Read Online Charlotte Collins: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Becton - Free Book Online

now the palms of her hands were as rough as the course material of the apron she wore, and the hair that had once been fashioned in ringlets was now pulled into a bun at the nape of her neck. But her voice was always cheery no matter the time or circumstance. "Had you a pleasant party?"
    "It was a lovely evening."
    "For the most part," Maria added.
    Mrs. Eff raised an inquisitive eyebrow as she helped to remove their cloaks. Although Mrs. Eff was her servant, she was a gentleman's daughter, a well-educated woman who had the misfortune to lose her husband without the benefit of jointure or relations to sustain her, and as such she had no means of support.
    She was what Charlotte could have been, and she remained keenly aware of that fact.
    Mrs. Eff had provided a measure of companionship and news from society while Charlotte was secluded in the early part of her mourning and she remained her friend despite the disparity in their current social positions.
    "Miss Lucas's evening was full of amusements. However, I fear that she is disappointed by the forthcoming departure of an acquaintance."
    "I had hoped we would be more than mere acquaintances."
    Mrs. Eff patted her hand. "Ah, I understand, Miss Lucas, what it is to be thwarted in love."
    "She is hardly thwarted in love."
    Maria giggled. "You ought to speak to my sister about love, for she was much in the company of a particular gentleman this evening."
    "Was she?" Mrs. Eff turned to Charlotte. "And may I ask who was the gentleman?"
    Charlotte busied herself with removing her gloves. "Nonsense. No such gentleman exists."
    "That was rather a tender farewell from Mr. Basford this evening, Charlotte. I think he is enamored of you."
    "What a thing to say!" She dropped her gloves in Mrs. Eff's waiting hand. "Tender indeed. Mr. Basford was merely being polite, or as polite as a person such as him can be."
    Thankfully, Mrs. Eff noticed her discomfort and changed the subject. "Do you require anything else tonight? Assistance with your gowns?"
    Both Charlotte and Maria declined her offer, and Mrs. Eff retired to her chamber behind the kitchen while the sisters mounted the stairs. They stopped at their separate bed chamber doors.
    "Mr. Westfield was quite attentive to you this evening."
    "Yes." Maria had a strange, sweet smile on her lips.
    "Mr. Card too showed great kindness to you."
    "Mr. Card?"
    "He sent his carriage for us."
    Maria mistook her meaning. "It is ever so vexing to be always at the mercy of others for transportation. Surely we can afford a chaise at least."
    Charlotte ignored Maria's desire for transportation of their own. She must make her message plain, for Maria was intent on misunderstanding her. "He is fond of you."
    Maria yawned. "We have always been fond of each other, but there is certainly no attachment between us."
    "Perhaps you have not noticed his attentions to you."
    Maria opened her bedchamber door. "Perhaps you are the one who refuses to notice the attentions of a gentleman."
     

 
    Five
     
    Maria sat with Charlotte in their little sitting room with the sun pouring through the open windows. They had just finished a luncheon of cold meats, rolls, and butter and had been sharing what Charlotte had believed to be a companionable silence.
    "What a crushing bore this town has become now that Mr. Westfield and Mr. Basford have gone."
    Charlotte, who had been lamenting the amount of mending that had accumulated in her basket and contemplating another roll and butter, looked up from her stitching.
    "Life went along quite well before they arrived. I am certain that we will survive now that they are gone."
    "That is a subject that I am willing to debate."
    "Well, I am certainly not willing to debate it. You will simply have to find something else to occupy yourself."
    "Humph," Maria said in an unladylike manner. She had not seen Mr. Westfield since the evening of the card party, for he had been away from home when they had called on the Armitages soon after. Their