Charlotte - Pride and Prejudice Continues Page 10

  * * *

  Mr Collins was obliged every Monday morning to go to Rosings and he passed Charlotte on her way home from her morning walk as he set off in that direction. He merely stopped and looked at her for a moment, a pained expression on his face and continued on his way.

  Charlotte had not up until that moment felt too much pity for Mr Collins predicament; he had after all brought it entirely upon his own head. However, the expression he had worn on his face brought a pang of pity to her heart, and again she wondered if she should accompany him to Rosings and end it all. Her husband was foolish, but he was now also going to pay and could pay heavily if Lady Catherine knew his hand had been forced and he had been unable to keep his side of things.

  Mr Collins though, had no intention whatsoever of mentioning his duplicity to her Ladyship. He knew her wrath would come down in full force upon his own weary head and he had no desire to partake of such anger at present. He was like most people, keen on keeping his position in life and did not wish to endanger his living.

  He had spent the remainder of Sunday in his book room sleeping off the ill effects of the excesses of the night before and this morning he still felt somewhat delicate. He had managed a little breakfast but the thought of visiting Rosings had stolen away his appetite. He knew now the meaning of the saying 'to be between a rock and a hard place'. Keenly did he feel it, although he still maintained that Charlotte was in the wrong for ignoring Lady Catherine’s advice, he could also see the sagacity in what his wife had done and the pettiness with which her Ladyship had reacted.

  He stopped walking when that realisation hit him with full force. Her Ladyship had acted pettily. He shook his head, continued on his way to Rosings, and pushed the treacherous thought from his head entirely. This was not hard to do, for as soon as he arrived at the door of Rosings his attention was drawn to the sound of hooves on the gravel. He glanced in the direction of the sound and saw that Colonel Fitzwilliam had just arrived and was heading to the stables.

  “Good,” he thought, “a well-timed distraction.”

  * * *

  Mr Collins sat playing with the hem of his coat and making simpering noises throughout his visit. Lady Catherine not once asked her nephew how he had fared in London or if his business there was concluded, she did not enquire as to his health; neither did she ask him if he had had a safe journey. She only launched into a lengthy speech on the infamous happenings in Hunsford of late. Mr Collins attention went from Lady Catherine then to look at Colonel Fitzwilliam and back again, to her Ladyship continually, cringing and sinking lower in his chair in shame.

  The Colonel’s brow was firmly knitted together and his lips were tightly squeezed into a thin line, he certainly did not look happy. Mr Collins could not make out if the Colonel was angry or frustrated, whether this was at the situation so elaborately described to him by his aunt or whether from his business and ride back from town.

  When Lady Catherine had finally finished her discourse she rose to indicate to Mr Collins that his visit was at an end and Colonel Fitzwilliam rose also and declared his intention to visit the parsonage.

  “Yes Fitzwilliam, you feel the slight against my person as much as I do. I know you wish to talk to Mrs Collins, but I fear you will find her a most obstinate woman indeed.”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam made no reply, he simply bowed, and departed Rosings at a speed that made Mr Collins have almost to run to keep pace with him.

  Colonel Fitzwilliam did not let up on his pace and upon their arrival, he did not wait for the maid to announce him but burst in on Charlotte sitting quietly at her writing table, in the sitting room.

  “Mrs Collins, forgive me for interrupting you.”

  Charlotte, startled, jumped up from the desk, almost knocking over her inkwell in so doing, and stared at the Colonel, “Colonel Fitzwilliam!”

  Mr Collins then arrived huffing and puffing his way into the room, “Oh my dear, here you are. You see Colonel Fitzwilliam wishes to visit with you.”

  “Actually Mr Collins, I wish to visit with both you and your wife.”

  Mr Collins stood with his mouth open. Charlotte gained her wits first and invited the Colonel to be seated and called for tea. They quietly awaited the arrival of the tea things, and talked about the weather, their health, and Mr Collins’ garden.

  Jenny fortunately brought the tea things just as the conversation had run dry and Charlotte was glad to busy herself with making the tea. She knew that the Colonel was by now acquainted with the situation and that he would most definitely have something to say on the subject. She felt chagrined, ashamed of her behaviour. When she thought of how he must view her now, she blushed and felt embarrassed. Colonel Fitzwilliam had become a friend and she did not wish him to think ill of her nor did she wish to lose his friendship so recently formed.

  She handed the Colonel and her husband their tea and sat back down in her chair nervously gripping her own saucer. She looked up at the Colonel apprehensively and he took her gaze as his cue to say what was on his mind.

  “Mrs Collins, I am sad to say that this is the second time I have had to apologise to you for my aunt’s behaviour.” The Colonel began as he stirred his tea; Mr Collins stared at him agog. “I fear it is becoming a habit.”

  The sound of the Colonel replacing his spoon on the saucer brought Mr Collins to his senses, “I am afraid Colonel, that I have failed to understand you.”

  “My aunt’s behaviour to Mrs Collins.” Mr Collins continued to look none the wiser so Colonel Fitzwilliam continued, “Mr Collins my aunt has no right whatsoever to dictate to another human being how they should or should not conduct themselves. Mrs Collins is not a servant and therefore has every right to do as she pleases. I am most ashamed of my aunt!”

  This impassioned speech made Mr Collins open his eyes wider than ever.

  He could not conceive of the idea that Colonel Fitzwilliam would take such a view, and indeed thought he had misheard, “Forgive me Colonel. You think your aunt was in the wrong?”

  The Colonel finished taking a mouthful of tea and nodded, “Hmm, indeed I do Mr Collins. Her behaviour is deplorable. I am told by my father that she was headstrong even as a child and was never corrected, but always indulged. She dominated her poor sister Anne, Mr Darcy’s mother, and I also know she did the same with her poor husband, Sir Lewis when he was alive.”

  He drank more of his tea and continued, “You can see for yourself how she controls even the smallest part of my Cousin Anne’s life.”

  Charlotte nodded; Mr Collins remained wide-eyed and staring.

  “I deeply feel for Anne and I wish I could do something to help her, but I fear even marriage will not free her from her mother's powerful grip. My aunt and Darcy have fallen out over his marriage and as you know Mrs Collins,” he nodded towards Charlotte, “that your friend is a most excellent and amiable woman. I think my cousin could not have asked for a better match, she is lively and extremely witty, and brings out the best in my cousin. However, my aunt sent them such a scolding letter at Pemberley that Darcy immediately wrote back and informed her she was no longer permitted to set foot on Darcy land for the insults to his person and his wife, until such time as she apologises to them. I fear they may be in for a long wait. So, you see, you are not the only people whom she endeavours to control, not the only people she has hurt deeply and I am fearful that you will not be the last.”

  He looked at each one of them sincerely, “So, Mr and Mrs Collins please accept my heartfelt apologies. I can assure you that I will do all in my power to persuade her to back down from her position and if I cannot I will write to my father to ask for his help also. I sincerely pray all will return to normal as soon as possible.”

  Charlotte could not express her thanks and she sat blushing and smiling down into her cup. She earnestly wanted to be able to express her gratitude for his words, and understanding, but need not have worried as the Colonel read her expression perfectly.

  Mr Collins however, did not k
now what to make of such a speech, the Colonel was in earnest and was genuinely discomfited by his aunt’s behaviour but Mr Collins found he was now more confused than ever over the situation and could not respond to the Colonel on the matter.

  They then sat in silence for a minute or two while drinking their tea and Mr Collins, never one to like a pause in conversation and having a partiality for his own voice, felt increasingly uncomfortable and so took the opportunity to apprise the Colonel of all the other parish news that he had missed. This included the death of farmer Wilcox's prize bullock and Mrs Harris' having been recently delivered of twins. Colonel Fitzwilliam listened graciously and patiently, whilst he was filled in on the goings on of people he had never even heard of let alone had any interest in.

  When Mr Collins had finished his narration silence fell once again and Charlotte then invited Colonel Fitzwilliam to join their dinner party on the coming Wednesday night. She told him it would be a small gathering with the Abbots only and despite the fact that he had never met the Abbots, he was inclined to think well of them since they wanted to keep Charlotte’s company and brave Lady Catherine’s displeasure in so doing. He said he was delighted to accept, thanked her and took his leave, declaring his intention of speaking to his aunt as soon as an opportunity presented itself.

  Mr Collins was most perplexed at this turn of events and sincerely could not account for it, he replayed what the Colonel had said over in his mind, and each time came to the same conclusion. He personally felt that Lady Catherine was one of the best and wisest people in the country and that her nephew had accompanied him back to the parsonage to deliver his own personal apology bothered him greatly.

  In this agitated spirit, he retired to his book room to think and left Charlotte alone to replay the events in her own head in peace and solitude.

  16

  Charlotte had three walks that were her favourites and she regularly alternated between them depending on her mood and the weather. There was one with wide-open countryside views, one within the woods and the last with safer paths for when the weather was unsettled. She chose her most favourite of the three and walked through the woods revelling in the sounds of the wind whistling through the treetops, the weather had been more clement in the last few days and she enjoyed looking and seeing the new leaves beginning to appear on the branches. She continued walking in this way with her face upturned and did not see Colonel Fitzwilliam’s approach until he trod on a twig. The ensuing snap gave his presence away immediately. She turned towards him, startled.

  “I am terribly sorry Mrs Collins, I seem to be regularly startling you.” he laughed.

  “Yes, Colonel. But it does not follow that I am unhappy to see you.” she smiled back.

  “May I join you then?”

  “Please do.”

  They walked together in silence, enjoying the tranquillity and each other’s company a while.

  “Colonel, forgive me but may I enquire as to whether your business in London is concluded?”

  He stopped walking and his face looked haggard with grief, it made him look older than his years. She regretted asking upon seeing this change in him.

  “It is Mrs Collins. It is, and much quicker than I would have liked. The evidence was stacked against him I am afraid,” his voice choked, “there was nothing I could say to…” he could not continue.

  “I am terribly sorry.”

  The Colonel did not reply but kept his attention on a stone he had begun kicking around with the toe of his boot.

  “May I ask if there has been a collection taken up for his mother?”

  He looked up at her then. Always so considerate, always so kind, he thought. “No, there hasn’t been. Why did I not think of that? How remiss of me!”

  “Oh Colonel, do not berate yourself. You had your own grief to contend with.” she paused and looked up at his face and noticed the dark rings about his eyes from lack of sleep, “I have a little put by, might I entrust it to you to deliver to his mother?”

  “Mrs Collins, I do not know what to say! Your kindness astonishes me. You did not even know the boy.”

  “Ah, but I know you and I know that you thought enough of him to deeply grieve his loss, I can see it plainly in your countenance. Therefore I feel it is right to give a little something to a family who will have not only lost a son but, I am sure a valuable source of income.”

  She then slowly set off in the direction of the parsonage and stopped to look back at the Colonel when she realised he was not following her.

  “If you would be so kind as to escort me home, Colonel, we can have tea and I can give you the money for the poor boy’s family,” she smiled at him and he did as he was bid smiling fondly back at her.

  * * *

  Charlotte took the liberty of calling upon the Misses Thomas once Colonel Fitzwilliam had taken his leave and returned to Rosings. He had stayed a while unburdening his heavy heart with tales of the young boy so recently shot after a court-martial and she let him talk uninterrupted until he was worn-out. He left the parsonage feeling lighter and very glad that he had Charlotte as a friend.

  She stopped in the Thomas' garden, to admire how the tentative early spring sun had begun to entice the garden to life, and laughed to discover herself engaged in such sentimentality.

  She rang the bell and as soon as she was shown into the sitting room, she was delighted to see she was joined by Mrs Brown and most happily of all Mr Simmons. She learnt in the course of her visit that Mr Simmons had visited twice since renewing his acquaintance at the card party with Louisa and Mrs Thomas had hopes that he would renew also his proposal to her sister-in-law very soon.

  “He is certainly marking her out. I am sure he will make his intentions known soon Mrs Thomas.” Charlotte commented.

  “Without a doubt Mrs Collins, he is just as besotted as ever with her, is he not?”

  They were speaking as quietly as they could so as not to disturb the couple who sat on the opposite side of the room and oblivious to their surroundings.

  “They have eyes only for each other!” quipped Mrs Brown.

  “Ay, it is much as it was before, well…”

  Mrs Thomas left the rest of her statement unspoken but they knew to what she alluded.

  Charlotte's visit passed amiably and before she left, she had received and accepted an invitation to an evening party with the Misses Thomas and to her surprise to dine with Mr Simmons at Oak Wood Farm. She had never been to his property but had seen the fine Tudor brick house surrounded by the old Oak Wood, home of the old Squires, from the road and was happy to be considered friend enough to be invited there.

  * * *

  When she arrived home, Mr Collins was concluding some business with one of the church Deacons and she happily conveyed their invitations to him in front of his guest with confidence of his having to acquiesce in front of Dr Sawyer. She exchanged pleasantries with the Doctor and asked Mr Collins to join her for tea. He declined saying he would take the tea but that he had much on his mind, as the church accounts needed going over. She nodded and left him to his work, her mind more agreeably engaged with hopes for Louisa.

  * * *

  When the Abbots arrived for dinner the following night they were delighted to make the acquaintance of Colonel Fitzwilliam, a man they had heard much of but never seen. He was as delighted as they were to form the new acquaintance, he found their conversation lively and jovial, and they were as good a couple as he had anticipated. He was heartily pleased to pass an evening with such company.

  Mr Collins remained uncharacteristically quiet owing to the remembrance of the last time he had entertained the Abbots and drank too heavily, and out of awe that the nephew of Lady Catherine was dining with him in his own home. Mr and Mrs Abbot merrily made conversation and as they had travelled extensively in their lives, they told stories of their journeys.

  “Of course that was all before 'Ole Bony' came along, eh? Now he has made a great confusion of Europe. Not a place to take yo
ur wife any longer, I fear!”

  “You are absolutely right Mr Abbot.” agreed the Colonel.

  “However,” continued Mr Abbot raising his glass to Colonel Fitzwilliam, “we are eternally grateful to brave men like yourself and the Duke, you’ve done sterling work in the Peninsula so the papers say.”

  The Colonel bashfully thanked Mr Abbot, “Although when in the thick of it we cannot see the larger picture. I personally only discover how well we are doing when I arrive back in London and make enquiries.”

  “Then how do you get any information at all?” asked Mrs Abbot.

  “Well ma'am, the Commanders and Field Generals get their dispatches through by special riders employed specifically for the task but even they can be intercepted.”

  “How ghastly!”

  “That’s war I’m afraid Mrs Abbot.” He said solemnly.

  Mrs Abbot deftly changed the subject, “How long will you be with us Colonel?”

  “Well, His Majesty’s officers are not always required to be in the fray, so to speak.” he said with a forced smile, “Then again, I have been engaged recently in other Army business. And now I have some leave owing to me, and I am fortunate to be able to take it with such wonderful people.” he raised his glass in return to his companions.

  Charlotte and Mrs Abbot repaired to the sitting room and left the men folk to drink Mr Collins’ Port, something this time he personally refrained from doing.

  When Charlotte and Mrs Abbot had settled themselves by the fire, they began to talk freely. Charlotte informed her friend of what had occurred when Colonel Fitzwilliam had returned from London and how he had personally apologised to her for his aunt’s behaviour. Mrs Abbot was astonished and asked many questions in return and after a while, she was wholly acquainted with the situation. She had to admit she was relieved to see that Charlotte now had such a powerful ally and one whose own father could also be called upon if it was deemed necessary. She relayed as much to Charlotte, and she expressed her doubts to Mrs Abbot in return. Mrs Abbot tried to calm her nerves and assuage her fears that she was not the one at fault. She was sure that with a friend like Colonel Fitzwilliam nothing untoward could happen now and that she and Mr Collins were safe.