Page 52 of The Wager
“I can imagine how tortuous it must have been for Mr. Darcy. Was the ball at Netherfield the last one he had to attend?”
“He has one remaining, which is why he returns to London later today. He and the viscount will attend Lady Kildair’s ball on the tenth of December, and once over, the terms of the wager are satisfied.”
Charlotte set down her cup and huffed out a soft whoosh of air.
“I shall do my best to mitigate gossip and let the mavens of our little society know the truth of Mr. Bingley and his ball. ‘Tis the least I can do for my two best friends.”
“You truly are our closest friend and will miss you dearly once we remove to Twelve Oaks. Please say you will come and visit sometime in April or May.”
Charlotte hesitated slightly before giving her answer.
“That may not be possible. Mr. Collins has asked for my hand in marriage, and I said yes.”
“He has?” Elizabeth could not keep her surprise in check and saw themoueof distaste that twisted Charlottle’s lips. “Forgive me, I am startled by the quickness of your romance. I had hoped he would ask you for a courtship. That he jumped straight over the stile into the field of marriage caught me by surprise.”
“I am not romantic, Eliza. I never was. Mr. Collins is an honorable man with a good living and when your step-father passes, I shall become mistress of Longbourn. Mr. Bennet told me, upon learning our news last night, that he was very pleased Longbourn would have a capable mistress at the helm when he was gone.”
Impulsively, Elizabeth threw an arm around Charlotte’s shoulders and gave her a light hug.
“I am happy for you and also glad you will be here when that terrible day comes upon us.” She leaned back on the sofa with a heartfelt sigh. “Now, do not take this personally, but I truly hope you are old and gray when this occurs. I do not wish to lose Papa anytime soon.”
“I, too, pray that day is far in the future,” Charlotte replied with a soft chuckle. “Such a morbid topic of conversation, especially in light of the fact I am a newly affianced woman.”
“Yes, you are!” Elizabeth exclaimed with new delight.
She was pleased with the blush that graced her friend’s cheeks. Charlotte may think she was not a romantic, but the fact she was a bit shy of her new status told a different story.
They heard a noise in the hall and Elizabeth turned her attention toward the entrance, hoping Mr. Darcy would come through the doors. Instead, Mr. Collins entered in his normal, frantic manner.
“Miss Elizabeth, did I hear a carriage earlier this morning?”
Mr. Collins had slept later than normal, which was not surprising as he was unused to staying up so late to attend a formal ball.
“Mr. Darcy came to farewell Papa.”
“Oh?” Mr. Collins looked surprised. “Such an honor he bestowed upon my cousin. I regret to have missed him. My patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh would expect me to give him a proper farewell.”
“He has not yet departed Longbourn, Mr. Collins. You can still wish him good health before he leaves.”
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I shall do that very thing…” His gaze then lit upon Charlotte and his expression softened. He gave her and Lady Lucas an elegant half-bow. “Lady Lucas, Miss Lucas, I am very pleased to see you both this morning.”
“Good morning, Mr. Collins,” Charlotte replied while her mother only nodded her head and remained chatting with Mamma.
“Youhaveacquittedyourselfvery well, Mr. Darcy. At first, I worried my stepdaughter would hold her first impression of your character for a long time. However, you proved yourself to be a true gentleman and made the appropriate apologies promptly. I believe she was quite put out that she could not test your mettle in this manner.”
“Are not my heartfelt apologies test enough? Anyone who knows me well can tell you that Fitzwilliam Darcy is not one to apologize or grovel, yet your step-daughter had me nearly on my knees more than once.”
“I am aware, young man. It is one of the reasons I approve of this alliance. Lizzy needs a man who will test her will and stretch her mind. At times, I despaired she would find anyone who was not put off by her intellect.”
“To my shame, if she had notbumpedinto me at Lady Montrose’s ball, I may never have met her until it was too late and she arrived at a family gathering on the arm of another man. I shudder to imagine my life without her in it.”
“I had a full expectation of your cousin darkening the door to my study this morning.”
The piercing gaze of the older man let Darcy know that not much escaped his notice.
“Unfortunately, Ashton had always planned to leave on the twenty-seventh. He has several appointments with his solicitor that cannot be put off any longer. I fully expected to return with him, but, as you know…” he held his future father-in-law’s steady gaze with his. “I had personal business to attend here.”
“You have yet to engage me in a promised game of chess. Do you have time to indulge me today?”
