Page 63 of The Lost Prophecy

Collins did not retreat. “That distinction is valuable, but it is not an explanation.”

“No.”

“You will not provide one, sir?”

“Not today.”

A little of Collins’s former indignation returned, tempered by the sensible recognition that indignation should not be exercised too freely before three men who might not be men. “I find myself placed in a difficult moral position.”

“You have occupied difficult positions before,” Hurst reminded him. “Yesterday you stood between Lydia Bennet and the last biscuit.”

“This is considerably more serious.”

“Your improvement is becoming alarming,” Hurst replied with evident admiration.

Darcy moved between them before Hurst could assist Collins into complete usefulness through insult. “Mr Collins, I am asking for your help because you perceived danger before anyone else did. For reasons I cannot yet fully explain, he has targeted Miss Elizabeth. You kept away from Wickham without knowing why, and you saw a change which escaped everyone else. Whatever produced that perception, she may need it again.”

Collins absorbed the compliment slowly. His shoulders rose, his chin recovered part of its customary elevation, and Darcy watched fear acquire the support of vanity. It was not the noblest foundation for courage, but buildings had stood for centuries on worse.

“It is possible that my sacred office has rendered me unusually receptive to manifestations of evil.”

Hurst lifted one gloved finger. “Let us avoid the word sacred until we know how much credit belongs to instinct and how much to the table.”

“I knew the table was necessary.”

“Then it deserves ordination.”

Darcy cut across them before Collins could defend the furniture. “You will attend the Netherfield ball, will you not?”

“Miss Bingley was gracious enough to include me.”

“When Wickham enters the room, you will remain near Miss Elizabeth. Dance with her, speak, occupy her.” Darcy pointed a gloved finger at the clergyman. “You will not challenge him, accuse him, or disclose what you witnessed. You will ensure that he cannot lead her into a private room, an empty passage, or the grounds.”

Collins’s chest expanded. “You wish me to serve as her protector.”

“I wish you to serve as her chaperon. The distinction may preserve us all.”

“What action should I take if he attempts to remove her from the ballroom?” Collins asked sensibly.

“You will inform me, Bingley, or Hurst immediately.”

“How am I to do so without alarming the company?”

Hurst considered the matter. “We need a watchword.”

Collins nodded gravely. “What say you to ‘Lady Catherine’?”

Darcy had survived battles, blood feuds, and three separate hearings before the vampire elders, yet hearing those words exchanged between Hurst and Collins introduced a new degree of unease. “Use Lady Catherine’s name if necessary. Do not improvise beyond it.”

“Would some spiritual preparation be advisable?” Collins reached inside his coat, perhaps searching for a clerical object which had not previously interested him. “I have a small prayer book and could procure a cross before the twenty-sixth.”

“No crosses,” Darcy ordered.

“Holy water?” Collins ventured.

Hurst examined the clergyman’s coat. “Do you generally carry it?”

“Not generally.”