“Despite your wishes, I cannot accept your hand,” she said again. “My affection and wishes are unchanged. I cannot transfer them as readily as you.”
“Do prudence and practicality hold no sway with you? Your prospects are dwindling,” he countered. “You are nearly three-and-twenty. Do you expect to be saved from spinsterhood once your looks have faded and you enter genteel poverty on the death of your father? I offer you, and by extension, your mother and three youngest sisters, reprieve. Marry me and save your family. Mr. Bingley could not be induced to offer for you, and he is but the son of a tradesman. If one as lowborn as he will not have you, then who will? I am your only hope. It is not likely that you will be granted another offer.”
Each word sent pain stabbing through Jane’s heart. Had she not voiced the same arguments in her mind many times since receiving Miss Bingley’s letter? Elizabeth’s reasoning pushed through, reminding her to hope.
“I cannot.” Her words sounded strangled to her ears. She moved around the settee to make for the door, but her cousinmatched her movements. He reached out and grabbed her arm, stopping her.
“Forgive me, cousin,” he said. His hand moved down her arm until it wrapped around her fingers. He held her hand gently, yet firmly, and she did not attempt to free herself. “I did not intend to wound you. My words, honest though they were, have caused you pain. Your welfare and that of your familymustbe my first concern. Lady Catherine has demanded that I extend an olive branch, and it is essential that I follow her orders to the letter. With your father’s illness, there must be no delay. Only marriage will ensure your security.”
There was noise in the hallway, and the door opened as he sank to one knee. The pain in her heart caused tears to prick at her eyes. Jane’s confusion doubled as his words registered in her mind.Papa is ill?
“Jane?” Elizabeth asked.
“Oh! Mr. Collins! Have you proposed to Jane? Did I not tell you she is not for you?” Mama’s voice rang out sharply behind Elizabeth. Jane’s eyes closed slowly. There was no hope of keeping this farce quiet now.
“Mr. Bingley and his sisters have closed up Netherfield Park and departed for London,” Mr. Collins said. His tone sounded gleeful. “My dear cousin, intent on ensuring her family’s future, has consented to be my wife.”
Jane’s eyes shot open and met Elizabeth’s gaze. Too stunned to protest, Jane hoped her sister understood the desperate expression she gave her.
Elizabeth’s protestations were drowned out by Mrs. Bennet’s exclamations. “Gone? Mr. Bingley is gone? No! He was to marry our Jane.” Her protestations turned to excitement almost immediately. “But, oh, we are saved! Jane will be a much better wife than Lizzy, I assure you, Mr. Collins. You will not regret your choice. Mrs. Long! Our Jane is engaged!”
Mrs. Long wasalmostthe most notorious busybody in Meryton. News of her unwanted engagement would be around the small market town by sunset. If she tried to cry off now, her reputation and possibly that of her sisters’ would be ruined. Mr. Bingley—or any other man—would not marry a lady with a soiled reputation. To do so would destroy their sisters’ chances of making a good match.
Did she wish to cry off? Her bruised heart protested against marrying anyone other than Mr. Bingley. She loved him, and she thought he loved her. But he was gone. Her beauty had once again failed to secure her an offer of marriage. She remembered Charlotte’s remarks just days before on practicality and suitability and her panic turned to resignation. No, Jane’s fate was sealed. She would marry Mr. Collins, despite having never accepted his proposals, and would take comfort in saving her mother and sisters from destitution. There would be little else to soothe her. Thiswaslove. She would marry for the love of her family, if not for the love of her future husband.
Jane’s fingers, once limp in Mr. Collins’s hand, wrapped around his and squeezed gently. He felt the change and stood, drawing her arm through his and casting a triumphant smile at her. Placing his hand over the one looped through his arm, he leaned in and whispered in her ear.
“You will have no cause to repine.” His breath was hot against her neck as he spoke, and she could hear promise mixed with joy in his voice. She struggled not to recoil but nodded docilely. Aloud, Mr. Collins said, “You have made me the happiest of men.” He lifted her hand and kissed her fingers, his lips lingering there for longer than was comfortable.You will become used to his attentions ‘ere long,she told herself.
Her mother, Mrs. Long, and Mrs. Long’s nieces surrounded the pair, offering their well wishes and speaking of wedding dates.
“A spring wedding would be very fine,” Mrs. Bennet said before Mr. Collins interrupted her.
“No, we must marry immediately,” he said. “I cannot be away from my parish overly long, and it is unbearable to be parted from my dear Jane! I will write to Lady Catherine, informing her of my impending nuptials. We will call the first banns on Sunday and be married immediately after the last are called.”
“You forget, sir, that you must have my father’s permission before you marry my sister.” Elizabeth’s voice cut like a knife and Mr. Collins turned to regard her.
“My dear Jane is of age, you know, and need not have his permission to marry. I assure you, my dear cousin, that your father’s blessing will be granted readily when we approach him. How can he refuse when your sister has accepted me?”
Mr. Collins’s grip tightened on Jane’s hand, and she swallowed.
“Of course he will give his blessing!” Mrs. Bennet cried loudly, approaching her daughter and taking her arm. “Jane will do what is right by her family. She is not so unobliging as Lizzy.” Mama’s hand squeezed her arm slightly and Jane glanced at her. The warning in her gaze could not be mistaken. Mama would insist that her eldest comply. If Jane could not have Mr. Bingley, then Mr. Collins would do just as well.
“Let us go now,” Mr. Collins said, pomposity radiating out of him. He looped Jane’s arm back through his and pulled her toward the door. She followed mutely, shock and resignation stealing her voice.
The journey to her father’s study was not long enough for Jane to regain any equilibrium. When Mr. Collins presented their engagement to Mr. Bennet, she offered not a word of protest.
“I will speak with Jane privately before we proceed,” Mr. Bennet replied.
“Very well,” Mr. Collins said. “I shall await you in the hallway, my love.” He smiled, and she nodded, and he departed, pulling the heavy oak door mostly closed behind him.
What have I done?Her thoughts cleared, the clarity inciting panic, and she twisted her hands nervously.Papa will save me, she told herself.
“Jane?” Mr. Bennet’s voice recalled her to where she was. “Have you accepted my cousin’s hand in marriage?”
Jane swallowed, glancing at the partially open door. Was that Mr. Collins’s shadow she saw? Or was it Mama, come to ensure Jane’s compliance? “He asked to marry me, yes,” she said, feeling unwilling to lie to her father.
Mr. Bennet eyed her, his gaze all too knowing. “You need not throw yourself away on my idiotic cousin,” he said. “Why not wait for your Mr. Bingley? He is to return in a few days’ time, is he not?”
