Page 11 of Introducing Mrs. Collins
Seeing her disappointment, he added, ‘But Wellington is everything you might have heard – very impressive.’
‘You have met Wellington!’ Maria rallied quickly with this titbit, as he had hoped.
‘Indeed. A fine man.’
Maria satisfied, Charlotte spoke up partly in defence of her sister. ‘I hope you will forgive our curiosity, Colonel. The war seems so far away to us here – partly because we have not known anyone in the standing army. We have met a few of the local militia who have been eager to discuss the war, albeit in theory, having no direct experience of it, but I think perhaps it is not easy to talk about battle once you have seen it?’
‘No indeed, madam. Our last battle, Albuera, was particularly…’ He searched for a word to suit the company he was in. ‘Difficult,’ he said, smiling grimly.
Charlotte smiled back, guessing that the understatement must be absurd.
She had never had a reason to think particularly about the war, though it had always been a constant in the background. She had occasionally read items in newspapers about it and heard stories from acquaintances with brothers in the navy, but none of her friends or family had such a connection, and so she had enjoyed the luxury of being removed from its orbit. She quietly prided herself on being well-educated and well-read, but as she thought about her ignorance on this subject, and as she looked into the face of this earnest man who had clearly had experiences far beyond her imaginings, she felt rather stupid.
Darcy was looking at his cousin earnestly, almost protectively. He put a hand roughly on his shoulder.
Colonel Fitzwilliam looked as if he might say more, but Mr Collins piped up at this point, unable to stand a moment of seriousness in which he was not involved. ‘I apologise for the ladies’ line of enquiry, and I dispute the idea that we are all curious about the war. I am sure we simply trust in God that we will be victorious, and I consider it none of our business how it is done.’
‘I hope that you will trust in us, sir, more than God,’ replied Fitzwilliam firmly, his face a little heated. ‘As for it being none of your business, quite the contrary: I wish that our army’s exploits abroad were more widely known by members of the very households for which we are fighting. And these things can only become known by asking questions when the opportunity arises.’ Here Colonel Fitzwilliam glanced at Charlotte and bowed his head slightly.
The topic was left there however, and after a few minutes of more polite conversation, the gentlemen moved to take their leave. Darcy made his exit swiftly, saying ‘Good day,’ to all, and stood just outside the door, waiting for his cousin.
‘Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs Collins,’ said Colonel Fitzwilliam, making a small bow.
Charlotte curtsied, smiling.
‘And a pleasure to meet you, Miss Bennet,’ he added, craning around to meet Elizabeth’s eye, eagerly.
‘Indeed,’ came back Elizabeth hesitantly. ‘And you.’
Charlotte noted the attention. It looked as if her friend might be contending with more than one suitor during her stay in Kent.
While no one could have predicted two eligible men staying in the vicinity, their apparent interest in Elizabeth was not a surprise to Charlotte. Her friend had always had the looks and vivacity to catch the eye of interesting men, and Charlotte was well used to dealing with her various admirers. Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed like a good option, on first viewing. Charlotte could not help but notice his appeal.
‘You are welcome to visit again while you are staying at Rosings,’ said Charlotte to Colonel Fitzwilliam genially. ‘We do not get many visitors, and we would be glad of it.’
‘Yes! Indeed, my wife speaks truly,’ took over Mr Collins. ‘Any relation of Lady Catherine is welcome at any time in our home; your presence would be acreditto us—’
Charlotte interrupted him, saying briskly, ‘Farewell then, Colonel Fitzwilliam.’
After he was gone, she turned to face Elizabeth, raising her eyebrows.
‘He is onlyjusta colonel,’ Mr Collins pronounced over dinner.
To his disappointment, no one asked him to elaborate; Charlotte diligently sipped her soup, acting as if nothing had been said.
He continued regardless, ‘I heard from Lady Catherine that his promotion is but two weeks old – so it is presumptuous of him to style himself thus on his first visit.’
‘If he is now a colonel, then what else should he introduce himself as?’ asked Elizabeth. ‘There is no trial period on the position, as far as I understand it?’
‘He must have been very brave to have been promoted to colonel so young,’ observed Maria keenly, now an expert of military matters.
‘Or wealthy and well connected. Let us not forget he is the younger son of an earl. It is lucky for those who have the money to purchase their next commission whensoever they please,’ replied Mr Collins snidely and spuriously.
‘It does not sound as if he has been especially lucky,’ said Charlotte. ‘I’m sure we will find out in due course.’
‘Well, I thought him rather scruffy for a colonel.’
‘My dear, he was in military dress!’ said Charlotte, passing the gravy.
