Page 93 of Introducing Mrs. Collins
‘He is relentless!’ said Mrs Thacker, when he was out of hearing. ‘But you must admit he is quite handsome,’ she added with a grin.
‘Is he?’ Charlotte appraised him from afar. ‘Is he not rather too neat? And so cleanly shaven – I prefer a man who has struggled against his razor.’
Her friend laughed. ‘Do you indeed? I learn more about you every day.’
Mrs Collins and Mrs Thacker had become good friends since the fate of Longbourn had been settled. Mr Thacker had beenso patient in teaching Charlotte the ways of estate management that she had warmed to him immensely. Through him, she had naturally come to know his wife, and they had instantly become friends. Mrs Thacker, close to Charlotte in age, was Mr Thacker’s second wife; they had a young son together, along with a daughter from his first marriage, Amelia, who was just recently out and present that evening.
‘Amelia is all a-flutter for someone already,’ confided Mrs Thacker.
‘Oh really? But she is full young to settle! I hope it will pass. Who is it?’
‘Oh, a soldier in the militia, of course.’
‘Inevitable. He will likely move on soon, so perhaps that will fade.’
‘It does not always,’ said Mrs Thacker, with a sigh.
‘Oh, I know. Just look at my sister.’
Charlotte meant the invitation literally; Maria and Mr Denny were across the room, dancing together and looking as much in love as any engaged couple ever had. They made for a very handsome pair.
‘Thankfully, Maria was still in love with him even when he was out of his regimentals,’ said Charlotte.
‘Perhaps the prospect of him being out of his regimentals was a large part of the attraction,’ said Mrs Thacker, raising an eyebrow.
‘Mrs Thacker!’ Charlotte exclaimed, unable to keep herself from laughing – then she caught the sound and stopped quickly; it was not decorous for her to be seen guffawing while still in mourning.
And a good thing to, for just then, they were descended upon by two ladies of around fifty with alarming coiffures – rather too many plaits and curls for one head, let alone two. Without so much as a how-do-you-do, one of these ladies swept in with, ‘I see you are well, Mrs Collins – and that you know the new Mrs Thacker.’
‘Mrs Bennet, what a pleasure to see you! And Mrs Philips, of course,’ said Charlotte, more warmly than she felt. ‘Yes, Mrs Thacker and I have become good friends. You yourself must know Mr Thacker very well.’
‘Oh yes! Of course,longbefore you knew him, Mrs Collins. Our acquaintance stretches back for over twenty years!’ Mrs Bennet replied with irritation, even though Charlotte had already conceded the superior acquaintance to her.
Mrs Philips then picked up the conversation, saying to Mrs Thacker, ‘What a beauty Amelia is!’
Mrs Thacker smiled warmly. ‘Thank you; she is indeed.’
‘So much like her mother,’ Mrs Philips continued.
‘So I have heard,’ returned Mrs Thacker, smiling beatifically.
Mrs Bennet, recognising a successful parry when she saw one, turned to re-engage her own sparring partner. ‘You appear to be ratherpopularat present, Mrs Collins; it must be a novel sensation for you. It looked at one point as if you might stand up for a quadrille!’
‘I have no intention of dancing tonight, Mrs Bennet.’
‘But youhavebeen asked,’ she said accusingly.
‘Yes.’
‘You are looking verywell, Mrs Collins,’ Mrs Bennet continued, with evident disapproval.
‘Spring agrees with me.’
‘I imagine Longbourn agrees with you?’ she snapped back.
‘It does, thank you,’ replied Charlotte calmly. ‘I am very appreciative of it, and I hope I prove a worthy steward.’
Mrs Bennet managed to look mollified, albeit grudgingly so. Casting around for another area in which to be belligerent, she said, ‘I suppose you have not yet met Sofia? My granddaughter, Sofia Darcy! What a fine thing.’
