Character and Countenance: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Timeless Love: Darcy and Lizzy variations) by MJ Stratton

Author:MJ Stratton [Stratton, MJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2025-03-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

December 26, 1811

Longbourn, Hertfordshire

Mr. Collins

Mr. Collins stepped down from the coach, instructing the footman who waited to remove his things and take them into the house. He gazed up at Longbourn, grinning. Tomorrow, he would marry Miss Lydia Bennet, and his duty to heal the breach between his late father and his cousin would be complete.

After contemplating the ladies that Mr. Bennet said he could choose from, Mr. Collins had decided that Miss Jane Bennet would do. She was by far the loveliest of the Longbourn Ladies, and the eldest, too. Therefore, she was the most deserving of his attentions.

Yet, when he left his room to find her, he collided with a tall, solid, yet very soft form.

“Oh! Mr. Collins! Pray, forgive me! I was just off to Kitty’s room to find help with my stays.” Miss Lydia blushed and giggled.

His gaze went to her attire, and he paled before flushing in mortification. He could not look away, so fascinated was he by her pleasing form. Never had he beheld a lady anything less than meticulously dressed. Never had he imagined that they were so lovely. He swallowed hard and forced his gaze to her face.

“Miss Lydia,” he said weakly.

A door opened, and the eldest Miss Bennet entered the hallway. “Lydia!” she said shrilly. “Go to your room at once!”

“You are not Mama, Jane.” Miss Lydia stuck her tongue out at her sister.

He idly thought that it was rather childish to do so, but his mind felt rather scrambled at the moment.

“Besides,” Miss Lydia continued, “Mr. Collins has just proposed, have you not, sir?”

In his confusion, he said, “Hmm? Yes, of course I did.” Had he? He could not recall, but the idea of marrying his youngest cousin suddenly greatly appealed to him.

“There, you see?” Miss Lydia declared. “I am to be Mrs. Collins and someday mistress of Longbourn. Ha!” She looped her arm through her cousin’s and pressed into his side. He swallowed and patted her hand.

“I have more right to it than you, anyway,” she said hotly. “You are not a Bennet!”

This drew his attention and shocked him out of his dazed stupor.

“Not a Bennet?” he asked curiously. “Then what is she?” Had she not been introduced to him as such? What devilry and deception occurred

“Her true name is Jane Younge!” Lydia turned and pecked Mr. Collins on the cheek, causing his heart to speed. He licked his lips.

“Now, darling,” the brazen yet attractive young miss said, “I shall just go put on a lovely yellow morning gown whilst you go and speak to Papa. Shall we meet in the drawing room in fifteen minutes?”

He nodded distractedly, still wondering about Miss Bennet—Jane… Miss Younge, he supposed. Yes, Lydia was correct. She had more claim to Mr. Collins than the curious interloper did. Oh, he realized. I almost made a grave error. If I had married her, then I would not have successfully mended the breach. Oh, dear.

Coming back to himself, he entered the house, handing his hat and gloves to the waiting butler.

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