Maria laughed. “I am not as good as Jane, so you may hear complaints from me in the morning!”
The two young ladies washed off the dust from the road and then made their way downstairs to the parlour, where Sir Lucas was listening to Mr. Collins hold forth about the wonders of his cottage. Elizabeth glanced around the small parlour, noting Charlotte’s handiwork in the embroidered cushions and drapes. It was a warm, welcoming room, designed to make its occupants feel comfortable.
Charlotte was familiar with her guests’ tea preferences, and everyone was soon settled with cups of tea and plates of small cakes.
“My dear Charlotte made these cakes with her own hands,” Mr. Collins said, proudly.
“So you continue to indulge your interest in baking?” Elizabeth enquired. “I do not doubt that everyone who has the privilege of tasting the results is grateful for your efforts.”
“It took some time before Cook was willing to share her kitchen, but she and I have reached an understanding,” Charlotte replied, smiling.
“You have come at a most fortunate time,” Mr. Collins informed his guests. “Have you told them, my dear?”
“I have not; I thought you would want to do so.”
“What an excellent wife you are!” Mr. Collins beamed at her. “Very well; Lady Catherine’s nephews are visiting her, and you will have the honour of meeting them!” His excitement was so overwhelming that he was in danger of spilling his tea; Charlotte hastily took his cup from him as he continued. “Mr. Darcy of Pemberley and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam are arriving this very day!”
“Mr. Darcy…” Elizabeth mused, thoughtfully. “Charlotte, was that not the name of the gentleman who was supposed to visit Mr. Bingley at Netherfield, but never arrived?”
Mr. Collins shook his head vigorously. “Impossible. Mr. Darcy is from the highest circles, Cousin Elizabeth, the very highest. It is inconceivable that he would have a friend in trade.”
Elizabeth was irritated, and did not hesitate to respond tartly. “My brother by marriage isnotin trade, Mr. Collins.”
“No, no, of course not, but his father –“
“Mr. Bingley’sfatherwas in trade, Mr. Collins, but Mr. Bingley is not. If he were, however, his kindness and amiability make him a friend to be treasured, even by someone as high and mighty as this Mr. Darcy. In addition, my own Aunt and Uncle Gardiner –“
Mr. Collins interrupted, hands spread wide. “I have upset you, I see. I apologise most profusely, Cousin. It was not my intention in any way, I assure you!”
Elizabeth took pity on him. “Let us consider it forgotten, Mr. Collins. In any event, I do look forward to meeting Lady Catherine and her nephews.”
“You will, and very soon,” Charlotte interposed. “We are, all of us, invited for dinner tomorrow night.”
Chapter Four
When Mr. Darcy explained to his valet, Evans, what had required his change of clothing, Evans had merely raised an eyebrow, forbearing to venture an opinion on a young lady who was unable to pass a cup of tea to a guest.
Returning to the drawing room, Mr. Darcy was quick to decline the offer of another cup of tea. He sat back in his chair and listened as Lady Catherine explained how very accomplished Anne was. Anne was now taking pianoforte lessons, Lady Catherine announced in ringing tones, and the music master had pronounced Anne to be a veritable musical prodigy.
Anne had been given a fine drawing case, with the best paper and pencils money could buy, and Lady Catherine was in the process of finding someone to teach Anne to draw, adding testily, “Though it is not easy to lure the best masters to Hunsford; can they not see what an honour it would be to instruct Anne?”
Anne was evidently a proficient in the art of flower-arranging, and Lady Catherine was quick to point out the arrangements in the drawing room that owed their graceful symmetry to Anne’s fingers. Anne sat and tossed her head proudly throughout her mother’s monologue.
Mr. Darcy listened in silence, observing his cousin as Lady Catherine spoke. Anne was not and never would be pretty. Her figure was that of a child, her hair lank and evidently unable to hold a curl or even to be successfully pinned up, as it had been left hanging about her face. Her overly ornate clothing only highlighted her physical deficiencies; she would have been better served by simpler attire. And perhaps stronger hair-pins.
Mr. Darcy did not consider himself to be a shallow man, but he would have liked his bride to be at least a little attractive! Still, her looks would not have been an unsurmountable obstacle had she other desirable qualities to offer.
But what were her other qualities? Her potential on the pianoforte had to be as imaginary as her art lessons, and he was well aware that she had no conversational skills whatsoever. If she could arrange flowers, that was all well and good, but should the proposed mistress of Pemberley not have a good deal more to offer than that? Who would manage the household budget? Who would hire the servants? Who would visit the tenants? Who would organize the entertainments that were expected of the Darcy family?
As mistress of Pemberley, Lady Anne Darcy now did these things; should her successor not be able to do them as well?
I promised my mother, he reminded himself. I must try to find some way of reconciling myself to this marriage. I should get to know Anne better; doubtless there is more to her than meets the eye or my mother would not insist upon this union.
“Anne,” he interrupted Lady Catherine’s ongoing praise of her daughter. “What are you reading?”
“Reading?” Anne looked confused.
“I know Rosings has an adequate library; surely you make some use of it.”
