Defending Elizabeth Read online

He bowed, then looked up and locked eyes with her. Elizabeth realized, quite too late, that she had made herself a target of Mr. Collins' attention. She cursed her quick tongue, as well as her inability to restrain it when necessary. She counseled herself to be less forthcoming with her wit, at least while Mr. Collins was around. The man seemed entirely incapable of understanding a joke.

  Luckily, Lydia, upset at not being in the midst of the conversation, swept in to save Elizabeth.

  "Mr. Collins, do escort me outside," she said, taking his arm. "For I do so love the out of doors. It is quite my favorite thing."

  Elizabeth refrained from commenting on this, and commended herself for her newly-found restraint.

  "Well then, my dear cousin," Mr. Collins said, favoring Lydia with a bright smile, "let us go."

  Kitty scurried after them. Elizabeth looked at Jane and nodded her head for Jane to go with Mr. Collins, Lydia, Kitty, and Mrs. Bennet. Elizabeth then found Mary, who had the mistaken idea she would not be going on the walk.

  "Come now, Mary, Mr. Collins expressed a desire to speak with each of the Bennet girls. Would you deny him that request? It does not seem charitable of you."

  Elizabeth could tell Mary began to waver.

  "You do not want Mr. Collins to think you are ill and rush back to check on you, do you? I know you would not wish to interfere with his walk in such a way."

  Mary finally allowed she would go on the walk, but only for Mr. Collins' sake. Elizabeth managed to switch out Mary's normal cape, which was quite worn, for the better-quality one which Mary usually reserved for Sundays.

  With Elizabeth hurrying Mary along, the girls quickly caught up to the rest of their party.

  "...and, would you believe, she was more interested in speaking of the upcoming meeting room dance than she was in listening to my sermon?" Mr. Collins said.

  Lydia turned towards him and placed a hand on her chest. "My goodness, Mr. Collins, how could she be so interested in earthly pursuits when you were preaching the word of God?"

  Mr. Collins smiled at his cousin again. "You understand me completely, my dear. What an upstanding and pious young lady you have raised, Mrs. Bennet!"

  Mrs. Bennet returned his smile. "Yes, it has often been remarked that Lydia is the most reverential of my daughters."

  At this, Elizabeth could no longer maintain her countenance, and stopped for a moment, pleading a coughing fit, until she regained control over her frantic laughter.

  Elizabeth returned to the group and noticed Mr. Collins was staring appreciatively at Jane.

  Well, the man is obviously not blind, thought Elizabeth grimly.

  What man would not want Jane? However, Elizabeth could not risk Mr. Collins proposing to Jane before Mr. Bingley got a chance. The best way to keep that from happening, as Elizabeth could see the situation, was to mention Mr. Bingley and hope one of the more foolish members of her family would latch on to it as a point of discussion.

  "Lydia, have you decided which dress you will wear to Mr. Bingley's ball?" asked Elizabeth, trying her best to sound innocent.

  "Well, I have my eye on one of Kitty's. It looks far better on me than it does on her," said Lydia, ignoring Kitty's glare. "Mama, do you not think it is selfish of her not to share the dress?"

  Before Mrs. Bennet could respond, Mr. Collins asked the question Elizabeth hoped for. "Who is Mr. Bingley?"

  Kitty took the opportunity to answer before Lydia could continue dominating the conversation. "Why, he is the gentleman who has let Netherfield Hall. He is terribly nice and quite handsome, and you ought to witness how much he admires Jane!"

  Mr. Collins' eyes cut to Jane. "I did not realize. Is there a formal connection between you?"

  "Not as of yet," Mrs. Bennet responded, "but we expect one in the very near future. Why, Mr. Collins, of course you must attend the ball with us!"

  "You can dance with me!" cried Lydia.

  "And me!" said Kitty, not about to be outdone.

  Mr. Collins smiled. "Why, it should be my great privilege to dance with each of my cousins; but perhaps Miss Elizabeth would be willing to save me the first dance?"

  Elizabeth had no idea how to respond. It appeared that, by saving Jane, she had made herself Mr. Collins' next target. She smiled weakly at her cousin, and kept her mouth shut for the remainder of the walk, lest she accidentally injure herself once again.

  Chapter 4

  Fitzwilliam Darcy paced the empty library at Netherfield Hall. He was exceedingly relieved to have some time to his own thoughts. Caroline Bingley followed him wherever he went, teasing him about fine eyes and relatives in Cheapside, ever since he mentioned his appreciation of Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

  And ought he not to be chastised for these thoughts? Certainly not by Miss Bingley, whose rank was below Elizabeth's, but by himself? Miss Elizabeth's connections were not what he should want in a family; in fact, they were so lacking he cringed to think of it. Regardless, he could not stop thinking of her.

  He was surrounded by young women who were interested in his status and his fortune. He was hardly yet a man when he had learned how to disengage from such women, who only cared for what he owned and not a bit for what he thought or believed. When he first laid eyes on Miss Elizabeth, he assumed she would fall into this category; who would expect a higher class of woman to be found at a country dance?

  Then her fine humor and intelligence made themselves known, and Darcy began to find beauty in places where he before had only noticed flaws. He craved the sound of her laughter, and wished to be the one who inspired her smile. Almost before he knew what happened, he had strong feelings for the young woman.

  But oh, her family! Her utterly ridiculous family! Mrs. Bennet was loud, crude, and overstepped herself almost continually. The youngest girls were silly fools. Mary was far too severe, and carried herself as if she was morally superior to all those around her. And their father allowed all this! Mr. Bennet was not excused from fault, as he had clearly not attempted to stem these coarse behaviors.

  The best thing to do would be to forget Elizabeth Bennet. But how could that be accomplished, when he saw her so frequently? He needed to go back to town. That would resolve this issue. The distance would make it easier for him to forget his attraction to her. He told Bingley he would be present for the upcoming ball, but after that Darcy needed to make his excuses and escape to the safety of his London home.

  That presented another issue, however. Bingley was extremely fond of Miss Jane Bennet. How could Darcy think only to save himself, and not his friend, as well? He began to consider how it was possible to extricate Bingley from the situation as well. Ought he to manufacture a scenario which required both of them to leave for London? Perhaps Bingley's attachment to Miss Bennet would fade with the distance, just as Darcy hoped his attachment to Miss Elizabeth would.

  He mulled this thought over in his mind, before dismissing it. He would give Bingley the opportunity to leave with him, but he could not bring himself to speak out against Miss Jane Bennet, who seemed to him to be a fine girl, if a bit lacking in spirit.

  Miss Elizabeth did not lack in spirit; in fact, she had it in excess. That fire was one of the qualities which enchanted Darcy. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He could not marry Miss Elizabeth, and so he must leave Netherfield until his emotions were under control. It was the only rational thing to do.

  Chapter 5

  "Cousin Elizabeth! What a pleasure it is to have you as my dinner partner," Mr. Collins said, leaning closer to her than Elizabeth would like.

  "You flatter me, sir. At a family dinner such as this, are we not all dinner partners?"

  "Indeed we are, but with company as charming as yours, I am sure I can be excused for mistaking the matter."

  Elizabeth glanced across the table and saw three of her four sisters stared at her jealously. Jane, the only one who understood the reality of the situation, looked at Elizabeth pityingly. Jane knew that, were it not for her connection to Mr. Bingley, sh
e might be in the same situation as Elizabeth.

  "Perhaps after dinner you will allow me to read to you another of Fordyce's sermons?" Mr. Collins asked.

  "Oh, dear," said Elizabeth, who was planning to use the time after dinner to read the latest novel in which she was engrossed. "I am afraid I feel as if I have a headache. It might be best for me to retire to my room after the meal."

  "I would adore a reading from Fordyce's Sermons, Mr. Collins," said Lydia in a sweet voice. "I feel they help me to be a better person."

  "Is there anything I can do to assist you, dear cousin?" Mr. Collins asked, ignoring Lydia.

  "The only assistance I would ask is for you to read to my dear sisters. I would not want to deny them their chance at salvation because I am feeling ill. I do ask, however, that I might take Jane with me. She knows how I prefer my compresses applied."

  "It does you great credit, Cousin Elizabeth, that you are concerned with the spiritual welfare of others even as you suffer!" cried Mr. Collins. "You are such a gracious young lady; if only all women were so devout."

  Elizabeth successfully managed not to roll her eyes. She sensed there was nothing she could do to dissuade her cousin.

  * * *

  The following morning, Elizabeth was forced to fend off Mr. Collins' continued exclamations of hope for her good health and exhortations to rest if she felt ill in the slightest. Even making up excuses to escape Mr. Collins led to more of Mr. Collins. He seemed to think himself very charming, and there were those in the Bennet household who would agree. Unfortunately for both Mr. Collins and herself, Elizabeth was not one of them.

  Elizabeth waited until Mr. Collins was deep in conversation with Mrs. Bennet before saying, "I believe I shall take a walk. The fresh air will clear my head."

  Mr. Collins' head swiveled around. "A walk, my dear cousin? Well, I ought to accompany you to ensure you are not taken ill while away from home."

  "Well, it would not be proper for the two of you to walk unchaperoned!" said Lydia, sounding scandalized. Elizabeth resisted the urge to sigh at the idea of Lydia as the moral center of the Bennet household. She knew very well Lydia only wished to be close to Mr. Collins.

  "Yes, we all ought to go. We can walk to Meryton! Lydia and I want to look for ribbons for the ball!" said Kitty.

  So, much against Elizabeth's will, the trip was organized and embarked upon. Jane had taken pity on Elizabeth and decided to accompany her, and Mary came along as well. Mary and Mr. Collins matched quite well, both of them dressed in dark, somber colors. Kitty and Lydia, by contrast, had decked themselves out like peacocks. Elizabeth knew the combination of a walk with Mr. Collins and the chance of seeing officers in Meryton was far too much inducement for her sisters to refrain from dressing in all their finery.

  "Do you ladies often walk to Meryton?" asked Mr. Collins.

  "Kitty and I do nearly every day. Meryton is so much livelier than staying at home! One never knows whom one will meet. Lizzy does not often come with us, though. She prefers to walk the fields by herself. Mama says she is far more solitary than a young lady ought to be."

  Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at her sister. To think that Lydia was lecturing her!

  "Solitary pursuits bring one closer to God," said Mr. Collins, beaming a smile in Elizabeth's direction as if he was rescuing her. "I think it speaks well of Cousin Elizabeth that she enjoys such things."

  "Well, yes, of course that sort of solitude is agreeable," said Lydia, unwilling to disagree with anything Mr. Collins might say. "But is frolicking in the mud really the mark of a lady?"

  "I have never frolicked; I have only capered," Elizabeth said, successfully keeping the irritation she felt out of her voice.

  "I am sure, whatever you might call it, that you approached it with the proper ladylike disposition," said Mr. Collins.

  "My disposition cannot be judged, as I walk by myself, but I assure you my conscience feels no weight due to the situation," Elizabeth responded.

  "Oh, Cousin Elizabeth! How charmingly you speak."

  Elizabeth thought it to be time to leave Mr. Collins to the younger girls, and intentionally slowed her pace to fall behind with Jane.

  "I am quite exhausted with being unintentionally charming," Elizabeth said in a soft voice.

  "He does seem quite taken with you, Lizzy. He's a handsome enough man; perhaps once we get to know him, he will not appear quite so foolish?"

  "Jane, I admire your ability to see the goodness in everyone, but if it was not for Mr. Bingley, Mr. Collins would be focusing all his attention on you. How would you like that?"

  Elizabeth watched as Jane fought an involuntary shiver.

  "That is what I thought," said Elizabeth, confident her point was made.

  * * *

  Kitty and Lydia kept Mr. Collins' attention off Elizabeth for the remainder of the walk into Meryton. Elizabeth was relieved for the respite and took the opportunity to enjoy being outdoors in the fresh air. Mary kept attempting to fall behind the rest of the group, so Elizabeth hurried her along. Mary's esteem for Mr. Collins was apparent, but if Mary did nothing to make herself noticed, she would continually be outshone by her talkative younger sisters. Elizabeth suspected that, of all the Bennet girls, Mary would be the best fit for the wife of a parson, and she was determined to give Mary any support that was needed.

  As their party arrived in Meryton, the distinctive red jackets of the militia officers were immediately noticeable.

  "Ooooh, there's Denny!" said Lydia, standing on the balls of her feet and waving. She then remembered she was attempting to be proper for Mr. Collins and took his arm, casting her eyes demurely towards the ground. However, her greeting had already worked, and Captain Denny and another man were making their way over.

  Captain Denny greeted each of the ladies in turn, and they introduced him to Mr. Collins. It was clear Mr. Collins was not overly impressed by Captain Denny, nor by the familiar way Lydia had greeted him. Elizabeth was reminded of the fights the roosters had over dominance of the hens. They flew at one another brandishing their spurs, with their iridescent feathers alive in the sunlight. Mr. Collins looked very much as if he would like to use his spurs on Denny.

  Denny, on the other hand, peered openly and curiously at Mr. Collins. Elizabeth suspected Denny had not formed enough of a connection--and thank goodness for that!--to any of the Bennet girls that would lead to him being threatened by the presence of another man. It was interesting to observe the contrast between the two of them.

  "This is Mr. Wickham. He has just enlisted in the militia," Denny said, after a moment of observing Mr. Collins.

  Even with Mr. Collins to impress, Lydia could not bear to allow herself to go unnoticed. She gave Wickham a deep curtsy and said, "I hope you are fond of dancing, sir, as there are often young ladies without partners at our meeting room dances."

  Wickham returned Lydia's curtsy with a bow. "I do enjoy dancing, and I would be delighted to serve as a dancing partner for whichever of the young ladies in Meryton are in need."

  "Perhaps you should request the first dance with Lizzy at Mr. Bingley's ball," said Lydia with a giggle. "She was quite rudely thrown over by a man named Darcy at the last dance."

  Wickham was instantly alert. "Not Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy?"

  "The same! Are you acquainted?"

  "There is some connection between our families," Mr. Wickham said. "I was simply surprised to hear the name."

  "Lydia, you cannot invite people to Mr. Bingley's ball," Elizabeth said in a low voice.

  "Then it is fortunate Mr. Bingley has invited the regiment to attend," said Denny. "Wickham, perhaps you ought to secure the first dance. With such a lovely partner, this may be your only chance before her dance card is filled entirely up."

  "I am afraid I have already secured the first dance with my cousin," Mr. Collins said, daring Wickham to oppose him.

  "I did not realize. I meant no offense to either of you, sir," said Mr. Wickham with a bow. "Are you engaged?"
>
  "We most certainly are not," said Elizabeth, more harshly than she intended.

  "Well, then, perhaps you will save me a dance, Miss Elizabeth.”

  She did not know him, but Elizabeth suspected a dance with Mr. Wickham would be far superior to spending the night dancing with Mr. Collins.

  "I accept," she said, and smiled. Wickham returned her smile in a way that made a small thrill run up Elizabeth's spine. She found she was not at all upset at the idea of spending more time with the handsome Mr. Wickham.

  Elizabeth had the opportunity to continue observing Mr. Wickham, as he and Captain Denny accompanied their group through Meryton. Kitty and Lydia insisted on looking at trimmings for their dresses, and Captain Denny offered to go with them (for what reason, Elizabeth could not imagine). That left the rather uncomfortable combination of Elizabeth, Jane, Mary, Mr. Collins, and Mr. Wickham. Mary attempted to draw Mr. Collins' attention by being a perfect example of quiet piety; Mr. Collins and Mr. Wickham both tried to gain Elizabeth's attention, with one being much more successful than the other; and Jane watched the entire awkward event unfold.

  "Miss Elizabeth, I am shocked to think that a man, even one like Mr. Darcy, could resist your charms," said Mr. Wickham.

  Elizabeth blushed a bit at his words and smiled at him.

  Mr. Collins started as if he had not heard their previous discussion. "Is this Mr. Darcy you speak of from Derbyshire?"

  "Yes," replied Mr. Wickham. "He owns the estate of Pemberley. Do you know him?"

  "Well, I know of him,” said Mr. Collins, clearly excited. "He is the nephew of my patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh! How extraordinary that he might be here!"

  "Indeed," said Mr. Wickham mildly. He then changed the topic by asking Elizabeth's opinion on how many people would be in attendance at Mr. Bingley's ball.

  "I would expect quite a few people, especially considering the happy event of his invitation to all the officers."