Charlotte set down her fork. “I would like to see Kimpton, and I have enough money for two bonnets, unless the milliner sells them very dear. What time do we leave?”
Elizabeth looked at the clock. “It is half past ten. Can you be ready by half past eleven?”
Charlotte agreed. Elizabeth looked at her friend. “How does it go with Mr. Seton, my dear? Is he only learning how to manage his estate, or do you think he has a deeper interest in your company?”
Charlotte looked thoughtful and then sighed.
“Lizzy, I would like to think that he has a preference for my company. I am not the only person who has experience managing an estate, yet he continually seeks me out. I believe he may feel awkward speaking with women and is using his estate and his inexperience as an excuse to visit with me. If I were certain as to his intentions, I would encourage him, but I do not want him to think I have set my cap for him.”
Elizabeth studied her friend. “Charlotte, Mr. Seton has made daily visits to Pemberley for weeks now. He speaks primarily to you during his visits. I believe there is real interest there.”
Her friend looked hopeful. “Yes, I have been counting the days. It has been six weeks of almost daily visits, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth pressed her friend’s hand. “You just made my point. I believe he is truly interested, and if he has not spoken, perhaps it is because he is afraid. Give him some form of encouragement. Either he will move the relationship along, or he will back away. I believe there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. A woman had better show more affection than she feels so that she may help him on.”
Charlotte laughed. “Lizzy, that sounds very like something one of our mothers would advise.” She pressed her napkin to her lips, then added, “But you may be right. I will encourage Mr. Seton. I believe we could be very happy together.”
At half past three that same afternoon, Elizabeth was handed down from the carriage when Mr. Seton approached her.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Darcy. I have come to call on Miss Lucas.”
Elizabeth curtsied. “Mr. Seton. We are well met. Charlotte is here with me.”
Mr. Seton turned and handed Charlotte down. He bowed over her hand.
“Miss Lucas, will you take a turn in the garden?”
She curtsied. “Nothing would please me more, sir.” She smiled at the tall man, then reached for his arm and added, “How are you doing today? Are your tenants still at sword points with one another?”
Elizabeth heard him chuckle. She lingered and watched as the couple walked away from the entrance and entered the garden.Charlotte was looking up into Mr. Seton’s eyes. Elizabeth watched as he placed his free hand over her friend’s., There was affection in the gesture. Perhaps today, they would reach an understanding. She turned away and entered the house.
Mr. Seton took Charlotte’s hand and threaded it through his arm, his gaze never leaving her face. Her eyes ran down his form and then back up to his eyes. She observed that they were as blue as the sky overhead. The sunshine glinted off his fair hair.
He was amused as he watched her run her eyes down his form and then back to his face. She was studiously watching him, and this caused him to smile.
“Miss Lucas, do I see admiration in your eyes?”
She flushed. He had caught her staring. She looked away.
“Is the well-spoken Miss Lucas tongue-tied?” He grinned. “Perhaps what I see is affection?”
He placed his free hand over hers. “Charlotte, tell me that you feel for me what I have come to feel for you. I do not know how to make speeches, but I can tell you that I am happy when you are at my side. I feel like I have come home when I enter a room and find you in it. And though I cannot explain why, I feel like I have always known you. Charlotte, when we are together, I feel free to be myself and know that you accept me as I am. Though I have inherited, in my heart, I am still the second son, but have come to believe you would have had me, even if I was not the firstborn.”
They had stopped walking and were facing each other. He held both of her hands in his, and she looked up at him, smiling despite tears running down her cheeks.
“Will you marry me, Charlotte?”
Her fingers curled around his hands. “I will marry you, Mr. Seton. It is my greatest pleasure to accept your hand in marriage.”
They walked arm in arm, talking. Eventually, the couple returned to the house and presented themselves in the drawing room, where Mr. Seton made the announcement.
“Miss Lucas has accepted my offer of marriage.” He was smiling.
Elizabeth jumped to her feet and ran to her friend with a fierce embrace. “Congratulations, Charlotte. I am so happy for you.”
Darcy extended his hand to Seton. “My congratulations. I wish you every happiness.”
Georgiana stood next to Elizabeth and offered her own congratulations, and then Darcy rang for the butler. “Champagne, Walters, and set an extra place for Mr. Seton. He will stay for dinner.”
