Page 13 of When Elizabeth Said Yes

She trailed off, and Elizabeth answered her question instead.

"The loss of my father has hit her hard. Jane has gone to London to secure us a home for when we must leave Longbourn."

Charlotte swallowed. "Elizabeth, you must know that we have no wish to hurry you from your home. I know how painful the situation must be for all of you."

Elizabeth reached across and grasped her friend's hand.

"You are very good, Charlotte. And of course I know none of this is of your making. As my mother says, if I had accepted Mr Collins's proposal... Ah, well, there is no use focusing on what might have been. I am very pleased to see you so happy, and you will, of course, be a wonderful mistress of Longbourn when you and Mr Collins decide it is time for you to move."

"I do so hate that such a step up in the world for us must impact you and your family so greatly," Charlotte said.

"I know you do, for you are goodness itself. Fear not. We will find our place in the world again. And I do not think I should have been nearly as happy as you, nor as good a vicar's wife."

"I'm so pleased you came. I was worried I would not see you. And although Mr Collins wished to come and offer his condolences to your family upon the loss of your father, I thought it might look as if he were coming ready to take over, and we would not wish to upset your mother even further in this terrible time."

"That is very thoughtful," Lizzy said, privately very pleased that the Collinses had not come to offer their condolences. Whilst she was sure they would have been kindly meant, it would have been a hard pill to swallow to have them at Longbourn so soon.

She rather thought that her mother might not have been particularly polite in receiving them. And that would have done no one any good.

"Perhaps if I could ask one more kindness, it would simply be to give us plenty of warning before you wish to move in. We are arranging things, but it would be very difficult to remove ourselves with little notice."

"Of course, of course," Charlotte said immediately.

And that, Lizzy thought, was all she could ask for. After all, the Collinses were not going to give up the estate that now belonged to them, were they? Why should they?

Just because the law felt rather unfair did not mean that they were personally responsible.

But to have time to prepare, to know that they would not simply turn up one day and insist upon the Bennets leaving – that was indeed a blessing.

"Now," Lizzy said, determined to be lighter, determined to enjoy this trip in spite of her grief, "tell me everything. Tell me of Rosings and Lady Catherine de Bourgh and all the advice you must endure, for I imagine it is plentiful."

Charlotte laughed and put her hand over her mouth as if she should not have done so.

"Oh, Lizzy, you are terrible. But yes, I do receive a great deal of advice on every aspect of my being, and I have found the best way is to thank her and then do as I please without mentioning it again."

"That sounds eminently sensible," Lizzy said.

Charlotte poured the tea, and they spent a pleasant afternoon talking about the changes in their lives whilst happily ignoring the greatest change that was still to come.

Chapter Eight

"Darcy, let me look at you," Lady Catherine said when they were shown into the drawing room.

His aunt was seated in a large wingback chair by the fire, and Anne sat on a sofa to her left, some sewing in her lap.

She had not yet said a word.

"It has been far too long since we have seen you, nephew," Lady Catherine said. "I know you young people like to frolic in the city."

Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed. "I dare say I have never heard Darcy accused of frolicking."

Lady Catherine de Bourgh pursed her lips at being interrupted. "As I said, I know you like to frolic in the city, but you must not forget your family or your obligations."

Darcy bristled a little beneath her stare. He was a man of obligation. He was proud to do his duty, to uphold everything he had been taught by his father.

But he rather thought his aunt was referring to his future nuptials with Anne, and he swore he would make it clearer on this trip that such a marriage could not go ahead.

Neither party would be happy if it did.