One Winter's Eve

by Leenie Brown

  Caroline was not certain she wished to do it either, but when she had decided on doing so this morning, the normal dread of seeing Darcy swooning at Elizabeth’s feet had not accompanied it. The idea of having to listen to Mrs. Bennet and Miss Lydia caused some discomfort of spirit. However, she was made of stern enough material to weather the foolishness of a couple of ladies. Had she not often done so at many soirees and balls? The ton was not lacking in foolish matrons and their pert daughters.

  “You will accompany me?” Caroline asked her sister.

  Louisa sighed. “I will if you feel I must.”

  “I think it best.”

  “You know Charles has invited them for dinner twice next week — twice!” Louisa said it as if it were the most ridiculous thing in the world.

  “Yes, Mrs. Nichols and I are both aware of that fact.”

  Richard covered her hand, which lay on his arm, with his free one. “Shall we wait for Georgiana by the door?”

  “Please,” Caroline muttered and allowed him, after a parting word to Louisa, to lead her out of the room.

  He bent his head near her ear. “I am proud of you.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered in response, blinking against the tears that gathered. The last person to have ever said those words to her was her father. He had taken her hand as he sat in his chair before the fire and, after kissing it, had said, “Remember, Princess, that I am proud of you. You have become a fine young lady.” He had patted her hand and lifted his cheek for her kiss. Then, with a whispered I love you had sent her off to bed for the last time.

  “You should wear blue more often,” Richard added, drawing Caroline back from her reverie.

  “You like it?”

  He nodded. “You are beautiful,” he whispered as Georgiana joined them.

  ~*~*~

  Caroline, Georgiana, and Richard stopped at the top of the hill. Richard circled his horse around to look behind them. “The sun will begin to sink soon. Shall we go back?”

  “A little further,” Georgiana replied.

  He chuckled. “Your nose is red. Are you certain you will not get too chilled if we do not return now?”

  “No, I am well.”

  “And you Miss Bingley? Are you well and wishing to continue on?”

  “I would wish for nothing more than to continue on for a short distance. However, I am looking forward to some warm cider and a gingerbread upon our return.” It had not escaped her notice how much Colonel Fitzwilliam enjoyed those treats.

  “Well, with such delicacies awaiting us, perhaps we should return now. I would not wish for the cider to get cold waiting for me to drink it.”

  “You may have one of my gingerbreads if we continue,” Georgiana said.

  Richard laughed. “You stand as my witness, Miss Bingley, Georgie owes me one of her gingerbreads.” He clucked to his mount and turned him toward the far side of the hill. “To the meadow below, and then we will turn around.”

  “To the trees at the far end of the meadow?” Caroline asked. “I have not ridden in ages. I am quite enjoying it.”

  “Then, we will not turn about until we have reached the trees.” He drew his horse a bit closer to hers. “You ride very well.”

  Caroline inclined her head in acceptance of his compliment. “As do you and Miss Darcy.” She turned her head away from the gentleman she wished to watch ride and toward his cousin. “I want to thank you for giving up your trip to Longbourn so that I might ride.”

  “I am happy to be of service. While I might miss seeing Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet, I am delighted to be riding. I have not had much opportunity to do so in town, and even when I do manage to get my brother to take me riding in the park, it is not the same as being in the country with its wide expanses and lack of people.”

  “It is rather peaceful, is it not?” Caroline asked. “I often prefer town to country, but in this instance, I do believe you have the right of it, and the country is far superior.”

  “I’d prefer the throngs of people in Hyde Park on a pleasant spring day over those three.” Richard tipped his head toward three riders who were approaching. “Do you wish to go back?” he asked Georgiana.

  “I will be well. They may ride past without stopping.”

  “You are far braver than I,” Caroline said softly.

  “I doubt that very much,” Georgiana said. “I would wager there is enough pluck in your spirit to not be intimidated by a scoundrel.”

  “I would agree,” Richard added. “Wickham, Denny, Saunders.” He greeted the three riders with a tip of his hat.

  “Good day, Colonel,” Wickham said before the others could open their mouths. “Lovely day for a ride. Sunniest I’ve seen in weeks.”

  “Yesterday was bright,” Richard replied.

  “Not so bright as today,” Wickham challenged.

  Richard allowed the comment to pass without rebuttal. With any luck, allowing the cad to think he had won such a foolish argument would hasten him on his way.

  “Your companions are far superior to mine,” Wickham said with a smile for Caroline and Georgiana.

  “I would agree with that,” Richard replied. “No offense, gentlemen,” he added with a nod of his head in Saunders’s and Denny’s direction.

  “None taken,” Saunders assured him.

  “You did not go to Longbourn with your brother today?” Wickham asked Georgiana.

  “As you can see,” she replied.

  “You know, Miss Elizabeth was in my pocket for a time, but it seems Darcy’s money has done its work again.”

  “It was not his money,” Richard growled. “It was his character.”

  Wickham’s eyes narrowed, and his features turned hard as Richard expected they would. There was no one here, save Caroline, for Wickham to flatter.

  “It seems there are whispers about my character circulating amongst the good people of Meryton. You would not know how they might have started?” Wickham glanced from Richard to Georgiana. “I’ve been turned away from many of my friends’ homes.” His eyes turned back to Richard. “Such as Longbourn. Apparently, I am a fortune hunter and a lothario.”

  Richard did not reply but simply smiled. Denny and Saunders retreated from Wickham’s side a few steps.

  “You do realize, Colonel, that there are stories I could share.”

  “And you realize what I will do to you if you do.”

  Wickham’s friends retreated further at Richard’s growled response.

  “There are laws, Colonel,” Wickham taunted. “And the damage would already be done regardless of what you did after.”

  “Have you considered the regulars?” Richard struggled to keep his voice flat and his anger in control.

  Wickham laughed. “I am not fond of the militia. Why would I wish to join the regulars? Besides that, I do not have the funds to purchase a commission at a rank that would be acceptable.” He sighed. “I would prefer to do as you will do and marry a woman with a fortune. However, your family is making it difficult to reach that goal.”

  “The Bennets have no fortune.”

  “No, but they are pretty and almost as willing as your cousin to provide — shall we say — companionship of a private nature.”

  Georgiana gasped. “I never did such a thing!”

  “Did you not?” Wickham replied. “I remember you being very fond of my caresses.”

  “Enough,” Richard roared. “You will not spread such a tale if you wish to retain your life.”

  “See, boys, I told you he would threaten me. Be certain to tell that to the magistrate if anything should happen to me.”

  Richard moved closer to Wickham and laughed, a deep, foreboding sound. “You think I cannot dispose of the lot of you and within the laws of the land? Boney is still roaming, and his cannons need fodder.” His gaze shifted from Wickham to Wickham’s retreating friends. “I would suggest you find better company to keep. This one is loyal to none but the crown he wishes to pilfer from your pocket.”

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nbsp; Wickham’s horse sidestepped, drawing him closer to Georgiana and then alongside her. “You were one of the best,” he said with a taunting smile. “At least, that is how I will tell it.”

  “You will tell nothing of the sort,” Richard growled, drawing up beside Wickham.

  “Then put an end to these rumors that have shut me out from good society,” Wickham returned.

  “I cannot refute the truth,” Richard replied. “You are a fortune hunter and lothario, among other things. I will not add to the tales, but that is all I can do.”

  Wickham shrugged. “If there is no society in which to mix and mingle, I shall be forced to spend my time at the tavern, listening to sad tales and telling a few of my own.” He tipped his hat and wished them a good day. “Boys,” he called to Denny and Saunders as he sat on his horse just behind Georgiana and Caroline, “race you to the ridge.” He tipped his hat once more to Richard and then taking it off his head, used it to give a quick but firm whack to the rump of Georgiana’s horse as he kicked his horse into a gallop.

  Richard grabbed for the halter of Georgiana’s horse, but it was too late, the horse had bolted and Georgiana, caught off guard, lost her seat. In a moment, Richard was on the ground next to her. He wanted to race after Wickham and drag him from his horse and across the length of the meadow, but he could not. Not when Georgiana lay on the ground injured. “Where are you hurt?”

  “Everywhere,” Georgiana said as she attempted to sit up.

  “Is there any place that hurts more than others?” Caroline asked, taking hold of Georgiana’s arm and helping her to sit. “Your arms, your legs, your head?”

  “Ooh,” Georgiana moaned. “My hip is very tender, and my ankle is throbbing more than the rest of me, but I do not think anything is broken.”

  “Did you hit your head?” Richard asked.

  “No.”

  “Good,” Richard wrapped her in his arms and pulled her to his chest. “Can you forgive me?”

  “For what?” Georgiana asked.

  “I was supposed to keep you from harm,” he replied. One simple task, that is all he had, and yet he has failed.

  “Of course, I forgive you, but I do not think there is anything to forgive. You did not know he would startle my horse.”

  Richard drew a shuddering breath. “I should not have allowed him to be so near you.”

  “I am well.”

  “You are injured.”

  “Bruised and sore but otherwise unharmed.”

  “It is enough,” he said. “It is more than I can bear to see you suffer.”

  “We should see her back to the house.” Caroline, who still knelt beside Georgiana, placed a hand on his shoulder. “A warm bath and a good meal followed by sleep will help her heal far faster than sitting here on the cold ground.” She smiled at him as his eyes met hers. “You could not have stopped her fall.”

  “I should not have allowed him to be so near.”

  Caroline tipped her head and studied his face. Her eyes narrowed for a moment, and then, the left side of her mouth tipped upwards as if she found him somewhat amusing. That thought did not sit well with Richard. There was nothing about which to smile at present.

  Caroline rose from the ground. “Come along, Colonel. We shall see Miss Darcy delivered to her room, send a groom or two out to find her horse, and then tuck you into a chair near the fire with a cup of cider and some gingerbread. And then, you may tell me exactly how you are supposed to be able to know every move a scoundrel like Mr. Wickham will make.”

  She raised a demanding, questioning brow when he opened his mouth to reply. Startled by the expression and the almost harsh glare that accompanied it, he closed his mouth again.

  “Miss Darcy needs to be returned to the house. Are you always so slow to follow orders, Colonel? It is a wonder you are a colonel at all with such a lackadaisical attitude.” A small teasing smile replaced Caroline’s stern look of a moment ago.

  Georgiana giggled. “It would be nice to get off the cold ground.” She placed a hand on Richard’s cheek. “I am well, and you are still among my favorite cousins. You care very well for me.”

  Richard smiled at her. “I love you.”

  “I know, and I love you.”

  He kissed her forehead. “I dread what your brother will say.”

  “All will be well,” Georgiana assured him as he, first, helped her to her feet and then, onto his horse.

  He was not so confident about that as Georgiana was, but he said nothing as he made sure she was seated securely before turning to assist Caroline.

  “You do care for her very well,” Caroline said as the stood together next to her horse.

  “You give orders very well,” he replied with a grin.

  “My brother’s home would not run so well as it does if I were not good at giving direction,” she said as she made herself comfortable on her horse. “Miss Darcy is fortunate to have you,” she added.

  “Thank you,” he said softly. “And you are a credit to your brother. He is fortunate to have you.”

  “He is, is he not?” Caroline replied with a laugh. He was looking at her much as he had last night in the hallway, and it was once again making her feel very uneasy in a peculiarly strange sort of way.

  “Extremely.”

  “Miss Darcy,” Caroline whispered.

  Richard shook himself. “Right. To the house!”

  Chapter 8

  As they approached Netherfield, Richard guided his horse toward the side of the house.

  “Where are you going?” Caroline asked.

  “The servants’ entrance,” Richard replied.

  “No, you are not.” Caroline nudged her horse to catch up to his.

  “Yes, I am. If Darcy has returned, I would rather have Georgiana already attended to before he finds out I allowed her to be injured.”

  “You did not allow me to be injured,” Georgiana said.

  Richard huffed. No matter what his cousin or Caroline said, he had allowed Wickham to get too close to Georgiana.

  “How will you manage the narrow stairs?” Caroline asked. “Miss Darcy will get bumped and jostled, and the servants will be delayed in their duties. We cannot have footmen carrying water for her bath if we are in their way.”

  “But Darcy –”

  “Is likely still at Longbourn,” Caroline interjected before he could finish his protest.

  “She is right,” Georgiana said. “Neither he nor Mr. Bingley will be returned just yet.”

  “But Mrs. Hurst –”

  “Can be put to work seeing that a bath is drawn, and the surgeon is called.” Caroline raised a brow and gave him a challenging look. “The front stairs will be far easier to navigate should Georgiana need an arm upon which to lean.”

  Richard scowled. She was making sense, which was incredibly annoying. However, it was not she with whom Darcy would be displeased. Had Darcy and Bingley not expressly invited him to Netherfield to keep Georgiana safe? He shook his head.

  “If you promise to remain here, I will inquire if Mr. Darcy has returned.”

  His scowl deepened. He did not appreciate the tone Caroline was using. It was not as if he were a child in the nursery who needed coaxing to behave as instructed. “Very well,” he grumbled. “If my cousin has not returned, we will do it your way, but if he has returned, we will take the back stairs, and the servants can stand to the side for five minutes.”

  “Thank you, Miss Bingley,” Georgiana said with a stern look for Richard.

  “Yes, thank you, Miss Bingley,” Richard added. However, he did not feel very thankful.

  “It is not your fault,” Georgiana whispered.

  “Perhaps.” He shook his head. How stupid he had been to allow Wickham to even come close to Georgiana! True, he had not expected the scoundrel to attempt an attack of any sort in his presence, but he should have been more vigilant.

  “Mr. Darcy has not yet returned,” Caroline said as she came around the house without her horse.
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br />   “Very well,” Richard muttered as he turned his horse toward the front of the house. He could just imagine Darcy arriving as he lifted Georgiana down from his horse. But Darcy did not appear, and Georgiana was in her room, resting after having been seen by the surgeon, who had been on a call not far from Netherfield, before Darcy and Bingley returned.

  “You had a pleasant visit?” he asked as Darcy and Bingley joined him in the billiards room.

  “Indeed, we did,” said Bingley. “How was your ride?”

  Richard placed his cue on the table and, turning, leaned against it. “It was not uneventful.”

  “How so?” Darcy asked as he settled into a chair and unbuttoned his jacket.

  “We met Wickham.”

  Darcy’s brows rose as he waited expectantly for further information.

  “He threatens to tell tales if I do not put an end to the rumors keeping him out of polite society.”

  “You mean he will share about Georgiana’s near elopement?” Bingley asked.

  Richard shrugged. “There is that, but he threatens to go further and declare her ruined — by him.”

  “He what?” Darcy’s features darkened.

  “He will ruin her, but that is not all.” Richard walked around to the other side of the table and leaned on his hands on the edge as he faced Darcy, wishing that there could be more space between them when he had to admit his utter failure. “Georgiana has been hurt. Not badly, just a sprained ankle and some bruises.” Richard looked down at the balls on the table. “I allowed him to be close enough to her horse to startle it. It bolted, and she fell.” He blew out a breath. “I am sorry.”

  “He startled her horse in your presence?” Bingley asked incredulously before Darcy could utter a word.

  Richard nodded. “I did not expect him to, but he did.”

  “She is well?” Darcy asked from where he sat flopped backward in his chair as if someone had pushed him over.

  Inwardly, Richard laughed bitterly. Not someone — he had done it. “She is sore, but well. She said you can come see her whenever you wish to prove to yourself that she is indeed well.”

  “And Wickham?” Darcy asked.

  Richard shook his head. “I let him go. I could not leave Georgie.”