Page 16 of Pride, Prejudice & Wicked Pleasure

Lady Catherine appeared as if she had sniffed a disagreeable odor. “Beware, child, she engages in a variety of inappropriate activities.”

Lizzy wanted to inquire how a charitable donation qualified as an inappropriate activity, but she suspected nothing Mrs. Trenwith did would earn the approval of Lady Catherine.

“Last month she was distributing leaflets advocating the abolition of slavery.”

“Do you not think slavery an institution that ought be questioned?”

Mr. Collins paled and even Charlotte, who was more accustomed to Lizzy’s attitudes, splashed the tea she had been pouring.

“If it is,” Lady Catherine said with narrowed eyes, “it is not the business of women to address such a solemn subject. It is quite unbecoming in a woman of her station and wholly improper of her to rouse the masses to attend a matter that has nothing to do with them and is above their comprehension.”

Lizzy flushed. She almost knew not which of Lady Catherine’s insults to confront first.

“Surely my lady does not think the mind of the fair sex inferior to that of a man?”

Or you would not instruct Mr. Collins half as often as you do, Lizzy added silently.

“On the whole, no,” Lady Catherine replied, “but women do have more delicate constitutions, and it is not our duty to comment on matters that are the responsibility of Parliament. Out of compassion, I did approach Mrs. Trenwith and advised her as much, but she clearly has not taken heed of what I had to say.”

Lizzy wondered if that was not Abby’s greatest offense.

“I must say she keeps an odd assortment of servants,” Mr. Collins offered.

The Indian housekeeper and butler, as well as the Chinese driver, were certainly not what Lizzy was accustomed to seeing, but their performance differed not at all from what was to be expected of a domestic.

“Yes, her late husband was known to bring settlers from China and attempt to secure employment for them with English shipping companies. He was a friend of a man named John Anthony and promoted his naturalization. Imagine! A Chinaman with all the rights and privileges of a British citizen. I find it all rather shady business.”

“Aside from her offenses of a political nature, of what other crimes is she guilty?” Lizzy asked.

The stumped look of disconcertion upon Lady Catherine convinced Lizzy that her ladyship was not aware of Mrs. Trenwith’s erotic proclivities.

“Suffice it to say that Mrs. Trenwith is a vulgar and suspect person. Only a fool or crook would seek her company.”

Mr. Collins gave an emphatic nod and echoed, “It behooves us all to discourage her association.”

Feeling the discussion to be at an end, Lady Catherine then proceeded to commend Charlotte on serving a brew that was similar to the one that she herself was partial to serving at Rosings.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Though Lady Catherine had inspired more compassion than antipathy for Mrs. Trenwith, Lizzy resolved that, for the sake of her cousin and Charlotte, she would be a poor guest if she did not take their recommendation under advisement, which she expressed upon the following morning. Mr. Collins, though visibly disappointed that Lizzy had not capitulated beneath the impressive persuasion of her ladyship, nonetheless applauded the progress and again touted the wisdom of deferring to Lady Catherine’s good opinions.

“But I should like to offer to finish the project with the books before reaching any final decisions,” Lizzy said as she tied the ribbons of her bonnet.

“Dark clouds have gathered in the skies,” Charlotte noted. “You might get caught in a rain.”

Lizzy looked out the window. “They are a distance yet, and I can walk at a brisk pace. If need be, Mrs. Trenwith has never hesitated to offer the use of her carriage.”

Not eager to have anything of Mrs. Trenwith at the Parsonage, Mr. Collins added, “If you make haste, you may well stay ahead of the clouds.”

But the clouds moved faster than anyone would have hoped, and a little more than halfway to Trenwith House, a drizzle began. Lizzy contemplated turning around, but she had brought an umbrella and, as the rain was light, determined that she would prefer to fulfill her intentions rather than dwell upon them another day. She even teased herself with the possibility that if she put an end to her association with Mrs. Trenwith, she might also put an end to the ardor that persisted to flame in her body. Cultivating further friendship with Abby could only antagonize her situation.

By the time she arrived at the house, the light shower had become a steady pour. Her skirt and petticoats were wet to the knees as the rain would sometimes come at an angle when the wind blew. Mrs. Singh ushered her into the drawing-room, fussed about Miss Elizabeth catching a cold, set her before the hearth, and insisted on bringing a tray of hot tea. Lizzy was meditating on the comfort—or lack thereof—of working in sodden stockings and slippers when the doors opened. Expecting Abby to sail into the room with her customary vivacity, Lizzy was surprised to find a tall and slender gentlemen instead. Dressed in trousers that accentuated his long legs and boasting a finely tied cravat, he reminded her a little of Wickham, but, judging by his fine fashion, in possession of greater pecuniary assets. He seemed equally surprised to see Lizzy.

“Forgive the intrusion. I had thought to find Abby here.”

By his familiar use of her name, Lizzy wondered if he might not be a lover of Abby’s, despite his looking years younger. But then she recalled how Abby preferred the informal.

“I expected her, too,” Lizzy replied, “for I think Mrs. Singh to have informed her of my presence.”