Elizabeth had once thought such matters would always remain precarious, dependent on careful watching. Now, they moved forward of their own accord.
***
Caroline flung open the door to Charles’s study. “I have been looking for you.”
Charles sighed. “It appears you have found me, Caroline. Congratulations.”
She dropped into a chair before his desk.
“Caroline, I am occupied. What is it you want?”
She scoffed. “Occupied? What could you possibly be working on?”
“Either state your purpose or allow me to return to my work.”
“It is completely ridiculous to have the Bennets living here.”
“Caroline, their house has been damaged by fire. It is not fit to be inhabited. They have waived the rent, which has saved me a considerable expense. What, precisely, is the difficulty?”
“That Miss Eliza is constantly throwing herself at poor Mr. Darcy.”
Charles gave a short laugh. “He seems to bear it very well, from what I have observed.”
“She undermines my authority with the servants.”
“In what way?”
“She speaks to them.”
Charles paused. “She… speaks to them? How very alarming.”
“She greets them, inquires after their day, and they attend to her as if she were mistress here.”
Charles shook his head. “You must either overlook it or learn to endure it.”
“I want her gone. Now.”
Charles rose to his feet. “If you are so dissatisfied, Caroline, I shall send you to our aunt in Scarborough, where you may be perfectly comfortable and entirely removed from your present inconveniences.”
Her eyes widened. “You would not!”
“Do not test me.”
***
Elizabeth took her seat at the dining table, allowing herself a quiet sigh of relief that she had not been placed beside Mr. Collins. Instead, she found herself next to Anne, which was infinitely more agreeable.
She glanced along the table. Mr. Darcy was seated between Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst and appeared engaged in conversation with the latter, though Elizabeth suspected he was not wholly inattentive to the rest of the table. Miss Bingley did not look pleased. Lady Catherine was speaking to her mother, who, to Elizabeth’s surprise, did not seem at all discomposed.
Her attention shifted again, and she was startled to see Jane seated beside Mr. Bingley. How it had been arranged, she could not guess, but both looked exceedingly happy and spoke chiefly to one another.
After the second course was removed, Mr. Bennet rose. “I have some news.”
He paused, allowing the table’s attention to settle upon him. “Mr. Collins has accepted our offer and signed the necessary papers to break the entail. They have been sent to the proper authorities, and within a few weeks we should receive the new deed.”
Mrs. Bennet pressed her hand to her chest. “Mr. Bennet, this is not one of your jokes? You are quite serious?”
Mr. Bennet shook his head. “I am quite serious, my dear. Shall we have a glass of Madeira to mark the occasion?”
