“You must take this chance to secure him,” her mother insisted. “It is the best and likely the only chance you will have.”
“Do you imagine I have not considered such myself?” Charlotte replied hotly. “I knew how it would be. Elizabeth made no secret of her disdain for her cousin. She is a romantic—nothing less than love will do for her. She has not my experience. Season after season, gentleman after gentleman, until chanceshave all but vanished. I cannot force a proposal, Mama, but I will do my best to induce Mr. Collins to offer his hand.”
Lady Lucas nodded and said no more. When Mr. Collins and Charlotte’s father returned to the parlor, she extended the offer to dine with them.
“Thank you for the invitation, madam,” the parson intoned. “I am pleased to accept. I daresay I cannot find such exalted company at Longbourn. They can do without my presence for the evening. If you will direct me to a pen and paper, I shall prepare a note. Have you a lad willing to deliver it for me?”
Lady Lucas replied in the affirmative. The note was quickly composed and sent off. “Perhaps you would care to see our gardens?” she said when the task had been completed. “Charlotte has done wonders with the space. She is a dab hand at such things, quite the useful lady.”
“Nothing could delight me more,” Mr. Collins replied. “Though it will likely not compare to the gardens at Rosings Park, I am certain there is nothing lacking in Miss Lucas’s efforts. Not that many gardens could compare with Rosings Park. Itisa grand estate, after all. Only the best blooms are grown there.”
“Yes, well,” Lady Lucas answered awkwardly. “Charlotte, take Mr. Collins outside. Show him your roses… and perhaps the little wilderness?”
Charlotte nodded and rose from her seat. She led Mr. Collins outside and into the gardens where she proceeded to show him her favorite plants, the little wilderness, and the stone bench beneath an oak tree where she liked to read. Mr. Collins countered every sight with comments on how Rosings Park was superior and, in the next breath, told her how pleasant and adequate he found the lodge’s garden. Charlotte gritted her teeth against the sharp retorts that threatened to spew forth, cognizant that if she insulted the gentleman, her chance tosecure his offer of marriage would be lost. Mr. Collins seemed pleased with her replies, and after strolling amongst the blooms for a time, they wandered back into the house.
The gentleman spent the rest of the afternoon speaking at length to Lady Lucas and Charlotte, regaling the pair with tales of his patroness, her daughter, the parsonage, the parish, and his life in Kent. Charlotte grew restless as he rambled on and took up her sewing. Lady Lucas excused herself to see to the preparations for the evening meal, leaving her daughter to entertain their guest.
“Your stitches are very fine.” Mr. Collins’s constant flow of conversation had lulled, and he moved to join Charlotte on the settee where she sat.
“Sewing is a calming activity,” she remarked simply. “This is my brother’s shirt. He is still young, and ever so rambunctious. The sleeve is torn from climbing a tree.”
“Such occupation does you credit, my dear Miss Lucas.” Mr. Collins nodded pompously, as if his pronouncement held some great importance. “Your skills will be a valuable asset to your future husband’s household.”
“I am certain you are correct.” Charlotte held her breath. Surely, Mr. Collins would not propose so soon after offering for Elizabeth? Yes, she wished him to do so eventually. The situation would be awkward even if he waited a few days, but a few hours?
“Have you other womanly skills?”
“I know my way around a kitchen.” The confession cost Charlotte considerably. Her mama did not wish her eldest daughter’s skills at cookery to be known. It lessened her worth, at least in the eyes of society. Sir William had not always been a knight. At one time, Charlotte had helped her mother in the kitchen, just as daughters of tradesmen should. Once her father’s position in society had been elevated, the Lucases hadhired a cook and Charlotte had been forbidden from toiling away in that manner ever since, at least to their neighbors’ knowledge.
“That is an asset, to be certain,” Mr. Collins said. A wide grin spread across his face, and he appraised her closely. “You are a capable woman. Any man would be happy to have you.”
“I thank you.” Charlotte felt her cheeks redden, not from embarrassment or pleasure at the flattery, but in mortification of the memories his words brought to her mind. How many gentlemen had said the same thing to her before turning their attention to other younger, prettier, and better-dowered ladies? Mr. Collins was not to blame, though. Surely his words were well-meant, ill-chosen as they were.
The door to the parlor opened and Charlotte’s parents entered. “I have arranged for the younger children to eat in the nursery tonight,” Lady Lucas announced. “Maria is to join them.”
Charlotte glanced at Mr. Collins and wondered if her parents’ machinations were as obvious to him as they were to her. He did not seem to suspect anything, merely replying, “Children are to be seen and not heard, or so Lady Catherine advises me. Your decision to dine without them is to your credit, Lady Lucas. I am certain my patroness would approve of your management of your household.”
“Yes, well…” Lady Lucas glanced away. Mr. Collins did not know that the Lucases dined as a family unless they were entertaining. Every child, from the youngest to the eldest, joined their parents at the table. It had been this way since before Sir William’s elevation to his knighthood. Their habits were certainly not fashionable, but Charlotte imagined her parents were more aware of their children than others of their station.
Dinner proceeded without incident. For once, Mr. Collins was silent. His mouth was filled with food through the duration, and he spoke only a few words between bites. Charlotte’s mother questioned her about her activities, touching specifically onthose that cast her daughter in a good light and as a good match for a clergyman. Charlotte played along with Lady Lucas, hoping that Mr. Collins was paying enough attention to their conversation to take note of her suitability to be his wife.
The ladies separated from the gentlemen, and when the men rejoined them, Lady Lucas offered to have the carriage called to return Mr. Collins to Longbourn.
“I am grateful for your kind offer, Lady Lucas, and I am happy to accept. Your condescension reminds me of my patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She, too, never lets me return to the parsonage on foot. She calls her carriage, even during the summer months. Yes, I am pleased to see you are of her nature.”
“Will you return tomorrow should the situation at Longbourn not be to your liking?” Lady Lucas regarded Mr. Collins steadily.
“I think I shall,” he confirmed. “The inducements at Lucas Lodge are manifold.” Mr. Collins glanced at Charlotte, his lips curling up into a smile that wasalmostattractive.
He left them half an hour later. Charlotte excused herself soon thereafter, feeling unequal to any more of her mother’s lectures about securing a proposal as soon as may be. Mr. Collins was to leave on Saturday. That was not much time to gain his good opinion.
The gentleman joined them the next day before breakfast. Lady Lucas made a good show of welcoming him and inviting him to dine with them. Mr. Collins once again spent the meal in silence, so intent was he on enjoying the breakfast offerings.
Charlotte entertained him throughout the day, and after the evening meal, he joined her again on her favorite settee.
“I hope my presence has not been a trial for you, dear Miss Lucas.” He slid a little closer to her and reached out to touch her hand.
“On the contrary. It has been a pleasure having such an amiable gentleman here these past two days.” She turned to himand smiled, infusing all the warmth and happiness she could into her expression.
