Page 9 of The Governess of My Heart
“Lizzy! Pappa is here. Let us hurry,” Mary said, and they ran down.
Just then, they saw the library door open, and Mr. Collins walked out with a sarcastic smile.
“My dear cousin, I intend your parents want to speak with you. I am sure everything will turn out well,” he said, disappearing up the stairs.
Mary and Elizabeth entered the library without understanding what he meant.
Mrs. Bennet was seated, and her father paced the room visibly irritated.
“Papa, I…” Elizabeth started.
“Don’t you dare justify your actions. What is wrong with you, and why did you refuse him?”
Elizabeth’s heart sank.
“Papa, how could you ask me for a reason? Were you aware of his intentions before he came here?” she asked in agony.
“Mary, leave the room,” Mr. Bennet yelled.
“Papa, please. Lizzy needs me,” Mary said.
“No, she does not. She is not a child, leave!”
He yelled again, and Mary had no choice but to leave the room. She squeezed Elizabeth’s hand and left.
“You will marry him. There is no more to discuss in this. Apologize to Mr. Collins as he has graciously forgiven your horrendous behavior,” Mr. Bennet said and sat down.
Elizabeth felt devastated. All these years, she had thought her father neglected her because of his stressful life managing the house with a meager income. She had never placed him on the same platform as her mother, but now she understood that he was no different.
“I never expected this of you. How do you expect me to accept a man like him? You do not care for my well-being, do you?” she cried.
“What is wrong with him? He has a decent living and the assistance from a wealthy patroness. You would be settled for life, and you could even extend an invitation to a couple of your sisters to stay with you. I am already struggling to manage Longbourn,” Mr. Bennet said.
“How could you talk like this about your daughter? You are mentioning this proposal like a trade.”
“Yes, it is! That man promises never to claim Longbourn once your father leaves us and he has no family. He will assist us with funds as well. What more can we want? All he wants is to marry you, and you will do so,” Mrs. Bennet said with resolve.
“Why me, Mamma? Tell me. Why me? Why not Jane? Isn’t she the eldest?”
“How dare you? Is my darling Jane to marry a widower? Never. She is the jewel of Hertfordshire.”
“If that is the case, what makes you think I will marry him?”
“He is good enough for you. Your plain looks and unruly behavior will fetch you no eligible suitor. What if he is widowed? You will have a good living and must be grateful for that.”
Elizabeth was enraged.
“I do not care about him being widowed or not. I cannot marry him as I have no respect or affection for him, and you cannot force me to.”
“Of course, we can, and you will do as we say.”
“I cannot. You can try all possible means to make me accept this horrific trade, but it will be useless.”
Mr. Bennet stared at her angrily, and Elizabeth gave up on her expectations of him.
“All that matters to you is money, Papa. And my mother wants to throw me into misery, citing that I may never get a proposal. I want to ask you one question: Will you allow any of my sisters to marry him? Will you?”
She asked with tears running down her face.
