Caroline nodded her head. “Yes, I will marry you, Owen! Oh, my darling, I will marry you!” she said just as he captured her mouth with his.
Elizabeth stepped back and quietly began walking towards the door. She did not want to intrude on such a private moment. Just as she was about to close the door, she heard Caroline call out to her. “Elizabeth, please wait?”
She looked up and saw Caroline standing there with Owen. She saw the look in Caroline’s eyes and knew what she was thinking. She hesitated for only a moment as she considered what to say next. “Let me be the first to wish you both joy on your engagement, and your future life together,” she told her, saying nothing more about what had been said.
Caroline took in a deep breath and sighed. She felt relief wash over her. She knew she could trust Elizabeth Darcy never to speak of what was said to anyone in that room. She held Owen’s hand in hers and smiled, “Thank you, Mrs. Darcy,” she said, truly meaning it for the first time. “You have proven yourself to be a very superior lady.”
Elizabeth did not say anything more as she pulled the door shut and walked down the hall to join her husband and the others.
Colonel Fitzwilliam led Georgiana to join the others for the last dance of the evening. “I believe your coming out has been a success,” he commented somewhat begrudgingly. “You have won the attention of several admirers. I dare say, you shall have a dozen cards left for you tomorrow.”
Georgiana laughed, “Richard, you almost sound as if you do not approve of my having callers,” she said in a light-hearted manner. “Surely you do not think that I am interested in marrying any of them.”
He considered his words very carefully. He wanted to know if she had developed any feelings for any of the young men she danced with tonight but did not want to make her uneasy with his questions. “I will admit, I am curious if any of the eligible young men you spent time with were agreeable to you?” he asked her, then quickly added. “I only ask because I noticed several paying a great deal of attention to you, and I would not want you to feel overwhelmed.”
Georgiana thought she detected a little bit of jealousy in his manner of speech but did not allow herself to hope. Instead, she replied, “I believe some of them were agreeable; Captain Hathaway is always very charming. I very much like hearing stories of your childhood adventures with him.”
Richard furrowed his brow, “Is that what you did when you were with Hathaway; talk of me?” he asked, somewhat surprised.
Georgiana laughed, “Do not think too highly of yourself, cousin,” she teased him. “Not all of his stories painted you in the best of light. You were a rather mischievous little boy, I think.”
Richard laughed, “Yes, I suppose I was,” he admitted. “What of the others? I saw you dance with Lieutenant Godwin, and Mr. Belmont, as well as Nicholas Belmont, and…”
She laughed, “My word, Richard,” she interrupted him. “I wonder, did you keep watch over all the gentlemen I danced with this evening?”
He looked into her eyes and nodded his head, “I did,” he admitted, his voice taking on a more serious tone. “As I said, you are very worthy of being watched over, Georgie,” he said with some feeling.
She felt her heart beat just a little faster, “Then let me assure you, Richard,” she said softly as she gazed into his eyes. “My favorite partner for the entire evening was the gentleman that I danced with first and last.”
Richard did not say anything more, but he found her answer pleased him very much.
Owen turned to Caroline, “I believe you owe me this last dance, Miss Bingley?” he said softly as the music drifted into the parlor.
Caroline laughed, “You wish to dance with me here?” she asked him.
He nodded his head, “I do,” as he took her hand in his and placed his arm around her waist.
Caroline furrowed her brow, “I am not familiar with this dance,” she told him.
“I promise you, it is very easy to do,” he assured her. “Just allow me to guide you.”
Caroline placed her hand on his arm as they began waltzing about the room. “You dance wonderfully, Mr. Fitzwilliam,” she told him.
“I will call on Charles later this morning and speak to him directly about our plans to marry,” he told her.
Caroline smiled, “Oh poor Charles,” she laughed a little. “He will never have guessed this would be happening, I think.”
Owen guided her steps, as they moved about the room, “No, I believe you are probably right in saying that,” he told her.
Caroline found for the first time in a very long time that her heart felt so much lighter. An unbearable burden of guilt and shame had been lifted from her, and finally, she was free from it. She gazed into Owen’s eyes and smiled as she saw the hope there, and knew it was for their future. “I should like to be married by special license, I think, Mr. Fitzwilliam,” she told him. “I would like a Christmas time wedding, I think.”
Owen laughed, “Then you shall have it, but only if you promise me one thing,” he said.
Caroline furrowed her brow just a little, “What is it, my dear; what would you have me promise?”
“I would very much prefer for you to call me Owen, and not Mr. Fitzwilliam,” he told her. “As I told you, Caroline, we share a bond. I think it truly was providence that brought us together; I believe we are very much two wounded souls in need of solace, finding our way to one another so that we might mend and grow.”
Caroline nodded her head in agreement, “That is the perfect sentiment, Owen,” she said by way of answer. “I shall always cherish those words you have said to me.”
Their dance continued as the music drifted softly into the room.
Elizabeth stood away from the other guests as she watched the dancing couples. It was not long before Darcy made his way over to her. “I believe, Mrs. Darcy, you owe me this last dance,” he said as he took her hand in his.
Elizabeth smiled, “I should like to dance with you very much,” she told him as he guided her out to join the other couples.
Chapter Thirty-One
Elizabeth woke up to find Darcy still sound asleep next to her. There was a chill in the air this morning that she felt was most unwelcome. She moved over and snuggled closer to her husband to get warm. She laid her head on the pillow next to his and yawned slightly. “William?” she whispered his name softly, but when he did not stir, she did so again, only a little louder this time. “William?”
Darcy’s eyes flew open as he looked around the room, startled awake by her calling his name. “Yes, what is it!” he said as he sat up abruptly.
Elizabeth busted out laughing, “Oh William, I did not mean to startle you, darling,” she told him. I only meant to see if you were awake,” she told him.
Darcy lay back against the pillows and closed his eyes, “It is quite all right,” he assured her. “What is it, my love?” he asked her as he closed his eyes again.
“Well, I have several things I would like to talk to you about…” she said as he sunk deeper into the pillows. “I said, I have several things I wish to speak to you about.”
When he did not respond, she realized he had fallen back to sleep. She sighed heavily and looked down at him. He was sleeping so peacefully that she hated to wake him. She reached over and gently brushed the curls from his forehead and kissed him softly on the cheek. She decided it would be better to let him rest and speak with him later. She got up from their bed and made her way over to her dressing room. Elizabeth stopped for a moment and thought about going back over to wake him and tell him of the news
that Mr. Fitzwilliam and Caroline were about to share with everyone. She knew her husband did not really like surprises, but decided that perhaps it was best to let him sleep. After all, the news of his cousin’s engagement to Caroline would be any better received by him if he were overly tired when he heard of it.
Jane sat in the dining room sipping her tea when Elizabeth came down, “Lizzy, I have been waiting to speak with you
,” she told her. “You have to tell me what happened last night with Caroline and Mr. Fitzwilliam.”
Elizabeth pretended not to know what she was talking about. “I am not sure what you are referring to,” she told her. “Did something happen between Mr. Fitzwilliam and Caroline?”
Jane smiled, “Lizzy, you know very well something happened between them,” she scolded her. “You were gone so very long that we all wondered what happened to you.”
Elizabeth smiled, “Oh yes, that,” she laughed. “It was the oddest thing, but as I went to the parlor to look for Caroline, I myself became lost for a brief time,” she told her, pretending to be astonished.
Jane laughed, “Lizzy, you are teasing me,” she said softly. “Tell me, what really kept you away so long? Is everything all right with Caroline? She never did return to the ball, and I noticed that Mr. Fitzwilliam left before all the other guests did as well.”
Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders, “I believe Caroline is very well,” she told her. “As for Mr. Fitzwilliam, I believe Colonel Fitzwilliam said that he never stays for very long. I suppose he prefers to leave before everyone else, so he does not have to be bothered with saying goodbye to everyone. It can take a great deal of time to do so,” she said with a playful glint in her eyes.
“Lizzy, do be serious; you must tell me what has happened!” Jane laughed more.
Before Elizabeth could respond to her, Charles came into the dining room. He stepped over to Jane and kissed her on the top of the head. “Jane, are you feeling very well today?” he asked her as he stepped over to get himself some breakfast.
Jane sighed, “Yes, I am feeling very fine,” she told him.
“You did not sleep very much, I think,” he remarked.
“Only because I could not sleep,” she laughed. “I know something has happened with Caroline and Mr. Fitzwilliam, and Lizzy knows it as well, but she will not tell me.”
Elizabeth sipped her tea, “I cannot tell you what I do not know,” she teased her as Howard came into the room.
“Mr. Bingley, Mr. Fitzwilliam would like to speak with you, sir,” Howard informed him. “He is waiting for you in Mr. Darcy’s study and asks that you come at your earliest convenience.”
Charles furrowed his brow, “All right, Howard, tell Mr. Fitzwilliam I will come in just a moment.”
Howard bowed his head slightly, “Very good sir,” he told him before turning to leave.
Charles looked down at his plate, “I will not be long, I am sure,” he told Jane as he stood up and headed for the door.
Jane looked at Elizabeth as her smile widened, “Lizzy, have you been meddling?” she asked her, trying not to laugh.
Elizabeth’s smiled mischievously, “Perhaps just a little,” she told her. “But only after Caroline conveyed her need of some assistance to me last night.”
Jane narrowed her brow, “Lizzy, you must tell me what happened,” she said again.
Elizabeth chewed her bottom lip for a moment and said, “All I can share with you is that I believe Caroline has found herself again after feeling lost for a very long time. I will say that with Mr. Fitzwilliam, I believe she will be very happy.”
“Oh Lizzy, this is wonderful news,” Jane said as she stood up. “Should we go up and wake her, do you think? I wish to congratulate her.”
Elizabeth shook her head, “I think we should let Mr. Fitzwilliam speak with Mr. Bingley first,” she told her. “Besides, there is something I would speak with you about. I thought again last night about Father and what Mama said in her letter to you. I wonder, do you think Lydia is making things very difficult for him?”
Jane shook her head, “I cannot say for certain. We both know how Mama tends to go on about things, but it is just as likely to be true as not.”
“I thought to write Mr. Wickham and ask that he come and see Lydia, but I do not believe it is Colonel Wellington who keeps him away,” she told her.
“You believe Wickham does not wish to see Lydia or his son?” Jane asked her, somewhat surprised.
“I do think that is the case, yes,” she told her. “I know Papa does not mind having Lydia and little Ben there with them. However, if Lydia should continue to carry on, it will be very hard for Papa.”
“Yes, especially without you there, Lizzy,” Jane remarked. “I already think he is finding it difficult not to have Christmas with you.”
Elizabeth sighed, “That was what I wish to speak with you about; if I can talk with William about staying longer in London and perhaps going to see Father one more time before Christmas, do you think Mr. Bingley could be persuaded to stay on as well?”
Jane nodded her head, “I think we may have to stay now. We can hardly return to Netherfield once we have news from Caroline of her engagement to Mr. Fitzwilliam,” she said.
Owen stood near the window and waited for Charles. He had returned to Hallowell but was unable to sleep. He hoped that it was not too early to call, but he could not wait any longer. He was eager to speak with Charles so that he and Caroline might begin their life together.
The door opened, and Charles stepped inside, “Good morning, Mr. Fitzwilliam,” he said as he stepped near to the desk and sat down.
Owen turned, “Good morning, Charles. I am sorry to intrude on you so early this morning, but I felt it could not wait. I must speak with you on a matter very dear to my heart,” he said, suddenly feeling rather nervous.
Charles smiled and said, “Mr. Fitzwilliam, please allow me to put you at ease. I know why you have come this morning. In fact, I suspected you would be speaking with me very soon.”
“Have I been so very obvious?” Owen asked him.
“Not at all,” Bingley responded. “I only began to suspect last night when Caroline went missing from the ball, and you did not come into dinner either.”
Owen laughed, “I had not realized that we were both missed,” he told him. “Well then, to keep any rumors from being spread, allow me to ask you for your permission to marry Caroline. I have declared my feelings for her, she has accepted them and declared hers for me, and now we wish to marry.”
Charles took in a small breath, “Well, I must say, I am very happy for you both,” he told him a little hesitantly.
Owen narrowed his eyes, “You say that you are happy for us, but I detect a hint of reluctance on your part.”
Charles sighed, “Mr. Fitzwilliam, do not take what I am about to say as an affront to my sister. I care very deeply for her, but I feel I would be remiss if I did not tell you directly; Caroline can be trying at times. She is headstrong, meddlesome, and very often determined to have her way.”
Owen smiled, “Yes, you are quite right. She is all of those things, and I suspect a few more. It shall be quite the challenge being married to her,” he told him. “Thankfully, I am up for such a challenge, and eager to take this one on. I adore her and would not take her any other way but how she is.”
Charles laughed. He breathed a small sigh of relief and said, “Well then, you have my permission and my congratulations. I know you will make Caroline very happy; there is a light-heartedness to her of late that I have not seen in a very long time.”
“Thank you, Charles,” Owen told him. “I do hope to make your sister the happiest of women, and to share a very long life with her.”
“I pray you shall,” Charles said.
“Now that we are to be brothers, you must call me Owen,” he told him. “I think it perfectly silly for us to go away calling each other by our proper names.”
Charles laughed, “I could not agree with you more,” he told him just as a knock came to the door and both Jane and Caroline came in.
“We did not mean to interrupt,” she told them, not sure if they had concluded their conversation.
Charles smiled, “Caroline, let me be among the first to congratulate you, dear sister,” he said as he walked over and pulled her into an awkward embrace. “I am very happy for you,” he said after he released her. “I believe you will be very
happy with Mr. Fitzwilliam.”
Caroline felt a twinge of melancholy all the sudden as the realization hit her there were still fences to mend between herself and her brother. “Thank you, Charles. I believe I will be very content,” she told him.
“Mr. Fitzwilliam, I wish you all the best,” Jane told him. “I have rarely ever seen Caroline so at ease and so happy. I think you must be the reason for it.”
Owen looked over at Caroline, “All I can tell you, Mrs. Bingley, is she has made me the happiest of men, and I believe together, we will be very content.”
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