Miss Greenbough spotted their party and came over, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Bird.
She greeted them with her usual friendliness. “You must try the roasted corn at the food stalls. It is marvelous!”
“Thank you, I shall!” Caroline nodded.
Louisa asked, “Have you seen Lord Connally, by any chance?”
“Yes. He is by the milliner's stall. I believe Mr. Beaujean is attempting to persuade him to buy a new silk top hat.” She grinned.
Mr. Hurst followed Mrs. Hurst and her footmen to the food stalls, while Louisa took Caroline by the hand and led her to the mercantile stalls on the other side. They located the milliner's stall.
Lord Connally greeted them. “Ah, Miss Bingley! How marvelous to see you so early on this fine day! No chance of rain today, eh?” He pointed up at the clear blue skies.
“No sir.”
“You must tell me your opinion. Which of these hats suits me better?” He pointed at the fine tall black hat with a broad silk band resting on his head, then swapped it for one covered in a thick, brilliant blue velvet so she could see.
“The blue hat, undoubtedly, Your Lordship,” Caroline said.
“I told him the same.” Mr. Beaujean nodded. “But this fellow still wanted the black one! I am glad to see I am not the only one with sense.”
“I say! My fashion sense is as good as Beau’s! Only the black would have gone with more outfits.”
Louisa gave Caroline a nudge.
“Er, would you walk with me a while, Your Lordship?” Caroline said.
“Of course, Miss Bingley. Let us explore the fair for a while.”
They walked some distance away from the others before Caroline spoke again.
“About your offer yesterday, Your Lordship…”
He put one hand up. “Take all the time you need to consider, Miss Bingley, I am in no hurry to hear your answer. Marriage is a serious business after all.”
“It is. But I have had all the time I need.”
“I say! Jolly well good then! Let us go and announce our news to the others.”
“N-no! You mistake me, Your Lordship. I have not come to accept your offer, but to decline it. I do apologize for not answering you sooner, but after consideration, I do not believe we would suit.”
“O-oh…” he let out a sigh. “Well, I must say, that is not the answer that I was expecting. My friend will be pleased to hear it, however.”
“Your friend?”
“Mr. Hodge, of course. I have eyes, haven’t I? Go on then! He is by the vegetable stalls, helping the elder Mr. Hodge to sell our estate’s produce.”
Filled with hope, Caroline headed towards the produce stalls. Louisa spotted her and made her way through the crowds, intercepting Caroline before she had gone halfway.
“Well? Did you tell him?”
“I did,” Caroline replied.
“Marvelous! We shall have a summer wedding breakfast at Raven’s Hall!”
“Oh, did you think I meant that I had accepted him? I am sorry to tell you, I did not,” she said glibly.
“What? What do you mean?” Louisa grabbed Caroline’s arm.
