Chapter 31
Keaton House
London
Noon
Keaton House was a grand, imposing edifice, as befitted the home of an earl.
It was cheery too, its stone walls clean and brightened by window boxes painted scarlet red, empty now of flowers but promising a profusion of blooms come spring.
Sheer dimity curtains, adorned with lace, hung at the windows, and the front door was painted the same bright red as the flower boxes.
A footman leapt down from the back of the carriage to let down the step and open the door and then handed Miss Lizzy down with all the solicitous care of an old and faithful retainer.
Elizabeth smiled and thanked him as she safely attained the cobblestones of the street.
She looked around as Sally, who had traveled with her, alighted behind her.
The houses along this street were all quite as lovely as could be expected, showing a nicety of taste in their design and adornment.
Sally stepped up beside Elizabeth carrying a bandbox, and mistress and maid mounted the shallow slate steps together.
Elizabeth breathed out a sigh of relief and contentment as she looked up towards the door.
It was good to be in London and safely away from the strife still waging within the walls of Longbourn.
She had spent most of the previous day in the stables again, eating meals smuggled out to her by the maid, and only venturing to her bedchamber after her mother and Mr. Collins had once more sought their own beds.
Not for the first time, she was grateful to the many servants of Longbourn, who were willing to defy the true mistress of the estate in favor of the young lady who made their lives comfortable and reasonable.
When she crept into her room, she had found an express waiting for her with the news that Clara was delighted to host her upon the morrow for as long as Elizabeth liked.
Pleased by this news, Elizabeth had put on nightgown and cap before sinking into a chair to calm herself.
She had sat beside her fire for a little while, trying to read, before finally slipping between the linen sheets and watching the minute hand of her little clock inch around.
It had been two hours past midnight when she had at last fallen asleep.
She was tired now upon her arrival in London, having set out an hour before dawn, but it was a pleasant sort of tiredness. Sally had been cheerful company on the road, and Elizabeth was greatly anticipating spending time with her friend Clara. She pulled the bell and stood waiting.
Scarcely had the last peal faded away when the door was opened by the Keatons' stately butler, who welcomed them in.
Elizabeth walked inside and handed her pelisse to a maid who stepped forward, while Sally followed the other girl down the hall.
She and the other servants from Longbourn would remain until Monday, attending church services with their fellows on the morrow and staying in the servants' quarters at Keaton House until their return to Longbourn.
“Elizabeth!” Clara cried out, rushing into the vestibule and pulling her friend into a hearty embrace. “Oh, how wonderful it is to see you!”
“I am overjoyed to see you as well,” Elizabeth replied, returning the hug fervently. “Thank you for allowing me to stay with you on such short notice.”
“I cannot tell you how happy I was to receive your letter,” the countess replied, hooking her arm in Elizabeth’s and guiding her down the corridor.
“Keaton has been exceptionally busy of late, and having you as a guest is truly wonderful. Now allow me to show you your guest room, and you can refresh yourself, and then we will have some tea. How does that sound?”
***
Drawing Room
Lucas Lodge
Later
7th December, 1811
The air of the drawing room in Lucas Lodge was fragrant with the smell of freshly brewed tea and of pine needles, newly harvested and brought inside.
Lady Lucas had poured cups for herself and her eldest daughter and their guest, who was eagerly devouring a cheesecake from a pyramid stacked pleasingly on a silver platter.
“It does seem very odd to me,” Mr. Collins said indignantly. “I am the heir to the estate, and for Miss Elizabeth to rush away without so much as a farewell is most peculiar, most peculiar indeed!”
“Yes, well, I fear the Bennets are a trifle odd,” Lady Lucas said, “though an excellent family in their own way, of course. Truly, for not only Sir Thomas, but Mary as well, to spend all that time staring into the heavens is eccentric.”
Mr. Collins’s lips turned down petulantly, and he said in an aggrieved way, “But Miss Elizabeth does not commonly do that, and for her to merely leave without a word…”
“I am confident that the Countess of Keaton has her reasons for requesting Elizabeth’s presence,” Charlotte said in a soothing tone and held out the platter toward her guest. “Would you care for another cheesecake, Mr. Collins?”
“Thank you, yes!” the man said, reaching out a greedy hand. “I must compliment you on the remarkable abilities of your cook, Lady Lucas. These cheesecakes are marvelous!”
“Oh, as to that, Mr. Collins, my Charlotte made those. I teach my girls to cook and bake and manage a household, you see.”
Mr. Collins turned an admiring look on the eldest daughter of the house and said, “Miss Lucas, I am impressed, very impressed indeed, and I am certain that Lady Catherine would be equally impressed. She has told me that when I marry, I must choose a lady who is an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high, but able to make a small income go a good way. Are you engaged to be married, Miss Lucas?”
Charlotte’s mouth dropped open at this blunt question, but she recovered hastily. “No, sir, I am not.”
“Would you be interested in marrying a clergyman like myself?” Mr. Collins continued eagerly.
“I realize that we do not know one another well at all, but I am desirous of finding a wife, and my current situation is a good one as the Hunsford living provides a full two hundred and fifty pounds per annum, and the parsonage is in excellent condition. Moreover, my wife will have the true honor of receiving the notice and kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I will also inherit Longbourn, of course.”
Charlotte stared at their guest and then glanced at her mother, whose eyes were wide with surprise. However, it took only a few seconds for Lady Lucas, who was a canny lady, to lift her eyebrows and nod decisively toward her elder daughter.
“Yes, Mr. Collins,” Charlotte said immediately. “That is to say, perhaps we could enter a courtship? I would like us to know one another a little better to determine whether we will suit.”
William Collins smiled at her and said, “That is very sensible, Miss Lucas! However, I must warn you that I will be required to return to Hunsford a week from today. Lady Catherine wishes for me to marry soon, so I hope we can come to a definite decision before my departure.”
Lady Lucas lifted the teacup and poured more tea for her guest. “My dear sir, I am confident that a week will be more than enough time for you and my Charlotte to determine whether you are a good match!”
***
Sitting Room
Longbourn
“Elizabeth is in London?” Bingley said in an amazed tone.
“Yes,” Jane replied and then, after glancing at the closed door, lowered her voice.
“I told you that Mamma and Mr. Collins were determined that he marry Elizabeth and would not accept her refusal. Thus, Sir Thomas sent my sister to stay with the Countess of Keaton in London so that they could no longer harass her.”
Bingley grimaced and shook his head. “I am sorry. I confess I do not quite understand Lady Bennet’s view on this.
I am a rich man and will always take care of her and your sisters, and in any case, Elizabeth is the owner of an entire estate, so there is no chance that the family will be in poverty after your father dies. ”
Jane sighed and explained, “The situation is extremely exasperating. You see, Mamma wishes to live here for the rest of her days, and a marriage between Mr. Collins and Lizzy would permit that. But that is not enough reason for them to pressure Lizzy, not that she would ever accept an offer from a man she cannot respect. In any case, Elizabeth is beyond Mamma’s reach now, and Mr. Collins will return to Kent in a week, so it will all be resolved soon.
Now, enough of the Bennets. Will you not tell me about your family, Charles?
I know your sisters, of course, but do you have aunts and uncles and cousins? ”
Bingley smiled at his bride to be and said, “Yes, though not many. Ours is not a large family. But I have a dear aunt and uncle in Scarborough…”