Darcy's Uneasy Betrothal

by Zoë Burton

  A few moments later, Mary and two other girls, ones Collins had not met, came out of a room and walked up the hall to another. I am certain that is the room she came out of a few minutes ago. He hesitated, wanting to go down the hall to where the five unmarried girls were, but uncertain about the location of Mr. Hill and the other footmen. They always seem to be hanging about. When I am master, I will make sure they know to be at work at all times, or they can find new positions.

  Eventually, the lure of the girls was too much for Collins’ lust-soaked brain. He tiptoed down the hall, relieved to see it empty of all servants. He paused at the first door, pressing his ear to listen. A pleased smile spread over his face as he heard female voices inside. He gently laid his hand on the latch and pressed. When it refused to move, he pressed harder. What the …. Suddenly, he realized the girls had locked themselves in. He scowled, his wishes thwarted.

  A noise at the bottom of the staircase startled Collins, and he quickly moved toward the steps. He peeked down and, seeing no one, paused to throw a longing look back over his shoulder. With a sigh, he descended, deciding to visit his cousin’s book room after all.

  ~~~***~~~

  The opportunity Collins had been waiting for arrived later that day. Supper was over, and he and the Bennets were sitting in the back parlour. A small pianoforte was located in this room, not as grand as the one in the music room, but much loved, regardless. Mary was playing for the family, a request made of her by her father as a ploy to keep Collins from dominating the conversation. Mrs. Bennet sat beside the fire, listening to her daughter with a faraway smile. Her husband was seated on the other side, a book in his hand and a candle on the table beside him. Jane and Bingley were seated beside each other on a sofa, speaking as always to each other to the exclusion of the rest of the room. Mr. Hill and a large footman were standing in the back corners of the room.

  Mr. Collins fidgeted in his seat. He was happiest when he was speaking and, certain as he was that he was correct in all things and everyone benefitted from his guidance and was interested in his opinions, he longed to do so. He became aware of a need to use a chamber pot, so with a quiet, “Excuse me,” to the room, he got up and walked into the hall. Bennet had installed a small water closet just beyond his book room, so Collins headed there. He noticed as he was finishing up that the music stopped, then, when he stepped into the entry hall, he caught a glimpse of Mary climbing the stairs. Looking around, he realized no footman accompanied her. His excitement suddenly at a fever pitch, he spun, seeking out the door to the servant’s stairs that were tucked behind the staircase. He rushed up to the next floor, arriving at the top just as Mary turned to the left. She was reaching for the latch on the room she had entered before when he threw one arm around her waist, covering her mouth with his free hand. He looked around for an empty room. Knowing time was of the essence, he picked her up and staggered to the door on the opposite side of the hallway. Shoving Mary against the wall and holding her there with his body, he removed his arm from around her waist and pushed the latch. The room was locked, and Collins swore under his breath. He slid his hand around her waist once more and pulled her close, intending to try another door.

  Mary began to fight, trying to jab him with her elbows and kick him. Collins grinned. This was just what he loved; subduing a woman was ambrosia to him. He tightened his grip, lifting her to take her to the next room down when two things happened at the same time. He moved the hand that was over her mouth, to better cover it. That gave Mary the space to open her jaw and clamp her teeth down hard on the fleshy part of his thumb. At the same time, he was grabbed from behind, an arm closing around his neck. The shock of the two things combined made him loosen his hold on Mary, who sprinted away, banging on Elizabeth’s door and crying to be let in.

  Collins did not have time to lament the loss of his planned rendezvous, because he was suddenly spun around. A fist landed on his face, and he felt his nose give way. He cried out at the pain, reaching for his appendage. Then, pain in his midsection doubled him over. He landed with a thump, screaming.

  Belowstairs, Bennet heard Robbie call out after he followed Mary out of the room. Alarmed, he rose. “Mr. Bingley, please stay here with the ladies while I see what is happening.”

  “Of course.” Bingley’s brow creased. He turned to Mrs. Bennet and invited her to join their conversation.

  Bennet paused only long enough to hear his future son-in-law’s agreement. He raced out of the room, Mr. Hill on his heels, and began ascending the stairs. At the top, the cries of his cousin led him into the family wing, where he could see Robbie beating someone. Hill, being the younger of the two, had made it to the scene before Bennet, and was just beginning to speak to Robbie when the master arrived.

  “What is this?” Bennet felt his blood begin to boil seeing Collins writhing on the floor.

  “He was running down the hall when I come up the stairs. By the time I got here, he had Miss Mary and she was struggling against him. I know what he was up to.” With a grimace of disgust, Robbie kicked Collins in his most private of areas.

  “Find something to bind him with.” Bennet spit the words out through gritted teeth. “Then, lock him in his room. I want him gone in the morning, before my daughters are up for the day.” He looked at Hill. “I want his room guarded at all times.”

  “Yes, sir. There is rope in the stables. I will go get some.” Hill bowed and rushed down the stairs and out the door.

  “Keep an eye on him, Robbie, until Hill gets back.” Bennet hesitated. “Was Miss Mary harmed?”

  Robbie looked his employer in the eye. “It looked like he had his nose against her neck, but I do not think he had time to do much else. She be in Miss Lizzy’s room.”

  Bennet nodded. “Carry on.” He moved away, pretending not to notice when the footman aimed another heavy kick toward Collins’ family jewels. He stepped up to Elizabeth’s chamber door and knocked. “Lizzy? It is your father.” He pressed his ear to the wood, listening to the sounds of voices and steps scurrying towards him.

  Hearing the lock begin to turn, Bennet straightened. The door opened a crack, and he could see a blue eye and dark hair. “Kitty, it is Papa. Please allow me in.” Instantly, the portal swung open and he strode through, pushing it shut behind him. The sight that met him there made his heart ache and his anger at Collins grow.

  Mary sat on the bed, eyes red and swollen, the tracks of her tears streaking down her face. She was held by Elizabeth. Kitty and Lydia formed the group into a circle, one being behind Mary and one in front, holding her hand. All four girls looked at their father with trepidation and fear in their gazes.

  Bennet stopped at the end of the bed. For a long moment, he simply looked his fill, but then he sat on the corner of the mattress. He opened his arms, and Mary threw herself into them, sobbing. He held her close, rubbing her back. When she stopped crying, he pulled away. “What did he do to you?”

  Mary sniffed. “He grabbed me and slammed me against the wall. He pushed me close to it with his body and I could not move. But, I began to fight him as soon as I was able.” Her shoulders stiffened and her chin rose. “I bit his hand. He had it over my mouth but moved it, so I took advantage and bit down on it as hard as I could.”

  A ghost of a smile flitted over Bennet’s lips. “Very good.” He allowed his middle daughter to move away from him, but grasped her hand and retained it so she could not go far. “He did nothing else? Did he try to kiss you?”

  “Nothing, Papa.”

  Bennet looked at Mary closely. “Nothing? No kisses to your neck or ear or anything else?”

  Mary shook her head. “No.” She shuddered. “Thankfully.”

  Elizabeth interrupted. “Where is he?”

  Bennet cocked his head so his ear was toward the door. The muted sounds of Robbie and Mr. Hill had faded away. “I suspect by now he is locked in his chamber, rather worse for wear. Robbie knocked him about quite a bit.” He looked at Mary. “It was Robbie who rescued you.�
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  Mary wiped her eyes. “I will have to thank him.”

  Lydia, never one to quietly wait for things to resolve, reached out to rub Mary’s back. “What will happen now?”

  Bennet handed Mary his handkerchief as he replied to his youngest daughter’s query. “I should like for he and his wife to be put on a coach and sent back to Kent first thing in the morning. I do not wish to put Mary through an investigation, which is what would happen if I called the magistrate.” He watched her fold and refold the square of linen as he spoke.

  “Why does that matter?” Kitty’s eyes widened and she looked at Mary. “Other than not wishing to think about it more.”

  “Her reputation could be damaged.” Elizabeth spoke softly. “The woman is always blamed when such a thing happens.”

  Mary dropped the handkerchief and extended her hand to Elizabeth. “At least I cannot be forced to marry him. He is already wed.”

  The family was quiet for a minute. Finally, Bennet breathed a sigh. “Thankfully, that is true. I will consider the matter tonight. Mary, I wish for you to do the same.” He stood. “I want you to continue to lock your doors, as you have been, until the Collinses are gone. Kitty and Lydia, you are to remain in your rooms until I tell you otherwise.” He looked at each of the girls. “May I escort anyone to their room, or are you all staying here with Lizzy tonight?”

  Lydia looked longingly at Elizabeth, but stood. “Mary can stay. There is not room for all of us, and the floor is not comfortable.”

  Kitty rose just as reluctantly as her younger sister did. “Yes, Mary can stay. She needs Lizzy more than we do tonight.”

  “Very well.” Bennet held out an arm for each of his two youngest girls. “Come along then.”

  With quick kisses to the cheeks of Elizabeth and Mary, Kitty and Lydia jumped off the bed and took hold of their father’s arms. Bennet escorted them out, guiding them around the spot where the kitchen maid was cleaning the floor, and waited at each door until the lock clicked. Then, he headed back downstairs to inform the rest of the family what had happened.

  Chapter 20

  Longbourn, Sunday morning

  Early the next morning, Bennet was awakened by a knocking on his chamber door. He rose, groggy and disoriented, and shuffled to open it. Squinting against the glare of the candle the knocker held, he identified Mr. Hill. “What is it?”

  “Sir, Mr. Collins is dead.”

  “What?” Bennet was suddenly wide awake. He turned into the room, leaving the door open behind him. “How?” He snatched his dressing gown off a chair near the bed and slipped his feet into slippers. He tied the belt of the robe and strode out the bedchamber door and down the hall toward the guest wing.

  Hill held the candle up to light the way in the pre-dawn darkness as he hastened alongside his master. “Well, sir, Robbie had at him pretty good last night while I was getting that rope. I suspect the beating was too much.”

  The pair had reached the room assigned to Collins. Bennet pushed on the latch and strode in, Hill on his heels. Robbie stood against the wall near the fireplace, looking uneasily at the bed upon which Collins lay. Sparing the footman only a brief glance, Longbourn’s master approached the bed.

  Mr. Collins lay on his back, his features swollen and purple. He still wore the clothing he had on the night before; when Robbie and Hill put him to bed, they did not concern themselves with his comfort or with what might be considered appropriate night attire.

  Bennet shook his cousin’s arm, instantly feeling the stiffness of his limb. “He has been dead a while.” When Hill murmured his agreement, Bennet looked at Robbie. “We will have to call the magistrate, but do not fear. You were charged with protecting my daughters. I will stand behind you and do my best to see you safe from prosecution.”

  Robbie nodded. He gulped audibly. “Thank you sir.” He hesitated. “Should I go fetch him?”

  Bennet glanced out the window. The sky was beginning to lighten, but it would be nearly a half hour before it was light enough to see. “It can wait until the sun has risen.” He tilted his head toward the door. “Go down and break your fast. You can go after that. Sir William is the magistrate this term and he is an early riser. By the time you have eaten and ridden to Lucas Lodge, he will be ready to face the day.”

  With a nod, Robbie turned toward the door. Bennet watched him leave, then shook his head as he looked back to the bed and the body of his cousin. “He is taking this hard.”

  “Aye.” Hill nodded. “He feels guilty for taking a life, but at the same time, he is proud he saved Miss Mary from a fate worse than death.”

  “And that makes him feel even guiltier.” Bennet sighed. “Help me cover him up. I need to dress and speak to Mrs. Collins before Sir William arrives.”

  ~~~***~~~

  Down the hall, Elizabeth heard Mr. Hill’s knock on her father’s door and then listened as the two men nearly ran toward the guest chamber. As their footsteps faded, she sighed and quietly rose from her bed.

  Elizabeth and Mary had sat up long into the night, at first assuring Jane that they were well and then speaking of the incident between themselves once their elder sister had made use of the connecting closet to retire for the night. Elizabeth being an early riser meant she was awake before the sun. She now made her way to her favourite seat in all of Longbourn … her bed chamber’s window seat. She curled up in it, wrapping herself in the spare blanket she kept there. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the wood.

  Poor Mary, Elizabeth thought. Of all of us, she is the most pious and devout. For this to happen to her is everything horrific. She shuddered and dropped her head, closing her eyes to pray. “Thank you, God, for Robbie,” she whispered, “and for protecting my sister.” She opened her eyes, her gaze darting to the bed to see if Mary had awakened. Finding her in the same attitude she had left her in, Elizabeth looked out the window and allowed her thoughts to wander to her own worries.

  Mr. Darcy wishes to break it off with me, does he? Elizabeth huffed. How could I have misread him so? Was everything he said to me a lie? Has he been truthful with me at all? She chewed her lip. Memories of Lady Catherine’s visit scrolled through her mind. She snorted and rolled her eyes, peeking again to see Mary still asleep. If he wishes to call off our engagement, I will allow it. I do not wish to marry someone who dislikes me so much he would write to his aunt about it.

  Elizabeth remained in the window seat for another quarter hour. Try as she may, she could not prevent Lady Catherine’s words from filling her thoughts. Her heart ached, and she finally realized that yes, she did love Darcy and did not want him to call off their engagement. She closed her eyes. Enough. You have already made your decision. You will survive this and you will be happy, regardless of the outcome. Finally, Mary stirred, and Elizabeth felt free to ring for a maid. She could feel the beginnings of another headache stirring but hoped to stave it off with food and a walk.

  ~~~***~~~

  After sending Robbie off, Bennet returned to his chambers. He rushed through his morning ablutions, washing and dressing in record time. He sat during his shave with his fingers tapping. He did his best not to fidget, but he could not recall a time when Mr. Hill had moved as slowly as he was this morning. Eventually, the servant finished, wiping Bennet’s face with a warm, damp towel.

  “There you go, sir.” Hill moved back so Bennet could stand.

  “Have you broken your fast?” Bennet lifted his chin so the servant could tie his cravat.

  “Aye. The missus served a hearty meal this morning before I came up to send the guests off.”

  Bennet’s lip turned down at the reminder of his cousin. “Good. Sir William will probably wish to speak to you. I know I do not have to remind you to make yourself available to him and reply to his questions honestly.”

  Hill lowered his head. “Of course.”

  “I am going to speak to Mrs. Collins now, before the rest of the household is up. I may need you to send someone to hire a hack. I
have no wish for her to walk to Meryton.” Bennet shook his head. “I may be a greedy old man, but I do have a heart and I feel terribly for the pain my cousin put that poor woman through. No lady deserves to be treated as Collins did his wife.” He sighed, then nodded to the servant and shuffled to the door.

  Seconds later, Bennet knocked on the door to Mrs. Collins’ chamber. When Sally, one of his housemaids opened it, he requested an audience with the occupant. Another minute passed before the door opened again, and he was admitted. With a tilt of his head, he sent Sally out.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Collins. I am sorry to disturb you so early in the day.” Bennet clasped his hands behind his back and stifled the urge to pace.

  Mrs. Collins curtseyed. “Good morning.” She darted a glance at the door that joined her chamber to her husband’s. “Mr. Collins is not up and about yet.”

  Bennet nodded. “I know.” He cleared his throat. “Please sit, madam. I have news that I must share with you.”

  Mrs. Collins’ eyebrows drew together, but she lowered herself into the dressing chair she had been seated on before Bennet entered. She clasped her hands in her lap and looked up, catching his eye and nodding to indicate her readiness to listen.

  Bennet cleared his throat again. “I do not know where to begin or even how to say what I must, so I will simply state it and answer any questions you have afterward.” He noted Mrs. Collins’ nod and continued. “Your husband is dead.”

  Mrs. Collins sat stock still. Bennet watched the emotions flash across her features. Shock, disbelief, and, if he were not mistaken, joy. Her jaw worked for a brief moment, then, in a voice that cracked, she asked, “How?”

  Bennet sighed. “I suspect you are aware of your husband’s propensity to debauchery?”

  Mrs. Collins’ lip curled and her eyes turned cold and hard. “I am.”

  Bennet pulled his lips in between his teeth briefly before responding. “I charged my footmen to guard my daughters. Mr. Hill brought grooms into the house when needed, and so on.” Bennet waved a hand for emphasis. “Your husband left the drawing room last night, saying he had to use the water closet. My daughter Mary had been playing for us and while Collins was out of the room, she stopped. She planned to retire for the evening.” He paused. When Mrs. Collins nodded her understanding, he continued. “The footman followed her but somehow, your husband got upstairs before the servant.”