Elizabeth peered through the curtains of the rectory.
"Don't look, Eliza! I know it's going to rain later today. I won't have you catching cold."
"I think you're right, Charlotte. I'm not going to go out again."
"Good, we have time for a lovely chat in my parlor. Come, I want to talk to you. I shall call for tea."
After the maid delivered the tea tray, Charlotte looked at Elizabeth and said, "Time for a serious talk, my dear."
"Oh, dear, am I in trouble, Charlotte? What have I done now?" Elizabeth asked, laughing.
"Oh, I don't think you are in trouble at all. I think you may be about to have your life change in a wonderful way."
"If you think the good Colonel is enamored of me, you are quite wrong. He needs to marry well, that much is obvious. That precludes me!"
"It wasn't the Colonel I was thinking of."
Elizabeth stared at Charlotte for a long moment.
Elizabeth laughed at her friend. "Charlotte, you are mad!"
"I think not."
"Are you suggesting Mr. Darcy holds me in some affection?"
"I am."
"Truly, my dear, you need to lie down. You are suffering from some delusions."
"Dearest Elizabeth, I have very little to do in Lady Catherine's drawing room but watch the people around me. Mr. Darcy's eyes follow you about the room."
"He looks at me to find fault, dear Charlotte! He disapproves of me entirely."
"Then why does he walk with you nearly every day?"
"He has nothing better to do! Walk in the fresh air or listen to Lady Catherine? It seems a easy choice!"
"He walks every day with you to find fault with you?" Charlotte said, smiling.
"No, just to while away the time. He's bored. He cannot take a hint, though, that's for certain. I told him what my favorite paths were so he can avoid me and yet he is there every time."
"Goodness, Eliza, I wonder why?" Charlotte said, with mild sarcasm.
The two ladies held each other's gaze over the tea set.
"Elizabeth, let's talk about this. If what I'm saying is true, think of what this means for you! For your family. For your children, God willing."
"Charlotte, you cannot be serious! Such a man is expected to marry very well. Not someone like me, from nowhere, with nothing." The thought, expressed cavalierly, still hurt to say out loud. Elizabeth, to her surprise, felt bitter.
"Men fell in love, Elizabeth, and do remarkable things when they do so."
"I do not like him."
Charlotte barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes.
"Elizabeth, that has nothing to do with marriage."
"Is marriage to someone you dislike such an advantage over not marrying?
"Yes, yes, it is. It is much to be desired to be married and have your own home, and hopefully, children. It is much better to be loved than to love. Yes, Elizabeth. Yes, it surely is."
Seeing that Elizabeth was not persuaded, Charlotte took another tack.
"Elizabeth, as much as I hate to broach the subject, was not your father very ill this winter?
"My father recovered, as you well know, Charlotte."
"My dear…" Charlotte began cautiously.
"You need not say it, Charlotte. If anything happens to my father, we would be in desperate straights."
"A good marriage to such a man as Mr. Darcy would put those fears to rest forever, would it not?"
"Would it be good, though? To marry a man I do not like, do not respect, for my family alone? Would not he come to hate me for accepting under such circumstances? Would he not be forgiven for being unkind having done so?"
"Mr. Darcy would never be unkind to his wife, it would be beneath his dignity and impugn his honor to do such a thing. You would be safe there, I'm sure."
Charlotte gazed at Elizabeth for a moment, head tilted to the side.
"Do you really know him, Elizabeth? Have you even tried to see his point of view? I suspect that there may be more to him than you think."
Elizabeth sat back in her chair, teacup poised halfway to her mouth, eyes focused on nothing.
Seeing that her remarks had hit home, Charlotte pressed her point before relinquishing the field for the day.
"Think about this seriously, Elizabeth, that's all I ask," Charlotte said. "Promise me."
"I will, Charlotte, I promise. Now, let's eat some gingersnaps!"
Both ladies laughed and began to speak of less weighty subjects and a rainy afternoon passed delightfully for both Charlotte and her charming guest.