Mrs. Long's nieces about various subjects. Elizabeth, who had just introduced Mr. Collins to her Aunt Phillips, was just sat down in a chair in a quiet part of the room when Mr. Wickham approached her.
"Miss ... Elizabeth Bennet, I presume?" Mr. Wickham said, more of a question than a statement, and Elizabeth nodded in reply.
"It is good to finally speak with you, Mr. Wickham," Elizabeth replied.
"Yes. I would have spoken with you this afternoon, but your sisters and I were having such an interesting conversation that the time flew by so quickly," Mr. Wickham added, making excuses for himself. Elizabeth just smiled.
"If there had been time, my sisters wouldn't have let you leave, for they are very fond of officers," Elizabeth replied, and Mr. Wickham laughed. "Besides, I was involved in an equally interesting conversation this afternoon." Wickham paused.
"I ... I am sorry that I did not have the opportunity to acquaint myself with the young man that your cousin was speaking with," Mr. Wickham confessed slowly. "Yet I could not be rude to your sister, for I was having a delightful conversation with them this afternoon."
"That was Mr. Bingley, who just recently lent Netherfield park," Elizabeth replied with a smile on her face.
"Yes, I have heard of his amiable and pleasant nature from the other officers," Mr. Wickham added.
"He is very amiable, but compared to his sisters and friend, even the rudest of men would still be considered in a favorable light among the town," Elizabeth whispered, and Mr. Wickham chuckled.
"You do not like them?"
"Miss Bingley and her sister are revered as being two very fine ladies, but are all together too displeased with what they see and have adapted a manner of superiority," Elizabeth explained quietly. "And his friend, Mr. Darcy, is seen by the village as the proudest and most disagreeable man to ever..."
"Mr. Darcy, did you say?" Mr. Wickham asked, his brow furrowed in question. "Of Derbyshire?"
"Yes. Are you acquainted with Mr. Darcy at all?" Elizabeth questioned.
"I am," Mr. Wickham replied dryly, and, noticing Elizabeth's shocked expression, decided to go into further detail. "I have been connected with his family in a particular manner from my infancy."
Elizabeth was surprised and somewhat shocked to hear this strange confession, but tried to hide it in case Mr. Wickham's view of Mr. Darcy proved to be the same as Mr. Collins'. Mr. Wickham did not miss Elizabeth's look, and just gave a quiet chuckle.
"Do not worry, Miss Bennet, for I believe you and I have the same view of Mr. Darcy," Mr. Wickham replied assuredly.
"But I thought that you said you had been..."
"I was. His father, the former Mr. Darcy, was one of the best men that ever breathed, besides being my godfather and excessively attached to me. I believe that this jealous is what led to Mr. Darcy's hatred of me in the end," Mr. Wickham said with a melancholy sigh. Elizabeth just touched his arm lightly as a sympathetic gesture.
"Indeed?" was all that Elizabeth could asked, and Mr. Wickham nodded.
"I had been brought up for a position in the church, and it ought to have been my profession except for the influence that a certain person had in changing that decision," Mr. Wickham said, continuing on in his story.
"Mr. Darcy, you mean?" Elizabeth asked slowly.
"There was just such an informality in the terms of the bequest as to give me no home from law. A man of honor could not have doubted the intention, but Mr. Darcy chose to doubt it - or to treat it as a merely conditional recommendation, and asserted that I had forfeited all claims to it by my extravagance. The living became vacant two years ago, exactly as I was of an age to hold it, but it was given to another man. I cannot think of any excuse that would have made Mr. Darcy do such a thing, except for his hatred of me." With this, Wickham paused and looked towards Elizabeth, as if asking for her to find some reason why this injustice was carried out. Elizabeth just looked at Wickham with stunned eyes.
"This is quite shocking! Mr. Darcy deserves to be publicly disgraced!" Elizabeth exclaimed angrily.
"Some time or other he will be, but it shall not be by me. Till I can forget his father, I can never defy or expose him." Elizabeth was touched by these words, and thought him handsomer than ever as he expressed them.
"But what could have been his motive?" Elizabeth asked after a pause.
"A thorough, determined dislike of me, which must have been formed from jealousy. Had the late Mr. Darcy like me less, his son might have borne with me better. Mr. Darcy has a very competitive nature and a temper to match, and must have seen me as a threat," Mr. Wickham replied. "Yet that is all I can believe on the matter."
"I had not thought Mr. Darcy so bad as this. Thought I have never liked him, I had not thought so very ill of him," Elizabeth said softly, shaking her head. "I never thought of him descending to such malicious revenge."
"I can only believe that..."
"Mr. Wickham," Lydia interrupted as she stood next to Mr. Wickham's shoulder and fidgeted about. "I hate to see you sitting about in this stupid manner. Will you not dance with me?"
"Miss Lydia, I would love to dance with you," Mr. Wickham replied in a warm tone, which seemed to satisfy Lydia as she began to pull him along towards the small dancing area.
Elizabeth just watched with sad eyes as Mr. Wickham was dragged away, mostly upset that she did not have more time to speak with him about Mr. Darcy's injustices. She had known Mr. Darcy to be proud and rude, but to be so malicious that he would hurt the godson of his father over jealousy? Was he really that cold and cruel of a man to have no feeling towards someone that he viewed as competition? There had to be some explanation for Mr. Darcy's wrong deeds, but Elizabeth could find none and began to feel certain that Mr. Darcy was solely to blame for Mr. Wickham's current situation in life.
Out of the corner of her eye, Elizabeth noticed Mr. Collins standing near a corner, almost looking as dignified and solitary as Mr. Darcy did at assemblies. Mr. Collins, if he be a true friend of Mr. Darcy, would know the particulars of Mr. Darcy's conduct towards Mr. Wickham, and Elizabeth decided that she would speak with him on the dreadful subject.
"I will not have you standing about in this silly manner!" Elizabeth exclaimed teasingly to her cousin, who just gave her a small chuckle. "I will have you speak with our acquaintances!"
"Are you worried that I am not sociable enough to be your cousin?" Mr. Collins asked in mock injury. "Am I to ruin your reputation by standing about in my silly manner?"
"You look almost as proud as your friend, Mr. Darcy, who behaved just exactly as you did at the first assembly he attended," Elizabeth teased bitterly. "He did not speak with anyone either."
"I suppose you have not noticed all of the people I spoke with earlier. Your Aunt Phillips and I were having a most delightful conversation, and I was speaking to your Uncle Phillips about the law," Mr. Collins replied. "But I suppose you were too busy speaking with Mr. Wickham to have noticed, cousin."
"Yes, I have been," Elizabeth replied firmly. "He has been telling me the most interesting tale that will shock you if I inform you of it."
"And what would that be?" Mr. Collins asked wearily, not at all impressed on hearing anything that had come out of that man's mouth.
"He told me," Elizabeth began, lowering her voice into a dull whisper, "that he and Mr. Darcy used to be acquaintances."
"Is that all that you wished to tell me?" Mr. Collins asked sarcastically. "I was already familiar with that piece of information."
"Mr. Collins, Mr. Wickham told me that he was intended for the church, but Mr. Darcy, out of hatred and jealousy, gave the living to another man and reduced Mr. Wickham to his present state of poverty," Elizabeth whispered urgently. "Is that not terrible? Can you not believe that?"
"Coming out of that man's mouth, I cannot," Mr. Collins replied, fidgeting as he looked around the room for an escape.
"I cannot believe Mr. Darcy to behave so maliciously, but the more I think over Mr. Wickham's particulars, the more I believed that Mr. Darcy is the one at fault for his atrocious behavior," Elizabeth added.
"So that is now your opinion?" Mr. Collins asked dryly. "You have decided to believe in this man whom you have not known for more than half a day?"
"Mr. Wickham offered me proof such specifics that they must be true. Why would he make up such a dreadful slander? All anyone here has ever known of Mr. Darcy is his proud and disagreeable nature, and Mr. Wickham's stories prove that very point. Why tell such a horrible tale if is not true?" Elizabeth questioned determinedly, trying to prove a point.
"Even a saint can lie," Mr. Collins retorted, not willing to give in, and Elizabeth was startled by his sharp manner. "Even the devil was once an angel."
"After all I have seen of Mr. Darcy's pride and disagreeable nature, I am inclined to believe Mr. Wickham's tales," Elizabeth replied resolutely. "If Mr. Darcy had been a amiable man, I would not be hasty to judge him so. But everything that Mr. Wickham said matched the character I have seem of him perfectly that I must believe him."
"Hasty judgments are made from one sided opinions. True judgments can only be made when all sides are presented. I thought you to be a person of a sharp intelligence who would not make rash decisions based on Mr. Wickham's lone convictions, but I suppose I am wrong," Mr. Collins bitterly stated, giving Elizabeth a sharp glare that made her feel embarrassed and wrong inside. The lady, however, was not prepared to give up on this battle.
"What are your reasons to disregard the hardships of Mr. Wickham so quickly, barely even knowing the man?" Elizabeth asked harshly, yet with a bit of curiosity. At last she had an opening to bring up the previous morning's comment.
"I know that while you are warmly praising his misfortunes and chastising Mr. Darcy to me, he is laughing to himself about his conquest in making you believe the filthy lies that just came out of his mouth," Mr. Collins replied. "I have known Mr. Darcy for years. If he did wrong Mr. Wickham, it was not without due reason."
With that final comment, Mr. Collins turned on his heel and walked away from Elizabeth, leaving her astonished and hurt. Elizabeth's eyes never left him as he walked over to Lydia and Kitty, engaging with them in a conversation. In the short time she had known Mr. Collins, he had surprised her in more ways than one. First was his warm praise of Mr. Darcy, and then was his cold dislike of Mr. Wickham for no apparent reason. Elizabeth wanted and pleaded with herself to find anger with him, to hate him for his words, but somehow she could not. The more she thought about their conversation, the more she felt that she was to blame, that she had been wrong.
These confused thoughts stayed with Elizabeth for the rest of the evening. The conversation in the carriage home was mainly Lydia and Kitty's nonsensical babble about the officers, and gushing to Mr. Collins about how superbly he danced. Elizabeth spent her time pondering the questions in her head, not once venturing to look towards the group as she was still too embarrassed to face Mr. Collins. Why, she did not know, but it was eating away at her.
Chapter 5
The next day was as brilliant as the previous, with the warm morning sun washing away the dew from the ground as birds filled the air with sunlight. Most of the house was just rising to the new day, welcoming the sunshine and dreamed prospects. Elizabeth could hear Lydia running about, trying to find a locket to wear with her dress. Lydia had invited a few of the officers over for tea that morning, including Mr. Wickham, and Lydia was anxious to impress the men. Elizabeth just rolled her eyes as she heard Lydia's high voice yell at Kitty for lolling about so.
Elizabeth did have to admit how strangely Kitty had been acting ever since Mr. Collins had arrived - all she had been doing was reading, and was constantly in their father's library borrowing books. This behavior was not at all like Kitty, but Elizabeth just shrugged off the thought as she saw Mr. Collins reading on a bench outside. Eager to apologize about the previous evening and clear up some misunderstandings, Elizabeth trudged along the dew-stained ground towards her cousin, who sat in solemn trance as he read.
"Mr. Collins," Elizabeth asked softly as she cleared her throat. "I wish to speak with you. It is of some importance, or I would not bother you from your solitary reverie."
"It is of no inconvenience," Mr. Collins replied crisply, closing his book and standing to address his cousin. "What is so important that we must talk now?"
"I wish to ... apologize," Elizabeth mumbled, looking down at a small daffodil growing out of the ground as if to avoid contact with reality. "I wish to apologize for becoming so defensive over Mr. Wickham last night. It was hardly my place to believe such a stranger at first acquaintance, and I am sorry for evincing you so abominably."
"I have not thought one more moment on last night, and I urge you to do the same and put it all behind you," Mr. Collins replied. "It is really of no matter to me."
"But it is to me," Elizabeth retorted before quickly putting her hand to her mouth in apology. "I am regretful for my words. I should not have spoken so warmly of Mr. Wickham."
"Speak no more of the incident. I am sure that Mr. Wickham would have been, however, enthralled over your willingness to defend him in a conversation," Mr. Collins said with a hint of sarcasm and a small grimace on his face. "It is amazing that he has found friends so readily." With this comment came another grimace and the impolite rolling of his eyes.
"I take it from your unspoken gestures that you do not enjoy the company of Mr. Wickham," Elizabeth said slowly as Mr. Collins' turned away from her imploring gaze. "Would you like to tell me why? Is there any reason why I should distrust the man who shows such goodness in his looks and words? Is he a danger to myself, or my sisters?"
"That I cannot answer, Cousin Elizabeth, for it is not my place," Mr. Collins replied quietly.
"Whose place would it be?" Elizabeth urged, her curiosity getting the better of her common sense as she pressed on.
"If you truly must know, I would ask you to implore the information from Mr. Darcy," Mr. Collins answered after a slight hesitation. "After hearing Mr. Wickham's side, it would only be proper to hear the other's side. How else will you form a sound judgment when you only have one's opinion."
"You seriously do not believe in Mr. Wickham's tale, do you?" Elizabeth asked with a disbelieving chuckle.
"There are three sides to ever story - yours, mine, and the truth. Only when the first two are obtained can the third be determined," Mr. Collins stated simply, and Elizabeth looked at him in shock. "What?"
"You sound so much like a reverend it stuns me," Elizabeth said, half in jest and half in serious amazement.
"Is that complement or an evil?" Mr. Collins teased back, as the two walked around the small park.
"I fear I should warn you, however, that Mr. Wickham is expected to join a few of the other officers for tea this morning," Elizabeth added. "Given your ... dislike of the man, perhaps it would be best not to stay."
"That is a wise idea, Cousin. Would you care to join me on a walk amongst the countryside?" Mr. Collins asked slowly. "I am sure that we would not be violating any rules of propriety."
"Yes, that would be quite lovely," Elizabeth replied. "I don't believe that Mama will miss us for too long, for she does admire the officers and thinks as highly, and only, of them as Lydia and Kitty do."
The pair walked quickly away from Longbourn on the path away from Meryton and towards Netherfield (although Elizabeth had forgotten this piece of information), not once slowing down until they were certain that they would not encounter any officers or Mr. Wickham. The two of them spoke quite in-depth about the local flora and fauna that could be seen along the path, and Elizabeth was surprised to find out that Mr. Collins was so knowledgeable about many different types of flowers. The two of them were so caught up in conversation that Elizabeth did not even notice when they passed by the house of her good friend, Charlotte.
"Who lives there?" Mr. Collins asked, pointing towards Lucas Lodge.
"My dearest friend, Charlotte Lucas, who is a few years older than Jane is," Elizabeth said joyfully. "I am positive that you will like her, for she is an avid reader and a great cook. I would introduce you now, but I do not know for certain if she is in."
"Perhaps some other time," Mr. Collins said, a bit sad at not meeting one of his cousins' acquaintances.
The two walked on for quite some more time, and neither of them was quite certain as to where they were going. Neither one of them spoke for fear of breaking the quiet, peaceful serenity with a pitiful attempt at conversation, so they were both lost in their own thoughts for quite some time. Elizabeth, however, was the first to come up with an acceptable topic of conversation, and was quick to act upon her impulse.
"Why don't you tell me about your family?" Elizabeth inquired. "I've hardly heard anything about them during your stay here, and I am fascinated to know about any other cousins I may have."
"You have two others," Mr. Collins confessed with a smile. "My elder brother and younger sister."
"Amazing ... I never knew," Elizabeth replied, in a slight awe. "Tell me about them."
"My elder brother, Henry Collins, owns the family estate in Cheshire and rarely ever leaves it, unless he is off to London to stay in his townhouse," Mr. Collins began.
"Is he married?" Elizabeth asked to keep the conversation going.
"Of course - a man over thirty with seven thousand a year must be in want of a wife, which means to the ladies of London that he must be married," Mr. Collins replied, and Elizabeth laughed. "He married a Miss Williamson last year, in early spring. He adores her, but I believe that she is more inclined towards his money than with him."
"A story all too common with many marriages these days," Elizabeth added with a sad sigh.
"Do not fret, cousin. I am certain that you will not marry for money, but for love," Mr. Collins observed, and Elizabeth just gave him a weak smile.
"I suppose. But it takes money to marry money, no matter what the sum, and that is something that neither my sisters nor myself have at the moment," Elizabeth said. "It is almost like we have been doomed to become old maids."
"I doubt that very much," Mr. Collins said quietly, before shaking his head. "Your mother seemed to imply that Jane was to be shortly engaged."
"Yes, she does seem to think that," Elizabeth said with a laugh.
"And what do you think?" Mr. Collins asked. Elizabeth sighed blissfully.
"I believe that if things can go unaffected and unchanged, she will very shortly be engaged to one of our neighbors," Elizabeth confessed, and Mr. Collins nodded. "But enough about us! Tell me about your sister."
"Josephine? I believe that you would like her very much," Mr. Collins stated. "She seems very much like you, both in appearance and in manner. She is a great tease, yet is very witty and bright."
"I am sure I would," Elizabeth added with a huge grin.
"There are very few who do not like her," Mr. Collins replied. "Josephine is a great friend of Miss Darcy, for they are very close in age."
"Miss Darcy? You mean, Mr. Darcy's sister?" Elizabeth questioned, giving Mr. Collins a skeptical look.
"Miss Georgiana Darcy is sixteen, just two years younger than my sister. They are great friends, which is very beneficial for Miss Darcy. She lost her mother very young, and her father only a few years later, and has grown up very quiet and reserved," Mr. Collins said slowly.
"Like her brother," Elizabeth added, and Mr. Collins nodded.
"They are quite alike, although Miss Darcy is quite a bit more emotional than her brother ever is ... or appears to be."
"You and Mr. Darcy must be very close," Elizabeth said, more of a declaration than a question. However, Mr. Collins answered it.
"We are, and I am very sorry that I have not seen him yet. However, I..." Mr. Collins paused and looked off into the distance, past Elizabeth's shoulder. Elizabeth spun around quickly, anxious to see what her cousin was looking at with such determination and awe. It was Netherfield.
"That is Netherfield, where Mr. Bingley lives," Elizabeth said cheerfully before realizing the more important fact of the house. "And where Mr. Darcy is staying."
"Then we must stop by and visit with the owner and his family," Mr. Collins said, raising his eyebrows. "This is the perfect time to meet with Darcy again."
"Are you sure that he feels the same way...?" Elizabeth called, trying to catch up with Mr. Collins as he ran towards the home's gardens.
But for some reason, Mr. Collins did not respond, but whether or not he was ignoring her was not known. Elizabeth continued to run after her cousin, and became somewhat upset that she had lost him in the thick shrubs around Netherfield. This was the last place Elizabeth wished to be at that moment, especially by herself. What Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst would think...it brought a shudder to Elizabeth, as she walked off grumbling towards the house. And it was there that she, almost like déjà vu, encountered Mr. Darcy once more. However, this encounter was much less civilized, as the distracted girl ended up running into Mr. Darcy full on.
"Hello, Miss Bennet," Mr. Darcy mumbled, looking down at his boots with the most intent gaze. "I am sorry - I must not have been looking where I was going." Elizabeth was not sure if he was being sincere with this comment, or making a reference to her own absentminded, distracted being as the cause.
"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth replied curtly back, holding her head up proudly and defiantly.
"What are you doing here, may I ask, Miss Bennet?" Mr. Darcy asked, trying not to sound abominably rude. That, though, was how Elizabeth took the question, and she was not too pleased with it.
"I..." But before Elizabeth could continue with whatever she was to urgently yell in anger, another person walked into the room with loud, heavy steps.
"Cousin Elizabeth! There you are! I am sorry that I ran off, but I thought that you were following me until I reached the house and realized that you were ... Darcy?" Mr. Collins stopped dead in his tracks, stunned to see his old friend again.
"Collins?" Mr. Darcy asked, his neck snapping upward as his whole body was pulled out of his phlegmatic stupor. Elizabeth watched anxiously between the two men, waiting for the clashing of swords to being. But there were not quarrels, no fights, and no exchange of unpleasantness. Just silence.
"Collins!" Mr. Darcy exclaimed enthusiastically after a few moments' pause as he raced towards his friend and welcomed him with a warm embrace. "It is good to see you again."
"As it is you!" Mr. Collins exclaimed. "You never told me that you were to be in Hertfortshire this fall!"
"It was a quite unexpected trip," Mr. Darcy said with emotion. "Charles was so close to buying a home in the north, and then two days later he was down here, closing upon this estate. And what about you? I thought you were to be in Kent until spring!"
"I wished to visit my cousins, and your kind aunt gave me leave to do so," Mr. Collins confessed.
"Cousins?" Mr. Darcy asked, giving Elizabeth a confused glance.
"Yes, Mr. Bennet is my uncle, and I am to inherit his estate one day," Mr. Collins stated morosely.
"I see," Mr. Darcy replied, somewhat embarrassed at asking the question in front of Elizabeth.
"And how is Georgiana fairing?" Mr. Collins asked with a sly grin, trying to save his friend from his distress.
"As tolerably as she usually is," Mr. Darcy replied as the two men burst into laughter. "How is Josephine?"
"A bit upset that I didn't invite her on this trip with me, but I believe she is to be in London shortly, and that always puts her in a good mood," Mr. Collins said.
"Georgiana is currently there, so she will have some companionship," Mr. Darcy replied, and Mr. Collins laughed.
"You mean she'll have someone to go shopping with and giggle with," Mr. Collins translated teasingly, and Mr. Darcy nodded.
"What about Henry? How is married life suiting him?" Mr. Darcy asked on a more serious note, and Mr. Collins just shrugged.
"Henry is as he always is - serious, stern, and adventurous," Mr. Collins said aloof. "Just like his wife is, although without the adventurous part."
"And without the sane part," Mr. Darcy added, and the two men cracked up at their small inside joke.
The two men continued on their conversation, laughing and teasing each other to no end as if they had been brothers. Elizabeth just stared on in amazement as she watched the proud Mr. Darcy transform into a handsome, youthful man with witty remarks, a beautiful laugh and a teasing smile. She knew that he had not changed yet...he was somehow different. Elizabeth discovered that it was hard to turn away from him and his infectious smile, but she knew that she had to. The longer she spent looking at this mysterious transformation, the more she began to feel weak with new emotions and feelings. The more Elizabeth started to actually care for Mr. Darcy.
Chapter 6
To Elizabeth, it seemed as if Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy had been talking for eons, but finally let herself accept the fact that only fifteen minutes had past. The two men were so deep in their conversation, with their fond memories and merry jokes keeping the conversation alive with fire, that Elizabeth didn't dare break that bond by speaking. She only stood to the side, trying not to be noticed as she once more tried to sketch out the character of the mysterious Mr. Darcy.
What a change time, even in the smallest measurement, had brought to her opinion of him. Mr. Darcy had seemed so proud at first meeting, with his arrogance and noticeable disdain for the people of Meryton. Yet in just a few short words from Mr. Collins, and these fifteen minutes of unspoken watching, Elizabeth's opinion had changed from dislike to...who knows what. But it had to be admitted that her feelings were rapidly changing towards the better, as she watched Mr. Darcy laugh and joke about with her cousin, and that small pitter-patter in her heart was only growing.
"I say, Darcy, you must be missed back at Netherfield, for we have been talking for over a quarter of an hour!" Mr. Collins exclaimed. "I believe they'll be assembling the search party for you right about now, with Miss Bingley as the leader." Elizabeth was shocked at this comment, for she had no knowledge that her cousin was acquainted with Caroline. But, Elizabeth supposed, if he truly is one of Mr. Darcy's closest friends, he would have most likely heard from his friend of Caroline's attempts at winning the title of Mrs. Darcy.
"Don't even joke about that," Mr. Darcy said with an awful grimace, which reminded Elizabeth of the time Lydia was forced to have her mouth washed out with soap. Then again, Elizabeth thought with a smile, being married to Caroline would be like a daily dose of soap.
"See, even Miss Bennet finds my joke amusing," Mr. Collins exclaimed, mistaking Elizabeth's laughing smile as a response to his statement, and Mr. Darcy just scowled like an upset schoolboy.
"What did I do to deserve such ostracizing?" Mr. Darcy asked painfully. Elizabeth was about to correct his statement before noticing the sheer laughter in his eyes, and began to smile.
"You're such a tease, Darcy," Mr. Collins replied in a sarcastic tone.
"Perhaps we should let him stay out here, to encounter a worried Miss Bingley. I am sure that would be punishment enough," Elizabeth added with a smile, and Mr. Darcy just glared at her with a grin trying to emerge from his tight lips.
"I can see that I'm not going to win this battle against you both, so I will concede and invite you both in, as I am sure Mr. Bingley would if he were also here," Mr. Darcy replied.
"Nonsense, Darcy. Miss Bennet and I should most likely be getting back to Longbourn..." Mr. Collins began.
"You'll have to meet Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley some time, and at least at the present you have an excuse to leave their company earlier than would be expected," Mr. Darcy replied. "Besides, then I'll have proof that I was detained. Otherwise Caroline will probably think I was mugged by highway robbers this morning and insist that she accompany me on all of my walks."
"For your sake, Darcy, we will come up, but only for a moment," Mr. Collins relented with a weak smile, as the two fell easily back into friendly conversation.
Elizabeth had only been at Netherfield briefly while her sister Jane had been ill, but suddenly the demeanor of the home seemed much more welcoming that it had previously been. Netherfield seemed quite cozy and comfortable, rather than the tall, proud estate that had loomed around her during her stay. As nothing had changed in the home, Elizabeth credited this miraculous change to the recent transformation she had recently witness in one of the home's guests. I wonder what this estate would be like if only Caroline would become a bit friendlier ... Elizabeth thought slyly.
"Mr. Darcy, there you are!" Caroline's voice rang out sharply and clearly, causing the whole party to grimace internally and Elizabeth to come back to reality from her thoughts. "We had quite despaired that you had become lost, and I, for one, was ready to begin a search for you."
"Forgive me for my absence, but I was detained outside," Mr. Darcy said stiffly, and Elizabeth was shocked at how quickly he had gone from being the carefree, vivacious man outside to an almost cold and proud gentleman inside.
"That is perfectly understandable, Mr. Darcy," Louisa replied sweetly, giving Mr. Collins a confusing glance.
"Oh, forgive me. May I present my friend, Mr. William Collins, who is currently staying with his relatives, the Bennets. May I introduce Miss Caroline Bingley, Mr. Alexander Hurst, and Mrs. Louisa Hurst," Mr. Darcy said formally. "And you've already met Mr. Bingley, I understand." Mr. Collins just nodded.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Collins, for any friend of Mr. Darcy's is a friend of ours," Louisa said with a large smile and a polite nod.
"Collins ... Collins ... That name seems so familiar..." Caroline said, scrunching her eyebrows together as she tried to think of how she could be connected to this lowly reverend. Her efforts were in vain, but Louisa was much quicker with the name.
"Are you related to Mr. Henry Collins of Winston Street?" Louisa asked, and Mr. Collins beamed.
"Yes, that is my elder brother," Mr. Collins confessed with a strange sense of pride and sheepishness.
"Really? Why, we are good acquaintances of the Collins residence, especially of the new Mrs. Collins," Caroline said with peculiar adoration towards the man, who she admitted was not bad looking as far as reverends went these days.
"The former Miss Williamson is a great friend of ours, and such an accomplished beauty! She and your brother make an excellent pair," Louisa replied with a gentle tone of fake admiration, for she neither wanted to offend the brother of her dear friend, or a man with such a connection to a family of money. "They are quite the talk of town, as Mr. and Mrs. Collins are such a generous, kindly, and dignified couple."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hurst. Your complements are very thoughtful and kind," Mr. Collins replied politely while inwardly trying to suppress a gag at this woman's unveiled attempts at meaningless flattery. Louisa only smiled.
"Please, you must sit down and join us for breakfast, for your long walk must have left you quite tired and famished," Caroline said, gesturing to a seat next to hers.
"And you too, Miss Bennet," Louisa added sharply with less enthusiasm, exchanging a look with her sister.
"Thank you for the offer, Miss Bingley, but Miss Bennet and I should be returning to Longbourn, or there will be another search party out looking for us!" Mr. Collins joked, and the entire party laughed (or, at least, pretended to).
"If you will not stay, then you must come back one evening and dine with us," Louisa said determinedly. "We will not take no for an answer, Mr. Collins."
"Yes, but..." Mr. Collins stammered, trying to think of a way out of this, for he knew that his relations would not think it so 'wonderful', especially Mrs. Bennet.
"Mr. Collins!" Mr. Bingley exclaimed. "I'll have to agree with my sister on this matter. We will not take 'no' for answer!" How about, 'no thank you' or 'the opposite of yes', Mr. Collins thought with a smirk, before realizing that he would have to agree if he ever wanted to get back to Longbourn this year.
"Very well, I would be honored to have dinner in your home one evening while I am still in town. Now, if you will excuse us," Mr. Collins said with a small bow, as he and Elizabeth both exited the room in a hasty manner, both glad to be out of the presence of Miss Bingley and her sister.
Chapter 7
Neither Elizabeth nor Mr. Collins spoke much on the walk back to Longbourn, only uttering a few sentences to each other of no real consequence to make the time pass by. Elizabeth was still reflecting on the different personalities that she had witness in Mr. Darcy that morning, and was upset that she was not able to come to a conclusion about his character. Mr. Collins, however, was detained on other thoughts, and so the two walked on in silence, until the moment when conversation would become necessary.
"Good morning, Hill," Elizabeth said cheerfully, placing her bonnet on the table.
"Good morning, Miss Elizabeth. Your mother has been quite concerned as to your whereabouts, for you missed the visit of the officers," Hill whispered.
"Have the officers left?" Elizabeth inquired in the same low voice, and Hill nodded.
"Just a quarter of an hour ago, and I do believe that your mother is...upset at your failure to be present," Hill added with a worried look.
"Elizabeth! Is that you?" Mrs. Bennet's voice could be clearly heard from the sitting room, and Elizabeth cringed before giving Hill a mouthed 'thank you'.
"Yes, Mama, it is I," Elizabeth replied loudly, with Mr. Collins in tow.
"Elizabeth! Mr. Collins!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, straightening her posture as the two entered the room. "We had quite wondered where you had wandered off to on this fine morning, for you missed our visit with the officers."
"Mr. Collins and I walked towards Netherfield, and were so good as to meet with Mr. Bingley and the rest of his party," Elizabeth confessed uneasily, getting a shocked glance from Mrs. Bennet and a slightly jealous one from Jane.
"I must apologize, Mrs. Bennet, for it was my entire fault. I was detained speaking with Mr. Darcy, who politely invited myself and my cousin to meet with Mr. Bingley and his delightful sisters," Mr. Collins confessed with false sincerity, which Mrs. Bennet lapped up. "If I had known that I was detaining my cousin from such an important engagement, I never would have dreamed of..."
"Oh, Mr. Collins, I do not blame you at all! Of course you would want to wish to speak with your friend, even if it is Mr. Darcy," Mrs. Bennet clucked unhappily as she gave Mr. Collins a forgiving stare. "I only wish that you would have been able to meet with the officers, for they are such fine gentlemen. Why, one lieutenant in particular was speaking of you and..."
"Look, Mama!" Kitty announced loudly, and, to Mrs. Bennet, rudely interrupting her mother who was in the middle of a very important bit of information.
"Kitty! It is very rude to interrupt one who is talking, especially one's mother!" Mrs. Bennet scolded angrily, forgetting for a moment that she was doing this in front of Mr. Collins, the one person she had to impress.
"But Mama, you must look!" Kitty exclaimed as she quickly pulled back the front window's drapes. "The largest, most elegant carriage has just pulled up!" Upon hearing this, Mrs. Bennet immediately hopped up out of her chair and, pushing her daughter away, gasped in awe.
"So you are right, Kitty," Mrs. Bennet said to Kitty, who was busy trying to get herself off of the floor. "I wonder whose it could be?"
It was at that moment that the first sounds of anyone's present arrival were heard out in the estate's entryway. The party could clearly hear Hill's muffled and confused voice, for she knew the family was not expecting any other guests that afternoon, and another voice. It sounded young yet very tempered, and the shuffling about in the entry way did not make the group feel any better about the surprising visitor. However, to everyone's relief, the voice lost its intensity, and two sets of feet could be heard walking towards the door. Mrs. Bennet straightened her shoulders, and motioned for Jane to do the same, incase it was by chance Mr. Bingley. It was, however, not.
"Miss Josephine Collins, Ma'am," Hill said, her voice wavering with confusion and uncertainty.
"Josephine!" Mr. Collins exclaimed, obviously in shock, as the young lady made her appearance, pushing Hill to one side as she made her dramatic appearance.
This was how Elizabeth got her first look at her cousin, Josephine, whose sudden appearance seemed like something this girl would do. Josephine Collins was tall, slender, and dressed in one of the finest dresses any of the girls had ever seen. But while she did have a fine form, her face was easily her best feature. Her pale white skin was framed with her long brown hair that contained flecks of golden blonde which prevented her hair from being called 'dark'. She had a very charming and sincere smile, a perfect nose, and cheeks that were perfectly hinted with pink. Yet out of all of that, her eyes were her best quality - the two dark green orbs that captivated anyone who looked into them. After seeing Miss Collins, Elizabeth had to admit that she was a very beautiful young lady...
Exactly like her brother, Elizabeth thought before blushing inwardly at her thought.
"Ah, so this is Longbourn!" Josephine exclaimed with a disappointed tone to the surprised group. "Not exactly what I expected. I suppose it is a bit small, William, but there is always room for additions and improvements."
"Josephine," Mr. Collins stated simply. "I ... I thought you were to be in London..."
"Well, I was visiting with Miss Darcy two days ago, and we both decided that it was quite unfair that you and Mr. Darcy should have all of the fun in Hertfortshire. So, we packed up our bags and set off for our own little 'adventure'," Josephine said with a smirk. Mr. Collins just looked at her as if she had grown three heads, before a small cough from Mrs. Bennet brought him back to his manners and duties.
"Josephine, may I introduce you to our aunt, Mrs. Bennet, and her daughters, Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Miss Mary Bennet, Miss Catherine Bennet, and Miss Lydia Bennet," Mr. Collins coughed out, still too stunned to say anything really meaningful.
"It is simply wonderful to meet you, Miss Collins, although I had no clue of your existence. You really must scold your brother, for he spoke nothing of you to us," Mrs. Bennet said cheerfully, while Josephine just gave her a peculiar look.
"Yes ... he can be like that..." Josephine said before walking over to a chair near her brother. "This seems like a quaint little town. What do you all do for fun around here?"
"Why, Miss Collins, do not fret your pretty little head, for this is a very sociable time of year in Meryton. Why, it was not one week ago that we dined with four and twenty families. Four and twenty, Miss Collins!" Mrs. Bennet said enthusiastically, waiting for an energetic response of awe from her young guest.
"Imagine that," Josephine said blandly, but Mrs. Bennet just kept barreling on with her comments.
"And Mr. Bingley has promised to give a ball soon, at Netherfield. I am sure you..."
"Ah, Mr. Bingley! How I long to finally meet him, William. And to see Miss Bingley again, for I found her to be quite agreeable last spring in town," Josephine said longingly to her brother, who just smiled.
Anyone who finds Caroline Bingley to be 'agreeable' must not be all that sane in the head, Elizabeth thought to herself, before scolding herself for her that terrible though. Still, Elizabeth deep down did not find it to be so terrible, and she was not sure if she liked this 'new cousin' of hers.
"And you just missed the officers!" Lydia said with a squeal. "Oh, you must come with me and Kitty to town tomorrow, and I will introduce you to them all! There is Captain Carter, and Lieutenant Denny and Sanderson and Wickham..."
"Officers? Lieutenants? Really, how hilarious! I would never waste my time on any officer who was not of a high ranking," Josephine said sternly. "Lieutenants have nothing to recommend themselves except for their pitiful careers in the army that have not and most likely will not bloom into anything real. Besides, most of them are unruly and drunkard."
"What of Colonel Fitzwilliam?" Mr. Collins asked somewhat irritated, and Elizabeth could see that he was somewhat uneasy at his sister's speech.
"Oh, he is different. He is a colonel, and from a very illustrious family. Colonels and above are the only people worth socializing with in the army, for they are the only ones with class. I am sure you agree with me, Catherine?" Josephine asked with an honest demeanor, and the whole group was surprised at this question.
"Kitty, answer," Mrs. Bennet commanded quite sternly, giving her daughter a firm look.
"Yes ... yes, I do..." Kitty stammered, unsure of what to say to her confident cousin.
"Honestly, I cannot understand how you can have any dances of real consequence or nature when you only have officers to dance with," Josephine said with a small laugh. "But that is the country for you, I suppose."
"Miss Collins, I..." Mrs. Bennet began, ready and willing to spout off her ideals on why the country was far better than town.
"Oh, Mrs. Bennet, do not mistake my meaning. I simply adore the country, for there is no place I would rather be than Cheshire. Yet, I do find that there are certain aspects in every country society that are missing, and can only be found in London society," Josephine said, giving Mrs. Bennet a genuine smile.
"Why, yes, Miss Collins, I agree with you completely," Mrs. Bennet said, returning a smile.
"What I especially love about the country is the abundance of beautiful gardens and such picturesque woods. I noticed a very lovely bit of garden in the back of your house, and I would be very obliged if Miss Catherine would take a tour of it with me," Josephine asked. "That is, if she is not detained with some other important matter."
"Of course she is not," Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, grabbing Kitty's arm and almost thrusting her in Josephine's direction. "She would love to show you about our gardens, though I doubt they are as fancy as any you have seen."
"I shall see," Josephine said simply, taking Kitty's arm and pulling her out of the room.
Mrs. Bennet sat in her chair, with a small, content smile on her lips as she thought of the benefits of such a friendship. Lydia began to huff and moan, obviously upset that Josephine had not chosen her as a 'particular companion', especially when she thought herself so much prettier and wittier than Kitty. Mary just sat in her corner and read, oblivious to everything that had just transpired. Jane sat next to her mother, thinking about how pleasant their cousin seemed to be. Elizabeth didn't know what to think, but instead of looking towards Jane for a comforting look, she instead looked towards Mr. Collins, who only shared her same, confused look as he looked out the window to where his sister walked.
Chapter 8
It was late that evening, as most of the family had already settled into their chambers for the night. The house was almost as quiet as a mouse, although Mr. Collins was quite certain that he could hear angry, high pitched squabbles coming from the side of the house were Kitty's and Lydia's rooms were located. Mr. Collins just shook his head in a bit of halfhearted delight as he quickly finished up his letter to his brother, and was about to extinguish the candle by his bed when he heard a light knock on the door.
"Come in," Mr. Collins whispered loudly, curious as to who this midnight visitor was. However, it only turned out to be Josephine, who quickly opened and closed the door and rushed over to her brother.
"William, I wish to speak with you on a very urgent matter," Josephine said hurriedly.
"Oh, Josie, it is only you. I swear, you gave me half a fright, coming in here in all that state," Mr. Collins said with a small laugh. "Now, what did you want to speak with me about?"
"I just had a marvelous idea, and I am sure that you will think it just as marvelous as I," Josephine said dramatically, giving a small look at her brother to see if his attention was as captivated as it should be for such an important announcement. It was, however, not.
"Josephine, this is no time for your dramatics. Just tell me what your idea is so that I, and you, may go to sleep," Mr. Collins said impatiently, and Josephine just gave him a blank stare.
"Well, if you are going to be so moody, William, I don't think that I will tell you my great idea. I will just have to write to Henry about it, and you know how he doesn't like to be disturbed on matters of business while in London..." Josephine said nonchalantly, as she headed towards the door. She paused, however, and waited for her brother to call her back. He always does, Josephine thought with a smile. He wouldn't want Henry to get any credit for such a good idea...
"I'll apologize, Josie, for being so grumpy. Now, what is your marvelous idea?" Mr. Collins said sympathetically with a fake sense of interest, and Josephine turned around and waltzed back towards her brother.
"Now, as you know, our dear cousins have no dowries, and will inherit very little on the death of their father," Josephine began, and Mr. Collins nodded.
"Thank you for bringing that up once more," Mr. Collins said gruffly. "I only get that every five minutes from Mrs. Bennet."
"There is no need for that attitude, William," Josephine scolded, raising one eyebrow.
"But it is tragic, Josephine, as you have stated," Mr. Collins added, and Josephine just smiled.
"Well, this evening, it occurred to me about the twins," Josephine continued, and Mr. Collins just looked at her with a puzzled stare.
"What about the twins?" Mr. Collins asked, wondering why she had to bring up those two again.
"I know that you don't like to talk about them, considering that they did not live for more than a week. But you have to remember, Brother, that it was long enough for certain... incomes to be set with our attorney."
"Yes, I remember that," Mr. Collins agreed. "If our father did nothing else for us, it was to make sure we were immediately provided for if anything should happen to us."
"But after the twins died, Father became sick, and in all of the confusion their dowries were not annulled or canceled or whatever they do when people die," Josephine added, raising her eyebrow to give the statement a mysterious touch. "I understand the dowries are about fifteen thousand pounds a piece."
"Yes, I believe Henry mentioned that once," Mr. Collins agreed. "But I don't see what your eagerness is about these dowries, for you have well enough of your own."
"Not for me, dear William, but for someone else in the family."
"Who?" Mr. Collins asked, scratching his head in slight confusion.
"Our cousins! Why not bestow the dowries on two of our cousins?" Josephine exclaimed in a small whisper, her eager voice touching her brother's heart.
"Well, I...yes, that is a marvelous idea, Josie. I believe that Miss Bennet will benefit greatly..." Mr. Collins began, but Josephine just laughed.
"Oh, I don't mean Miss Bennet!" Josephine spat. "I was thinking more of Miss Elizabeth and Miss Kitty Bennet."
"But ... it would seem hurtful to pass by the eldest Miss Bennet in favor of her younger sisters..." Mr. Collins replied.
"Oh, hang Jane. I find nothing extraordinary in her at all. She is pretty, I grant you, but exactly like her mother - out to catch a rich husband at any cost. It seems as if she now has her claws in Mr. Bingley's back, although judging that he did almost marry Clarissa Alvarez last spring, it is no surprise that he would be interested in her," Josephine said angrily.
"Josephine..."
"And Mary Bennet wouldn't do, for she's about as dull as a doorknob. She cornered me on the way to my room this afternoon, spouting about the evils of London and the men there. You know the only reason she dislikes men is because not one of them will give her the time of day! She is so very plain, William. And I would rather marry a Lieutenant than give Lydia Bennet any dowry, for she is the wildest, most uncultured young woman I have ever met. To see the way she ... lusts after those officers is utterly disgusting, and the way her mother encourages it is even worse," Josephine replied, taking a deep breath.
"Josephine, those are terrible things to say, especially about your own cousins," Mr. Collins chastised, giving his sister a cold look.
"I am not saying they are all bad. I admire Miss Elizabeth Bennet, for she seems as if she has a good deal of sense and wit in that head of hers, while being, I grant you, very pretty. It is no wonder you admire her," Josephine said with a smirk. Her brother looked to comment, but she quickly cut him off from anything he had to say. "And Miss Kitty Bennet, if removed from the influence of her sister, has the power to become a very great beauty and intellectual, I believe. I intend to take her to London with me, to introduce her to several eligible bachelors and give her a real taste of good society."
"Josephine..."
"William, none of your lecturing will do any good, for I am quite settled on the matter, and have already written to our brother this afternoon of my plans. So you see, dear William, it is quite fruitless of you to try and change what is already set in stone," Josephine said with a sympathetic look.
"Josephine, you should not have been so hasty with your plans. You have forgotten that Mr. Bennet still must agree with our ... donation, and that Henry has not even allowed this transaction to take place," Mr. Collins replied, but Josephine just waved her hand in response.
"Henry would not deny me the pleasure of such a wonderful charity to two of our dear cousins, and Mr. Bennet is a bigger fool that I think him to be if he would not accept the money for two of his daughters, especially his favorite," Josephine said firmly. "Now, if you will excuse me, I'm off to bed." With that, Josephine waltzed out of the room with a satisfied look on her face, while her brother could only stare at his younger sister in confusion.