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She was her best and dearest friend, besides Jane.

For all Charlotte was a spinster at twenty-seven, one could scour the whole earth to find a sweeter soul and come up empty-handed.

It was true, her mother always said that it was a pity Charlotte Lucas was not more handsome.

After each visit, when their neighbours had gone home, Mrs Bennet had often spent several minutes in pointing out Charlotte’s deficiencies.

Her hair was a dull, indeterminate light brown, and her figure rather clumsy.

Her eyes were a dull grey, and her chin receded, while her nose was large and pointed.

But though Mrs Bennet’s criticisms could not be refuted, Charlotte had qualities of greater importance that she seemed to overlook.

Elizabeth was convinced that there was no one with a more intelligent mind or kind-hearted nature than Charlotte Lucas.

“It was good of you to come and see us today, Charlotte. You cannot know how Longbourn has been over-set by the news —”

“Of the inheritance. We know. That is why we have come,” Lady Lucas broke in. “We have the most wonderful news to share as well!”

“Then you must come in and tell us quickly,” Mrs Bennet said, ushering in their guests.

When they were all seated, Lady Lucas started in on the news. “You know of the new tenant of Netherfield, I am sure.”

“Of course — a young man named Mr Bingley,” Mrs Bennet quickly cut in.

Lady Lucas nodded. “Quite so. Well, Mr Bingley has invited guests to Netherfield.”

“Indeed? And who might they be?” her mother asked. To judge by the gleam in Mrs Bennet’s eyes, she had already decided not only that the visitors must be eligible gentlemen, but that they belonged by right to her daughters.

“The first are the gentleman’s two sisters: one still single, the other married to a Mr Hurst. Mr and Mrs Hurst make their home primarily in London, I am told.”

Her mother looked disappointed that the only male guest was already married. “Well, it will be delightful to have some more company in the neighbourhood, to be sure.”

“That is not all. There is also a close friend of Mr Bingley come to stay, a Mr Darcy. It is said that he is single, and has a large fortune and estate to the north, in Derbyshire, I believe.”

“Indeed?” her mother asked, perking back up immediately. “And you are sure that Mr Darcy is unattached?”

“That is what I have heard, but that is not all,” Lady Lucas said with a superior air. She leaned closer, relishing the news she had to impart. “It is said Mr Darcy has ten thousand a year!”

Poor Mr Darcy. Elizabeth only just stopped herself from saying the words aloud, for everyone would have thought her out of her wits.

Perhaps she was, pitying a man for having the most extravagant fortune she had ever heard of.

Yet she could not help but feel for the man, not to mention his host. The ladies, and especially their mothers, would be flocking to them as soon as the word had spread.

And with such news in the hands of Lady Lucas, the word was sure to spread quickly.

No one had noticed Elizabeth’s distraction in all the clamour that had followed Lady Lucas’s announcement. Indeed, it would have been difficult to do so. Elizabeth did not believe her mother had stopped exclaiming her joy and astonishment for a moment.

Lady Lucas gave a satisfied smile. No doubt they had given her the reaction to the news that she had been hoping for. She paused for another moment, then went on. “I am told they will be at the next public assembly. I shall be delighted to meet such fine gentlemen, will not you?”

“It will be the perfect opportunity for the girls to be introduced to the gentlemen!” Mrs Bennet said. “I shall send Mr Bennet around to introduce himself and welcome them to the county, so we might have an introduction at the assembly.”

That might not be as easy as Mrs Bennet made it sound.

Elizabeth knew her father: he would kick against the goads for as long as possible.

He was not averse to leaving his library if it meant he could explore the world around Longbourn and collect specimens of flora and fauna for his collections.

But he was not naturally adept at making social calls, and he had a great love of teasing his wife.

He would doubtless put off the call until the last moment civility to his new neighbour would allow.

Lady Lucas went on. “Mr Darcy is most amiable. He paid Charlotte a great compliment —”

Elizabeth motioned to Charlotte, and they quickly excused themselves from the gossip.

It would be a relief to have someone to talk to besides Jane about the bewildering situation in which she found herself, and Elizabeth intended to take full advantage.

She linked arms with Charlotte as they walked out of the house and into the garden.

“I am so glad you are here. I have so much to tell you,” she said.

“But first, what is this great compliment that Mr Darcy has paid you?”

“It was nothing. My mother likes to make much of things. Mr Darcy simply said he thought my hat was very practical for the rainy weather. He wanted to know what the style was called so he could tell his sister to purchase one.”

Elizabeth tried not to laugh, but when Charlotte cracked a smile, they both found themselves laughing helplessly.

“From the way your mother made it sound, he will soon propose to you. And he could not choose a more worthy wife for himself.” She patted her arm.

“As he is so wealthy, I assume he is an older gentleman, a widower, perhaps?”

“On the contrary. He has never been married and is quite young and handsome. I assure you, Lizzy, you will find him quite amiable when you meet him. It is true, he is not as open as Mr Bingley, but he is the perfect gentleman, to be sure.” Charlotte had a skip in her step as they walked about the garden.

The sun still shone warmly down, but there was a chill nip in the air.

The days of pleasant weather would soon grow rare.

“And now, you must tell me all about your great uncle and your inheritance. I would have come sooner, but Mama said I should wait until we came for our usual call. I have been most eager to hear what you think about all of this,” Charlotte said.

Elizabeth sighed and looked out over the trees with their first hints of colour, and then up at the blue sky dotted with lazy-looking clouds.

“I am not sure. At first, I was appalled, if I would speak true. I thought it was highly inappropriate that the legacy should come to me. Jane is the oldest, after all.”

“Yes, but your uncle chose you,” Charlotte argued, much as Jane had.

“I know. And I know Jane does not begrudge me anything. If I have a spot of good luck, it will benefit us all. However, the part that I am now worried about is all the attention, especially from the young gentlemen. I have suddenly become desirable — too desirable. And that is just what bothers me. I was never an object of fascination to anyone until they found out I am to be an heiress.”

Charlotte smiled. “Would that I had half your good luck, Lizzy. I have but a small dowry and no one has looked twice at me, even though my father was knighted. I do not think I shall ever find a husband.” Charlotte’s downcast face made Elizabeth want to weep.

Silently, she vowed to help Charlotte once she had received the inheritance.

How was the question, but surely she could find a way.

She patted Charlotte’s arm as they walked. “I am sorry, my friend. I hope you are mistaken, for I believe you would make the man wise enough to choose you very happy.”

Charlotte smiled even as she sighed. “I hope it may be so. But go on, Elizabeth. I am certain you have not yet told me everything that was on your mind. There is more, isn’t there?”

She looked down at the damp ground and took a steadying breath. “Yes. There is more. I have not yet told you the worst of it, for I fear I am starting to like the attention.”

“And what is wrong with that?” Charlotte laughed. “If I were in your shoes, I think I would be delighted.”

“But I do not want this inheritance to change me. Already, people are treating me differently, and I confess, I am starting to wonder if it will go to my head. It has all happened so suddenly.”

“And there are so many men interested in you!” Charlotte exclaimed. “How wonderful.”

There was not a bit of sarcasm in her tone, only genuine happiness.

Elizabeth blinked back the tears that came to her eyes.

“Oh, Charlotte, you are a true friend. I wish things would stay as they were, though. I am frightened of what the world may hold for me now.” She let out a heavy sigh.

“A week ago, I thought I knew what kind of life I would lead. A respectable gentleman would fall in love with me, despite my small dowry. He would be modestly but respectably situated, and I would take my place as a gentleman’s wife, much like my mother and father. But now, I cannot see clearly.”

“All will be well, Lizzy. As I said before, there are so many men interested in you — surely you will find love with one of them. Perhaps their initial interest will be in the fortune, but once they get to know you, they will find that you are the real treasure.” Her smile was contagious, and as they continued walking and speaking together, Elizabeth felt her heart lighten.

She was lucky indeed to have a friend so wise and kind that she could restore her hope.

Surely it was not too much to ask that, with all the gentlemen calling on her, one of them would be able to see past her inheritance to her heart.

Surely she was not asking too much, in wishing to marry only for love.