9. Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

March 7, 1812 Hunsford, Kent Charlotte

“ D o put on the nicest attire you have,” Mr. Collins admonished. “Lady Catherine will not begrudge your lack of finery. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved. It is her prerogative as a lady of her status.”

Charlotte almost rolled her eyes. They had been at the Hunsford parsonage for only two days and Mr. Collins’s tediousness already grated on her nerves. Jane did not seem particularly bothered. Her serene smile stayed in place, though at times her eyes betrayed her true feelings.

“Lady Catherine is most attentive.” Mr. Collins rambled on until his wife finally interrupted.

“My dear, the time. If we do not ready ourselves now, we shall be late.”

“You are quite right, Mrs. Collins.” Mr. Collins fumbled with his pocket watch to check the time, despite there being a clock on the mantle. Mr. Bennet watched it all with great amusement.

The three ladies stood and left the room. Elizabeth squeezed Charlotte’s hand before they went their separate ways, and they shared a look of commiseration. Jane walked ahead and so did not witness her companions’ exchange.

At promptly half past five, the party left the parsonage and walked the lane toward Rosings Park. Charlotte and Elizabeth had not yet seen the manor fully. The building was partially obscured by trees, and even though the branches had yet to fully realize their foliage, the house could not be completely seen from the lane.

Charlotte only listened to half of what Mr. Collins said as they walked. He spoke of the glazing on the windows, the fireplace, the mantlepiece, and even Lady Catherine’s favorite chair. She began to pay closer attention to his words when he spoke of Miss Anne de Bourgh.

“She is a diamond of the first water,” he said. “There are none to compare. She reached her majority three years ago, and has only grown in beauty and elegance since.”

“Indeed?” Mr. Bennet’s tone bespoke his humor. “How came you by this knowledge? I understood that you took orders only last summer and have had the living at Hunsford since last August.”

Jane shot her father a scolding look. Charlotte took pity on the now blustering clergyman and interrupted with a question of her own.

“Has she had a season in Town?” Charlotte was curious. Surely the child of the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh had experienced the season. By her calculations, Miss de Bourgh was four-and-twenty. Her fortune and inheritance alone would guarantee a bevy of suitors.

“Miss de Bourgh is, unfortunately, of a sickly constitution,” Mr. Collins confessed. “She is as delicate as a flower, and her mother sees to her care most assiduously.”

Elizabeth spoke next. “Does her health prevent her from marrying?”

“Of course not. Miss de Bourgh has been promised to her cousin since her infancy.” Mr. Collins did not specify which cousin. Elizabeth claimed Mr. Wickham told her that the lady was engaged to Mr. Darcy, but Charlotte did not believe it. Though, perhaps there was some truth to the matter. Charlotte felt certain that Mr. Darcy had admired Elizabeth and he had left Meryton without acting on his inclination. Mayhap this cradle betrothal was the reason for his lack of action.

They approached the great doors of the manor, and Mr. Collins rang the bell. Soon thereafter, they were admitted to the vestibule and divested of their outer garments. Charlotte looked around her in wonder. Any surface that could be gilded had been. The floor was polished marble and there were heavy tapestries hanging everywhere.

“This way.” The butler led them down the hall and around several turns before opening double doors into an opulent sitting room. There were three occupants, and each remained seated as the party was announced.

“Mr. Collins, Mrs. Collins, and their guests, Lady Catherine.” The butler bowed and left the room, closing the doors behind him.

“Introduce me to your guests, Mr. Collins.” The oldest lady in the room spoke from a high-backed chair. It, too, was covered in gold leaf. She sat ramrod straight, both hands on an ornate walking stick. She dressed fashionably in an over-embellished gown. There were lines around her mouth that spoke of frequent displeasure. Charlotte thought she looked as if she were constantly dissatisfied with the world.

“Indeed, Lady Catherine.” Mr. Collins eagerly did as his patroness bid. “This is my dear father-in-law, Mr. Bennet. And this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet and her friend—” he hesitated a moment “—Miss Charlotte Lucas.” Still, Mr. Collins would not look at her. He gestured only to Elizabeth during the introductions.

I suppose I ought to be grateful he said my name at all. Charlotte’s amusement caused her mouth to turn up in a little smile. Her host had steadfastly ignored her for two days. Though she could not begrudge Jane her good fortune, she hoped he felt the guilt at his dishonorable behavior.

Lady Catherine waved a hand at the other two ladies, who were seated on the settee next to her. “This is my daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh, and her companion, Mrs. Jenkinson.” Miss de Bourgh barely nodded, though Mrs. Jenkinson smiled warmly. Lady Catherine gestured to the empty seats nearest to her and the party from the parsonage was seated.

She is a pale, sickly thing, Charlotte thought. Anne de Bourgh sat buried in a pile of shawls and lap rugs. Her hair and clothing were fashionable; the former looked lank and straw like and the latter made her complexion look even paler than it truly was. If Mr. Darcy is to marry her, I shall eat my bonnet. The man would need an heir and his cousin looked as if a strong breeze would fell her.

“You have five daughters, do you not, Mr. Bennet?” Lady Catherine’s imperious voice interrupted Charlotte's musings.

“I do.” Mr. Bennet answered with only two words. Charlotte watched in interest as his sardonic smile appeared on his lips. He means to tease her! She watched, eagerly awaiting what was to come.

“I understand from Mrs. Collins that all are out.” The judgment in Lady Catherine’s tone rang out. “I would not have believed it had your daughter not proven herself so reliable. How can you account for it, sir?”

“I do not take your meaning.”

“ Five daughters out? All the younger out before the older married?” Lady Catherine sounded incredulous. “Mr. Collins has told me of your situation. How does your estate manage the expense? Do not the younger girls present a disadvantage to their older sisters?”

“My wife has always seen to their wardrobe and expenses,” Mr. Bennet drawled disinterestedly. “There can be no disadvantage to my older children to have their younger sisters out. Jane has married, despite her younger sisters’ silliness.”

“And a more lovely, amiable, charming wife I could not have asked for.” Mr. Collins interrupted, eager to have his part of the conversation. “Mrs. Collins is demure and caring. Her management of my house and the parish are exemplary, and she will certainly be a wonderful mother when that—”

“Mr. Collins! I am speaking with Mr. Bennet. Kindly refrain from cutting in.” Lady Catherine scowled at the parson, causing him to shrink back in his chair. Jane placed a hand on his arm, and he covered it with his own. Her touch seemed to revitalize him, and he sat up instead of cowering. Charlotte watched it all with interest. Jane wielded great influence on her husband.

Lady Catherine returned her attention to Mr. Bennet. “Have you a governess or companion to aid your youngest girls?”

“No, madam.” Mr. Bennet did not attempt to hide his amusement. “We have never employed a governess or a companion.”

“Never?” She blinked in surprise. “Your wife must have been quite a slave to their education.”

“Not at all.”

Lady Catherine spluttered, looking at first Jane and then Elizabeth. “Five daughters out at once, no governess, and you claim your wife had little to do with educating them? If they are all similar to Mrs. Collins, I shall declare you very fortunate. Who managed their education?”

“My girls were given any masters they wished for, and had access to my library and all the information they needed to become accomplished young ladies. Whether they took advantage of that is their prerogative.”

Lady Catherine shook her head. “Be that as it may, how could you have five out at once?” Charlotte almost laughed. The lady was determined to have an answer.

“It is hard on a younger sister to be deprived, left to witness the older sisters experiencing outings, balls, soirees, and assemblies. By the time Kitty reached seventeen and came out, I saw no reason to withhold the same pleasure from Lydia. They are all quite happy, I assure you. My wife tells me they are the belles of every ball, and they are the favorites of the militia officers stationed in Meryton.”

Charlotte glanced at Elizabeth. Mr. Bennet told only half the story. Lydia had thrown a dreadful tantrum when it was Kitty’s turn to come out in Meryton society. The youngest Bennet had seethed in rage as Mrs. Bennet took her next oldest sister to purchase gowns and ribbons, complaining of her ill use. Mrs. Bennet’s attempt at pacifying her favorite child had not succeeded. Eventually Lydia’s grumbling turned to whining, then to wailing, and finally ending in a tantrum worthy of the angriest three-year-old. Mr. Bennet agreed to allow his fifteen-year-old daughter to come out with Kitty so that peace could be restored.

And so, both Kitty and Lydia had left the nursery at the same time. Kitty’s come out was overshadowed by her louder, showier sister, making her uncomfortable and uncertain of her own charms. Elizabeth had told Charlotte everything. She and Jane had advised their father not to capitulate to Lydia’s demands, for such indulgence could only continue to spoil her, but Mr. Bennet valued his peace more than anything.

“A favorite of the officers?” Lady Catherine repeated Mr. Bennet’s words, flabbergasted. “The daughters of a gentleman, married to a poor soldier? Have you no concern for their future? Mr. Bennet, I must say, I expected to find you a more reasonable man, given your prudence in seeing your eldest married to your heir, but instead I find a disinterested father at best. What have you to say for yourself, and for your lackadaisical manner in raising your children?”

“Your wisdom is truly unparalleled, madam. I had no idea it was my lack of interference that was the root cause of all their shortcomings.” Mr. Bennet’s smiled pleasantly, not a care in the world, and dipped his head diplomatically.

Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed, and she turned to Elizabeth. “I believe Mr. Collins proposed to you first, Miss Bennet. His reasons were muddled when he tried to explain how Miss Jane Bennet became Mrs. Collins. You will enlighten me.”

Elizabeth glanced at Jane. Mrs. Collins’s expression was calm, though her eye twitched. Charlotte pitied her; was a home and husband worth this inquisition?

“Mr. Collins and I do not suit.” Elizabeth’s confident reply came quickly. “You have known my sister for nearly four months now. Jane’s temperament is quite the opposite of mine. Mr. Collins married the better sister, I assure you.”

“You claim you do not have the disposition to be a clergyman’s wife?” Lady Catherine’s tone was inquisitive, not censorious.

“I do not suffer fools lightly and have little patience for nonsense. A clergyman’s wife needs patience with everyone, not just those she loves best.”

Lady Catherine looked at Mr. Collins. Charlotte thought she saw understanding in the woman’s eyes. Elizabeth would have gone mad had she taken Jane’s place.

“Do you play, Miss Bennet?” The great lady turned the conversation in another direction.

“I do, ma’am, a little, and very ill indeed.” Elizabeth smiled self-deprecatingly.

“Do you not practice?”

“I confess, not nearly enough.” Charlotte’s friend shifted slightly. “I find there are too many other things that draw my interest.”

“What is your situation, Miss Lucas?” Charlotte jumped. She had not expected Lady Catherine to interrogate her, for she was not connected in a familial way to the occupants of the parsonage.

“Well? Have you any prospects? A suitor? What of your family?”

Charlotte wondered briefly if Mr. Collins had told her ladyship something of the Lucases. She answered as if he had not. “My father is Sir William Lucas. His knighthood was bestowed nearly ten years ago. I am the eldest of four children. My two brothers are in school, and my sister is recently out.”

“ Prospects, Miss Lucas. I wish to know your prospects!” Lady Catherine tapped her walking stick against the floor impatiently.

Charlotte glanced at Mr. Collins. Her pique at him renewed, and a burst of mischievousness rose within her.

“I recently had the attentions of a gentleman,” she said. Elizabeth shot her a questioning look, but Charlotte plowed on. “He is well situated with a good income. He was to speak to my father about a proposal, but unfortunately for me, his interests turned in another direction.”

Mr. Collins’s face paled then reddened, and Charlotte wondered for a moment if he would swoon. She felt little guilt at discomposing him; she would not have, had he behaved in a more honorable manner.

The look of speculation on Jane’s face caused her to pause. Jane’s gaze was far too knowing, and it caused Charlotte to blush.

“How could he do such a thing?” Lady Catherine was irate. “His honor was engaged, especially if you were expecting his proposals! A true gentleman behaves better.”

Mr. Collins gulped audibly next to Jane, and Charlotte’s gaze strayed to his. He pleaded with her silently as he fumbled with his watch fob, and she took pity on him.

“It has happened before, your ladyship,” she said. “I am nearly eight-and-twenty. I suppose I am not the sort of lady whom gentlemen wish to marry. I am the friend, the occasional dance partner, the confidant, but never the wife.” Her tone was self-deprecating, yet humorous as she sought to put the party at ease.

“You speak your opinions rather decidedly.” Lady Catherine regarded her with something that resembled respect. “Do not give up hope. I did not marry until nearly thirty years of age. The right gentleman may yet appear in your life.”

“I can only do as you advise, Lady Catherine.”

The door opened and a footman entered. “Dinner is served.” He bowed and stepped aside.

Mr. Bennet rose and offered his arm to Lady Catherine once she stood from her chair. Mr. Collins and Jane followed, leaving the other ladies to pair up and escort each other. Mrs. Jenkinson appeared to support Miss de Bourgh, the latter leaning heavily on the former as they left the sitting room.

Dinner was a sumptuous feast of courses, each more elaborate and richer than the last. Used to simpler fare, Charlotte found herself a little nauseous by dessert. The servants served the delightful confection, and she forced herself to consume it to avoid offending Lady Catherine.

Mr. Bennet sat to their hostess’s right with Elizabeth on his other side. Mr. Collins took the last seat on that side of the table. Miss de Bourgh sat on her mother’s left, with her companion, followed by Jane. Charlotte sat next to Mrs. Collins and across from the parson. No other occupied the end of the table.

She watched Mr. Collins tuck into his meal as she delicately consumed her own. About halfway through the second course, Jane leaned close to her and whispered in Charlotte’s ear.

“I believe you and I must have a chat,” Mrs. Collins said quietly.

“I cannot think what we have to discuss.” Charlotte now felt a little guilt at her behavior and hoped Jane would let the matter rest.

“Can you not? Your display in the sitting room put you and me in an awkward situation, not to mention my husband’s rattled equilibrium.” Jane sipped her soup delicately. Anyone paying attention to their conversation would see nothing untoward in her demeanor. Charlotte tried to match Jane’s expression and nonchalance and tried to put her off.

“You have surmised the meaning behind my words. What more is there to say?”

Jane shook her head slightly. “It is clear from your words that you have been hurt. I wish to know what occurred between you and Mr. Collins before he offered for me. I detected some displeasure on his part when you arrived; as you have likely understood, I did not inform him you were coming, and he did not ask the identity of Elizabeth’s friend when I told him I wished to extend an invitation. I would rather not try his patience and equanimity any more than necessary. We shall speak on it tomorrow.”

Charlotte nodded, a little shocked at Jane’s firm command. She left no room for argument, her usual complying nature buried under self-assurance. Jane had blossomed in the short time since leaving Longbourn, and Charlotte envied her friend her freedom.

The rest of the evening proceeded without incident. Lady Catherine monopolized the conversation while they had tea and coffee, and the great lady called the carriage to convey them back to the parsonage.

Once in her bed, having retreated there before Elizabeth, too, could question her, Charlotte struggled to find rest. Would Jane send her away once she knew all? Miss Jane Bennet would have forgiven and forgotten quickly. Mrs. Jane Collins’s reaction was less certain.

Jane found Charlotte after breakfast. Elizabeth had left the house for a ramble, and Mr. Collins departed soon after to attend to an ailing parishioner. Mr. Bennet returned to his room, ostensibly to pursue his book.

Charlotte sat on a bench situated on the side of the parsonage. There, a narrow strip of lawn ran between the fence and the house. Roses climbed a trellis against the stone wall of the parsonage, and the bench sat opposite under a lovely tree. It was a peaceful spot, a little removed from the busy lane and shaded enough to be comfortable as the weather grew warmer.

“Here you are.” Jane brushed a hand down the front of her gown and sat next to Charlotte on the bench. “I did not find you in the house.”

“I admit I came here in hopes to delay our inevitable conversation.” She shifted guiltily. “I ought not to have spoken when I did. I am sorry to have caused Mr. Collins discomfort.”

“Even if, as I surmise, he deserved it?” Jane’s cheeky smile lightened Charlotte’s heart. “Will you not tell me?”

And so, Charlotte proceeded to tell Jane all that had occurred from the moment she removed Mr. Collins from Longbourn after his failed proposal to the moment she discovered Jane’s engagement to the same gentleman.

“I did not think him so dishonorable,” Jane murmured when Charlotte concluded.

“I do not blame him for choosing you.” Charlotte laughed dryly. “You are lovelier, and you are family. It makes perfect sense.”

“Be that as it may, his honor was engaged. He ought not to have abandoned you.”

There was a note of something in Jane’s voice. She sounded a bit dismal and angry, and Charlotte realized they were no longer speaking of Mr. Collins.

“Elizabeth believes I have betrayed my dreams,” Jane murmured. “Mayhap I have. But it was necessary, and I cannot regret my decision.”

“What do you mean?” Charlotte looked at Jane curiously.

Jane bit her lip and looked away. “It is nothing,” she said. “Nothing at all.”