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CHAPTER 7

To Elizabeth’s way of thinking, one of the best things about being in Kent was the prospect of spending time with her intimate friend Charlotte. Elizabeth could not wait a moment longer in bringing the reunion about, and so she set off early that morning on the path leading to the parsonage. Charlotte greeted Elizabeth at the gate, and the two ladies embraced with all the warmth befitting friends separated by hundreds of miles.

When they were settled in Charlotte’s particular parlour, Elizabeth reached for her friend’s hand and gave it a good squeeze. “Charlotte, it is such a pleasure to see you again. It is all well and good to keep in touch through letters, but it is a poor substitute for actually being together like this.”

“It was so very nice seeing you at Pemberley over Christmas, dearest Eliza.”

“Indeed. Who would have thought that we all should be reunited at Pemberley after the manner of my leave-taking when I was a guest here at the Parsonage?”

“Yes, but that is all behind us now, or so I would like to think. You and my brother Geoffrey got along swimmingly, though one would never venture to say that he and your husband shall ever enjoy the kind of camaraderie two brothers ought; however, that the two of them were civil was a refreshing change.”

“I confess you are correct, although I did not always expect them ever to get along. You will recall the level of animosity between those two when we were all here last spring.”

“I suppose that is the way it is when two strong and determined gentlemen have their caps for the same woman. In the end, things turned out just as they ought. Jane seemed very much in love with Geoffrey, and Mr. Darcy is very much in love with you. You deserve every bit of the happiness you enjoy with your husband.”

Some discussion was had over Elizabeth’s familial felicity and how she often found herself caught in the middle of disagreements between Georgiana and Anne and, at times, Ben and Darcy.

Charlotte said, “I am sure you would not have it any other way.”

“Indeed, only you would say such a thing, dear Charlotte.”

“Who knows you better than I do—save Jane and your dear husband … perhaps?”

Elizabeth said, “Indeed, I would say that my husband and I are well on our way to knowing each other perfectly, which is not to say we do not have our fair share of disagreements, for there is one thing I first only suspected about my dear husband that I now know without a doubt to be true.”

“Pray what is that, dear Eliza, if you do not mind my asking?”

“He likes to have his own way.”

Charlotte laughed at this revelation. “That should hardly come as a surprise. Is that not the way with rich and powerful men?”

Frantic tapping against the window pane drew the ladies’ eyes towards the direction of the sound. Charlotte excused herself and crossed the room in haste. She opened the window. Her husband looked as if he had been dragged there by his horse.

Panting, he said, “Wait until you hear what I have rushed all this way to say.”

“My dear Mr. Collins, you must calm yourself.”

After a series of shallow breaths, his hand clutching his chest, he said, “Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear, but I have just come from Rosings Park.”

She placed her hand on her bosom. “Oh!”

“Indeed. It seems the arrival of the Darcys has pleased my noble patroness exceedingly, and she is once again of a mind to entertain guests.”

Charlotte could well imagine how happy this made her husband, for it had been months since her ladyship invited them to tea, much less dinner. After church services, she regularly lamented on the pain she must suffer having to be alone away from her dear Anne. It was too much to endure and yet endure it she would. Until her Anne returned, she would not even consider entertaining anyone at Rosings. Such was her refrain whenever she was seen in public—she would bear her lot alone and in silence.

Collins said, “Her ladyship is delighted to have her daughter home again where she belongs, and she is being exceedingly generous towards the Darcys too, in spite of their encouraging Miss de Bourgh to be away from her mother at a time in life when her ladyship needs her only child most. I do not know that I would be quite so generous.”

“My dear Mr. Collins, please greet our guest.”

The ridiculous man’s mouth gaped. His eyes widened. “Our guest? Why did you not say something before?” He poked his head inside and espied Elizabeth sitting on the couch, thus obliging Elizabeth to join her friend at the window.

“My dear cousin, I had no idea you were here. Welcome to our humble abode. I do hope everything is to your liking.”

“Indeed, it is, sir.”

“I beg your pardon for what I said just now. It is a most Christian act to open your home to Miss de Bourgh. As I recall, she is most happy there, although you likely heard me express my happiness on her ladyship’s behalf to know that her daughter is returned.”

“Indeed, sir, and whether Anne decides to remain here in Kent upon our leave-taking is not for me to say, but I assure you, my husband and I will be agreeable as well as accommodating to whatever she decides, even if that means once again being the means of keeping her from being here with Lady Catherine at a time when her mother desperately needs her most.”