Page 103 of Cousin Conundrum

“There will be no foot scratching in the parlor,” Mrs. Bennet said firmly. “Especially not by young misses who failed to win a proposal from Mr. Fletcher.”

“So none of us may scratch our feet?” Lydia asked with wide-eyed innocence.

Kitty giggled.

Mary peered over the top of her medical journal with a frown. “I have no intention of scratching my feet in the parlor.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes. Their banter ought to amuse her. Instead, their words, their very voices, grated on nerves so frayed, she doubted they would ever mend.

“Oh, a carriage,” Lydia exclaimed happily. She darted to the window. Her shoulders sagged. “It is only the Lucases.”

Mrs. Bennet sniffed. “It had best not be Charlotte. She spends far too much time with Mr. Collins for my liking. It seems to me she means to steal him from you, Kitty, and you are doing nothing to stop her.”

“I thought Kitty was meant to become engaged to Mr. Fletcher?” Lydia asked as she scurried back to her place on the couch.

Her face pinching, Mary returned to reading.

A knock sounded, followed by the patters of Tilly, who appeared in the parlor doorway a moment later to say, “Mr. Collins and Miss Lucas are asking if you are at home, mum.”

Mrs. Bennet huffed a sigh that was definitely loud enough to be heard in the entrance hall. “I suppose you best send them in, then.”

Despite Mrs. Bennet’s words, Charlotte smiled as she entered. If Mr. Collins, who trailed her, wore a frown, he often did, so the expression couldn’t be taken amiss.

Greetings were exchanged, Mr. Collins’ delivered with particular awkwardness as he still resided in their guest room and had breakfasted with them that very morning, yet acted as if he were a typical caller. Still, everyone settled into their seats and tea was called for.

Once Tilly departed, Charlotte sat forward. “Have you heard what is to become of Madame Dubois and her daughters?”

Elizabeth had neither heard nor cared. Absently, she rubbed at her wrists, no longer bandaged and all but healed now.

“I heard they may be sent to Brazil,” Lydia said eagerly. Lydia had few loves greater than gossip.

“Brazil?” Mary frowned. “Such a heathenish place. How terrible for them.”

Mrs. Bennet glowered about the room, as if someone were about to gainsay her before she even spoke. “They deserve no better.”

“If they go, it will not be dreadful for them.” Charlotte spoke in a low voice, though who might overhear, Elizabeth had no idea. “They are distant relations of Queen Maria of Portugal.”

Elizabeth recalled hearing something to that effect while they were still at Netherfield Park.

“Her court is in Brazil, away from the troubles on the peninsula, and she wants them there with her,” Charlotte continued. “They say the King may send them as a favor to her.”

“If he does, they will not be punished for their crimes?” Kitty said slowly.

Eyes wide and serious, Charlotte shook her head.

“I wanted to see them hang.” Lydia pressed her lips into a pout.

Elizabeth didn’t want to see anyone hang. Even the Archers. Or Dubois. Or whoever they were.

“You see, they were made to flee France because of their ties to Portugal,” Mr. Collins began in the voice he reserved for delivering lectures.

“I thought they fled because of their ties to the French aristocracy,” Kitty interrupted with a benevolent smile that belied the mischief in her eyes.

“Ah, that is, well, that as well, certainly.” Mr. Collins looked about. “And, ah, they fled, and…” He trailed off, obviously forgetting where he was in his discourse.

“What Mr. Collins means is that they were doubly despised in France,” Charlotte said. “For being members of the aristocracy and for their ties to the throne of Portugal. It is the latter, however, that may be their salvation, but have you heard, if they do join Queen Maria in Brazil, Miss Laura will remain in England?”

“Remain in England?” Kitty repeated sharply, her tone echoing Elizabeth’s surprise. “But did she not confess to being one of the three who are the Peacock? She was in charge of rifling through people’s desks and taking letters to use as blackmail.”