“And why is that?”
Mr. Collins seemed taken aback by the question. “Well… because I am to inherit. As the future master of Longbourn, it is surely proper that I acquaint myself with its accounts.”
Mr. Bennet waved a languid hand. “The ledgers, Mr. Collins? My dear sir, I would not dream of burdening you with such tedious reading.”
Mr. Collins drew himself up. “I fail to understand why I am denied this request.”
“My dear Mr. Collins,” Mr. Bennet replied evenly, “when the estate becomes yours, you may examine the ledgers to your heart’s content. Until that unfortunate day, I shall spare you the trouble.”
Mr. Collins hesitated, as though unwilling to relinquish the subject, before making a small sound of indignation and quitting the room, the door closing rather more forcefully than necessary behind him.
Mr. Bennet settled back into his chair with evident satisfaction. A nap, he decided, was unquestionably the better choice.
***
Mrs. Hurst smothered a sigh as Caroline swept into the drawing room and dropped into a chair beside her sister. “This ball of Charles’s is a dreadful idea. We must persuade him to abandon it.”
Mrs. Hurst glanced up from the fashion book she had been idly turning through. “Caroline, the ball is tomorrow. It cannot possibly be cancelled now. Do try to be sensible.”
“I am perfectly sensible. Charles is giving Miss Bennet far too much attention.”
Mrs. Hurst gave a small shrug. “She seems pleasant enough.”
Caroline made an impatient gesture. “It is not a question of whether she is pleasant. The question is whether she improves Charles’s standing in society. If only he would consider someone like Miss Darcy.”
Mrs. Hurst sighed. “She is not even out yet.” She turned another page. “Instead of troubling yourself over Charles, you might better attend to your own concerns. Oh, do look at this dress.”
Caroline sat up at once. “Iamattending to my own concerns. That tiresome Miss Eliza appears to have secured far too much of Mr. Darcy’s notice.”
Mrs. Hurst glanced briefly at the illustration before turning the page again. “Caroline, really. If Mr. Darcy intended to propose, he would surely have done so by now.”
Caroline stiffened. “No. I shall not see him thrown away upon such a connection. When he observes how a proper hostess conducts herself, he will come to his senses.”
Mrs. Hurst’s expression suggested doubt. “I believe you place rather more importance upon that than Mr. Darcy does. He can scarcely be persuaded to attend a ball at all.”
Caroline frowned. “That is only because he is forever pursued by the most tiresome women.”
Mrs. Hurst paused, a faint smile touching her lips at the irony, before calmly turning another page.
***
The Bennets, with Mr. Collins in tow, arrived at Lucas Lodge. The room was already fairly crowded with well-wishers from both Meryton and the militia.
Elizabeth looked around the room and then made her way over to Charlotte, who was standing next to Colonel Foster.“Good evening, Charlotte, Colonel Foster. Congratulations to you both.”
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth.”
Mr. Collins came up to the group. “Miss Elizabeth, you really should wait for me and not scamper off like that. It is most unseemly.”
“Thank you, Mr. Collins. However, I must inform you that I do not scamper.”
Mr. Collins paused for a moment to catch his breath. When he looked up, Miss Elizabeth had disappeared into the crowd.
***
Darcy entered Lucas Lodge and looked around for Elizabeth. They had arrived later than he had hoped due to whatever foolishness Miss Bingley was up to. Due to his height, he was able to see that Miss Elizabeth was walking away from Miss Lucas and Mr. Collins. He shook his head. I cannot blame her for wanting to avoid that man.
He made his way over to her. “Good evening, Miss Elizabeth. You look especially lovely tonight.”
