Page 23 of The Cherry Trees of Rosings
“Not precisely. But I would like your company for tea.”
“Of course.”
Once the tea things were arranged and they each had a cup in their possession, Charlotte eyed Elizabeth with more intensity than usual.
“What is it?” Elizabeth asked in exasperation. She knew that look.
“I was wondering what you made of the matter with Mr. Darcy.”
“Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth’s eyebrows climbed up her forehead. She quickly sipped some tea.
“Poor man. I pray for his speedy recovery,” Charlotte said, tsking in regret. “I know I should not be saying this, for it does not concern me or my family, but it does not sit right with me what Lady Catherine is attempting to do.”
Elizabeth frowned. Lady Catherine’s obsessionwasunsettling.
“I believe Mr. Darcy’s cousins will prevent any interference,” she said. “They have been very secretive so far.”
Charlotte reached for a biscuit. “Yes, but I can see how there might be a wish for a marriage between Mr. Darcy and Miss de Bourgh. They both have their inheritances, which is significant as I hear from Mr. Collins, though I believe Pemberley is much larger than Rosings…”
Surprise raised Elizabeth’s eyebrows higher.
Rosings was a very large estate, she knew.How much larger was Pemberley?
“...Lady Catherine has been vocal about joining the two houses. I believe she wishes to keep the wealth in the family…”
Was this the reason behind Mr. Darcy’s prideful mannerisms and lofty conceit?
“...so I cannot imagine Lord Matlock being opposed to such a union…”
But then why was Mr. Darcy such a close friend to Mr. Bingley?
“...nevertheless, it does not sit right with me to have them marry the man while he is not in his senses…”
She knew of Lady Catherine’s disdain for the trading class, which was not a different opinion from that of the other members of the peerage and gentility. And everyone in Meryton knew that Mr. Bingley’s father had been a man of business, who had only sold his factories to raise his children as gentry, away from the touch of trade.
“...what do you think, Eliza?”
Besides, Mr. Darcy had not behaved badly with her or acted imperiously since she encountered his apparition. Not once.
“Eliza?”
And he had never broken propriety, other than theunavoidable, despite having the opportunity…
“Elizabeth!”
She startled out of her thoughts—almost spilling the tea in her cup—when Charlotte gently nudged her knee.
“Careful!” Charlotte cried.
Elizabeth flushed with embarrassment and settled the cup and saucer more firmly on her lap.
“I apologize, Charlotte. My mind…” Her blush deepened. “...wandered. What were you saying?”
Charlotte looked at herwith concern.
“I am worried about you, Eliza. You have seemed out of sorts since yesterday.”
Elizabeth stared at the milk-brown beverage in her cup. It was swirling gently.
