Mr. Collins considered her proposition a moment before nodding. Easier to agree with Charlotte for now and persuade her to move out once he finds a place.
“Very well, I shall do just as you wish. I am sure it will all be temporary on any account. A permanent living is certain to come up soon.”
“Or, as we discussed before, Mr. Bennet may expire for sorrow over his late wife.”
A queer little smile come over Mr. Collins’s face. “Oh, I do not think we can count on that, my dear. I am afraid his mood has quite altered of late. Indeed, the boot is quite on the other leg now.”
He walked over, kissed his wife, and proceeded downstairs.
“I shall be in Meryton exploring possible rooms for rent. You can expect me back by supper.”
Chapter 16
The following day, Mary had to force herself to visit her sister. She was still vexed with Elizabeth’s comments about beauty. But knowing her duty to her father, she knocked gently, then opened the door to see whether Elizabeth was awake.
As soon as she stepped into the room, Elizabeth, sitting up in bed, reached out with both hands to her. Mary caught the glimmer of tears shining in her sister’s eyes.
“Mary, I am so glad you have come to see me today. I must speak with you. I have not slept but a wink last night, and I fear tonight will be no different if I do not settle things between us.”
“Oh?” Mary was so surprised, she could think of nothing else to say. She crossed the room and sat beside the bed to give Elizabeth her full attention.
“Mary, I wish to apologize for my thoughtless and hateful comments yesterday. Not only was I far too harsh about my own, dear daughter, but I greatly fear you might feel I was also speaking of you in some way. I was not—please be assured of that. I can only account for my language by saying I was feeling weak and unwell yesterday, and I let my mood get the better of my manners. Please excuse me. You have come all this way just to cheer me up, and now if I have hurt your feelings to the point where you wish to leave and return to Longbourn, I shall be so angry with myself. Please say you will forgive me, please.”
Mary blinked a moment, taking in this remarkable apology. “Of course, I forgive you, Lizzy. After all, the Bible exhorts us to forgive our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Elizabeth nodded. “But do speak from your heart please, Mary—not the Bible. Do you accept my apology?”
Mary could see remorse in her sister’s eyes—and a hint of fear as well. She felt her own resentment melt away.
“Yes, Lizzy, I fully accept your apology. Let there be no impediment to our sisterly bond.”
Elizabeth exhaled and smiled. “Thank you, Mary. Now—if you will ring the bell for tea, I have a treat for us.” She reached under the covers and pulled out two letters. She held them up, with an excited expression. “These two letters arrived today, and I have saved them to read with you. One is from Jane, and one is from Charlotte. Let us savor their news and gossip and have a happy afternoon together.”
Mary returned Elizabeth’s smile. She could not think of a better way to spend the next couple of hours.
***
For two days, Mr. Bennet had gone to his and Amelia’s usual meeting place for their afternoon walk and found no one waiting for him. He had tarried for a quarter hour both times, hopeful that she would appear, only to be disappointed and continue his walk alone.
On the third day, finding himself unmet yet again, he turned from his usual path and went to the rectory. Perhaps she was ill. He knocked on the door and asked to see Mrs. Withers. He was shown to the parlor, and after a few minutes, Amelia entered, a subdued expression on her face. She remained near the door, making no effort to come closer.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Bennet,” she greeted him as she dropped a polite curtsey. “I hope you are well this day.”
He stood. “I am, thank you. It is you I have come to inquire about. You have not met me for our walk for three days now. I feared you were ailing.”
Amelia glanced behind her and shut the door, then motioned Mr. Bennet to sit, taking a place on the settee across from him, leaning in to speak softly.
“I am well—be assured. I have not been able to walk of late because I feel our rambles are putting you in a somewhat compromising position.”
“How so?”
Amelia took a deep breath before replying. “Remember the recent walk we took when you plucked a leaf from my bonnet and I impulsively brought your hand to my cheek?”
“I do. Why do you bring this up? If you are worried that I considered your action inappropriate, be at ease. It felt both natural and comfortable.”
“Indeed, it was for me as well. But you see—someone witnessed that act and has made mention of it to Robert.”
“How dare someone spy upon me! Who was it?”
