Charlotte struggled to keep up with me. “You really must tell me what happened! How is it that you came to be in Mr. Darcy’s company?”
“Oh, I told you that he burst in on us this morning,” said Mr. Collins, puffing a bit as he brought up the rear behind us. “She was very upset. He drew her into his arms and they ran off together.”
“Why were you upset, Lizzy?” said Charlotte. “I don’t understand at all.”
“I was upset because it’s still Thursday, Charlotte,” I said. “I was upset because Mr. Wickham, it turns out, is not a very nice man. I was upset because Mr. Darcy’s chest is very firm. And because having his arm around me like that—”
“All right, perhaps…” Charlotte cleared her throat. “You were saying about a nap?”
“Yes,” I muttered. “A nap is exactly what I need.”
But I did not really get to nap for very long. I had been up all night, and then slept for perhaps an hour on that bench with Mr. Darcy. Then I climbed into my bed at the parsonage and got perhaps two or three hours sleep before I was awakened by Charlotte.
Apparently, news of my impending nuptials to Mr. Darcy had reached Lady Catherine, and she was not pleased, not in the least.
So, my presence was requested at Rosings.
I tried to beg off the entire thing, for I found Lady Catherine trying under the best of circumstances, and this was far from that. I was tired. I was morose. I was feeling rather hopeless, in fact.
Charlotte, however, was exhibiting some anxiety about the entire business, which seemed to be exacerbated by her husband’s anxiety, which could only be because Mr. Collins wished sincerely never to displease his mistress, Lady Catherine. I found that I could not add to my friend’s distress by refusing to go and do the bidding of her ladyship.
It was foolish, of course.
Charlotte would never remember this!
However, it didn’t matter that, because even if she wouldn’t remember, I would have to watch her suffer in the present, and that was not even remotely pleasing.
So, I dressed and I made my way to Rosings. It was just after luncheon, still before tea, and I knew Mr. Darcy had claimed he would be there at tea, but I did not know if he would be there earlier. Perhaps he was napping, even now. It would be just like him to do so and to leave me all alone in this.
I was shown into a sitting room, all alone, even though I did not wish to be left here with no one’s company except Lady Catherine’s.
She was seated in a high-backed chair, her expression severe.
I curtsied and made to sit down.
“You may stand,” she said. “This will be brief. I am quite sure that what I have heard is nonsense.”
I straightened up. “Oh?”
“Yes, because I heard that my nephew has asked you to marry him.”
“You know, thatisnonsense. He did not ask.”
“He did not.”
“No, he simply declared it this morning when we were discovered together, for he said he’d compromised me. I assure you, Lady Catherine, nothing happened between us.” I lifted my chin.
“Compromised you,” she repeated, looking concerned.
“Was that left out of the tale when it was brought to you?” I said.
“He would never do such a thing,” she said to me. “He is engaged to my daughter.”
I didn’t say anything. I stifled a yawn. Of all the Thursdays thus far, this was the longest.
“Well, what say you to that?”
“I say that if your ladyship is so convinced that your nephew is already betrothed, there can be no reason to think that he could have become betrothed to me.”
