Free A Touch of Night by Sarah A. Hoyt Page A

your love." She sighed. "And when you told me what a perfect parson's wife I should be. How I should know what to put upon all those shelves in your numerous closets."
    Collins' furrowed brow smoothed a little. "Closets."
    "Indeed. And how I would humble myself appropriately before your most illustrious patroness. Elizabeth Bennet would never do that."
    Mr. Collins could but nod in agreement.
    "And of course nothing matches my esteem for you," she added. "It is near as great, but not quite so much, as the esteem in which you hold Lady Catherine de Bourgh."
    Collins could not help but be impressed. "Oook," he sighed.
    "Now please," she said in the manner of speaking to a deficient child, "take that shoelace out of your mouth and put the shoe upon your foot. You need to go and speak to Papa right away."
    And as Charlotte glanced at his foot his need of a wife was impressed upon her all the more. The man had not thought even to wear stockings upon his feet! She smiled indulgently. She realized she was to have her work cut out for her, but she was certain that she would be the making of the man! Not a marriage of the deepest love like Elizabeth was forever harping about, but certainly preferable to living the shadow of a life in the home of one of her brothers or propping up her aging parents in the sunset of their days.
    * * * *
    Sir William was pleased to finally be petitioned for the hand of his eldest daughter. His face wreathed in smiles he indicated a chair for Collins to sit upon, while he poured them each a large glass of brandy from a cut glass decanter.
    "So, you want to marry our Charlotte?" he asked.
    Collins snuggled into the chair, sipped his drink, and stared blankly back at Sir William. "Oook," he said.
    "Capital, capital!" cried Sir William jovially. "I had thought you meant to have one of your cousins, but I am pleased as punch you chose our own sweet Charlotte instead. Lomgbourn will be yours one day. It will be nice to have our girl situated so close to home. Very nice indeed."
    "Oook," said Collins smugly.
    "I can see that we are of one mind," said Sir William, nodding sagely. "Welcome to the family, my boy. Capital, capital."

    * * * *

    The next morning, Elizabeth was pleased to see that though her mother plagued Mr. Collins to renew his addresses to her second child, he adamantly refused. He then proceeded to make himself scarce for the rest of the day. Elizabeth was glad. She did not want her last few hours with Jane spoiled by another scene with Mr. Collins.
    She sat in the parlor holding Jane's hand until their uncle's man arrived with the carriage to take Jane to London.
    "Elizabeth..." Jane said. "Don't worry about me. I'll live quietly in London. I will be safe with our aunt and uncle."
    "I know you will, dear," Elizabeth said, reaching for the valise and handing it to Jane. "I know you will. And it will ease my mind to know you safe and sound."
    "Yes," Jane said, but her voice sounded distant.
    "What is it dear," Elizabeth said, studiously avoiding asking if it was Mr. Bingley.
    "Oh, Elizabeth, I must say I'll always... It's just that I... I prefer him to every other man I've ever known."
    "Oh, Jane," Elizabeth said, and hugged her tightly. "It will all turn out for the best, you'll see."
    Elizabeth stood upon the gravel sweep long after the carriage had gone. What was she to do now that she no longer had Jane to protect? How would she keep her thoughts from returning to that terrible scene she had witnessed at the Netherfield ball? She was about to return to the house when Lydia and Kitty came running up the drive, giggling even more boisterously than usual.
    "Oh, Elizabeth, you will never guess what has happened!" cried Lydia.
    "We have just now seen Maria Lucas," said Kitty.
    "Charlotte is to be married!" cried Lydia.
    "I wanted to tell," pouted Kitty, as she stomped her foot.
    "To Mr. Collins!" cried Lydia.
    Mr. Collins? It cannot be!" said Elizabeth.
    "Did you think that because you did not want