Charlotte's Choice

Charlotte had been seventeen, a mere shopkeeper’s daughter, when she received - and rejected - her first proposal.

There had been nothing wrong with the man, some eight years her senior and newly established in his trade. But her parents had eyes above their station even then, and believed that she would be able to do better. They had advised patience and warned of the trouble that came with wedding in haste, and Charlotte had still been young enough to believe in fantasies of passionate romance and a handsome, wealthy suitor coming to sweep her off her feet.

She had felt justified, at first, because her suitor had found another target for his intentions soon enough, and other prospects had come sniffing around when Mr Lucas became Sir William and taken possession of the newly-named Lucas Lodge.

But Charlotte’s father was merely a knight, however highly he thought of himself. As a merchant and Mayor, his income had been reasonable for their station. As a knight and estate owner, he was not so wealthy that he could provide a dowery of much note. Steadily, but with increasing frequency, Charlotte found herself overlooked in favour of heiresses or young ladies with larger doweries.

Then Jane Bennet came out, and Elizabeth the year later, and Charlotte realised the realities of the situation.

Lucas Lodge did not bring in half the income of Longbourn, and had even more children to support than the Bennets did. Charlotte might be practical, and sensible, but men wanted beautiful wives, if they had the choice, and the Bennets were untainted by trade. The Bennets were Landed Gentry going back generations; despite their meagre doweries, they had a status that Charlotte did not.

Then Napoleon started a new war, and eligible gentlemen became even more of an endangered species, what with so many of them running off to serve King and Country. Those that remained were subject to the same problems as before; seeking wives of wealth or beauty or both, but never Charlotte.

Charlotte attained her age of majority, and the years slipped steadily away. At four and twenty, Charlotte resolved that she would take the next offer that came to her, as long as he was a good man. At six and twenty, she revised that again, reasoning that she did not have to like her husband to benefit from the union, and most men could be managed, or excuses invented so they need not spend much time together.

At seven and twenty, Elizabeth Bennet refused the heir to Longbourn in a blistering set-down that had half of Meryton snickering behind their hands even as Mrs Bennet lamented the trials of an undutiful daughter, and Charlotte Lucas saw her chance.

Mr Collins would never be described as a wit, or compelling, or personable, or even particularly handsome.

It was well that Charlotte had given up on such superficial qualities as being essential to her happiness years ago.

Despite that, he had many qualities that were most acceptable, and even admirable. Charlotte’s husband was not difficult to please; as long as his meals were served on time, with coffee and muffins well-supplied, he considered himself to be in the lap of luxury. Mr Collins was easily led, and Charlotte had only to ‘remind’ him of a time that Lady Catherine had concurred with Charlotte’s goal for it to become reality.

The great lady of Rosings Park was something of a trial, demanding deference even at her most absurd and arrogant. At her most interferring, Charlotte bit her tongue and reminded herself that the Collins’ would not be at Hunsford forever. One day, they would live at Longbourn, in preparation for the day Mr Collins inherited, and Charlotte would be the Mistress of an estate.

In the meantime, Lady Catherine only summoned them both to wait upon her when she was bored, and her incessent commands kept Mr Collins occupied and away from the Parsonage for a goodly portion of each day. When Mr Collins was home, Charlotte could call upon the parishoners, attending to their needs and concerns. No-one here knew Charlotte’s family, and could not judge her by them. Indeed, they welcomed her as a source of common sense who could negotiate a balance between Lady Catherine’s expectations and the realities of life.

Charlotte was mistress of her own home, at last, and if she did not love her husand, at least he had a living and a secure situation in life. He was not cruel or violent in his home, nor given to excessive vice beyond his over-reliance on Lady Catherine’s demands. Charlotte was of a practical bent, and her current state was all she could have reasonably desired.

With one daughter married - however scandalous the union of Lydia and Mr Wickham had been - and two more engaged or soon to be so, perhaps it was time for Mr Collins to begin learning how to run an estate.

Mr Bennet would soon be starved of sensible conversation when Jane and Elizabeth left for their new homes, and while Mary could speak of many subjects, she tended to take her cues and opinions from her conversational partner, which was not condusive to intellectual debates. Mrs Bennet had calmed somewhat, with her eldest two daughters married to men wealthy enough to keep her in comfort should she outlive her husband. If Mr Bennet chose to take his heir in hand, it was to be hoped that she would not complain too much.

Lady Catherine de Bough, on the other hand... suffice to say, Charlotte would not repine to gain some distance from that Great Lady. Only able to express her outrage at her nephew's choice of bride in letters (that were likely consigned to a fire without ever being opened), Lady Catherine was reduced to directing her ire at the next best target: Charlotte and Mr Collins. Charlotte’s husband was devastated at the loss of regard from his Noble Patroness, and able to wax eloquent on the subject at great length.

Charlotte was very close to discovering a sharp tongue to match Elizabeth’s, if she endured much more of it alone. An owl hooted outside the window, awake early in the dimming twilight, and Charlotte imagined that it mirrored her own irritation.

Perhaps it was time - and more than time - to suggest a visit to their relatives, leaving Hunsford under the Curate’s care for a week or so. Perhaps that would give Lady Catherine time to reflect on absent people who valued her opinions.

Fortunately, Mr Collins was not a difficult man to persuade, and thus the very best of husbands.

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