Becky, the maid that had travelled with her, had already hung her clothing in a dressing room closet that would fit many times more clothing than Charlotte possessed, asked if she would like a bath. Charlotte, used to washing out of a basin or bowl at home, said she would like to bathe to remove all of the dust from travelling.
After Charlotte had done so and changed into one of her best day dresses, she was shown by a footman to the drawing room where everyone was assembled. She had met all in Hertfordshire except for a very nice-looking man in clerical garb, who luckily looked and smelled nothing like Bennet’s late cousin who had attempted to cause mayhem at Longbourn.
“Charlotte, allow me to introduce you to Mr. Patrick Elliot. He is the parson who holds the livings of Lambton, Kympton, and Pemberley. Mr. Elliot, may I have the pleasure of introducing you to one of my best friends, Miss Charlotte Lucas of Lucas Lodge in Hertfordshire,” Elizabeth offered.
“A pleasure to meet you Miss Lucas.” The parson bowed in greeting.
“And you, Mr. Elliot. How long have you held your livings in Derbyshire?” Charlotte inquired; her eyes demure but captivated as she curtsied in return.
“It has been a little under three years now, Miss Lucas. I am the third son of a baronet and was lucky enough to find the church was not only my preferred option of service but my preferred path in life,” Elliot related.
“I do appreciate it when providence and life’s paths are so harmonious. I wish you and your family a very happy yuletide, sir,” Charlotte offered sincerely knowing men as kind and handsome as he did not stay single for long in their lives.
“I thank you on behalf of myself and my daughter, Miss Lucas,” he nodded at her confusion. “I was married, but five years ago my wife passed soon after delivering me a gift from God in the form of my now five-year-old daughter Grace. I was at Trinity on a short trip with my friend and patron, Fitzwilliam Darcy. We actually met when we were thirteen and in our first year at Harrow,” he revealed, still plagued by the guilt though there was nothing he could have done to save his beloved late wife even had he arrived home in time.
“You have my condolences for your loss. I do not always understand the ways that our Lord in His infinite wisdom tests us. I am sure you would have been there at her side had you the slightest inkling of what would happen,” Charlotte offered sincerely. “Is your daughter with you? Will I have the honour of meeting her tonight?”
“Thank you for your kind words, Miss Lucas,” Elliot responded, his eyes not leaving hers. “No, Grace is with my parents at present as it is a busy time of year for my vocation and one of the curates I share duties with will be soon going home to end the holiday season with his family. For the last three years, my darling girl has spent the season with her grandparents and my brothers and their families who all love her dearly. I am sure you will have a very pleasant stay, Miss Lucas.” He blushed, saying the right things to end the conversation so she would not feel obligated to continue it and relieved she did not divert her focus.
“Do you have any particular suggestions for my stay, Mr. Elliot? I often find the Parson knows the best points of interest,” Charlotte offered boldly and was relieved he was glad to continue the conversation as well.
“You are already at one of them, Miss Lucas, and if it is not too forward, may I request the first dance from you at the Twelfth Night Ball?” he asked as boldly.
“You may, sir. And I thank you,” Charlotte replied softly, her heart pounding in her chest as she wondered at the sensations she was experiencing, all the while hoping it meant the same thing as it had when Lizzy had described the feeling she had when she saw Mr. Darcy for the first time.
“In that case, would you write my name on your card for the supper set as well?” he asked, this time taking the chance to be intrepid, as only age and wisdom allow. Chances and moments like this were rare, and Elliot was not willing to allow it to pass him by.
“Yes Mr. Elliot, it will be my pleasure to grant you the supper set as well,” Charlotte allowed as she searched his eyes, finding he was looking back into hers with the same intensity and blushing warmly. The rest of the party had been quietly watching the interplay between the parson and Miss Lucas.
“I told you so!” a smug looking Darcy leaned over and whispered to his wife. His smiling wife slapped his arm playfully and then stepped in to join them.
“I trust your chambers meet with your approval Charlotte?” Lizzy asked playfully.
“Meet with my approval, Eliza! You well know that is an understatement. I feel like I might get lost in my own chambers, never mind the rest of your magnificent home,” Charlotte teased.
“To assist you to find your way around, I will request Mrs. Reynolds give you a tour of the house on the morrow if the morning is convenient for you.” Elizabeth smiled warmly, appreciating the blush that Mr. Elliot had caused to bloom on Charlotte’s cheeks.
“Yes, thank you, that will be perfect,” Charlotte agreed with relief.
“How is my friend Sarah doing, Charlotte?” Fanny asked as she approached her daughters’ good friend.
“Mama is very well, thank you Mrs. Bennet, and she sends her regards and wishes of the season to all of you,” Charlotte reported.
“Your father is well? I hope it has not been too cold as he sometimes suffers from it.” Bennet smiled gently at Charlotte, reminding her that she was surrounded by people who knew and appreciated her and her family as well, the message was more for Mr. Elliot, which Charlotte surmised and her blush deepened, truly grateful for their affection for her.
“Papa is well, Mr. Bennet and no it has not been too cold, so he has been his normal, affable self,” Charlotte shared, her eyes thanking him and laughing softly when he winked at her playfully.
Not long after dinner was called, and Miss Lucas very willingly found herself being escorted to the large dining room by Mr. Elliot. As she expected the meal was exceptional, and she enjoyed her conversation with the clergyman.
The more they talked, the more comfortable she felt with him. She was greatly impressed with the warmth with which he talked about his daughter whom he so obviously doted on. Charlotte had long considered herself on the shelf for unlike the Bennets, whom she considered beautiful, she thought herself plain.
In addition, she had very little in the way of a dowry, although her papa had just started increasing it with help from Edward Gardiner. She felt she could grow to respect and esteem Mr. Elliot, and more surprising, mayhap something she never thought important or would happen to her, love him.
What Charlotte was unaware of was her friend and her husband had told Mr. Elliot about her. They had been honest, not making her out to be someone she was not. It was the reason for his acceptance of the dinner invitation this particular night as he most often joined the Darcys for luncheon with his daughter after services.
Normally a lot more reserved, Patrick Elliot had surprised himself when he requested the two dances from Miss Lucas, the meaningful supper set included. He also admitted he normally did not discuss Grace with ladies much, but he felt no such reserve while discussing his daughter with Miss Lucas.
The more Elliot talked to her at dinner, the more he believed they would be very compatible. She was exactly as Mrs. Darcy promised after twenty years of knowing her friend; Miss Lucas was a caring and intelligent woman.
