Page 52 of Introducing Mrs. Collins
‘He is not a stranger.’
‘No, I can see that.’
That stopped Charlotte short. Carefully, she replied, ‘We are neighbours. Over these past months, we have naturally become well acquainted.’
Lady Lucas turned to her daughter with a raised eyebrow.
‘Why do you keep looking at me so?’ cried Charlotte.
Her mother took her hands, standing in front of her. They stood in the same pose as they had almost a year ago, after Mr Collins’s proposal. ‘Charlotte, I will only say this. You are married. You are not wealthy enough to withstand a scandal, and neither are we.’
Charlotte scoffed. ‘And this is what you will “only say”. Mother, honestly—’
‘Let me say my piece first – then you may reply. Think hard on the consequences of any foolishness. The Bennets survived Lydia’s disgrace only because of the good luck of Eliza’s and Jane’s matches. If a scandal hit our family, Maria’s chances, Edward’s chances, would all be destroyed. Not to mention, you would be ruined.’
‘Mother!’ cried Charlotte. ‘This is too much! Your warning is unnecessary. I value my marriage too highly to—’ She hesitated, then reconfigured her response. ‘And besides, there are no such feelings. You must know me well enough not to doubt it; I am not romantic. I have never had an interest in such matters.’
‘Yes youhave. You have. You have not always been as averse to the attentions of men as you claim, or to your own desires. You have learnt to ignore this part of yourself, but you are a woman with feelings, just as I am, and I see some feelings there. I see it, Charlotte.’
Charlotte could not reply. Her mouth was set tight, as if holding in a response.
‘Alice will be with us for the remainder of the journey,’ said Charlotte rather lamely, as to do so seemed a tacit acknowledgment that her mother was right.
Lady Lucas nodded. ‘And I am glad. I really do wish that you enjoy your time away, my darling. I know you need it, and I understand why. Relish it. See your friend, share her joy, take in all that Pemberley has to offer. And then, go home.’ She said the final words with some meaning.
The next day, the carriage was packed and ready by eight, and Fitzwilliam, Charlotte, and Alice made themselves comfortable within it. Alice, only slightly older than Charlotte, had been with the Lucas family for many years and knew Charlotte well. She therefore noted the awkwardness between her mistress and her travelling companion, but she decided that was to be expected, given the length of the journey and what she presumed to be a lack of acquaintance between them.
On the second night of the trip, the ladies found lodgings at an inn in Leicester while the colonel stayed at a barracks nearby. They reunited for the final day’s journey, which held a sense of anticipation for all. The scenery through the Midlands was stunning, and when the first glimpse of Pemberley came, it was worth the wait.
Charlotte had never seen a house so grand; it rivalled even Rosings in stature, and it held a grace and proportion that Rosings lacked. Alice blew out a whistling sound as she saw it, the firsttime she had dared utter a sound all journey, and the other pair laughed, agreeing with the sentiment.
As the carriage approached, they were greeted by Darcy, while Elizabeth stood back a little on the drive, with a girl Charlotte assumed to be his sister Georgiana. Some surprise was expressed at finding no Mr Collins present, and Charlotte received a piercing look of curiosity from Elizabeth. But it all passed smoothly, and they were welcomed affectionately, Darcy heartily embracing Fitzwilliam which made Charlotte wince slightly on his behalf, considering his injury.
Elizabeth hugged Charlotte closely, giving the latter the opportunity to whisper into her friend’s ear, ‘I like your house.’
‘It is not mine yet.’
They walked idly through the grand entrance of Pemberley, Charlotte looking up and all around. ‘It is as good as yours! How many rooms do you have? Will you sleep in a different bedroom each night?
‘I will certainly try, which is bound to make me popular with the maids.’ Elizabeth grinned. As she led Charlotte into a drawing room, she said quietly but emphatically, ‘You must tell me about your journey…’
CHAPTER IV
The bride wore white and a bonnet tied with lace the colour of claret and held a bouquet of eucalyptus, veronica and dark red roses. She smiled warmly as she walked down the aisle, despite shivering a little from the chill in the chapel.
While Pemberley was braced for the coolness of late November – every fire lit – the chapel, with its high ceilings and marble pillars, remained stubbornly chilly, even when bedecked with flowers and candles and filled with an excited congregation. Charlotte sat next to Jane, who had arrived with Bingley just in time to see her sister wed.
Mr Darcy stood at the front, looking resplendent in a crisp navy tail-coat, with Colonel Fitzwilliam next to him in his regimentals. Charlotte had stirred slightly at the sight of him in his uniform, which she had not seen him don since the spring. Darcy had looked a little nervous moments before, and it had warmed her to see Colonel Fitzwilliam cheering him with a joke and a pat on the shoulder. Her thoughts had been interrupted by the strains of the organ and the turning of heads.
Now, as Elizabeth made the short walk to the front of the chapel on her father’s arm, Charlotte was struck by how certain she looked, and how comfortable. She considered how she had felt on her own wedding day, walking towards Mr Collins. She turned her mind away from that thought; she wanted to enjoy the moment.
Charlotte had not seen Mr Bennet for some time, and he looked a different man – thin and pale. Eliza was on his arm as they walked, but it seemed she supported him, not the other way around. But he still made funny expressions at his daughter, making her laugh, and his pride in her was clear.
Kitty, Mary and Georgiana, with flowers in their hair, now stood to Elizabeth’s side. Kitty looked delighted and excitable. She was turning into a very pretty girl, thought Charlotte, and seemed more confident now she was out of Lydia’s shadow. Georgiana was smiling and demure, while Mary… Charlotte thought that Mary looked as if she were working out a particularly difficult sum, except that doing such an activity would have brought her some joy, and this did not.
Elizabeth had also invited her aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, who sat just behind Mrs Bennet and looked for all the world like proud parents. Charlotte was glad Eliza hadsomesensible adults in her life.
The happy party of just a dozen guests (hardly the Bacchanal that Lady Catherine had implied it would be) made its way from the chapel to the drawing room, which was elegantly appointed. High windows allowed views down the length of the gardens towards the lake. The walls were panelled in cream and gold, and the room’s aspect was more bright and airy than grand.
