“Never call yourself plain! To me, you are a very handsome woman,” Fitzwilliam asserted. “If I cared nothing for compatibility and affection, I may have looked in London, but a vapid, unintelligent woman who is only pretty on the outside is neither what I desire nor need. That is most certainlynotwhat I want in the partner of my future life. Do you know that I felt attracted to you when you were married to the buffoon who never appreciated what he had? I, of course, did my best that no one would see my preference, as you were a married woman.”
“You too?” Charlotte asked before she could stop herself.
“Are you telling me you felt drawn to me like I was to you?” Fitzwilliam enquired. He saw a shy nod from the woman on the horse. “May I assist you down so we may speak while we are both standing on the ground?” There was another shy nod. Fitzwilliam placed his hands on the sides of her slender waist and lifted Mrs Charlotte down as if she weighed nothing. “Shall we walk?” He offered her his arm.
Charlotte took the proffered arm, still not allowing herself to believe that Mr Fitzwilliam desired her.
Anne, who had been feigning sleep, had to fight to contain her glee that the two people she liked most in the world were on the cusp of an understanding. She kept her one eye cracked and listened to the whisperof the breeze and the birdsong which serenaded her friends.
“Charlotte, may I call you by your name?”
“Yes, you may. How should I address you? Richard, like I have heard Mr Darcy and Anne call you?”
“Indeed, yes, that is my name and I would be delighted to hear you use it.” Fitzwilliam paused briefly while he ordered his thoughts. “Charlotte, after years in the army and being in bloody battles, I know how short and tenuous life can be. As such, I abhor wasting time on society’s dances. I know that you are the woman I want as my wife. Would you accept me as your husband?”
“In the spirit of brevity, yes, Richard, I would be more than pleased to have you as my husband,” Charlotte responded as she beamed from ear to ear.
After looking around to make sure no one was observing them, Fitzwilliam leant forward and lightly brushed his betrothed’s lips.
“I knew how it would be!” Anne exclaimed as she clapped her hands in glee. You two could not be so perfect for one another for no reason. Do not look at me so! I awoke when Richard began to speak to you, Charlotte, and I did not want to do anything to disturb you two. You plain, Charlotte? Not at all. If that is what you think, then I question your sense of sight.”
“Is there anyone to whom I need to speak?” Fitzwilliam queried.
“No, there is not. Not only am I a widow, but I have been of age for afewyears now. However, I am certain my father would enjoy you requesting his blessing,” Charlotte opined.
“Then, it will be so. Anne, are you well enough for a journey of fifty miles over good roads?” Fitzwilliam questioned.
“I am not, but the new rector’s wife is willing to assistme, and I have a house full of very loyal staff and servants. I want you two to go; I would be upset if you did not on my account. A maid will travel with you, of course,” Anne asserted.
“I must write to Mother and Father,” Fitzwilliam stated. “They are as keen for me to find a wife as they were for Andrew to do the same.”
The newly engaged couple decided to depart on the morrow at first light.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
While everyone else in the coach was calm, Elizabeth could hardly sit still as the conveyance approached the front of Snowhaven. She did not know if she would see William—Mr Darcy—today, or would it be another day? Should she have told him they would be at Snowhaven rather than cryptically speaking of being in the area?
Once the remains of the castle and the structure added to it which formed the manor house came into view, the Gardiners and Jane and Elizabeth who had never seen the house before, were awed into silence. The additional newer buildings were seamlessly married with what remained of the castle, which Andrew informed them was the great hall and one tower. Aside from Blenheim Castle, it was by far the largest mansion any of them had ever seen.
As the equipage was drawn to a halt, Elizabeth, sitting on the side closest to the house, could see an older, very noble, and elegant-looking couple standing on the steps which led down from the double front doors to the drive.
“My parents,” Hilldale pointed out.
As an earl and countess, normal protocol was to wait in the drawing room and have the guests brought to them to be received there. On this day,they cared nothing for protocol. Andrew had found the woman he wanted to marry, and she loved him in return. It seemed that the woman who William loved was also present, and Andrew had indicated his suspicion that she had tender feelings for William. Hence, wild horses would not have kept them from meeting the coach. They both smiled when Andrew followed Gardiner out of the conveyance. They had suspected he would be riding with the Gardiners and their nieces.
They watched Gardiner assist Mrs Gardiner out before he handed a petite younger woman out. She had dark, wavy raven tresses and fascinating emerald-green eyes. As it had not been Andrew who did the honour, Lord and Lady Matlock correctly assumed she was the Miss Bennet that William loved. She was not classically beautiful, but she was no less of a beauty. Their nephew must have been temporarily blind when he had insulted her looks.
Andrew then leaned into the cabin of the carriage and handed out a stunningly beautiful blonde woman. She had deep cerulean eyes and was willowy. Also, she was taller than her sister. This was the woman they had been waiting years to meet.
The thing that Lady Matlock saw the instant the lady was standing next to Andrew was the looks of love which passed between them. Seeing how happy this woman made her eldest, the Countess had to restrain herself from running across the drive and enfolding her in a hug.
“Gardiner, Mrs Gardiner,” Matlock said in welcome. “Would you please do us the honour of introducing your nieces to us?”
“Of course, my Lord.” Gardiner bowed and made the introductions.
“Mother and Father, there is news to share, so we should retire to the blue drawing room,” Hilldale suggested.
Although they suspected what the news was and would have liked to be told right away, Lord and Lady Matlock agreed, and with as much patience as they were able to muster, they led the way into the house and towards the drawing room Andrew had named.
