“Does that mean if another young man of better character but equivalent impoverishment sought her attention, you would approve?”
“I hope you do not think I am in the habit of allowing her exposure to just anyone. Whose side are you on?” he asked, exasperated.
“Yours, and hers,” Elizabeth declared. “It is only that Ihavesisters, with varying shades of sense to them. We may be in for some cold winds in that direction, if bitterness is the attitude she adopts towards me.”
His fists knotted upon his thighs. “It is the attitude she has adopted towards me, but what do you expect I should do? I cannot and will not give you up, no matter her sentiments.”
She placed her gloved hands over his. “I am thankful you feel that way. It is certainly not what I am suggesting. I am only trying to prepare myself for that possible resentment, to understand it in advance, and plan my campaign to make her love me anyway.” She smiled up at him.
He shook his head, and took her again into his arms. “Iwas the farthest man in the world from matrimony when I met you, and yet, here I am. She is young, gullible, but not particularly stupid. She will not be able to help loving you. No one could.”
Elizabeth rested there, against his heart, for as long as she dared. How she hoped it would be true! That she and Darcy would have the happy home they both yearned for! Yet, the memory of Fanny’s hatred reminded her that noteveryonecould love her. It was foolish to expect it.
31
USEFUL PONTIFICATION
Mrs Bennet had often pushed up against Jane’s management of the household over the years, but Jane was patient, and of course had the full backing of her husband, who would not tolerate Jane’s unhappiness. Her mother’s feelings for Mr Collins might be mixed, but she would never out and out defy the master of the household. Lizzy did not expect to have the same support—she had heard enough complaints upon her failures since her widowhood—and in this, she was soon proved correct.
Jane, Mr Collins, Elizabeth, and Mrs Bennet were gathered round the table in the breakfast parlour, only a day after moving back to Longbourn. Elizabeth was occupied worrying a little about Jane’s colouring. She had only toast upon her plate, and appeared pale in the morning light. Was she with child? Or was her former illness a lingering one? Her mother, however, paid no notice to Jane’s appetite.
“Lizzy, is that all you are eating for breakfast? Here, I shall add some kippers. You are looking gaunt,” her motherinformed her, interrupting her thoughts and spooning a couple of fishy figures onto her plate. “Mr Robinson has been a widower for almost a year now. If you are wise, you will put some meat on your bones. Surely your settlement was enough that you could have been eating proper meals before this. Besides which, I have not seen you in anything except last year’s fashions since Ashwood’s death. It is time to look to the future.”
“I am not interested in Mr Robinson, Mama,” Elizabeth said calmly but with an internal sigh. “Not now, not ever.”
“It is just like you to reject the idea out of hand,” Mrs Bennet retorted. “You have already lost one estate, and now think to languish on this one without making any effort to redeem yourself.”
“Mama!” Jane snapped. “You will cease speaking to Lizzy in this manner.”
Elizabeth’s brows raised. This was a very un-Jane-like tone of voice.
“She speaks to me in any mannershechooses! I am her mother, and my ideas for her future ought to be treated with respect!”
“I daresay she will respect your ideas when you behave respectably. Suggesting she throw herself at every widower in the county isdisrespectful in the extreme. William,” Jane said, turning to her husband, her voice still full of emotion. “Please help Mama understand your views upon the pride and greed of Mr and Mrs Ashwood, and how their most selfish actions have resulted in Lizzy’s current circumstances, which Christian charity and upright, honourable thinking ought to have prevented.”
Mr Collins entire face lit up. “Now?” he asked. “Is it time?”
“It is time,” Jane said, her voice quieting. As he withdrew several pieces of paper from his pocket, she turned to her sister. “Lizzy, take your plate, and let us finish breakfast in the orangery. We have a little table in there, where we can enjoy finer views than currently supplied by our weather.”
Elizabeth, slightly bemused, took up hers, but when Mrs Bennet began to do the same, Mr Collins laid a hand upon her shoulder.
“Dear lady, I feel required, by the morals imputed to us by a merciful God, to increase your understanding upon certain basic tenants of the creed and convictions we both must share. Please, resume your seat.” His touch was gentle but unyielding. Mrs Bennet sat down again.
Elizabeth said nothing until she and Jane were both seated in the small orangery, breathing in the unseasonable fragrances of a hundred blooms. “What was that about?”
Jane wore a small smile. “As you have recently reminded me, William trained for the church.”
“Yes.”
“It has been a regret of his that he was unable to ever serve in that capacity. He has always wanted to sermonise, but of course, under usual circumstances, such lectures lead to nothing more useful than a megrim and I cannot abide them. However, after yesterday’s silly conflict over bedchambers, I gave him to understand that he might prepare several orations on the subjects of charity, pride, forgiveness, and the like. I asked him to begin with one upon the pride which rules Fanny and John Ashwood’s meagre hearts, and that he ought to instruct Mama in all of the principles she has obviously failed to learn at church. He stayed up quite late last night preparing his first one. I do not think either of us believed he would have the opportunity to preach it quite sosoon, but worry not. He will soon have his discourses resupplied.”
Elizabeth covered her mouth to prevent a giggle. “Do you mean to say that any time Mama speaks out of turn, she will be subject to a sermon?”
“I do. I am the only one who can stop William from moralising, once he has commenced. I have no interest in interrupting him, at present.”
“Why, that is incredible! You are brilliant, Jane!”
Jane sighed rather than smiled. “William is a good man, Lizzy. Sometimes I feel Ishouldpay more attention to what he says.”
