“It is everything lovely!” she replied, enthusiastically.
“Do you think you could live here?”
She was taken aback by his boldness and did not at first know how to answer. Finally, she said, looking at him directly, “I think any young lady would be happy to do so.”
Mr. Darcy chose that moment to call out, “Come, let us look at the stables!”
He had been so close to getting an answer from Miss Bingley! Why had Darcy chosen that moment – but no, Miss Bingley deserved a formal proposal, one that she would remember all her life. And a ring! He needed a ring for her. Doubtless his mother could guide him there.
Colonel Fitzwilliam spent a good deal of time looking through the stables. The lines of each horse had been recorded in a large book kept in the stable, and he knew he would memorise the book so as to understand which mares should be put to which stallions. He recalled that his General needed a new horse, and he found a horse that would do very well for him.
When the stables had been duly admired, the Darcy footmen brought out several large hampers of food, and a picnic was laid out on the lawn. It was spring now, and Elmstree was showing to advantage, with its lush lawns and fragrant flower gardens.
“What do you think, Caroline?” Jane whispered.
“It is lovely!”
“It is indeed, and surely you saw the Colonel paying special attention to you! He deliberately sought you out and offered you his arm!”
“He did,” Caroline said. “And then he asked me if I could live here!”
“Oh, Caroline! Surely he would not ask that if he thought his parents would disapprove!”
“I do not know,” Caroline whispered. “But I hope very much that you are right!”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
The next morning, Caroline came awake to the sound of birds singing outside her window. It had taken her some time to fall asleep, with all the excitement of Elmstree in her mind. She was grateful to have the opportunity to sleep as late as she wished! Would the mistress of Elmstree have that same luxury? Would there not be a good deal of work to be done? Supervising staff and the like?
But what would it matter, what would having such responsibilities matter, if she was by Richard’s side? She would be glad to do her duty, in partnership with Richard! When had she begun to think of him as Richard? And what a heroic name it was, like Richard the Lionheart! She immediately berated herself for sounding like something out of a silly romance novel. She had never developed a taste for reading at all, let alone stuff and nonsense where the heroine cannot bear to be apart from her beloved. What silliness!
Except now it seemed that it was not silliness at all; such feelings were real, and Caroline was experiencing them! This was how Charles felt about Jane, how Mr. Darcy felt about Elizabeth!
She rang for Alice, who greeted her mistress pleasantly. Caroline had been astounded at how ready Alice had been to excuse her mistress’ past bad behaviour. They were now almost friends.
That afternoon, Mr. Lindsay came calling, begging Caroline to go for a ride in the park. Caroline had every intention of discouraging his suit, but she did not know how to decline a ride in the park, particularly as they had driven out together many times in the past weeks.
“You are looking particularly lovely today, Miss Bingley,” he said, as he handed her in.
“Thank you, Mr. Lindsay,” she replied. “How is your sister? I have not seen her of late.”
“Alicia has been rather busy,” he replied, smiling. “I am happy to say that she has a suitor, and this time it is someone of whom the family approves.”
“Oh! I am so happy for her!” Caroline knew she spoke the truth; she was not the slightest bit envious!
“It is all because of you, you know.”
“Surely she would have emerged from her self-imposed isolation at some point,” Caroline insisted.
“Perhaps, but no one can deny that your friendship hastened the process.”
“Well, then, I am glad that I could be of help to her.”
“I suspect you will be invited to the wedding.”
“Then I suspect I will be delighted to attend!” Caroline replied.
“Miss Bingley, there is something I particularly wish to ask you…”
