Chapter Six
Waking up feverish, Eden was not permitted to see Mr. Collins that evening. Which for her, was not that missed of an opportunity. Lizzie accounted all that happened the next day. Apparently, Mr. Collins did that evening was gush about his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourg. The woman owned a large estate, Rosing Park, where Mr. Collins' small rectory stood.
Lady Catherine de Bourg had a single daughter. Apparently, she was the heiress of Rosing and a creature of such superior graces. Lizzie laughed lightly at when she saw Eden's unimpressed look.
"According to Mr. Collins, there are kinds of little delicate compliments that are always acceptable to ladies, and which he has conceived himself particularly bound to pay."
Eden laughed quietly before coughing.
Lizzie sighed, "I wish that was the end of it, Eden. But then he sat us in the sitting room to read Fordyce's sermons."
"Oh, Lizzie. I am so sorry."
"And then, Eden! To top it all off, Mama made it seem as though you or I would be interested in taking his hand for he is looking for a mistress of his estate."
Another coughing fit overtook Eden as she stared in horror at her twin.
"I hope you are quick to quell those thoughts."
Lizzie sighed once more, "I don't know how. As far as anyone is aware, I am eligible for marriage. As are you."
"I will not marry a clergyman."
"I assumed so. We are going into town today; Mama has deemed you still too ill to leave."
"Keep an eye on Lydia and Kitty."
"Whatever shall they do without you," Lizzie teased.
"Marry the first solider they meet," Eden grumbled.
When Lizzie returned that afternoon, she was positively fuming.
"Lizzie? Whatever is the matter?" Eden asked, setting her book aside. She was feeling considerably better and had come to believe that her illness had come from stress.
"Ooooo! That Mr. Darcy!"
"What about him?"
It was then Lizzie told her about a solider she had met while in town. A man by the name of Mr. Wickham. He had been kind, buying Lydia and Kitty new hair ribbons and then generously escorting them home. They had come across Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. The latter of whom acquiring after Eden, falling silent after being told she was ill.
Very much so Eden would have asked Lizzie to describe it, but from Lizzie's seething anger, Eden allowed her to continue her story.
Mr. Bingley had been going to Longbourn to invite them to a ball, of which Lydia begged him to invite Mr. Wickham. Mr. Darcy spun on his heels and left, leaving Mr. Bingley to fumble through goodbyes and hurry off after his friend. Lizzie asked Mr. Wickham why Mr. Darcy seemed so cold and if he knew of the man. Mr. Wickham said he had been close with Mr. Darcy's family since infancy. He had been promised by Mr. Darcy's father, that he would be given the best living in Mr. Darcy's father's passing, but Mr. Darcy instead gave the living to another man.
"Out of jealousy!" Lizzie fumed. "How dare he."
"Are you quite positive that this story is true?" Eden asked. "Mr. Darcy does not strike me as a jealous type."
"Oh, Eden, you always see the good in everyone, but if you saw Mr. Wickham's eyes, you would agree with him."
For Lizzie to believe so heartily on something, it took a lot of convincing. Eden was normally disinclined to disagree with her twin, but in this case, she found herself taking Mr. Darcy's side.
"I think there must have been a misunderstanding, Lizzie, and it is not our battle." Lizzie huffed, arms crossing over her chest.
"I hope never to encounter the man again. And Eden, Mr. Wickham is twice the man Mr. Darcy is."
"If you say so, Lizzie."
"I do say so."
She gave Eden a sly grin and the two girls burst out laughing as Lizzie pulled an envelope from her pocket.
"Look what came for me!" she said, holding it out. Eden took it, opening to see a hastily scrawled script.
"From the Colonel?" Eden asked.
"Yes! You do remember how he swore to make his fortune before he would propose?"
"Of course, I remember it quite clearly. He is only a second son, so it seems natural for him to want to see fame and glory first."
"His eldest brother, the heir to the Fitzwilliam fortune, has passed, leaving the Colonel the estate. He is returning to Longbourn to ask for my hand!"
"Oh, Lizzie," gushed Eden. "I am immensely happy for you. I am saddened for the Colonel's loss, however. I trust you will give him my condolences in your next letter?"
"I shall."
Lizzie collapsed onto the bed, head in Eden's lap.
"Now it is more imperative that I disillusion Mr. Collins infatuation."
"Will he be attending the ball at the weeks end?"
"Yes, and I am certain that he will want to dance."
"Can a man of the cloth partake in such things?" Lizzie pursed her lips.
"I'm unsure."
"Nonetheless, I shall keep you safe. When does Colonel Fitzwilliam say he will be arriving."
"In a fortnight… but that was when the letter was sent. So, I am not quite sure."
"If we're lucky, he'll arrive in time for the ball." Lizzie smiled lightly.
"You know, Eden, other than yourself, the Colonel is the only one who can both match my wit and find my jokes humous."
"It is a fortunate match, Lizzie dearest."
"Now to convince Papa."
They laughed again, Eden's hand moving to stroke Lizzie's hair. Lizzie had always been the sensible one. To see her so madly in love was wonderful. But Eden still found herself saddened. If Colonel Fitzwilliam was able to take Lizzie's hand, Eden would be left alone. Of course, she would be most pleased for Lizzie, make no doubt about it. Yet Eden knew she would be at a loss when Lizzie married. Since birth they had been inseparable, and marriage would change that.
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