Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

W hen all had been explained and all parties warm and dry, Elizabeth was sent to her bed. Mr Collins was put in the drawing room; the most comfortable chair and cushion-laden footstool were moved closer to the fire, where he sat nursing the injuries to his body and his pride.

"He looks quite ridiculous, Lizzy," announced Lydia. "He is wearing Papa's blue velvet robe and eating his second plate of biscuits and shortcake?—"

"And there are crumbs all over the satin lapels," cried Kitty. "I dread Papa seeing the state of it."

"I am pleased Mr Collins's appetite has survived his collision with a tree limb." Elizabeth, who had been given soup, bread, and a single cake, gave Jane an amused look. Her elder sister was curled up beside her on the bed, taking refuge with their youngest sisters from Mr Collins's company. Mary, Mrs Bennet, and Lady Lucas provided him his necessary audience.

"We are happy you survived your encounter with Mr Collins!" Lydia laughed gleefully. "Imagine him as our brother and your husband? Only Mr Darcy might be worse, but he at least is clean and rich and rarely speaks."

"And he is handsome," ventured Kitty. Lydia's astonishment led her to explain. "I saw him smile at Rufus when he was wagging his tail and jumping at Lizzy."

Elizabeth lay back on the pillows. "I agree with you, Kitty, but do not let Mama hear you compliment Mr Darcy or any other man, or she will write your wedding banns."

"Perhaps I should speak more about Mr Wickham and his handsome charm, and she can engineer our nuptials," said Lydia.

Jane shifted beside her. "You are but fifteen and far too young to consider marriage."

"But I?—"

"Mr Wickham is likely twice your age, and you do not wish for a life in encampments."

Lydia's eyes narrowed at Elizabeth's admonishment. "You spent time in conversation with Mr Darcy. Did he turn your thoughts against Mr Wickham, whom he has so viciously wronged?"

Elizabeth took a moment to reply. "We did speak of Mr Wickham today. We had exchanged words about him last evening, and I was struck by how one man can disparage another so openly while his target speaks carefully in warning."

Her younger sisters appeared confused by her words so she began again. "Mr Darcy was kindly and gentlemanlike today, and made every effort to see to my comfort and my protection from Mr Collins. I cannot think ill of him, and can only question why Mr Wickham finds Mr Darcy's family and his private affairs to be suitable for conversation at a party."

"Men may gossip as much as women," Lydia said, shrugging. "It is more entertaining than Fordyce."

As she and Kitty dissolved in laughter, the door opened and Mary slipped inside, closing the door firmly behind her. She looked round at her sisters expectantly before asking Elizabeth whether she was well.

Elizabeth raised her hands towards the crowded room. "Yes, in spite of my imprisonment and place of sisterly refuge. Have Mama and Cook's biscuits mollified Mr Collins?"

Mary nodded solemnly. "He accepted her apologies and agreed that you are ‘a wilful sort of girl'. It was most uncharitable of Mama and Mr Collins," she said to her amused sisters. "However, it appears Lady Lucas was more helpful in placating Mr Collins. He shall be moving to Lucas Lodge."

Elizabeth ignored the happy whooping from Lydia and Kitty, straining to hear Jane's earnest questioning of Mary. "Mr Collins has abandoned us? Why?"

"I believe he feels himself more welcome there." Mary appeared disappointed.

"Lawds, you two!" cried Lydia. "Lizzy, do not pretend to be sad. It is a great relief to all of us, except Mama, of course."

Kitty leant closer and busied herself tucking the counterpane around Elizabeth. "You should stay abed as long as possible to avoid her. She may scheme to bring him back here."

They all froze at a knock at the door. Mr Bennet poked his head in. "I see you have all heard the dreadful news—dreadful to your mother, at least. It is true, your cousin has declared us inhospitable and will remove to Lucas Lodge with Lady Lucas. Until he claims Longbourn as his own, I believe we are free of him."

He nodded at the mix of laughter and frowns which greeted him and turned to look at Elizabeth. "You are well, my dear?"

She nodded, and fought back a yawn.

"Pity you could not like him. He was a ridiculous fool but we have many of those in our family. Your sense could have balanced his stupidity—imagine the children you could have borne." Chuckling, he turned and ordered everyone to leave Elizabeth to her rest.

Laying back on her pillow, her thoughts were not on Mr Collins but on the man who had shared her antipathy for her odious former suitor.

Mr Darcy will be amused, and relieved on my behalf. She hoped to see him again and enjoy his response to such news.

By the following day, the skies were clear and the storm had moved inside. Mrs Bennet was open and strident in her thoughts: Elizabeth had behaved stupidly in refusing Mr Collins, and now that Lady Lucas had stolen him, she had lost a golden opportunity to secure him and save her reputation.

"My reputation is not at risk. I was never alone with him."

"Twice he proposed to you! After your first, thoughtless response, he was gentleman enough to walk with you and allow you a second chance. Can you not see the generosity of such a gesture?"

"He chased me, Mama."

"Diligence is a virtue."

"Following an unaccompanied young woman into the woods is not diligence. It is stalking, threatening, even." Mr Darcy had done the same, and not revealed his intentions, but he was not unwelcome—particularly as his appearance thwarted Mr Collins's proposal and whatever means he may have undertaken to ensure her acquiescence. Elizabeth shivered. "Mr Collins is an obsequious fool. I could not have such a husband."

"You will never have a husband with such an attitude. Three men, yet all of them lost to you. Of course, Henry Goulding is soon to be wed," she allowed, "but Mr Collins has fled Longbourn. Even snobbish Mr Darcy, the man we all hate, has left for town—likely desperate to separate himself from you lest you make a demand on him!"

He has left?

"Mr Darcy is gone from Netherfield?"

Jane smiled. "He came to Longbourn this morning on his way to town, wishing to ensure you were well. You were still asleep, but we assured him you were in good health and that Mr Collins is finding his relief at Lucas Lodge. He seemed pleased."

Of course he was. How she wished she could have seen him, and laughed at Mr Collins's fit of pique.

Her father turned away from Mrs Bennet. "Now Lizzy, you despise him as much as you do Mr Collins. But he at least, was interested enough in your welfare to stop here and enquire after you. Your cousin was heedless of your comfort."

"That is the only good thing to be said of Mr Darcy," grumbled her mother.

"Oh no, Mrs Bennet," he said, winking at Elizabeth. "Mr Darcy was just as concerned for our horse, and any strain it endured pulling the cart with Mr Collins through the mud. It was quite touching, for he must have known that while I have five daughters, I have but one horse."

And you likely told him that , she thought. She turned to Jane. "Did Mr Darcy retrieve his coat?"

Jane nodded. "He was in a hurry to get to town, and regretted your absence."

"He likely regretted the entire situation in which you entangled him," Mrs Bennet said. "Lydia tells us Mr Darcy already is engaged to his cousin, so he is safe from any gossip concerning your time in the boat-house. Your only protector is your cousin, whom you have cruelly spited."

Having heard such complaints too often and in need of refreshment, Elizabeth excused herself and slipped into the kitchen. Jane was right behind her.

"Do not worry for Mama's complaints. I am happy for you that Mr Collins is gone away. He created upset in everyone here."

"I am happy as well, but I wish I had been able to thank Mr Darcy."

Elizabeth had failed to conceal the regret in her voice, and busied herself with a pitcher of water to avoid Jane's intent stare. "I am glad you seem to like Mr Darcy more than you did two days ago, Lizzy. He seemed disappointed to miss you as well. Mama was unkind, telling him he interfered in your happiness and left your future uncertain."

"Oh no."

"I walked him out and told him he likely ensured your happiness and your freedom from marrying Mr Collins. He understood, and told me, ‘Miss Elizabeth said something similar'."

Did he?

"He also gave his card to Papa, and asked him to write to him if he required a narrative of events to ensure your reputation remained unscathed. Mr Goulding's words are likely enough."

"Mr Darcy is very gracious." Though not patient enough to wait till I stirred.

"He is indeed. A good friend to Mr Bingley and to our family." Jane squeezed her arm and returned to their sisters.

Mr Darcy had done what a gentleman ought, and sat guard over her in the presence of her loathsome cousin. But he had turned away quickly when the arrival of others was imminent.

Of course he did. Mr Darcy is safe from me, but there is no reason he should not guard his own reputation.