“Almost as soon as I heard the news,” confessed Charlotte. “The invitation to Lucas Lodge I offered because I knew it would give you relief, but I had some notion of making myself indispensable to Mr. Collins by then.”
“And you had no doubt you could persuade him.”
This time, Charlotte appeared a little rueful. “It seemed likely, given Mr. Collins had proposed to you on the strength of a week’s acquaintance.”
“Of course,” said Elizabeth. “Mr. Collins came to Longbourn to find a wife—I suspect returning to Kent, having successfully secured an engagement, was foremost in his mind.”
What Elizabeth did not say, that the identity of Mr. Collins’s future bride was not as important as the success of his endeavor, she did not think her friend misunderstood. Neither said the words, though both knew it to be true, which allowed it to remain a polite fiction between them.
“Then when do you mean to marry? I cannot suppose that Mr. Collins will wish to wait long.”
Charlotte colored a little but did not hesitate to speak. “We shall wed on January the ninth. Mr. Collins will return once more between now and the wedding. As we will only be together in the same county once between now and then, my father feels that the proprieties are met—no one will raise an eyebrow at the speed of our union.”
“No one would think that anyway,” said Elizabeth, pressing Charlotte’s hands with affection. “Your reputation is spotless, Charlotte—they will understand.”
With a grateful smile, Charlotte nodded. “There is a practical reason, of course. As a parson, Mr. Collins cannot be away from his flock for long. When we discussed the timing of thewedding, Mr. Collins agreed that it was preferable not to enter a long engagement where we must remain apart for most of it. Far better to marry without delay than to endure such circumstances.”
The way Charlotte phrased it suggested thatshehad arguedMr. Collinsto that position. Elizabeth suspected that was not true. Mr. Collins had proven his lack of sense—she doubted he would see anything amiss with a hasty marriage that would catch the attention of those about them. In such cases, many assumed there was a particular reason for the couple’s wish to wed at once. In this case, Elizabeth thought Charlotte was correct.
“Lizzy,” said Charlotte, “I must ask for your indulgence in frequent contact over letters. Since I doubt I shall return to Hertfordshire soon, your friendship will sustain me as I take on my new duties.”
“Why, Charlotte!” exclaimed Elizabeth, certain she could tease her friend about this, at least. “Mr. Collins has informed me all about Lady Catherine de Bourgh—surely a lady as great and attentive as your future patroness will consider sustaining you her sacred duty!”
Charlotte laughed, proving Elizabeth’s suppositions correct. “I have every expectation of finding the lady no less than determined to be of use.”
“That is one way of putting it.” Elizabeth’s mirth drained, and she fixed her friend with an earnest look. “I would not injure you by supposing you do not understand, Charlotte, but Mr. Collins paints a picture of a woman who instructs and expects to be obeyed.”
“That much is true,” replied Charlotte. “While I do not suppose that I can openly defy her ladyship, I suspect I will have no trouble convincing my husband that I have complied.”
“For shame, Charlotte,” teased Elizabeth. “Do you mean to mislead your husband?”
“Nothing of the sort!” Charlotte offered a serene smile. “Rather, I suspect both Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins will not trouble themselves to verify that I have carried out their instructions. When Lady Catherine’s advice is sound, I shall follow it to the letter. When it is against my own judgment, I should think it best to do what is right and not trouble them with reasons why I wish to do otherwise.”
“It sounds like you have considered this at great length, Charlotte,” said Elizabeth.
“Much of what I do will depend on my early assessment of Lady Catherine. But yes, I mean to ensure that I am as much the mistress of my own house as I can manage.”
“Excellent. I wish you the best.”
Elizabeth turned her attention to the other matter that drew her to Lucas Lodge. “There is another matter of which I must speak to you, Charlotte. I hope that I can count on your assistance.”
“This sounds serious, Lizzy. How may I help?”
“There is a viper among us, and I mean to deal with him.”
“Do not tease me, Lizzy. What do you mean?”
Elizabeth laid out what she had learned the previous day, and while much of it shocked Charlotte, she ensured Elizabeth understood that she had never trusted the man in question as much as Elizabeth had. When Charlotte understood, Elizabeth proposed her idea, and her friend agreed. Thus, Elizabeth put her plan into motion at once.
GEORGIANA WAS SURPRISEDand pleased to receive an invitation to join the Bennet sisters in Meryton to visit the shops. What was less surprising was that the gentlemen would insiston going with them—or at least, that Mr. Bingley would insist. William had been introspective since Jane and Elizabeth had departed Netherfield, but he would go to Meryton with them, if only to ensure Mr. Wickham did not trouble her.
“Tell me, Brother,” said Georgiana as they approached the break in the trees that led to the town, “what will we find in Meryton? I do not recall seeing much of it as I passed through.”
“Meryton is much like any other market town,” said Darcy. “It is not so extensive nor so charming as Lambton, but it is a town much like any other.”
“The streets are unpaved,” added Mr. Bingley, “and it is small, but Meryton has its own charms, though I well understand your brother’s preference for Lambton—it is rather charming, as I recall.”
“Will there be any shops that I will like?”
