Most Ardently

by Gabe Cole Novoa

Oliver groaned and slumped back into his seat, running his hand over his flattened chest for comfort. The backs of the wooden chair dug into his spine and he grimaced, sitting up. “She was furious, of course. Demanded that I apologize to Mr. Collins and accept his proposal, but when I refused, Father supported my decision in no uncertain terms, so she let it go.” He paused. “Well, she stopped insisting, at any rate. She’s still incensed.” “She’ll forgive you over time,” Lu said. “She will,” Oliver agreed, “but it doesn’t sit right with me that I should be punished for refusing to marry a man guaranteed to make the rest of my life miserable.” Charlotte placed her teacup down on a nearby side table, her laced white boots digging into the green rug beneath them. “She’s only concerned for your future,” she said. “She wants you to marry so that you’ll be secure financially when your father eventually passes.” “I’d rather be destitute than married to a man like Collins,” Oliver grumbled. Charlotte sighed. She looked at Lu, who lifted a shoulder in answer to an unspoken question. “What is it?” Oliver asked. With a slight nod, Charlotte turned back to Oliver. “You realize that if Collins asked me today to marry him I would accept without hesitation.” Oliver balked. “You would agree to marry Collins?” Charlotte smiled softly. “He’s a dull man, and rather full of himself, that’s true. But he isn’t cruel, and he has the capital to support himself and a family. It’s a better situation...