As he set off at a gallop, his mind told him it was folly, that he still stood a chance of freeing himself from Elizabeth’s influence, and that if he stayed, he may well reach the point of no return.
His heart had other ideas. It leapt at the chance of staying. It sang with joy of relief. It whispered that he could be with Elizabeth when she needed him. In the absence of Mr. Bennet, if something happened to Mrs. Bennet, she would need help. Collins could not be relied upon.
Ultimately, he had no choice. It was, quite simply, the only honorable thing to do.
Chapter 2
27 November 1811, one hour earlier
“Oh, girls, this isthe happiest day of my life. We are saved!”
Mrs. Bennet was waving her hands in excitement. The Bennet girls were all sitting in the morning room, except for Lizzy, who was in the parlor with Mr. Collins.
Lydia snorted. Poor Lizzy, to be married to such a pompous fool! She would rather drown herself than be shackled to such a dismal bore.
She yawned loudly at the very thought of it.
“He should have proposed tome,” said Mary. “I believeIam the most suited to Mr. Collins of all my sisters. Unfortunately, he is too taken in by appearances. The saying goes, ‘Do not judge a book by its cover,’ but Mr. Collins lacks the discernment to follow this adage. Lizzy will not make him a good wife.”
“What is that to the purpose, I should like to know?” said Mrs. Bennet, dismissively. “Lizzy will do her duty and ensure we are not destitute. That is all that matters. When Mr. Bennet dies, Lizzy will become mistress of Longbourn.”
Lydia sat up in her chair and stared at her mother.
“What do you mean, Lizzy will become mistress of Longbourn?”
“La, Lydia!” said Kitty, giggling at Lydia’s ignorance. “It means that once Papa dies, Lizzy will take over this house, and will lord it over us all.”
Lydia’s head ached as she chewed over the implications. No wonder Mama was so desperate for one of them to marry Mr. Collins! Mr. Collins may not have looked at plain old Mary, but Lydia had caught him glancing at her own bosom more than once. She was the handsomest of her sisters. She could capture Mr. Collins easily. She had not wanted to, but that was only because no one ever told her anything. And now it was too late. Lizzy had sunk her teeth into him, and in a few minutes, he would be hers.
Imagine being mistress of Longbourn! Lydia began to dream of the possibilities. She would have precedence over all her sisters, and they would need her permission if they wanted to buy a new hat or order a new gown. Why, even Mama would bow to her wishes! Lydia could plan dances and dinners with the officers. She would order a gleaming new carriage instead of that horrid old rattling coach that must be a hundred years old at least. And she would go to London, and promenade in Hyde Park to show off her fashionable clothes.
“Compose yourselves, girls,” said Mrs. Bennet. “Mr. Collins will be here any moment to announce his engagement to Lizzy. It is very fortunate that Mr. Bennet was called away, for I can never know for certain how he will react and what he will say.”
Lydia’s dreams disappeared into thin air. The exciting new world slipped away, and she was left with miserable reality.Lizzywould have that life.Lizzywould have that control.Lizzywould lord it over them all and make them do what she wanted.
She hated Lizzy with a passion for taking her dreams from her.
