Page 8 of The Difference of a Darcy
Lady Lucas gave a small sigh and stood. “I shall leave you young ladies to speak privately. Maria, come assist me with the linens.”
“But Mama—”
“Now, Maria.”
With a theatrical groan, Maria rose and followed her mother from the room, pausing only to shoot a significant look back at Elizabeth.
When the door had closed, Elizabeth turned to Charlotte. “What letter?”
Charlotte sighed and sat. She began pulling at the edge of her apron—an old nervous habit. “Mr. Collins has written. From Hunsford.”
Elizabeth nodded. “And?”
“He told Lady Catherine of our engagement.”
Elizabeth made a small sound. “I would have thought he had done so already.”
“He wished to do it in person. He was eager to share the news with her directly.”
“And her ladyship was displeased?”
“Quite the opposite,” Charlotte said with a small, almost rueful smile. “She was very approving. In fact… too much so.”
Elizabeth tilted her head. “Go on.”
Charlotte hesitated. “Lady Catherine insists that a proper lady must be established in her own homebeforeChristmastidebegins. She believes it sets the tone for the entire marriage. Mr. Collins agreed at once, of course.”
Elizabeth’s brow furrowed. “You mean to say…”
“The wedding is to take place on the seventeenth,” Charlotte said quietly.
“OfDecember?”
“When he returns to Hertfordshire.”
Elizabeth stared at her. “But—but that is in two weeks.”
Charlotte nodded. “Yes.”
“And you had intended—”
“To marry in January. To spend Christmas at home. My last as Miss Lucas.” Her voice broke a little on the last word, though she straightened at once. “But Lady Catherine was insistent. Mr. Collins wrote that the arrangements are already in motion.”
Elizabeth sat back, absorbing the news. “That is… very sudden.”
Charlotte gave a thin, watery smile. “Yes. But I knew, when I accepted him, that my life would no longer be my own.”
There was no bitterness in the words, only resignation.
Elizabeth reached for her friend’s hand. “I am so sorry, Charlotte.”
“I had hoped Maria might accompany me. If we were taking the usual wedding trip, she would be my companion in any case. But my father’s cousin is visiting for Christmas, and she is bringing her children. Maria will be needed here to help tend them.” Charlotte’s voice broke on the last word.
There was a faint creak from the hallway. Elizabeth glanced toward the parlor door just in time to see it open an inch farther.
Maria slipped inside without shame or apology, her eyes bright with excitement. “Well, if I cannot go,” she said with theair of someone who has had a marvelous idea, “why not take Lizzy?”
Elizabeth blinked.
