Page 54 of Introducing Mrs. Collins
As the night wore on, the jubilant, easy atmosphere of the earlier evening returned. The disruption caused by the arrival of the Wickhams had now dissipated, and lively conversation had ensued again, lubricated by punch, port and wine. Lydia was in a corner, chatting gleefully with Kitty, and Mr Wickham was being talked at by Mrs Bennet. The Gardiners were settled happily on the settee, satisfied as ever with only one another’s company butMr Bennet had announced he must retire before either he finished off the port, or the port finished him.
Charlotte, for once, had allowed herself to indulge, and while she was not quite drunk, the mix of the punch had given her a bad headache, and she said to Elizabeth that she, too, had better retire, loath as she was to miss the fun.
‘Oh, stay, Charlotte – do not retire yet!’ protested her friend.
‘I do not wish to, but my head is swimming, Eliza! I am making a spectacle, wincing and holding my temple as I have been! I just need a little quiet – perhaps if I step onto the terrace and get some fresh air…’
‘You’ll freeze! Come with me’
Elizabeth dragged her friend out and down a corridor, then pushed open two large doors, showing the small music room where they had heard some of the ladies play earlier. In it was a piano, a harp, and an inviting settee. The fire was still lit, and Eliza set about lighting a few candles.
‘There. Sit here and regain yourself, then come back and join us – it is still early!’
‘Early, do you call it? It is past eleven! But I thank you; this is perfect.’
‘Should you like me to play the pianoforte to soothe you?’ asked Elizabeth, grinning.
‘Not unless you wish my headache to worsen.’
‘Charlotte!’
‘Forgive me, Eliza, but I am not friends with you for your musical ability.’
‘But for my wisdom?’
‘No, for your wealth,’ replied Charlotte quickly.
Elizabeth laughed, and she squeezed her friend’s shoulder. ‘Come and find me when you feel better.’
‘Go – I will recline here like a fine lady.Oh, my nerves!’
‘Now you mock my mother! It is too much!’
It was not too much, and she heard Eliza giggling as she stepped down the corridor. Charlotte closed the doors and moved to the settee, where she slumped down heavily, enjoying the chance to fully relax, unseen by anyone. The day had been very long, and the drink very strong, and only a few moments after closing her eyes, sleep took her.
‘It has been a long time, Miss Lucas.’
Charlotte was jolted awake by the words and scrambled to sit up. The fire had gone out, and only candlelight remained.
‘Who is there?’
Slowly, her eyes attuned to the dim light enough to see Mr Wickham standing in the entrance, the dark corridor behind him. She already felt the awkwardness, the impropriety of them being removed from the party, alone. She could hear the distant sound of lively conversation from the room at the other end of the hall, and she looked in that direction, as if she could transport herself there by willing it.
He saw her looking and smiled. He stepped farther into the room and closed the door behind him. ‘Why are you in here, all alone?’
‘I felt a little unwell and was seeking solitude. I have not been successful, it would appear.’
‘Ha! You are as sharp as you ever were, I see, Miss Lucas.’
‘Mrs Collins.’
He paused. ‘Ah yes. Mrs Collins. You are married now. Quite unchanged, though. You know, you always looked young for your age, and you look quite the same as when I last saw you, if a little less damp.’ He smirked and looked her up and down.
Charlotte recognised that look from the last time she had seen him.
‘That is to say, you look very well,’ he said, his voice low and a little slurred from drink.
‘You speak as if we have met several times, Sir, and in fact we have met but twice, and briefly,’ Charlotte said lightly, seeking to diffuse the situation that she could feel rapidly slipping from her control.
