By the time Elizabeth got to the store in the morning, she could already see Collins inside. Remembering her promise to be nicer to him, she got out and slung her purse over her shoulder. When she walked to the door, he had opened it for her already. He sat quietly enough while they all chatted over breakfast, but as soon as everyone was gone, he followed Elizabeth around like a puppy.
Even when she was trying to find a customer a specific book, she couldn't take a step without nearly tripping over him. Of course her mother had claimed she had to run errands all day so they were completely alone.
She had him bagging books for her until the last customer left. Running a hand through her long hair, she turned to him with a smile.
"Still having fun?"
"Oh of course," he moved to sit on a bar stool. "I haven't had this much fun in ages."
"Glad to hear it."
Elizabeth felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She pulled it out and read the text from her mother: Can't pick up the girls, can you get them?
Elizabeth almost felt relieved. At least it would give them an excuse to get out of the shop for a few minutes. Jane's work was on the way, and she was ready to rope her into this mess as well.
"We've got to go get the girls from school. Is that okay?"
"Sure!"
Smiling to herself, Elizabeth walked over and flipped the sign before opening the door for Collins. She locked it behind them and they started walking. David headed for her beetle.
"Oh, I was thinking we could walk. It's just around the corner and we can meet Jane."
"Fantastic!" Collins exclaimed. "I often take little walks around the parsonage to pass the time when the weather is nice."
Elizabeth pictured Collins walking in a big circle around his yard like a caged little dog. She wondered what she could do to break him out of his shell. The poor guy was never going to get married.
"So when is Jane getting married?"
The sudden question threw her so much off guard, she stopped walking. "What?"
"Your mother," he said quickly, "She said that Jane was getting married soon."
Mortified, Elizabeth wondered what she had been going around telling people. If she was telling Collins, she had already told Mrs. Lucas, no doubt. And if Lucas knew, the whole town probably knew. She debated on whether to call Jane about it.
"Did I say something wrong?" he asked, bringing her back.
"Oh," she said, shaking her head and continuing to walk, "No. Um, I'm not sure. She's not actually engaged."
"But your mother said,-"
"Yes," Elizabeth interrupted with a smile, "I'm sure she did. But I can promise you, Jane isn't actually engaged yet."
Collins nodded at this and began rambling about the house that belonged to Catherine de Bough. Elizabeth tried to listen, but her mind was racing at the possibility that Bingley had heard about her mother's plans. As they walked Collins continued to describe every pillow and ever rug that furnished the four story house.