“She will be well, sir. Perhaps you might carry her to her chamber to rest? You can call on her tomorrow.”
Mr. Darcy complied, following Charlotte up the stairs and depositing Elizabeth on the bed.
“My congratulations, Darcy,” Sir Andrew said when they returned to the sitting room. “Best prepare for a war. I have locked Martha in a closet, but she will go to Rosings as soon as she is released.”
“Certainly, you have not imprisoned the maid!” Mr. Darcy said, aghast.
“Of course not. Instead, I bribed her to stay silent until tomorrow.” Sir Andrew grinned and winked. “She will go to Lady Catherine as she has in the past.”
“Are you sure she can be bought?” Charlotte doubted it.
“A nosey maid can be turned. I promised her half a crown if she waited until tomorrow. To ensure compliance, I will witness her report to Lady Catherine.” Sir Andrew seemed to have it all sorted out.
“And if my aunt dismisses her for waiting?” Mr. Darcy made a fair point.
“She will claim you proposed tomorrow morning. It will grant us time to ensure all is well with Miss Bennet and to prepare for the assault that is surely coming.”
Mr. Darcy nodded. He glanced at the door. Martha stood there. She nodded, the greed and avarice in her eyes apparent, even to Charlotte. The maid would lose her position if she did not align her loyalties to Jane.
“I shall attend Elizabeth, sir,” Charlotte promised. “Go back to Rosings Park. Tell Mrs. Collins that I fell ill, and you and Sir Andrew were kind enough to see me back to the parsonage.”
Mr. Darcy nodded. “Until later, then. Sir Andrew?” He gestured to the door.
“I will be but a moment.” Mr. Darcy turned and left the room, promising to await him in the entryway.
“Will Miss Elizabeth protest? Will she cry off?” Sir Andrew spoke quietly so as to not be overheard.
Charlotte shrugged. “I cannot be certain. She will view my behavior as the ultimate betrayal of our friendship. I will speak to Mrs. Collins. Together, we will mitigate any damage.”
“I thank you on behalf of my cousin.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “With Darcy married and Anne turning five-and-twenty tomorrow, there is nothing my aunt can do to stop what has started.”
Charlotte marveled at the warmth of his hand. His touch, even through gloves, thrilled her. She knew there to be no hopewith him, but she took pleasure in his attention anyway. Her stubborn, frustrating heart would not allow her to protest.
“I must away. Darcy is waiting. Tomorrow? I asked Martha to come during tea, directly after you all arrive. All the guests will be in the sitting room. Speak to Miss Bennet before then.”
He left and Charlotte sat heavily on the settee.What have I done?She asked herself helplessly.It is for her own good,a serious, superior voice said in her mind.Elizabeth would have thrown him away; the man loves her, will adore her, and secure her future. She does not know what is best. She is too young to realize the pain that comes when one has been passed over so many times. She is too foolish to realize what she would have discarded without a second thought.
She will never forgive me,she told the voice.
So be it,came the reply.
So be it.
Chapter Twenty-One
April 10, 1812
Hunsford, Kent
Elizabeth
Elizabeth awoke slowly, disoriented. Morning sunlight streamed through the window, which did not make sense. Had she not been resting in the sitting room just moments ago?
“Careful, Lizzy.” Jane’s hand entered her field of vision, holding a glass of water. “Take a drink. You have been asleep since yesterday.”
“Yesterday? I do not recall…” Memories of the previous evening returned, and she sat up, gasping. Shaking now, she took the cup from Jane and drank deeply.
“I have heard from Charlotte that Mr. Darcy proposed. I am very happy for you.” Jane smoothed the fabric of the coverlet, not meeting Elizabeth’s gaze.
