“Hear me out, please. Then the Countess saw her nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy, marry an unknown country girl with not a pence to her name. That they are deliriously happy together cannot be doubted by anyone who sees them.”
“Ah,” Caroline said, now understanding. “And she wants the same for the Colonel.”
“She does, of course, as would any loving mother. And she has a secondary motive, as well; she hopes a wife will enable him to retire his commission.”
“I have twenty thousand pounds.”
“The two of you would not be wealthy, but you could certainly support a family. On the other hand, Mr. Lindsay receives a handsome allowance from his father, one which would allow you to live quite well here in Town. You must factor that into your deliberations.”
Caroline nodded. “You have given me a good deal to think about, Mrs. Annesley. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Mrs. Annesley walked Miss Bingley to the front door, and then hesitated. “One moment, Miss Bingley.” She walked quickly to the drawing room, where she saw Miss Darcy now sitting alone, looking as sad as she had ever been. Returning to Miss Bingley, she said, “Miss Darcy’s friends have departed; might the two of you not speak together?”
“We are not particularly close, Mrs. Annesley,” Caroline protested.
“I think you could both use a friend, Miss Bingley. Please, trust me.”
Caroline nodded and walked into the drawing room. Miss Darcy looked up, startled, and then did her best to put on her company smile.
Caroline shook her head. “You need not smile for my sake, Miss Darcy. I am finding this Marriage Game a difficult business.”
“Oh, Miss Bingley! So am I! I thought it would be just fun and dancing and dinners and gowns, but now – now –“
Caroline knew instantly that Miss Darcy’s heart was hurting. She said, quietly, “But now we are both in pain.”
“Oh! You as well? I am so sorry!”
“Yes, me as well. We need not share details, I think, but knowing that we are not alone in this sorrow is good.”
At that, Georgiana burst into tears, and Caroline immediately went to sit beside her and hold her hand as she wept. Caroline felt like weeping herself, but she did not.
When Georgiana’s tears abated, Caroline asked softly, “Is it as bad as all that, Miss Darcy?”
“It is, indeed, Miss Bingley. Oh, heavens, we have known one another forever – will you please call me Georgiana?”
Caroline had always expected to feel triumph when Mr. Darcy’s sister finally permitted the use of her first name, but now she just felt honored. “Of course, and I am Caroline.”
Georgiana continued, “My heart has been touched by a very worthy gentleman, but I must refuse his advances because of a mistake I made long, long ago.”
“That is so unfair!” Caroline protested.
“Yes, that is exactly how I feel! I was young and stupid, and it will all come to light if I marry a man of high rank.”
It must be Lord Fane, Caroline thought, but she said nothing.
Georgiana said, “You know, I always disliked you.”
Caroline, a little surprised at this unexpected revelation, said, “I know you did; a good many people did.”
“But you seem quite different now.”
“I have learnt a good deal in the past few months. Georgiana, you have shared your troubles with me, and I shall reciprocate. My heart has been touched, if I may borrow your phrase, by a gentleman who is very unlikely to offer for me. There is another gentleman who is quite likely to make me an offer, but I do not think I can love him. Mrs. Annesley counseled me today, saying that if it is absolutely imperative that I marry, I should accept that second gentleman; but if not, it would be unfair to marry one man when I am very likely in love with another.”
Georgiana listened with wide eyes. “She is so right! I never thought about the unfairness to that second gentleman. I will not accept Mr. Stewart or any of the others, not until my heart is my own again.”
“It would all be easier if I had a mother, I think,” Caroline said. “I miss her so very much.”
“Oh, yes, how I wish my mother could be here! You and I are both orphans, Caroline. I never before realised that.”
