Crossroads: A Collection of Austenesque Novellas by Stratton MJ

Author:Stratton, MJ
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-04-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

January 1812

Longbourn

​It was early on a cold day in January when Charlotte left the name of Lucas behind and became Mrs. Collins. Eros and Psyche watched quietly from the side of the chapel. Mrs. Collins looked exuberant, and her aura twinkled with satisfaction and happiness.

​Miss Elizabeth seemed accepting if not sanguine to her friend’s decision. If she had entertained any idle hopes that she would soon receive an offer of marriage from a more attractive source, her hopes had been dashed. Her favorite, the detestable Mr. Wickham, had defected and transferred his attention to Miss Mary King, who had just inherited a fortune of ten thousand pounds.

​“We must convince Charlotte to invite Elizabeth to Hunsford,” Psyche reminded Eros as they watched the proceedings.

​“Yes, yes,” Eros said impatiently. “Shall we get on with it? I heard tell that Collins will take Charlotte away immediately following the breakfast. They wish to reach Kent before nightfall.”

​“That is quite the distance,” Psyche remarked. “Are you certain they will not stop along the way? Making such a journey in one day during winter is foolhardy. I suppose that is why the wedding was scheduled for this early hour,” mused Eros. “Well, let us get on with it.”

​Together, they whispered in Mrs. Collins’s ear until the newly married lady begged her good friend to come to her in early March. Thankfully, Elizabeth agreed with alacrity.

​“It is sure to be an awkward visit, at least initially,” Psyche said when their job was complete.

​“What makes you say so?” Eros asked.

​“Collins will attempt to make Elizabeth regret refusing him,” Psyche replied. “He was not best pleased by her rejection. Considering his arrogance and sycophantic traits I do not think he will be able to resist.”

​“Elizabeth will laugh at him, just as she laughs at everyone,” Eros predicted.

​“You may be correct,” Psyche said, nodding.

​They strolled down the main street of Meryton arm-in-arm, glancing in windows and occasionally stopping to whisper some persuasion in the ear of one person or another. They were thus engaged when Psyche froze, emitting a sharp gasp and swiftly extending her arm to point toward an alley. There, partially hidden by some stacked barrels, was Mr. Wickham. He had his arm around a young barmaid, leaning down and kissing her tenderly and whispering something in her ear that caused the girl to blush.

​“What a cad!” Psyche cried. “Is he not courting Miss King?”

​“He is,” Eros replied. “We knew him to be a liar, but a seducer, too?”

​“It is insupportable. We must do something!”

​“Miss King has ten thousand pounds,” he reminded Psyche. “I do not think he will be easily persuaded away from her.”

​“Then we must work on her! Or on her aunt!” Psyche declared. “I cannot bear to see someone tied to by such a licentious, awful, unfeeling…”

​“And yet, we have observed it many times in our eons of existence,” Eros reminded her.

​“Why can you interfere when seized upon by anger and passion, but I cannot?” Psyche asked testily.

​“You are welcome to interfere, my dear,” Eros replied.

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