Page 75 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
Bennet felt certain the man was unable to comprehend the notion of a lady defending herself against his intentions. But the thought of their needing to do so here in their own home whilst he was alive was unpalatable.
“You will not have cause to worry, Daughters. You are hereby dismissed from Longbourn until I am deceased, Mr. Collins,” Mr. Bennet said, motioning toward the stairs.
“The clock ticks, Mr. Collins. If any of his effects are still on this property five minutes from now, take them to the drive and burn them,” Mrs. Bennet said.
“I will see him packed and have his items out of this house, ma’am,” Mr. Hill said, striding to the guest chamber.
“I suspect Mr. Darcy will be seriously displeased when I tell him that his aunt’s parson intended to compromise one of us,” Elizabeth said, her anger not yet cooled. “I am certain he said he and Mr. Bingley planned to visit this afternoon.”
“But Imustmarry one of you, Cousin Elizabeth. Lady Catherine was precise in her expectations,” Mr. Collins exclaimed, mopping his brow with a shaking hand.
“Mr. Collins has no authority here,” Bennet said, stepping between Mr. Collins and his wife. He had never seen her soangry; Mrs. Bennet’s motherly instincts called out in the face of a threat.
“You cannot—”
“The right to tell meI cannotdoes not reside with you, Mr. Collins. Miss de Bourgh is the daughter of a gentleman, as are mine. By your own admission, you intended to compromise one of my daughters in my home. Therefore, I seeeveryneed to inform your patroness of this.” Bennet advanced on the man. “Now you have four minutes.”
“But, Cousin, I would not haveharmedyour daughter. I require a wife capable of aiding me in managing the estate, and you claim your daughters all to be more capable than I in this way,” Mr. Collins whimpered.
“You mean one of them might manage it for you since you have not the intelligence tomanageyour own selection of beef. My wife was forthright when she said our daughters were not available to you unless you and she were suited and both wished it. Fanny, take the girls to my study until this man is off our property.”
Less than two minutes later, Mr. Collins could be seen dragging his trunk and satchel down the drive. Mr. Bennet opened the door to the study and announced, “The wretch is gone.” All of the women under his roof, for this one moment, knew perfect harmony in laughing at the sight of Collins.
“Lizzy, bring your Mr. Darcy to the study as soon as he arrives this afternoon,” Mr. Bennet said, opening the door wide so his wife and daughters could return to the breakfast room.
“You are a good man, Mr. Bennet,” Mrs. Bennet said, patting her husband’s chest.
Mr. Bennet pulled his wife into his arms.
Closing the door on Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Jane said, “That is nice to see.” She and her sisters moved down the corridor to the family sitting room.
With his wife at his side and Elizabeth next to Mr. Darcy, Bennet illustrated to the younger man the cause of his cousin’s eviction that morning. “I suspect he caught the post coach near noon. He is not staying at the inn. I sent someone to inquire as I knew you would wish to know.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bennet. I had thought to…perhaps I should wait until I return from Kent.” Darcy looked at Elizabeth.
“Please, do not. Taking care of your family changes nothing on my part, only reinforces that you are the best of men,” Elizabeth said, imploring him to speak.
“Mr. Bennet, your daughter Elizabeth and I seek your blessing. She has done me the honor of accepting a courtship.”
“Thank the Lord. I thought it would never happen,” Bennet said, extending his hand to Mr. Darcy.
“If you feel you should go to Kent, you might make it as far as London today,” Elizabeth said, nodding at Mr. Darcy so he could see her understanding of its import.
“I will return to you as soon as I can, Elizabeth. Mr. Bennet, I am charged with asking you to wait a moment so that I can send Bingley in directly as agreed,” Mr. Darcy said, then left Longbourn after a quick word with Bingley, who went to the study with Jane by his side.
Whilst donning his hat and coat, Darcy could hear the jubilation coming from the same room where he had claimed his own future happiness. He departed with the satisfaction of knowing his friend had also been awarded a courtship with Miss Bennet.
Chapter 16
Comings and Goings are Decided
“Shall we walk to Meryton today and ask Aunt Philips if she requires our assistance for her card party this evening?” Jane said to her sisters and Mr. Bingley in the drawing room.
“I prefer you stay home. I will take the carriage to Meryton and determine if I might be of use to my sister,” said Mrs. Bennet.
“I would like nothing more than to walk the gardens with you, Miss Bennet, but I will soon return to Netherfield,” said Mr. Bingley. “Darcy will have informed his sister he is for Kent, but I would not have her worry. She is a sweet, dear girl. Mrs. Bennet, Miss Darcy requested Miss Mary return with me, if that might be amenable. I did accept the invitation to Mrs. Philips’s gathering when we saw her in Meryton.”
It was a common enough scene for others, Jane and Mr. Bingley together on one settee. But the moment had become far more. Jane felt the slightest pressure of his arm touching hers. She did not move away, though she knew she should. And she was unwilling to continue in this manner, knowing she had not shown Bingley more of her feelings for him to show she did not require a courtship. She would far prefer that they mightmarry so soon as the following day! Elizabeth mentioned her conversations with Mr. Darcy, suggesting that Mr. Bingley might require encouragement to take action. In such cases where there was affection, a lady should not leave her whole future to chance and silent hopes.
