“Letters? I am not sure I can concentrate my attention on such a task now, given the news. I shall try…but my mind is too preoccupied. Two doctors at Rosings? I wonder what it could be…”
“Just write the letters, my dear. And in the meantime, we may ask Dawson to discreetly watch from a distance and try to find out more details — very, very discreetly,” Charlotte concluded.
Both men agreed, though Mr. Collins’s reluctance was clear.
Elizabeth was disquieted, too, as she suspected the reason for the doctors’ visit.
She was even more inclined to refuse to join Charlotte on her calls, but she feared she was being as unreasonable as Mr. Collins. Eventually, the three women set out, chatting on the same subject, and Elizabeth’s turmoil over Mr. Darcy’s letter was partially replaced by other concerns; when she returned home, she would have enough time to resume her previous distress.
The ladies ended up calling on several families in the parish, and the visits lasted more than three hours. Charlotte was caring and generous, and everyone seemed happy to see her. It gave Elizabeth a warm satisfaction to see how her friend was slowly building a comfortable life even with such a wanting husband.
Back at the parsonage, Mr. Collins waited for them with great anticipation.
“My dear Charlotte, I have extraordinary news, though not the best, I am afraid. I am not long returned from Rosings, and I have just had time for a drink.”
“You already look flushed, my dear, and it might not be good for your health. Please try to calm down.”
“My dear Charlotte, you must not concern yourself about my health but about Miss de Bourgh’s. She was ill last night, I was told, and her physician was fetched. But do you know who arrived from town this morning?”
“His nephew, I assume, as that is what Dawson told us earlier,” Charlotte replied in a steady voice.
“Yes, yes, but Dr Rease is an army doctor too. And a surgeon. He has some famous patients in London! He must be much better than Dr Blake.”
“Mr. Collins, has Miss de Bourgh’s health taken a turn for the worse?” Elizabeth interjected.
“I do not know much, Cousin. I spoke to Lady Catherine’s butler at the door but was not invited in.”
“And have Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam departed?” Charlotte asked.
“No. I was told they called on us earlier, but I was not at home. None of us were. How impolite of us! Only Dawson was here to greet them. Such a shame.”
“I am sure they understand the family cannot stay at home all day waiting for their unannounced visit,” Elizabeth said. Her words and her tone drew Mr. Collins’s immediate disapproving glare.
“We must show all consideration for Lady Catherine and her entire family, dear cousin. This is not something to trifle with.”
“So, my dear, have you finished your letters?” Charlotte asked to change the subject.
“I have, just as I promised. As you know, I always keep my promises,” he answered solemnly, with another glare at Elizabeth.
“Do you mind if I retire to my room to rest a little?” Elizabeth asked. “Unless of course there is any way I may be of help to you.”
“Please, go and rest. I shall inform you if there are any further reports,” Charlotte assured her.
Elizabeth left the room, relieved to escape Mr. Collins’s presence. She had just reached the landing when she was approached by Charlotte’s maid.
“Miss Bennet, I took the liberty of sending your letters for you,” she said with a curtsey, while Elizabeth stared at her, dumbfounded.
“What letters?”
“Those in your room, miss. Mr. Collins asked for his letters to be dispatched to Hertfordshire, and he said you had one to send to London to your sister. It was sealed, so I sent it.”
“Oh…very well then, thank you…”
“And the one for Mr. Darcy…since he was here earlier asking about you and Mrs. Collins, I just gave him the letter.”
The maid looked at Elizabeth expectantly, evidently waiting for praise for her diligent actions.
Elizabeth forgot to breathe, her heart pounded so hard she feared it would break out of her chest, and her knees became so weak that she almost stumbled. She supported herself with a hand against the wall, nodded, and dismissed the maid, then almost crawled to her room, locked the door, and lowered herself onto the bed. She dismissed all thoughts in her head as she had not enough strength to even consider the horrible, mortifying situation she had unwittingly created.