Page 131 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

Caroline looked up at him and saw the approval in his gaze. No one ever looks at me with approval. To prove she was not ignorant, she asked, “Since Members of Parliament earn no money, how can you afford to be an MP? Entertaining is costly and so is keeping a household.”

“You are correct. I have a cook, a batman, a maid-of-all-work, a housekeeper, and my aunt has a personal maid.”

“No butler?”

He shook his head.

“You will need a butler once you are elected,” she assured him. “And your wife will have a personal maid as well. Horses?”

“I keep no horses.”

“No footman?”

“None.”

“You will need one to take your messages about London,” she told him. “That makes ten servants. By my tally, I think you would be spending upwards of £250 on wages alone. Oh, dear. Then there is their livery and keep.”

“That sounds about right.”

“I do not know how you can afford this venture of yours without marrying a woman with a fortune of her own.” Caroline abruptly stopped walking. She removed her hand from his arm and stared at him. “I see,” she said coldly. Turning on her heel, she strode away, back toward the house. Clearly, he only wants me for my money. I cannot believe I let myself hope that he meant to offer for me because he loves me. Stupid, stupid Caroline!

“What is wrong?” Douglas asked, catching up to her. “Have I offended you?”

Caroline could not mention her foolish thoughts. “I have the headache. I need to lie down upon my couch before our guests arrive.”

“I am sorry you are not feeling well,” he said, easily keeping up with her. “Thank you for pointing out the financial challenges a political life will bring. A moneyed wife is not the only way for a gentleman to earn extra income, of course. Just the simplest. However, I have an idea that my investment in the Regent’s canal venture will profit me greatly.”

“Stop talking about money, please,” Caroline said, her voice deliberately harsh. “It is such an uncouth topic.”

“Of course. I beg your pardon, I believed you were interested.”

Caroline thought she heard disappointment in his tone but decided she must be imagining it.

*

Wednesday morning dawned, and Caroline still did not know if she would accompany the colonel on his journey to bring Georgiana’s potential new governess-companion to Netherfield. The night had brought a period of reflection. Basile had curled up beside her, purring and accepting her soothing caresses. His presence greatly calmed her. She managed to set aside her visceral reaction to the idea that the colonel wished to marry her only for her money. Both ladies and gentlemen looked for a financial advantage in their marital alliances. I said much the same to Charles just yesterday. Instead of dwelling on her initial hurt, she used her intellect to examine whether or not she might enjoy being married to…Douglas.

“He is kind,” she said softly as her maid brushed her hair.

“Who is, miss?” Agatha asked.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam.”

“Oh, aye. His batman says the same, miss. And polite to servants, he is.”

Caroline touched a hairpin on her dressing table and began to play with it, turning it around and around.

“I have had three seasons,” she murmured.

“Fourth’ll be the charm, miss,” Agatha said, making no effort to hide her understanding of Caroline’s meaning.

“He makes me laugh.”

“A pleasant gentleman, miss,” her maid said, beginning to arrange Caroline’s hair into loops and swirls.

Caroline passed her hairpins. “The colonel has some interesting plans.”

“Has he, miss?”