“I… I cannot… well—”
“You can tell me later. At present, you must see to your girls.”
“Will… that is to say… do you really want me in your home? That will be—”
“Uncomfortable? Painful? Embarrassing? Patronizing?”
“All those and more.”
“It most certainly shall be. I believe you have learnedsomeof life’s lessons, but need to learn others. Do not worry! We will see you well settled or married to a man I trust eventually, but for the moment, I believe I have a few things to teach you about forgiveness. You are welcome to go when that skittishness and fear leave your voice, but be aware you willneverfool me on this or any other subject.”
“And Mr Darcy will go along with the scheme?”
“Of course.”
“I am sceptical. I truly do not wish to importune him.”
“You do not wish to importune him, or suffer embarrassment yourself.”
“I would hope the former, but I am a poor judge of my own motivations.”
“We shall see. My husband is neither the man from Netherfield, nor the man you think he is. We have been through much. You will be fine, and he will dote on your girls. All will be well. I will send him a note as soon as you leave and invite him here. You will not see him until tomorrow, under my protection.”
…
“It will be fine, Caroline. Go and collect your precious charges.”
“Yes, madam.”
… …
“Mrs Darcy, I cannot thank you enough.”
“Thank me by raising my nieces well.”
“That reminds me. Who exactly am I to be teaching? You seem to enjoy omitting details.”
“My nieces of course! Oh dear, I imagine that was confusing.”
“You will pay me to raise my own children?”
“Of course!”
“Why?”
“Two reasons, really. First, I have five boys, Mrs Harrison! FIVE BOYS! My dinner table is more like a Rugby pitch than anything else. Jane has four, Mary has two. My friend upstairs has two, and may even have another on the way as we speak. We only have three daughters amongst the whole sorry lot. I am outnumbered. You will be doing me a service by evening out the numbers.”
… …
“Was that a little chuckle, Caroline?”
“I wonder if I am jumping from the frying pan into the fire.”
“Do not be concerned. My boys are very well behaved… well, they are reasonably behaved… well, they are mostly well behaved… well, perhaps… yes, they are fine, upstanding gentlemen, if a little mischievous.”
“Should I run back to Italy?”
“It is much too late.”
