I figured since I was pretty much done, I would post this short chapter.
Chapter 10:
Morning came and with it, Charlotte's anxiety grew.
She couldn't stop the flurry of questions that invaded her mind. Would she see the Colonel today? Did she even want to see the Colonel? What would she say if she did see him? What would he say? How would they act? Did she hope to see him alone or in the company of others? And so her mind raged on.
At breakfast she could barely focus on her husband's chatter and was all too happy when he left earlier than his norm to visit Lady Catherine.
She settled herself on the sofa and picked up her needlework hoping to distract herself. Charlotte's mind began to race again: would he come? would he be glad to see her?
As she lay her needlework aside determining it to be a hopeless cause, a maid came in and announced "Colonel Fitzwilliam to see you ma'am."
Charlotte smiled. She had been glad he came.
"Good morning, Mrs. Collins," he said easily. "It is another lovely day today. Perhaps we may enjoy another turn about the park?"
"Colonel, I wish to discuss -" Charlotte began only to be interrupted by his firm request for a walk.
"Forgive me," he said as they made their way from the parsonage. "I know you wish to discuss what occurred yesterday, but the parsonage is not the safest place. My aunt knows all and hears all within the confines of Rosings and its surroundings, especially when servants are present."
Charlotte could do nothing, but nod in agreement. She was well aware that her ladyship had eyes and ears within the parsonage, aside from Mr. Collins that is. How else would she have learned that Charlotte had asked the butcher for a larger cut of meat last week that normal?
"Colonel, I can not disagree with you or challenge your assumption. However, we are no longer within the confines of my home and believe we may speak freely out here."
For a moment the Colonel appeared taken aback by Charlotte. A moment later, he chuckled. "Mrs. Collins, I believe you are correct, but I hardly know where to begin."
Charlotte sighed. She had hoped he would lead the conversation, but seeing as he was at a loss for words, she began. "I believe, Colonel, we should speak candidly. We both know that we have broken some rules of propriety. The question is then twofold. Are we bothered by it and are we to keep doing it?"
With a huff, the Colonel sat himself at the base of a tree. "I can not begin to answer the second question, as that would require your agreement or disagreement. However, as to the first, I find that I am not in the least bothered by it, but suspect that I should be. I was raised a gentleman who was not to dally with ladies. I find myself now dallying with you and to my utter shock, I find it quite enticing."
Charlotte smiled and sat beside him. "I feel very much the same. I should feel some guilt in having flirted with another man when I am married, but I find that I can not. It seems to me, Colonel, we are in a predicament."
For a while, they sat and watched as the wind picked up blowing leaves off of the trees.
Eventually, breaking the silence, the Colonel said, "I don't believe I will be able to visit you in the coming days. My aunt will grow suspicious if I begin to visit the parsonage daily. Perhaps, we can meet here, two days from now after you break your fast?"
"And what then, Colonel?" was Charlotte's response.
"Then we discuss what can be done. I don't believe we will find a solution today." With that, he stood and extended his hand helping Charlotte to her feet.
They looked into one another's eyes, neither saying what they both dreaded: what if there was no solution?