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.
Being one of the eldest also meant mar...
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DANCING WITH THE DEVIL.
The evening had unfolded surprisingly well, despite Mrs. Bennet overindulging in wine within the first hour, rendering herself more boisterous than usual, while Lydia's antics with the militia had drawn far too much attention.
Yet despite these small disasters, Elodie had successfully managed to evade Mr. Collins, thanks largely to Charlotte Lucas, who had found the two Bennet sisters hiding in a secluded corner of the grand ballroom.
Even though Mr. Collins had not appeared in her line of sight for some time, Elodie couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that he might still be lurking somewhere, waiting for the perfect moment to ambush her.
Her eyes flitted anxiously over the crowd, scanning each unfamiliar face with a growing sense of dread. Each new glimpse of a black coat or a sudden movement sent a shiver through her spine.
"I'm so dearly sorry that that man has been harassing you so." Charlotte murmured, her hand resting gently on Elodie's shoulder in a gesture of sympathy. There was a deep furrow in her brow, her concern for her friend evident.
If she could send Mr. Collins packing, far away from Meryton, she would do so in an instant.
Elodie smiled thankfully as her eyes continued to scour her surroundings. "You are far too kind, Charlotte. I'm just relieved that this ball is elaborate enough to keep him occupied elsewhere."
Lizzie, unable to suppress her smirk, chuckled softly. "I can hardly wait until he grows tired of us and decides to leave"
"Lizzie! Mr. Wickham is not here."
The three women turned in unison as Jane hurried toward them, her usual calm demeanor disrupted by concern. Elizabeth's smile vanished instantly as she grasped her sister's hands, her worry reflecting Jane's.
"Apparently, he has been detained." Jane replied, her voice barely above a harsh whisper.
"Detained where? Why, he must be here!" Lizzy exclaimed, her frustration bubbling as she pressed for more answers.
"There you are." Elodie's heart nearly stopped as Mr. Collins materialized beside her, his sudden appearance so abrupt that it felt as if he had emerged from thin air.
Charlotte sucked in air as she watched the color drain from Elodie's face.
"Mr. Collins..." Elodie managed to stammer, her voice betraying her dismay. He looked up at her with a wide, oblivious smile, clearly unaware—or uncaring—of her discomfort.
