Once the second set was complete, Mr. Darcy escorted Elizabeth to the punch bowl where Miss Lucas awaited them. He found himself drawn again into their conversation.
Miss Bingley, adorned with too many jewels that reflected the terrible orange hue of her silk dress, slinked across the ballroom to join the trio. She had been watching Mr. Darcy and Miss Eliza since the first dance and now she wished to insert herself into their conversation.
She was given a lukewarm welcome by Miss Lucas and Miss Eliza but Mr. Darcy’s smile faded as she placed a possessive hand upon his arm. “Mr. Darcy, I require your assistance. My brother is clinging to poor Miss Bennet as we speak and will not come away to mingle with our guests.”
Mr. Darcy did not wish to leave Miss Elizabeth’s side but she gave a slight nod of her head at the question in his eyes. At this, he reluctantly allowed his hostess to lead him away.
Charlotte did not miss the small gestures that passed between her friend and Mr. Darcy. “He shall soon speak with your father, Lizzy. Are you prepared to become the mistress of his estate in Derbyshire?”
Elizabeth pulled her gaze away from Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley. “Charlotte, you must not spread such gossip. Mr. Darcy and I are only friends.”
Charlotte wondered whether her friend did not yet realize the feelings she held for the gentleman. "Lizzy, I am your dearest friend. You have no need to pretend for my benefit."
Elizabeth took Charlotte's hand and led her away from the refreshments. "There is no pretense, my dear Lottie! Mr. Darcy and I have become better acquainted and I do not think as poorly of him as I once did."
Charlotte followed Elizabeth to the open terrace doors. The air was cooler there and she felt no need to press the issue of Mr. Darcy as Elizabeth would only protest again and again.
The air refreshed Charlotte as she stepped onto the terrace behind her friend. The garden beyond, though now withered, was lovely in silhouetted shadows lit by paper lanterns along its many pathways. The scene took Charlotte’s breath. "I imagine Jane must be anxious for the wedding. What it must be to know she shall become the mistress of such an estate."
Elizabeth knew her sister's wishes and worries for her place at Netherfield but would not speak of them with Charlotte. They were confided late in the night when Jane would come to her room and slide beneath the quilts. Though Charlotte was her dearest friend, Jane was her sister and their bond inspired a particular loyalty. "Jane is quite busy with her dress and trousseau. I do not think she has yet had time to grasp the ways in which her life shall change."
As the two friends turned away from the terrace railing to return to the ballroom, Mr. Collins appeared. Elizabeth reluctantly made the introduction to Charlotte and linked arms with her friend. "We were about to return to the ball Mr. Collins."
The man was standing in their way and did not deign to step aside at Elizabeth's announcement. "I would have a word with you, if I may."
Charlotte, moved by the tone of the man's voice, drew her arm from Elizabeth's and gave a small curtsey. "I shall await your return by the punch bowl unless a gentleman requests a set."
Entirely certain she did not wish to be alone with Mr. Collins, Elizabeth reached for her friend. "There is nothing my cousin might say that you may not hear Charlotte. Do not leave me."
The parson moved aside so that Charlotte might pass and gave a bow to the lady.
Elizabeth made to follow her friend but Mr. Collins laid a hand upon her shoulder and turned her back to the railing. Elizabeth, perturbed by this familiarity, removed his hand. "What need is there to speak with me privately, sir?"
Though he wished for all the world that it was Miss Mary standing beside him to receive his proposal, Mr. Collins steeled his resolve. What would it matter if he gained the only woman to ever look at him with love in her eyes if he lost the living at Hunsford? He would be disgraced and unable to provide for a wife and family.
"Tonight, I have made my choice Cousin Elizabeth. Your mother and father will agree. You are the lady I wish to marry."
The music began again in the ballroom but to Elizabeth's ears the melody was distorted. She could not order her thoughts nor understand why her cousin had chosen her instead of Mary. Her father would not have given his blessing; she did not believe it for a moment.
Mr. Collins continued on when she failed to make a reply. "There are many reasons I wish to marry and perhaps I ought to have waited until we have come to know one another better, but I could not let the moment pass without assuring you of my intentions. I believe it is my duty as a clergyman to set the example in matrimony for my parish. I believe having you as my wife shall add very greatly to my happiness and it is the solemn wish of my patroness that I choose a bride from the family my good fortune shall displace."
Elizabeth's mind raced as his speech halted. He did not love her, that much was clear. She knew she had not encouraged him nor shown him interest since his arrival in Hertfordshire.
Not waiting for him to take so much as a breath so that he might begin again, Elizabeth interrupted his speech. "I fear you have chosen in haste, sir. I thank you for the compliment of your consideration and while I am sensible of the honor you bestow; it is impossible for me to accept."
Mr. Collins did not appear to be concerned by her denial and Elizabeth wondered whether she had been abundantly clear in her reply.
Before she might speak again and present her refusal in a different manner, he closed his eyes and puckered his lips while leaning closer to her face. Elizabeth, now in a great panic, pushed against the man. "Mr. Collins! You must not take such liberties."
Her eyes wide with astonishment, Elizabeth sidled away from her cousin.
Mr. Collins stalked after her with a determined grimace. He had not wanted to offer for the haughty and rude Elizabeth Bennet but he could not ignore the temptation she presented to Mr. Darcy. Her pretense was evident to him. She wished to appear undecided so that he might make a better proposal in the days to come. He lowered his voice and moved closer as her back met the stone facade of the house.
"Perhaps the terrace at a wedding ball is not the proper setting, my dear? I believe after you have had time to think of a future when we are wed with children of our own, your heart shall soften and accept our union."
Elizabeth did not wish to think of such a life for herself. With her eyes on his face, she pushed against the terrace door and ducked into the ballroom before he realized her plan to escape.