Another Proposal, page 1
Another Proposal
Jann Rowland
By Jann Rowland
Published by One Good Sonnet Publishing:
Pride and Prejudice Adaptations
Acting on Faith
A Life from the Ashes (Sequel to Acting on Faith)
Open Your Eyes
Implacable Resentment
An Unlikely Friendship
Bound by Love
Cassandra
Obsession
Shadows Over Longbourn
The Mistress of Longbourn
My Brother’s Keeper
Coincidence
The Angel of Longbourn
Chaos Comes to Kent
In the Wilds of Derbyshire
The Companion
The Angel of Longbourn
Chaos Comes to Kent
In the Wilds of Derbyshire
The Companion
Out of Obscurity
What Comes Between Cousins
A Tale of Two Courtships
Murder at Netherfield
Whispers of the Heart
A Gift for Elizabeth
Mr. Bennet Takes Charge
The Impulse of the Moment
The Challenge of Entail
A Matchmaking Mother
Another Proposal
Courage Always Rises: The Bennet Saga
The Heir’s Disgrace
Pride and Prejudice Adaptations
Co-Authored with Lelia Eye
Waiting for an Echo
Waiting for an Echo Volume One: Words in the Darkness
Waiting for an Echo Volume Two: Echoes at Dawn
Waiting for an Echo Two Volume Set
A Summer in Brighton
A Bevy of Suitors
Love and Laughter: A Pride and Prejudice Short Stories Anthology
The Earth and Sky Trilogy
Co-Authored with Lelia Eye
On Wings of Air
On Lonely Paths
On Tides of Fate*
*Forthcoming
This is a work of fiction, based on the works of Jane Austen. All the characters and events portrayed in this novel are products of Jane Austen’s original novel, the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL
Copyright © 2019 Jann Rowland
Cover Design by Jann Rowland
Published by One Good Sonnet Publishing
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 1989212123
ISBN-13: 9781989212127
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, digital, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
To my family who have, as always, shown
their unconditional love and encouragement.
Table of Contents
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
For Readers Who Liked Another Proposal
About the Author
Chapter I
A day can make a profound difference in a life. Whether it is a day of upheaval, the arrival of a long-awaited acquaintance, or an event of significance, the fortune of a single day and how it may change the future in a fashion both dramatic and unexpected cannot be underestimated. For Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire, that day was November 27th.
The previous evening, when the Bennets had gathered at Netherfield Park with the principal families of the neighborhood, had been nothing less than a disaster in Elizabeth’s mind. From a personal perspective, Elizabeth had repined the absence of Mr. Wickham, cursed the attention of her silly cousin, Mr. Collins—who had not only embarrassed her on the dance floor but prevented her from enjoying the rest of the evening—and endured her dance with Mr. Darcy, the objectionable man staying with Mr. Bingley.
More than this, however, was the behavior of her family, who had seemed to have made a pact to show themselves in the worst possible light. If it was not Mary’s horrendous display at the pianoforte, it was Kitty and Lydia’s wildness, and if their behavior was not the crowning achievement of the evening, it was Mrs. Bennet’s loud proclamations concerning Jane’s imminent engagement to Mr. Bingley and her certainty her other daughters would marry wealthy men while riding the coattails of his influence. And who could forget Mr. Collins, his simpering stupidity, his lack of knowledge of anything resembling proper manners, his ineptitude on the dance floor, and his insistence on addressing Mr. Darcy without a proper invitation? Even her father was not above the spectacle, for his manner of pulling Mary away from her intent to display her “talents” likely caused as much damage as any of the other events.
Poor Jane! Elizabeth truly believed Mr. Bingley’s addresses to her sister would be forthcoming should he overcome the objectionable performance of her family. If he now decamped from Netherfield, leaving Jane heartbroken, the Bennets would have no one to blame but themselves, and the way Elizabeth felt that morning, they would not escape her wrath should it come to pass.
Then, Elizabeth was beset by her cousin’s silly addresses of his own, possibly the worst proposal of marriage Elizabeth could imagine. That she rejected him out of hand should be of surprise to no one. In that opinion, however, she was not taking into account the feelings of her mother, a woman deathly afraid of losing her home when her husband departed the world, and the blindness of her supposed suitor. But Elizabeth remained steadfast and refused to bend, and when her father supported her, there was nothing either her mother or her unwanted suitor could do. This did not stop them from making their sentiments known, regretfully.
“You have betrayed me, Lizzy!” Elizabeth endured the shrieks of her mother as best she could, knowing Mrs. Bennet would not allow her to escape anytime soon. “How you expect me to keep you when your father is gone, I cannot say, for our circumstances will be so much reduced that I shall not even be able to keep myself!”
On and on Mrs. Bennet’s harangue continued, Elizabeth doing her best to ignore her. Though the reproaches would continue for some time, eventually, her mother would tire herself and remove to her rooms upstairs where she could lament in solitude and nurse her frustration.
“Perhaps you have convinced your father in this instance,” continued her mother, “but know this: I shall not forever put up with your recalcitrance. Should you ever be favored with another offer of marriage, I shall carry my point. I shall not allow another proposal to slip through our fingers!”
The coming of Charlotte Lucas was a godsend, for she proposed to invite Mr. Collins to dine at Lucas Lodge that evening. A sensible friend, Elizabeth was quick to offer her gratitude.
“It is no trouble, Lizzy,” said Charlotte, regarding her with her usual good humor. “Should Mr. Collins spend the evening at Lucas Lodge perhaps his offense will be softened enough that he will become good company again.”
Elizabeth found it politic to refrain from stating he had never been agreeable company. “Perhaps,” was all Elizabeth could say in reply.
When Mr. Collins entered the room, his hat and his overcoat already adorning his frame, he made a point of not looking at Elizabeth. Then he seemed to think better of it, for before he donned his gloves, he turned and gazed at Elizabeth. The sight of the anger and vindictive pettiness in his eyes did nothing to assure Elizabeth of his good behavior.
“I shall repeat what I said earlier to you, Cousin Elizabeth,” said the man in his usually pompous tones. “There is little chance you will ever receive another offer of marriage, for I cannot imagine a man who would willingly connect himself to a woman of such impertinence and lack of judgment.”
Everyone present ignored Mrs. Bennet’s keening wail, in particular, Elizabeth who was now watching this man with utter contempt. Mr. Collins seemed to notice nothing, for he turned his attention to pulling his gloves over his pudgy hands and continued his diatribe.
“I suppose I must give you my grudging thanks for allowing me to make a most fortuitous escape, little though I appreciate your attempts to attract my attention before refusing my addresses. It should have been a punishment to be caught in a lifetime of your company with no opportunity for reprieve.”
While Elizabeth would have loved nothing more than to inform this ridiculous man what she thought of him, she controlled her temper and said only: “If you ever thought I welcomed your advances, then I apologize for misleading you. I never sought them. Indeed, I did my best to dissuade you.”
The weight of Mr. Collins’s gaze fell on her with the force of an anvil. “Yes, it appears you failed, Cousin, for I had no notion of it. Let me tell you this, and I suggest you take heed of it: should you remain unmarried when your father passes, you should know I will not take on the responsibility of your support. Your entire family should expect no compassion from me, for I shall not offer it.”
“And thus, you have proven your unsuitability,” Elizabeth could not refrain from saying, even as her mother again lamented his words. “You are no gentleman, sir, and it seems to me you are little suited to be a parson. I have never read in the Bible that one should avenge themselves upon those who displease them.”
Mr. Collins’s gaze became ever flintier, but Elizabeth was not about to listen to any more of his complaints. “You may be assured that I would never look to you for my support, sir. Put it from your mind, for I shall not be present on that day when you come into your inheritance.”
“Perhaps we should depart, Mr. Collins,” said Charlotte, looking between them with astonishment.
“Yes, you are correct,” replied the parson.
With a final tug on his glove, he turned and led Charlotte from the house, mercifully saying nothing more. Charlotte gave Elizabeth one expressive look before she followed him, leaving blessed silence in her wake. It was unfortunate that silence did not last.
“Oh, Lizzy, you have ruined us!” screeched Mrs. Bennet. “Utterly ruined us!”
Then her mother fled the room and, given the sounds emanating from beyond the door, Elizabeth was certain she had invaded her husband’s bookroom to once again berate him on the subject. Eager as she was for a little solitude, Elizabeth entered the sitting-room and sank into a nearby couch, her mind working over all that had happened that morning. Little did she know it was only the beginning; if she had known what was to come, it was possible Elizabeth might have fled Longbourn for Upper Canada.
It was nothing less than the poorest of fortune that saw Darcy encounter the Bennets’ fool of a cousin as he approached Longbourn. That the man was in high dudgeon was evident in his quick stride, which forced the young lady following him, Miss Lucas, to hurry to keep pace with him. His demeanor changed in an instant as soon as he caught sight of Darcy.
“Mr. Darcy,” said the gentleman, approaching Darcy where he stood by his horse, having just dismounted. “It is fortunate to meet you here and good of you to pay the compliment of your august presence at my cousin’s humble estate.”
The thought of Mr. Collins’s words, in contradiction to Darcy’s thoughts only a moment before, amused him. Collins’s next words, however, did not.
“At this moment, however, I would recommend against a visit, for I fear Lady Catherine would not approve of your association with such an inferior and improper family. It is my most strenuous advice that you mount your horse once again and ride away, never to return.”
“That is a heavy charge, Mr. Collins,” said Darcy, masking his sudden annoyance. “It seems to me a clergyman should not say such things about another family, and doubly so when you are connected so closely to them as you are to the Bennets.”
“One would agree with you if he did not know the situation,” replied Mr. Collins with a vigorous nod of his head. “My connection to the Bennet family is a mistake, of which, you may be certain I shall remedy without delay. If you have occasion to speak with Lady Catherine before my return to Kent, I should ask you to assure her that my break with the family will be of a permanent nature. I have little desire to risk Lady Catherine’s displeasure by continuing to associate with those of such a base nature.”
“I believe that is more than enough, Mr. Collins,” snapped Darcy, noting Miss Lucas’s dismay. It was Darcy’s understanding that Miss Elizabeth was a close friend—she would not like this characterization at all. “It is not proper to speak in such a manner about anyone, regardless of their offenses against you.”
“And the offenses are great!” cried Mr. Collins. “Do you know I came to Longbourn at the express wish of her ladyship, your venerable aunt? She advised me with her usual condescension that I am not only her clergyman but that I am also a man in the time of life where I should seek a companion. As I am to inherit this estate, she advised me to look among my cousin’s daughters for a wife.
“Of course, Lady Catherine could never know what a family to whom I would connect myself! She could never have dreamed what I would find here, so I cannot hold your aunt at fault for anything that has passed since I came. To do so would be beyond the pale, for she is the wisest lady in all the land!”
By this time Darcy was near to boxing this silly man’s ears and eager to be away from him. Had he continued to blather on in such a fashion, Darcy might have excused himself and entered the house. But then he said something which astonished Darcy.
“I have never been so offended in my entire life as this morning! To be refused by a lady with little to recommend her, one who should have been caught in the heights of gratitude that any man would propose marriage to her—how is anyone to suffer such affront? But vengeance shall be mine, for I cannot imagine her ever receiving another proposal of marriage—I am certain she never shall, for her portion is so small and her impertinence so great, no man could withstand it, even for a womanly figure and a comely face!”
Several missing pieces of the puzzle fell into place in Darcy’s mind. The image of Mr. Collins, dancing the first with Miss Elizabeth, bumbling and stumbling about, embarrassing her, apologizing when he should be attending, approaching Darcy himself without an introduction, all flashed before his eyes in an instant. Then Darcy turned the full weight of his displeasure on the ineffectual parson. It seemed Mr. Collins realized he had angered Darcy.
“Am I to understand you made an offer of marriage this morning?”
“She rejected me!” wailed Mr. Collins.
“Who?
“Why, Cousin Elizabeth!”
Mr. Collins regarded him as if he thought Darcy was daft, and for a moment Darcy felt he had been blind. The man’s behavior the previous evening, the only time they had been in company together, had been that of a suitor, albeit an ineffectual one. Mr. Collins found his tongue again, for he continued his diatribe against Miss Elizabeth and the Bennet family, while Darcy considered the situation.
In fact, Darcy was not even certain himself why he was here. Longbourn was an estate he had never visited, and the presence of the alluring Miss Elizabeth Bennet was as much a reason for his incivility as his distaste for the other inhabitants. Yet, when confronted by Miss Bingley’s harangues against the neighborhood, her anger at her brother for insisting they host the ball the previous evening, and her desire to close the house that very day and return to London, Darcy had grown annoyed with her and departed for a ride. It had not been conscious thought that had led him here, but here he now was. The question was, what should he do? Could he have any thought of offering for a woman of Miss Elizabeth’s position in society? Could he withstand the characters of her improper family if he did so?
“Mr. Collins!” said Miss Lucas, interrupting the parson in mid-rant and surprising Darcy at the same time. “Shall we not depart? I believe my father is eager to speak with you, sir.”
“Yes, yes, that is for the best,” said Mr. Collins, nodding his head with emphatic eagerness. “The sooner we are away from Longbourn, the better. I would encourage you, in the most strenuous manner I can muster, to follow our example and depart.”
“I believe, Mr. Collins, I will keep my own counsel about those with whom I will associate. Your advice is neither welcome nor required.”
The parson did not seem to understand him, thus it was fortunate Miss Lucas did, for she once again beckoned, leaving Mr. Collins no choice but to follow. That did not prevent him from continuing to speak, even as he bowed and began to make his way down the drive.
“I hope to see you again in Kent in the spring, sir, for I understand it is your custom to visit your aunt at that time of year. Perhaps I shall convey your greetings to that delicate flower, Miss Anne de Bourgh, for whom I know you must pine exceedingly. And who would not? She is a jewel among women, one who could not help but be a credit to any man. How fortunate it is that she is to be your bride!”
“Mr. Collins!” snapped Darcy, closing the short distance between them and glaring down on the startled man. “Do not speak of matters of which you know nothing. I have not proposed to my cousin, so no engagement exists. I require you to cease spreading any rumors which suggest I have!”
For a moment, his command struck Mr. Collins with stupefaction. Then a cunning look—or what passed for one—spread over his stupid features and he, again, began bowing.
“No, I understand, sir. I shall say nothing—I shall wish you the best in your quest and salute your good taste and judgment.”
Darcy was beginning to weigh the benefits of taking the parson by the scruff of the neck and propelling him from Longbourn when Miss Lucas prevailed on him to depart. As the parson retreated, still bowing as he went, with Miss Lucas by his side, Darcy noted her embarrassment. Of more immediate concern was the fact that Mr. Collins knew anything about this supposed cradle betrothal between himself and Anne. Darcy supposed he would need to take her in hand again and warn her against spreading such rumors. Then again, perhaps that would not be necessary . . . .
