Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa

Author:Gabe Cole Novoa [Novoa, Gabe Cole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

It did not surprise Oliver to find his sisters still waiting in the parlor outside the dining room when he finally emerged. He was surprised to find Mrs. Bennet wasn’t there, until Jane spoke.

“Mama is speaking to Mr. Collins,” she said with a small grimace.

Ah. Of course she was.

Oliver sighed and sat next to Jane on the settee. She placed her hand on top of his and squeezed his hand lightly. Oliver forced a small smile. “I do hope she isn’t trying to change his mind. It required quite a bit of effort to convince him of my refusal to begin with.”

“He seemed rather determined to marry you,” Lydia said lightly.

“He was determined to marry one of us,” Oliver corrected. “I don’t believe he much cared which one of us it was once he realized it wouldn’t be Jane.”

“That’s true,” Kitty said. “He did say twice that he would have preferred to marry Jane.”

Jane grimaced. Oliver turned to her with a small laugh. “You really did catch Bingley’s eye at the perfect time.”

Jane smiled softly, her cheeks turning pink. “It wasn’t with the intention of turning Mr. Collins’s attentions toward you.”

“No, of course not.” Oliver waved his hand. “It was just fortunate timing. I’m glad for you, truly. Bingley is a much more admirable match than Collins.”

Though polite society would demand it, Jane did not deny it.

All at once, the door leading to the hallway opened and both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet entered the room. Mr. Bennet seemed oddly cheerful for a man whose child just embarrassed the guest set to inherit their home, whereas Mrs. Bennet looked every bit as furious as Oliver expected. Her face was blotchy, her eyes wide and wild. When she turned her heated gaze on Oliver, the instinct to flee was strong. But he remained in place, meeting his mother’s gaze with every ounce of calm that he could muster.

“You,” Mrs. Bennet said acidly, “will apologize to Mr. Collins and accept his proposal immediately.”

Oliver pulled his shoulders back, holding Mrs. Bennet’s gaze. “I have already apologized. But I won’t accept his proposal. I made it very clear that I won’t marry him, and I won’t have a change of heart about it either. My mind is set.”

“But you must marry him!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “What are you thinking refusing a man of his status? A man set to inherit our home? How could you, Lizzy?!”

Oliver bit his lip. The nickname, while fine in his childhood, felt like a pair of ill-fitting shoes. An added discomfort on top of an already discomforting situation. “I must be a stranger to you entirely if you truly believe me capable of marrying Mr. Collins, of all people,” he responded with a tremble in his voice. “I will not marry him, Mama. There is nothing you can say that will change my mind.”

Mrs. Bennet threw her hands up. “How inconsequential my nerves must be to you! You cannot go on like this—if you refuse every man you meet, you will never marry at all!”

Oliver scoffed.

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