“Lady Catherine is most attentive.” Mr. Collins rambled on until his wife finally interrupted.
“My dear, the time. If we do not ready ourselves now, we shall be late.”
“You are quite right, Mrs. Collins.” Mr. Collins fumbled with his pocket watch to check the time, despite there being a clock on the mantle. Mr. Bennet watched it all with great amusement.
The three ladies stood and left the room. Elizabeth squeezed Charlotte’s hand before they went their separate ways, and they shared a look of commiseration. Jane walked ahead and so did not witness her companions’ exchange.
At promptly half past five, the party left the parsonage and walked the lane toward Rosings Park. Charlotte and Elizabeth had not yet seen the manor fully. The building was partially obscured by trees, and even though the branches had yet to fully realize their foliage, the house could not be completely seen from the lane.
Charlotte only listened to half of what Mr. Collins said as they walked. He spoke of the glazing on the windows, the fireplace, the mantlepiece, and even Lady Catherine’s favorite chair. She began to pay closer attention to his words when he spoke of Miss Anne de Bourgh.
“She is a diamond of the first water,” he said. “There are none to compare. She reached her majority three years ago, and has only grown in beauty and elegance since.”
“Indeed?” Mr. Bennet’s tone bespoke his humor. “How came you by this knowledge? I understood that you took orders only last summer and have had the living at Hunsford since last August.”
Jane shot her father a scolding look. Charlotte took pity on the now blustering clergyman and interrupted with a question of her own.
“Has she had a season in Town?” Charlottewascurious. Surely the child of the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh had experienced the season. By her calculations, Miss de Bourghwas four-and-twenty. Her fortune and inheritance alone would guarantee a bevy of suitors.
“Miss de Bourgh is, unfortunately, of a sickly constitution,” Mr. Collins confessed. “She is as delicate as a flower, and her mother sees to her care most assiduously.”
Elizabeth spoke next. “Does her health prevent her from marrying?”
“Of course not. Miss de Bourgh has been promised to her cousin since her infancy.” Mr. Collins did not specifywhichcousin. Elizabeth claimed Mr. Wickham told her that the lady was engaged to Mr. Darcy, but Charlotte did not believe it. Though, perhaps there was some truth to the matter. Charlotte felt certain that Mr. Darcy had admired Elizabeth and he had left Meryton without acting on his inclination. Mayhap this cradle betrothal was the reason for his lack of action.
They approached the great doors of the manor, and Mr. Collins rang the bell. Soon thereafter, they were admitted to the vestibule and divested of their outer garments. Charlotte looked around her in wonder. Any surface that could be gilded had been. The floor was polished marble and there were heavy tapestries hanging everywhere.
“This way.” The butler led them down the hall and around several turns before opening double doors into an opulent sitting room. There were three occupants, and each remained seated as the party was announced.
“Mr. Collins, Mrs. Collins, and their guests, Lady Catherine.” The butler bowed and left the room, closing the doors behind him.
“Introduce me to your guests, Mr. Collins.” The oldest lady in the room spoke from a high-backed chair. It, too, was covered in gold leaf. She sat ramrod straight, both hands on an ornate walking stick. She dressed fashionably in an over-embellished gown. There were lines around her mouth that spoke offrequent displeasure. Charlotte thought she looked as if she were constantly dissatisfied with the world.
“Indeed, Lady Catherine.” Mr. Collins eagerly did as his patroness bid. “This is my dear father-in-law, Mr. Bennet. And this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet and her friend—” he hesitated a moment “—Miss Charlotte Lucas.” Still, Mr. Collins would not look at her. He gestured only to Elizabeth during the introductions.
I suppose I ought to be grateful he said my name at all.Charlotte’s amusement caused her mouth to turn up in a little smile. Her host had steadfastly ignored her for two days. Though she could not begrudge Jane her good fortune, she hoped he felt the guilt at his dishonorable behavior.
Lady Catherine waved a hand at the other two ladies, who were seated on the settee next to her. “This is my daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh, and her companion, Mrs. Jenkinson.” Miss de Bourgh barely nodded, though Mrs. Jenkinson smiled warmly. Lady Catherine gestured to the empty seats nearest to her and the party from the parsonage was seated.
She is a pale, sickly thing,Charlotte thought. Anne de Bourgh sat buried in a pile of shawls and lap rugs. Her hair and clothing were fashionable; the former looked lank and straw like and the latter made her complexion look even paler than it truly was.If Mr. Darcy is to marry her, I shall eat my bonnet.The man would need an heir and his cousin looked as if a strong breeze would fell her.
“You have five daughters, do you not, Mr. Bennet?” Lady Catherine’s imperious voice interrupted Charlotte's musings.
“I do.” Mr. Bennet answered with only two words. Charlotte watched in interest as his sardonic smile appeared on his lips.He means to tease her!She watched, eagerly awaiting what was to come.
“I understand from Mrs. Collins that all are out.” The judgment in Lady Catherine’s tone rang out. “I would not have believed it had your daughter not proven herself so reliable. How can you account for it, sir?”
“I do not take your meaning.”
“Fivedaughters out? All the younger out before the older married?” Lady Catherine sounded incredulous. “Mr. Collins has told me of your situation. How does your estate manage the expense? Do not the younger girls present a disadvantage to their older sisters?”
“My wife has always seen to their wardrobe and expenses,” Mr. Bennet drawled disinterestedly. “There can be no disadvantage to my older children to have their younger sisters out. Jane has married, despite her younger sisters’ silliness.”
“And a more lovely, amiable, charming wife I could not have asked for.” Mr. Collins interrupted, eager to have his part of the conversation. “Mrs. Collins is demure and caring. Her management of my house and the parish are exemplary, and she will certainly be a wonderful mother when that—”
“Mr. Collins! I am speaking with Mr. Bennet. Kindly refrain from cutting in.” Lady Catherine scowled at the parson, causing him to shrink back in his chair. Jane placed a hand on his arm, and he covered it with his own. Her touch seemed to revitalize him, and he sat up instead of cowering. Charlotte watched it all with interest. Jane wielded great influence on her husband.
Lady Catherine returned her attention to Mr. Bennet. “Have you a governess or companion to aid your youngest girls?”
