P&P The Untold Stories: Charlotte Lucas on Guy Fawkes Day

Can Charlotte follow her own advice on romance?

November 5, 1811

Elizabeth said, “It is evident whenever they meet, that he does admire her; and to me it is equally evident that Jane is yielding to the preference which she began to entertain for him from the first, and is in a way to be very much in love. I am pleased, however, that her feelings are not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Jane unites with great strength of feeling a composure of temper and a uniform cheerfulness of manner, which should guard her from the suspicions of the impertinent.”

“It may perhaps be pleasant,” replied Charlotte, “to be able to impose on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded. If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him; and it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in the dark.” Besides, there were other ways a lady could guard the privacy of her affections. She and Mr. Robinson had silently conspired not to be overly attentive to each other; when they conversed, it was often in a dark alcove or in the shadows poorly lit by candles.  Even Elizabeth had not guessed at her interest, but Mr. Robinson understood her well enough.

Charlotte could see Elizabeth was not convinced, so she continued, “There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every attachment, that it is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all begin freely—a slight preference is natural enough; but there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more affection than she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on.”

“But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow. If I can perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton indeed not to discover it too.”

“Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane’s disposition as you do.”

“But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavor to conceal it, he must find it out.”

“Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But though Bingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together; and as they always see each other in large mixed parties, it is impossible that every moment should be employed in conversing together. Jane should therefore make the most of every half hour in which she can command his attention. When she is secure of him, there will be leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses.” Charlotte had been following her own advice in this matter.  She had seen Mr. Robinson on three occasions since the assembly, and each time she made sure to single him out. He was responding beautifully, and she herself was happier than she had ever been.

“Your plan is a good one,” replied Elizabeth, “where nothing is in question but the desire of being well married; and if I were determined to get a rich husband, or any husband, I daresay I should adopt it. But these are not Jane’s feelings; she is not acting by design. As yet, she cannot even be certain of the degree of her own regard, nor of its reasonableness. She has known him only a fortnight. She danced four dances with him at Meryton; she saw him one morning at his own house and has since dined in company with him four times. This is not quite enough to make her understand his character.”

“Not as you represent it. Had she merely dined with him, she might only have discovered whether he had a good appetite; but you must remember that four evenings have been also spent together—and four evenings may do a great deal.”  It had sufficed for her to reach the point where she could communicate with Mr. Robinson by a mere look across a crowded room.

“Yes; these four evenings have enabled them to ascertain that they both like Vingt-un better than Commerce; but with respect to any other leading characteristic, I do not imagine that much has been unfolded.”

“Well,” said Charlotte, shaking her head over Elizabeth’s romantic nonsense, “I wish Jane success with all my heart; and if she were married to him to-morrow, I should think she had as good a chance of happiness as if she were to be studying his character for a twelvemonth. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar before-hand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always contrive to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.”

“You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound. You know it is not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself.”

Charlotte knew better than to argue with her strong-minded friend, but she was already acting on her opinion. Mr. Robinson was amiable, presentable in company, and he admired her; and she felt a sharp tug of attraction when he looked at her in that certain way.  Only last week he had found the opportunity to surreptitiously rest his hand on her lower back after they had danced together, making shivers run through her. He had leaned his head close to her when speaking to her alone so that the warmth of his breath tingled her ear, and the first time his lips had brushed against her ear she had thought it an accident, but by the second time she knew better.  She did not think it would be a hardship to share his bed, and she saw no reason to examine any other flaws he might have.  She would discover them soon enough if he made the offer she was hoping for.  What a surprise it would be to everyone, include Elizabeth who was so certain of her own perspicacity!

* * *

Sir William Lucas prided himself on his status as the sponsor of various civic activities in Meryton, including hosting the celebration of Gunpowder Treason Day.  All traces of hay had been removed from the field behind Lucas Lodge. Sir William had donated the traditional two cartloads of coal, which, when added to sticks of wood collected by the local youngsters, created a bonfire impressive enough that Sir William was noted to say on more than one occasion that it was as fine as any he had seen near St. James’ Court.  A few of the local gentry saw fit to attend, though they mostly remained inside Lucas Lodge except during the fireworks.

Charlotte had her own plans for the evening based on an earlier whispered communication from Mr. Robinson. She made a point of supervising the outdoor activities, wrapped in a dark, heavy shawl for warmth. Once darkness had fallen, Sir William with all due pomp, thrust a lighted torch into the pile of combustibles. Cheers rang out as flames rose into the air, sending out a welcome pulse of heat.  Children jostled to be as close as they dared, shouting to be heard over the crackling of the fire.

Charlotte allowed herself to drift toward the back of the crowd furthest from Lucas Lodge. She had not seen Mr. Robinson that evening. Perhaps he had been unable to come after all. Disappointed by his absence, she was disinclined to join the conversation inside and so remained on the periphery of the festivities.  As the first fireworks shot into the sky creating a cloud of sparkling lights, she felt hands descend on her hips and a familiar voice whispering her name in her ear, this time accompanied not by a brush of the lips but by a shocking nibble on her earlobe. “Will you walk with me?”

She understood now why he had not shown himself earlier.  She would not have been allowed to walk out with him in the darkness, but this way she was free to go with him.  All eyes were on the bonfire, though she knew other couples would be stealing away.  There were always several hurried marriages after Bonfire Night.

He did not offer her his arm but rather laced his fingers through hers, which had the effect of making them look like the more ordinary peasant couples.  He had also dressed in dark colors and simple clothes.  Charlotte smiled to herself at the success of her plan.  Finally, after all these years, she would have her own moment with an admirer.

As they ambled toward the small woods bordering the field, Mr. Robinson said, “I was hoping to speak to you privately tonight. Miss Lucas…Charlotte, we have not been acquainted long, but I feel as if I have known you for years. I will be going to visit my parents tomorrow, and I would like to seek my father’s approval on asking a certain question, but I would not wish to make free with your name when addressing him without your permission. Would you, or do I ask too much, allow me to name you when speaking to my father?”

It was not precisely what she wished to hear, but she had to admire his delicacy in discussing the matter with his family prior to making an offer, and it was thrilling simply to know that he wished to.  “I would have no objection,” she said demurely. “Will you be away long?”

“I will return within a fortnight,” he said with certainty, “and then I will speak to your father.”

They reached the edge of the woods and he was still urging her on. Charlotte hesitated a moment, then followed him. After all, a few stolen kisses would only bind him to her more.

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