Prevailed Upon to Marry Read online

  Father was not even cold in the ground before Mr Collins took the mantle of master of Longbourn. I am sure he was convinced he was unobtrusive about it, but the sight of him entering Father’s library and replacing his beloved books with dreary sermons made me heartsick. Mr Collins presided over the dinner table in Father’s old place and delivered long, tedious monologues about how the excellent Mr Bennet must have earned his place in Heaven and that this should be a time of rejoicing. Surely we should understand it was selfish of us to long for him and miss him now that he was enjoying his heavenly reward? I do not know how I resisted the urge to plunge my fork into his knee. Lydia and Kitty were not so restrained. They rose from the table and fled the room in a storm of sobs, followed soon after by my mother. It sometimes felt like their grief was so enormous and took up so much space in the house that there was no room for anyone else’s.

  “Thank you, Mr Collins,” I said through gritted teeth. “I am sure we shall all put aside our grieving and instead scold ourselves most heartily for our selfishness.”

  Mr Collins beamed at me, the first smile he had bestowed on me since I rejected his offer of marriage. Even with my father gone, he had not troubled to hide his resentment, but now it seemed he had decided there were more pressing matters to dwell on.

  “You are very good, Cousin Elizabeth, but you must not be too hard on yourself. Sometimes we do not see our failings until someone points them out to us in the hope of improving us.”

  “Oh, I have no doubt some of us are very oblivious to our failings,” I replied, my voice beginning to rise. Jane covered my clenched fist with her hand until I relented. I took a deep breath. “It is remarkably dry for December,” I said when I was mistress enough of myself to speak.

  Mr Collins nodded and smiled as if well pleased with me. I could have happily tipped my uneaten dinner over his stupid head.

  Jane and I spent the rest of the meal in almost complete silence. Mr Collins appeared to have forgiven me my crime in rejecting him, and he was keen to show it. He spoke to me with consideration and tried to tempt me with the best dishes as if I had any appetite. The end of the meal could not come soon enough.

  I was in my room reading one of Father’s favourite books when I was summoned downstairs the following morning. Mama, Mr Collins and Uncle Phillips all waited for me in the parlour. Mr Collins looked very pleased with himself while Mama beamed. Uncle Phillips was apprehensive. I took in the three faces warily.

  “It is good of you to call, Uncle,” I said as I took a chair. “Should I summon Jane as well?”

  Uncle Phillips cleared his throat.

  “That is not necessary. It is you we wish to speak with.”

  “Oh?”

  “We have been offered a very generous opportunity, Lizzy,” said Mama. She still beamed but there was a glint of steel in her eyes. “Mr Collins will consider allowing us to remain at Longbourn for as long as we require.”

  I looked from Mama’s breathless joy to Mr Collins’s smug smile as he sat in Father’s chair.

  “That is generous of him,” I said cautiously. “Thank you, sir. I am sure we shall not burden you for long. I have not yet received any replies to my enquiries for cottages, but something will come up sooner than later.”

  Uncle Phillips cleared his throat.

  “Ah, that may not be necessary, Lizzy. You see, the offer Mr Collins makes is of a peculiar kind…” He broke away and stared at my mother. I felt a twist on unease. I suspected I could see where matters were heading.

  “Mr Collins will allow us to remain here as his wife’s family, Lizzy,” said Mama. “He means to live at Longbourn, but he will not turn out his mother-in-law or his new sisters.”

  My throat was dry. “That is kind,” I said again. “My congratulations, Mr Collins. May I ask which of my sisters you have been fortunate enough to win the hand of?”

  Mr Collins and Mama froze. Uncle Phillips ducked his head to hide a smile as I continued to stare at them with unblinking innocence.

  “Oh, Lizzy,” Mama cried out. “Why must you be so tiresome? You must know Mr Collins wishes to marry you. He has singled you out with very particular attention since he came here and has continued to do so even when you were foolish enough to reject his suit. You are a fortunate girl.”

  I returned her look steadily.

  “I will not marry Mr Collins, Mama. I have given my answer to that question already, and my wishes have not changed.”

  “Headstrong, foolish girl! You mean to be the ruin of this family, just like your father. You could save us all, and you will not lift a finger to do so. Do you mean for us to starve in the hedgerows?? Because that is what you are forcing on us.”

  “Mrs Bennet, I am sure Miss Elizabeth is just shocked at her good fortune,” said Mr Collins. For all my refusal, he still looked remarkably pleased with himself. “I am sure she needs time to consider. She has had a mighty shock and does not know what she is about. I am happy to allow her a few days to reconsider my offer. After which, depending on her answer, we will make other arrangements.”

  “Other arrangements,” I repeated. “Such as?”

  Uncle Phillips cleared his throat.

  “If you and Mr Collins would not mind, Fanny, I would like a few minutes alone with my niece,” he said.

  Mama’s face was still red with her rising temper. I had feared she was about to sink into one of her fainting fits always designed to induce guilt in whoever denied her.

  “Very well,” she said. “And I pray you will talk some sense into her. Impress on her that I have no love for disobedient children.”

  She swirled from the room, Mr Collins scurrying to catch up with her. The door closed behind them, but I knew if I were to pull it open, they would both tumble at my feet.

  Uncle Phillips evidently thought likewise. He gestured at me to join him at the window.

  “I know you have no liking for Mr Collins,” he said in a low voice.

  I gave a short laugh. “That is an understatement. The man is a tiresome fool. No woman of sense could endure him.”

  Uncle Phillips nodded, but his lined face was tired.

  “Then I fear I must be frank with you.” He glanced towards the door as if afraid he would see Mama peeking through. “Lizzy, Mr Collins has given me a hint. He will not come right out and say it, but he has left me in no doubt of his intentions, and I must be honest and warn you of what lies ahead if you refuse him. Mr Collins has made it plain he means to take up residence at Longbourn right away. He has also made it plain he will not live in a house with unmarried women. If you will not have him for a husband, he will turn you all out, and he will be satisfied he is being more than reasonable in doing so as he already attempted to rectify the situation by offering you his hand.”

  I raised my chin. “That is not a problem. I had already assumed we would leave Longbourn soon. I am waiting to hear about suitable houses, and I am sure Jane will hear from Mr Bingley any day now. I need not sacrifice myself to that man to save this family. My father would never have wanted that.”

  “No, he wouldn’t,” agreed Uncle Phillips. “But he is not here to support you now. I do not like to pressure you, but I must be honest. Mr Bingley has left for London and has shown no signs of returning. I spoke with Mr Darcy in town, and he tells me Mr Bingley’s sisters have joined him in London as they expect him to remain there for the winter. Mr Darcy plans to follow them there shortly.”

  My breath caught at this news.

  “Impossible. Mr Bingley will not abandon Jane. Anyone could see his regard for her.”

  “Young men often feel strongly, but their feelings are soon diverted elsewhere. It is a well-known tale, and young ladies would do well to remember it. I would not rely on him marrying Jane to save you all. As to your cottage, how many letters have you written now? No one has responded. Perhaps you will find something, but it is difficult to find a cottage of reasonable rent for six women on such low incomes. I will do what I can to help as I am su
re your Uncle Gardiner will, but we have families of our own and little to spare. You and your sisters will be forced to find paying work. You might find posts as governesses, but if you will forgive me, your education has been rather lacking. None of you has ever been interested in accomplishments apart from Mary, and I am afraid her pretensions do not match her abilities. You are the cleverest of the lot, yet what can you show to persuade a respectable family to employ you for their children? You will not command a high wage and will have little to send back to your family.”

  The more he spoke, the more nauseous I felt. He hit me relentlessly with truth after truth. I had been fending off all thoughts of the future with the idea that it would all somehow come together. Jane would marry, and we would not be destitute. We would find somewhere to live that would do for us. But my uncle’s words left no room for delusion or even comfort. I could not argue with him however much I wished it.

  But the thought of being that man’s wife…

  4

  I rose to my feet.

  “Thank you for being so frank with me, Uncle,” I said. I meant to say the words tartly but looking at his tired face, lined with worry for me, I could not. It pained him to do this, and I appreciated he cared for me enough to put his own comfort to one side and not coddle me with platitudes. “Your words make sense. But I must ask that I be allowed to take a walk to ponder over it. I came downstairs this morning expecting a quick meeting about father’s estate and I had no idea of another proposal coming out of nowhere. I need time to myself first.”

  Uncle Phillips nodded. “I understand. It is not pleasant for me to say these things, but I must tell you what truth I can. I wish it were otherwise. Of course, you must walk and think. God knows I’ve given you enough to dwell on.”

  Unexpectedly, he took my hand. Uncle Phillips was not a demonstrative man, and the movement took me by surprise, but I did not pull away. His demeanour was fatherly, and I craved that more than anything right now. How I wish my father were here. How would I ever cease longing for him?

  “I know you will be sensible, Lizzy, and I know I have presented you with an unhappy alternative. But your spirited nature will rise above these challenges. You were not formed for ill-humour. I know you will find happiness in this life.”

  “Perhaps with the aid of one of Father’s magnifying glasses,” I said dryly.

  Uncle Phillips smile. “See? You will always find some way to see the humour in any situation.” He patted my hand. “Go, enjoy your walk. I will tell your mother and Mr Collins you have a headache and wish for some air.”

  I nodded gratefully and glanced towards the door. The floorboards outside creaked. I rolled my eyes.

  “Perhaps I will take the other door,” I suggested.

  Uncle Phillips agreed. He opened the side door for me, and I hurried out into the garden, feeling a rush at the sense of freedom.

  Behind me, I heard Mama’s shrieks coming from the parlour, followed by the low murmur of Uncle Phillips’s soothing voice. I did not stay to hear what they said. I turned and hurried towards the river where I could examine my own thoughts without having others push theirs on me.

  “Cousin Elizabeth,” called a voice. I walked faster, determined not to slow down. “Cousin Elizabeth!”

  My cousin’s heavy footsteps pursued me, his breathing laboured. When I could no longer ignore him, I stopped and faced him reluctantly.

  He panted for breath, and though the day was cold and he had not run far, his face ran with sweat. A sour odour rose from his clothing. I wrinkled my nose and stepped back.

  He pulled himself up, looking very pleased with himself.

  “I trust your uncle’s words were interesting to you?”

  “They always are. He is a learned man.”

  I turned to walk on. Mr Collins huffed by my side.

  “And do you intend to profit by his words?”

  I sighed. “I intend to think, Mr Collins. Think and walk. That is what I want right now. So, if you will excuse me…”

  His hand reached out and caught my wrist. I stared in disbelief then with a cry of outrage, I tried to pull my arm away, but he held on.

  “You will release me, sir,” I said in a voice that struggled for calm.

  “I will not,” said Mr Collins. There was a coldness in his eyes I did not like. “Not until you have listened to me. You must know it is in your best interests that we marry. It is the solution to all your family’s problems, and I think I am more than generous and condescending in offering it to you a second time. Few ladies have such an opportunity though they long for it. Your father, though an excellent man in many ways, has, I fear, indulged you disgracefully and allowed you to think more highly of your talents than you might have done with a stronger hand - which I am prepared to offer you. I think you know you have no choice, Cousin.”

  I drew myself up until I was taller than him.

  “I have already told you I wish to walk and think, sir. I am sure you would not demand an answer from me right now when this offer has been unexpected. I ask - yet again - that you release me.”

  Mr Collins held my gaze for a moment. There was a flatness in his eyes I had never noticed before when he was playing the bumbling fool, and the look left me cold.

  “I do not care to have my generous offer thrown in my face,” he said. “Indeed, you should be overcome with gratitude for my condescension. I fear you do not know what is best for you, but you will learn. I expect an answer soon. By tomorrow evening at the latest. There! That is more generosity from me. If you have not given me a favourable answer by then, you and your family will make other arrangements.”

  He released me, bowed and walked away. I stared after him, feeling slightly ill. I had experienced such people before, and I should have noticed the signs in Mr Collins if only I had taken him seriously enough. Some always see themselves as paragons of generosity who go above and beyond for others no matter how little they do in reality. And when they feel they are not getting a payoff for their generosity, they were prone to turning vicious.

  There was only one answer, of course. I could not see my family thrown out of their home when I had the means of keeping it for them.

  Yet I could not give the words just yet. For a little longer, at least, I would cherish the feeling of being a free woman who might have a better future than being bound to a man I could not stand and who now left me cold with fear.

  5

  Mr Darcy

  Netherfield Park was silent without Bingley and his sisters. I walked the corridors, noting how strange it felt not to hear Miss Bingley’s attempts at alluring me with her musical instruments or Mrs Hurst’s endeavours to draw her indolent husband into showing some signs of life. Those three I was happy to see the back of when I left them in London.

  The only one I missed was Bingley. Had I done right in persuading him not to return to Hertfordshire? I could not say. I thought I had, but the death of Mr Bennet right before my eyes had sent my mind into disarray. I spent sleepless nights reliving the incident in my mind and torturing myself that I might have done something different that would have saved him. Why had I been so distracted by a stupid burr? It would not have killed my horse to travel to town with his mane less than perfect. If I had paid attention, I might have seen Mr Bennet’s collapse. I might have moved faster, and perhaps I might have saved him.

  The thoughts drove me wild, and my guilt prevented me from following my original plan of remaining in London when I escorted Bingley’s sisters there. I returned at once to Hertfordshire, promising myself it would only be for a few days, but I found myself reluctant to leave. Visiting Longbourn every day and enquiring about the family, asking if I could do anything for them, went some way towards relieving my guilt, but of course, it would never be enough.

  I had not spoken with the family since it happened. I saw them at the funeral and once in town, but I could not bear the sight of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, those fine eyes dulled with pain and grief, those lively s
pirits low and distracted. The black crepe complimented her pale skin, but it pained me to see it. Elizabeth Bennet belonged in the sunshine and warmth, in the world of life and laughter. She should have been running among trees, delighting in how the first frost turned the world to diamonds, her cheeks flushed with pleasure and her eyes sparkling with delight.

  I pondered these thoughts as I ate my lonely meal before the library fire. Perhaps it was foolish of me to stay here. The family assured me they did not need my help. They had Mr Collins as master now, though the thought of that fool in charge of anything, never mind a household of bereaved women, made me shudder.

  What would happen to them now? Where would they go? Mr Collins would surely not allow them to remain at Longbourn. He could not do so unless he married one of them. Mary, the middle sister, would be an ideal choice. She was a perfect match for his sombre, ponderous demeanour and his tedious lectures.

  Yes, perhaps if Mary were to marry Collins, it would provide the ideal solution. If it did not occur to the family, they were fools although I had little faith in the mind power of anyone in that family, save Elizabeth and the elder Miss Bennet. But in their grief, they might not think of such a thing. After all, Mary was still very young.

  I pushed the remains of my meal away. I would remain in Hertfordshire a few days more, and if there was still nothing I could do, I would leave. But I could not do so until I was satisfied I had given them all the help I could. Perhaps I might mention the idea of Mary’s marriage to Collins to Mr Phillips. He was acting on behalf of the family, and though I did not know him well, he seemed a sensible enough fellow. I might suggest it casually and allow the idea to grow before he presented it to the family. They would not fail to see the sense of it.