“Wait until Mama hears that Caroline will be married to the second son of an Earl,” Jane said.
“Oh, no, Jane! Do not tell her, she will be so angry that it is not Mary or Kitty!”
“Tell her? Oh, Lizzy, do you not realise that it will be in all the papers?’
***
Indeed, the Morning Post ran the announcement the very next day.
The Earl and Countess of Matlock are delighted to announce the engagement of their son, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, to Miss Caroline Bingley, of Netherfield Park.
And the day after that, the expected letter from Meryton arrived.
Lizzy! Do you mean to tell me that that spiteful creature, Caroline Bingley, snared the son of an Earl – of an EARL, Lizzy! – and you did not think to introduce your own sisters to him? I have nothing more to say to you!
Mama
Sighing, Elizabeth tucked this letter into her writing desk. Some day soon, perhaps tomorrow, she would write to her mother and try to placate her. Perhaps send some new bonnets and gloves for her sisters…
Chapter Forty-Three
“He is still here?” Mr. Darcy enquired of his aunt.
“Yes, but he will leave quite soon. He had hoped to leave at dawn, but I forced him to have breakfast first.”
“And he is quite determined to go?”
“I am,” a voice replied from the doorway.
Mr. Darcy turned. “Richard.”
They clasped hands.
“I cannot be happy, knowing that Georgiana is not,” Richard said. “Does she know of my mission?”
“She does not; we do not want to get her hopes up, in case Wickham laughs in your face.”
“Oh, yes, let him laugh in my face,” Richard growled.
“You know you cannot just kill the man,” Mr. Darcy said.
“I do know that, of course. But I will make certain he knows what fate awaits him if he disobeys my orders.”
“I assume you will not resign your commission until you return.”
“Quite right; as a Colonel, I will be accorded respect in the Newcastle camp; as a civilian, his commanding officer can toss me out on my ear. Georgiana knows nothing of this?”
“No; only that you have a last mission to complete.” Mr. Darcy said. “Have you adequate funds for the journey?”
“My parents have provided funds.”
“Let me add to them,” Mr. Darcy insisted, pulling out his wallet. “You never know what will arise in a mission such as this one. Oh, and Elizabeth asks if you might check on her sister, Mrs. Wickham, should the opportunity arise.”
“I shall do my best.”
Chapter Forty-Four
Since the announcement of her engagement in the paper, Caroline had been deluged with visitors. Her friends were delighted for her, and expressed their happiness again and again. Lady Alicia came to visit, saying that she had hoped to have Caroline for a sister, but would be happy enough just knowing that Caroline was happy.
