Free Mr. Darcy Goes Overboard by Belinda Roberts Page B

in amazement as Lizzy leant through the castellations and managed to pull the unfortunate Mr Collins up until he tottered on the wall and fell back onto the platform, crushing Lizzy beneath him.

Chapter 20
    It was this sight that met Mrs Bennet and her daughters on their return to the top of the tower.
    'Mr Collins!'
    Even Mrs Bennet was shocked by the ardour of Lizzy's suitor. She had not expected the clergyman to be so forward in his expression of love as to be already on top of her daughter. How times had changed.
    'Madam!' said Mr Collins, getting up hastily. 'It is not what it seems! Oh my! Oh my!' And he hurried to the staircase, made his way down as fast as he could, and was surprised as he walked out into the sunshine at the bottom to be hit on the head by a parachuting Malcolm.
    'Malcolm had a lovely descent!' called Lydia, giggling from the top of the tower.
    'I, er...' Mr Collins left, alone, confused, and unsure whether his proposal had been a success or not. He decided to go and sit on a bench and gaze out to sea until the beating in his breast had subsided and he could ask Malcolm for advice.
    ***
    'Well, Lizzy?' asked Mrs Bennet as they descended the winding stairway.
    'I will not marry him, Mother!'
    'You certainly will.'
    'I shall not.'
    'Let's see what your father has to say about this!'
    As they left the churchyard they were fortunate enough to bump into Mr Bennet.
    'Lizzy will not marry Mr Collins!' announced a furious Mrs Bennet.
    'Is this true, Lizzy?'
    'I certainly will not!'
    'Make her marry him, Mr Bennet! Think of the inheritance.'
    'I will not!'
    'If you do not, I will never speak to you again!' cried Mrs Bennet.
    'Lizzy, my dear,' said Mr Bennet seriously, 'an unhappy situation lies before you. You are on the verge of losing one or other of your parents. If you do not marry Mr Collins, your mother will never speak to you again. If you do marry Mr Collins, I will never speak to you again.'
    And with that, Mr Bennet walked on, leaving Mrs Bennet furious, the Bennet girls in peals of laughter, and Lizzy much relieved.

Chapter 21
    Mr Collins spent the rest of the morning on the wooden bench overlooking pontoons where various holiday boats and fishing vessels were moored and which, fortunately for him, was already inhabited by Charlotte Lucas, who proved to be a friendly ear. News filtered through by way of passing Bennet girls whispering in Lottie's ear that Lizzy had definitely refused Mr Collins, and he sat sulking. When Lizzy, herself, happened to walk by, he looked the other way, ignoring her. Lizzy was, in fact, on the way with her sisters to North Sands, where they were hoping to see some more of the red-and-yellow trainee lifeguards, and Mr Wickham in particular. As good fortune would have it, Wickham was there and delighted to see Lizzy.
    'Sorry I didn't make the Harbour Swim--but, you know with Darcy around, who knows what might have happened. Best to keep out of shark-infested waters!'
    There was the evocative sound of Vivaldi's Four Seasons 'Allegro' from Jane's phone. Jane went over to the rock pools to read the message. Lizzy could tell at once it was not good news and excused herself from the luscious Wickham.
    'It is from Cazza,' said Jane. 'Look.'
    Hey, Jane--jtlyk all off to London 2 party. Not back for yonks. Chas in lve with Darcy's sister, Georgiana... wedng on way?!! Muchos love, Cazza :)
    'The cow!' Lizzy could not help herself. 'She just wants to take Bingley away from you. I could strangle her with her own Boden tights!'

Chapter 22
    Charlotte Lucas's generous ear to Mr Collins had, in Lizzy's mind, a most startling outcome. The two girls had taken the topper out and were enjoying a blustery sail about the estuary when Charlotte felt the moment had come to confide in her best friend.
    'Dear Lizzy...'
    'Ready about!' called Lizzy.
    'I have some news for you,' continued Lottie as she prepared to go about.
    'Lee ho!' shouted Lizzy, pushing the tiller hard away from her and