Of one thing Darcy was certain—as long as he still drew breath, he would love no other, and would never marry. Pemberley would be inherited by one of Giana’s future children. He could not marry when his heart was irrevocably lost to another. He hoped, at the very least, they could be friends when he saw her at Rosings Park during his upcoming Easter visit.
A letter had arrived from his sister earlier that day and Darcy sat to read it. With his resolve firmed he would reply to her letter and let her know he would join her and the family in Town. He broke the seal.
10 December 1810
You know where I am.
This Miss Gardiner was working miracles; his baby sister was teasing him! Mayhap some of her magic would rub off on him.
William,
How I miss you. Please, PLEASE come to London soon.
As you may have been able to tell, I am having a wonderful time with Lizzy, Charlotte, Tiffany, and Maria. But that does not fill the void in my life left by you, Brother dearest.
A girl needs her brother, so please come William. Maria leaves for Meryton in two days to be with her family for the festive season, but Charlotte is to remain with Lizzy. It is so funny to see Richard in love, and William, he is as much in love, as she is with him.
She fell in love with him when she thought him a poor second son and she was willing to follow the drum as long as she could be near Richard. He took so much pleasure informing Charlotte he is soon to be the Master of Rosings Park and he is to resign from the army after Twelfth Night.
Oh, Brother! It was so romantic! On Saturday past, Richard asked Charlotte for a courtship and she agreed, of course. He was ready to ride to Lucas Lodge. Do you remember that is the name of her father’s estate? Of course you do, as you were there. Charlotte suggested he accompany her to return Maria on Wednesday so she would be there to answer any questions her parents might have.
By the time you receive this Richard and Charlotte will have returned from Hertfordshire.
Before I go, Richard told me to tell you if you were not pining for someone else, he is sure you would fall in love with Miss Gardiner, and I agree with him.
With much love, Giana.
Darcy was sure he would never love another, but he did desire to meet Miss Gardiner. He had so many positive reports about her, from everyone in the Fitzwilliam family as well as his sister. As they say ‘men plan and God laughs’ because as he put pen to paper, Douglas, his butler, knocked and told the master word had just been received that there was a fire in the north tenant village.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As the carriage with the two Lucas sisters, a maid, and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam approached Lucas Lodge, Charlotte pointed out the turnoff to Longbourn. For his part, Richard was so disgusted with the way the Bennets had treated Lizzy, he would not have been unwilling to thrash the weak-willed Mr. Bennet.
On meeting Elizabeth after he returned home from his fortnight of duty, Richard had been told all regarding her and how she became a Gardiner. He was only sorry he did not know the information when he had gone to take care of Wickham, as he would have called on Mr. Bennet then.
The coach came to a halt at Lucas Lodge, where they were met by Sir William, Lady Lucas, Frank, and Johnny. Lady Lucas hugged her youngest while she looked slyly at her eldest daughter and the Colonel standing next to her, not missing their comfort with each other.
“Sir William, before I speak to you, may I have a private interview with Charlotte—Miss Lucas?” Richard requested before the group entered the house.
“You may, as long as Charlotte is agreeable,” Sir William responded. A confused Charlotte simply nodded.
She had already agreed to a courtship, so why did Richard want to talk to her? She panicked internally, although she tried not to show it, as she imagined that once seeing Lucas Lodge again and being reminded of how little wealth her family had, he was about to beg off.
The couple entered the study and left the door partially open. “Charlotte, you know I love you, do you not?” Richard asked increasing her concern. She nodded. “And I do not believe I am being presumptuous to believe you are in love with me as well.”
“It is not a presumption when it is the truth,” Charlotte replied softly.
“In that case, we do not need a courtship.” Just when Charlotte’s confusion and worry had increased tenfold, Richard sank to one knee while holding her hands in his own. “Charlotte Sarah Lucas, there is none but you with whom I wish to spend the rest of my life. I love you with my whole being and beg you to be my wife.”
Tears of joy and relief fell as at first Charlotte only nodded; she had been robbed of the power of speech, while her heart was racing. “Yes, Richard, I will be your wife. I always told Lizzy I was not a romantic, but I love you more than I could ever imagine loving anyone.”
Richard stood and their lips met for the first time. It was like heaven for Charlotte, who had been wondering what it would be like to be kissed by Richard for some time now. The reality was much better than what she had imagined.
Not wanting to push their luck with Sir William, each took a step back. “I will ask my father to join you. I believe you have a question for him, even though I am ayear or twopast my majority,” Charlotte jested.
It was mere moments before Sir William entered his study to find the Colonel pacing back and forth on the carpet in front of his desk. “Charlotte said you wanted to speak to me and I was to sayyesto whatever you ask,” Sir William stated jovially as he sat behind his desk while indicating a chair for the younger man to sit.
“Charlotte accepted my proposal of marriage, so I request your consent and blessing,” Richard asked nervously. He had ridden into battle multiple times and commanded hundreds of men but had never fought this type of battle before. Before Sir William answered, Richard informed him of his impending resignation from the army and about his upcoming stewardship of Rosings Park until it became his after his cousin’s passing or when she reached her eight and twentieth year.
