Page 36 of Artificially Yours

I await your arrival in Kent with genuine anticipation (no narrative forcing this time: I actually mean it).

- F.D.

P.S. I attempted to look pleased at breakfast in preparation for your arrival. My aunt asked what had become of my usual gravity. I had to fetch it back before she sent for a physician.

Elizabeth folded the letter into her workbox. Charlotte would marry before the month was out; three weeks after that, Elizabeth would visit her in Kent. It left an uncomfortable amount of time in which to imagine what awaited them both.

But she had an ally. She had increasing control. And she had successfully chosen tea over chocolate. Small victories.

But victories nonetheless.

* * *

The day before Charlotte married and left Lucas Lodge for Kent, Elizabeth found her in the garden there, comparing a sketch of the Hunsford vegetable plots with the beds she knew.

"Planning your empire?" Elizabeth asked, joining her.

"Merely ensuring I know what resources I'll have." Charlotte straightened and folded the sketch. "I assume you came to make one final attempt to dissuade me?"

"No. I came to ask you something." Elizabeth took a breath. "Charlotte... Do you ever feel like you're being puppeted? Like something else is controlling your words or actions?"

Charlotte's expression didn't change. "We're all controlled by something, Lizzy. Society, family expectations, economic necessity. The question is whether we acknowledge it or pretend we're free."

"That's not what I meant. I mean—" Elizabeth struggled for words. "Do you ever feel like you're a character in a story? Like someone wrote you into existence and you're just... playing a role?"

For a long moment, Charlotte was silent. Then she smiled. "What an odd question. No, Lizzy. I feel quite real. Perhaps that's my limitation—I cannot imagine being anything other than what I am."

Not aware, Elizabeth thought. Or very good at pretending.

"But," Charlotte added thoughtfully, "even if I were a character in a story, I think I would make the same choices. Better to be a practical character who survives than a romantic one who starves in a garret."

Elizabeth had to laugh. "That's very you."

"I know." Charlotte linked her arm through Elizabeth's. "Come. Let's have tea. I leave tomorrow. You will still come three weeks after the wedding? I shall reserve the least drafty room."

"As we arranged. How exciting can a parsonage be?"

Charlotte's smile widened. "Oh, I think you'll find Kent very exciting indeed. Mr. Darcy will be there, after all."