“I hope that I may speak to your father before I leave for Hunsford.” Mr. Collins took her hand fully in his and raised it to his lips. He kissed it, and Charlotte struggled not to wince as his affection left a wet mark on the back of her hand. “Would that please you?”
“It would,” she answered. Anticipation soared in her chest. Despite his irritating and dull conversation and his other less desirable traits, Charlotte was certain she would be happy as his wife. A lady firmly on the shelf could tolerate a lot if it meant she would be secure in her own establishment.
“I shall leave you now, then,” he said. “Dream of the future, Miss Lucas.” Mr. Collins stood and excused himself. The Lucas carriage carried him back to Longbourn, and Charlotte went to bed filled with hope for the forthcoming proposal.
Chapter Two
November 28, 1811
Meryton
Elizabeth
Elizabeth entered the breakfast room with trepidation. After the events of the day before, she did not relish the thought of starting her morning being harangued by her mother. Though she appreciated Charlotte taking Mr. Collins off to Lucas Lodge for the day yesterday, the man’s absence had meant Mrs. Bennet did not hold back in her vexation at her most trying daughter. Elizabeth wondered if she would be forced to flee the house once again to escape her mother’s tirades. A small part of her worried that her father would rescind his support of Elizabeth’s refusal just to calm the storms of his wife’s nervous outbursts.
“She has not risen yet.” Mr. Bennet’s voice came from the dining room. Elizabeth hurried into the room upon his wordsand took her customary seat next to Mr. Bennet. “Mr. Collins has departed as well, so you need not fear encountering him, either.”
“Where has he gone?”
“Lucas Lodge. Apparently, Sir William has developed a taste for our cousin’s company and invited him to spend the day with them.” Mr. Bennet smiled wryly, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses.
“Bless Charlotte for taking him away yesterday,” Elizabeth murmured. She filled her plate with her favorite foods, taking up a knife and spreading preserves across a scone.
“He is only here for a few more days,” Mr. Bennet assured her. “I promise I shall not allow him to importune you further.”
“Thank you, Papa.” Elizabeth cast her father a loving look. He was a disinterested parent, to be sure, but he did love his children. Had Elizabeth been unopposed to her cousin’s proposal, he would have supported her decision to marry the man. Then again, if she had been willing to do so, she certainly could not be called her father’s favorite child. No lady of sense would willingly enter into an engagement with such an objectionable man.
Jane wandered into the dining room, seating herself across from Elizabeth and on her father’s other side.
“Good morning,” she said cheerfully. Jane’s cheeks were rosy, and her eyes glistened with happiness. Elizabeth knew where her sister’s thoughts were—three miles away at Netherfield Park.
“Is he to come to call today, then?” Elizabeth teased.
“No,” Jane replied, not even trying to deny the nature of her thoughts. “He left for London yesterday and will be gone a sen’night.”
“The Roman poet Sextus Propertius says, ‘Always toward absent lovers love’s tide stronger flows.’ His affections will be at high tide by his return.” Elizabeth nudged Jane’s leg under the table.
“If you are to discuss suitors and poetry, I had best remove myself to my study,” Mr. Bennet cajoled. “Good morning, my dears.” He rose from his seat and took up his newspaper before leaving the room.
Elizabeth finished her meal and left, hoping to escape Mrs. Bennet’s presence. Jane ate more slowly, and in time joined her sister in the parlor. They took up a basket of mending and stitched carefully. Kitty, Lydia, and Mama could be heard in the dining room now. Mary’s playing echoed through the house as well, and the general cacophony masked the sound of the door.
“A letter for you, miss.” Mrs. Hill appeared at the parlor door. She crossed the room and delivered the note to the eldest Miss Bennet.
“Thank you, Hill,” Jane said amiably. The housekeeper departed, and she turned the letter over. “It is from Miss Bingley.” Jane tore open the seal and began to read. Elizabeth watched her sister’s pleased expression fall, hurt and confusion replacing the happiness that had shown from her countenance since the Netherfield Ball.
“Jane?” she asked beseechingly. Her concern was readily apparent in her voice.
“It is nothing.” Jane’s expression smoothed, turning into one of calm and complacency. “I believe I shall retire to my room. I have some… correspondence to see to.”
Elizabeth rose with her sister, stopping when Jane held up a staying hand. “I need a moment, Lizzy,” she said firmly. “Give me that.”
Nodding, Elizabeth watched helplessly as Jane departed. She returned to her workbasket, repairing the tear in one of her father’s shirts and contemplating the peculiar behavior.
“There you are, Miss Lizzy!” Mrs. Bennet appeared at the door. “I have been told that Mr. Collins has absented himself from Longbourn again today. I blame you! Perhaps if you hadaccepted him, he would be more amenable to our company. Now, he is not even present to court Mary!”
Elizabeth fumed silently.It is a shame Mama did not think to throw Mary in his path to begin with. She might have accepted his addresses when he paid them.Mary was far more suited to be a clergyman’s wife than Elizabeth. Her piousness and pomposity were more than a match for the heir to Longbourn.
“I am sorry my refusal disappoints you,” she said to her mother. “I mean only to act in a manner that ensures my future happiness, without regard to others’ expectations.”
