Every eye in the room turned towards him in disbelief, but neither he nor Mr Goulding seemed to notice.
Mr Goulding bowed. "Miss Elizabeth. Mr Darcy."
Darcy and Elizabeth returned the greeting, and Mr Goulding turned back towards Caroline almost at once. "I was telling Miss Bingley that I have long regretted how seldom we meet, considering the small distance between Netherfield and Ashdown."
"Mr Goulding has been very generous in calculating it for me," Caroline said. "Five miles, apparently, though I confess I had thought it farther."
He smiled, taking the remark for teasing. "Then I must give you some reason to think the journey worth making." His attention was unmistakable, and Caroline’s fan paused for the smallest fraction of a second before continuing more violently.
Charles brightened. "That is precisely what I said. Ashdown is a fine place, Caro. You would like it. The gardens are well laid out, and I understand Goulding has made a great many improvements since inheriting."
Louisa and Jane both looked at him and said in unison, "Charles." Jane reddened as she realised the familiar use of his name.
He glanced towards Jane, looking for the first time uncertain of his plan. "I only meant that you might find Ashdown agreeable," Charles went on, a little too fast. "Mr Goulding too, of course."
Mr Goulding had the grace to look faintly uncomfortable, though his interest did not diminish. "I should be honoured if Miss Bingley thought either worth knowing better."
Caroline inclined her head, but the movement was stilted. "You are very kind," she said.
The words were civil enough, but Charles frowned as though she had deliberately failed to receive Mr Goulding’s attentions in the spirit he intended.
Jane touched Charles sleeve and spoke too softly for the rest of them to hear. The satisfaction faded from his face as he listened, and when he looked towards Caroline again, some of his confidence had gone.
His reply was not nearly so discreet as Jane's and carried clearly across the room. "I only want Caroline to meet a good man. It was my father's dearest wish, and I would never knowingly cause her distress." His expression changed as helooked down at Jane. "Nor you. Dear Jane, you must believe that."
Jane had turned scarlet, and Caroline gave her brother a small shake of the head. "There is no need to make a scene, Charles. I understand perfectly."
Charles head snapped up, as though it had only just occurred to him that anyone else might have heard.
"Oh, Charlie, what are you about meddling in other people’s affairs?" Louisa said, and Mr Hurst gave a sudden snort of laughter.
Mr Goulding stepped in as Louisa opened her mouth to give her brother a further piece of her mind. He had paled slightly but said in a clear, determined voice, "I hope my visit has not made anyone uncomfortable. That was never my intention."
Caroline turned towards him, and some of the sharpness left her expression. "You have done nothing wrong, Mr Goulding. Charles has merely allowed his enthusiasm to run away with him."
Her brother opened his mouth to protest, but the dinner gong sounded through the hall before he could begin.
"Saved by the gong," Darcy murmured, low enough for Elizabeth alone to hear.
Chapter Fourteen
Caroline, October 1811, Netherfield, Hertfordshire
The gong sounded, and Mr Goulding offered Caroline a small, hopeful smile before holding out his arm. She regarded it as she might a venomous snake, and she had to restrain a small shudder as she drew a careful breath and placed her hand lightly upon his sleeve.
The beginnings of a megrim had already begun to throb behind her eyes, but it was only one dinner. Surely anyone could endure anything for the length of one dinner. Mr Goulding guided her towards the dining room with admirable restraint, neither attempting conversation nor looking excessively pleased by her acceptance. That, at least, was something. Caroline had feared Charles might have encouraged him to expect far more than a civil meal.
She glanced towards her brother. Charles was watching them with such open satisfaction that her megrim sharpened at once.
Behind them, Louisa took Mr Hurst’s arm and followed towards the dining room. Her expression remained thoughtful after what Caroline had revealed upstairs, while Mr Hurst called ahead to ask whether anyone knew what roast was being served.
Jane came next upon Charles’ arm, moving carefully but smiling as he bent towards her and asked for the third time whether she felt strong enough for dinner. She assured him that she did. Charles nodded and adjusted the shawl around her shoulders before they had taken another step.
Mr Darcy and Elizabeth followed last, Elizabeth’s hand resting lightly upon his sleeve while he covered it with his own with an ease that had not been there before their walk in the gardens. Elizabeth’s colour was high, and the usually staid Mr Darcy could not hide the smile upon his handsome face. Joy seemed to shine from them both, and Caroline wondered whether they realised how obvious their growing attachment had become.
Well, at least the evening was ending happily for two of Netherfield’s occupants. She wondered idly whether they had come to some understanding in the gardens. Whether Mr Darcy had kissed Elizabeth as Thomas had once kissed her upon the beach in Scarborough, with such tenderness that the memory of it had remained with her for years. Caroline sighed at the recollection.
She looked up to find Mr Goulding watching her. There was no offence in his expression, only mild amusement.
