“Miss Bingley, I do not need to be reminded that I was a party to that discussion. I think of it almost every day. I just do not derive as much satisfaction from it as you do.”

“Mr. Darcy,” Louisa interjected, “Miss Bennet traveled to London with her sister, Miss Elizabeth, and she happily shared with Caroline that both had attended a ball as well as the theatre and were enjoying being in town.” Louisa wanted to get the conversation away from the subject of tearing Charles away from the woman he loved, especially since she was having second thoughts about her own role in parting the two lovers. Despite Caroline’s many criticisms regarding Jane Bennet, Louisa liked her. “I think we can safely say Miss Bennet is well on her way to getting over any hurt feelings she may have had because of our brother.”

Caroline looked at her sister with alarm. Mr. Darcy had once made a remark about Eliza Bennet’s fine eyes, and she had noticed how he sought her out at the Netherfield ball. She did not want to discuss anything to do with that particular lady.

“Mrs. Hurst, are you saying that Miss Elizabeth Bennet is in London?”

“No, sir,” Louisa said, shaking her head. “She was in London. However, she has since gone to visit friends somewhere in Kent, and Miss Bennet alone remains in town.”

“Has she gone to visit Mrs. Collins? I believe they have a close friendship.”

“Yes, Mr. Darcy, that is the lady. I could not think of her name, but she is the one who married Lady Catherine’s vicar. So Miss Elizabeth is definitely not in town.”

Caroline was unhappy with Louisa for providing so much information about Eliza Bennet’s whereabouts. The Collinses were near neighbors to Lady Catherine, and it was possible that if Mr. Darcy chose to visit his aunt in Kent, he might encounter her in the nearby village or, very likely, in church.

Any thought of Bingley immediately went out of his head. Ever since leaving Hertfordshire, Darcy had tried not to think about Elizabeth. He did not want to remember her dark eyes or hair, her beautiful smile, and infectious laugh. And her wit! What had she said at Netherfield about the efficacy of poetry in driving love away? He would never again read a romantic poem without thinking about her comment. For a time, he had been angry with her for her defense of Wickham and for believing his lies, but the anger had dissipated only to be replaced by an emptiness he had never before experienced.

Caroline, seeing the effect Louisa’s news had had on Mr. Darcy, attempted to regain his attention. “I imagine Miss Elizabeth will thoroughly enjoy her stay at the parsonage. It is my understanding from Mr. Collins that the house is well situated and has a lovely garden. I am sure the attractions of the nearby village will be appealing to someone who is so content to live near Meryton.”

Caroline mistakenly believed she was being gracious, or at least as gracious as she could be when discussing someone whom she considered to be a rival. But Darcy saw it for what it was: a reminder that Miss Elizabeth was merely the daughter of a gentleman farmer, and as such, beneath his notice.

Darcy finally declared he could wait no longer, and after handing his card to Mrs. Hurst, he asked that Bingley call on him. Although he was unable to see his friend, the visit was successful in one regard. It was no longer a mystery as to what he found so unappealing about Caroline. She was an attractive woman on the outside, but her beauty only masked a deep well of unkindness and the satisfaction she derived from belittling others.

Chapter 3

On the ride from London to Hunsford Lodge, Lizzy reflected on all that had happened in the few months since Mr. Bingley had come to Netherfield Park, and in her musings, she also recalled the many conversations Jane and she had shared as young ladies on the cusp of adulthood. While snuggling in their bed, they talked of the men who would come into their lives and win their hearts. Ironically, it was Jane who was the more practical of the two. She wanted a man with a kind disposition, who was handsome and charming, and who would be able to provide for her and their children. Her greatest hope was that she would marry for love, but considering her lack of fortune, she realized it was all a matter of luck.

Lizzy, on the other hand, wanted a man of understanding who would engage her intellectually. Before they married, her husband would appreciate that she held opinions on matters great and small, and that there was a wider world she wanted to explore, even if she could only do so by reading magazines and newspapers and visiting the circulating library. And there were so many exciting things to read about and to discuss. England, most especially London, was at the center of the world, as was evidenced in the shops with their Chinese silks, American tobacco, Indian teas, and Madeira wines, and great political and military events were taking place on the Continent and in America.

But in one thing Jane and she were in complete agreement: Both wanted to marry for love. In Jane’s case, it had very nearly happened. Mr. Bingley was all Jane had ever wanted and more, and she had fallen deeply in love with him and he with her. So what had happened? She knew the answer to that question. Mr. Bingley’s sisters and Mr. Darcy had happened, and together they had worked against the match from the very beginning. She was sure that Caroline and Louisa were sensitive about the Bingley fortune having been made in trade, and it was their intention to climb the social ladder and never look back. It was obvious Mr. Darcy held considerable sway over his friend, and in the end, he was able to convince Mr. Bingley that marriage with Miss Bennet was not in his best interest.

At the Netherfield ball, if she had spent less time thinking about Mr. Wickham, she would have anticipated what was shortly to happen. She would have seen how the inappropriate behavior of her mother and sisters was being viewed by Caroline, Louisa, and Mr. Darcy. And to make matters worse, there was Mr. Collins. Anyone who condemned the behavior of her mother and three younger sisters would come to the conclusion that even the extended Bennet family lacked refinement and common sense.

But all that was in the past, and nothing would be gained by thinking about it. Lizzy refocused her attention on her visit with Mr. and Mrs. Collins, and a smile came to her face. Charlotte was her dearest friend, and there would be so much to discuss, and as for Mr. Collins, she could safely rely on him to be an endless source of amusement.

* * *

When the chaise pulled up in front of Hunsford Lodge, Lizzy understood why Charlotte could be happy here—even with Mr. Collins. It was a pretty house with a lovely garden and a fine view of Rosings Park, and it was near enough to the road leading into the village that Charlotte could easily visit with her neighbors.

As expected, as soon as Lizzy had both feet on the ground, Mr. Collins began to point out every advantage of living at the parsonage, clearly with the intention of making Lizzy regret her refusal of his offer. No matter how unexceptional or insignificant the object, right down to the fender in front of the fireplace, each merited a comment from her cousin. After the tour of the house had concluded, Mr. Collins led Lizzy to his favorite vantage point from which he could see Rosings Park and, therefore, the comings and goings of his esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

After supper, Charlotte remarked to her husband that Elizabeth had had a long journey and might wish to retire. With the excuse of making sure that everything was as it should be in Lizzy’s room, Charlotte went upstairs with her friend and closed the door.

“Finally, we are alone,” Charlotte said, and she gave Lizzy a hug. “How good it is to have company from home. After Papa and Maria left, I was quite homesick, but now you are here and I am content.”

“So tell me, Charlotte, is everything to your satisfaction?” Lizzy asked while sitting on the bed and unlacing her boots. “Do you take issue with any of Mr. Collins’s claims that everything is perfect and beyond criticism? You said that Lady Catherine was a most attentive neighbor, but I could not decide if you were praising or censuring her.”

“By attentive, I meant nosy,” Charlotte said, rolling her eyes. “When I said that she shows an interest in all we do, it was the truth, for nothing is beneath her notice. She comes into the house and finds fault with everything and everyone, leaves instructions for the necessary corrections, and departs. But despite all this, I am quite content to be here and to be the mistress of my own home, and for all of Mr. Collins’s faults, he is a kind man who sees to the needs of his parish.”

“I am happy to hear it, truly, but what about your needs?”

“Easily met. Monday and Tuesday are reserved for visits to his parishioners or church business. On Wednesday, we dine at Rosings Park, so that Lady Catherine may criticize the sermon Mr. Collins has written. He spends as much time as possible on Thursday in the garden, an activity he enjoys, and one which I encourage. It seems that Lady Catherine has outlived most of her friends, so we usually dine at the manor house on Friday as well so that we might entertain Her Ladyship. On Saturday, we do all our shopping for the week in the village, and that night, we perform as man and wife. Sunday, he preaches, and then the cycle repeats. Very little changes from week to week, and because my marriage is lacking in romance, I can see you are unimpressed.”

“Charlotte, I made no comment.” Nor would she. The thought of Mr. Collins performing as a husband could result in the loss of her appetite.