Mr. Collins hesitated another moment, then came in. “On my walk through the living room I couldn’t help but admire your choice in candles. A marshmallow waffle scent is an admirable addition to any fall evening.”
“We are a family known for our superb sense of smell.” Somehow Dad said it with a straight face.
“That doesn’t surprise me.” Collins walked to Lizzy and held out the bouquet of chrysanthemums. “And these are for y—”
Lizzy jumped to her feet and accepted the flowers. “How nice of you to bring flowers for the family. I better put these in water.” And with that she disappeared into the kitchen.
Mom glared after her for a moment, and the realization trickled across me like a melting ice cube. Mr. Collins was trying to pursue Lizzy romantically. I grimaced. That wasthe stuff of nightmares. My thoughts darted to Riley. Had he ever given Lizzy flowers?
“Well, let’s sit down.” Mom forced a smile again and waved Mr. Collins to the empty chair.
He traced the cuff of his sleeve with one hand and glanced at the small crystal on the table, which flickered with a red light—a sign that it was doing its job and keeping the food on the table warm. “I’m impressed you could buy this lovely warming crystal for the table. The magic is quite impressive for a home of this size.”
“We’re more than capable of crafting our own magic crystals, Mr. Collins,” Mom said. “This is a household with fae and witch magic, after all.”
“Of course. Of course.”
We served the food, and Lizzy eventually reclaimed her seat next to me. Mom’s flinty eyes glinted in warning across the table. If she thought one of her daughters had a shot at marriage, she wouldn’t allow anyone to get in their way, not even if it was ourselves.
A quick glance around the table proved that all my sisters had their gazes fixed firmly on their plates while they ate, as if even meeting Mr. Collins’s eye might bringthe next catastrophe. It was so not the mood we wanted for Dad’s first supper at the table in ages.
I took a bite of chicken and reached for the salt and pepper shakers, tiny ceramic white and black cats. They leapt into my hand, spelled to respond to anyone wanting them.
“We’re so lucky to have you as a dinner guest tonight, Mr. Collins,” Dad said with a spark of his old humor.
“It is I who is lucky,” Mr. Collins said. “I’ve never had such excellent boiled potatoes as these.”
A laugh burst from Lydia, and she turned it into a cough.
Jane reached over and patted her back, fighting to keep her expression neutral.
“I must get the recipe from you so I can share it with Lady Catherine’s cook before I return,” he continued with a wide smile.
Lydia met my gaze across the table and mouthed, “One point for me.”
Despite the awkwardness of the situation, my lips twitched. Lydia and I had a running bet on which topic Mr. Collins brought up more: Fordyce’s Sermons or LadyCatherine De Bourgh, one of the most renowned highborn fae who lived nearby.
Mr. Collins puffed out his chest and took a sip of his mulled cider. “I’m lucky to be in close proximity to Rosing’s Park where I regularly encounter the best of the best. You all know how exceptional Lady Catherine is, and as one of the oldest highborn fae in the country, she knows anyone who is anyone."
“Of course.” Dad inclined his head, although it didn’t completely hide his smile.
Under the table, Lydia kicked my leg, and I glared at her as she held up two fingers.
I scooted my chair out of Lydia’s reach. “Doesn’t Lady Catherine have a daughter?” I glanced at Mr. Collins,then took another bite of chicken.
"Yes, she does. Anne is one of the most graceful people I’ve ever met. She carries herself with the poise and elegance you'd expect from someone of her social standing in the Marked community." Mr. Collins took another bite of the excellent potatoes, then wiped his mouth and added, “Those are the kinds of compliments women appreciate, and I think it only right to offer them as much as possible.”
I almost choked on my chicken. Was he serious?
“You clearly have a knack for flattering,” Dad said. “I’m sure you’re quite the ladies’ man.”
“And do you plan your compliments ahead of time or are they spontaneous?” Lizzy asked with a sweet smile that no one at the table believed except for Mr. Collins.
He straightened in his seat and nodded seriously. “Sometimes they’re spontaneous, but I also enjoy arranging them ahead of time so I’m always prepared.”
The rest of the dinner passed like that, and eventually even Lydia lost track of how many points she earned. When things were finally wrapping up after the longest family dinner in history, Mom stood and told Mr. Collins, “I made a pumpkin chocolate chip cheesecake for tonight.”
“I love cheesecake.” His smile widened, but he didn’t meet anyone’s eye. “Also, I brought Fordyce’s Sermons to read after dinner. It seemed like a structured and thematically appropriate way to spend the evening.”
