“What are you talking of Miss Bennet? What are you saying Richard? I must have my share of the conversation.”
The Colonel made a hasty retreat, excused himself and sat by his cousin Anne. She looked at him surprised and he smiled at her encouragingly, “how are you Anne?”
The lady, unaccustomed to attention blushed and smiled shyly, while Elizabeth realised that the young woman was a lot more attractive than she had allowed her to be. All of a sudden an image of Anne in the arms of her intended, Mr Darcy, herselfsmiling contentedly into his eyes invaded Elizabeth’s mind and she winced. “How odd,” She whispered to herself and shook her head to dislodge it.
A few minutes later a maid entered the room and informed Elizabeth that Charlotte was asking to see her. She then curtsied to the occupants of the room and turning to Lady Catherine, she thanked her for the dinner and excused herself for the night.
Chapter 7
Charlotte had slept most of the day, with little breaks in between where the maids attempted to feed her barley water and thin beef broth, to combat her deep dehydration.
However due to her throat being raw caused by constant vomiting, the process was slow and painful to both patient and attendants. She looked pale and very thin so Elizabeth could not help but worry about her good friend.
“Charlotte how are you tonight?” Elizabeth plastered a smile on her face as she tried to cheer her friend.
But Charlotte was Elizabeth’s oldest friend and even in a weakened state she still recognised the signs of distress.
“Eliza what is wrong?” Charlotte said with difficulty, “You seem unhappy.”
“Oh Charlotte, of course I am unhappy, how could I be otherwise with you so ill?”
Charlotte snorted, and then grimaced with pain, “Oh, my throat...”
Elizabeth chuckled, “That will teach you to laugh at me.”
“I was not laughing at you but I know you, Eliza Bennet. Besides, I might be sick but I am not a simpleton, I can tell when there is something bothering you... and it is not my health.”
Elizabeth looked away disconcerted.
“Go on,” Charlotte said, “you have always trusted me and I cannot be doing all the talking as it hurts. Please Eliza, unburden yourself.”
Elizabeth sighed but indeed unburden herself she did, and she felt much better for it afterwards, telling Charlotte of her anger at Mr Darcy.
“So Colonel Fitzwilliam gossiped about his cousin and now you will not hear Mr Darcy’s side of the story; interesting!”
Elizabeth glared at her friend, “Mr Darcy is the most odious man I have ever known, and he separated two people in love Charlotte. He had no business interfering! He had no right.” Her face flushed with passion.
Charlotte nodded and held her throat as she spoke softly to prevent more pain, “When Mr Collins proposed to me you were not happy, remember? In fact you tried to dissuade me by calling him ridiculous. Afterwards you pretended to be happy for me, but you were not. And if I had allowed you, you would have counselled me against him. Would you not?”
Elizabeth gasped and looked down embarrassed, “Charlotte, I...”
“Oh do not worry, I have forgiven you a long time ago and of course no harm came of it.”
“But you did not love Mr Collins and neither did he love you.”
“Oh hush child,” Charlotte chastised her gently, “how arrogant of you to decide how we felt towards each other.”
Elizabeth suppressed a sob, “I am so sorry, Charlotte.”
“As I said, I have forgiven you Eliza. But tell me, how is Mr Darcy’s interference in Mr Bingley and Jane’s attachment different from your attempt at interfering in mine and Mr Collins’ life?” Charlotte looked at Elizabeth with compassion but continued undisturbed, “but I did not allow you to dissuade me despite, as you say, not being in love with Mr Collins... but MrBingley was supposed to be madly in love with your sister, was he not?” She added quietly.
Elizabeth gasped and covered her mouth to stop herself from sobbing loudly. She looked stricken and after a brave attempt to hold the tears at bay, she finally allowed herself to cry freely. She sobbed on Charlotte’s lap while her friend stroked her hair lovingly, like a mother.
“Shhh, hush now... This is not the end of the world. Just listen to the gentleman and offer him the same courtesy I offered you when you tried to break up my own prospect of marriage. And remember, Eliza, Mr Bingley is his own man; he is not a child to be led by the hand. Do not condemn one for interfering and absolve the other for allowing it.”
Elizabeth cried for a long time but eventually she sat up straight and dried her face with her handkerchief. Once her sobs subsided she asked feebly, “Are you happy Charlotte, I mean... with your choice?”
Charlotte pondered for a few minutes, “As you know, I am not romantic, I never was. All I wanted was a comfortable home where I would not be a burden to my aging parents nor to my oldest brother when he finally inherits Lucas Lodge. All things considered, I think my chance of happiness with Mr Collins is as fair as most people can boast on entering the married state.” Charlotte touched her neck and cleared her throat gently to sooth it, “I think I need some honey to sooth my throat... but to answer your question yes, I think I am happy. Now all I wish for is my strength to return and for my babe to grow healthy and strong.”
