Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

T he sun emerged the following afternoon, and desperate to escape Longbourn, Elizabeth put on boots, bonnet, and cloak and began walking towards Lucas Lodge. At least Charlotte would provide her with some sensible conversation, and laugh at what had gone on. She had missed her friend's company these past few trying days, but understood that Mrs Bennet's fury at Mr Collins's desertion likely had kept Charlotte from calling at Longbourn. Elizabeth had reached the point on the path where a turn left would take her to Lucas Lodge when she realised her own visit was just as impossible: Mr Collins was there, nursing his injuries. Of course, with Lady Lucas, Sir William, and Maria, he had an audience as prone to sympathy as to gossip. After two days listening to the odious man's complaints and his demands for sympathy, Charlotte was likely to have some of her own amusing stories to share.

Still, beyond tossing pebbles at a window in the hopes of catching only Charlotte's attention, Elizabeth had no recourse but to forgo her visit. Reluctant to return to Longbourn, she continued towards Meryton.

She nodded greetings to Mr Robinson, who carried his young granddaughter on his shoulders, and smiled at the old dog who followed them. When she turned the corner, her thoughts set on looking at shoe-roses at the milliner's shop, she encountered Mrs Goulding and Mrs Long. The former gazed at her with concern, while her companion's sour expression was unchanged. With such a mother, it had never surprised Elizabeth that all the Long children married and moved away from their home farm.

Mrs Goulding patted Elizabeth's arm. "Young lady, you have been quite the talk of my dinner table. I understand from Henry that it was your quick thinking that allowed you to find shelter for poor Mr Collins during the storm."

"Quick thinking overstates my part in it. Naturally, having spent my life at Longbourn, I was the only one aware of the boat-house, but Mr Darcy deserves much credit as well. He was instrumental in ensuring everyone's safety and helping Mr Collins along the path after his um, encounter with the tree."

Mrs Long raised her quizzing glass and peered at her closely. "Mr Darcy was the gentleman with you and Mr Collins? I must say, I am surprised to hear of his involvement."

"Mr Darcy happened upon us while we walked."

"But to remain with you, in such a place? It is not what one might expect from a man of his station."

Mrs Long appeared more scandalised than horrified; Elizabeth bit back the temptation to tell her of the spiders and the brandy. "Is it not? He is a gentleman and would not leave me alone in company with Mr Collins, who was injured."

"Hmph."

What does she think occurred, to think so poorly of Mr Darcy? Have my comments about him after the assembly so damaged him in everyone's eyes?

"Mr Darcy ably assisted Henry in lifting Mr Collins into the Bennets' wagon to return him safely to Longbourn." Mrs Goulding gave Elizabeth the sort of amused scolding look she remembered from childhood escapades with Henry and the Lucas boys. "Not every girl in Meryton could be alone in the company of three unmarried men and be credited with saving one, amusing another, and tolerating a third. Whatever adventures shall befall you next, Miss Elizabeth?"

The two ladies said their farewells and went along, heads bent, as they spoke.

Elizabeth sighed. It is not enough to be the centre of my family's discomposure and possible exile to the hedgerows, now I am the talk of the town.

Charlotte called the following day and they managed to escape Longbourn before Mrs Bennet could see the daughter of her enemy. They moved into the garden, where the only view was from her mother's least favourite sitting room, brushed the leaves off of a bench and sat. Elizabeth was eager to know how Lucas Lodge fared with its newest guest but Charlotte—who had learnt the tale of the boat-house from Mr Collins—had questions of her own. Elizabeth provided her the story of her confinement. She was tired of recounting it, and gave an abbreviated version which, unsurprisingly, differed from that of Mr Collins.

"I thought he might have exaggerated his own heroics?—"

"There were none on his part, Charlotte. Only complaining, intransigence, and a bit of queasiness."

"No, he has expressed his admiration for Noah and all those who braved the currents of the great flood. He will not willingly board a boat or ship again." She gave Elizabeth an earnest look. "Was it necessary to place him in the boat?"

"I believe Mr Darcy thought only of his welfare. Mr Collins was unable to sit upon the bench with any steadiness and, if on the ground, he could have rolled into the water. I believe the rocking of the boat lulled him, as it would a baby."

Charlotte looked somewhat unhappy with her reply but moved to a new topic. "I understand Mr Darcy called on you at Longbourn?"

"He did not call on me . He came to collect his coat and paid the courtesy of checking on me and Mr Collins, to ensure we had recovered from our ordeal." Elizabeth would not, could not say more on her feelings about missing his call. She was expending too much energy trying not to think about it. "Not that it was an ordeal, for myself," she added. "Mr Collins was injured, mildly, and it was cold and damp in the boat-house, but it was only an hour or so."

"You do not need to defend yourself to me, Lizzy. Your reputation will not suffer. You are not known as a coquette and as a friend of long acquaintance, Mr Goulding would stand by you regardless of what might have occurred."

" What might have occurred, Charlotte?"

"I do not doubt your comportment or that of Mr Collins or Mr Darcy, but either one may have felt some obligation towards you afterwards—to protect you."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "You just assured me my reputation would not suffer, and now you state it needs saving?"

Charlotte gave her an arch look. "Do you not recognise your good fortune, being alone and endangered and protected by two eligible young men of promise and standing? You will scold me as acting like your mother, but I am surprised you did not act to secure one of them."

"You are correct," Elizabeth cried. "You are acting as my mother, who is, as you imagine, quite angry at my failure to secure Mr Collins. His removal to Lucas Lodge has only further upset her."

Charlotte stood, walking away a few paces, before turning and delivering to Elizabeth news that first surprised and then disheartened her.

Marriage to Mr Collins?

"Oh Charlotte," she said later, after her friend's explanations and rationalisations had been combed over. "I shall leave the announcement of your engagement to your mother. I believe even the fearsome Lizzy Bennet must back down in fear of how this news will affect Mama."

But I cannot be happy for you.