Reunited at Rosings (Sweet Standalone Pride and Prejudice Variations #5)

Chapter 4

December 2, 1812

“Ahh, my dear, thank you,” Lady Lucas said as Elizabeth helped steady her as she climbed out of the carriage. A coachman was waiting to help her outside the carriage door. Maria Lucas, Charlotte’s younger sister, climbed out next, and then Elizabeth. She took a deep breath, thankful that her feet were once again on solid ground. Even with Sir Lucas’s fine carriage, the jostling they endured on the pitted roads made her feel that her skeleton might have been rearranged. Still, that was nothing. She would go through much more than an uncomfortable day of travel to be with her friend when she welcomed her first child.

Charlotte came to the open door of the parsonage, but did not venture out into the sprinkle of rain. Elizabeth was glad for her friend’s caution, for she looked as though she might give birth any day. It was good that they had come when they did.

Lady Lucas and Maria headed to the front door while the coachmen brought their bandboxes and smaller valises to the cottage. The bulk of their things had come the day before. That was Sir Lucas’s idea, so the carriage would not be overly heavy for the horses, and it had proved a wise one. Elizabeth was glad that Sir Lucas had had the foresight to send their things ahead. Now they could go inside, out of the rain, and begin settling in.

“Oh! How wonderful it is to see all of you! Come in! Come in!” Charlotte exclaimed, resting one hand over her burgeoning belly and hugging her mother around the neck with the other. She embraced her sister and then pulled Elizabeth into the house. She hugged her close, and Elizabeth leaned back to look at her.

“You are glowing, my friend.” Elizabeth touched her belly and marvelled at the life they would soon meet. Charlotte was like a sister to her, and while the baby would not be related to her by blood, it was like awaiting a niece or nephew in spirit. “I am so glad you asked me to come.”

“There is no one I would rather have here by my side,” Charlotte whispered.

Down the hallway, her mother was already bustling about, asking about the draughts and questioning Mr Collins about the strength of the roof. “It is not good for a baby to be born in a house filled with draughts, especially during the winter.”

“I assure you, Lady Lucas, that everything has been prepared. Your daughter is one of the most adept homemakers I have ever seen.” Mr Collins shuffled his feet, clasping his hands behind his back. He glanced at Elizabeth. “Indeed, I think any woman would be proud to call such a house her home.”

His meaning was not lost on her, but Elizabeth chose to smile and agree. She would not wish herself in Charlotte’s position for all the tea in China. Thank goodness that Charlotte did not feel the same. She had found her happiness in a home of her own.

“How are you feeling, Charlotte?” Elizabeth asked.

Charlotte nodded. “I am tired much of the time. Come, let us go to the parlour. I am sure all of you are in need of refreshment after your long journey.”

“Ahh, yes. Tea and biscuits. My wife has seen to everything, you know. I shall make sure the cook has everything ready on the trays.” Mr Collins said and walked away, leaving the ladies to head to the parlour. Poor Mr Collins. Elizabeth supposed he must feel out of place with four women in the house. Of course, he had never seemed overly fond of male company before. He was perhaps more comfortable with the fairer sex.

As they were settling in the parlour, Mr Collins came back and announced that tea was nearly ready. He came and stood behind his wife, hovering.

Charlotte smiled fondly at him. “My dear, do you not think you should take advantage of the break in the weather to go for your constitution? It would be a pity for you to miss it.”

“I should not dream of leaving as soon as our guests have arrived.” He smiled weakly at all of them in turn.

“You will not sleep as well tonight if you do not, my dear,” Charlotte pressed. “Besides, we have things to discuss that would not be appropriate to mention in front of a man.”

Mr Collins’s face blanched, and then he started toward the doorway as if the room were on fire. He stopped at the door, hunching ever so slightly in his usual manner, as if his stomach pained him. “Of course. Why did you not say so to begin with, my dear? I shall get my coat and gloves and go out immediately.” He fled the room and a quiet calmness spread over the house for one delicious moment. It was no more than a moment, for Lady Lucas soon started in again with her well-meant advice.

“Maria, dear, you must be sure to stay out of the way when your sister’s time comes — for these things are matters for grown-up ladies.”

Elizabeth’s heart clenched. She could only hope she would be of use to Charlotte. After all, she was yet an unmarried woman, and she had been only five when Lydia was born. While she could not offer any wisdom regarding the birthing process or caring for an infant, perhaps she could add a calming presence to her friend’s home. It was apparent that Lady Lucas was going to nag Charlotte and Mr Collins was going to stand about and suffocate her with his endless questions and hovering.

Maria piped up then. “Perhaps it will not be so boring after all.”

“Whatever do you mean, Maria?” Lady Lucas asked in her high-pitched tone.

“Well, when we visited last spring, we were invited to Rosings many times.”

“That will not be the case this time. Lady Catherine must know that Charlotte is due to deliver her baby soon now. It would not be proper for her to go out in her condition.” Lady Lucas scowled at her youngest, then turned to Charlotte. “Please tell me you have not been overworking yourself. I fear you have been doing too much work around the cottage. I can see many improvements have been made. In my last letter, I warned you of doing too much strenuous exercise.”

Charlotte glanced at Elizabeth for help. “I am with child, Mama, not an invalid. It gives me great joy to care for my home. Besides, we had to make sure everything was ready for the baby.”

“It is too much, my dear. You should do nothing but rest until the baby arrives. You can be sure that there will be no rest once my grandchild makes their appearance.”

“I think women are much stronger than we give them credit for,” Elizabeth said. “After all, women have been delivering babies for millennia. Indeed, I have heard accounts of woman in the Americas giving birth and then going straight back into the fields during harvest time.”

Lady Lucas screwed up her nose. “Perhaps savage colonials treat their women that way. But here in civilised society, a proper lady would never dream of showing her face before she had been churched.”

Elizabeth wanted to argue, but could see that Charlotte was growing uncomfortable. Thankfully, tea and cakes arrived, and the ladies settled in to speak of more appropriate matters.

“I do not wish this visit to be a bore for any of you,” Charlotte said once they were all holding cups of steaming hot tea. “It is not unlikely that there will be an invitation from Rosings. Mr Darcy is there again, and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, is to be there for Christmas, too. Perhaps Maria and Elizabeth might like to accept an invitation to dinner?” She glanced at Elizabeth with a knowing look. “I see no reason for you young ladies not to enjoy your time whilst I am in confinement.”

“But we came here to help you,” Elizabeth said, her voice shaking a little. Mr Darcy was there! She did her best to hide her surprise, but feared that she was not entirely successful. She hung her head, her heart beginning to race at the thought of seeing Mr Darcy again, especially after he had chosen not to pursue her anymore.

“It would be a pity for you to miss seeing Rosings. I hear the staff go through great pains to decorate the entire house with greenery and holly berries. It is quite extravagant.” Charlotte kept her thoughts to herself, and for that, Elizabeth was grateful. The last thing she needed was Lady Lucas’s loose tongue spreading about the county that she was in love with Mr Darcy.

As the conversation went on, Elizabeth kept quiet, thinking about how close Mr Darcy was, and yet so far out of her reach. If she met him again, she would do so with polite equanimity, calmly accepting that he did not love her. After all, she was here to help Charlotte, not to throw herself at Mr Darcy. Her resolve was agony. But what else was she to do? It would be improper for her to say anything, or even try to let him know her feelings had changed from what they had been in April. It could be a cruel world for women. They needed the protection of a man to raise their circumstances in life, but could not pursue their beloved as a man could. And heaven forbid they try to find some useful skill by which they might support themselves.

“Miss Bennet? Are you quite well?” Lady Lucas asked suddenly.

“Me? Oh yes, of course, Lady Lucas.” Elizabeth replied, looking around with profound confusion at being called out. “Is there something amiss?”

“No. We have been speaking for the last several minutes about the virtues of bloodletting. Charlotte refuses to undergo the treatment after the baby is born. But I am told it does wonders to reset the blood flow.”

Elizabeth exchanged a glance with Charlotte. “I disagree, Lady Lucas. From what I have heard of childbirth, there is enough strain placed on the mother’s body. Bloodletting would only compound the hardship. I believe rest and plenty of good food will be the best thing for Charlotte. And we can handle the running of the house and managing of the servants while she is in confinement.” She reached over and grasped her friend’s hand and gave it a light squeeze. “You will promise not to worry about a thing except bonding with your little angel?”

“I will,” Charlotte replied, while her mother spoke at length about other home remedies that would help her get back on her feet more quickly after the baby arrived. The two friends barely heard a word of what she said. They might be forgiven for their inattention, for they rather suspected that Lady Lucas cared little whether anyone was listening.

“I am glad you’re here,” Charlotte whispered. Her mother was off pacing near the back of small windows, stating the importance of exercise directly after the baby was born. “Indeed, I began walking back and forth across my bedchamber — with you cradled against my breast — so that I might regain my shape all the faster…”

Elizabeth gave a deft shake of her head. “Mr Collins will love you no matter what you look like. Do not be worried about returning to shape,” Elizabeth said, rolling her eyes.

“Yes, I know. I am not worried. Mama simply likes to hear herself talk.”

Elizabeth nodded. Perhaps that was her mission here — to be an ally for Charlotte. She could not offer advice on child rearing, but she could be a friend. Perhaps that was what Charlotte needed most — a kindred spirit with whom she could share her joys and fears.