Something to Think Of by P. O. Dixon

Author:P. O. Dixon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Regents and Cotswold Book Group

Meanwhile, in Kent, some mischief was afoot.

Mr. Collins, having read the missive he borrowed from Elizabeth without her knowing, had yet to find a way to use the information held therein to his advantage. What a conundrum he suffered, wanting to appease his noble patronage by imparting such vital knowledge as he possessed about her nephew’s true intentions toward Miss Anne de Bourgh, or rather lack thereof. At the same time, he was withholding information that might damage his own standing in Lady Catherine’s eyes, what with him knowing what he now knew about her noble family’s brush with scandal.

Such information indeed would cause untold harm to the Fitzwilliam family were it made known.

The young man paced the floor with his hands clutched behind his back.

How would her ladyship want me to act in such a case as this? Collins wondered.

Weeks had passed since he last read Mr. Darcy’s letter. He ought to have memorized every line, but he had not. By now, he was not sure what he thought he knew.

He came to an abrupt halt. First, I shall reread the letter, and then I shall have a better idea of how I ought to approach Lady Catherine.

Collins hurried toward the door, eased it open, and poked his head just outside. He looked up and down the hallway. Then, seeing no one about, he listened for a few seconds more for good measure. The last thing he wanted was to be caught reading a letter he had no business with. How would he explain to Mrs. Collins how he came into possession of a letter from Mr. Darcy to her intimate friend?

Ducking his head back inside the room, he reached for the doorknob and turned the key, locking himself inside the room. Even this would not do. How would he explain a locked door in a household of two, the servants not counted? He could not—despite his dear wife’s frequent habit of accidentally locking her bedroom door at night. Hence, Collins unlocked the door.

I shall simply tuck the letter inside a book. Then, should Mrs. Collins enter the room, she will be no more the wiser as to what I am reading.

After retrieving the perfect book to shield his covert purposes, he went to the secret place he had found behind his bureau to stash Mr. Darcy’s letter. Old and worn, the back panel was covered in dust—thus an annoying hint to him to speak with the maid about this neglect.

Seconds later, stumbling backward, Collins clutched his chest. He could feel all the color drain from his face. The side of his body was resting against the side of the bureau; the next thing he knew, he slumped to the floor.

“Mr. Darcy’s letter! It’s—it’s gone!” he croaked.

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