The Unexpected Miss Bennet Read Online Free

parties and amusements, but she would read.
    Mary sat in comfortable self-praise that she was at that very moment earning Fordyce’s highest commendation by reading good books and thus avoiding dreaded amusement and idleness, unlike Kitty, who was going joyfully forward to indulge in dissipation as was likely to leave her weakened, sorrowful and brokenhearted. She would come home to Longbourn a shadow of her former robust self, and she and Mary could have many comfortable talks about restoring her health and wit.
    Then Mary became distracted by the view of the garden from her window seat. The diamond panes blurred the view and Mary occupied herself by looking out and finding where she could see clear spots in the glazing. She was suddenly shocked to see a familiar face outside the window, looking in. Mary dropped her book with an astonished cry.
    ‘Mr Collins!’ she exclaimed. He bowed and grimaced at the same time, giving a little sideways hop so as to give her a chance to view his self-deprecating expression. He mouthed something at her, though the glass was not thick. Mary lifted the hook and pushed open the window carefully – the frame tended to stick if one was not careful.
    ‘Mr Collins,’ she said again. ‘Do forgive me – why have you come to the back of the house?’
    ‘My dear cousin Mary,’ he said, grimacing and bowing again. Mary bit her lip. ‘Do forgive the intrusion, as I see that you are most diligently at your studies. Is that Fordyce’s Sermons that I see? For a lady, certainly admirable, admirable. I am glad to see you are not spending time with unsuitable novels. As Lady Catherine de Bourgh always says—’
    ‘Mary!’ It was Mrs Bennet, come running round the side of the house. ‘Mr Collins is here, but we cannot find him – Oh, Mr Collins,’ she said, breathing hard and holding her hand to the side of her gown. ‘Whatever are you doing here?’
    Where Mary’s question had been simply one of surprise, Mrs Bennet’s had a tinge of accusation about it.
    ‘Mrs Bennet,’ Mr Collins said, and he bowed and grimaced again. It wasn’t quite a grimace but rather an attempt at a smile, Mary thought. ‘I hope you forgive the intrusion. As I was explaining to Miss Bennet, I knocked on the front door but there was no answer; all your servants must be quite busy. I thought it would be no harm to come round to the back of the house and see for myself if anyone was at home. This garden is lovely and your little park befits your standing in society. I believe that grand vistas are inappropriately showy when they are flaunted by the truly humble. Yet a small park can have such proper form and function as is needful when it suits its owners’ true position. It will do quite nicely.’
    Having thoroughly insulted Mrs Bennet and simultaneously reminded her of the odious fact that he was to inherit Longbourn, Mr Collins bowed again.
    Mrs Bennet swelled in indignation but a sudden dolorous lamentation from Kitty broke her concentration.
    ‘Mama, this trunk is too small! Nothing fits and I shall have nothing to wear in London!’
    Mrs Bennet took a deep breath and regained her temper in the same moment.
    ‘Please forgive us for not being more hospitable, Mr Collins, but you have come at a very busy time. We are sending Kitty to visit her sister, Mrs Bingley, and there is much to do. However, you are welcome, and please do come round to the front of the house and we will let you in properly.’ She looked at Mary and said sharply, ‘Shut the window, Mary, you will let in the damp.’ She then made an insistent face at her daughter, but Mary only frowned in puzzlement. Mrs Bennet made the face again and then Mary understood what her mother mouthed at her behind Mr Collins’s back. Make him leave .
    It took all of Mary’s strength of will not to grimace back. Making Mr Collins leave was an impossible task, as he saw fit to visit them as frequently as fortnightly and to stay several days or more. To be