Page 13 of The Cherry Trees of Rosings
“Quite right,” Mr. Collins said, ever eager to please his patroness.
Maria Lucas shifted uncomfortably in her seat next to Elizabeth.
The party from the parsonage had been summoned that evening to keep Lady Catherine company. No matter that Charlotte already had dinner plans in place and had asked Mrs. Bishop to have the leg of mutton prepared that day.
“Has there been any improvement in Mr. Darcy’s condition?”
Everyone looked at Elizabeth.
But she kept her eyes on Lady Catherine. A deep frown appeared on the older lady’s face.
“Richard has not seen fit to keep me abreast of any more news,” Lady Catherine said. Disgruntlement was clear in the tone of her voice.
Then her gaze sharpened on Elizabeth like a hawk.
“I hope you are not so unfilial towards your own family, Miss Bennet,” she said. She narrowed her eyes. “I know there was a certain matter of a wedding thatdid nottake place.”
Elizabeth kept her expression neutral, though she could see Charlotte turn pink with embarrassment on her other side. Mr. Collins was looking her way, too, with keen scrutiny.
“I hope I am as filial as is within my capacity,” Elizabeth said. “As for the wedding, the matter was resolved in a far more satisfactory manner, in my opinion. I doubt anyone can find fault there.”
“Indeed,” Lady Catherine said, narrowing her eyes some more. “You are five sisters, are you not? And all unmarried?”
“Yes, your ladyship.”
“And your father’s estate is entailed away to Mr. Collins.”
It was not a question.
“That is correct, your ladyship!” Mr. Collins said when Elizabeth did not answer immediately.
Lady Catherine glared at him for interrupting. He grew red as a beet and settled back in his chair.
“Well, Miss Bennet, providence shall bring what is in one’s destiny.”
Then she looked at her daughter and sighed.
“I had hoped Fitzwilliam would marry Anne this year. He has had enough years gallivanting as a bachelor.”
Elizabeth barely held back her eyebrows from rising up her forehead. “Gallivanting” wasnota word one could use for Mr. Darcy. “Dreadful” perhaps. Maybe even “haughty”. Though, she had to admit that his ghostly self was not half as dreadful as he had been in Meryton some months prior.
They were interrupted as a maid entered the parlour to clear away the spilled tea tray. A fresh one was brought in soon after.
Jenkinson quickly took up her place by the table once more. Face fixed inconcentration—and a little fear.
“Yes, I believe they would have married this year,” Lady Catherine continued. “If only the wretched accident had not taken place!”
She stamped her wooden staff on the carpet as she was wont to do. Jenkinson almost spilled the tea once more. Maria Lucas gasped…and then tried to cover it with a small cough.
“If only Richard would tell me Fitzwilliam’s whereabouts! We might conduct the nuptials before it is too late.”
Chapter 10:
Changed Heart…Or Perhaps Not
The cherry trees were in full bloom when Elizabeth walked on her favourite path the next day. She sighed happily.
Pale white and blush pink petals were drifting down from the boughs above her. Their soft perfume wafted in the air. She extended a hand and caught a stray bloom in her palm.
