Mr. Darcy groaned aloud. “It is rational, I cannot deny it, but every feeling revolts!”
“So you confess to having feelings?”
“I have never denied it; I have only stated that they are a poor guide for decision-making.”
“Yet you would have me make a decision based on feelings, not rationality. I am everything confused, Mr. Darcy. But be at ease; my sister Mary wants him, and I would not stand in her way for anything.”
“Miss Mary would have him?”
“In an instant, but he has not so much as looked at her.”
How he wished he could say that no one could look at any other female, as long as Elizabeth was in the room! But he could not. Nonetheless – “So you will turn him down?”
“Why do you care if I accept his proposal or not, Mr. Darcy?” She peeped up at him from under her bonnet.
There it was, the question he had hoped to avoid. He would not, he could not, tell her that it was painful for him to contemplate her marriage to anyone, and sheer torture to imagine such a bright flame as hers quenched by the dreary Mr. Collins! Finally, he said, hesitantly. “We are friends, I hope.”
“We are, certainly,” was her prompt reply.
“I would not want a friend to marry inadvisedly.” Lord, had there ever been a more pompous statement? They stared at oneanother, and for a moment he felt his resolve crumple. He would tell her of his feelings, she would reciprocate – would she? – and then –
But she nodded her acceptance, saying, “I would prefer that he not make the offer to begin with, as it will just make the remainder of his stay awkward. If you truly believe you can turn him away from me, I beg you to do so.”
He was equal parts disappointed and relieved that the moment had passed.
“I shall, with the greatest pleasure!” He lifted her gloved hand and – did he dare? – yes, he placed a kiss upon it. He looked at Miss Elizabeth and saw that she was staring at him, her face pink, her lips parted.
Then they heard the rest of the party tramping up behind them. Mr. Collins was calling, “Miss Elizabeth! Miss – Miss Elizabeth! Do wait!” He was quite out of breath by the time he caught up to them.
Mr. Darcy immediately said, “Mr. Collins, might I have a private word with you?”
“Of course, Mr. Darcy! Anything, anything at all! Only – Miss Elizabeth, will you forgive me if I am away from your side while Mr. Darcy speaks with me, dearest cousin?”
Elizabeth assured him that she would bear the separation very well indeed, and she fell back to await Jane and Mr. Bingley.
Walking with Mr. Collins, Mr. Darcy said, “It has come to my attention that you admire Miss Elizabeth.”
“Indeed, who could not admire her? Such beauty, such grace!”
“Such impertinence, you mean?”
“Impertinence! Why, Mr. Darcy –“
“Mr. Collins, I hope you will permit me to be quite frank with you.”
He was assured that he might be as frank as he wished.
“I know my Aunt Catherine quite well, as you may imagine, and I have also had the privilege of knowing Miss Elizabeth for several months. I cannot imagine that Lady Catherine and Miss Elizabeth would do well together. No, Mr. Collins, I beg that you allow me to finish. You have doubtless noticed that my aunt demands instant obedience – “
Mr. Collins could not hold his tongue at this. “That is the result of her high rank and great wisdom, Mr. Darcy! You, who are so closely related to her, cannot have failed to notice –“
“Be that as it may, Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine would object vociferously to Miss Elizabeth as your choice of a bride.”
“But why?” Mr. Collins’ tone was plaintive.
“From my own knowledge of Miss Elizabeth, I can tell you that she would not take kindly to having any interference in her household. Your days of peacefully accepting Lady Catherine’s dictates would be gone forever; there would be strife in your household from the moment you brought her home as your bride. If you doubt me, I suggest that you ask Mr. Bennet his own opinion; we can certainly agree that Mr. Bennet knows his daughters best, can we not?”
“I will take it up with my cousin Bennet,” Mr. Collins agreed, after a brief hesitation.
