Collins tilted his head in confusion. “Ah, of course, Mr Darcy, I understand I must speak with her father. Not to worry, if...whenhe wakes, I will petition him directly. You can see that Mrs Bennet is quite delighted with the match, and I am certain my eminently wise and far-seeing cousin would be more than honoured to sanction such a suitable alliance. I have within my power to offer intimacy at Rosings Park, and I flatter myself, that is something any father would be delighted to welcome! That is, of course, providing he does wake.”
Collins beamed hugely, letting the implied warning behind his reasoning linger. He was not a vicious man, but he had no qualms about making certain his intended knew her place and that she owed him everything.
Darcy felt Elizabeth shiver again, and he squeezed her hand reassuringly.I will protect you, my Elizabeth!The thought flashed through his mind before he could stop it. Where his next words came from, he would never know, but he found himself uttering, “Miss Elizabeth cannot agree to marry you, Mr Collins, for the simple reason that she has already done me that honour.” He could only hope she would forgive his impulsive presumption.
Elizabeth’s gasp of horror was lost in the general upheaval. She jerked her hand away from him and glared furiously. He offered her an apologetic shrug, but there was no time for explanations. Everyone was speaking at once. Kitty, Lydia and Maria burst into gales of laughter and ran for the door, no doubt to share the news with anyone they could find in Meryton.
Mrs Bennet nearly fainted. “Oh, my, Mr Darcy! Oh, my sweetest Lizzy! Only think! Ten thousand a year! A house in Town, everything charming! Oh, what jewels, what pin money you will have! Oh, Mr Darcy, please forgive me for my mistake. Oh, Jane! My smelling salts! Oh!”
Jane’s expression was utterly stupefied. She knew very well that Elizabeth had not, and probably never would have, agreed to marry Mr Darcy. What, then, had made him say so? Was he trying to protect her from Collins? Of course, that must be it. But why? Whatever his reasons, she decided that her esteem for him had just risen.
Lizzy would be justifiably angry, but Jane knew her sister well. If forced into a choice between a fool and a snob, Lizzy should take the latter. Lizzy’s playful ways might soften Mr Darcy, but Jane doubted anything could be done to make Mr Collins a more pleasing partner. With a commiserating glance at her sister, she strove to propel her effusive mother from the room. The continued presence of the hysterical Mrs Bennet could do nothing to improve matters.
Mr Collins’ mouth was moving, but no words were coming out. Elizabeth gave Darcy one final scowl, then crossed her arms to glower at Collins. Men! How had she found herself in this position? She was too angry to cry, too furious for scornful barbs. She merely stood silently fuming, her teeth set, her eyes burning holes into each man by turn.
Collins finally found his voice. “Mr Darcy! Of course, forgive me, sir, but I had no idea you were so humorous! I know it is the usual manner of elegant females to at first reject the man they secretly intend to accept. Still, I did not expect such jollity from our guests! Now, quite seriously,my dearCousin Elizabeth,” he smiled patronizingly and approached, tugging free Elizabeth’s unwilling hand and kneeling before her. “I wait on you; simply say the word, and we will set the date that will make me the happiest of men!”
She snatched her hand away in contempt and nearly shouted, “I was perfectly serious in my refusal! You could not make me happy, and I am convinced I am the last woman who could make you so!” She could not resist the urge which compelled her to wipe her defiled hand on her skirts. With a stinging backward glance at the second object of her ire, she stalked out of the room. The three remaining occupants jumped at the two succeeding door slams announcing her incensed departure from the house.
With an embarrassed smile, Collins rose and bowed to Mr Darcy. “Forgive my fiancée, sir, I beg you. I am afraid she is a bit out of sorts this morning. You find us at a very unsettled time. I do hope you will return tomorrow to wish us joy!”
His jaw clenched grimly, Darcy took an intimidating step toward Collins, towering over his aunt’s parson. “Mr Collins, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is engaged tome! She will not marry you. I will thank you to refrain from distressingmyfiancée at such a time, with her father injured and in need of her care.”
Mr Collins’ eyes bulged. “But… but Miss Anne de Bourgh! You are engaged to marry the daughter of Lady Catherine! Surely, Mr Darcy, Miss Elizabeth is charming, but you have the honour of an alliance with one of the noblest families in the land! Lady Catherine.…”
“Ismyconcern, Mr Collins. I insist you leave off meddling in my affairs at once!” Darcy’s face was darkened with anger, his eyes narrowed and glittering.
Collins gulped and gasped. “Lady Catherine will be most seriously displeased!” He fled the room, and they could hear his ponderous weight taking the stairs above the outer hall perhaps more quickly than he had ever moved.
Bingley had sat frozen during the entire scene. His bright blue eyes were rounded in awe, and his mouth hung open. Finally, he rose and clapped a hesitant hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Congratulations, old boy! I had no idea, but Miss Elizabeth is a lovely girl! A fine choice, I daresay.”
Darcy sank down heavily with a sigh and buried his face in his hands. What had he done? “Bingley, I am not engaged to Miss Elizabeth. I was only trying to make that dolt leave her alone.”
Bingley laughed outright. “I say, you could have found another way, old chap! And yes, youareengaged to her.” With a jerk of his head, he gestured to the doorway. “By now, half of Meryton will already know about it. You had a fair number of witnesses, you know. You have no choice, my friend, unless you wish to ruin the lady’s reputation.”
Darcy groaned. Bingley was right. He had acted impulsively and now would pay the price. “What do I do now?” The novelty of himself, Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, asking Charles Bingley for advice was not lost on him.
“Well,” mused Bingley, “you will have to talk to her, I suppose. And the sooner, the better, I say.”
Darcy gave a bitter laugh. To Bingley’s uncomplicated soul, everything could be solved with a simple apology. Shrug and move on. That was Bingley’s style. He doubted the unpredictable Elizabeth Bennet would see things the same way. He had not been able to forget the look of betrayal in her eyes before she stormed out of the house. And how couldheaccept the current state of affairs? Had he not just assiduously resolvednotto seek such an alliance because of her situation, so decidedly beneath his own?
Jane Bennet chose that moment to step serenely back into the drawing-room. Bingley’s eyes went immediately to her, and he smiled warmly. “Miss Bennet, Darcy and I were admiring that little wilderness garden. Could I persuade you to take a turn with me?” She willingly took his extended arm, and the couple stepped outside.
Darcy remained a moment longer. For perhaps the hundredth time in the last five minutes, he wondered,What was I thinking?In truth, he barely knew the woman. After so many years of thwarting the most carefully laid plans of the best-connected daughters of theton,what impetuousness had seized him to make him speak for a virtual stranger?
What he did know of her was in parts beguiling and other parts perfectly shocking. Her family, he had already settled with himself, was abominably mortifying. What of the woman herself? Any prospective groom’s thoughts naturally dwelt less on the family and first on the woman who would be the mother of his children.
A very private man, Darcy had long dreaded such a level of intimacy and partnership with any woman of his acquaintance. To invite such a woman as any of the others he had known into his home, into his thoughts—into his bed? To join with one of those shallow, mindless puppets in raising his heir? The very notion was insupportable. He had never been able even to imagine such closeness with any woman… until Elizabeth Bennet flashed him those marvellous eyes and that glorious smile.
After such a short acquaintance, he knew little enough of Elizabeth Bennet’s tastes and habits… oh, who was he kidding? Had he not hungrily devoured every morsel of information he could glean about her ways during her stay at Netherfield? Was not her name the only one he listened for when visiting the town of Meryton? He had memorized her favourite dishes, knew what time she habitually arose for the day, and deliberately marked each book that caught her interest. And her birthday—the twenty-second of May. He had overheard Caroline’s coarse inquiry of when Elizabeth should reach her majority. Not that the subject had been one to interest him at the time, of course. He simply had an outstanding memory… especially for anything concerningher.
He also knew for a certain fact that she could boast a sterling character.There was goodness in the way she had cared so diligently for her sister. There was honour in her bearing and comportment, so thoroughly graceful even in unpleasant circumstances. He had witnessed her compassion and spirit, and he knew her to be intelligent and well informed.
Already with those few superlative qualities, she stood out as the most remarkable woman he had ever known. To all of these, she added a striking—if unconventional—beauty and an enchanting impertinence which, despite himself, utterly captivated him. For the first time in his life, he had found himself wishing to know more of a woman.It would be far from a burden, he decided,to take Elizabeth Bennet to my home and heart.
The lady might perhaps take a little more convincing. She had been righteously infuriated by his presumption. Though he fully expected she would extract a contrite apology for his lack of discretion, as was her due, in little time, she would feel the full honour he had bestowed. He, the scion of one of England’s greatest families, direct descendant of William the Conqueror and at the moment one of the most sought-after bachelors in the country, was delivering up his hand and heart to none but her.
Surely, there was no other option at this point. No doubt the younger Bennet girls, silly Miss Lucas and that ridiculous matron of the family were already gleefully spreading the report abroad that he had engaged himself to Miss Elizabeth.
