Page 36 of Miss Bennet's Dragon
He did not look at me as he said, “Mr. Bingley and his sisters also return to London.”
“Why?” I asked, simple surprise breaking me from polite form. He did not answer. “For howlong?”
Then he was gone, into his saddle and galloping away on his gray horse.
With growing foreboding, I rushed us home. I raced to our room and found Jane clutching a crumpled sheet of elegant paper covered with a lady’s flowing hand. She would not speak but passed me the letter. I smoothed it, and tear-stained ink darkened my fingers.
Miss Bingley had written, curtly, that the Bingleys were departing this morning and would remain in London for the winter, if not longer. She continued:
“I am convinced that Charles will be in no hurry to leave, for Miss Georgiana Darcy is coming to London, and Charles is eager to meet her again. Georgiana has no equal in beauty, elegance, and accomplishments, and Louisa and myself feel great affection for her ourselves.
To confess a secret hope, I dare imagine that Georgiana will soon become our sister. In friendship, I could not leave the countryside without confiding this, as it will assist you in denying any untoward rumors about your own sweetly innocent acquaintance to our family.
Yours fondly, Caroline Bingley.”
“He is gone,” Jane said, quiet but controlled, as I finished.
“This is false, Jane.” My anger was growing with every breath. “His sister is a vile, manipulative woman. She seeks to separate you so her brother will marry Miss Darcy and she can further her own pursuit of Mr. Darcy. But I have just had reason to believe Mr. Darcy knows Mr. Bingley’s true feelings.”
“What does it matter?” The color had fled Jane’s face. She looked lifeless as ivory. “He is still gone.”
And, even while my heart was breaking for my sister, I remembered Mr. Darcy saying resources had been dispatched from Pemberley, and the letter saying Miss Georgiana Darcy was coming to London.
15
LOCH BAIRN
The next morning,Charlotte called to suggest a private stroll, as she had news.
“I wished to speak with you,” she said once we were out of the house, “before Mr. Collins makes any announcement.”
“Announcement?” I asked, puzzled.
Since Mr. Collins’s unexpected and unsuccessful proposal to me, he had launched an extensive social tour of our neighbors, returning late each evening to pay brief regards to my father before retiring. I felt this was a superb outcome.
“Mr. Collins and I are engaged,” Charlotte said matter-of-factly.
I laughed. “Impossible.” We took several steps before Charlotte’s silence made me stop. “You cannot be serious?”
“I suppose you think it incredible that Mr. Collins should win a woman’s good opinion when he was unable to succeed with you.”
I blinked, then I was mortified. “You have surprised me, that is all. It has been only—” I gulped back the rest, realizing it was wildly rude.
“Only two days since his proposal to you,” she finished for me, but with a smile. “Yes, I am aware. I knew you would be surprised.”
I learned that Mr. Collins’s social efforts were visits to Lucas Lodge. He had expressed great sympathy for the loss of their tunnelworm, even suggesting that Lady Catherine de Bourgh would express her condolences if only she knew, andthat he was certain this tragedy would encourage a wonderful binding when Charlotte wed.
“He is very eager to bind,” Charlotte explained, now sounding uncomfortable. “It is all in deference to Lady Catherine’s interest in draca, not any other goal, as we shall have a good house and living of our own. But this places me in a most uncomfortable position with you, dear Lizzy.”
The entailment. Once Charlotte and Mr. Collins bound a draca, they would, eventually, inherit Longbourn.
“Odious, pontificating Mr. Collins!”I cried. “Howcanshe?”
I had run to Jane the instant Charlotte left.
“Charlotte has always been practical about marriage,” Jane said. “Not everyone is romantic, you know. Mr. Collins has good connections and a secure position.”
“I am hardly ‘romantic’ when I call Mr. Collins conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, and silly. You know he is. No woman who marries him is sensible, and you should not defend her!”
