Page 26 of Fitzwilliam Darcy Undone
Sir now? That’s a pleasantly formal way to address your father.
Would you rather I refer to you as Lord Benoit?
My, my, youaretesty this morning.
“Very well,” he continued out loud for Mama’s benefit, “We have come to the point. Your motherinsistsupon your accepting. Is this not so, Mrs. Bennet?”
“Yes, or I will never see her again.”
You’ve done it now, Lizzy. Your mother wishes me to banish you from Longbourn.
I’d rather live in the hedgerows myself than be tied to that puddle of oil which is your cousin.
“An unhappy alternative is before you Elizabeth,” he said with a quirked smile. “From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents.”
She gave a start at his harsh words. Surely Papa would not make her marry Mr. Collins!
“Your mother will never see you again if you donotmarry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if youdo.”
Thank you, Papa. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Make haste with your retreat, Lizzy. Your mama will be in high dudgeon for at least a week or more.
She practically flew from the room, catching the final words of Papa to her mother.
“Now Mrs. Bennet. I have two small favors to request. First, this matter has been firmly put to rest and you abide by my wishes; and secondly, of my room. I desire to have the room to myself as soon as may be.”
She saw from her room that Charlotte had come to visit. From the top of the stairs she witnessed Lydia greeting her in the front vestibule, exclaiming, “I’m glad you are come, for there is such fun here! What do you think has happened?”
“I have no idea, but I’m sure you will rectify that situation.”
“Mr. Collins has made an offer to Lizzy and she will not have him.”
Her cheeks burned with both mortification and anger. Was there nothing her sister would not keep to herself?
Charlotte did not have time to reply before Kitty joined them and passed on the same news. By this time, they’d made their way to the breakfast room where Mama waited alone. Lizzy followed and hesitated in the hall, hearing her mother call upon Miss Lucas for her compassion.
“You must speak sense into your good friend, Miss Lucas. Mr. Collins is a good match for a woman who may not ever receive an offer of marriage, or hope to receive one.” She added in a melancholy tone, “Nobody is on my side, nobody takes part with me, I am cruelly used, nobody feels for my poor nerves.”
Charlotte’s reply was spared by the entrance of Jane and Elizabeth, who couldn’t remain eavesdropping about the hallway any longer. For one, Jane had spied her pacing when she returned from the still room, and two, her stomach growled, reminding her she’d not finished her morning meal.
“Aye, there she comes.” Mama declared in anger. “looking as unconcerned as may be, provided she can have her own way. But I tell you what, Miss Lizzy, if you take it into your head to refuse every offer of marriage in this way, you will never get a husband at all.” Mama fluttered her ill-used lace handkerchief in the air. “Who is to maintain you when your father is dead? It won’t be me. I said I would never speak to you again and you will find I’m as good as my word.” She turned to Charlotte. “I have no pleasure in talking with undutiful children. I’m sure if you were to receive an offer from Mr. Collins, you would not say no. You are a dutiful daughter who does not wish to be a burden on her parents and would like to know her future is secure. Unlike mine.”
Lizzy picked up her cold cup of tea and sipped as though it was a fresh as when poured. Jane rang the bell for Hill to bring in a fresh pot while Kitty and Lydia’s attention flitted from Mama to Lizzy, back to Mama again.
“I’d be dutiful, Mama” Kitty dared to venture before coughing into her napkin. “You may talk with me.”
“I do not have much pleasure in talking to anybody. People who suffer as I do from nervous complaints can have no great inclination for talking. Nobody can tell what I suffer!” She tucked her handkerchief into the sleeve of her dress. “But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied.”
Lizzy caught Jane’s eye and rolled hers at their mother’s common complaint, that no one pitied her poor nerves. All her daughters understood that no amount of reasoning or attempts to sooth would increase her irritability. Her tirade continued until they were joined by Mr. Collins, who entered the room with a somber mien.
“Girls, please leave me and Mr. Collins alone.”
“That will not be necessary, Madam. What I have to say need not be private as I’m sure all here are aware of what transpired this morning. I hope you will not perceive any disrespect to you and your family by my withdrawal of an offer of marriage to your esteemed daughter, Elizabeth.” He allowed his gaze to roam over all the ladies present, ending upon Miss Lucas. “I certainly meant well as my sole object was to secure an amiable companion for myself, and if my manner of proposing was in any way reprehensible, I apologize most profusely.”
He finished his speech and offered Lizzy a quick glance and she gave him a polite nod. There was no taking back the words spoken between them, but at least he realized his proposal had been reprehensible and she could acknowledge him with politeness.
With that, conversation returned, albeit stiffer and more formal given how uncomfortable everyone was in the company of a jilted lover and an angry mother. Lizzy relished a profound sense of gratefulness that Mr. Collins barely spoke to her and instead, transferred all of his attention to Charlotte, who accepted them with polite graciousness.
