Elizabeth had heard enough. She curtsied. “I must look after my youngest sisters. They are barely out of the schoolroom and are still learning how to comport themselves in society. Excuse me.”
She fled.What a sour-faced viper.
It was a shame and a pity that the most handsome man of her acquaintance should have made her the subject of cruel jokes and unkind remarks. Doubtless, others like Miss Bingley had reveled in the joke or, at the very least, pitied her. Pity was almost worse. She had endured it for nearly a year after Nicholas abandoned her, and now this was fresh fodder for gossip.
She scanned the company and found her two sisters standing in a corner, giggling together. They were, thankfully, on their best behavior. As she drew nearer, she heard Lydia whispering about a Mr. Wickham.
“He is so handsome,” Lydia gushed. “And he winked at me. I giggled, and then he came over and said the others, especially Denny, had wagered he could not make me fall in love with him. So he decided to prove them wrong and show that he has looks and address enough to please any woman.”
Kitty giggled. “What did you say to that, Liddie?”
Lydia gave a loud, coarse laugh. “I told him I would help him win, but he must share the winnings with me since I am to help him.”
Elizabeth’s blood ran cold.The man is a scoundrel,she thought.He is after her virtue.She must speak to her father and to Uncle Phillips. Between them, they must save Lydia from herself.
She took a step forward, but a hand closed firmly around her elbow.
“My dear cousin,” Mr. Collins drawled, “where do you run off to now? Your father may be in league with you to put me off, but I assure you, your little game has only increased my interest.”
Elizabeth looked up into his eyes, unable to conceal the terror she felt. This man meant to have her, and he was enjoying the hunt. She must leave for London as soon as possible or be caught in his web. She tried to pull her arm free, but he only chuckled and tightened his grip.
He bent his head and said in a low voice. “Dear cousin, you cannot openly struggle with me in the church courtyard with the rector looking on and all your neighbors eager to see what comes next.”
She glanced around and saw a few busybodies watching them narrowly. She forced herself to relax.
“That is better,” he murmured. “Now smile, before people think you have something to hide. After all, we are living under the same roof.”
Her face drained of color. If he wished to compromise her, all he need do was whisper the smallest lie, and her reputation would be ruined.
Her vision darkened, and she felt weak, close to fainting.
“Miss Bennet,” a familiar voice said, “I have not yet had the pleasure of being introduced to your cousin. Will you do me the honor?”
For a moment, she could not think. Nausea and terror gripped her. Collins meant to have her, even if he must ruin her to do so.
His hand dropped from her elbow. Elizabeth bit the inside of her lip hard. The pain cleared her head. She curtsied to the elegant gentleman.
“Mr. Darcy, may I have the honor of presenting my cousin, Mr. William Collins, rector of Hunsford Parsonage in Kent?”
She then turned to her cousin. “Mr. Collins, allow me to present Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire, at present a guest of Mr. Bingley’s at Netherfield Park.”
Both men bowed.
Darcy asked with polite interest, “Hunsford Parsonage? So, you are the new rector. My aunt, Lady Catherine, wrote that she had finally engaged a qualified man.”
Collins answered stiffly, “Yes, Mr. Darcy. Lady Catherine is my patroness. I am much obliged to her for the gift of the living.”
Elizabeth scarcely heard the rest of their exchange. Her mind was on Lydia’s foolishness and Collins’s threats. She had heard the menace in his voice and seen the wicked intent in his eyes.
Mr. Darcy’s voice broke into her thoughts. “Miss Bennet, you look very pale. Pray, allow me to escort you to that bench. It is in a sheltered corner, and the sun will do you good.”
He did not wait for her reply. He took her gently by the elbow and guided her to the little bench. It was only large enough for one, and he stood behind it. She glanced at his face. The tall man was frowning at Mr. Collins as if daring him to approach her.
What was he about? If he were typical of gentlemen of the upper circles, then they were far too perplexing for her to comprehend. She remained in her quiet corner until her mother called her daughters to the carriage. Then Mr. Darcy handed her up and saw her seated between Jane and Mary.
She looked up at him. He had known she was distressed and had intervened to save her from her cousin. Why would he do so after the public set-down only two days past?
Elizabeth was now certain of two truisms: men were not to be trusted, nor were men easily understood. She had learned that lesson early from Nicholas Jones, but the lessons from Collins and Darcy were proving far more severe. She determined once again to remove to London as soon as it could be arranged.
