Miss Anne grew thoughtful. “It is unfortunate she will attend, for she will discover I am not so delicate as she supposes, and she will insist upon my accompanying her on her morning calls and fetching every trifling thing she forgets and never has need of.”
Georgiana slipped her arm through her cousin’s. “Dear Anne, why do you not come and visit Fitzwilliam and me this winter and enjoy a respite from my aunt?”
“Forgive me, Georgiana. I cannot visit you, or Mamma will press me to marry Fitzwilliam, which I do not desire. I shall instead persuade my Aunt Helen to invite me to Matlock House, and perhaps, in time, Richard may come to admire me. And then we will marry.”
Elizabeth said, “It appears to me you have fallen in love, my friend.”
“The colonel is charming and free of arrogance. That is what recommends him to me, Lizzy. He is a military man who has earned his way and does not look down upon those of a differentstation. We have become friends, and I hope, in time, he may come to regard me as the woman he wishes to make his wife.”
“I wish you every happiness, for I am certain he is very nearly yours already. I have seen how he regards you. When we are meant to be studying the heavens, he studies you, and when we run, it is you he watches.”
Georgiana added her own observations, and while they were thus engaged, Elizabeth’s thoughts turned to the other gentleman, the one she admired.
She trembled, knowing it was not admiration alone, but love. His many small attentions to her comfort and the warmth in his regard had opened her heart to him.
However, she well understood that she was not situated as Anne. Elizabeth had no powerful connections, no distinguished lineage, no fortune to recommend her. She possessed none of these advantages, and so she kept her feelings to herself, guarding her heart against the moment when this magical idyll must come to an end.
Chapter 16: The Harvest Home Festival
Elizabeth was shown into the foyer of the parsonage.
“Lizzy!”
Mary threw herself into her sister's arms.
“Mary, I am sorry I did not come sooner, but Miss de Bourgh keeps me close. How do you go on?”
“Allow me to fetch my wrap, and we shall walk out together.”
“I am doing well. Mr. Collins remains much occupied with his parishioners, and when he is at home, he spends most of his time in his study writing sermons, or in the garden.”
“I am surprised he has taken so readily to the garden. I do not believe he knew anything of plants or their care before Papa suggested it.”
“He has acquired a taste for Mamma’s sauces, which require fresh herbs. Whole days pass in which we scarcely speak. I find myself quite contented with my situation.”
“Yet, you appear dispirited, sister. What troubles you?”
“Lizzy, he frets that I have not yet conceived. He fears he will have no heir.”
“That need not concern us now, Mary. Did not Papa and Uncle Phillips conclude the entail?”
“Yes, the documents are signed, and Uncle Phillips saw everything properly settled, but Mr. Collins does not wish Longbourn to pass to my future husband, should I remarry.”
“I do not understand. He will have gone to his reward and will know nothing of it.”
“Lizzy, once a worry takes hold of him, he cannot be rid of it. He frets, and then I fret, and I have no peace.”
“So, you have exchanged Mamma for Mr. Collins.”
“Yes. Lizzy, there is another matter that causes him great anxiety.” Mary lowered her eyes and wrung her hands.
“He fears that I shall commit a gaffe and bring dishonor upon his house?”
“Yes.”
“He has rung a peal over your head because of me, has he not? Not for some fault already committed, but for some imagined impropriety yet to occur.”
“Yes. He raises it every evening at dinner, and it has grown so severe that I cannot eat, and it robs me of sleep.”
