Chapter Seventy-One
Charlotte could not wait to read Elizabeth’s letter! Had she convinced her? Would Eliza come to stand up with Charlotte on the fourteenth of January, the most important and certainly most unexpected day of Charlotte’s life??
Dearest Charlotte,
There are no words to express my delight at your news! You will make the very best Viscountess and Countess in all of England! You must invite me to your mansion, wherever it may be!
As for standing up with you, you must know that I would be honoured and delighted, but I am not certain that I will be able to get there.
As you must know, the Collins have no carriage.
If Lady Catherine attends, as your betrothed is her nephew, perhaps I might come with her.
Does he plan to invite her, do you know?
And now, dearest Charlotte, I must ask you for a favour.
Things at Longbourn are quite bad. Papa has given Jane a fortnight to winkle an offer from Mr. Bingley.
This stricture was issued on January the second, so that gives Jane until the sixteenth of January.
I am convinced that he loves her, Charlotte, but I think he is so overwhelmed with the guests at Netherfield Park that he is delaying.
The problem, quite obviously, is that he may delay too long and Jane will already be in London by the time he makes up his mind to propose.
Your betrothed is staying at Netherfield Park; might he not drop a hint to Mr. Bingley to get on with it? I would be forever grateful, as would Jane!
And do let me know if Mr. Fitzwilliam will invite his Aunt Catherine?
With love and great joy for you!
Eliza
Charlotte bit her lip in consternation. Mr. Fitzwilliam and his parents had departed for London the day before, and he was to go on to Matlock Estate in Derbyshire. She could send him a note, of course, which was permitted to betrothed couples. But would it reach him in time?