One Winter's Eve

by Leenie Brown

  Her eyes narrowed, and she huffed. She really did need to let that comment go and focus on all that needed to be done today. With any luck, she thought as she exited her room, she would be so busy with household affairs that she would not see the colonel except in passing.

  “Good morning, Miss Bingley.”

  Caroline’s eyes rolled upward. Of all the people to be first to greet her as she entered the hall, it would have to be him! She should have taken a bit more time with her prayers this morning, but she had lain in bed a few minutes longer than she normally did and had therefore needed to rush through them. This was likely punishment for such neglect. She shook her head and promised herself that tonight she would say an extra prayer before bed. Then, summoning a smile, she greeted the colonel with a cheerful, “good morning.”

  “Are you on your way to the breakfast room?” he asked, joining her.

  Caroline nodded slowly. “Indeed, I am. I like to have a cup of tea as I consider what needs to be done. I doubt there will be any correspondence to which to attend, but there are some lists of things to prepare for tomorrow.” She placed her hand on the arm he offered.

  “I can imagine it is not an easy task to arrange a Christmas dinner and all with only one day in which to accomplish it.”

  “Do you think I cannot do it?” she asked sharply as a portion of her checked displeasure bubbled forth.

  “No, no. I am certain it can be done. I was just thinking it would be a far easier task if we had not arrived only two days before Christmas.”

  She felt her cheeks grow warm under his scrutiny. Why was he looking at her with so much curiosity?

  “Did you sleep well?” he asked.

  “Perfectly,” she replied. “And you?”

  He shook his head. “Not so well as I would have liked but not so poorly as some nights.” He allowed her to enter the breakfast room before him. “The sunshine is a welcome guest this morning. It will make gathering boughs more pleasant.”

  “Indeed, it will,” said Bingley from his place at the table. “And finding a yule log as well.”

  Richard took a seat next to Bingley after seeing that Caroline had been properly seated. “Has Darcy been here and gone?” he asked.

  “I’ve not seen him this morning,” Bingley replied. “Was Mr. Darcy here already?” he asked a footman.

  “Yes, sir. About an hour ago.”

  “And do you know where he is gone?” Bingley asked.

  “To the stables, sir. Beyond that, I am uncertain.”

  Caroline’s left brow arched slightly as she lifted her cup. She had a very good idea as to where Darcy had trotted off. Elizabeth was known to take early morning walks. Her lips curled up on one side into a half smile. It was not at all proper for them to be rendezvousing so early and likely alone, but then Elizabeth Bennet was not what Caroline would deem proper. However, she would keep her peace. There was no need to anger Darcy. One must protect ties to well-respected men such as Darcy even if one did not particularly like the gentleman’s wife.

  Richard watched Caroline from the corner of his eye as he continued his discussion with Bingley about their plans for the morning. She was smiling coyly as if she knew something. There was a smirk that flashed for a moment and then was gone, to be replaced by a small furrow between her brows. He wished he could know what she was thinking.

  He took a gulp of his coffee as the room slid into silence, save for the sounds of cutlery on china and cups being returned to saucers. Caroline picked up a pencil and began jotting a few things down in a small notebook. Richard attempted to see what her penmanship looked like. He suspected it would be close and neat with a feminine flourish just as it should be, but unfortunately, he could not see it clearly from where he was sitting. Consequently, his curiosity would have to remain unsatisfied for now. He returned to his coffee to wash down the ham he was eating.

  Caroline picked up her cup and cradled it in her hands. That small furrow was back, but this time it was accompanied by a catching of her lower lip between her teeth. Her brows rose, her teeth released her lip, and she drank her tea before returning to the list she was making.

  Richard turned his attention away from her and back to his food. He had never spared a moment to notice her subtle behaviours and expressions before this. He had only noticed her decorum in a social setting such as a full drawing room or at a ball. His lips curled into a half grin. He had also noticed her person. It was not an unpleasant task to study her figure. It was just as he preferred for a lady to look.

  However, he had never before been granted this close a perusal of her in a setting as intimate as this. She was quite different here from what she was in company. Here she was quiet and thoughtful. There seemed to be no desire to display herself. He sighed. Why he had allowed Elizabeth’s words to taunt him into considering Caroline Bingley in a different light? It was maddening and had kept him awake part of the night. Her words upon quitting the drawing room still echoed in his mind — no, it was not so much the words as the bitterness that had accompanied them in her expression. He felt as if he had in some way offended her, but he had no idea as to how that could be. He had walked in the garden and then, when he had returned to the drawing room, he had not spoken to her until she declared she was retiring for the night.

  He drained the last of his coffee from his cup and placed it on the table. Bingley was still eating, but Richard could not remain here to wait for the man and keep his sanity while watching Caroline sip her tea and jot notes.

  “I shall be in the billiard’s room.”

  He rose from his seat, gave a small bow to Caroline when she looked up, and took his muddled mind down the hall to where he could argue with himself as he knocked balls around the table.

  Caroline blew out a sigh of relief as she lifted her eyes from her list and watched Colonel Fitzwilliam leave the room. It had been trying to keep her eyes from watching him as she wished. Now that he was no longer in the room, she could relax and drink her tea without searching her mind for something — anything — to jot down and appear busy.

  “Good morning,” Georgiana greeted as she entered the room.

  Caroline smiled. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

  “I did, thank you.”

  “Do you have plans for today?” Bingley asked as prepared to leave his place.

  “I had hoped to call on the Bennets, and it would be delightful to take a tour of the village. I saw so little of the area when we arrived yesterday as the sun sets so early these days.”

  Bingley paused next to the table. “Have you discussed this with your cousin or your brother?” he asked softly.

  She shook her head. “I had hoped to see Richard here.”

  “You just missed Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Caroline said. “He left not two minutes before you arrived. I will be going into the village for a few items, and you could accompany me. However, I was not planning on making any calls today. There is much to be done.” She closed her notebook.

  “What has not been done already?” Bingley asked. “You have been writing to Mrs. Nichols nearly every day for the last week. I cannot see how there can be an overabundance of things to be completed.”

  Caroline’s left brow rose. “Miss Lydia expects a soiree, and you have promised she will have one. These things do not just plan themselves. I do hope you will not be devoting all your time and means to keeping that child happy.”

  Georgiana looked from Caroline to Bingley and back.

  “She will be my sister, and I have decided I should like to see her entertained and presented with opportunities to find a fitting husband.”

  “Charles, do be serious. They have assemblies in Meryton, and she has a mother.”

  Bingley folded his arms and glared at her. It was something he had been doing a good deal since she had returned to London before he had said she could.

  “There is a regiment encamped and, while not all of the men are unworthy, there is at least one who is, and I know that he ha
s been paying particular attention to Miss Lydia. While her mother would not see anything more than his uniform and pretty features, I know better.”

  Georgiana gasped softly.

  “I apologize,” Bingley said immediately. “It is not that Mrs. Bennet is without sense.”

  Caroline snorted.

  “She is perhaps lacking some sense,” Bingley amended, “but you know the gentleman of whom I speak, and even one who is very sensible could be led astray by his silver tongue.”

  Georgiana’s cheeks grew warm. “Indeed, I do.”

  “You can travel with Caroline if you choose, but please, make certain your cousin accompanies you. Darcy and I can secure a Yule log and a few boughs without him.”

  “Why can she not just go with me?” Caroline had no desire to be accompanied by Colonel Fitzwilliam. She was finding things to purchase in the village so that she could be away from Netherfield and him. “I will take a maid and a footman.”

  “I should not go without him,” Georgiana said. “As you are aware, I had my heart broken in the summer.”

  Caroline nodded. Georgiana had told her that she had been spurned by some gentleman, though she had given very few details.

  “Mr. Wickham was the gentleman who duped me.”

  Caroline’s eyes grew wide. Charles had told her that Wickham was not to be trusted because he had treated Darcy grievously and was a fortune hunter. In fact, she had attempted to warn Elizabeth away from the man. However, she had no idea that he had preyed on Miss Darcy.

  “He only wished for my fortune.”

  Caroline looked at her brother. Was this how he knew to warn her?

  Bingley nodded his head as if he could read the question in her eyes.

  “I have not seen him since he was sent away by my brother. I do not know how he will react to seeing me, and I think it would be beneficial for Richard to be with me to remind him not to tell tales.”

  “There are tales to tell?” Caroline asked in surprise.

  Georgiana nodded. “I had agreed to elope with him.”

  “Oh,” Caroline exhaled the word as if it had been knocked out of her.

  “That is to be told to no one.” Bingley’s tone was harsh as was the look he gave his sister. “Darcy would be very displeased if it were to be known.”

  Caroline’s hand flew to her chest as she shook her head. “Of course, I would not say a word.”

  “Thank you,” Georgiana said softly.

  Had Miss Darcy expected her to gossip about such a thing? She blew out a breath. She knew that Georgiana did not seek her out as a confidant and often seemed less than pleased to see her, but she had never considered that Georgiana thought she would use her ill.

  “I would be happy to share my carriage with both you and your cousin if you desire.” She could abide Colonel Fitzwilliam for a few hours if it meant Georgiana would learn to trust her and become her friend. She knew they would never be sisters as she had hoped and attempted to scheme into happening, but a friend such as Miss Darcy would be pleasant to have — and not just because of the connection it would bring her. She genuinely liked and admired Georgiana.

  “And will you also call at Longbourn?”

  She wanted to glare at her brother for asking such a thing. He knew very well that she had no desire to call at Longbourn — ever. However, she would not glare. She would be gracious, no matter how much it pained her to do so. “I believe I could arrange my schedule to include a brief call.”

  “Very good.”

  The pleased smile her brother wore as he turned to leave the room was nearly more than she could bear.

  “I will not be leaving for half an hour at least,” she said to Georgiana as she rose. She picked up her notebook and pencil and acknowledged Georgiana’s thanks with a nod of her head. How was she to tolerate a few hours with Colonel Fitzwilliam and a call at Longbourn? She shuddered inwardly. The things she had to endure just to gain a foothold in society! It was nearly enough to drive one to Edinburgh and her aunt’s house. Nearly, but not quite.

  Chapter 3

  “Are you satisfied?” Richard asked as he and Georgiana strolled down the high street in Meryton. “You have seen the village and the interior of nearly every shop.” He had not been best pleased to have to escort his cousin around Meryton when she could be safely tucked inside Netherfield, and he could be outside helping Bingley find a Yule log and, most importantly, away from Bingley’s sisters.

  “I shall be satisfied as soon as we have visited that shop, two doors down from the corner.”

  Richard drew a calming breath. “We have already visited that shop. I believe it is filled with fripperies.”

  Georgiana smiled at him. “I know it is dreadful of me to ask you to enter such an establishment twice in one outing, but there is some ribbon that I have been pondering and have decided I would like to purchase.”

  “It will be a quick trip then?”

  “Yes, and you can even stand guard at the door rather than entering if you wish.”

  He shook his head. “No, I shall stay at your side.”

  “You are a very good cousin.” Georgiana squeezed his arm more tightly.

  “Indeed, I am,” he muttered. Thankfully, they had not yet come upon the scoundrel from whom he was to shield her, and he hoped that fortune would continue to smile upon them. He had no desire to have to deal with Wickham and Miss Bingley. One troublesome character at a time was enough for any man. How had Darcy managed to endure Netherfield as long as he had when there was a tempting lady at the neighboring estate, a scoundrel in the village, and a scheming huntress residing in the same house with him? It was no wonder Darcy had fled when the opportunity presented itself. It was only Richard’s sense of duty to Georgiana that kept him from considering returning to town as a viable option.

  Richard nodded and greeted several patrons as he stood next to his cousin, waiting for her to complete her transaction. Finally, after three — or was it four, he had lost count– of the most perfect ribbons had been purchased and wrapped in paper, he found himself stepping once again out of the whitewashed building and onto the street.

  “We should find Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst,” Georgiana suggested.

  Richard shook his head. “I will not stroll the streets looking for Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. We could spend hours looking for each other.” He chuckled to himself. Meryton was not that large. It would not take hours. He was becoming as cantankerous as Darcy. “I think it best if we return to the carriage and await them there.”

  “But will they know to not look for us?”

  Richard’s brows furrowed. Was Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst intelligent enough to think of returning to the carriage rather than wandering the streets? Mrs. Hurst was a bit flighty, but Caroline seemed rather shrewd when she applied herself to thinking. “I think it best if we return to the carriage. If they do not join us within a reasonable amount of time, then we can go looking for them.”

  Reluctantly, Georgiana agreed, but as chance would have it, they had only gotten halfway back to the carriage when they were joined by the very people Georgiana was hoping to find.

  “I have completed everything I needed to do,” Caroline informed them. “Were you likewise successful, Miss Darcy?”

  “Oh, indeed. I have had a pleasant tour and purchased a few things.”

  “And you, Colonel, did you find everything you wished to find?” asked Louisa.

  “The only thing I was looking for was not found, and that is perhaps for the best.”

  Louisa’s brows drew together.

  “Mr. Wickham,” Caroline whispered.

  “Oh, right,” Louisa mumbled. “It is very good of you to wish to see my sister and Miss Darcy protected from a fortune hunter such as he,” she whispered.

  “He is not only a fortune hunter,” Richard whispered in reply, “he is also a rake, a charlatan, and a cad ─ among other things.”

  “Then it is indeed a very good thing you did not meet him,” Loui
sa said.

  “Yes, but I dare say my good fortune will not last forever. It is likely I shall have to meet with him at some point.”

  Louisa cast a concerned look at Georgiana. Louisa did not know that Georgiana had nearly eloped with the man, but she did know that Wickham had attempted to ingratiate himself with Georgiana in an attempt to secure her fortune and had treated her very ill. Charles had told her such this morning before they had left to go shopping.

  “I had almost hoped to see him,” Georgiana said as Richard handed her into the carriage. “Then, that first meeting would be over.”

  Richard handed Louisa into the carriage and then Caroline. “I think I would like to ride up on the box if you do not require my presence,” he said to Georgiana.

  “I am reasonably certain I am safe inside the carriage.”

  He couldn’t help his chuckle at her teasing tone and expression. Darcy had told him that she was returning to her former self, and it appeared that Darcy was indeed correct. Richard closed the carriage door and took a seat next to the driver.

  They drove past stores, houses, and the church with its graveyard before fields began to open before them. There were houses here and there with their grounds and outbuildings. To Richard, it seemed a rather idyllic area. He was not an expert at discerning such things, but he imagined Bingley would do well if he were to remain at Netherfield.

  He blew out a breath as he considered what it must be like to have an estate — a home — to call one’s own. He would have a small place one day when he retired from the army, should he survive that long. His father had said he would see to it that Richard had at least a small parcel of land to call his own.

  “Here we are,” the driver said as they turned into a circular drive, leading to a modest-sized manor house. “Longbourn.”

  Richard studied the house and gardens. Darcy had said the estate was not properly managed, but Richard could not see it from where he sat. Of course, his eye was not so keen to observe deficiencies in estates as his cousin’s was.

  ~*~*~

  “Colonel Fitzwilliam, Miss Darcy, Miss Bingley, and Mrs. Hurst to see the ladies of the house,” Richard said to the man who opened the door for them.