Page 12 of Introducing Mrs. Collins
Mr Collins’s petty remarks had perhaps been provoked by Maria, who, since the exit of the two men, had not stopped singing their praises, from their manners to their voices, their height (Maria really seemed to have a preoccupation with tall men) to their handsome faces. Mr Collins, who had never heard such thoughts about himself uttered by any woman, was quite allergic to it. He suspected that Elizabeth, too, was impressed by the two gentlemen, and having failed to secure her approval himself, he felt the stark difference between himself and them.
Unfortunately, his attempt to undermine the colonel had the opposite effect to the one he wished, making him appear worse in comparison. But Charlotte knew his foibles and his insecurities. She reassured him in quiet ways – asking him to read the Bible to her, remarking on how glad she was of a warm house in this weather, and putting her arms around him in bed – which, luckily, did not lead to anything more intimate. He was, at heart, a man of simple needs, and Charlotte understood them. She was good at the task of being his wife, and she took some pleasure in that. Not a great deal, but enough, for now.
Two days later, Charlotte was alone in the house– a rarity, with even Mrs Brooke gone to town, and she was sitting enjoying her solitude when she heard the crunch of gravel. Peering out the window, she saw Colonel Fitzwilliam striding up the drive. She wasstruck, oddly, by an urge to change into a nicer dress and tidy her hair, but his knock came quickly, and she had to answer it herself.
‘Colonel Fitzwilliam, you accepted our offer!’
‘I did, ma’am, but I did not expect such a personal welcome. Is your housekeeper not in?’
‘She is not, sir, and neither is my husband nor our guests. You may therefore wish to postpone your visit.’
‘Well, I leave it to you, Mrs Collins. If you do not object, I could stay a few minutes at least – I have walked far this morning, and your company is as welcome as that of anyone else I could have hoped to see. But I am certain you are busy, and your time is more valuable than my own. What would you wish?’
Charlotte blinked. She should probably send him away.
And yet, ‘Come in!’, she found herself saying.
‘Your house is very welcoming, Mrs Collins,’ said Fitzwilliam, holding a cup of tea. ‘After spending time in the draughty halls of Rosings, a feeling of homeliness is appreciated.’
‘Thank you. The bones of the house are already very beautiful, but I will set modesty aside and say I have worked hard on making it pleasant.’
They sat in the drawing room – a bright, cheerful room, which Charlotte had made alterations to since she moved into the house. She took the opportunity to glance around the room now, which gave her some relief. It was very unusual for her to be alone with a gentleman other than her husband; she felt the tension and, if she were honest, the excitement of it, and she worried it might show in her face.
‘The garden, in particular, is a joy to work on,’ she continued.
‘It is splendid, and I only saw part of it.’
‘It is finally coming to life; I’ve been looking forward to spring, and the daffodils have finally arrived just in time for visitors – they’re a favourite of mine.’
‘I saw them all along the drive; they make a fine greeting for us. How long have you lived here?’
‘But three months or so. We married in January.’
‘Ah. Is your new life to your liking?’
Charlotte felt it was expected of her to give an easy affirmation here, but there was something in his enquiry and how genuinely interested he seemed that gave her pause. ‘I am adjusting to it, Colonel. I married with my eyes open to all that it might be – the joys and the difficulties – and if I may congratulate myself on one thing, it is that I was mostly correct.’
‘Then I should congratulate you, too. Such foresight – we could use you in the army.’
‘Do not mock me, sir,’ chided Charlotte.
‘I assure you I do not. I have seen just enough of society to understand that a woman’s plan for her future – considering her own economic security, the diplomatic situations she might navigate, the compromises she is and is not willing to make, and calculating her best bet at victory, or indeed, at peace – is to be respected. Such thinking could rival any strategy put forward by a general of the highest order.’
‘I hope you do not propose that women are schemers.’
‘I do not propose that women are mercenary but that they are intelligent and aware and act accordingly. My position is such that I will have to make similar considerations when – if – I marry. There is no judgement on me for choosing carefully, and I would never judge a woman for doing the same.’
Charlotte listened and paused. She nodded, then gently smiled and asked, ‘And what if one falls in love and security is cast aside?’
‘Then you are one of the lucky ones,’ replied the colonel, grinning.
What should have been a short visit turned into a lengthy one, and the afternoon sun was weakening by the time he stood to take his leave.
At the door, the colonel turned towards Charlotte, and they faced each other for a moment before he said, a little awkwardly, ‘I had wondered if I might see Miss Elizabeth Bennet on my visit; perhaps you would pass on my regards to her?’
As it happened, Charlotte had been wondering about his apparent lack of urgency, how generous (or unguarded) he had been with his time and his conversation. She had even thought that there was something of a rapport between them. Now, it all made sense: it seemed as if her company had been endured in the hopes of once again meeting with her pretty friend. How tiresome, and how predictable.
She said politely but wearily, ‘Of course I shall, Colonel. I am sorry you missed her.’
