Page 23 of Charlotte's Story
“Becausethat’snot high-maintenance at all,” Lizzy muttered to me.
William glanced back at us, taking in Lizzy’s red sweater and black pants. “If you two are worried about what you’re wearing, don’t be.” He turned to me. “You look nice and Lady Catherine is extremely understanding when it comes to the situations of others. She would never judge someone based on their appearance.”
“Thank you,” Lizzy said, her lips twitching. “How… reassuring.”
That was exactly what William had intended—to reassure us. He must have heard Lizzy’s earlier comment and assumed she was nervous about the visit.
Soon Rosings Park came into view, and Lizzy and I drew to a halt. Despite growing up in the area, I’d never been inside. Rosings Park wasn’t usually open to visitors, so having the chance to see it for ourselves was more than Lizzy and I could pass up, even if we didn’t need to ask questions. But at Christmas, it was truly a sight to behold.
Lady Catherine had also jumped straight to Christmas decorations. Maple trees wrapped in red velvet ribbon and glimmery fairy lights lined the winding drive. At the end, the estate sprawled out, wearing Christmas decorations as formally as a uniform.
Even though most of yesterday’s snow had melted elsewhere, it still blanketed the roof and lawns—everywhere except the cobblestone path to the front door, which must’ve been enchanted to melt snow on contact, keeping it perfectly clear.
Giant wreaths hung on the upper windows, and a garland of pine and gold framed the archway. A towering tree dusted with unmelting snow stood out front, its ornaments softly singing carols as lawn statues subtly shifted.
“Wow,” Lizzy breathed.
“I know.” I had a hard time looking away.
“Come on, you two. We don’t want to keep Lady Catherine waiting.” William called to us from the front.
“We would never want that,” Lizzy said with another smile at me. She linked her arm through mine and we caught up to William just as he knocked on the impressive front door.
After a moment, it swung open, revealing a tall fae with dark curly hair and piercing green eyes—one whom I hadn’t seen around Austen Heights lately.
Darcy.
Chapter 6
Myeyeswidened.Ihadn’t known that Darcy was connected to Lady Catherine, but while Lizzy seemed surprised to see him, she didn’t appear surprised to see him at Rosings.
“Elizabeth,” Darcy said. I could’ve sworn the hint of a smile played around his lips, but it was gone before I could be sure, and then he turned and gestured us inside. “Please, come in.”
Lizzy’s arm tightened around mine, but I tugged her inside and said, “What a surprise to see you, Darcy.”
“My aunt invited me to dinner since I was in the area.” His gaze traveled over us once more, lingering on Lizzy.
“How wonderful to see you again.” William took Darcy’s hand, pumping it a little too hard and too long. “I didn’t realize we’d be enjoying your company tonight as well. That’s excellent news. Any relation of Lady Catherine’s is a welcome addition to a party.”
I held in a sigh. For all the things for him to forget, his obsequiousness toward the high-born fae would’ve been high on my list.
“Where is Wilkinson?” William asked. “He usually answers the door, but this time it was you. While that was a pleasant surprise, I can’t help but note his absence.”
“The butler?” Darcy raised an eyebrow and looked around. “I’m not sure. I imagine he’s helping with other things. I answered because I was nearby.”
“Is that Firth, Fitzwilliam?” Lady Catherine’s voice rang over her cold marble floors.
I tried to exchange a glance with Lizzy at the name Fitzwilliam, but she studiously stared at the ground.
“It’s Pastor Collins, his wife, Charlotte, and Elizabeth Bennet,” Darcy called back.
“Well, bring them in.”
Darcy led the way through the halls of Rosings Park, which looked just as much like a palace on the inside as on the outside, with high sweeping ceilings and marble columns in the halls. The walls were decorated with perfectly symmetrical garlands that must’ve been woven with enchanted pines since there wasn’t a single needle on the floor. That or the cleaning abilities of brownies really were as amazing as legends suggested. Candles sat in sconces, providing pools of golden light and the faint smell of cinnamon and green cardamom that almost screamed money.
Darcy barely glanced at the grandeur as he led us to the sitting room where Lady Catherine sat in an overly stuffed armchair next to another towering Christmas tree. This one had no snow on it, but the ornaments were polished to a shine, and mixed with the roaring fire, it provided quite the picture.
“Thank you for the invitation to dinner,” William said as soon as he made it to the room.
