Prologue
November 27, 1811
Longbourn
Elizabeth
“Foolish, headstrong girl! Mr. Bennet! Mr. Bennet!” Elizabeth’s mother, Mrs. Frances Bennet, pushed past her and hurried down the hallway toward the study. Elizabeth hastened after her; she needed the chance to defend her actions.Papa will understand,she reassured herself.
“Mr. Bennet! You must make Lizzy marry Mr. Collins!” Mama’s shrill voice carried. No doubt Mr. Collins could hear it in the parlor where they had left him.
“Why is my peace being disrupted in such a manner?” Mr. Bennet’s voice sounded irritated, and he peeked over the top of the book he held, his expression reflecting his tone.
“Mr. Collins has proposed to Lizzy, and she has declared she will not have him. Now there is very great danger thathewill not have Lizzy! You must make her accept him.”
Mr. Bennet turned to Elizabeth. “Well, Lizzy? Has my cousin proposed?”
She swallowed. “He has. And I have refused him.” She grimaced. The memory of his sweaty hand on hers made her cringe.
“It seems my child that you have a choice before you. Your mother wishes you to accept Mr. Collins—”
Mrs. Bennet cut in. “Yes! Or I shall never speak to her again!”
“—if you do not accept Mr. Collins, your mother will never speak to you again.” He paused, removing his spectacles and polishing them before continuing. “And I shall never speak to you if you do.”
Elizabeth sighed in relief. “Thank you, Papa!” She turned to leave, but her mother grabbed her arm.
“Take heed, Miss Lizzy. If you do not marry Mr. Collins, you will have no place with me when your father dies. A man spurned will not countenance having the woman who refused him in his household. If it comes to choosing between you or a place to live, I will not hesitate to select the latter! Your selfish disdain for the feelings of others has been well-demonstrated. I will protect my other, more grateful children and leave you to your own devices.”
Elizabeth did not take her mother’s words very seriously. Mrs. Bennet often became overwrought. When Mr. Bingley proposed to Jane, her mother’s fears would be alleviated and her ire toward Elizabeth would dissipate.
Still, she bit her lip nervously and glanced at her father. He rolled his eyes and winked, and she smiled in return. Mama released her and she spun away, hurrying toward the back door to escape into nature.
Chapter One
November 27, 1811
Meryton
Charlotte
Miss Charlotte Lucas walked briskly down the well-trod path from Lucas Lodge to Longbourn. The ladies of both houses customarily met after a ball or assembly to discuss the event and all that pertained to it. That day, however, Charlotte came alone. The late night had prompted Lady Lucas to remain abed longer than was her usual wont. Charlotte’s impatience to speak with her friend drove her from the house without her mother and sister.
She cherished her friendship with Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, despite the disparity in their ages. They shared the same wry sense of humor, the same love of the ridiculous. Elizabeth’s romantic sensibilities differed from Charlotte’spractical nature, however.Shesaw happiness in marriage as being entirely a matter of chance, while Elizabeth determined she would marry for nothing but the deepest of love. Charlotte mused on these thoughts as she walked, for it was just this topic that urged her onward. Her friend’s cousin, Mr. Collins, made his intentions clear last night. He meant to propose to Elizabeth, and Charlotte feared her friend would act rashly, discarding the offer without considering the consequences of her refusal.
As she approached Longbourn House, a cacophony of sounds reached her ear before she drew close enough to knock. Mrs. Bennet’s shrieks of displeasure were readily heard. Charlotte knew instantly that she was too late to speak to her friend. Mr. Collins, it seemed, had not delayed in offering his proposals.
Mrs. Hill opened the door to Charlotte’s raised hand. “Oh, Miss Lucas!” she said, grimacing. “The house is in an uproar. I fear that announcing you will do little good in drawing the attention of my mistress. Mrs. Bennet is in a right state!”
“Simply point me toward Miss Elizabeth, Hill, and I shall manage the rest,” Charlotte said in commiseration. The close relationship the Lucases shared with the Bennets meant that this was not the first time Charlotte witnessed Mrs. Bennet’s histrionics. There always seemed to be something that caused the lady to have a fit of nerves, though she imagined thatthistime, Mrs. Bennet had some cause to be upset.
“Miss Lizzy has gone,” Hill replied. “Directly after Mr. Bennet said he would not force her to marry his heir. The missus has declared herself ill-used and gone off to bed.”
So, Lizzy refused him. My conjectures proved correct.
“Good morning, Charlotte.” Jane Bennet approached, vacating the small sitting room just down the hall from the entryway. “How do you do today?”
“I am well, though it seems there has been some excitement here.” Charlotte smiled pleasantly. “Is your sister resolved not to have Mr. Collins, then?”
