Elizabeth’s Escape (Iris Lim Pride and Prejudice Canon Divergent Collection #5)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

Elizabeth tossed her books, her three morning dresses, and her grandmother's necklace into the valise. Her stockings and stays followed. The hour was growing late, but she hoped her familiarity with the land and her affinity for walking would work in her favor tonight.

For a moment, she paused, sniffling at the thought of leaving Longbourn, of leaving behind everyone and everything she had ever loved.

But what else was she to do?

Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I fear I must concur. I cannot condone the man’s attitude, Lizzy, but it is too prudent of a match to ignore. You shall marry Collins before the months' end—and save us all from ruin. We shall have the banns read immediately.

Papa’s words from the afternoon stung.

Elizabeth swatted a few stray tears away. She had spent the first part of the day feeling angry and betrayed. Papa had sent Jane to comfort her, Mary to rebuke her, and even Kitty and Lydia to distract her.

Nothing worked.

By the time the family was preparing for dinner, Elizabeth had made up her mind.

She would go to Uncle Gardiner's. She would find employment. She would do what she must to avoid the degradation of marrying Mr. Collins.

Her hands stopped around her small pouch of coins as she pondered her path.

She was fully aware that making such a choice meant that she would no longer be able to consider herself a gentlewoman.

And she hesitated ever-so-slightly at paying such a price for her freedom—but the alternative was too horrid to contemplate.

Being an unmarried governess was a far better vocation than being the wife of Mr. Collins. Of that, she was convinced.

Sounds of her sisters' daily arguments over dinner attire escalated in the hallway, and Elizabeth knew her chance was drawing near.

She longed to have a proper goodbye with Jane, but the eldest Bennet sister was too kind a soul to be successfully involved in any form of subterfuge.

The whole family had to believe Elizabeth was taking to bed with a megrim.

It was the only way she could slip away undetected before the sun was fully down.

The noises from the hallway continued to grow in volume between Kitty and Lydia until Jane played the inevitable peacemaker.

“Hush,” said Jane. “Elizabeth is resting from her megrim. Both the ribbons look wonderful. Shall I help you with your hair?”

Skirts shuffled loudly before the door across the hallway fell shut, and Elizabeth blinked at the pang of guilt brought about by Jane’s consideration.

She allowed herself the slightest moment to wallow before refocusing on her packing.

She pondered the need to bring an additional bonnet. How much would a governess truly need?

She decided on living with only the bonnet she would fit on her head, her most unremarkable one, at that. The less conspicuous her attire, the easier her journey would be. And once in London, she would be able to ask her uncle and aunt for help in sourcing anything else she might need.

Elizabeth finished organizing the items in her valise, strapped it shut, and tucked it behind the bed, just in case Jane decided to visit one more time.

Soon, the family retreated below stairs for dinner, and Elizabeth waited for the noises to lull.

It would not be dark for a while yet, but dinner at Longbourn was always lively enough to hold everyone’s attention, along with all the servants’ attendance.

It would be her best chance at an undetected escape.

With one last prayer and huff of determination, Elizabeth pulled together her curated collection of worldly goods and slipped out the hall.

She maneuvered her way down the servant’s stairwell easily, her familiarity with the habits of every soul in the household guiding her way.

She almost crossed paths with a wandering new maid at the back door, but a timely few minutes hiding behind the pantry door allowed her the chance to slip out once the maid was called back by Cook.

The biting evening air hit her cheeks the moment she stepped outside.

She tugged her poor bonnet lower, hunched her old coat higher, and marched on.

The coaching inn at Meryton would require her half the evening of walking to reach, and nightfall might slow her progress eventually, but she was set in her course.

She knew her way to London, and she knew the coins in her reticule would take her there. She could only hope that Uncle and Aunt Gardiner were not away on one of their trips. She needed every shilling for the journey. She would have little else to protect her once there.

We can speak to the vicar tomorrow.

Mama's voice ricocheted in her mind. Tears pricked her eyes. Her parents might choose to speak to the vicar all they wanted. They would not have a willing bride involved.

Step by step by step, Elizabeth stalked through the overgrown grass.

This back path might be a more roundabout way to get to Meryton, but she knew she had to avoid the main road.

Villagers would see her, and neighbors would gossip.

It was better for everyone involved if the family could explain away Elizabeth's sudden disappearance as something planned in advance.

And even if this particular approach to Meryton might curve behind the Netherfield property, the current occupants of Netherfield did not like to spend time outdoors and were thus highly unlikely to discover her. Besides, the grass should cover her tracks well enough.

A bitter laugh escaped her. Since when had she become a fugitive in her own beloved county? Her mind recalled the way Papa had declared his intentions that morning, insisting that she marry Collins against her will.

I understand that this is not what you expected of life, Lizzy, but we all must reckon with our own disappointments some time. Collins has a secure living and the future ownership of Longbourn. It is not wise to decline his suit.

She had protested, appealing to Papa's compassion and reason. Instead, he'd only said that disappointing Mr. Collins meant entering the man’s poor graces—and the family could not afford to do so when their entire future hung in the balance.

If not for yourself. Do it for your sisters.

Elizabeth sniffed. Perhaps she was more selfish than she thought—for the idea of surrendering her life to Collins for her family's sake was beyond her means of self-sacrifice.

Instead, she would work. And she would send every penny to support them all if she had to.

I shall sign the settlement papers tomorrow. I will hear no argument.

A few barks permeated the early evening air. Elizabeth felt a discomfiting urge to cry.

But there was no room for that sort of thing, no matter how disappointed she was at her father. She had precious little time before Mr. Collins himself might mount a pursuit.

Elizabeth gritted her teeth and marched on.