Charlotte - Pride and Prejudice Continues Read online

  At eleven o'clock the horse and cart carrying the simple wooden box containing the earthly remains of Ted Norris stopped at the church door. Charlotte led Mrs Norris, who leant heavily on her son's arm, to the front pew. Mrs Norris looked at her in confusion.

  “I can't sit there!”

  Charlotte reached out and squeezed her hands, “Today you can Mrs Norris.”

  The service was longer than expected, many people came forward to say a few words about their dear friend, and Mr Collins' eulogy was sympathetically given. Charlotte was impressed with his delicacy although he confessed to her on the way home that some of its contents had been copied out of a sermon book as he said he often found himself at a loss for words at funerals.

  They sang 'Psalm 23, the Lord is my shepherd', and as the sound of 'Amazing Grace' filled the church, the coffin was carried out and the menfolk accompanied it to its final resting place in the churchyard.

  After a minute or two, Charlotte walked Mrs Norris out to the graveside where Mr Collins performed the interment.

  Mr Norris Jr. informed all that a small wake would be held at The Bell Inn in Hunsford for any who wished to join them as he led his weeping mother away from the grave. Mr Collins decided it was best to leave the family and friends to their memories together and that he and Charlotte should return home.

  * * *

  Charlotte had no news from Hunsford or from Louisa until the night of the dinner party at Mr Simmons' Oak Wood Farm. She was happy to attend and to shake off the sadness and melancholy that had invaded every part of their home of late. After dressing, she opened her jewellery box to choose something to wear, her eyes falling on the miniature Mr Collins had given her as a Christmas gift. She quickly pushed it to one side and chose the string of pearls she had inherited from her maternal grandmother instead.

  Mr Collins wore his usual black clothing, which declared his profession before he could speak. Charlotte looked at him and wondered what he would look like in a blue or gold waistcoat. She had never seen him in anything else, other than his cassock or nightshirt and contemplated the possibility of encouraging him in the future to dress as other men of their society when attending dinners, parties or balls. She did not suppose she would succeed in such an effort but it amused her to think of him in red or blue or any colour other than black.

  The gig was ordered and they prepared themselves in the hall for the cold night air, and Charlotte noticed Mr Collins was pensive, “Mr dear, is all well?”

  “Perfectly, I assure you.” he said turning to her. “You do recall that because of this business with old Ted that I was unable to visit with Lady Catherine?”

  Charlotte's spirits sank at the mention of that name, “Yes I recall.”

  “I was thinking that I have not spoken with her for a fortnight now and this Monday I know our meeting cannot be avoided.”

  He actually looks sad at the prospect of seeing her! Charlotte thought, astounded at this change in her husband.

  “You do not wish to attend my dear?” she asked him.

  “Shall we say that I am apprehensive?”

  She smiled at him and squeezed his arm in encouragement just as the gig arrived and they departed their minds then on happier things.

  * * *

  It was a long drive to Oak Wood Farm from the parsonage. They had to drive through Hunsford and out to the Westerham Road before old house loomed in front of them.

  As they approached the house, Charlotte shared her thoughts, “I think my dear, that we should not stay late, that was rather a long journey.”

  “I agree and I do not wish to be overtired for church tomorrow.”

  Charlotte was very impressed with the house once they had arrived. A stone plaque on the front declared the house had been built in 1558 during the final year of the reign of Queen Mary I. The main door opened into what would have been the great hall; Charlotte stood looking around her in awe. The hall was galleried and the walls were oak panelled, it was incredibly grand and belied the house's name as a mere farmhouse.

  It was here that they were greeted by Mr Simmons and discovered that they were the last to arrive.

  They were shown into the drawing room and after they had given their salutations and greeted their friends Mr Simmons cleared his throat loudly to attract everyone's attention, “Thank you all for coming here today and welcome to my home. I am assured dinner will not be long so I thought I would share with you an excellent piece of news, which I am sure will gladden your hearts as much as it has mine.”

  They all exchanged looks and Mr Simmons gestured with his hands to hush the tide of questions that were now directed at him.

  “Please, please!” he laughed. They all settled down and awaited his news.

  “This morning I asked Miss Louisa Thomas for the honour of her hand in marriage and she has accepted.” The room exploded in a cacophony of cheers and voices calling out congratulations.

  Mr Simmons slipped past his guests to allow Louisa to accept the best wishes on their behalf, and drew near to Mr Collins, “Mr Collins, I wonder if I might call upon you during the coming week to set a date for the wedding? As you may imagine we are desirous that it should take place as soon as is convenient.”

  Mr Collins replied that he would be delighted to receive him on Tuesday following and with Charlotte's agreement, invited him and Louisa to lunch that day.

  As they settled down, pre-dinner drinks were served and Charlotte had the chance to talk with Colonel Fitzwilliam.

  “I was sad to have missed you at the Thomas' evening party and I am sorry about the circumstances of your absence, Mrs Collins.”

  “Thank you Colonel. It was very sad; I was not well acquainted with old Ted Norris but knew him well enough to have liked him. He used to make me smile with his cheekiness.”

  “However,” he replied lightening the mood, “I am happy you are here this evening and such good news to have!”

  “Oh how correct you are Colonel. It is indeed wonderful news. I wonder if you are acquainted with their history at all.”

  She could not resist asking, and wondered at the propriety of acquainting him with the history, but thought it was better that he knew if he intended to continue to be friends with them all and that perhaps they might need him if her Ladyship flew into another of her rages.

  “No, I did not realise there was a history. Would you be so good as to tell me?”

  “I would be glad to Colonel so as to perhaps help them, should they so need it before they are wed.”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam turned to face her. “Why do I get the impression that my aunt plays a part in this history Mrs Collins?”

  “Colonel, I suggest that you accompany Mr Collins home on Monday lunchtime after he meets with your aunt and I will inform you of the part she played.”

  He straightened in his chair, a look of irritation on his face, “Very well, and I pray my intervention is not needed.”

  “As do I Colonel.” He stood, offered her his arm, and led her to the dining room as the dinner gong sounded. “It has been fortuitous having you visit Colonel, you have been a great help, to myself in particular and I thank you.”

  “Mrs Collins, there is no need to thank me. I abhor injustice and cruelty and I am saddened to find both within my own family. However, tell me, how are things at home now? I trust everything is to your satisfaction?”

  “There is a closer semblance of normality, yes.”

  “I am glad to hear it. Tell me, do you still enjoy your walks? I have been occupied assisting my aunt with her estate business and I should very much like to resume walking with you again in the mornings Mrs Collins.”

  Charlotte blushed and said that yes she had upheld her habit of walking and that he was welcome to join her whenever he wished to do so. He smiled at her and left her in no doubt of his intending to join her the following morning.

  * * *

  When dinner was concluded and the women made to return to the drawing room Louisa pulled Char
lotte aside in the hall, “Charlotte, I am so happy!”

  “I am so pleased for you Louisa, congratulations!” she embraced her friend.

  “Please do not think me ignorant of the part you played in bringing this about.” Louisa looked seriously at her and held her hands. “I know you deliberately invited George to your card party.”

  “I assure you Louisa, there was no design.” Charlotte smiled at her friend. “I admit that once I was acquainted with your history I was grieved by it and wished to do something to help. However, the only design, if you wish to call it such, was that you were on my mind when Mrs Abbot pointed out that we would only be seven at the party and we needed eight to make up two card tables. And of course I immediately thought of your Mr Simmons.”

  “Then I am more than glad that you did! I never thought I would have this chance again!”

  “Oh Louisa, all that was needed was a little push, you are both so in love, it was evident from the moment he walked into the parsonage and laid his eyes upon you.”

  Louisa blushed and Charlotte was so happy for her. Together they walked arm in arm to the drawing room.

  * * *

  On the journey home Charlotte and Mr Collins chatted away in a manner they had rarely done before, and it was certainly a far cry from the last conversation they had had going home in the gig. Charlotte was sure the celebratory atmosphere and a generous helping of wine were responsible.

  When they arrived home, they ordered hot chocolate that they took to bed with them and which remained untouched and cold by the time they awoke in the morning.

  22

  Charlotte knew that she would be accompanied by Colonel Fitzwilliam that morning while walking and it came as no surprise to her that he joined her almost as soon as she had passed the gates to Rosings, giving the impression that he had been waiting for her. She smiled and shook her head at him.

  He raised his hands in mock surrender, “What, Mrs Collins? You do not believe I came upon you by chance?” He fell in step beside her.

  “Not at all Colonel Fitzwilliam. In truth I believe you contrived a meeting with me this morning.” She threw him an accusing look belied by the smile at the corners of her mouth.

  “All right, I admit it! What will be my punishment then?” He looked at her coquettishly.

  Charlotte blushed deeply and smiled at him in return, wondering when they passed through friendship to the point where they were now flirting, but she could not reply.

  They walked for some time discussing the previous evening and their joy over the coming nuptials of Mr Simmons and Miss Thomas. Charlotte was so engrossed in the topic and in thinking of how to explain to the Colonel his aunt's part in their history, that she did not realise her mistake in taking the path they were walking until it was too late. The path led through the densest part of the woods and finally opened into a small clearing that was so enclosed that the only way out was to go back the same way they had come. She often went there and enjoyed the solitude to pray and sing aloud. However, this time she knew it was folly to be in such a secluded place with a man who was not her husband, and to whom she was so attracted.

  She attempted to feign ignorance of the place, “Oh, it seems there is no way through, we had better turn back.”

  “Why? It seems a lovely place. The ground is dry, we can sit here and rest a while, and perhaps you can tell me what you have been avoiding,” she blanched as her thoughts were on his proximity and her racing heartbeat, “my aunt's part in the story.”

  Of course, he is referring to the conversation you were having! Calm down! She chided herself.

  Despite his claim that the ground was dry, Colonel Fitzwilliam removed his coat, laid it out all the same, and bid Charlotte to sit beside him. He leant back against a tree trunk and closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the sun on his face.

  Charlotte could not take her eyes off his face. He was so handsome with the sun playing across his features. She forced herself to look away into the woods but could not resist taking in his lithe, athletic form as she did so. Her face flushed as she recognised the effect he had on her and thought perhaps that she should sit on her hands to prevent herself from reaching out and touching him. She jumped as he spoke and she wondered if he had been watching her looking at him.

  “So, are you going to tell me my aunt's infamous role?” he said with a cheeky grin playing across his face, his eyes apparently still closed.

  She told him of all that Louisa had informed her of the day they had visited Westerham together. His listened quietly, watching her from under his lashes, and as the story unfurled he sat up, a look of concern on his face. When she had finished her tale, she looked at him and waited for a response. She was glad he was taking his time thinking, it gave her the opportunity to gaze upon his handsome features.

  “I am heartily sorry to hear it. I swear right now, that I will not allow her to interfere in their lives again. They will be married whether my aunt approves or not and if she tries to impede his business then I will intervene for his good, I too have contacts.” He paused, “even if I have to live at Rosings for the remainder of my life to accomplish it.” He reached out and held her hand, “I am most sorry any hurt she has caused. Especially to you Charlotte.”

  Charlotte's mind was in a whirl, the heat from his hand was invading her whole being, and did he just say her name? She raised her eyes to look at him through her lashes, she could not speak, and she did not wish to break the spell she was under.

  “Tell me Charlotte, do you like it here in Kent?”

  She nodded but said, “I prefer Hertfordshire.”

  He smiled back at her and nodded that he understood she would prefer the place she grew up much more. He began to talk about Derbyshire where he had grown up whilst absent-mindedly circling the back of her hand with his thumb. Her reaction to this touch was instant and explosive; her whole body was ablaze with the fire of her desire for him. She kept her head averted and looked into the trees once more to avoid him seeing the passion she knew was so plainly to be seen in her eyes and yet she could not pull her hand away from his, she did not wish to. She believed she only heard one word in twenty that he spoke; her mind was focussed only on the skin on the back of her hand. Despite his thumb caressing her hand through her glove she found she could hardly breathe, she felt that her heart beat so fast and so loudly that it would be heard in the next county.

  How could he not hear it too? she wondered.

  Colonel Fitzwilliam knew what he was doing, he knew it was wrong but he could not resist. The more time he spent in Charlotte's presence the more he wanted to be alone with her, get up close to her, to touch her, and here was an opportunity to hold her hand.

  Nevertheless, you are not just holding her hand, are you? He thought, trying to fight the urges that were threatening to take him over. If she were to look me in the eye right now, I would be a lost man. He forced himself despite his unwillingness to stop his thumb’s mesmerising exploration of the back of her hand.

  They remained silent for some minutes, each one fighting to bring themselves under control. Slowly and reluctantly, their hands separated and Charlotte's breathing began to return to normal.

  Colonel Fitzwilliam quietly expressed that he thought that it was time that they began to walk back and he helped Charlotte to stand. His hand gripping hers and threatening to ignite the fire that they had both felt moments before. She knew he felt the same way, his reactions, his lack of ease spoke volumes. They stood for a moment staring in opposite directions, both fighting the same thoughts and desire. In the distance, they heard a dog barking and Charlotte felt reality crashing back in upon her.

  As they began their return walk to the parsonage neither one could think of anything to talk of, until the dog they had heard barking ran across the path chasing some imaginary prey and was closely followed by Grieves the Rosings gamekeeper.

  “Gunner, Gunner! Get back here!” he huffed and puffed as he ran after the escapee dog, he paused l
ong enough to touch his forelock at Charlotte and Colonel Fitzwilliam and continued chasing the dog, bellowing its name as he went. They both watched after the gamekeeper until he was out of sight, they looked at each other and burst out laughing. The tension between them gone.

  The Colonel left Charlotte at the parsonage gate and brushed his fingers across the back of her hand as he turned to leave, and for an instant both of them relived the moment in the clearing once again before they separated.

  * * *

  Mr Collins had already departed for Rosings when Charlotte entered the parsonage and she retreated to her room and asked for hot water to bathe with the single purpose of trying to bring herself back to her senses. She did her best not to think about what had passed between herself and the Colonel in the clearing, she tried not to allow herself to feel the guilt that kept trying to well up and engulf her. She stubbornly pushed it from her mind; she had done nothing for which she could be reproached. A friend merely held my hand, that was all, she kept telling herself. There was no possible way that anything could pass between them. She was a married woman and he would not risk such a scandal so close to his family. It was just a fleeting thing, it would never be repeated, and she continued to try to convince herself.

  By the time she had composed herself, washed, and changed her clothes, she was sufficiently calm to go into the sitting room and await the return of Mr Collins. It was then that she recalled that she had invited Colonel Fitzwilliam to accompany her husband home to join them for lunch that day. Would he really attend? Again, she found herself discomposed at the thought of the Colonel and decided to err on the side of caution and to inform Mrs Higgs that they might have a guest for luncheon.

  She could not decide whether she was more discomfited or happy to see that the Colonel did indeed accompany her husband back to the parsonage for luncheon. She watched their arrival from the sitting room window. Mr Collins was giving the Colonel his full attention and was giving him what Charlotte liked to call 'the grand tour' of the garden. She smiled to see Colonel Fitzwilliam deigning to be interested in Mr Collins' garden, when the Colonel turned to look directly at her standing by the window and winked. She gasped just as Mrs Higgs entered the room.