by Emma Crawley
“Done nothing wrong?” Mr Collins stared at me in amazement. “Cousin Elizabeth, I am sorry to say this, but when I visited you at Longbourn, I thought to myself how negligent your parents were towards their daughters. I always thought your father should have taken a firmer hand with you. It seems you are not even acquainted with the smallest factor of polite society. You accepted a letter from an unmarried man. And not just any unmarried man. The nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, a man far above you. Someone you had no business even raising your eyes to. How did you induce him to write to you? He would never have done so on his own. He would never have brought such shame on his family. Cousin Elizabeth, the whole town is talking about your disgrace. I wonder how you can even look me in the eye…”
“That is enough!”
I started and turned in amazement to see Mr Darcy glaring at Mr Collins. “You will watch your tongue, sir. You will not speak to Miss Elizabeth in such a manner. Who on earth do you think you are to concern yourself with my affairs?”
Mr Collins stared at Mr Darcy as if he had noticed him for the first time. His mouth opened and closed in amazement as he struggled to find words to speak.
“Forgive me, Mr Darcy. I must beg your forgiveness for bringing my cousin here and bringing about such disgrace. If I had known this would happen, I can assure you, my wife and I would have had nothing to do with her. We should have banished her as unconnected to us. I offer you a thousand apologies, and I must beg your pardon. Can you please forgive me?”
Mr Darcy looked even colder and more arrogant than I had ever seen him as he stared down at Mr Collins.
“You will cease this nonsense about apologising at once. Miss Bennet has done nothing wrong. I wrote her a letter, and I should have not. But she is not to blame for that. Of course, she would be curious and wish to read my words, but she did nothing wrong. I wrote the letter, and I alone am responsible for that.”
“But she will have lured you in with her charms and her arts. I have been in your situation, sir, as have many men who have had the misfortune to meet such a woman. Perhaps you do not know this, but I was just where you are now. I was once enamoured of my cousin and wished to marry her. She cast a spell over me and caused me to overlook my wife at first who is by far my superior partner. But I am happy to say, it all came out well for me. If I were married to such a lady now, I could only regret it. It would have cost me untold miseries. I will not allow the same fate to happen to you, sir. People must be warned about Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She is not to be trusted around decent and respectable men…”
Despite the situation, I burst out laughing at Mr Collins’s words. Even though he sought to condemn me, I felt he was painting quite a flattering image of me. I never saw myself as the sort of Jezebel who cast spells over heartsick man. I shook my head in amusement as Charlotte threw me a warning look.
“I confess, Mr Collins, I am flattered that you think so highly of me. I had no idea I had such power over men of the world like Mr Darcy…” I smirked, and added, “and yourself, that I could cause you to behave in ways so against your characters. With such powers at my disposal, why should I set my cap at you and Mr Darcy? Perhaps I could cause the Prince Regent to leave his wife and marry me? There is no end to what I can aspire to with such a power as you attribute to me.” I shook my head, still laughing.
Mr Collins spluttered in outrage. He pointed the finger at me and actually shook it.
“You see? Do you see how shameless she is? This is why you must not blame yourself, Mr Darcy. Who can hold out against such a woman? She is the shame of England. It is no wonder you fell for her, and she caused you to behave in ways you would never have done otherwise.”
His words were so ridiculous, it was all I could do not to laugh. But to my surprise, Mr Darcy took a step towards Mr Collins. His face was filled with a rage I have never seen there before.
“I warn you,” said Mr Darcy. “One more word about Miss Bennet and I promise you will regret it. I do not care if you are a clergyman. If you speak about a lady in such a manner, I will call you out. And I promise you will not win that fight.”
Mr Collins gawked at him.
“Do not find it necessary to defend her, Mr Darcy,” he said. “Your desire to be a gentleman even when confronted with a woman I hesitate to call a lady is a compliment to you, and I admire you for it. But there is no need to do so with this woman I am ashamed to call cousin.”
Mr Darcy took another step towards him. Mr Collins scrambled backwards, almost colliding with Charlotte. Mr Darcy’s expression was so furious, I was afraid he was about to call him out there and then.
“Not another word,” he said. Though his voice was low, it shook with barely concealed rage. I did not expect a thrill run through me at the sound. I looked at Mr Darcy with admiration. His outrage was sincere. I never imagined that he of all people would defend me, considering I have just rejected him for the second time in almost as many days. I was afraid to think I would not have had such generosity of spirit if our roles have been reversed.
“There will be no calling out or any more insults,” said Charlotte behind me. She pushed her husband away from her and brushed down her gown before coming over to stand inside me. “I do not know what has happened here, but there is some misunderstanding. Lizzy is the last lady in the world to trifle with men to win a proposal from them.” She gave her husband a hard look. “As I think you were well aware, Mr Collins.”
Mr Darcy looked between Mr Collins and me, and his expression was so surprised I realise this was the first time he knew of this.
“It seems you are well practised in rejecting proposals of marriage,” he said.
I did not know where to look, so I settled for keeping my gaze fixed on Charlotte. I still felt his eyes on me.
“Wait… Does that mean… Have you rejected Mr Darcy’s proposal, Cousin Elizabeth?” Mr Collins’s face was eager.
“I have.”
Charlotte gave me an exasperated look. “Lizzy, what are you about? How else are you supposed to save your reputation now? You cannot go through life, refusing every man who asks you. Principles are all very well, but you have to think about the future. It is no use being romantic when it gets you nothing but a ruined reputation and an uncertain life.”
“No, no, this is wonderful. This is the best news I could have asked for. Forgive me, Cousin Elizabeth. You have more sense than I give you credit for. Of course, you realised you could not marry a man of Mr Darcy’s standing. That you accepted a letter from him shows a want of propriety, but it seems your heart is in the right place. I am happy to tell you that Lady Catherine will be delighted with you. She might not be happy about the letter, but the resolution will please her. I congratulate you, Cousin.”
“Miss Bennet,” said Mr Darcy, ignoring Mr Collins. “I have already explained the situation to you. You can see how I told the truth when I said the news has spread. You cannot be serious in your refusal. You do not understand what the consequences will be.”
I raised my chin and gave him a challenging look. “I am not a simpleton, sir. I may not be in the world as often as you are, but as a woman, I have had a concern for my reputation imposed on me as long as I can remember. I assure you, I am more aware than you are of the consequences. As such, I am convinced you are exaggerating the extent. I thank you for your proposal from the bottom of my heart, but I cannot accept it. We will not be happy together, you and I. By refusing you I am doing all my power to preserve you from making a mistake you will resent all your life. After all,” I could not resist giving him an arch look. “Surely you could not rejoice in having relations whose condition in life is so decidedly below your own?”
Mr Darcy stared at me, his lips thin. His face paled with rage. To my alarm, he threw his hat on the chair and paced to the window. I stared at his broad back. He seemed to struggle for mastery of himself. As he stared out the window, Charlotte moved beside me.
“You cannot be serious about rejecting him,” sh
e said quietly. “Lizzy, it will destroy your reputation. I know you were stubborn, but do not allow that same stubbornness to allow you to make a mistake you will regret all your life.” She lowered her voice so only I could hear her next words. “Surely marriage to a man like Mr Darcy is not such a terrible fate? He is wealthy, handsome and intelligent. He is honourable enough to wish to do the right thing. There are worse situations to be in.”
Without thinking, both of us looked toward her husband. Mr Collins was wiping his chin and staring at his fingers as if there was something there he could not identify. My eyes met Charlotte’s, and without meaning to, we burst into a fit of giggles. The two gentlemen turned to look at us, and their eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“I fail to see what is so amusing,” said Mr Darcy, stiffly.
“I suspect that might be your greatest defect after all,” I said with a smile. I was sure he would not remember a conversation we had in Netherfield Park one evening last winter when we both discussed the other’s greatest defects of character. I claimed his defect was a propensity to hate everyone, and he claimed mine was wilfully to misunderstand them.
“And it seems the defect I assigned you has not changed at all,” said Mr Darcy, grimly.
So he remembered our conversation. Unexpectedly, something uncomfortable twisted in my chest. If he remembered such an inconsequential conversation, it further pointed to his regard for me. The same regard I did not want and that I had thrown away more than once.
“I think we may have exhausted the possibilities of this conversation,” I said to Charlotte and Mr Collins. “Mr Darcy and I have discussed it, and the matter is settled. I will…”
“You will not marry my nephew!”
8
We turned toward the door in alarm. Lady Catherine stood in the doorway, almost bristling with rage. She glared at me with such anger I was almost afraid she was about to hit me. The way she pointed her parasol at me did nothing to dispel that discomfort.
"Lady Catherine…" cried Mr Collins. He hurried towards her, wringing his hands. "I must beg your pardon for my cousin's behaviour. All I can ask is that you extend your generosity and forgiveness towards her. It is not her fault she has not had a proper upbringing."
As I turned to Mr Collins to demand he stop speaking of me in such a manner, another voice so low it was almost a growl interrupted me.
Mr Collins…" said Mr Darcy. Even Lady Catherine must have heard the warning in his words.
"Darcy, what have you done? Why are earth were you writing to this lady? You know you must guard yourself against women who wish to take advantage of you. How did she induce you to write to her? What arts did she employ?"
This again. I tried my best not to laugh, but the situation was so ridiculous I could not avoid it. I covered my mouth with my hands to suppress my chuckles but not enough to avoid Lady Catherine's notice. She spun around to face me and raised her parasol again as if she would like to hit me with it. Before I could move out of the way, Mr Darcy stepped forward and placed himself between us.
"I must ask that you stop taking that threatening stance with Miss Bennet," he said firmly.
Lady Catherine stared at him aghast. "Do not play the gentleman with this woman. She sought to lure you into a compromise so you would forget your duty to your family and your engagement to Anne. Come, you are an intelligent man. Surely you can see what she is doing?"
"I assure you Miss Bennet is not to blame for this situation. I am the only one responsible."
"That is not possible!"
"And yet that is what has happened."
Out in the passage, we heard more footsteps running towards us. I sighed in exasperation. What now? Was this Anne de Bourgh coming to threaten me and insult me for trying to run away with her fiancé? All this over a man I did not even want. Was there something wrong with the way I was speaking? Were my words perhaps not exiting my lips as I thought they were? Why did no one but Charlotte hear me when I said I did not wish to marry Mr Darcy? There was no need for all this arguing. The discussion was finished. And yet I might as well have been invisible for all the attention anyone paid to my words.
To my relief, the newcomer was Colonel Fitzwilliam. He leaned against the door jamb, panting as if he had run all the way there.
"Ah… Darcy… And Aunt Catherine… And everyone else." He looked around at the rest of us. "I am sorry, Darcy. I realised Aunt had discovered what had happened and left before I knew it. I came here as fast as I could." He looked around at all the faces. "Not going so well then?" he said with a humorous look that almost made me laugh again. It was a relief to know I was not alone in realising how ludicrous the situation was.
"You know about this matter as well?" said Lady Catherine in outrage.
Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed to his aunt. "I do. I am the one who found the letter."
Lady Catherine closed her eyes and looked as though it took all her skill not to scream and shout once again.
"Are all the servants in my house involved in this disgraceful matter? Which ones? Come, I shall have their names. I shall turn them out on the street. I will not have such gossip happening about my family."
"If you turn them out on the street, please give me their names," said Mr Darcy.
I threw him out disgusted look until he added, "I shall take them into my employ. They only did what anyone else would have done. Servants will always talk, madam. It is the nature of humans. We all do the same. If you punish them for it, they shall have a home with me."
Despite my distress, I felt a grudging admiration for Mr Darcy. This was compassion and decency I have never given him credit for. His eyes met mine, and before I realise what I was doing, I gave him a small smile to show how I appreciated his words.
I turned my attention back to the rest of the room. I held up my hands.
"Everyone must stop this at once. There was no need for all this arguing. Mr Darcy and I have had our discussion I have given my answer. I shall not marry your nephew, madam. I do not see the need for it. I live many miles from Kent, and I do not imagine gossip will reach me at home. I do not see how this will affect my life. I thank you all for your concern, but that is the end of the matter."
Mr Darcy, Charlotte, and Colonel Fitzwilliam all argued with me at once. As they did, Lady Catherine turned to Mr Collins.
"And what do you intend to do about this, Mr Collins? Come, I have given you a living, have I not? I have given you a home. I have ensured your family will be provided for. Is this how you want to repay me? By bringing someone into our lives who causes such destruction? I demand you make this matter right at once. I demand you order the Bennet girl return to her family. She cannot remain in Kent any longer."
Mr Darcy rounded on her. "You are overstepping yourself, Aunt."
"As usual," muttered Colonel Fitzwilliam so low I was sure only I heard him.
"You forget, you do not own Kent. You do not have the power to banish Miss Bennet from here. She is engaged to stay with her friends for another week, and I do not see why she should be banished just because you are unhappy with the events that are not her fault. If anyone should leave, it should be me. That was my plan, and I do not intend to change it."
"I do not wish Lizzy to leave," said Charlotte, giving her husband a firm look. "She is our guest. She must always be welcome in our home. I do not see she has done anything wrong."
Mr Collins looked between Lady Catherine and his wife with a pained expression.
"I am sorry, Cousin Elizabeth, but I must…"
"William, she is your cousin!" Charlotte's voice rose in anger.
I held up my hands once again. "I repeat, there is no need for this discussion. I am sorry, Charlotte, but I have to agree with Lady Catherine. I think it is best both for myself and for everyone else that I leave Kent and travel to London. Perhaps I might visit again sometime when the matter has died down. People will have forgotten all about it by the time the next scandal comes around." I gave her a small smile.
Charlotte looked at me helplessly, then came towards me and pulled me into her arms. She clasped me to her.
"I am so sorry, Lizzy. I never thought you should be troubled by such a situation when you came to see me."
I patted her back. "Do not blame yourself, Charlotte. There are other ways I could have avoided this. Never mind. I was due to leave at the end of the week, anyway. I am only cutting my visit short by a few days. We will see each other again when you are next in Meryton. I am sure you will travel there to visit your parents soon."
Charlotte reluctantly released me and nodded. She looked as though she would like to speak, but could not find the words.
Lady Catherine tossed her head and came towards us. "Well, I must give you some credit for having sense, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I am glad you see the matter my way. Yes, I think it is best if you leave today."
Again, Charlotte, Mr Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam raised their voices in protest.
"Today? It is already growing late. There is no need for Miss Bennet to leave at once," said Colonel Fitzwilliam. He shot a look at Mr Collins, clearly expecting him to step in and offer me the use of his house for another night.
Mr Collins avoided looking at anyone in particular. He edged away from the rest of the group and examined his nails with great interest. Colonel Fitzwilliam shook his head in disgust.
"I am not heartless," said Lady Catherine. "In recognition of your good sense, I am prepared to offer you the use of my carriage and some of my servants to accompany you. It will not take you long to reach London. My carriage is fast, and I will lend you four horses. You will be in London before it is dark."
Mr Collins certainly looked up at that. He gasped as though he could not believe Lady Catherine's generosity. And in any other situation, it might have been generous. To lend me a carriage, horses and servants would have been a kindness but not in this situation. Instead, it was another example of how eager she was to get rid of me as fast as possible.
