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Jump to new as of September 12, 1999
Part 60
"What's that?" Caroline asked, and Richard shrugged with a smile. "Are we engaged now?"
"Maybe, maybe not," he said.
"Don't you think I have a right to know?"
"If you want to, we are. If you don't, we're not."
"Oh." Caroline studied the crooked metal band.
"That's an artsy ring you've got there, Caroline," said the annoying Edward, who always popped up when he was least wanted.
"Careful that I don't scratch your face with it, Eddy dear."
"Edward!" William called. "Come over here for a sec."
"Yes?"
"I thought it would be fun if we all went on holiday together."
"Where to? I'm a bit low on funds at the moment. Posh hotels in Italy are definitely off."
"Oh, just to some youth hostel. I was thinking that we could take all the younger cousins, and I know for a fact that Anne would never be allowed to go to Italy. She's blonde," William said meaningfully.
"I suppose I could afford to go to one," said Edward. "Make sure we go to a place with lots of young people and not one full of sedate middle-aged people who freak out if we come home at a decent hour such as two in the morning."
"Of course."
"Is Richard going to arrange military barracks for us?"
"Oh, no," said William quickly. "Do you have any idea how bad an army bed is? Besides, I haven't asked Richard yet."
"Oh, he'll come. I was going on holiday to France with him, originally, but I suppose we're going to have to change our plans now that Monsieur has Une Petite Copine."
"Georgiana?" William asked. "Do you like youth hostels and bunk beds?"
"I hate those trips with school."
"But with us? No teachers?"
Georgiana considered. "No fixed bedtime? No morning exercises?"
"No."
"Okay, I'll come."
"That's four," said William. "Anne?"
"Yes?" Anne walked over.
"Have you ever been to a youth hostel?"
"No."
"Do you think you're allowed to?"
"No."
"Aii. That'll be a problem." William looked at Edward. "I suppose we could work on Aunt Catherine and say that we are really decent people?"
"Yeah," he laughed. "Good luck. Oops, come Anne. Our transport is threatening to take off without us." Seated in the carriage on their way to the reception he broached the subject with Richard. "I know we were supposed to go on holiday together."
"We can still go," Richard answered.
"Yes, but --" Edward looked at Caroline. "Don't you have to...?"
"What?"
"Don't you want to go on holiday with Caroline?"
"I'd agreed to go with you."
"Oh. Weeeeell," Edward said brightly. "You can go with both of us now, and William, Elizabeth, Georgiana, Anne -- if we convince Aunt Catherine."
"Is this a new plan?"
"Yes, it was William's idea."
"I'll think about it."
"I've never been to a youth hostel," said Caroline. "I'm not sure I'd like it."
"Oh okay, Caroline! I'll tell William you're coming."
"No, don't! I didn't say yes yet."
"Oh come on," said Edward. "You've got a fellow with a tattoo, but you refuse to go a youth hostel? I must say you're very consistently priggish."