Chapter 21

21

E lizabeth collected her sister's coat and both their bonnets, muttering under her breath. If Mr. Collins got much closer to her, he would be falling in her lap.

But she was grateful to Mr. Darcy for suggesting this walk. She may not understand why he had done it, and she would have to be careful what she said to him, but it would get her away from their guest, and for that — even if it was only for a few minutes — she was exceedingly happy.

But as she returned to the hall, her heart fell. Not only were the two gentlemen there, but Mr. Collins as well. Mama would have sent him; but only Jane was there, and Mama had not sent Mary, so the numbers were unequal.

She glanced at Mr. Darcy. His gaze was on her and he looked understanding and sympathetic. Her heart warmed a little, even though she was determined not to like him.

He was proud and arrogant, having shown what she was sure were his true colours at the assembly. His being thoughtful now that he knew of her talent, might be a ruse. Papa's strictures and her own inclination made her determined to trust no man easily.

As soon as they were ready, Mr. Collins pushed forward and offered her his arm. Elizabeth gave him a withering look and turned away, taking Mr. Darcy's which was also extended to her.

"Thank you," she murmured.

His smile was wry, and his voice equally low. "Will he not take more subtle hints?"

She huffed. "No indeed! Mama is quite, quite determined." She raised her brow. "She and I are both stubborn characters."

Mr. Collins was stumbling along beside her, trying to take her other arm, and she pulled it away again.

"Mr. Collins, you must recall that Mr. Darcy offered this walk. It is polite for me to take his arm, and I certainly do not need two men to hold me up!"

The fool gaped at her, and Mr. Darcy's voice was amused. "Perhaps Miss Bennet would appreciate your support as well as Bingley's. After all, it is she who has been unwell, Mr. Collins."

Mr. Collins turned his attention to Mr. Darcy. "But, sir! I am here at her ladyship's command, to choose a wife from among my fair cousins. She said it will make the family more secure about their future."

"And why would that be?" His voice was cold. Elizabeth listened in amusement. At least Mr. Darcy was entertaining the man; she was not the focus of her cousin's attention.

"Ah! You might not have heard, sir." Mr. Collins looked even more ridiculous as he puffed out his chest. "I am heir to Longbourn under the terms of the entail. When I marry …" he paused and gave Elizabeth a lecherous, fawning smile and a little bow, "… then the ladies can be assured of their safety when their father unhappily passes."

"You must not assume that I am in any way in agreement with your ambitions, Mr. Collins," Elizabeth snapped at him. "You met us all for the first time yesterday, and I can already tell that we are not suited."

He laughed gaily, and she shuddered. "I am not downhearted, Cousin Elizabeth. I am sure you will soon make me the happiest of men when you discover the attractions that any woman will experience at my comfortable home and with the condescension and close attention of the esteemed Lady Catherine de Bourgh."

On her other side, Mr. Darcy made a slight choking noise, and Elizabeth turned towards him slightly and made a sudden diversion down a side path, leaving Mr. Collins some way behind, having not even been looking at them in his exaltation for his patroness.

Mr. Darcy shook his head. "I imagine Longbourn is not a comfortable place just now, Miss Elizabeth. I am sorry for it."

She glanced up; he was being very understanding and helpful. "Thank you," she sighed. "Mama is determined."

"I do not understand why she is pushing you to sacrifice your happiness," he said cautiously, and she huffed an unamused laugh.

"Mama is angry that I have refused to use my talent to make a ‘good' marriage, and she thinks that my other attributes make me otherwise unmarriageable, so that is why."

"Your talents are enough to make you a better marriage than that man." Mr. Darcy spoke hurriedly as Mr. Collins' heavy footsteps sounded closer to them.

Elizabeth glared up at him. She might be grateful to him for attempting to get her away from her cousin, but he was showing his true colours, like every man. "Only the deepest love could tempt me into matrimony, Mr. Darcy. Nobody sees me , and therefore my talent is a handicap, not a blessing."

He winced, and she felt sorry for the vitriol in her tone. She shook her head. "I apologise, sir. That was uncalled for." She sighed. "I dare not even practice where he might hear me, so I will become more irritable by the day."

His arm tightened on her hand. "Think nothing of it, Miss Elizabeth. I spoke out of turn. Let us talk of inanities, as the man approaches."

She sighed. "Very well. We will talk of chess. Who is your chess partner when you are in town? Have you taught your sister?"

He smiled then, and she knew relief that they would no longer talk of music.

"Indeed, but she is young yet, and her skills are still developing. My cousin is the best player I know, but he is currently fighting in France. His father, my uncle Matlock, is an excellent player, but I believe your father is better, and since you beat him often, you too must be considered outstanding."

She smiled then, glad at his acceptance of her skill at the game. "I very much enjoy the game of kings; the strategy is interesting. Perhaps we may attempt to finish a game at some time?"

Mr. Collins had caught up with them and the conversation. "It is a tolerable diversion, I suppose, for an unmarried young lady. But when you have a home of your own, Cousin Elizabeth, I am sure you will find your attention enjoyably engaged by running the Parsonage and having other duties towards my parishioners."

She gave him the most disdainful look she could. "You overreach yourself, sir. I have not the slightest interest in marrying you, and neither do I wish to manage your parsonage."

He gaped at her again. It was the most tiresome of expressions and she could not imagine seeing it every day for the rest of her life. "But, but … cousin! You will be mistress of Longbourn when that sad time of your father's passing comes!"

"And I do not wish to think about that for many years!" She tossed her head and squeezed Mr. Darcy's arm slightly, grateful that he had not left her for the better company of his friend and Jane. She addressed Mr. Collins again. "You will excuse us, sir. I shall go to Jane and take her back indoors. She has been outside long enough."

She threw a glance at Mr. Darcy before continuing to lecture Mr. Collins. "When our callers have departed, I will take Jane upstairs to rest, and sit with her. You, sir, can go to talk to Papa. I am sure you will find a ready welcome in his library."

Her cousin missed the sarcasm in her voice, but Mr. Darcy didn't, another slight choking noise telling her that he was very much amused as well as incensed.

Upstairs, she sat on the edge of her sister's bed. "It was awful, Jane. He is utterly unable to take no for an answer. It doesn't seem to make any difference how rude I am." She sighed drearily. "Mr. Darcy must have been quite put off by seeing how unladylike I was." She frowned; why would she be concerned if he was put off?

"I don't know," Jane looked across at her thoughtfully. "He seems to look at you a great deal. And it was his idea to take a turn around the gardens. It would have been pleasant for you if only Mama had not sent Mr. Collins out, too."

Elizabeth hunched down and grumbled under her breath. "She is setting me up for such an argument when I refuse him. Because refuse him I will."

"Of course you must." Jane was as serene as always. "Tomorrow is your day to walk out with Charlotte, isn't it? You will enjoy that, and if you spend a while at Lucas Lodge afterwards, then you will be away from him all day."

"I will be doing that, certainly. But I ought not to have to leave my own home to be comfortable."

Jane looked over at her. "I know we wondered if Mary might wish to marry a clergyman, but I think she is as disgusted by his manner as we are."

"And he wouldn't look at her, anyway. Poor Mary. Did you see how he was leering at you and trying to see down your gown?" Elizabeth laughed. "His face when Mama told him you are very likely to be soon engaged! It was priceless."

"I think he would make a very bad husband, no matter how good his situation in life."

Elizabeth nodded. "Why do you think this Lady Catherine would have given him the living? The man is a fool."

"I was talking about that to Mr. Bingley," Jane said dreamily. "He said that Mr. Darcy's aunt likes to surround herself with fawning sycophants. Mr. Collins certainly fits that bill."

"Has he met her?"

"No." Jane laughed. "She would never allow her nephew to bring a friend from trade to pollute Rosings Park."

"I hate the idea of the first circles," Elizabeth muttered. "They are rude, arrogant and look down on us all."

"I think Mr. Darcy might outwardly seem that way. But he is good friends with Mr. Bingley, which must mean he considers the character of a person and not their station in life. And did you notice how polite he is to the staff?"

"I suppose so." Elizabeth twisted the curl which had fallen from her pins again. "But the way he spoke about me at the assembly — I will continue to think that is the real character of the man."

"Oh, please don't, Lizzy." Jane leaned forward and touched her arm. "Such bitterness is not good for you, whether you have anything more to do with him or not."

"True. But enough about all that. Tell me what you and Mr. Bingley talked about. Was he all about your beauty as he always is?" Elizabeth fastened her gaze on Jane's face. She would know if her sister dissembled.