“Whatever can you mean?”
Mr. Darcy turned to face the Colonel. “Do you know, Cousin, no one has ever asked me what it is that I want out of life?”
The Colonel considered this carefully before replying. “You were born to be the Master of Pemberley; you had no choice in the matter. But, Darcy, the same is true of all of us. My elder brother was born to eventually become the Earl of Matlock. I was born to be the second son, with no title or fortune. Our positions are chosen for us at birth. But there is still an opportunity to make choices within the confines of those positions.”
“What choices?”
“As the second son, I had the choice to go into the law, the church, the army, or the navy. I have the ability to choose my own wife, though there are financial realities to consider. You, Darcy, must be the Master of Pemberley; in that, there is no choice. But, heavens, man, at least choose your own wife!”
Mr. Darcy rubbed his hands over his face. “Cousin, I do not much care about disappointing Aunt Catherine. I do not wish to disappoint Anne, but that wish does not guide my actions. But my mother has suffered enough, and I would never wish to cause her more pain.”
“Darcy, I would never advise you to harm your mother in any way. But…” And here the Colonel hesitated, knowing that he must choose his words with care. “But does it not seem to you rather unusual that her happiness is linked to your choice of wife? Should her happiness not instead be linked to your own happiness?”
Mr. Darcy rose to his feet. “Richard, I know you mean well. But I cannot let you speak ill of my mother. You do not know what she has endured since my father passed away.”
“Darcy, it has been three years.”
But Mr. Darcy was already returning to the house.
Chapter Six
Show me what you brought, Eliza,” Charlotte commanded. “I will help you pick out a dress for tonight.”
Together, they rifled through Elizabeth’s gowns. “This is lovely,” Charlotte said, pulling out a deep blue gown. “I do not recall seeing you wear it.”
“My Aunt Gardiner sent the fabric. It is a new colour, called Imperial Blue.”
“Do I recognise Jane’s handiwork?” Charlotte said, pointing to the silver embroidery on the hem and sleeves.
“You do, indeed. She wanted to make certain I had at least one nice new thing to wear here at Hunsford, though I confess I did not expect to be invited to Lady Catherine’s home for dinner.”
“And look how it is cut! Very clever, indeed. It must be quite flattering on your slim figure, Eliza.”
“I think it is, Charlotte. I look forward to wearing it.”
Charlotte sighed. “Actually, it is rather too fine a gown to wear for Lady Catherine’s dinner.”
“Too fine? I do not understand.”
“She has a daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh, and it is important to Lady Catherine that Miss de Bourgh always be the best-dressed young lady in the room.”
Elizabeth stared at Charlotte. “Truly, Charlotte?”
“Truly. It is everything absurd, I know, but Mr. Collins and I cannot afford to upset her ladyship in any way. Let us see what else you brought.”
They settled on a gown of pale pink. The colour had been popular three years ago, and there was no embroidery. “This is plain enough, I trust?” Elizabeth asked, hoping she had managed to keep any sarcasm from her voice.
“It is, but it will still look beautiful with your dark hair and eyes. Do not be angry with me, Eliza; believe me when I tell you that irritating Lady Catherine is in no one’s best interest.”
Elizabeth felt immediately ashamed of herself. What possible advantage could accrue to her by arousing the ire of Mr. Collins’ patroness? “I am not angry, Charlotte. I am sorry if it sounded so.”
“We do a good deal of tip-toeing around the de Bourghs. I suppose it has become second nature to me, so I forget how utterly absurd it must seem to others.”
“What can you tell me of the daughter?”
“Very little, as it happens. I am too lowly a personage to have a relationship with her, of course, and the few conversations I have had with her do not leave me hoping for more.”
“How old is she?”
