Caroline's ComeUppance

by Tess Quinn

  And what would he ever have done with a timid wife? No, he thought, he would be very good for Caroline, but she would be good for him as well. Besides the very strong physical attraction he felt for her, she would ensure that his life was never complacent. Since his step back from the more active parts of his work, things had looked to become dull before Caroline had blundered into his existence. But when one challenge eases, another will move in to keep your mind sharp. Yes, he repeated to himself, she will vex me at every turn… but oh, how much fun it will be!

  Sir John’s ruminations moved on to Joss. Joss had been more than an employee for these many years; he had been a friend, family to Sir John in every real sense of the word. And in this last week, his ward had been behaving somewhat oddly. John wondered if Joss was not concerned about the changes which would necessitate in their lives when he and Caroline married. What else could be on the lad’s mind? It surely was not business, for events there had been mercifully slow these past months since the pathetic French invasion at Fishguard had been quelled.

  “Joss?” When the young man acknowledged Sir John, he went on. “Forgive me, lad, but you seem disturbed by something these last days. Do I conjecture rightly that perhaps you are concerned of your position since Miss Caroline and I … ah… resolved our differences?”

  Joss appeared alarmed momentarily, then laughed nervously. “Oh, no,” he assured his Cap’n. “No, indeed. I am that happy you and the lady have found accord. I have trusted you since I was but a tot, Sir John, I have no fears that I will find myself in the cold.”

  Had Joss not been sitting a horse, he would have been shuffling at this point, trying to determine how best to tell his employer, his benefactor, what was really on his mind. As it was, he looked in every direction as they rode except at Sir John, before screwing up his courage and blurting out, “It is only, Cap’n, that I was hoping… that is, I would like your permission… erm, oh this is more difficult than I thought…”

  Sir John laughed, though his friend was eliciting some anxious doubt in him, and said, “Out with it, lad, before you burst from nerves!”

  “Well, Cap’n, it is only I would like your permission to marry as well!”

  At this pronouncement, Sir John pulled on the reins and stopped his mount. His mouth dropped, and for a long moment he stared at Joss who had also reined in to face his master, a comical look both hopeful and panicked on his young features. Then Sir John started to laugh, a low rumbling chortle that burst into full guffaws as he threw his head back and enjoyed the moment. Joss sat patiently, well knowing his employer’s sense of humour, and waited for the cloudburst to pass, certain that converse would resume shortly.

  When it did, Sir John said, “Well, what a fine pair we make! Both lovesick, will wonders never cease. And all this time I was spending with Miss Caroline, I never gave attention to what you were getting up to, or should I say, who you were making love to.” Joss smiled sheepishly. John continued, “Am I right in guessing that the object of your desire is intimately connected to Miss Caroline?”

  “Yes, Cap’n.” Joss grinned as he thought of his lady. “Sara, Sara Allen, that is. She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, and ever so likable.”

  “And do I take it the young lady returns your affections?”

  “Yes, sir, I am certain that she does. Though we have not spoken of marriage, I would not do so without first securing your permission. And what kind of life she will think she is getting, married to a … well, someone in our work… I cannot say. But I know she likes me well enough, and she is so easy to talk to, and very wise for her youth. If she was not willing, I would not distress her with further attentions, but a few words from you might work in my favour as well; she stands in awe of you, Cap’n.”

  “Well, then,” said Sir John. “She must be wise.” And he laughed. Seeing Joss’ hopeful countenance, Sir John decided to release his ward from this suspenseful misery.

  “Yes, Joss, you have my permission to wed your Sara Allen, and more. Though I do hope you can make her your offer with better confidence than you did me.” He laughed at Joss’ smile of admission. “Of course, Miss Caroline will have a say in the young lady’s disposition, but I think I can assure you that your family will always have a place with mine. I wish you joy in it.”

  Welcome relief flooded Joss now. Though they would still have Miss Caroline’s permission to receive, with Sir John on their side he was assured that her blessing would follow as well. Sir John was able to coax the very devil to do his bidding. And there was the matter that Joss had not yet actually asked Sara to marry him. But he had confidence on that account – he just could not be mistaken that all their flirtations to this point had led them to this commitment.

  Unburdened now, the two continued to ride in perfect amiability; though Sir John reflected on their converse and, for just an instant, wondered about a similar one he would soon be having with Caroline’s brother. Caroline was of age, certainly, and independent enough to make her own decisions -- but her brother, as head of the Bingley family, should be consulted, and John wondered how this man would take to a proposal landing as from out of the sky, and from a stranger who could not easily divulge the path of his acquaintance with the man’s sister.

  Caroline had assured him, however, that her brother was far too amiable for his own good, and would be embracing John into the family with hardly a by-your-leave. John had to wonder at the disparity this seemed to suggest between these siblings. The elder sister, also, he had met, though not in the role of a suitor – she had the impression that John was a solicitor of some kind – and she seemed a rather bland and tiresome woman. Perhaps it was marriage to the buffoon she called husband that had made her so. At any rate, Sir John would take Caroline’s family for who they were and either like them or ignore them. His experiences growing up taught him to do either as need served.

  ~~~~~~

  As the carriage approached Netherfield Park, Caroline saw it in a good light for the first time. It seemed to rise up as salvation to her after the tediousness of these last few hours. She could not help but recall her last term of residence here with some embarrassment, but this visit would eradicate all memory of that desperate time when she had been intent on winning Mr Darcy. This time she was secure in the affections of a very worthy gentleman.

  They pulled up to the main entrance of the hall, and footmen rushed out to assist the passengers in disembarking. When Caroline made ready to alight, however, Sir John was there to hand her to the ground. She had all she could do to keep from offering him too intimate a look or word until their secret was revealed.

  Before they had made the outer staircase, Louisa was grumbling about the bumps on the journey, and Mr Hurst was rubbing his hands together in anticipation of a drink of that fine brandy Bingley always maintained. They gave no more thought to Caroline and Sir John as they made to enter the Hall. As a result, the last couple stole a brief warm glance at each other; Sir John took Caroline’s hand and, raising it to his mouth, kissed it on the bare finger where his mother’s ring should be. He had noted its absence, but knew it would be replaced as soon as their betrothal was made known. Caroline smiled her return affections to the gentleman as he let go of her hand with resignation.

  At that moment, two things occurred. Jane and Charles came out onto the terrace, and started down to greet their guests. And from the direction of the lane, another carriage approached Netherfield. At the sound of yet more horses approaching, Caroline looked back to see who called, and immediately recognised Darcy’s carriage. She whirled around again, suddenly ill at ease at this new development, and looked to her brother with an unspoken question.

  Charles noted Caroline’s countenance and moved to ease her alarm somewhat. “Caroline, so good to see you, dear sister. As you can see, you are not our only guests this night; Darcy and Lizzy arrive along with you for a visit planned this last week or more. There was no time on receipt of your letter to acquaint you with this knowledge. B
ut no matter. The more of us, the greater our joy! You are welcome. As are you, sir…” With this he turned his attention to John, realizing that he had been rambling in his unease and grateful for a reason to cease.

  “John Ravensby, Sir. May I offer my thanks to you and Mrs Bingley for your gracious hospitality, allowing us to become your guests on little notice.”

  “Not at all, Mr Ravensby. You are quite welcome here.” With that, Jane stepped forward and introductions were made yet again with the new gentleman. By the time they were completed and words of welcome and gratitude exchanged, all of which passed Caroline by in a blur of unintelligible words, the Darcy coach had pulled up to the house just feet away from the group gathered there. Caroline noted that Sir John looked upon her with interest, though his smile offered encouragement with no hint of concern.

  Darcy stepped down from the coach and immediately turned to assist his wife and sister to the ground. Together the three then approached the group awaiting them in the drive, as footmen began the task of unloading their trunks. Only a few steps away, Elizabeth and Caroline noted one another; each stopped for just an instant, a hesitation only, before regaining their composure and curtseying quickly.

  Elizabeth looked to Jane, standing slightly behind Caroline, and her sister shrugged with an apologetic smile. Her look promised a recounting when they were in private, so Mrs Darcy turned her attentions to greeting her sister and Charles. As she did so, Darcy had greeted Jane with a chaste embrace, and shaken hands warmly with Charles, and Jane had taken Georgiana under her protective arm. Darcy turned now to the gentleman standing to Charles’s left for an introduction. But upon seeing the man, Darcy exclaimed, “Ravensby! What are you doing here?”

  All eyes diverted to the two men, as Caroline stifled a gasp. Sir John bowed to acknowledge his acquaintance, and Darcy returned the gesture. Charles, astonished, said “You know each other?” and Darcy began to speak, but Sir John cut him off.

  “Yes,” he said quickly, “Mr Darcy and I had the pleasant occasion to meet some time ago. It is good to see you in health, sir.” He said no more but looked at Darcy with purpose.

  “And you,” was all Darcy replied. Apparently, Ravensby’s countenance was enough to suggest that it would not be appropriate to disclose the particulars of their acquaintance at the moment, and Darcy remained circumspect. Darcy turned then to greet Caroline who, in her turn, was feeling less anxious at having eluded the problem of Darcy’s acquaintance with John. She greeted her brother’s friend quite amiably, surprising herself with her equanimity.

  After an awkward moment, the entire group was led by Charles and Jane into the house to their chambers and left to refresh themselves from their journeys, agreeing to meet in the drawing room for drinks in an hour and a half.

  ~~~~~~

  As the pairs and individuals began to go their separate ways, Darcy heard Ravensby ask Charles if he might have a word with him before drinks. He was curious, but Lizzy’s gentle tug on his arm took him away from eavesdropping. Caroline had practically fled up the stairs to her chamber. Jane was showing Georgiana into her room, and Lizzy and Darcy were the last on the stairs. As they walked to their room, Darcy mumbled under his breath, “This is a fair mystery.”

  Lizzy looked to her husband, and said, “Do you mean this Mr Ravensby?”

  Darcy nodded, replying, “Yes, I cannot imagine he is acquainted with Bingley, and from the appearance he must have arrived with Miss Caroline. This leads to some very interesting suppositions given that the man just asked Charles for a private word. Do you not think so?”

  “Well, I cannot say,” said Lizzy, “since the man is unknown to me.” Just at that moment, they reached their room and entered; as the door closed behind them, Lizzy asked her husband, “Are you going to tell me?”

  “Tell you?”

  “Yes, tell me… about this Ravensby. Who is he?”

  Darcy smiled with mischief. "Let it suffice to say that Miss Caroline may not now regret that your fine eyes won my heart." He reached for his wife, pulling her to him and kissing her to put an end to it.

  After returning his kiss most warmly, Lizzy placed her hands on her husband's chest and pushed him away from any additional affections. "Yes, but who is he?"

  Chapter TwentyThree:

  Who Is He?

  “Y

  es, but who is he?”

  Louisa Hurst directed this at her husband, who had declared himself exhausted from their journey as he reclined on the bed for a rest before dinner. Receiving no reply from him – as Hurst had determined to ignore this query just as he had the last seven times it was asked since gaining their rooms – his wife went on.

  “Why on earth would Caroline drag us from town at this time of year, and with such a man? And Charles granting him honoured guest status? Why, do you know he was awarded chambers on this floor, not two doors down from our own? The man looks familiar to me, I am certain I have seen him somewhere before, but that is impossible – where would I have done so? A solicitor! That is what he is, I know it; for I said as much to Caroline and she made no attempt to deny it. A solicitor! But why? You do not think Caroline has done something foolish, do you, Mr Hurst? She was most peculiar on the journey here – unwilling to speak but a few words and none in explanation. Can she have legal difficulties, that she treats this man with such respect, and requires a family reckoning? Oh, foolish Caroline, if she has done something to damage our good name…”

  Mr Hurst had drifted to sleep, being quite accustomed to ignoring his wife’s one-sided converse. But Louisa needed no audience and her remarks continued, though they trailed after her as she entered the dressing room to find her maid and begin her lengthy preparations for dinner. When she emerged an hour later, she was still prattling on. “… why we even came, we should have demanded an explanation before setting one foot outside the door! Do you not agree, Mr Hurst? Mr Hurst! Oh, do wake up, you old man, you will have us late for drinks!”

  ~~~~~~

  “Do you know who he is?” Jane whispered conspiratorially as she was settling Georgiana into her room.

  “No, I am not acquainted with the gentleman,” she received in reply.

  “It is only that your brother seemed to know the man, Miss Darcy, I thought perhaps you might as well. But no matter. We will find out in good time.”

  Jane wished to be especially welcoming to Darcy’s sister so as to put her at ease. Her attentions were rewarded when the young lady said, “Please, Mrs Bingley, call me Georgiana.” The girl blushed at her own forward gesture. “You are very kind to show me such regard. This is a lovely room with such beautiful views from its windows!”

  Jane smiled sweetly at Georgiana and replied, “Yes, you are correct: for we are family now, are we not? We should be familiar, we are practically sisters! But you must call me Jane, as well.”

  Georgiana blushed yet again but smiled as Jane continued. “I regret dinner this evening may be frightfully tedious for you, Georgiana, with only our group as you saw it in attendance. But tomorrow we will change that, for we will add another to our party. Do you recall my sister Catherine, Kitty that is?”

  Georgiana replied in the affirmative. Jane added, “Well, I have invited Kitty to reside here at Netherfield for the duration of your visit, she will arrive in the morning. I do hope that meets your approval?”

  The glimmer of hope in Georgiana’s eyes convinced Jane that she did, in fact, approve, as she replied, “Oh, yes, Mrs Bi… erm, Jane. It will be lovely to have someone my age here for the week!” Of a sudden, Georgiana seemed to realize that this statement may cause offence, and she hastened to add, “Oh, I did not mean that your company is tedious, or old – there are not that many years separating us – but…”

  Jane cut her off with a laugh. “Dear Georgiana, it is quite all right. It was my express intent to give you a companion your own age or near. And Kitty can hardly stop going on about it, it is quite an adventure for her, even if she and my family do live but three miles
from Netherfield. She quite looks on it as a holiday from our mother, though do not betray my saying so!”

  At this remark, both women laughed, establishing a rapport that left Georgiana feeling very much at ease. She thought that Lizzy’s elder sister was quite as endearing as Lizzy herself, though they could not have been more different.

  “Well, I will leave you to rest and to dress for dinner,” said Jane, “and I must do the same.” On a whim, Jane quickly embraced Georgiana, and was pleased when the young lady returned the gesture. On leaving the room, Jane turned back on the threshold and said, “Perhaps tonight’s dinner will not be too tedious after all. It may be we will find an answer to our surmises, for I am certain we are not the only ones wondering just who Mr Ravensby is!”

  ~~~~~~

  “Will you truly not tell me who he is?” Lizzy glared playfully at her husband. When he only smiled back at her with amusement, she followed with, “Your wife? I thought there were to be no secrets between us.”

  At this last, Darcy laughed. “Now that would be a rare marriage indeed, would it not?”

  Lizzy laughed as well, though grudgingly. “Perhaps so, though I am not certain I like that ours has become commonplace so soon. And how cynical you have become in your short acquaintance with the conditional estate.”

  Darcy approached his wife and embraced her. “I have had an excellent tutor, madam.” After a moment, he whispered to her, “Ours will always be that rarity, my dear.” His words brought renewed smiles from Lizzy but they quickly turned to a feigned pout when he added, “but there is little or nothing I can tell you about Ravensby.”

  “I would soon settle for little!” she laughed.

  Darcy sat on the bed, and considered his wife. “All right, a little it will be then,” he said, and Lizzy bounded over to sit next to her husband. “I truly cannot tell you a great deal, for I have only encountered the gentleman on a handful of occasions. The first was six years ago when my father died.”