Page 46 of The Crown’s Gift

Sir Thomas glanced across the room. Mary sat with Georgiana. Elizabeth spoke to Darcy, her face animated and guarded in equal parts.

"I am still learning, Your Majesty, how many forms courage takes."

The Queen followed his gaze. "Then continue to pay attention."

CHAPTER EIGHT

Hunsford

Charlotte Collins had arranged Hunsford Parsonage so that a husband might occupy it without occupying all of it.

Mr Collins possessed the front study, where he could observe Rosings through one window and the road through another. Charlotte kept the small back parlor overlooking the garden. The distance between them was not large, but it was sufficient for peace.

"He is happier when he believes every improvement his own idea," Charlotte told Elizabeth on the second morning of her visit. "I am happier when the improvement exists. We have therefore developed a useful method of conversation."

They walked between early rows of peas. Maria Lucas followed with a basket, listening solemnly.

"And are you happy?" Elizabeth asked.

Charlotte considered rather than offering reassurance. "I am secure. I am useful. Mr Collins consults me more often than he did when we married, and Lady Catherine has discovered that I can hear advice without obeying every syllable. Happiness visits. I do not demand that it occupy every room."

Elizabeth wished for more and knew the wish belonged to her.

"He treats you well?"

"Yes. Your father's conversation with him before the wedding had lasting effect. Mr Collins remains convinced that Sir Thomas may review his conduct in the same manner as the settlement."

Mr Collins returned from a parish call carrying two account books and a detailed grievance about the sexton. The complaint ended when he noticed Charlotte flexing fingers reddened by the cold garden air.

"My dear, you said yesterday that the chill settled painfully in your hands." He moved her chair away from the draught, laid his own wool gloves beside her workbasket, and rang for hot broth. "The sexton can remain mistaken until tomorrow."

Charlotte thanked him without astonishment, suggesting that such consideration had become familiar. Elizabeth lowered her eyes to her sewing and revised, by a small degree, what she believed possible within her friend's marriage.

Elizabeth laughed. "Papa would be horrified by his influence."

"Your father is a useful terror."

Lady Catherine summoned them to Rosings before noon.

She received Elizabeth with the curiosity due a specimen of known but questionable origin.

"So you are Sir Thomas Bennet's second daughter. I remember your father before his elevation. He spoke very little at a dinner in town."

"Papa often speaks least when he is least impressed."

Charlotte bent over her work. Maria looked terrified.

Lady Catherine's eyes sharpened. "You have courage."

"I have been told so."

"And presented at last. Why were you delayed? Illness? Some deficiency in preparation?"

"I chose to wait for my sister."

"Young women do not ordinarily choose the timing of such matters."

"In my family, we sometimes do."