Mr. Bennet’s jaw hardened. “That girl!”
He led the way up the stairs, the entire household, including Mr. Collins, following in his wake. He threw open the door to Elizabeth’s chamber and strode inside, his eyes scanning the room with the careful attention of a man searching for clues.
It did not take much to notice what was missing.
“Her trunk is gone,” he said angrily.
Mary stepped into the room. “The gown she wore last night. The hairbrush Aunt Gardiner gave her. A few of her books.”
He moved to the bed and picked up the folded paper on the pillow.
The silence in the room was absolute as he unfolded it and read the brief message. His face stilled—which Mary knew from experience was far more dangerous than his anger.
“I will not marry him,” Mr. Bennet read aloud. Thenhe turned to Mr. Collins. “It would appear, sir, that my daughter has made her feelings on the matter quite clear.”
Mr. Collins’s mouth opened and closed several times, like a fish gasping for air. “But—but this is inconceivable! We had an understanding! You assured me?—”
“Mr. Collins,” Mr. Bennet said, his voice cool, “I see that I should have paid closer attention to Elizabeth’s wishes rather than allowing myself to be persuaded otherwise.”
He turned to Mrs. Hill, who stood in the doorway wringing her hands. “You saw Elizabeth this morning. What time was that?”
“Around noon, sir. She was dressed for walking, as usual.”
“And her manner? Did she seem uncertain? Upset?”
Mrs. Hill hesitated. “She did not stop to speak with me. But her bearing seemed as she ever is.”
Mr. Bennet’s eyes narrowed. Jane was sobbing.
“Jane, did Elizabeth tell you of her plans?”
“No, Papa.”
“Mary. Did your sister confide in you?” Mary felt his gaze pierce like a blade.
She would not lie outright—that would negate Elizabeth’s sacrifice. But neither would she reveal what she knew.
“Lizzy told Jane and me that she had no wish to marry Mr. Collins,” Mary said carefully. “She felt that she and Mr. Collins would not suit. She believed someone else might make him a better wife.”
“Someone?” Mrs. Bennet screeched. “And did she happen to mention who this someone might be?”
Heat crept up her neck, but Mary held her ground. “She may have suggested that Mr. Collins and I share similar interests in matters of faith and music.”
The silence that followed was broken by Mrs. Bennet’s wail.
“You? Marry Mr. Collins? But you are—you are—” Mrs. Bennet seemed unable to complete the sentence, which Mary supposed was probably for the best.
Mr. Collins, however, appeared to be considering this new information with surprising thoughtfulness. “Miss Elizabeth is correct. Miss Mary and I have indeed had several most edifying conversations on theological matters,” he said slowly. “She displays a proper respect for the teachings of the church, and her musical abilities, while modest, are executed with appropriate solemnity.”
“Mr. Collins,” Mr. Bennet said brusquely. “My second daughter has run away rather than marry you. Perhaps we might postpone discussions of alternate candidates until we have located her?”
“Of course, of course.” Mr. Collins had the grace to be abashed. “Though I must say, Mr. Bennet, this reflects very poorly on Miss Elizabeth’s character. Lady Catherine will be most displeased when she learns of this behavior.”
“I am certain we shall all survive Lady Catherine’s displeasure,” Mr. Bennet said dryly. He turned to the family. “The question remains: Where has Elizabeth gone? She cannot have walked far, not with a trunk. Unless she had help.”
His eyes swept over each person in the room, and Mary forced herself to meet his scrutiny without flinching.She thought of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, already arrived in London by now.
“I shall have to search for her on my own, I suppose,” Mr. Bennet continued. “If Elizabeth has taken the mail coach, someone will have seen her.” He surveyed each of his remaining daughters before his eyes settled upon his wife. “Until we find her, we will not speak of this to anyone outside of this house. To the ladies who come to discuss the ball, nothing will be said about Lizzy. Only that she is still in her chambers. None of you—Mr. Collins included—are to leave Longbourn.”
