Mr. Darcy appreciated the form of Elizabeth Bennet as she walked away. He could not keep his eyes off her no matter how much he willed himself to do so. She drew his eyes like a moth to flame. Now she was out of sight, he sighed and flattened his lips. He had the distasteful task of being around the rest of the Bennet family, all who irritated him except for the eldest two.

But he had to do this as he planned to watch Miss Bennet's treatment of Charles. If she treated Charles the same as any other visitor, then they would need to have a talk with Charles. Yes, it was sad Miss Bennet's father had just died, but that was no reason for Charles to propose marriage to someone that did not love him. Mr. Darcy knew how often his friend fell in love, at least six times a year. It was Mr. Darcy's job as a friend to keep Charles out of trouble.

The group walked into the drawing room with Mr. Bingley leading the way. He shared heartfelt condolences with Mrs. Bennet who implored Mr. Bingley sit near Miss Bennet on the sofa. Mr. Darcy watched Miss Bennet carefully. He saw Miss Bennet look up at Charles with a smile, but no other sign he was someone special to her.

Mr. Darcy stood back in a corner of the drawing room after he had uttered the most perfunctory of condolences to Mrs. Bennet. Which seemed to be all right by her because she did not even thank him. Even at her husband's lying in state Mrs. Bennet could not behave with good manners.

Miss Bingley soon joined him in the corner. "How long do you think we will have to stay? I loathe to be around the Bennets longer than necessary. Do you think they will have our carriage leave last and after considerable delay?" Caroline laughed to herself.

Mr. Darcy did not respond. He felt Miss Bingley making sport of the family in mourning was in poor taste, no matter how much he did not like them. But he said nothing for correcting Miss Bingley on her behavior was talking to a brick wall.

Mr. Darcy stared at Miss Bennet who talked with Charles. One of the Lucas boys paid his respects to Miss Bennet. Her facial expression was much the same as when she talked to Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy flattened his lips. No, it did not look like Miss Bennet cared more for Mr. Bingley than any other man.

Someone knocked him off balance by bumping into his left side. Mr. Darcy turned and found to his horror Mr. Collins. The same man who introduced himself at the Netherfield Ball, having not even been introduced previously. Mr. Darcy could not believe his aunt had hired such a foppish idiot to be parson of Hunsford, but she liked to be fawned over. However, Mr. Darcy could not.

"Mr. Darcy, it shows such Christian kindness for you to come and pay your respects to my dear uncle and his family the Bennets. It shows such a conscientious Christian heart, such good character, the results of superb breeding as your aunt and my patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh would say. I am reminded-"

Mr. Darcy bowed and left the drawing room as he could not stand any more of this. He walked out the front door and climbed into the carriage. Mr. Darcy did not want to run into Miss Elizabeth in the house and he knew she was fond of walking, so the carriage was the only safe place from her. He would never forget how she looked after walking to Netherfield form Longbourn to take care of her sister. How beautiful her countenance was from the exercise, how bright her eyes were.

No, it was no good for him to think of that. He put a firm hold on those thoughts and pushed them aside. It would not do for Charles to marry into that family and it would not do for him, a Darcy, either. No matter how much a young woman might entice him with her body, and in this case her mind as well, his father had implored upon him the importance of sensibly marrying to carry on the Darcy name. Marrying into the Bennet family was not sensible at all.

—

Elizabeth sat in her father's study, again. She could hear the noise from the drawing room and felt guilty at not being there to help support her mother and sisters. But she needed a break. There were only so many condolences and sad glances she could handle. It seemed everyone in Meryton knew their house had been entailed to Mr. Collins.

Mr. Collins acted like he was already in charge of Longbourn. He accepted condolences for his uncle who he had met not that long ago and ordered the servants about and decided all parts of the funeral. He had even ordered the Bennet girls to be quieter with their voices and look more pleasing with their appearance. Elizabeth had looked at Mrs. Bennet for help, but she was still not quite herself.

The apothecary had come and given her laudanum so she could sleep through the night. Elizabeth knew her mother took some during the day as well. So Mr. Collins was running the house without any opposition. Elizabeth longed to tell him that their father was not even buried yet and Mr. Collins needed to give them time but she did not want to anger the man who held their future in his control.

Elizabeth stood and walked over to her's father's desk. She wished that he had the presence of mind to save money for them in case a son was never born. But that was not what had happened. Mrs. Bennet loved to spend and Mr. Bennet did not like having friction in the house so he gave in to whatever Mrs. Bennet wanted. Elizabeth was scared there was barely any money for them to live on. She did so wish that Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner would arrive soon. Elizabeth wanted Mr. Gardiner to go over their finances and tell them the truth of their situation.

Elizabeth sat in her father's chair behind the big desk. She had another fear she did not want to admit or even think of. She knew Mr. Collins had mentioned marrying one of the Bennet daughters to heal the breach, did he still think that? Elizabeth hoped not. But if he did, she was sure Mr. Collins would wed Mary. There were most alike in personality. That was the best outcome Elizabeth hoped for. It would be a trial to live with Mr. Collins at Longbourn, but at least they would have a home.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

1/20 I took down the chapters due to Amazon not liking the story listed here for free. So they're on my website behind a free login. Or you can buy the book at major retailers or for a $3 discount at Gumroad. Links are in my profile.

I'm happy so many of you enjoyed this story!