Masquerade 2 by Emma East

Author:Emma East [East, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-06T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“What good fortune you have, my dear cousin, to not only sit in society with the esteemed Lady Catherine de Bourgh, but also to meet with her most beloved nephews. We are very fortunate indeed, would you not agree, Mrs. Collins?”

Charlotte gave Elizabeth a mild, knowing smile before responding to her husband. He was still fiddling with his coat. “I would, Mr. Collins. But we had best make haste if we are to arrive on time.”

Elizabeth had been at the Collinses home in Hunsford for a little over a fortnight. It had been a pleasant visit so far, with only a few irritations in the form of her supercilious cousin. But yesterday her feelings for the visit had changed drastically when Mr. Collins had hastened inside from the garden to exclaim that Lady Catherine’s beloved nephews had just ridden by his humble abode. Elizabeth’s heart had nearly stopped.

“But what does that have to do with us?” she had said, and could not help the hysterical note in her voice. Charlotte’s expression had flashed with surprise and concern, immediately making her regret the outburst.

“Why,” Mr. Collins said, clapping his hands together, “if we are very lucky, we may be asked to attend Rosings and make a dinner party! Lady Catherine enjoys having a full table when she can—she is most generous to share her table, and Mrs. Collins will attest that she does so even when she has guests.”

He was, unfortunately, not wrong. It was the next day when Darcy and his cousin, a Colonel Fitzwilliam, called upon the parsonage. Mr. Collins was thrilled with the attention, though Darcy’s dour expression did not shift during the whole awkward visit. They found Colonel Fitzwilliam to be an animated, wholesome conversationalist, but Elizabeth’s discomfort distracted her wholly. She couldn’t help but notice how thin Darcy had become since she had seen him in the winter, nor the length of his hair, which was nearly touching his collar.

They did not linger for long, thankfully, and Darcy remained silent except a few brief words upon their arrival and their departure. Elizabeth could finally breathe when the door closed behind them, blocking him from sight. Now, a week later when Mr. Collins’s prediction had come true, Elizabeth attempted to restrain the wild horses of anticipation and dread bolting through her stomach.

She could handle a few hours. There would be plenty of people around to deflect attention away from her. They need not interact at all.

“Are you well, Lizzy?”

“What? Oh. Yes, erm, I’m fine.”

Charlotte’s brown eyes assessed her and found her wanting. Their friendship was one that didn’t need words for them to understand one another. Clearly not believing her, she fell back from her husband’s side to walk beside Elizabeth. “Truthfully?”

“It’s only nerves. Naturally felt for someone of my station about to dine with the esteemed and dignified—”

“Lizzy,” Charlotte warned, but her mouth twitched.

“Truly, it’s nothing. My stomach is a little queasy. Our lunch with Mrs. Stephens did not sit well with me.”

Charlotte grimaced. “She

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