Finding Charlotte in the kitchen with the cook, Elizabeth helped herself to an apple from the bowl on the table.
“Lizzie. You should hurry upstairs, Mr. Collins will return in a moment from his meeting with Mr. Hobbs.”
Elizabeth shrugged, and continued to chew her apple, eliciting an exasperated sigh from Charlotte.
“He is always unhappy when he returns from his meeting with Mr. Hobbs. They are touring the glebe lands today. And he left without breaking his fast, so cook and I are preparing a glorious meal.” Charlotte's face glowed with the achievement of her dearest dream, to run a household all her own with everything properly in order.
“If you ask me, Mr. Collins is always unhappy regardless of the situation,” Elizabeth said, noticing the cook paused in her stirring and her shoulders shook in silent laughter.
“Please. He is not all bad, no one is. We are newly married and there is an adjustment period.”
Elizabeth finished her apple and opened the back door to toss the waste on the composting pile in the corner of the garden.
“I will repair my appearance if it shall make you happy, but not for him.”
Elizabeth left the kitchens just as a dark parson's hat walked past the front windows. Cringing, she tried to quicken her steps to reach the stairs, but only managed to the landing before the front door opened.
Placing his hat on the hook in the hall, Collins immediately called out to his cousin.
“You look afright this morning, Cousin Elizabeth, and are those grass stains on your hem and boots?”
“Yes, I was outside just now to discard an apple core, if you must know. I am returning above stairs to restore my appearance for the morning meal.” Elizabeth curtseyed and again tried to leave his presence.
“Fine. Fine. I will have you understand while you are under my roof, there is to be none of that walking on a whim you are so fond of. This is not your father's land, and even there, I questioned the wisdom of such freedoms given to young ladies of weaker mind. No, I wish to make it perfectly clear that while you are present, you shall comport yourself with the utmost decency and decorum as Lady Catherine has come to expect of my humble family. Am I understood?”
“Perfectly, sir.” Elizabeth pursed her lips, defying his very edict with her delightful memories of this morning's ramble with her Mr. Darcy. Oh, if Collins knew the liberties she had allowed, he would likely throw her out of the house this instant!
“Good. Now, see about your hair as well, Cousin. I will not have any of those sloppy London fashions in this household. Lady Catherine might visit at any moment should we be so lucky to receive her benevolence.”
Elizabeth said nothing and walked up the stairs. Once in her room, she cradled her stomach and breathed in deeply. So many thoughts rushed through her mind as she wondered what on earth had possessed her to behave so abominably this morning? Yes, Fitzwilliam said he enjoyed her attentions, but her uncle's warning about extending her reputation to bounds of propriety rang in her ears.
Spying her haphazard appearance in the looking glass, she resolved to check her desires and behave properly no matter what circumstances befell her. Only one week and she and Fitzwilliam could run away to Hertfordshire and she would finally be one step closer to reclaiming her old life.