Most Ardently

by Gabe Cole Novoa

Mrs. Bennet shook her head. “With the way you behave, you’ll be lucky to ever see another proposal.” Oliver’s mouth nearly fell open. With the way he behaved? He wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry—as far as he was concerned, he behaved perfectly well in front of his mother. She didn’t even know about his nightly outings, his name, his—anything! And she already thought him so improper as to be destined for loneliness? It would have hurt less if she’d slapped him across the face. Mrs. Bennet turned to Mr. Bennet, who, until now, had been sitting quietly in his favorite chair with a steadily deepening frown. “Tell her, Mr. Bennet,” she demanded. “She must marry Mr. Collins.” She turned back to Oliver, her face red. “Why, if you refuse I shall never speak to you again!” Oliver could barely believe his ears. Did she really think it so impossible that any other man would want to marry him? She thinks it impossible already and she doesn’t even know how much more complicated it is than she believes. It was a harrowing thought, but in the end it didn’t change anything. Oliver didn’t want to be alone, but if the choice was between being someone’s wife and being alone, it wasn’t really a question at all. It wasn’t ideal, but Oliver had never minded his own company. Now with the eyes of the entire family on his father, Mr. Bennet sighed and met Oliver’s gaze. Please, Oliver pleaded with his gaze. Don’t force me to do this. Mr. Bennet couldn’t read his mind, of course, but something s...