Page 129 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“I hope you will be equally supportive of my decision to pursue Miss Elizabeth with the goal of asking for her hand in marriage.”

The last vestige of Bingley’s troubled thoughts disappeared. He slapped Darcy heartily on the shoulder and beamed at him.

“By Jove, that is marvelous news. Jane and I have begun to wonder if you had a tendre for her sister.” He laughed in delight. “Of course we will support you. Fortunately for you, Georgiana likes your choice.” Bingley grimaced. “She would not have liked it if you chose my sister.”

“Miss Bingley’s temperament and mine do not match. I think Douglas is a much better choice for her.”

His friend’s eyes widened considerably. He looked thunderstruck. “The Colonel?”

Darcy nodded and displayed a crooked grin.

“But will she accept him?” Bingley asked in a hoarse whisper. “While he has position, he has no money.”

Darcy frowned. “He does not have a great deal of personal wealth, but he owns his house in London. He manages a comfortable home. He is not extravagant.”

“The same cannot be said for Caroline,” Bingley said gloomily. He turned and began walking into the stableyard. Several lads and grooms stood ready to assist him if he should require them. “Trust me, I will support the colonel’s suit if he should come up to scratch. She might frighten him off on this walk they are taking at the moment. She is so frustrated and angry that she may reveal her true character too readily to Colonel Fitzwilliam.” Bingley scratched his head. “I beg your pardon. I should not have said such a thing about my own sister.”

Darcy chuckled. “I am heartened that you recognize the challenges of her unique personality. My cousin is a good judge of character. Miss Bingley will not fool him into thinking she is always sweetness and light.”

“Hm. Well, I do believe she will mellow when she is in love. How could she not?”

“You may be right. Now, show me this new hack of yours.”

*

The moment Colonel Fitzwilliam and Caroline reached the shade of the giant maples overshadowing the lane, she said, “He is about to make a monumental mistake.”

He took her hand and rested it in the crook of his arm. “Who? Darcy?”

Caroline shook her head, feeling unaccountably comforted by the colonel’s touch. “No. He is not so foolish. I am speaking of my brother. He is so young! Why does he think he needs to marry at his age?”

“I presume the answer is that he is in love?”

“Colonel—”

“Call me Douglas, if you would?”

Caroline blinked, surprised at the offer of familiarity. “Very well. You must call me Caroline.”

“I am honored, Caroline.”

He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it, and she almost stumbled.

“Now, you were saying?”

“Umm…”

“About Bingley being in love?” he reminded her, smiling at her in such a way that her breath quickened.

“Uh…yes…uh, I think he is too young to know his own mind. He is only twenty-and-two.”

“By your reasoning, young ladies cannot know their own mind at that age either. So many are married before then.”

“Men are different than women,” Caroline replied weakly. “Besides, their parents often choose for them.” I cannot think clearly when he is looking at me that way. His eyes are so clear and intelligent. Kind, too. Goodness, what is the matter with me?

“I will not argue with you over those points,” Douglas said.

Caroline did not know how to reply. She reveled in the cool breeze on her overheated skin, and breathed deeply of the country air, smelling the first fallen maple leaves under feet.