It was undeniably fast, though perhaps not as quick as the Darcys had in their story as it was not exactly instantaneous, more so a full moment had passed, possibly two before he allowed himself the hope he was to find the happiness they exuded as he never believed God would gift him with a second chance.
The more they talked, the more he believed she would make a perfect mother to Grace and an exceptionally good parson’s wife. He did not want to frighten her and overwhelm her with attention, so he decided to take things slowly. He certainly did not want to push harder than he sensed she would be comfortable with. After the separation of the sexes, Elliot asked Miss Lucas if he could join her on the settee, and she gestured for him to sit with a welcoming smile.
“How do you enjoy your life in Hertfordshire? I understand that you live close to Mrs. Darcy’s childhood home,” Elliot asked.
“I like living in that county very much, and yes, my father’s estate is surrounded on three sides by Longbourn and Bennet Fields. In order not to be a burden on my parents, I help out as much as I can around the house and make most of the tenant visits.” Charlotte spoke honestly. She did not want him to presume she had the same level of wealth the Darcys or the Bennets claimed.
“Surely you are not a burden on your parents?” he frowned, not believing for a second that Charlotte would allow such.
“They would never say so, but I am no longer a young girl like my sister Maria, and I feel my parents should not have to support me anymore. While I am here, I intend to ask Eliza if she knows of anyone who needs a companion,” Charlotte admitted quietly.
“Miss Lucas, I had wanted to move slower so I do not run you off and it may give you an impression I am hasty, but it is normally not so. However, given the circumstances and what you just shared, I have to ask you something as I do not want to see you leave here to go into service, or leave here for any reason at all.”
Elliot took a deep breath and plunged ahead, “I know we have just met, literally but a couple of hours ago so this may sound forward and crazy, but in talking to you this night, and in hearing the stories Mrs. Darcy has shared about you, telling of your kindness, and love she so obviously has for you, I was already favourably inclined toward you. I have come to believe we would be very compatible. More importantly, I believe you would be a good mother to my Gracie and help guide her through life. I could never consider a woman I felt would not be a good influence on my daughter.”
“I would not think you would,” Charlotte replied breathlessly.
“And though I know this is too forward for a third hour of conversation, I have not been attracted to a woman since my wife passed away five years ago…until I saw you.” He offered the last quietly, relieved she was not running for the door to order her trunks packed.
Elliot held his hand out for hers and was gratified when he felt her fingers against his. He covered her hand with his other hand; the world and propriety long lost in the possibility of a future neither expected but both longed for.
“What I want to ask you is, before you take a fateful step like going into service, if we could get to know one another better in an informal courtship, and then we can decide if we would like to enter into a courtship or something more. And I have to tell you, Miss Lucas, Charlotte, I am already inclined to jump into something more if you say it is that or nothing.” He held his breath as he waited for her to cogitate on an answer.
Charlotte, while unaccustomed to such haste, had explained her situation just for this reason. She wanted him to know her next step so he had the chance to intervene should he feel an attraction to her as she felt for him.
It was obvious that he did. This meant she was rather inclined to jump into something else too, but reasoned they could spend a week or two in an informal courtship. She had waited this long, mayhap now she finally had her reason for why she had had to wait so long to find a man she was compatible with.
“I find myself agreeing with you Mr. Elliot, so I will do nothing to further my aim of becoming a companion and would very much like to get to know you better. I feel the great honour of your being willing to trust me to be a good mother to your daughter. Just so you know and are not misled by who my friends are, at this point, I only have a dowry of two thousand pounds, although my father said he is working to increase our portions,” Charlotte related and then held her breath.
“Thank you, Miss Lucas.” Elliot kissed the back of one of her hands and she felt a warm feeling spread through her body as he did. “I do not need, nor am I looking for, a bride with a large dowry. I have a reasonable fortune of my own and I make a very good living holding the livings at Lambton, Kympton, and Pemberley.
“I am looking for a wife who will love my daughter as if she is her own and a woman to love me and be a partner to me as we journey through our trials and triumphs. I believe we will be very compatible in all ways, and with faith, honesty, and respect between us. This is what I am looking for, not an heiress.
“I laid bare my guilt before you to judge me and you said I was not at fault. You have revealed your greatest fear to me, and I want nothing more than to make it go away. Mrs. Darcy has told me how you and she took care of your younger sister and her younger brothers at all stages in their lives, so I truly believe you will be the best of mothers to my Gracie if things get to that point. I look forward to getting to know you better.” He promised quietly.
“I look forward to meeting your daughter as soon as you feel the time is right,” Charlotte responded softly. The two talked for some time until they realised they needed to talk to others as well.
If things progressed, they would move into the parsonage at Kympton as it was the largest of the three parsonages in the parishes he held the livings for, in fact, he decided to be optimistic and start the move immediately!
They parted with both feeling they were on the way to the happiest of outcomes of their informal courtship. After the parson walked towards where the coffee and tea was being served, Elizabeth beckoned her friend over to where she sat with her husband, her parents, and her aunts and uncles.
“Did you forget we were here tonight as well, Charlotte?” Lizzy teased her friend.
“I did not forget, Eliza, I just enjoyed talking to Mr. Elliot very much,” Charlotte admitted.
“Did Lizzy inform you that I suggested we introduce you and Elliot when we were back in Hertfordshire at the time we invited you to visit us, Miss Lucas?” William teased.
“No, Mr. Darcy, Eliza did not mention that little titbit to me in my invitation, but…” Miss Lucas started to blush, “I am not at all unhappy at the introduction.”
“You seemed to be quite engrossed with each other, Charlotte. And, were you not so happy when he asked to hold your hand, Thomas would have tossed him out on his ear if he upset you.” Mrs. Bennet huffed as she assessed Charlotte, her eyes dancing with mirth.
“We did have a very in-depth conversation, Mrs. Bennet, and thank you for not having him tossed out of the house,” Charlotte confirmed playfully.
“When you accepted my invitation, you wrote there was a particular subject you wanted to talk to me about, Charlotte. One related to your future, I believe you said. Is it something you can talk about now, or do we require privacy?” Elizabeth took her friend’s hand as she asked.
“I did want to talk to you about something, but due to a conversation I just had with Mr. Elliot, the reason for my needing to talk to you is no longer valid.” Seeing the questioning looks from both her friend and her mother, Charlotte offered her reasoning. “I was going to ask you if you knew of anyone seeking a companion for their daughter or widowed relative,” Charlotte sighed at the looks of disbelief on the faces of those who knew and loved her. “Do not look at me so, I am seven and twenty and am long on the shelf. I have felt for some time I have been a burden on my parents and want to relieve both them and, Franklin once he becomes master.”
“Even if you feel so, I am sure neither your parents nor your brother feels that way,” Elizabeth countered.
