Elizabeth bent to pick up Cinder just as Georgiana and a footman returned with the bowl and a pitcher of water. The young girl scooped Chocolate into her arms. Both puppies quieted at once. Collins bowed to them.
“Mrs. Darcy. Miss Darcy.”
The ladies curtsied, and then he followed Fitzwilliam into the house.
Georgiana buried her face in Chocolates hair. “What an amazing puppy you are. Somehow, you know you are to protect us.”
Elizabeth laughed. “They were so dear. Barking as if their lives depended on it.”
“They are very loud,” Georgiana replied. “I heard them all the way in the house.”
“I had no idea Mr. Collins was near,” Elizabeth said. “But Cinder woke and ran behind me barking, and then Chocolate followed.”
Just then, they heard a carriage approach. Elizabeth peered over the hedge.
“Charlotte is here.” She waved to Peter, who stood near the edge of the garden. He came at once, slipped collars and leashes on the puppies, and led them toward the stables.
“Charlotte, come. We are ready for you upstairs.”
“Agnes is with me,” Charlotte said. “She can watch as your maid cuts my hair, for she will be the one who will maintain it going forward.”
“That is good,” Elizabeth said. “Come, let us go inside and begin.”
They entered by a side door and climbed the staircase. Ellis had placed a chair near the window for the best light and motioned for Charlotte to sit. Ellis walked around her twice.
“Miss Charlotte, you have a high protuberant forehead, which draws the eye. But the shape of your head is pleasing, and your features are good. Your hair is straight, and each strand is fine,but you have an abundance of it. It will appear fuller once it is shortened. I recommend a fringe to soften your brow. We shall leave it long enough to cover your eyebrows. Because your hair is fair, your lashes and brows are hardly visible. Do any of your shops carry henna to darken them?”
Shaking her head, Charlotte said, “I have never heard of it, and I doubt I would be allowed to buy it, for I would become the latest subject of gossip. But I will look for it when we next shop in Harpenden, if I can contrive to slip away from my mother for a few minutes to purchase it.”
Elizabeth asked, “How about her lips, Ellis? Is there anything she may use?”
“Yes, miss. She may purchase a small pot of carmine in the lightest shade, so that she will not draw notice. Use a light hand, Miss Charlotte, or people will know you are wearing it. Once they grow accustomed to the effect, they will ask no questions. When the correct stain is used, the result is very natural.”
“What are your plans for the rest of the morning, Charlotte? I can ask Fitzwilliam for the carriage and take you into Harpenden to shop. I have wanted to visit the bookshop. Ellis will accompany us, and she can assist you in choosing the proper shade.”
Charlotte’s eyes lit. “I have no plans, Lizzy. I shall bless you forever, especially if I may hope to attract a man once my appearance is improved.”
Ellis said, “Come, let me begin. Miss Charlotte, your hair is untidy. It looks like a bird's nest. It will never remain pinned in an elegant chignon while it is this long. I think you will be pleased with the change.”
Georgiana, Elizabeth, and Agnes watched as Ellis cut away years of hair. It had fallen below Charlotte’s waist, and Elizabeth thought it resembled pale, dry straw. When Ellis finished, she handed a looking glass to the woman. Charlotte’s eyes filled with tears, and she rose to throw her arms around Elizabeth’s neck, laughing and weeping both at once.
“Lizzy, I do not recognize myself. I am so altered. My mother will either throw a tantrum because I cut my hair, or she will faint at the improvement. But either way, it is too late to stop me. It is done.”
The three women laughed with her. “Come, Ellis will help you dress, and I will run down to order the carriage. I shall wait below.”
Elizabeth hurried down the stairs in high spirits. At the bottom, she ran directly into Mr. Collins, who had stepped out from beside the staircase with deliberate purpose. She fell back, but he seized her upper arms and steadied her. She tried to pull away, but he did not release her.
“Mrs. Darcy, are you well?”
“Yes, I am perfectly well. Release me at once.”
He released her.
“Elizabeth, I have repented of my ill-judged decision to allow Mr. Darcy to have you. I ought to have fought for you. You and I were perfectly suited.”
“Sir, you will desist. Excuse me. I have an errand.”
She walked around him and hurried to the door. The footman was not present. She opened the front door and saw no one. She called out, “Grayson?”
