Page 44 of Cousin Conundrum

A jolt went through Elizabeth at the sound of his name. She struggled against the urge to touch her lips, not daring to move while she and Kitty stood so near the window.

“Me. I am the eldest.” Miss Archer’s voice held a hard edge.

“Does it matter who, so long as it is one of us?” Miss Catherine asked.

“If that is your view, all the more reason it should be me.”

“You cannot tell me you hold affection for him.”

“She holds great affection for his wealth, do you not, Jacoline?” Miss Edith said with a laugh.

“And what about Mr. Bingley?” Miss Catherine pressed. “He is wealthy as well, and far more biddable.”

“Is that why you foisted Collins on Mabel?” Miss Edith’s voice held scorn. “Because you believe you should have Mr. Bingley over me?”

“Why not?” Miss Catherine’s voice held anger now. “I know precisely how to ensnare him.”

“Mr. Bingley will be no trouble for any of you to ensnare,” Mrs. Archer said with an assurance that bit into Elizabeth. “A walk in the garden. A stumble. He catches you. The bat of the lashes, et voilà. He is captured.”

Disgust twisted in Elizabeth’s gut. How terribly mercenary.

“I can trip as well as any of you,” Miss Laura said, speaking for the first time.

“You are a babe. Your sisters will do for this task.”

“I am no babe. I am tall enough to play a man.”

Elizabeth frowned. What an odd thing to say.

“Oui, and adept with a putty knife, but Mr. Bingley is not for you.” Mrs. Archer’s voice took on a soothing note. “Mr. Darcy, he has a military cousin, the son of an earl. Perhaps he is for you, non? The connection would seal our status.”

“I do like a red coat,” Miss Laura said dreamily.

“Very well.” Miss Catherine took on a crisp tone. “Mr. Bingley for Edith or me, and may the best trap prevail, Mr. Darcy for Jacoline, Mr. Darcy’s military cousin for Laura, and Mr. Collins for Mabel.”

Fabric rustled as Mrs. Archer said, “That is assuming she can be kept to the task.”

“I do not see how she can be.” Miss Edith’s voice held disdain. “Longbourn can hardly be called an estate, and Collins is odious.”

“Odious, perhaps, but pliable, I think,” Mrs. Archer replied.

In thoughtful tones, Miss Archer said, “Perhaps Mabel walking with Mr. Collins is a mistake.”

“A mistake?” Miss Catherine repeated sharply.

“Yes. I do not believe any of us should attempt to wed Mr. Collins at this time. Whoever does must return with him to Kent. Best if we all stay far from Lady Catherine.”

“Nonsense. She is the sort to not see what is before her nose.”

“Still, why court such danger? Especially with that Mr. Hurst here.”

“Hurst? Homme stupide. He is no trouble,” Miss Edith said with a snort.

Why would Miss Archer find Lady Catherine de Bourgh dangerous? Elizabeth hadn’t met the woman, but from what Mr. Collins said, and based on her nephew, Mr. Darcy’s, behavior, Elizabeth presumed Lady Catherine to be overbearing and aggravating, but not dangerous.

Even more confusing, what had any of this to do with Mr. Hurst?

“And now that we come to it, Mr. Darcy is not stupid, and he, too, will bring us to Lady Catherine’s notice,” Miss Archer said. “From what I have read, she takes a keen interest in her nephews.”