“Why do you have this?” she asked incredulously.
“Your loyalty has been called into question. How can you betray our patroness in such a way?” He sniffed disdainfully. “We can only disapprove of your sister’s machinations. And so, I must remind you that you are not to write that scheming harlot any longer.” His imperious tone made her jump; he sounded very much like Lady Catherine.
“Lizzy is my sister, Mr. Collins,” she said smoothly. “As a member of my family, and by extension, yours, it would not do to act in such a manner. It will bring condemnation upon us.”
“In refusing to acknowledge Miss Elizabeth Bennet, I would be showing my flock the example of righteousness. Associating with a grasping, devious creature is most certainly a sin. Her influence will poison those around her, drawing them away from that which is right and good.”
Jane’s temper flared.How dare he! Elizabeth has done nothing wrong.“Elizabeth has not sinned in any manner. How is it a crime against God to accept a proposal of marriage?”
“Because! Lady Catherine, who is far wiser than those beneath her, has deemed the union to be the greatest of follies. Who are we to question her wisdom? We owe our comfortable situation to that great lady and so our loyalty must be to her.”
Jane stood, hands trembling with anger. “My loyalty is to my family, as it should be. I will not abandon my sister.”
Mr. Collins’s face turned red. Jane had never stood her ground before. She had not had any reason to. “Is not a woman to leave her family and cleave unto her husband? Youwillobey me, wife.”
“I believe the verse says a husband will leave his family and cleave unto his wife. You, sir, cleave only to Lady Catherine. Who, then, would God judge to be in the wrong?” Jane’s words were deadly calm, her face like stone as she stared at her husband. He was nearly a head taller than she, but she did not cringe away as an ugly scowl crossed his face.
“As your husband,” he said, “I command you. You will not write to Elizabeth Bennet, nor to her conspiring friend, Miss Lucas. Both are not fitting companions or correspondents for the wife of a clergyman.”
He turned and made to leave the room. He paused at the door and turned, regarding Jane steadily. “Neither will ever be welcome in my home again. Not now, not when I have my due and inherit my estate.”
With that, he turned and left the room. Jane did not move until she heard the front door open and close. Still shaking, she collapsed in her chair and picked up her utensils, determined to finish her meal. If she did not, she would suffer for it. The child growing within her did not like it when their mama did not eat enough.
He has likely gone to condole with Lady Catherine,she thought. Mr. Collins had not told his wife where he meant to go, but Rosings Park seemed a likely place. Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam would come to the parsonage eventually looking for Elizabeth and she would have to tell him of her husband’s uncharitable actions.
The thought of being unable to write to Elizabeth sent a pang through her. For the first time since marrying Mr. Collins, she felt regret for her decision.I will not let him keep me from writing. I shall enclose letters to Lizzy in missives to my aunt Gardiner. She will see them safely delivered.
After breakfast, she retreated to her parlor, taking up her workbasket and sewing a shirt for one of the young parishioners.When visiting hours arrived, the knock at the door came as no surprise to her.
She moved to the sitting room and waited for Martha to show her visitors in. Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam were there, along with Lady de Bourgh.
“Good day, Mrs. Collins.” Mr. Darcy said coolly. Jane wondered what she had done to offend him.
“Good morning, Mr. Darcy. And Colonel Fitzwilliam, Lady de Bourgh.” Jane greeted each of her guests civilly and bade them to sit. She would not let the behavior of one affect her treatment of the others.
“Where is Elizabeth this morning?" Mr. Darcy glanced at the door as if expecting her to enter at any moment.
“I am afraid my sister is not here, sir.”
“What?” He stood up. “Where has she gone?”
“She is likely almost to London now,” Jane replied. “Please, sit, and I shall explain all.”
Mr. Darcy lowered himself into the chair slowly, rubbing a hand over his face.
“I assume, given your surprise, that you did not encounter Mr. Collins before coming here.” When they shook their heads, she explained her husband’s actions from the night before to that morning, including his interception of her note. Her delicate condition rendered her emotions close to the surface and tears filled her eyes. She choked out a sob and reached for a handkerchief.
“I shall never see her again, Mr. Darcy.”
Lady de Bourgh stood and came to her side, sitting beside Jane on the settee. “There, now, child,” she said soothingly. “You will see your sister again. For now, do as you have decided and enclose missives for her within those for another.”
Overwrought, Jane leaned against Lady de Bourgh’s shoulder, grateful for a mother figure at that time. Or grandmother figure,she supposed. When she ceased weeping, she pulled away, feeling slightly embarrassed. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “I never imagined it would come to this. I did not think my husband would be so unmoving. I suppose it should not surprise me. After she refused his hand, he was most seriously displeased.”
“He proposed to Elizabeth?” Mr. Darcy said abruptly.
“Yes,” Jane confirmed.
The gentleman frowned, saying no more.
