As the vessel turned south towards the sheltered bay of Hunsford, Elizabeth’s perusal of their destination found a familiar figure waving from the pier.
“Look! There is Charlotte!” Maria waved to her sister and hopped on her toes.
Elizabeth’s heart warmed at the sight of her friend. The arduous journey was over, and a new adventure was about to begin.
***
The rectory was of comfortable size, handsome, well-kept, and furnished with unpretentious decor. However, a few disproportionately large objects stood out, seeming oddlymismatched with the rest of the interior. Like most dwellings on the island, it had been built using locally available materials, with sturdy stone walls topped by a tightly thatched roof. The windows were small and the ceilings low, lending the house a quaint yet practical charm. It was clear to Elizabeth that Charlotte was doing her utmost to make it a home. A guest bedroom had been set aside for Elizabeth and Maria, while Sir William was given a bed in the summer parlour, as it was the warmest and sunniest room. Since he would only be staying a fortnight, the arrangement seemed perfectly suitable for him.
While Sir William and Mr. Collins were in the garden, the ladies were left to enjoy their tea in Charlotte’s private sitting room. With all news from Hertfordshire already discussed, the conversation shifted to Charlotte’s new life on the island, a subject about which Elizabeth was eager to learn more.
“This is such a charming house, Charlotte. I must congratulate you for the care and effort you have put into it.”
“Thank you, Lizzy,” Charlotte replied with a languid smile. “But it is Mr. Collins you should compliment for its present state. He made many improvements before my arrival, and the house only needed a feminine touch here and there to make it even more welcoming. This particular room, for instance, was used for storing papers and all sorts of unused things. Together, we cleared it out and turned it into my personal parlour.”
“You describe him as quite a thoughtful husband,” Elizabeth said. “Is he all you hoped for? Are you happy in your marriage?”
“I know you had your reservations about his temperament, and I confess I may not have seemed as enthusiastic as I should have when I became engaged. But these past months have revealed his kind and generous nature. We share similar tastes and inclinations, and I am grateful to be the dutiful wife he sought.”
“And Lady Catherine—what is she like? I have heard such conflicting reports regarding her character that I hardly know what to expect.”
Charlotte’s smile faltered for the briefest moment. “She is a very respectable woman and a dedicated mistress of the estate. You will have the honour of meeting her at church on Sunday. You may form your own opinion then.”
“I took the liberty of asking your father to take us to Cardigan Castle. I—”
“Yes, he mentioned it earlier. I wish I could accompany you, Lizzy, but I cannot. You and Maria may go, of course. I know how much you enjoy seeing the sights, and I would not wish to deprive you of the wonders of the region.”
“It would not be the same without you.” Elizabeth’s enthusiasm did not wane. “I am sure your husband will not object—”
“Mr. Collins has nothing to do with this decision.” Charlotte cut in hastily. “He. . . Lady Catherine has made it clear that—”
A maid entered with a kettle of hot water. Charlotte fell silent, her posture stiff as if she was holding her breath. Maria, who had been eager about the excursion earlier that day, sat just as still.
The maid left the room and Charlotte grabbed the kettle. “More tea?” she said after a laboured exhalation.
“There is plenty for us to see here, I am certain.” Elizabeth dropped the subject entirely. Surely, there would be other diversions within the confines of the island to keep her entertained during her visit.
That night, in the bedchamber she shared with Maria, Elizabeth had some time to reflect on Charlotte’s degree of contentment with her marriage. It was hard to discern whether her friend was truly happy. Mr. Collins appeared a sensible enough man, treating his wife with utmost respect and genuine regard, and Charlotte seemed as fond of him as he was of her.
However, a guardedness existed about them, a careful restraint that became especially apparent when in company. They spoke to each other in hushed tones, their manner cautious, as though perpetually wary of unseen scrutiny. Even their servants seemed to inspire unease. If there was true affection between them, Elizabeth had yet to see it. They seemed less like lovers than partners in misfortune, bound not by passion, but by fear.
Elizabeth’s suspicions turned towards their patroness, the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Whenever her name was mentioned, Charlotte and Mr. Collins would either pale or darken, their responses measured with painstaking care—almost as if they feared being overheard by some lurking presence poised to punish them for the slightest misstep.
“Perhaps her Ladyship is a great deal like her nephew, Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth told herself as she laid in bed. “Proud and disagreeable.”
***
Two days later, the newcomers were met with an unexpected visitor from the manor. Miss de Bourgh had driven her curricle to the rectory herself, arriving with little ceremony to extend an invitation for Mr. Collins and his guests to dine at Rosings the following evening. The call was brief; Miss de Bourgh addressed the party from her coach, then departed with the same haste with which she had arrived.
“What a distinguished young lady!” Maria sighed as the carriage disappeared from view. “Do you not think so, Lizzy?”
Elizabeth, having heard much praise of the heiress’s beauty from the Collinses, found nothing particularly remarkable about her. “She is most elegantly dressed, I grant you.”
“And so bold as to drive the curricle herself! The roads here are terribly steep. I would be shaking with fright if I had to make such a treacherous trip.”
“Her friend certainly was,” Elizabeth said with a wry smile. “Who was the lady seated beside her?”
“Mrs. Jenkinson, her companion,” Charlotte replied. “She has been in service at the manor since Miss de Bourgh was a small child.”
