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Part 60
After supper Lady Matlock took Caroline to her parlour. "We discussed your wedding before supper," she informed Caroline.
Caroline was not surprised. "That is what I thought you were doing."
"I understand it was the wish of both of you to get married quickly?"
"Yes, I would prefer that, my lady."
"Would you object to being married in three days from now?"
Three days? That is very soon, but I said I preferred to hurry it... "Uhh...I suppose I would not," she swallowed.
"If you do not agree you must say so, but Richard thinks this would be best. Will you have enough time to prepare yourself for the wedding?"
Caroline thought of Louisa's wedding and she frowned. Although she could not quite remember what they had been busy with, the preparations had taken extremely long, especially since some of their aunts had been interfering. "I think so," she said doubtfully.
"Finding a gown should not be a very difficult thing. We will take you shopping tomorrow and pick out a very beautiful one for you because your wedding day will be an important day for you. You must be nervous."
"A little," Caroline smiled, grateful for the understanding.
"I should think you have reason to be more than a little nervous after what Georgiana told me about that proposal," Lady Matlock chuckled. "I understand it was quite original. Were you not in terrible doubt? I should have been completely confused."
Caroline looked alarmed that Lady Matlock knew about the proposal. "I hope that will not become some family joke."
The older woman was greatly amused. "But of course it will! It is just the sort of thing the family appreciate. They are all terrible teases, like Richard."
"He knows when to stop."
His mother was surprised. "Does he?"
"He was very kind to me at Netherfield," said Caroline as she studied the healed scratches on her hands.
"I am glad to hear that. Now, about the days after the wedding...the two of you can go to our hunting lodge for a few days, or if you wish, you could stay here. I gathered you have some business in London to take care of as well, and you can go there immediately after the wedding, or after a few days. I do not know what you prefer, and this is only a suggestion, but would the lodge be acceptable to you?"
Caroline looked bewildered. It was suddenly coming very close, and she wished she still had a mother to guide her through all of it. Unfortunately, her mother had died when she miscarried twins when Caroline was twelve, and she and Louisa had been sent off to a strict school where they had not been allowed to grieve for their mother after that. She had the sudden urge to cry for her mother and tears sprang to her eyes.
"Am I overwhelming you?" Lady Matlock said sympathetically. "I should advise you to go to the lodge. You are very welcome to stay here, but from my own experience -- we spent the first days after the wedding here with my husband's parents and all of his younger siblings -- I know you would probably be longing for some time alone, or you will think you did not marry one man, but his parents, a sister and three brothers as well, like I did." Her eyes twinkled.
Caroline could not help but give a small smile at this prospect. She enjoyed being with him, whether she played cards, walked in the garden or argued with him. "It sounds like good advice, my lady."
"Then why are you crying, my dear?"
After a long and relieving talk about her mother with Lady Matlock, Caroline went to bed. It was quite late and she was certain that everybody else was already asleep. Tomorrow they would go shopping, and she was looking forward to that. Even if she was not going to have a big wedding, she did want to look her prettiest.
Part 61
In the morning Caroline went down for breakfast and found only Colonel Fitzwilliam and the Earl there. "Will this be another eventful breakfast, I wonder?" the Colonel said mischievously as he pulled out the chair next to his own for Caroline. One breakfast she had made him drop his cup, and the other he had proposed to her.
"Does the exception not make the rule?"
"Aww," he said with mock disappointment. "It was your turn again."
"I shall think about it," Caroline said demurely.
The others soon entered and they talked about various things while the Colonel was wondering what Caroline and his mother had talked about the night before. He hoped she had agreed to the suggestions, and he was not really paying attention to what he was doing or whether the cup he raised to his mouth was really his or not. It was not, and he found that out as soon as he took a sip. Being used to putting sugar in his coffee, it tasted awfully bitter and he grimaced. He put it down and started to reach for the sugar bowl, but Caroline's hand pulled his hand down on the table.
"I do not like sugar in my coffee," she whispered. Fitzwilliam stared at her in some confusion, and then at the coffee. Caroline patted his hand. "But thank you, anyway."
"Do you really drink it like that?" he asked in a low voice, looking rather disgusted.
She kept her eyes on him as she sipped her coffee to show him. Colonel Fitzwilliam pulled a face when she drank all of the contents of her cup. Caroline nudged him with her knee and hissed, "Stop distorting your features like that! It almost makes you look ugly." It sounded as if she really minded.
He leant his face in his hands to hide his laughter and promptly received more impatient nudges. He could not contain himself much longer and fled from the table into the hall where he burst out laughing.
The whole table looked rather startled at his sudden disappearance, but especially Caroline. She wondered if he was angry, and her spirits fell. She had her gaze almost fixed on the door, even if it meant that she had to turn in her chair. What she really wanted to do was run after him, but she was not sure if such an action would be looked upon very kindly by Lord Matlock. Lady Matlock saw Caroline's stares and her fidgeting and she waited with interest for the moment when Caroline would get up and leave the room too. She had judged the situation correctly, for after two minutes Caroline excused herself indistinctly and fled the breakfast parlour in search of her fiancé.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was no longer in the hall and she frowned. Where did he go? She could not imagine why he would go to any of the other rooms, so she headed for his bedroom and ran up the stairs. Caroline counted the doors and knocked on his door. There was no answer, but she shrugged and opened the door anyway. She halted on the threshold and glanced into the room. He was not there either but she looked around the room curiously. The only men's rooms she had seen were her father's and Charles'. This did not look like Charles' room at all, somehow, even if it was unmistakably a man's room.
"Caroline?" Lady Matlock's voice asked behind her. She turned with a start, but she saw the other woman looked amused. "I thought that you might want to finish your breakfast."
"I am sorry for running away," Caroline said anxiously. "But..."
"I understand. Now go down and finish your breakfast."
Caroline wondered if Lady Matlock was angry with her, but she had sounded very friendly actually. With a deep blush on her cheeks she hurried down into the breakfast parlour. She entered and noticed that only Fitzwilliam was still seated there. He looked surprised when he saw her enter.
"Where did you go?" she cried indignantly.
"Where did you go?" He was almost as indignant.
Caroline sat down and looked at her unfinished breakfast. "I went after you."
"Why?"
"I wanted to know why you ran away so suddenly."
"I had to laugh."
"Laugh?" She was aghast. "You made me misbehave because you were laughing?" Her reaction was enough to start him laughing again. "Do not laugh at me. This is serious. It was uncivil of me to run away like that. I do not doubt that Lord Matlock is very upset with me, and Lady Matlock caught me upstairs and ordered me to finish my breakfast."
"She ordered you?" he gasped. His mother would never do that. When he had returned to breakfast with a serious countenance and he had looked rather taken aback at Caroline's absence, she had winked at him. Another thing struck him. "What were you doing upstairs?"
"I was trying to find you," she confessed.
"Where did you think I had gone?"
"To your bedchamber."
"How do you know I went there?" Colonel Fitzwilliam looked amazed.
"Really! One does not run away from breakfast to hide in the library, I thought. But why are you so surprised? You were not there. I was wrong."
"I was there."
"No, you were not."
"Oh! Did you check?"
"Yes, I did."
"I am shocked, Caroline," he said gravely, but his eyes danced. "You must have just missed me. I took the back stairs down and I was there only very briefly. Did you like the room? I find it a very agreeable room, it is very sunny in the morning."
"I did not go in, I merely looked in," she said with a blush. "And then your mother came and she ordered me to go downstairs."
"She did not order you, she ordered me. She ordered me to stay here until she had found you."
"Oh."
He grinned. "Do you want some more coffee?"
"Yes, please."
He poured them both a cup, and put sugar in his cup. "My father and I are going to get a license today."
"We are going shopping too."
"Oh! That reminds me of something." He put down his cup. "Give me your left hand."
"Why?" Caroline asked curiously.
He examined her rings and pointed at one. "May I borrow that one?"
"Borrow it?" she exclaimed.
"Yes," he grinned again. "You will see in two days."
"You have my leave to take it off."
"Why, thank you." Fitzwilliam slid it off her finger and put it in a little box which he put in his pocket. "May I just get a general idea of your taste?" He studied her other rings carefully.
"Well, what is my taste?" she asked.
"Expensive."
"That is all? Not good or bad?"
"Good taste, of course. I would not marry a woman of bad taste."
Their little tête-à-tête was interrupted by Lord Matlock. "Richard, are you ready? We are leaving in ten minutes."
He rose with regret. "We will stay away for almost two days. I shall see you tomorrow evening."
Caroline rose too. "Good-bye, Richard." She kissed him on the cheek, but after he looked over his shoulder to see if his father was still there, he kissed her on the mouth and left with a grin.
Part 62
Not long after breakfast the ladies went to Lady Matlock's favourite dressmaker. While the younger ladies admired some gowns that were displayed in the front of the shop, Lady Matlock had a quick word with the proprietress in the back. "We are looking for a wedding gown, Mrs. Johnson. My son got engaged a few days ago and he is getting married on Wednesday. I have brought his fiancée."
"Young people are always in such a hurry," Mrs. Johnson smiled, and she looked curiously towards the front of the shop to get a good look at Caroline, and she wondered if the cause of the hurry would be visible. "What did you have in mind, my lady? I have a piece of fabric that would make a lovely wedding gown, and its colours would go very well with the lady's complexion."
Caroline was summoned over and introduced to Mrs. Johnson. One of her assistants was ordered to fetch the fabric. It was smooth, off-white and lined with silver. "Do you like it, Miss Bingley?"
"Yes, I like it very much." Caroline felt slightly uncomfortable as the dressmaker looked her up and down with a professional eye.
"You seem to have an easy figure as far as I can see. Good. That will make it much easier."
Mrs. Johnson took Caroline's measurements and the fitting then began. After Caroline had been standing patiently for a long time while the fabric was being adjusted and cut around her, Mrs. Johnson had a rough model of the gown, held together with pins. It promised to look very beautiful once it was finished, and all the ladies expressed their admiration. Caroline already liked the sight of herself in the unfinished gown, and she was certain that Colonel Fitzwilliam would like her in it when it was finished. She smiled in delight, oblivious to the smiles of the others.
While Caroline was changing back into her own gown, it was arranged between Lady Matlock and Mrs. Johnson that they would come back the next day around three o'clock. "That will give me some time to make any changes, if that would be necessary," Mrs. Johnson said, but Lady Matlock knew that she hardly ever needed to do that, and the woman knew it as well. "However, I do not think it very likely. Miss Bingley has an excellent figure to make gowns for."
"I am sorry to cause so much trouble at such short notice," Lady Matlock apologised.
"Do not worry, my lady. Brides are my favourite customers -- they are extremely patient because their thoughts are elsewhere," Mrs. Johnson smiled. "And it was a fortunate coincidence that it is not very busy this week."
The four ladies then left the shop to have tea somewhere. "You will look lovely in the gown," Catherine said. "Richard will love you in it."
Her mother smiled. She was sure he would love his bride in anything. "You will be a picture."
"Thank you," Caroline said earnestly. "I am very grateful that you would take the trouble..." She paused and blinked.
"You will be a part of the family, and besides, you do not have anyone else to assist you. I hope you do not mind that I have sent for your brother?" Lady Matlock asked.
"My brother?" Caroline was surprised. "Is he coming?"
"I do not know that, but I sent a servant to Netherfield with the message that you were to be married on Wednesday. We shall see."
"Thank you," she whispered. She hated it when she had to cry and she blinked furiously, but it was so extremely kind of Lady Matlock to send for Charles so she would not be alone among all those people who were related to each other.
They visited one more shop to buy some small things and then it was time to return home for dinner. After dinner Lady Matlock and Catherine told stories about their own weddings and courtships, and the younger ladies giggled so much that Catherine's husband Philip who had not joined the other men on their trip, excused himself and departed to the library with an exasperated look on his face.
On Tuesday the ladies all went shopping again to buy the other things that were needed, and at three o'clock they visited the dressmaker. Mrs. Johnson and her assistants had worked very hard and the gown was ready. Caroline put it on and she was indeed a picture. She was slightly disappointed when she had to take it off again.
After having spent half a day traveling and the other half in pursuit of a special license, the gentlemen made it an early night in a hotel. The second day was to be used for the purchase of several things, the most important being of course the wedding ring. Colonel Fitzwilliam basically lived off some investments in property that he had made and not off what he earned as a colonel, because that was not much. He lived comfortably, for a bachelor, but Caroline's expensive taste worried him slightly. It was true that she was bringing a fortune into the marriage, but judging by her clothes and jewelry she also spent a fortune. He shrugged his worries off, for if they had both been able to manage before, they surely should be able to do so after they were married. He hoped he knew what Caroline would appreciate, but he was not entirely sure. In the first jeweler's shop he and his father entered he could not find anything he liked. The Earl, who did not enjoy shopping, sighed when Fitzwilliam insisted that they go to another shop. "In my days young ladies were not so fussy."
"I suppose that is why mother has such a beautiful ring?"
"That happened to be the first ring I saw, in the first shop," Lord Matlock defended himself.
"Of course," Fitzwilliam said sarcastically. "No doubt they had a much more limited selection of wedding rings fifty years ago so it was not that difficult."
"Thirty-six years ago, and why do you young people always think that we did not have anything in our youth? I hope you can find something to your liking in this shop because I am getting rather thirsty."
Colonel Fitzwilliam did not feel particularly pressed by his father's thirst and he carefully studied all the wedding rings the jeweler had to offer. Finally he saw one he liked, but it was one among the normal rings and not a wedding ring, but the only difference between the two categories seemed to be one in price and not really in appearance. It had small stones set in a band of gold and it was not at all flashy, but none of Caroline's rings were really flashy. He closed his eyes to imagine it on her finger and he thought it would look very well. There were two of them in different sizes. He compared one to that of Caroline's own ring, and it was the same. "That one, please," he said.
"Are you certain, sir? That is not a wedding ring," the jeweler warned him. He did not like to miss the chance to sell expensive jewelry to wealthy gentlemen.
"It will be tomorrow."
Lord Matlock did not attempt to argue with his son. He knew that he was quite unyielding once he had really decided on something. For his part he was glad that they could go and have a drink now, but Colonel Fitzwilliam was not quite ready yet because he had also seen a bracelet that went with the ring.
When they were finally seated behind a drink, Fitzwilliam could not refrain from unwrapping his purchases to study them another time. His father watched him. "Richard, was there a real necessity to get married so quickly?"
His son caught his meaning very well, and he shook his head. "Of course not."
"It is not that I would have minded," the Earl thought it best to pass over this subject very quickly and continued, "but I was rather surprised at the suddenness of the whole affair after all those years your mother attempted to get you interested in every eligible girl in the neighbourhood."
"It was not as sudden as that. Looking back I see that it took me rather long, because I first met her three years ago." He waited impatiently for his father to finish his drink and reminded him that they had some more things to buy.
"There is no point in returning too early. The ladies will be busy themselves and they are probably not even at home."
He did miss Caroline. It was rather dull without her, and he opened the box with Caroline's ring again to look at it. She still wore this yesterday morning.
Caroline was going to pack her things and she asked Catherine to help her. "I am not sure what I need when I am married."
Catherine grinned. "Nothing changes, except that you might want to take that nice nightgown because there will now be someone who sees you in it."
"He already saw me in my nightgown with my dressing gown over it," Caroline said, "when I was ill."
"Interesting! Was this before or after the proposal?"
"Before."
"Oh!" Catherine cried and then she calmed down. "I suppose you will not be very nervous about being seen in your nightgown tomorrow night then."
Caroline thought about this as she folded some articles of clothing. "Not at all," she replied with a smile.
"I was very nervous about my wedding," Catherine confessed. "But there was no reason. I did not forget what I was supposed to say during the ceremony and I was so afraid that would happen."
Caroline chuckled and she heard the sound of a carriage. She ran to the window and looked out. "It is Charles," she said, and she walked downstairs.
Bingley was rather surprised when his sister threw her arms around him to embrace him. She had never greeted him so enthusiastically before. "Caroline, you must be really happy to see me."
"Yes, of course, and I am glad to see you too, Jane," she said as she gave Jane a hug as well.
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lord Matlock arrived home when everybody was changing, and Caroline did not see him until they were called for dinner. She was so happy to see him that she grinned like an idiot, and she was disappointed that they did not have the opportunity to exchange many words. Lady Matlock had wisely not put them next to each other at the table, to avoid a repetition of yesterday's breakfast, but they were now seated across from each other. Caroline found it rather frustrating that they could not really talk about what they had done in the past two days. That would have to wait until tomorrow, and consequently neither of them said very much during dinner or afterwards. They only looked and smiled. Caroline went to bed very early -- it would take a long time for her to get ready in the morning.
Part 63
Caroline woke very early, but she knew she could not go back to sleep anymore. She felt very restless. After moving around in her room for a while, she felt locked in and wanted to go out. It was only barely a quarter past five so there was plenty of time to go for a walk.
For almost an hour she walked to get rid of the restlessness and to get her thoughts into order. She was nervous, about the ceremony, the wedding night, the rest of her life, everything. She needed some comfort, but the only one whom she knew would be able to put her mind at ease was also the only one she could not talk to before the wedding. "Just one smile and I shall know," she pleaded.
What will Louisa say when she finds out I am married? Will she be angry with me for not waiting until she returned? She will ask what the hurry was. What was the hurry? Could I really not wait six months? No...six months...six...months...no, definitely not. I already miss him after a day. I never thought I would. If anyone had told me this a year ago, I would have declared him or her absolutely mad, but I think I have changed. Did he miss me? Does he love me? Surely he would not marry me if he hated me. I know he likes me because he is always kind to me. I hope he loves me. He did kiss me...
Caroline paid good attention to where she was going. She did not want to be late. At half past six she returned to her bed chamber and found Catherine waiting for her. "I was wondering where you were," Catherine said, seeing she had been outside.
"I had to go out. I was going crazy in here and I could not sleep anymore."
Caroline bathed, and then she was helped into her wedding dress by the maid and Catherine. In the meantime they had some tea and a small breakfast, but Caroline could not eat very much. Her hair was done nicely and she put on the necklace she liked best. Catherine left her halfway during the preparations to get dressed herself, but Caroline was soon joined by Lady Matlock, Jane and Georgiana.
"Beautiful, Caroline," said her future mother-in-law. Caroline smiled weakly, and Lady Matlock whispered, "Do not be nervous. He loves you," and she saw the bride brighten up.
Finally it was time to go to the chapel, and the ladies disappeared. Caroline was left alone to wait for Bingley, who was to escort her. Lady Matlock's words kept echoing in her head. He loves you, he loves you, he loves you.
"Are you ready, Caroline?" her brother asked.
She nodded. Her heart beat in her throat. It is going to happen now. I am going to be married.
"Are you very nervous?"
"I know I have no reason to be..."
"Nonsense. Everyone feels nervous on their wedding day. You will be so happy and relieved when it is over."
"I hope so."
"Of course you will."
The chapel was not far and Caroline took a deep breath before entering.
Georgiana had observed her cousin's nervous glances towards the door with some amusement. Is he afraid Caroline will not come? She looks very beautiful, I wonder what he will think of it. Colonel Fitzwilliam himself looked very handsome as well, Georgiana noticed. After what had seemed like an eternity Caroline entered the chapel. Everyone, even those who had already seen her earlier, admired her appearance. Georgiana looked at her cousin. He could not take his eyes off his bride, and neither could she take her eyes off him.
The ceremony began, and both had to pay attention to what the minister was saying in his introductory speech. It was strange how calm Caroline felt. All her nervousness had vanished at the sight of the bridegroom. It had indeed only taken one smile.
They exchanged their vows, and he held her hand while he slid the ring onto her finger. Caroline felt butterflies in her stomach at his touch and when he smirked a little as he had to say he endowed her with all his worldly goods.
After they had been pronounced man and wife there followed some praying, but Caroline could not concentrate. She was too affected and happy, and she could not help stealing a few glances at her husband from the corner of her eye. She smiled broadly when she observed him doing the same. Only then did she look at her ring, because she had been looking into his eyes when he put it on her finger, and she had found it very hard to tear away her gaze. It was a beautiful ring, just perfect, and she smiled at him.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was delighted that she loved the ring. He was also delighted that she was smiling at him and not praying. He had really tried to follow the Minister, but already after the first words, his mind and eyes had wandered in another direction. Either he looked at her directly, or he recalled her expression as they exchanged the vows. As far as he was concerned the deed was done, they had been pronounced man and wife, and Caroline wore his ring. At last it was over, and they left the chapel as a married couple.
Part 64
At the breakfast table everybody chatted cheerfully. "You are not as nervous as at the breakfast before my marriage, Fitzwilliam," Bingley said. "I remember you ruining all the toast by sprinkling it with coffee. I expected something drastic this time."
Colonel Fitzwilliam grinned. "I was not nervous then. I was shocked." He observed Georgiana trying to hide a knowing smirk. "Yes, Georgiana?"
"Nothing," Georgiana blushed.
"It looks as if you know more."
"I am not blind," Georgiana said.
"Neither am I," Catherine added. "We saw it very well, did we not, Georgiana?"
"Yes, we did," her cousin said with a smug smile.
"What did you see?" Fitzwilliam asked suspiciously.
"That very interested look in your eyes before we went to the theatre, when you told me Caroline was joining us, and the very uninterested tone you spoke in," his sister smiled. "And then of course at the theatre when Benedick and Beatrice had nothing on the performance of the two of you."
They looked very sheepish. "Do not forget the sonnet," Georgiana giggled, and they both stared at her in horror.
Fitzwilliam looked at Caroline, but she seemed equally horrified. "How do you know about that?" he asked.
"I have friends who borrowed a book from Caroline," Georgiana said defensively, "and they found it in the book."
"Oh, no!" Caroline groaned. "I stuck it in a book because it vexed me, and I especially went to get it back when I found out, but it was too late? All of London must know."
"I think they only told me, and you ought to be grateful to me for dissuading them from writing an ardent love letter in your name," Georgiana smiled.
Caroline gasped.
"What are you talking about?" Lady Matlock interrupted. She had no idea what they were speaking of.
"I sent Caroline a sonnet once."
"But I thought Caroline forbade you to recite sonnets?" his mother asked.
"Yes, that is why I sent her one to apologise, but I was too confused to write anything that made sense."
"Oh, but we understood it perfectly well," Catherine smirked. "It was a love letter, even if you and Caroline told yourselves that it was not."
He coloured, and Caroline frowned. "So there was a purpose to all that talk of love letters. I did wonder if it was a coincidence," she said.
Catherine grinned. "Nothing is a coincidence."
"The next thing you will tell me is that Georgiana was not really ill," Fitzwilliam exclaimed. He was feeling rather foolish.
Georgiana burst out in giggles. "I was not ill. I only wanted to keep us a little longer at Netherfield so you and Caroline could..."
"Georgiana!" he said incredulously.
Caroline smiled. "Thank you, Georgiana. I do think we needed a little help."
After breakfast they said good-bye to Bingley and Jane who were returning to Netherfield. Caroline embraced them both. "Good-bye and good luck, Jane. I shall write to you. Thank you for coming, Charles. I appreciate it so much." She rubbed her eyes.
"Now, do not cry. When did I become the elder brother? I know you will be very happy together." Charles hugged her back. He then shook hands with his new brother-in-law. "Take good care of my big sister. It appears she is not so big after all," he said with a faint look of surprise on his face.
Fitzwilliam smiled slightly. "I had already discovered that."
"Well, I am sure you will be happy with her if you had the patience to melt her. I am glad Jane was different. You are always welcome to stay with us at Netherfield."
When the Bingleys had left, Colonel and Mrs. Fitzwilliam went upstairs to change and prepare for their trip. "I shall be with you in a minute, Caroline," Lady Matlock called.
Fitzwilliam took advantage of that minute to halt his bride once they were out of sight and out of earshot of the people downstairs. "I did not even get the chance to tell you how absolutely stunning you look," he complained.
Caroline smiled. "You look rather stunning yourself."
"Stunned, maybe."
"No, stunning. You ought to believe your wife, you know."
"I find it hard enough to believe that you are my wife."
She was still smiling. "Really? I feel extremely married."
"How does it feel? I am curious."
"It feels nice."
"That is a very tame description." His eyes sparkled.
"Words cannot describe it," she said gravely.
"That is better," he winked at her. "That comes very close to how I feel."
"And how do you feel?" she asked, feeling strangely elated.
"I feel like kissing my wife, if she will let me."
Caroline grinned. "You idiot." She felt very daring when she embraced him, but he only chuckled.
They did not notice Lady Matlock walk past them on her way to Caroline's room. Caroline was very surprised to find her there some time later. "I...uhh...did not see you."
"I gathered as much," Lady Matlock said dryly. "Since there is nobody else, we should have a little talk, I thought."
Part 65
"Oh," said Caroline. "Do you disapprove of my behaviour? I am sorry..."
"I do not disapprove of it. In fact I am glad you get along so well. This will help you tonight."
"T-T-Tonight?" Caroline stammered.
"Had you not thought of your wedding night?"
Caroline coloured and said nothing.
"You will be spending your first night together with your husband," Lady Matlock said kindly. "If you want to ask me anything, please do."
Caroline still said nothing. She was innocent in practice, but she was by no means innocent in theory, if the various bits and pieces of information she had picked up in twenty-five years could be called that. She had a fairly good idea of what a wedding night was about. Louisa had not been so positive about her wedding night, but just before the Hursts left on their trip she had received the impression that things had become very agreeable, if her sister's demure smiles and hints were anything to go by. Mr. Hurst had even taken to sleeping in his wife's bedchamber, and Louisa had hinted to Caroline that she should not barge into her bedchamber unannounced anymore, like the sisters used to do all the time. "My sister is married," she said finally in an expressionless voice. "She has told me some things. I know what to expect."
Lady Matlock looked relieved that she did not have to explain any technicalities, and she could only hope that Caroline's sister had done that, but her sister did not seem to have given her a very favourable impression. "Did your sister love her husband?"
Caroline wrinkled her forehead in trying to imagine Louisa feeling the same thing for Mr. Hurst as she felt for Richard, but it was very difficult. "I do not know if my sister did, I only know that I cannot imagine it."
Lady Matlock smiled. "If you do not know, then your sister would probably not have enjoyed being kissed in the passageway either."
Caroline turned scarlet. "I was not being kissed. I began it."
"Oh dear!" said Lady Matlock humourously.
"I knew Richard would not mind," Caroline said defensively. "He asked me first if he could kiss me."
"That sounds as if you will not have any problems tonight, my dear. Do you not think so?" she said in a kind voice.
Just before they left they were saying good-bye to everyone, and Caroline saw Lady Matlock take her son aside to whisper something. From the way he coloured and his eyes briefly looked at her she could tell that it concerned her, and she could make a guess at the subject, but she did not want to know.
When the carriage drove away, they were sitting opposite each other but Colonel Fitzwilliam soon came to sit next to Caroline, and he put his feet on the seat across.
"Do you always do that?" Caroline asked curiously.
"No."
"I do," she said, and they both grinned.
He fished in his pocket for a little box. "Here is your ring back, Mrs. Fitzwilliam."
"Oh, please do not call me that! I mean," she added hastily, "it is a very fine name, but I would much rather have you call me Caroline."
Fitzwilliam winked at her. "I was only teasing you. There are too many syllables." He fished another box out of another pocket. "This is for you, Caroline."
Caroline stared at the little box in surprise. "What is it?"
"Open it."
She opened the box with trembling fingers and looked at the bracelet in delight. "Richard, it is beautiful. Can you put it on for me?" He helped her put the bracelet on and she turned her wrist around and around to have a good look at it. "Thank you," she said and she gave him a little kiss on the cheek. "Thank you."
Caroline took off her bonnet and leant her head against him, and he put his arm around her shoulder. "Tell me, Caroline. What will your sister say about us?"
Caroline smiled when he said us. "You know what she will say, I know you do."
"Yes, I can guess."
"And you are already enjoying it," she stated.
"But naturally."
"Well, then I shall let you explain it to her."
"You are too generous, my dear." Fitzwilliam kissed her hair. "I like this new perfume of yours."
"How do you know it is new?" Caroline was amazed.
"You had a different one two days ago."
"We bought this one yesterday when your mother took me shopping. She is very kind to me and she does not think it strange at all if we do not see her walk by when we kiss."
"Mother walked by?"
"Yes, she must have, because she was in my room when I got there."
"What was she doing there?"
"Oh, she had to talk to me about something," Caroline said vaguely. "I like your mother."
"And she likes you too."
"Did she say that?"
"No, but I can tell from the long list of things to do and to avoid that she gave me."
"Oh, what for?"
"She does not want me to make you unhappy."
"You could not!" Caroline exclaimed.
"I hope not."
They sat quietly for the rest of the trip and Caroline was dozing off comfortably, until he woke her by saying, "We are almost there. Five more minutes."
"Ohhh," she said in a slightly disappointed tone. "I like sitting like this." It was very comfortable to lean against Richard like that.
"Who says we cannot continue sitting like this once we are inside?" he sounded amused.
"We can?"
"There will not be any other guests there to frown upon our behaviour. You may even sit in my lap if you wish."
"Oh!" and then, "no."
"No?"
"I want to go for a walk first," she teased him.
Colonel Fitzwilliam helped her out of the carriage, and greeted the couple that looked after the house when the family was not using it. They had some tea first and then they went out for a walk, hand in hand.
They had to cross a little brook and Caroline hesitated. "It is all very well for you, Richard. You just jump over it, but I am not sure I can do that."
"There is a stone in the middle," he pointed, but she still did not come.
"It is half under water."
Fitzwilliam jumped back and lifted her up. He smiled when she shrieked. "I knew you would enjoy that, Caroline."
"I did not say that!"
He stepped onto the stone. "Oh, so you want me to drop you?"
"Not here," she screamed looking down at the water.
"All right," he stepped back onto the side they came from and set her on the ground. "Then jump, my dear. If you come running you should be able to do it." He jumped across the brook.
"You take delight in torturing me."
"Not at all. I take delight in catching you after your jump."
"What if I fall in?" She wanted to know what it was like to be caught, but she was not completely persuaded to jump yet.
"Then you will get your feet wet," he grinned, "and I shall carry you home. Deal?"
"Deal."
She walked back a little, began to run and jumped over the brook. "In one time!" her husband praised her as he caught her.
"I like this," Caroline said. "I am going to do it again. Go to the other side." He obliged and she did it several more times until she took a longer run one time, and her greater speed knocked Fitzwilliam down on the ground while Caroline fell on top of him.
"Ouch!" he exclaimed.
"Are you hurting?"
"No."
"Are we misbehaving?"
"Not at all. You are merely lying on top of me in the middle of the woods."
"Oh."
"Caroline?"
"Yes?"
"The ground is a bit cold and hard."
"Really? I did not notice." She was feeling rather warm, looking into his eyes.
"You are not on the ground. As much as I enjoy your presence..."
"Do you?"
"Yes. Now, as much as I --"
"You want me to get up," she grinned.
"Ahh, finally it dawns on her."
Caroline stood up and brushed off her clothes. Fitzwilliam got to his feet as well. She helped him brush off his clothes too. "Thank you," he said. "I never would have thought you would actually jump over a brook."
"Only with you."
He laughed. "There are men who boast of being the only man their wives love, but I can boast of being the only man my wife jumps over brooks with."
"If you ever tell anyone I shall never do it again," she warned him.
"Well, good. I do not particularly look forward to being knocked down again."
"You said you enjoyed my presence!" Caroline said indignantly.
"Of course I did, but next time I beg you to lower yourself in a gentler way." He winked at her.
"Oh! You are joking again!" she said in exasperation.
Part 66
"Oh, look, a pine cone," he said with a snicker.
"That does not make me uncomfortable." She thought for a while. "What did you think when you saw me throwing them? Were you laughing at me?"
"Naturally."
"I had not thought you would come down."
"Caroline! How can you think such a thing?"
"Well, I had not thought you would come down right away. I thought you would torture me a bit first."
He laughed. "I was highly intrigued by the sight of you in such informal dress. Of course I went down straight away for a closer inspection."
Caroline's cheeks turned red. "What did you conclude?"
"That you looked even better up close."
She sighed and laughed. "I think your memory is playing tricks on you."
"Not at all," he said seriously.
"We are too late to change for dinner," Caroline said after they parted from their embrace.
"Why should you change? It takes so much time, and since it will only be for my benefit, I can tell you now that I would much prefer more time with you in this gown than a short time with you in a nicer gown."
Caroline agreed with a smile, and they walked on. It was a rather cold day in Winter, but they did not feel it. Both of them had even taken off their gloves because that made holding hands more agreeable.
They entered the house again half an hour before dinner would be served. Colonel Fitzwilliam seated himself behind the pianoforte while Caroline stood watching him. "Are you going to play scales for me again, Richard?"
He grinned and beckoned her over. "You know how very ill I play." When she was close enough, he pulled her onto his lap.
"Richard!"
"After the walk, you said." He had one arm around her waist to keep her seated, but it was really not necessary.
Caroline played something but she struck a wrong chord when Richard kissed her in her neck. She gasped.
"Why did you stop playing?" he asked teasingly.
"Oh!" she said after another kiss. "I do not know how to play the pianoforte anymore. Perhaps we could play at something else?"
Their new game was interrupted by the dinner gong and with regret they rose and walked to the dining room. Dinner was more a necessity than an enjoyment in their present moods, and they ate quickly. Caroline thought even the distance across the table too big, and sat down next to him when she had finished her meal. They had dined late so there was to be no supper. Fitzwilliam smiled at her. He knew they would be continuing their kissing as soon as they returned to the drawing room, and it would not do to let it get out of hand there, so perhaps it would be better to go upstairs directly.
He took her hand and gently led Caroline towards the stairs. She did not protest, but merely smiled when she noticed his intention.
Part 67
The next morning Caroline awoke late. She lay all curled up and she stretched out slowly, like a cat. It startled her when her hand met with somebody, but then she remembered with a smile that she was married now. Slowly she rolled onto her other side and opened one eye very slightly, so as not to wake up completely. Richard was still asleep. Caroline thought herself lucky -- she thought he was wonderful, and she wondered why she had been completely blind for such a long time. I was such a fool. What did I do to deserve him? Gradually both her eyes opened and she lay staring at him with a contented smile on her lips. When he opened his eyes and saw her, he gave her a slow, lazy smile. Caroline smiled back in return.
Fitzwilliam closed his eyes again and said, "Do not speak. I have to recall a dream." Caroline waited patiently until he opened his eyes. "I even dreamt about you, Caroline."
"What did you dream about me?"
"A nightmare. A veritable nightmare." He looked amused.
"What?" she cried curiously.
He groaned. "Do dreams come true?"
"Sometimes."
"Then I shall not tell you."
"Richard! Do not be such a tease. Tell me!"
"All right. We were walking in the woods with our ten daughters --"
"What? Ten?" Caroline looked appalled. "Is it your dream to have ten daughters? Oh, no. Dreams definitely do not come true."
"I said it was a nightmare. Anyway, we were walking there and all of a sudden all of them wanted to jump over the brook, and they were all flying at me one after another, and sometimes two at a time, and there was no way I could catch them all. They seemed to multiply themselves too, because I swear I caught about a hundred girls."
"Poor Richard," Caroline said affectionately. "I would really pity you if I did not know that you were making it all up."
He grinned. "How did you know?"
"A lucky guess."
"I really dreamt about walking with our ten daughters, though."
"Was it nice?"
"I only remember that one hit me just before I woke up."
"That was probably me. I stretched out," Caroline said dryly. "And it was so soft that you would hardly have felt it, Richard."
Richard smiled. "Ahh, that is what you would think. Do you feel this?" He touched her cheek very lightly and Caroline shivered.
"Yes, I did."
"Well, then. That was even softer."
"Yes, but I am awake, and you were asleep. You could not possibly know it was me."
"I have special powers to know such things." His eyes danced.
"If you say so," Caroline said indulgently.
"I hope you are not going to agree with everything I say now? That would surely spoil all the fun."
"I disagree," she said solemnly.
"You do?" He looked worried. "You do not think it is fun?"
Caroline yawned to hide a smile. "You wanted me to disagree with everything you say."
"Not with everything! You must not take me too literally," Fitzwilliam tried to explain
Caroline was becoming more amused by the second. "So," she repeated. "Whatever I make of your words -- I am not allowed to agree or disagree with it? In short, you do not want me to say anything? You are very difficult."
"Oh!" he said if something occurred to him. "Shall write down some guidelines for you?"
"Please do." She wondered if he really would, and what it would turn out like. "Will this be another sonnet?"
"No, I do not think so. It does take very long to write a sonnet, and what would you do if I spent a whole day writing?"
"I am very patient."
He grinned. "Madam will not rest until she gets a sonnet. Did I hear you say I was difficult?"
"I am not difficult at all. I shall amuse myself very well while you write." Perhaps I could write one of my own...
Colonel Fitzwilliam got out of bed and walked towards the window. His stomach rumbled. "I need breakfast, I think." Caroline came to stand beside him and put her arm around him. He looked at her. "Did I tell you already that I really like your nightgown?"
She giggled. "At least three times."
Part 68
Darcy had serious qualms about Colonel Fitzwilliam's engagement, although he had felt he ought to defend his cousin to Elizabeth for some reason. He knew he would lose some respect for his cousin if it turned out that he had proposed to Miss Bingley for mercenary reasons. He knew money would be an important thing to an officer, but surely a nice girl with a little less money would do just as well? Caroline Bingley was the most inane and silly creature that had ever walked this earth. What could she probably have to tempt Fitzwilliam, other than a large dowry? Why could the idiot not marry for love like he did? Darcy needed to get these questions off his chest and he sat down to write a letter to his cousin.
Instead of writing sonnets Colonel Fitzwilliam and Caroline ended up reading them and writing silly rhymes on their relatives and mutual acquaintances. They played cards and they took another walk too, and the next day almost passed in the same manner, except that the Colonel had to do some exercises to keep in shape, he said.
The Fitzwilliams returned to Matlock at a time when nobody was home. Shopping and business seemed to be taking up everybody's attention. "Did we get up so early for that?" Colonel Fitzwilliam yawned as he sprawled himself across the couch. The housekeeper had given him a letter that had arrived in his absence and he opened it. "From Darcy. Let us see what he has to say."
Dear Cousin,I was stunned when I received your letter. It came wholly unexpected to me, and I cannot make sense of it. There were certainly no signs of any attachment between you and Miss Bingley before my wedding. I hope you do not mind my frankness in this letter, but as your cousin and friend, I believe I have the right to give my opinion. Please consider that I have your best interests at heart. You must acquaint me with the particulars of your engagement as soon as possible. Until you do so, I shall refrain from congratulating you, because I find it very difficult to imagine that you are betrothed to Miss Bingley, acquainted with her as I am. I believe I am even more acquainted with the lady than you are, and I do hope your motives, and hers, were honourable, but the short time span in which this whole arrangement was concluded leaves me in serious doubts about that. Fitzwilliam, pray tell me you are not throwing yourself away on the first woman of fortune that crosses your path. I know Miss Bingley, and I am sorry to say that all that matters to her is fashion and fortune and fashionable friends. She has only one objective in life, and that is to marry well and become a leading society figure. Why she would go after a man of such little fortune I cannot know, but perhaps it is because of your family's connections. While I can think of reasons why a woman would want to marry you, I certainly cannot think of any enticement of Miss Bingley's. Why? What makes you want to spend the rest of your life with her? An attractive exterior does not cover a lacking interior. Please tell me I have misjudged your fiancée entirely, or I shall fear for your happiness.
Yours, &c,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
"Well," Fitzwilliam remarked. "That was frank indeed."
"What does he write?" Caroline asked.
"I shall spare you the contents."
"He is asking you why, is he not?" And telling you what a bad choice you have made.
"There were certainly no signs of any attachment between you and Miss Bingley before my wedding. Darcy is not the most observant of people when he is in love, apparently, and therefore I shall not have faith in his opinion of you, for I believe he does not know you at all, even if he claims he knows you better than I do." He threw the letter in the fire. "I am of a mind to rattle him a bit tomorrow. He deserves it after sending me such a letter."
The ladies returned from their shopping at that moment to find the newlyweds not quite in the mood they had expected to find them in.
"Did you have a nice time?" Lady Matlock asked worriedly. They both nodded.
"Darcy sent me a letter," Fitzwilliam said morosely.
"I saw that. What does he write?"
"Criticism. I threw it in the fire."
"Nonsense," said Lady Matlock. "But you can set William straight tomorrow, Richard."
He nodded, and Georgiana shyly asked him if he was now angry with her brother. While they were talking, Lady Matlock seated herself next to Caroline. "Now, do not worry about what people may think. I hope you had a lovely time."
"Yes, we did," Caroline smiled.
Elizabeth noticed the carriage approaching. She wondered who it could be and shamelessly peered out of the window. She was disappointed that she could not get a good view of the visitors and anxiously awaited their entrance. The footman soon came to announce them. "Colonel Fitzwilliam, Miss Darcy, Miss Bingley." He knew them from previous visits and he saw no reason to inquire if they had gotten married in the meantime.
Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged greetings with their visitors. "This is somewhat of a surprise," Elizabeth said as she studied them. Colonel Fitzwilliam looked the same as usual, Caroline looked like Elizabeth had known her on one of her better days, and Georgiana looked very happy to be home.
"How does married life suit you, Mrs. Darcy?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.
"Very well, Colonel," she said with a smile. "I understand you are soon to enter the state of matrimony yourself. Would you have shied away from it if I had given you an unfavourable answer?"
He grinned. "It is too late for that, I am afraid. We got married three days ago."
Elizabeth gaped alternately at him and at Caroline. "No!" she said involuntarily, blaming this sudden marriage on Caroline's wish to connect herself to a prominent family. It disgusted her. How could he have agreed to such a scheme? "Congratulations." She congratulated them both.
Darcy followed suit with a surprised look at his cousin. He still could not quite believe that Colonel Fitzwilliam was engaged to Miss Bingley, and now married to her, even. He would ask him what he saw in the woman once they were alone.
"And how does married life suit you, Colonel?" Elizabeth asked when the congratulations were over.
"Richard can bear it very well, I should think," Caroline replied innocently. She was not too pleased with the edge to Elizabeth's voice.
This meant nothing to Elizabeth and Georgiana, but Darcy turned purple and the Colonel choked. "You will be the death of me one of these days, Caroline," he gasped.
Elizabeth could well imagine that a man would rather die than be married to Caroline and it showed in her face.
"How could you?" Darcy asked Fitzwilliam.
"He took pity on me," Caroline answered.
Elizabeth was still under the assumption that they were talking about their marriage. Although she was rather taken aback at her husband's forthrightness, Caroline's answer was so plausible that she believed it and she gasped.
Darcy was now confused. He had been talking about the bear story, but he was not sure if Caroline was too, and Georgiana had absolutely no idea what they were talking about, except that they had to be jesting.
"You must be very grateful to him," Elizabeth sweetly said to Caroline.
"Naturally. She might have become cold through and through if I had not gallantly rescued her," Colonel Fitzwilliam said seriously. He had recovered enough to be able to speak without bursting into laughter.
Elizabeth blinked. She has always been cold through and through. She pitied the Colonel for being married to such a cold-hearted, scheming woman.
"The years must have taught you gallantry then," Darcy addressed his cousin. He suspected that Caroline had been locked out, or that his cousin had locked her out, because the reference to his own experience could not be ignored. It was the only way the conversation made sense. "You were never very gallant to me."
"I hope the Colonel is gallant to you, Mrs. Fitzwilliam," Elizabeth said with a strange look at Darcy. Why would Fitzwilliam be gallant to William?
"Gallant to Mrs. Fitzwilliam? Ha ha," the Colonel laughed as if this was a ridiculous idea. "That is a good one to remember. Oh, no. When she misbehaves, I lock her up in the wine cellar." The other three people looked shocked. Fitzwilliam laughed again. "Of course her behaviour is no worse than mine."
"I am glad you brought that up yourself," Caroline said dryly. "Where is Pemberley's wine cellar?"
"Under the main stairs," Darcy said, mystified.
"Caroline!" her husband said incredulously.
"Be quiet. You deserve it."
"No! I do not believe you!" he gasped.
Caroline stood up and motioned with her head. "Five minutes. We shall be back in five minutes," she assured a speechless Darcy. Elizabeth and Georgiana were equally wide-eyed when they left the room.
"Is she going to lock him up in the wine cellar?" Elizabeth gasped. She could not imagine her locking Darcy up in the cellar because he misbehaved, or even telling him to be quiet. "I must see this."
"No!" Georgiana cried. "Do not follow them. Would you want other people to witness your...arguments?"
"I pity him!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "How can he put up with her? She will not even let him answer for himself."
Georgiana giggled. "They must have exchanged names! Have you not noticed that no matter who you address, it is always the other one that answers."
Darcy frowned. "You are right. Fitzwilliam never answered me when I asked him how he could possibly have told her."
"Told her what?" Elizabeth asked.
He realised his mistake. "Some story of our youth."
"When did we talk about a story?"
"We were talking about this story all the time."
"What do you mean? We were talking about why he married her," Elizabeth looked puzzled.
Colonel and Mrs. Fitzwilliam returned with visibly heightened colours. The Colonel grinned widely at his two cousins and Elizabeth.
"Are you all right, Colonel?" Elizabeth asked suspiciously. Did the wicked witch hit you?
"Yes, he is quite all right," Caroline said coolly. "I was not too severe on him."
"I think this is all quite odd," Elizabeth commented. Severe on him?
"I am sorry," Caroline apologised politely, "but I did not want to embarrass everybody by telling him what I think of him in front of you. I hope you understand?"
"Yes, of course," Elizabeth hastened to say. She did not want to witness any domestic quarrels and looked pityingly at the Colonel.
He caught her glance and tried to keep a straight face. "I long for the time when Caroline had no voice," he muttered indistinctly. He looked at Darcy. "Marriage is torture, eh, Darcy?"
Darcy's eyes widened. "I would not say that," he said stiffly. "What are your plans? You are going to London, I understand. You are welcome to spend the night here as it is rather late already."
Fitzwilliam looked at Caroline and saw one corner of her mouth twitch slightly. It had been decided. "We would be happy to stay here for a night." Neither of them could pass up the chance to have a little more fun.
Elizabeth looked horrified but she quickly changed her facial expression after an admonishing look from Darcy. She made up her mind to write to Jane immediately for all the particulars of the wedding. She completely forgot that she had Georgiana at hand too. Knowing Caroline, it probably was a big affair. "I shall inform Mrs. Reynolds that you will be staying the night and then I shall go and change for dinner. Please excuse me."
"Master Richard!" the housekeeper greeted him with a smile. She had never been able to keep track of his promotions, and to call him Fitzwilliam would be too confusing.
"Mrs. Reynolds! You look as young and vital as ever," he grinned and he kissed her on the cheek.
"Oh, you rascal!" she chided him playfully. "I can see you are still as charming as ever. What is this I hear about your marriage? Congratulations. I had not thought I would live to see you a married man."
"Life is full of surprises," Colonel Fitzwilliam said philosophically. "And did I not say just now how young you looked, Mrs. Reynolds?"
"Does your wife approve of that, I wonder?" She said with a glance at the approaching Caroline.
"Caroline! You look as young and vital as ever," he grinned.
She raised an eyebrow. "Is he bothering you, Mrs. Reynolds? I shall take him off your hands if he is."
"Not at all, Miss...Mrs. Fitzwilliam. Congratulations on your marriage."
"Thank you," Caroline smiled.
"I have sent up your belongings to the east green room. You will be quite out of everybody's way, but it is the loveliest room."
"Very good," said Fitzwilliam, "because Caroline always does the most exciting things in the middle of the night, and I do not want her to wake anyone up."
Mrs. Reynolds looked shocked and Caroline looked amused. "Richard, do not give Mrs. Reynolds the wrong idea."
"Oh no!" he exclaimed in horror. "I meant things like walking around the house and going outside."
"Come," Caroline tugged at his arm. "Before you make things worse, we must change for dinner."
They ascended the stairs with a maid walking ahead of them so they could not say what they wanted. "How could you say such a thing to Mrs. Reynolds?" Caroline whispered.
"It was not intentional."
"I am sure it was not," she eyed him dubiously.
"I swear."
"And marriage is torture?"
"I meant that."
"Oh, you..." she punched him and he ran ahead to their room with Caroline chasing after him.
Elizabeth saw an opportunity to question the Colonel about his marriage just before dinner. "Colonel, we were very surprised when we received your letter."
"I am not surprised."
"I did not see any signs of an attachment when you came to Longbourn."
"Neither did we."
"It is quite ironic -- Caroline married to an officer."
"She is a woman of taste."
Elizabeth laughed. "Honestly, I can see why she would marry you, but please tell me there is more to your wife than her money."
"There is," he answered curtly. Why is everybody having doubts? It did not put him in a very good mood.
"Like what?"
He shook his head. "You should talk to her yourself."
Caroline had requested a private word with Darcy. "Do you disapprove of our marriage, Mr. Darcy?"
Darcy looked mildly surprised at this direct question. "I would not if I could be certain that you loved each other."
"And you are not certain of that?"
"To be honest, no."
Caroline's eyes blazed. "Would you rather have me kiss him in front of you?" she said vehemently. "Should I use terms of endearment? Richard, my wonderful, lovely, angelic, caring, kind, attentive, intelligent, funny, sensitive, delightful, brave, beautiful, brilliant, gentle, great, witty, sweet and gorgeous darling. I am so happy to be your wife and I love you so very much that I cannot live without you?" She shook her head in disgust. "Please, Mr. Darcy. Do not expect me to do that in public."
Darcy's mouth fell open upon hearing the long string of adjectives. "Uhh...no, of course not."
Part 69
Conversation at dinner was pleasant and civil, on innocent subjects. Georgiana suddenly thought of what Lady Catherine would say. "Does Aunt Catherine know?" she asked.
"I do not think she does, unless my parents have written to her," Colonel Fitzwilliam replied.
"In which case she would have been on your doorstep in two days' time," Darcy commented.
"Would she not approve?" the Colonel asked.
"Catherine thinks that Aunt Catherine might have wanted Anne to marry you now that Fitzwilliam is not available anymore," Georgiana said.
"Firstly, I hope that the next generation in this family shall not contain any Catherines or Fitzwilliams," said Colonel Fitzwilliam. "It is too confusing. Secondly, that would be just the sort of ridiculous idea Aunt Catherine would come up with."
"You would have had Rosings Park," Caroline told him.
"I would merely have lived there, Aunt Catherine would have run it. As for Anne...Anne is too weak and passive for me. I doubt it if she would be able to jump over a brook."
Elizabeth giggled. She thought it was very ironic of him to say that, when he was married to someone who probably would not jump over a brook in a hundred years. "Does Anne not have any other cousins she can be married off to?"
"Unfortunately not," Fitzwilliam replied. "And she is already twenty-five, so time is running out." Caroline coughed. "Some women are more desirable at twenty-five than at twenty-four, of course," he grinned.
"I think the same would apply to twenty-nine and thirty," Caroline said.
"Oh my!" her husband said jestingly. "I cannot wait for your thirtieth birthday then."
"Well, I can," Caroline answered.
"My dear Caroline, I survived the occasion too."
"Of course," said Elizabeth, "otherwise you would not be here."
"That has more to do with the fact that you got married, Mrs. Darcy," he smiled. "If you had not gotten married, Georgiana would not have had to stay at Matlock, and we would not have had to return her."
"Did you stay at Matlock after your marriage?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh, no," he answered. "We went away for two days to a quiet place with no parents, sisters or cousins. I do pity Bingley and your sister. They had the three of us running around the house, although the advantage of that was that someone could explain the household accounts to Mrs. Bingley."
"I forgot to do that," Caroline said in alarm.
"I took the liberty of doing it, at Bingley's request, while you were -- I do not know what you were doing -- after we...after Fosset..."
Georgiana giggled. "I heard from the maid that Fosset complained about --"
The Colonel interrupted Georgiana. "You should not engage in gossip, Georgiana."
"Blast that blabbermouth," said Caroline.
"Who?" Georgiana cried. "Me?"
"No, Fosset of course. It was his own fault. He should have fixed that door," Caroline said indignantly.
Darcy turned red, and Elizabeth choked. Fitzwilliam wondered if they had experienced the same thing with the door. It certainly looked like it, and he grinned. "Darcy, tell me more."
Darcy shot a worried look at his sister and shook his head. "There is nothing to tell."
After dinner the ladies retired and Fitzwilliam questioned Darcy again. "Do you mean you were in the wine cellar too?"
"No, in the stables, but what were you doing in the wine cellar?"
"We locked ourselves in and then we had to wait for Fosset to come and fetch a bottle of wine before we were released."
"Ah," said Darcy, "as innocent as that?"
"Certainly."
"Hmmm."
"I did not quite like your letter," Fitzwilliam said. "You have very little faith in me."
"Why did you marry her?" Darcy asked.
"Because she is wonderful." He saw his cousin's face. "You do not know her the way I do."
"I certainly do not, and I hope that is not the only foundation for your marriage," said Darcy disapprovingly.
"What?" Fitzwilliam frowned. "Oh! I see what you are getting at. No."
"Can you talk to her at all?"
"Darcy, you are too amusing. The only time we do not talk is when we kiss or when we sleep, and we always have fun. I met my match in every possible way, and on top of that she is totally gorgeous."
Darcy thought he was the only one who felt that way about his wife, and he raised his eyebrows. "I suppose you are truly in love then."
"I thought that was obvious?" the Colonel asked.
Elizabeth, Georgiana and Caroline retired after dinner. Elizabeth racked her brains for something to say to Caroline, but she knew not what they could possibly have in common, unless the fact that they were both recently married. "I like your wedding ring, Caroline."
Caroline beamed. "I am still amazed that he could pick one out that I liked, after seeing my rings for only a minute."
"Oh, he looked at your rings first?"
"Yes, of course. How else would he know what I liked?"
Elizabeth proudly thought that Darcy had known what she liked without asking her. "When exactly did you get married?"
"On Wednesday."
"How on earth could you arrange a wedding on such a short notice?"
Caroline shrugged. "With a special license."
"Would you not have preferred a bigger wedding?"
"I would not have noticed any other people present anyway."
Elizabeth smiled involuntarily. This was something she recognised, although it surprised her that Caroline had felt the same. "Did you pray along dutifully?" she asked mischievously.
"Prayer? There was a prayer?" Caroline asked, and they both laughed.
"I had no idea this marriage was based on..." Elizabeth voice trailed off embarrassedly.
"Feelings?"
"If you wish."
Georgiana, who had been silent, spoke up. "You should have heard the proposal! That was the most insensitive proposal I ever heard."
"Georgiana dear, it was the only proposal you ever heard," Caroline said dryly.
"Were you eavesdropping, Georgiana?" Elizabeth said incredulously.
"Oh, no. Richard proposed at a full breakfast table, and not even Caroline knew if he was serious or not, but she said yes anyway."
"A full breakfast table? With people present?"
"Yes," Georgiana answered smugly.
"What did he say then?"
Caroline smiled. "That it was a very advantageous scheme, and then Richard named a few examples, and he asked me what I thought about it, and I said I agreed."
"Why did you say yes?" Elizabeth asked.
"Because I did not want to say no in case he was serious. And because Richard has the most beautiful blue eyes," Caroline giggled. "The only thing that worries me is what Louisa will say when she finds out. She knows my former dislike of officers and she will have a fit, I am sure of it, but I told Richard he could explain it to her. He likes to have fun."
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "Do you not dislike officers anymore then? You will be an officer's wife."
Caroline's eyes shone. "I am even prepared to live with Richard. I can hardly believe it myself, and I fully understand if you cannot believe it."