Read Online Apprehension and Desire: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice by Ola Wegner - Free Book Online

about it too much.” Charlotte patted her hand. “Do not worry so much about Mr. Darcy. He is his own man; he knows what he wants and gets it. I will risk saying that he knows you better than you think and is aware of your true feelings for him. All will be well.”
    Elizabeth lifted and dropped her shoulders. “At least he knows.“ She stood up from the bed. “Give me a quarter of an hour, and I shall be ready for the evening.”
    Charlotte stood up as well, smoothing the bed. “Good, because Mr. Collins dislikes when we are not exactly on time.”
    “I have noticed,” Elizabeth murmured dryly as she walked to her friend, looking into her face. “You are truly glowing today.”
    “It is because...,” Charlotte’s pale eyes sparkled. “I have been to the village to visit a midwife,” she paused, “and she confirmed my suspicions.”
    “A baby?” Elizabeth whispered, a big smile appearing on her face.
    Charlotte nodded.
    “That is so wonderful! I am so happy for you! Have you told Mr. Collins?”
    Charlotte shook her head. “No, and I want to keep the news to myself as long as possible. You are the first and the only person to know for the time being.”
    “Your secret is safe with me.”
    Charlotte squeezed her hands. “Oh, Elizabeth. I will have someone to love.”
    Elizabeth gave her a hug and whispered. “Yes, you will.”
    ***
    For the evening, Elizabeth donned her favourite, and in her opinion, her most flattering gown she had brought with herself to Kent, a very fine pale yellow muslin, with a green front that matched her dark green eyes. She put special effort into arranging her hair as well, with the help of Charlotte, pulling her curls tightly at the top of her head, leaving a few loose locks falling back on her neck. She thought this coiffure a bit extravagant, so unlike her usual, simpler style, but Charlotte convinced her that it suited her very well, making her eyes look even bigger and wider, and revealing her high forehead.
    Lady Catherine welcomed them as usual and acted her usual self in the course of the evening, speaking nonsense, remarking on every subject, interfering and giving her advice, requested or not. Elizabeth preferred to be silent for most of the time. She felt Mr. Darcy’s eyes on her constantly, but she refused to look back at him.
    “Miss Bennet!”
    Lady Catherine’s sharp voice rang in her ears when they were taking tea after dinner. “I hear that you and Miss Lucas intend to travel by post.”
    “Yes, your ladyship.” Elizabeth confirmed.
    “I cannot allow that. You have been under my care for nearly two months. I cannot allow you to go alone with common strangers. You will go in one of my carriages.”
    Elizabeth lifted her eyes and saw Darcy’s piercing gaze on her. He had obviously had no trouble with convincing his aunt to his ideas. “Thank you, your ladyship.” she said quietly, “It is very kind of you.”
    The lady narrowed her eyes at Elizabeth and spoke. “You are unusually quiet, Miss Bennet. But this is not surprising; you are leaving in a few days, which must be very disappointing to you.”
    Mr. Collins, as  was expected, began to praise Lady Catherine’s thoughtfulness, angelic heart and her unmistakable sense of propriety, ending his paeans by mentioning the excellent state of the stables. As the company was engaged in a discussion over the grandness of Rosings’ carriages and horses, Elizabeth stood up and walked to the window to look into the garden, which was nearly black, due to the late hour and moonless night, with no shapes visible.
    “I think my aunt is right, Miss Bennet.”
    She looked up to see Colonel Fitzwilliam standing by her side.
    She turned to him with a polite expression. “She is?”
    “Yes, you are not yourself tonight; indeed, you are very quiet.”
    “There are matters which have occupied my mind of late, but they are not good material for a drawing room conversation, I am afraid.” she explained