An adoring countenance crossed his face. “I have joined the regiment and understood you to be in the neighborhood. I dropped everything to come, even at this late hour. I do not believe the rules of propriety dictate a family’s affection, Georgie.”
“No, no, I agree. But William will be so disappointed to have missed you. Are you sure I am to not tell him you are here?”
“He knows I am here, dear girl. It is I who only found out you were in town. No,” he said, shaking his head. “Let’s not bother him with the details of our meeting. I do not wish him to restrict my seeing you in his misguided attempt to spare your heart in remembering your parents. He will not object to me once we divulge our reunion in two weeks’ time.”
“Whatever do you mean? Two weeks’ time?”
“Well, in that period, I doubt you will alter your affections or actions toward me. You can then give him proof you are old enough and mature enough to manage what he feels is too difficult for you.”
“I wonder why he did not tell me you were here?”
“It must have slipped his mind.”
“Yes, most likely.” Miss Darcy quietly mulled the idea. “I do not like to deceive him, George. William is the best of brothers and takes prodigious care of me.”
“Of course, he does, poppet.But,imagine how proud he will be of you when he realizes you were able to act in such a mature fashion with no guidance from him? He will be overjoyed!”
Miss Darcy looked over to Kitty who was cautiously watching the entire exchange. “Very well, George. I agree. I so want William to see me as a young lady and not as a child. This seems like a fine scheme. And with your guidance, I cannot go astray.” She smiled happily at Kitty. “Now, Miss Katherine, you must promise to not divulge our secret. It will make me most unhappy if William finds out and the surprise is ruined.”
“Of course, Miss Darcy. I would never go against your wishes.” Kitty felt anxious and lowered her eyes as Mr. Wickham smiled and deeply bowed.
“Well, ladies. I will see myself out. Startling the butler would only lead to our secret being discovered and we don’t want that now, do we?”
“No,” said the girls in unison with variant degrees of pleasure.
Miss Darcy added, “Take care, George, that no highwaymen attack you.”
“Georgiana, your concern does you credit.” He bowed once again over her hand, allowing his kiss to linger a little longer than Kitty thought appropriate for a brother.
* * *
“And we areto make him welcome? This man who will one day remove us from our own home?” The sound of Mrs. Bennet’s shrill voice echoed through the halls of Longbourn. “And he is to impose upon us for two weeks. Two weeks! What are we to do with this odious man?”
“Mama, perhaps he will not be as distasteful as you fear. Possibly his manners and breeding will surprise us.” Mary leaned back in her chair and gave a placating smile. “It is our responsibility to offer Christian charity whether he will displace us from our home or not.”
“Oh, who asked you girl? You have no compassion for my nerves!” Mrs. Bennet slumped down in the chair and appeared far beyond her forty-three years. The streaks of grey peeking through at her crown were not as evident as the small creases deepening at her eyes. Although past her prime, the beauty which had secured a country gentleman was still obvious, the most remarkable features appearing twenty years younger in her eldest daughter.
“Now Jane, we must make sure that you are not too friendly to this Mr. Collins. I do not want him imagining he can come in here and ruin the possibility of Mr. Bingley.”
“Mama, what would give you that idea?”
Mrs. Bennet sniffed at Lizzy’s question and curled her lip. “In your father’s letter, he stated that with five lovely daughters and his impending guilt about the entail, he wished to do us a service.”
“Mama that could mean anything. He might wish to attempt to establish dowries for us or offer us shelter if the worst should befall us before we are married.”
“You believe that, Jane,” said Mrs. Bennet wringing her hands, “but I know a thing or two about men, and once he sees you, he will have his mind set.” Turning to Lizzy, she said, “There is no need for you to worry. Or you Mary. He would never be taken with someone as plain as you. I still wonder at Mr. Hamilton’s attentions, but at least I will not have to worry about my eldest two. That will be a comfort.”
Jane squeezed Lizzy’s hand as Mrs. Bennet stood and straightened her dress. “No, I think Kitty will do.”
“Me?” Kitty sputtered her hands freezing in the middle of a stitch. “Why me? We do not even know what this Mr. Collins is like! Although I am sure he is an amiable man, and a parson is an excellent profession, I am uncertain if I am ready to become a wife.”
“And yet it does not matter,” her mother retorted, sauntering to the doorway. “You will be the one who will save your mama from destitution and allow me to keep being the mistress of Longbourn until I die. I would rather it be Lydia,” she said glancing at her youngest daughter affectionately, “but, she is not meant to be a parson’s wife. She has too much of an adventurous spirit.” Mrs. Bennet then exited the room calling for Hill.
“How amIto be forced into a marriage I do not aspire to; with a man I do not love?” Kitty cried frantically, looking from Jane to Lizzy. “How is this to be endured?” Her bravado left her as she slumped into the chair and buried her face in her hands, wracked with quiet sobs.
Lizzy looked at Jane and shook her head. “Kitty, darling, I understand your concern, but I think this is a rather premature. We are unaware of what the gentleman wants.”
“Besides, Papa will not force you to marry anyone.”
