Prologue

November 27, 1811 Longbourn Elizabeth

“ F oolish, headstrong girl! Mr. Bennet! Mr. Bennet!” Elizabeth’s mother, Mrs. Frances Bennet, pushed past her and hurried down the hallway toward the study. Elizabeth hastened after her; she needed the chance to defend her actions. Papa will understand, she reassured herself.

“Mr. Bennet! You must make Lizzy marry Mr. Collins!” Mama’s shrill voice carried. No doubt Mr. Collins could hear it in the parlor where they had left him.

“Why is my peace being disrupted in such a manner?” Mr. Bennet’s voice sounded irritated, and he peeked over the top of the book he held, his expression reflecting his tone.

“Mr. Collins has proposed to Lizzy, and she has declared she will not have him. Now there is very great danger that he will not have Lizzy! You must make her accept him.”

Mr. Bennet turned to Elizabeth. “Well, Lizzy? Has my cousin proposed?”

She swallowed. “He has. And I have refused him.” She grimaced. The memory of his sweaty hand on hers made her cringe.

“It seems my child that you have a choice before you. Your mother wishes you to accept Mr. Collins—”

Mrs. Bennet cut in. “Yes! Or I shall never speak to her again!”

“—if you do not accept Mr. Collins, your mother will never speak to you again.” He paused, removing his spectacles and polishing them before continuing. “And I shall never speak to you if you do.”

Elizabeth sighed in relief. “Thank you, Papa!” She turned to leave, but her mother grabbed her arm.

“Take heed, Miss Lizzy. If you do not marry Mr. Collins, you will have no place with me when your father dies. A man spurned will not countenance having the woman who refused him in his household. If it comes to choosing between you or a place to live, I will not hesitate to select the latter! Your selfish disdain for the feelings of others has been well-demonstrated. I will protect my other, more grateful children and leave you to your own devices.”

Elizabeth did not take her mother’s words very seriously. Mrs. Bennet often became overwrought. When Mr. Bingley proposed to Jane, her mother’s fears would be alleviated and her ire toward Elizabeth would dissipate.

Still, she bit her lip nervously and glanced at her father. He rolled his eyes and winked, and she smiled in return. Mama released her and she spun away, hurrying toward the back door to escape into nature.