[ UNDERGOING EDITING 08-18-24 ]
- Ever since she could walk, Elodie Bennet had expectations set upon her, as many other women did. As the second eldest, she was meant to care for her younger sisters and fulfill her duties without complaint.
Bei...
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INHERITANCE.
"Mamma, someone keeps knocking on the door. I'm indecent; I cannot answer it. Mary! Jane! Elodie!" Lydia's voice echoed through the house, her shrill tone making Elodie wince as it bounced off the walls.
Elodie sighed, standing up from her comfortable spot on the chaise as Lydia's hollering continued. "Stop screaming, Liddy, I'll get it! Any louder, and you'll become Mamma!" she shouted back, her annoyance growing as the knocking on the door became more frequent and sharper.
Whoever was at the door was persistent—any harder, and this visitor might just put a dent in their old house.
The moment Elodie opened the door, she knew she would come to regret it. Standing before her was a short, greasy-looking man with an armful of books stacked impossibly high and a chest of belongings in the other.
His appearance was as unkempt as his manners, with his mouth slightly agape as he took in the sight of Elodie, who instinctively tightened her cream-colored shawl around her shoulders.
"Why, an angel!" He exclaimed, his eyes gleaming. Elodie had to suppress a sneer of disgust as he reached for her hand, intent on placing a peck upon it. "Mr. Collins, at your service!"
Her smile faltered as she realized that he was the dreaded cousin her father had spoken of. He was certainly not what she had expected.
"Ah, yes, Mr. Collins. We've been expecting you!" Elodie replied, attempting to maintain a polite demeanor despite herself. She took some of his books from his overloaded arms and stepped aside to let him in. "Allow me to help you with your things. Your room is just upstairs."
By that time, all of the Bennet family had gathered in the hallway as they watched the visitor who had so aggressively assaulted their door.
"Mr. Collins! You're just in time for dinner!" Mrs. Bennet's voice carried a forced cheerfulness as she led the way to the dining room. Mr. Collins set down his belongings and followed eagerly, taking a seat right between Elodie and Jane.
Elodie shifted uncomfortably in her chair as Mr. Collins began heaping his plate with an excessive amount of potatoes, sirloin, and greens.
She thought it was rather a generous portion, but bit her tongue, unwilling to draw any more attention to the man than necessary.
Jane, as always, remained outwardly composed, though Elodie couldn't fathom how her sister managed it.
A grunt of approval escaped Mr. Collins as he took a bite, his gaze wandering from one face to another.
