Page 11 of Pride, Prejudice & Wicked Pleasure

I am sure she would, Lizzy said to herself as she turned from the road. Aloud, she said, “Nonetheless, I prefer to render mine own judgment and not shirk from the labor of it.”

He followed her inside the house, still vexed. “You do not mean to see her again? She lives on the far side of the parish—fortunately.”

Lizzy toyed with the idea of teasing her cousin with the notion, but as she anticipated a long evening at Rosings, she wanted only to go to her chamber for some peace and quiet.

“I will take what you have told me under advisement.”

Mr. Collins looked relieved for the moment, then brightened. “The topic had so disturbed me that I nearly forgot to report that Mr. Darcy is expected at Rosings.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Despite the clouds in the sky the following morning, Lizzy determined that she would still attempt a walk to escape her cousin, who, having yet to receive from her agreement or a manner of assurance that satisfied him, had often revisited the subject of Mrs. Trenwith.

“Those that would feign goodness are often accomplished at hiding their immorality,” Mr. Collins had said.

“That is a strong statement! What crime has this woman committed?” Lizzy had asked.

Mr. Collins had bristled but could not, or would not, say.

“None that we are aware of,” Charlotte had supplied, “but a strange mystery hovers about her and Trenwith House. Her servants are never known to gossip.”

“That only speaks to their loyalty and integrity—and the good judgment of Mrs. Trenwith in employing them.”

“She attends church sparingly,” Mr. Collins said. “I suspect her a heretic.”

That Mrs. Trenwith’s absence from church should offend Mr. Collins surprised Lizzy none at all. Perhaps that was the source of the ‘strange mystery.’

“We would all do well to stay our distance,” Mr. Collins had affirmed.

Lizzy had little time to reflect upon her cousin’s cautions for the dreaded person herself now appeared before the Parsonage.

Mrs. Trenwith, wearing her usual radiance, drew up in her curricle. Though Lizzy was certain Mr. Collins was aware of the visitor, as he made it a point to know of every arrival before anyone else, he did not come out of the house.

“I was making a delivery of pamphlets and thought to come and see how you fared,” Mrs. Trenwith explained.

Abby was dressed fashionably in a calico en neglige, a bonnet trimmed with green ribbon and a large ostrich plume, and a long string of beads, but the item that caught Lizzy’s eye was a medallion with an image of a black slave upon bended knee and the inscription Am I not a Man and a Brother?

Seeing the direction of her gaze, Abby said, “Yes, I am a firm believer of abolitionism. Slavery is a dreadful institution that ought to be rejected throughout the British Empire.”

That Abby would offer her views so readily on such a polemical topic surprised Lizzy, whose social circles shied away from political discourse, especially in the presence of the fair sex.

Abby peered at the house. Lizzy thought she saw a movement in the window.

“I would call upon the parson and Mrs. Collins, but trust me when I say I am doing them a favor by making my stay as short as possible. Are you about to take a walk?”

Lizzy nodded. Abby looked up at the cloudy sky.

“It is certain to rain.”

“I intended a short walk before the weather turned.”

“Do you enjoying reading, Miss Elizabeth?”

“Exceedingly.”

“I have in my library a large collection of books from a bookstore that had shuttered its business, and mean to sort through the inventory and make a donation to the orphan asylum for girls. Could I impose upon you to assist in the task?”

“It would be no imposition.”