Chapter 18
“I am to marry Mr Collins,” Charlotte proclaimed. Charlotte had called to visit, as was her wont. Normally, she would have sat with all the Longbourn ladies and had tea. But instead she had invited Elizabeth to walk around the Longbourn gardens. Proclaiming that she had need of some fresh air. Elizabeth found this had to believe as she had only arrived on foot from Lucas Lodge.
Elizabeth shook her head; unsure she had heard correctly. At first unable to comprehend what her friend was telling her. Once she grasped the meaning she looked at Charlotte, her eyes wide in shock. She saw that Charlotte held herself rigid, as if expecting a body blow. Although, no such attack came, she still stepped back from Elizabeth. It was this movement which drew Elizabeth to her right mind.
“Congratulations Charlotte,” she said, even trying to inject a note of joy into her words. But she saw that she had not fooled her friend who knew her so well.
“I see what you are feeling,” replied Charlotte; “you must be surprised, very much surprised. But when you have had time to think on it, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and, considering Mr. Collins’s character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.”
“You are right of course Charlotte,” Elizabeth said taking her friend’s hands. Charlotte had spoken of her disappointed hopes. She had always wanted to be a wife and mother. And having reached seven and twenty, without any offers, she had acknowledged that it was unlikely to happen.
“Mr Collins is not a bad man,” Elizabeth acknowledged. “He is not the man I would have chosen for you, my dearest friend. But he is neither wicked nor unfeeling. You have to know, that I wish only for your happiness. If you tell me you are happy, then I shall wish you joy with an open heart.”
Charlotte smiled and although it was not the smile of a woman deeply in love. It did reach her eyes and she squeezed Elizabeth hands. “I am happy Eliza,” she confirmed.
“Well then,” Elizabeth said, and continued, with a warmth in her voice which had been missing previously. “Congratulations Charlotte, I wish you great joy.”
Charlotte pulled Lizzy into a hug. And Elizabeth was glad that Charlotte had taken the time to have this conversation privately, before her family heard her news.
As they re-entered the house together, Charlotte said, “I shall depend on hearing from you very often, Eliza.”
“Thatyou certainly shall.”
“And I have another favour to ask. Will you come and see me?”
“We shall often meet, I hope, in Hertfordshire.”
“I am not likely to leave Kent for some time. Promise me, therefore, to come to Hunsford.”
Elizabeth could not refuse. Charlotte had since her earliest memories, been her closest friend. And although she took little pleasure in Mr Collins company. She would endure it for the sake of maintaining her friendship with Charlotte.
“My father and Maria are to come to me in February,” added Charlotte, “and I hope you will consent to be part of theparty. Indeed, Eliza, you will be as welcome to me as either of them.”
Elizabeth and Charlotte rejoined the Bennet ladies. When they had exited for the jaunt to the garden Mr Collins had been with them. But he was now missing and Elizabeth though perhaps he had gone to share the news with her father.
Charlotte sat down and Elizabeth took the seat beside her. Forgoing her usual spot beside Jane. She saw Charlotte open her mouth and then close it again. And Elizabeth felt sure she knew her thoughts. Charlotte knew her mother as well as any of her sisters. So she did not expect a happy audience for her news from that quarter. Elizabeth decided to perform the service for her friend.
“Charlotte has some wonderful news,” she said. She was glad that she had opened the topic, seeing the grateful look on her friend’s face. Elizaeth’s words drew all her sisters and her mother’s attention to Charlotte. Who remained silent.
“Mr Collins is to be the luckiest of men,” Elizabeth continued. “Charlotte has consented to become his wife.” Elizabeth did not allow time for any reactions. Wishing to give her mother time to absorb the information before she spoke. Sure as she was that her first words were unlikely to be pleasant. “I am so pleased,” she said. “The dearest friend to all our family,” she said, looking around the room and deep into her mother’s eyes, “is to become our cousin.” At this point she stopped, hoping that her mother would reply appropriately.
However Jane was the first to speak.
“What wonderful news Charlotte,” Jane said, and her congratulations held none of the misgivings of Elizabeth first ones. She stood up and gave Charlotte a kiss on the cheek.
“Of course,” Mrs Bennet added, finally regaining her ability to speak. “What wonderful news,” she said echoing both Elizabeth’s words and Jane’s. And if her tone or expressionwere not all Charlotte could have hoped for. They were at least not angry or resentful. Mrs Bennet then shook her head and looked at Charlotte.
“No better future Mistress of Longbourn could our cousin have found than our particular friend.” Mrs Bennet said. And Charlotte’s mouth dropped open in shock. Mrs Bennet stood up from her seat, went to Charlotte, also bestowing a kiss on her cheek. “No better choice, for you Charlotte are as dear to me as any of girls.”
Mrs Bennet pulled back and took her seat, ringing for Hill to bring cakes and scones to have with their tea. Elizabeth saw the tears glistening on Charlotte cheeks. She herself could hardly contain her relieve. Her mother had behaved most graciously and Elizabeth was well pleased.
