Charlotte Collins plucked strawberries from her garden keeping a keen eye out for lizards. The mid-day sun felt relentless on her bare neck and she chided herself for not rising early and picking fruit in the cool morning's shade. A large shadow loomed suddenly over her, blocking out the sun and acted a reminder of her responsibilities.
Sighing, she removed her garden gloves and lifted her basket full of her labors. She was out of time and would not wish to make her visitor wait for all of the world. Squinting up, she looked at the burly man with the sun's intense ray framing his person.
“You're so perfectly punctual, Declan, I'm thankful the big house can spare you this afternoon.”
“Mrs. Collins, I am happy to be of service.” He offered a hand down to assist the woman up, a woman placed directly in his protection from his employer, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. Declan took the basket and earned Mrs. Collins' thanks.
“I am so sorry to call on you, but I fear after just two short weeks, my husband has run away again with his ideas and become rather demanding.”
Declan grunted, remembering well the squeals of the portly man half his height on the night of retribution for his sins. The joy of inflicting further pain on this excuse for a man delighted the stocky Irishman down to his toes.
“Has the mister been hurting ye?”
“No, no, he knows better, but I thought perhaps a reminder of his new position was in order, if you do not mind. Would you care to stay for luncheon?”
Declan grunted his approval, and followed the petite woman into the cottage, ducking his head to properly enter the doorway.
“Charlotte! Charlotte!” Mr. Collins called out as the door opened, only for a scream best described as a woman's cry left his person and he dropped the post as he covered his mouth.
Declan gave his lopsided grin and took off his simple hat as a sign of respect.
“No, I've not raised a hand to her. I swear! Leave, leave at once. Tell him, Charlotte.”
Charlotte looked to her husband trying to hide behind the corner of the wall that led to the kitchens and back to the tall specimen of man standing next to her. A flush of warmth overcame her. Fanning her face from her blush, she beckoned Declan to follow her, thoroughly enjoying the further shirking of Mr. Collins as they approached.
“Oh, Declan is here for luncheon, I thought it would be nice to host company for once. What do you think, William?” Charlotte asked with a fake air of innocence.
William Collins gulped as the man chiefly responsible for the worst thrashing of his life stood not two feet away from him. Only a few days ago, the pastor managed to sit upon his posterior without twinges of pain, and the gash over his forehead from Mr. Darcy's signet ring would likely scar.
“Ye—yes, anything you desire, my dear.”
“Perfect! Now, were there any letters for me?”
Collins jumped to collect the post from the floor, scrambling to find the letter for his wife from her friend and his cousin.
Charlotte thanked her husband and tore open the missive.
Dearest Charlotte,
I apologize for not taking my leave of you before departing Kent but I have it on good authority your circumstances are most heartily changed.
Charlotte looked up at poor Declan trying his best to take a graceful seat at her dinning room table. Cook and Eileen brought out the fare, and Charlotte nodded at their perfect manners towards a footman from the main house. There was no mistaking that Declan's position in the Collins' household exceeded his official rank in actual worth.
Wish me luck as I am to board a carriage this very afternoon to hasten to Scotland! Mr. Darcy and I are finally seeking out own destinies, and Jane and Mr. Bingley are to come along!
I confess I am jubilant at finally securing my knight in shining armor. Please pray for my soon to be sisters-in-law. The scandal of Wickham's business dealings are rippling through London and neither Georgiana nor Caroline are seeing many invitations for their company.
I received a lovely gift by way of Jane from Kitty! She has made a portfolio of her art and Mr. Darcy has said we shall invite her and your younger sister, Maria, to Pemberley at the end of this summer. I hope you will consent to a visit as well, though I'm afraid the invitation does not extend to my cousin.
Well, I am off and must send this quickly. All of my love and best wishes, until we see each other again. This is my last letter as . . .
Elizabeth Bennet
Charlotte smiled, refolded the letter and placed the parchment in the pocket of her apron. With luncheon served, before she took a bite, she asked Declan a straightforward question.
“How would you enjoy a trip to Derbyshire this summer, Declan?”
~*fin*~
And off we go to Scotland! The Blessing of Marriage coming June 2015 to all major book retailers!