Page 17 of Compromise & Consequence
Elizabeth ordered a few more things, ensuring the ones she had purchased for gifts would be wrapped nicely, and then she and Jane left the shop. Within minutes they were settled in the carriage, their packages piled on the squab across from them.
“Elizabeth.” Jane never called her by her full name unless worried – or angry, which was thankfully rare. “Have you been supplementing Longbourn with your money?”
“No. There is no need. Neither Longbourn nor Uncle has required any funds from me. Why do you ask?”
“Well, I have heard people whisper about how we are not wealthy and have very poor dowries to entice any gentleman to make us an offer of marriage…” She trailed off and turned her attention to outside the carriage window.
“Do you think this is one of the reasons why Mr. Bingley left Hertfordshire?”
“How can I think anything else? With Mr. Darcy marrying you, my sisters and I will not be cast off as fallen women.”
“I am as perplexed as you, Jane.”
Soon, she and her cousin were back at Longbourn and joined Mrs. Bennet and Mary for a welcome cup of tea. Aunt Frances was still quite distressed over the rush of the marriage and the fact there would be no announcements, nor was she able to give her Lizzy a proper send-off with an elaborate breakfast after the ceremony.
“Aunt Frances,” Elizabeth soothed as best she could. “Mr. Darcy is not happy about this alliance and wishes to expedite allthe legalities. Also, it is a full three-day journey to Derbyshire, and the earlier we leave, the faster we arrive.”
“We are your family, Lizzy,” her aunt huffed out. “I do not understand why we could not read the banns and have a proper ceremony. By rushing this marriage, Mr. Darcy is making it appear as though you behaved wantonly. It is not right.”
She appreciated her aunt’s concerns, but any reply she might have made was stalled when Mr. Collins joined them. He appeared quite agitated.
“Cousin Elizabeth, I could not help but hear your mother’s concerns, and I must say I concur. Mr. Darcy has long been engaged to my esteemed patroness’s daughter Anne. I have made Lady Catherine aware of his proposal, and I am sure she will make her displeasure known and will stop the proceedings.” He twisted his hands together in a state of distress. “I would not hold out hope for Mr. Darcy’s expected return next Tuesday.”
“Mr. Collins!” Mrs. Bennet cried out. “Why would you do that? If Mr. Darcy does not return and marry Lizzy, we are all ruined!”
“I had to follow my conscience and protect the welfare of my benefactress.”
Mr. Collins truly did look quite upset.
“Butweare your family, Mr. Collins,” her aunt wailed. “We should have priority over some woman who has no connection to us, and no say in how we live our lives.” She cast a fevered eye toward her eldest daughter, and Elizabeth took hold of Jane’s hand while shaking her head at Mrs. Bennet. There would be no sacrificial lamb brought to the slaughter today. “Are you still willing to marry one of my daughters, Mr. Collins? Would you help us maintain our dignity?”
Mr. Collins’s mouth opened and closed a few times, and adull red crept up his neck and covered his cheeks. Mrs. Bennet immediately discerned that her husband’s cousin would not save the family from disgrace if Mr. Darcy did, indeed, not return as promised.
“I see. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Collins.”
“Mrs. Bennet, I cannot offer to marry cousin Elizabeth as I am promised to another.”
“Excuse me?”
“I offered for Miss Charlotte Lucas while the other evening, and she most readily said yes.” He cast a beseeching look at Elizabeth, who gave him a small smile of encouragement. “She is a most gracious lady, and I know we will be very happy.”
“Mr. Collins, may I be the first of our family to wish you joy?” Elizabeth said, followed by Jane.
“We are ruined, Lizzy! How can you wish him joy?”
“Mr. Collins is not responsible for what has happened, and I know Charlotte will make a wonderful parson’s wife. I bear my cousin no ill will.”
All conversation came to a halt as her aunt called for her salts, and Lydia and Kitty came into the room, laughing over something the officers said the other day when they were in town shopping. Mr. Collins took this opportunity to excuse himself, saying he was going to tell Mr. Bennet the news before attending Lucas Lodge to dine with his prospective new family.
“Oh, Lizzy! we are ruined. Mr. Darcy will not return, and all you girls will be shunned.” Aunt Frances tugged a lace handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed her eyes. “Mr. Bennet will have to call him out, and he will be killed, and Mr. Collins will toss us all out before he is cold in the grave! Oh, my nerves! I feel such fluttering and spasms. Hill! Hill! Where are my salts?”
Elizabeth and Jane rose in tandem and quit the room.
“Do you think Mr. Darcy will bow to his aunt’s demands?” Jane asked once they were safe in their room.
“Mr. Darcy answers to no one. He has already prepared the settlement, and by now, his solicitors have it ready for signing. Also, too many people were witnesses to the compromise, and we live close to London. The rumors will not stay within our shire, much as I would like them to. He is honor bound to marry, as am I.”
“For the sake of our reputations and yours, I hope he does return and, over time, get over his great anger and realize what a wonderful treasure you are.”
