by C. J. Hill
With these sobering thoughts of the responsibilities of home, the two women turned towards the house to escape the biting wind and enjoy a welcoming fire and hot tea.
The remainder of the week continued with bleak weather which precluded any visits unless they were of the most urgent nature and, so, Charlotte busied herself with the house and wedding arrangements and assisted her mother wherever she could. The wedding dress, being of the finest Chinese silk, could not be transported through the weather but was, nevertheless, being monitored almost every day by Lady Lucas. Towards the end of the week she announced that Charlotte should accompany her to the dressmaker’s the following morning.
“And then we shall pay a call on the Bennets so that we can enjoy a gossip – we have so much to tell about our preparations - I can hardly contain all of my news!”
Charlotte allowed herself a small smile as she imagined her reception at Longbourn.
“Mamma, do not you think it rather indiscreet and thoughtless to go to the Bennet’s so soon? I certainly beg leave to return home immediately after the fitting; I am sure Mrs. Bennet will not be pleased to see me in her home.”
Lady Lucas regarded her daughter with approbation.
“You are a sensitive person, my dear. Mr. Collins is fortunate indeed to benefit from your thoughtfulness in his occupation, but I believe that Mrs. Bennet will surely have recovered from her dashed hopes with regard to Mr. Collins by now. Even though it no doubt came as a shock to her, I expect after such a reasonable period of time, she will be pleased to extend hospitality to her oldest and dearest friend and her daughter. Do not you wish to see Elizabeth, Charlotte?”
“I beg of you. Remember it has been only a week since my engagement, not a very great period of time at all; recall how angry and shocked Mrs. Bennet was at father. I am sure she will not have adjusted her thoughts on the subject quite so soon, and I have already seen Elizabeth this week.”
In truth Charlotte was more than a little embarrassed and uncomfortable at the thought of speaking face to face with Mrs. Bennet; she had not seen her on the day of her father’s announcement or at all during the intervening week, but had gained an undeniable impression from her friend that the lady in question was not over her disappointment.
Elizabeth had, thankfully, recovered her senses enough to allow the two friends to converse about the wedding preparations but the familiar ease between them was gone - lost forever in the chasm of marriage that separated them. Gone were their lively discussions about the deficits of men; also gone was their conviction that they, alone, would stand firm against societal expectations and remain single if no suitable man appeared. Apparently, from the evidence of last week, their idea of suitable was the fundamental object which divided them: they had both been offered the same man, and only one of them had viewed him as suitable. This difference of opinion weighed heavily upon both women but neither could broach the subject to the other; it was too painful and would only open the chasm farther than they would ever be able to repair it.
Nonetheless, Lady Lucas prevailed upon Charlotte to accompany her to the Bennet household after visiting the seamstress, much against Charlotte’s better judgment, and it was with some trepidation that Charlotte approached the front door of Longbourn.
Hill opened the door and, curtseying politely, responded to Lady Lucas’ enquiry as to whether Mrs. Bennet was at home with considerable aplomb.
“I am sorry, Lady Lucas, but my mistress is indisposed today and keeps to her room. Miss Bennet is at home in the parlour if you would like.”
Lady Lucas was not in the habit of being diverted by a servant on the doorstep and began to insist that she was quite at home either in the parlour or, if necessary, she would be happy to attend her friend in her room, when Charlotte interposed herself.
“Thank you, Hill. Please give our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Mrs. Bennet. We were in the neighbourhood and merely wished to call before returning home. We will call again another day.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Charlotte smiled at her mother and led her back the way they had come; however, when almost at the gates, she could have sworn she heard the raised voice of Mrs. Bennet, coming clearly across the park from a lower room, indistinguishable as to content but clear as to tone. Evidently, Hill had passed on their felicitations but they had not had the desired effect.
Lady Lucas was quiet as she navigated the frosty road, still hard and rutted from the recent rains.
“Do not you think it strange that my friend would not receive me, even if she is unwell?” she mused. “I have visited her many times in her room when she has been indisposed, as she has with me. I do not like this manner she has adopted against our good fortune. But perhaps you are right, Charlotte. Perhaps we shall avoid all contact with the family until this has blown over; at least until after your wedding. They cannot refuse to attend that, surely, when it involves their most intimate acquaintances, and their own cousin?”
Charlotte smiled ruefully, realising that, actually, the Bennet family could have such a strong objection that they would not attend her wedding. This animosity was becoming more and more vexatious as the days wore on.
After the snub from Longbourn, Charlotte was delighted and relieved to see her friend approaching Lucas Lodge the next day.
After greeting each other warmly, Elizabeth rushed to apologise for her mother’s unjust behaviour of the previous day but Charlotte interrupted her.
“My dear Eliza, please do not trouble yourself any further about the matter. I am aware of the pain that my engagement to Mr. Collins must be causing your mother and I hold her in no way responsible for being so upset with me, and my family, so short a space of time after the event. I am aware that more time is required for the matter to be forced into history, whereas, my mother is not as circumspect as she could be. I advised her before we visited that it was a most inappropriate gesture but she was insistent, and so reaped the reward of her thoughtlessness.”
Eliza received her friend’s words with gratitude and sat before the fire warming her hands.
“I have some news about my sister Jane and Mr. Bingley that I would share with you.”
“I heard that the Bingleys are returned to London for the season, are not they?’ queried Charlotte interestedly.
“Yes, Jane received a letter from Caroline Bingley this week explaining that they were called away suddenly and so could not take their leave of us personally. Jane has sent her reply and we are awaiting news as to what their intentions are for the future.”
“Mr Bingley was clearly taken with Jane, was not he? I observed it many times when they were together recently. Neither needed any other person for the entire evening; each provided sufficient pleasant company for the other. I do hope that it will be resolved soon, for both their sakes.”
‘Oh, you do not know how it has affected our mother, Charlotte. She has taken to her bed – that is no lie – and bemoans her fate of having two daughters so close to marriage, yet neither fulfilled. She will drive us all distracted if she does not hear some positive news soon. Jane, especially, will not be able to bear her continual reflections on the matter; she suffers so silently herself without needing any outside aggravation. It will be a sorry Christmas indeed if nothing is resolved. Of course, I am the chief cause of Mamma’s distress by refusing Mr. Collins – she will never forgive me for that, I know. But if I had not, then I should be the one worrying about Lady Catherine’s opinion!”
Charlotte smiled in acknowledgment of her friend’s allusion to her concerns about her ladyship’s opinion of her.
“This is sad news for Jane, indeed, but I remain hopeful that Mr. Bingley will return to Jane before too long.” Charlotte offered in commiseration. On a happier note she asked:
“Tell me, Elizabeth, what of your Mr. Wickham? You have been silent on that subject recently.”
Elizabeth’s countenance brightened.
“I must say that we have seen a good deal of the officers re
cently and Mr. Wickham has confided his story to many of our acquaintance who all agree with him that Mr. Darcy must be an odious man with too high a regard for his own position and rank. Mr. Wickham is so pleasant and agreeable and is always out in society - a welcome guest wherever he goes. He appears suitable in every way, although he has no particular fortune other than the military. I cannot claim him as “mine” but he is still the most agreeable man with whom I have come in contact; his easiness of manner and open honest looks impress themselves upon me in a most pleasant and positive way. I do not believe myself to be in love with him - do not suppose that I am - but it is by far the closest I have come to being in that state!”
Charlotte was pleased by her friend’s obvious attachment and happiness but remained concerned about the various rumours she had heard indirectly about Mr. Wickham. From her mother’s account, he was not all that he appeared to be; rather an indiscreet fellow according to the publican’s wife in the village. Out of deference to Lady Lucas, that lady had not divulged all that her husband had learned from his position behind the bar but the minimal information was enough to cast some serious doubts in the mind of Charlotte as to his acceptability for her friend’s affection. However, until she had something with which to prove his failings, Charlotte had determined to stay silent on the subject.
Elizabeth changed the subject, smiling at her friend.
“We received notice from Mr. Collins that he intends to return next week to finalise the wedding preparations.”
“Indeed he is! He feels that he must visit the parish in which we are to be married to satisfy the parson and for the reading of the banns, but he also wants to oversee all of the work that Mamma and I have completed, even though I have advised him of our progress and assured him all is going well. He is certainly most attentive and responsible. It will also give him the opportunity of arranging the transport of my larger belongings when he returns to Hunsford. It will be of benefit for me not to have to worry about that aspect of the move and I willingly leave it to him to fuss over.”
“Mamma will endure the visit as well as she can, but it is rather re-opening the wound!” Elizabeth nodded. “So take care to keep him over here for the most part of each day, Charlotte, for all our sakes!”
Charlotte smiled understandingly as she walked Elizabeth to the door.
“I am sure you will see him, but briefly, at the beginning and the end of the day; even less if you take care with your planning!”
The friends embraced and Elizabeth turned to leave.
“We will both be busy for the weeks up to Christmas, Charlotte. I will visit you as I can but that will not be often. We are preparing for our cousins’ visit and I must watch my sister and help her through whatever ensues with Mr. Bingley. And you will be engaged with marriage preparations – the New Year will be here before we know it!”
“Indeed, that is so, Elizabeth. Give my best regards to your sister and I will pray for her happiness.”
Elizabeth walked away with a heavy heart; she was leaving her friend who was in the final throes of her spinsterhood, calmly planning her marriage to a foolish man who had no possibility of making her happy, Elizabeth was certain, and she knew there was nothing that she could do or say to reverse the decision or the action.
XI
As Christmas approached, final preparations were underway for the removal of Charlotte from her home at Lucas Lodge to the Parsonage at Hunsford. Her clothing was all hanging, carefully wrapped in sheets to protect it from the dust of the journey - although at this time of year that was more a formality than a necessity – and awaiting its final descent into the yawning travel trunks which had been aired of all previous odours in the infrequent sun shining through any available windows.
Her sewing table, writing desk and small armchair along with many trunks of linens and china and silverware were also going to return with Mr. Collins after his next visit in order that the servants might have them unpacked and available for immediate use upon Charlotte’s arrival.
Charlotte had been rather anxious that Mr. Collins would object to such a quantity of household items being sent but when he returned the week before Christmas, she explained her thoughts about the arrangements and he was most agreeable; indeed, he appeared to take a proprietary interest in them as if they were already his possessions.
“This is most satisfactory, my dear, that your parents have provided such an array of gifts for us with which to begin our life together. They have been extremely generous in seeing their daughter settled comfortably and I will thank them personally at dinner,” he had opined upon viewing the bulk of their largesse. “I am acutely aware of the honour attached to each gift and must convey my gratitude as soon as may be.”
Charlotte squirmed a little at his pompous attitude; the intervening weeks of absence had softened her recollections of him and his manner, and this re-acquaintance with it, after only one morning, was rather discomfiting. She hurried to dissuade him from any elaborate overtures.
“Mr. Collins, pray do not speak of it unnecessarily! They are merely providing what they can for their daughter. None of their gifts are out of the way and they reflect what is usually bestowed upon a daughter of any respectable family. My father would be embarrassed if you should make a definite point about them.”
She looked anxiously at him to read his thoughts at this first stand she was making against him. He had reluctantly agreed on the matter of keeping their engagement secret but had been in the throes of new love at the time. He must take her advice on this matter, she hoped, as she hoped he would take it on others further into their marriage, and she wanted to ascertain the most acceptable manner of approaching him without building rancour between them.
Mr. Collins puffed himself up a little and seemed to be considering her judgment on the matter, rocking quietly upon his heels and regarding Charlotte with a thoughtful gaze.
“I understand your concerns, my dear, but you should leave matters of propriety to me, as your future husband. I am excessively attentive to all these things as required by my status as a parson. I do not believe that your father would be inclined to take offence at such thanks, sincerely meant. He has provided us not only with domestic wares but also with substantial provisions for a wine cellar and many other gifts for which, although I am certain you have extended your personal thanks, I feel obliged to add my own gratitude. I really cannot relinquish this formality.”
Giving Charlotte a small bow in deference to her losing the point, he continued speaking in a more amicable tone in an effort to change the subject.
“Lady Catherine de Bourgh, as you know, has also taken a prodigious amount of interest in our forthcoming nuptials. She has not only offered to entertain you as soon as you arrive, as I informed you in my letter, but has also been instrumental in finding a new maid to help the cook and you in running the house, and has located several pieces of extraneous furniture from her own house which she has installed in the Parsonage under her own directions! Imagine that, my dear! I think you will agree when you see them that the choices and placement of these pieces are of the utmost felicity and will improve our comfort both literally and from the kindness of thought that provided them.”
Charlotte smiled at his excitement and evident pride that such interest should be taken in him by such a noteworthy personage. She immediately relinquished her desire to rule in this case – it was not worth the bad feelings that opposing him would occasion - and her father knew Mr. Collins and his manner; he would cope with the fever of gratitude with his usual aplomb, she was sure. Not for the first time, she determined to ascertain, as soon as the opportunity arose, just what had shaped her future husband; what events or family influences had made him equally so unsure, and yet so sure of himself. He was certainly a collection of oddities and would provide an interesting character study if carried out surreptitiously.
“Lady Catherine certainly appears to be a most attentive neighbour – I am sure that I shall value both her
advice and her gifts to our home. I do hope, though, that she will not cast a proprietary eye about her whenever she visits!” Charlotte endeavoured to make her point with Mr. Collins in a teasing manner but to no avail; teasing was not something that Mr. Collins was able to understand. He had not been in the company of females often enough to enable him to detect or respond to it. He hastened to allay her fears about her new benefactress.
“No, dear Charlotte! She will not make us feel uncomfortable about our home or its contents. I am sure that the small items you consider it necessary to bring with you will not affront her sense of good taste and will not, in any way, detract from the quality of her gifts.”
Charlotte bridled at this and, in her first real outburst against the thoughtless words of her future husband, delivered without considering the feelings of those he addressed, spoke with a barely concealed fervour which quite took him by surprise.
“Mr. Collins. Let me assure you that no item of mine could possibly affront her ladyship. The possessions that I see fit to bring into my new situation are all ones which have been presented to me by my father over the years. He observed that I needed my own writing desk in order to do the household accounts and letters; likewise, he noticed that I would prefer my own chair in the parlour just as he and Mamma have theirs. Most of the items I am bringing have a sentimental value but are also of a useful nature and are of the highest quality workmanship, brought in from London merchants. I defy anything that Lady Catherine has provided to be more suitable than those which I shall be contributing.”
