CAROLINE

by Sue Barr

  “Speaking of Jane becoming part of our family, I brought something for her to wear on her wedding day.”

  She caught the look of trepidation Jane cast toward Elizabeth and for a brief moment regretted bringing the family heirloom. Did they think she was such a blackguard that she would give her something horrid? She then saw the look of excitement on Charles’ face, as he’d probably guessed what it was and knew she’d done the right thing.

  “This was our great grandmother’s and has been worn by every Bingley bride for over four generations. You may borrow it for your vows and pass it on to your own son’s wife.”

  From her reticule she pulled out a jeweler’s box which held the comb and handed it to Jane, who opened the box and gasped. Encrusted with tiny seed pearls and diamonds, the comb was meant to hold the bride’s veil in place. Jane raised tear filled eyes to meet hers.

  “Thank you, Caroline. I have no words to express my gratitude.”

  Against her will, Caroline’s eyes became rimmed with tears as well. Whatever must the Miss Bennets think of her?

  Charles handed her and Jane fresh linen cloths. With a wry grin he looked at Caroline and stated, “The Steward of the Linen Cupboard at your service.”

  She smiled weakly at his humor. His attempt to apply levity to the situation was greatly appreciated.

  Jane carefully placed the comb back into the jeweler’s box and before closing the lid, gently ran her fingers over the beads and diamonds. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, her fine eyes twinkling, watched her dab the corner of her eyes with the cloth. For a few minutes she said not a word, only observed as she and Jane composed themselves.

  “You surprise me, Miss... Caroline.” Elizabeth set down her tea cup and continued her inspection most intently.

  “How is that?”

  “You have brought my sister to tears of joy and humbled yourself in sharing this moment without reservation. I would never have thought you capable of such honest emotion.”

  Her first instinct was to answer back in a scathing tone and show Miss Elizabeth Bennet what honest emotion really looked like. With great effort, she counted to ten before replying.

  “As I checked the comb prior to attending your aunt’s home, I had time to consider what may have gone through my great-grandmother’s mind when she’d fastened it to her veil on her wedding day. And then again, what hopes and dreams did each Bingley bride up to my mother entertain?”

  She glanced at Jane, still holding the box and smiling at something her brother said. What dreams did Jane have for her life with Charles? She felt as though her grandmamma was with her at that very moment, encouraging her to lay aside her hurt pride and extend an olive branch of friendship instead.

  “Today is not about me, my dear sister Elizabeth, but about Jane and Charles. I truly hope they have a long and prosperous life together.”

  She would have to have been dead not to enjoy the flicker of surprise in Elizabeth’s eyes at her remark. Before Elizabeth could continue the conversation, Charles came to stand beside them.

  “It is time for us to take our leave, Caroline. It was lovely to see you again, Miss Elizabeth.”

  “Come, come, Mr. Bingley. We are to be brother and sister. As I’ve said to Caroline, you must call me by my Christian name. Family gatherings would be so tedious if we were forever calling each other by our titles.”

  “Quite right, Elizabeth. And I give you leave to call me Charles.”

  “Thank you, Charles,” she said with a polite nod of her head. “I presume we will not see you until we all arrive en masse at Pemberley?”

  “Caroline and I arrive Friday prior to the week of the ball. Darcy and I want to get some shooting in. Louisa and Robert, Mr. Hurst, are traveling up with us.”

  “Splendid. I am looking forward to the ball, although my nerves are stretched a little tight at the thought of meeting Mr. Darcy’s extended family.”

  And they of meeting yours, I would presume.

  Caroline did not give voice to her malicious thoughts; instead she placed her tea cup on the small side table and stood.

  “Shall we go Charles? I informed Cook we would be home in time for dinner and I don’t want her to hold the meal for us.”

  “Yes, yes. We should go.” He gave Elizabeth a courteous bow and extended his arm for Caroline to place her hand upon.

  She turned to Mrs. Gardiner. “Thank you for tea, Mrs. Gardiner. Mr. Gardiner.” She gave him a small curtsy. “I look forward to seeing you both at Pemberley.”

  Even though she was resigned to the fact Darcy was marrying Elizabeth Bennet, it was a bitter pill to swallow that she would never be mistress of the grand estate of Pemberley.

  Everybody said polite goodbyes and Charles escorted her to the front door. When Jane joined them, Caroline took an inordinate amount of time pulling on her gloves to give them a moment of privacy. In less than two more weeks all this would be over and she could start again.

  Chapter 6

  Nathan scratched a few words on the paper before him, checking his Bible to assure himself he’d quoted the Scripture correctly.

  “Is this where one comes to save his soul from eternal damnation?”

  Nathan glanced up from his sermon making, a joyous smile creasing his face at the sound of a familiar voice.

  “Maxwell!” He rose to his feet, skirted around the desk and clasped his eldest brother’s outstretched hand. Before he could utter another word his brother pulled him in for a hard hug. With enthusiasm, he returned the heart felt gesture. Although only a couple of weeks had passed since he last saw his brother, it felt like ages past. “What brings you to Derbyshire so early?”

  “My affairs in London concluded sooner than expected, and Darcy invited me to shoot with him and other guests. As you know, I’m not one for the social rounds and this came as a welcome reprieve.” His brother stepped away and sat in the chair placed next to the crackling fireplace, comfortably crossing one leg over his knee. Nathan pulled the cord to ring his housekeeper for tea and then sat across from Max. “When we last met in London, you didn’t tell me you are to preside over the ceremony.”

  “Although it is his due, given his family connections, Darcy didn’t want the officiousness that comes with the Archbishop blessing his union. It would entail the whole wedding party to attend London and he greatly desired to get married at Pemberley. I gladly accepted the honor.”

  “You will officiate most admirably. I am curious about the woman who managed to bring our proud Mr. Darcy to one knee. Have you met Miss Bennet?”

  “I have. She is a delightful young woman. Most amiable, full of extreme wit and charm. I suspect she will keep Darcy quite entertained. There will never be a dull moment over soup at any of their dinner parties.”

  The housekeeper appeared at the door. “Ye were wantin’ something, Lord Reverend Kerr?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Crenshaw. Could my brother and I have a spot of tea and some of your mouth watering biscuits?”

  “Right away, Lord Reverend Kerr sir, Your Grace.” With much bobbing of her head she backed out of the room and disappeared down the hall toward the kitchen.

  “That’s quite the title you have there, brother.”

  “I know,” Nathan sighed out. “I’ve attempted many times to persuade her to simply call me Mr. Kerr, and we’ve had some success. I think today she’s a little discomposed over having a Duke in the parsonage. We’ll start again tomorrow.”

  He noted his brother’s intent perusal.

  “What? Have I got a blotch of ink on my shirt again?” He glanced down, moving his outer coat aside to inspect his chest. Mrs. Crenshaw was forever scolding him about the amount of ink that didn’t make it onto the paper. She threatened to make him wear a black or dark blue over-shirt whenever he prepared sermons.

  “No,” Max said carefully. “I’ve come to the realization you are quite content, here in Kympton, away from the hustle and bustle of London.”

  “I am.” Nathan leaned forward. “I know
Mother worried I would crawl into a northern corner of England, never to surface again after Miss Tottingham refused my proposal—”

  “She was a fool,” Maxwell interrupted with an indignant huff.

  “Be that as it may, she was unwilling to move from London to Derbyshire and leave her family behind.”

  He waited for the familiar ache to rumble across his chest at the thought of Miss Tottingham, with her golden curls and liquid brown eyes, but nothing happened. His heart lifted at the realization that he could think of her without sorrow, or a feeling of loss. Immediately his consciousness breathed a quiet prayer. Thank you, Lord for healing my heart.

  That was how Nathan lived his life. Seeking to do the Lord’s will and giving Him thanks for all mercies bestowed upon him, great or small. He was most appreciative of being released from that period of his life.

  “She wanted a titled family and elegant parties in London, Nathan. Don’t try to make her into a saint when she was not.”

  Max stopped speaking when Mrs. Crenshaw arrived with a tray. They both waited as she poured them a cup of tea, and with a curtsy and more bobbing of the head, left the room.

  “We will not speak of Miss Tottingham again. She is in the past and shall stay there. When and if the Lord sees fit to bring me a wife, she will be someone who has a heart for the downcast and doesn’t mind mending her own stockings.”

  “Then don’t set your cap for any of Darcy’s guests,” Max said with a laugh. “Most of his family are Lord this and Lady that. There will be so much blue blood in attendance the King himself might think it’s a royal coronation and show up.”

  Both brothers laughed and then settled in to discuss family happenings and enjoy their tea. After catching up on what their mother was keeping busy with and how George was breaking many hearts in London, Nathan pressed deeper.

  “Is there any young lady who has captured your interest this Season, brother?”

  “Not you too.” Max set his cup onto the table with a bang. Immediately he grimaced. “Sorry, old chap. I don’t mean to break your tea service, but that question has dogged me for over two years and I’m dashed tired of it. It was annoying when I was just the heir, but now that I’ve got the title, the sharks have my scent in the water.”

  “You will be nine and twenty on your next birthday, and if you wish to marry and have children at an age where you can actually enjoy them...” He trailed off and waited in silence.

  “There is one—”

  “Ha! I knew it. I knew there was someone. My left eyebrow twitches whenever you have a secret.”

  “That’s an old wives tale and I’m surprised you even adhere to that hobble-dee-hoy.” Max flicked an imaginary speck of dust from his leg, a frown marring his elegant brow.

  “Protest if you must, but I knew there was something. Your letters have been most melancholy and we didn’t have time to really discuss anything of import when I was last in London. I’ve prayed you would find whatever it was you were searching for.”

  “She’s too young for me.”

  “How young is too young? Please tell me she’s at least out of the nursery.”

  “Next year will be her first Season.”

  Nathan did the mental calculation as to how old the girl in question. “She is about ten and seven. How can that be too young? Mother was ten and six when she wed Father.”

  “She will be ten and eight at the end of this month and does have a maturity far beyond her years. It’s as though she’s had great sorrow in her life and from that sorrow she sees the world for what it is. Not all rose gardens and parties.”

  “Does she view you in the same light?”

  “I don’t know.” Max sighed deeply. “I’ve been careful in my dealings with her. I love her without question, but she hasn’t really experienced anything beyond her home. I don’t want to stand in the way of her finding happiness or love elsewhere.”

  “As your brother I wish you to find contentment. As a minister with the Church of England, I would advise you to continue to exercise caution. Once you are married, it is until death do you part. Don’t make the same mistake our uncle made with the hoyden he tied his anchor to.”

  “Ah, yes, Uncle Moreland. He did grab a tiger by the tail with Millicent, more than twenty years his junior.” Max stroked his chin as he continued in remembrance. “Who knew someone who sang like an angel with the most innocent of expressions would have no less than three lovers on the go?”

  “It was not three, Max. There was only one and that was enough to ruin their good names.”

  Nathan rang the bell for Mrs. Crenshaw to clear away the tea service. “This is your first time here. Would you care to see the rest of the house and garden?”

  “I would. This is an extremely good living Darcy had available. The house is quite large.”

  Both men stood and walked toward the front foyer. Nathan started the tour by pointing out the generous music room with an attached library.

  “The library is nothing compared to our ancestral home or that of Pemberley, but there are enough tomes here to keep me entertained for a few years. Come this way to the dining room.”

  The tour didn’t take too long. The vicarage boasted a dining room large enough to entertain twelve guests comfortably and the kitchen had a well-stocked larder. In the back, Mrs. Crenshaw had a garden as well as a hot house for growing food during the winter months. Upstairs, there were eight bedrooms, four of which had attached bathing chambers. The third level had enough rooms for at least five servants, but as Nathan was a single man, he only needed two.

  At the end of the tour Nathan escorted his brother down to the stables. There he housed three horses, two that Darcy provided for his modest carriage and his own stallion, Thunder, for riding. He found he needed his trusty steed to travel about the estate looking after his parishioners while keeping the carriage for more formal affairs or inclement weather.

  “I’m pleased for you, Nathan. I will assure Mother you have landed on your feet and are content with life after serving in the military for so long.”

  Nathan’s stable master brought Max’s horse over to where they stood talking.

  “Thank you, Peter.”

  Peter touched the brim of his hat and turned back toward the stable. Nathan noted the horse had only a saddle. No saddle bags with extra clothing attached, at all.

  “Did you not bring a change of clothes?”

  “I had my valet go on ahead with the carriage,” Max chuckled. “I was anxious to see you again. This upcoming week will be busy for both of us.”

  Nathan clasped his brother’s outstretched hand. “I wish you would stay here, but I understand that Mr. Darcy wants all the guests to partake in activities at the main house.”

  “True, plus the ball this coming Thursday. It’s so much easier to find one’s bed when it’s in the same house.”

  “The ball. I’d forgotten.”

  “You’re invited?”

  “Of course. I may be his vicar, but I’m also Lord Nathan. Mr. Darcy was most insistent I attend. Who am I to say ‘no’ at the chance to see old friends and acquaintances?”

  “And the beautiful Miss Bingley again.”

  “She is beautiful, there is no argument there, however, I have some concerns to her character.”

  “How is that? You had no great discussion with her at the play. In fact you retreated back into what I called your solitude man. The one who held many in disdain before coming to know the Lord.”

  “I haven’t had any amount of conversation with her, but when I conducted my interview with the Bennet sisters last week, some things arose that gave me pause.”

  “I wouldn’t listen to idle gossip, brother. Make your own decisions.”

  “Don’t misunderstand. The Bennet sisters were charming and are the souls of discretion. When we spoke of Charles Bingley’s family, they demurred when discussing Miss Bingley. It wasn’t what they said, but what they didn’t say.”

  He stepped back a
s Max mounted his large bay horse.

  “Nathan, you have never judged someone by the opinions of others. Their view is skewered by their own prejudices. Give the lady a chance to prove herself. You may be pleasantly surprised.”

  “You’re right as always, but it would be a shame if such a lovely package held nothing good inside.”

  The stallion sidestepped and huffed, anxious to be off.

  “I must go before Pericles misbehaves and attempts to unseat me. I shall see you tonight at Pemberley.”

  “Tonight?”

  “Yes, I forgot to tell you. We’ve been invited by Darcy to dine there this evening.” Max dug his heels into the sides of the stallion and took off at a fast pace. “Until tonight,” he called over his shoulder.

  Nathan waved a salute goodbye and stood at the end of his walk watching until his eldest brother was out of sight. A smile creased his face at the thought of seeing the lovely Caroline Bingley at Pemberley this evening. Already he looked forward to speaking with her further and determine for himself what type of woman she truly was.

  ~~~ooo0ooo~~~

  Caroline, Louise, Mr. Hurst, Charles and Darcy gathered in the drawing room and listened to Georgiana play the small pianoforte located there. Darcy informed them they were waiting for two more guests to join them and then they would proceed into the dining room for their evening meal.

  “Who do you think the other guests are?” Louisa whispered, apparently not noticing the annoyed look Darcy shot toward them from where he stood by the fireplace. Caroline didn’t blame him. Georgiana was such a talented pianist and she executed the intricate piece written by Beethoven like a master. She could listen to the young girl play all night, but Louisa kept interrupting with hushed murmurs.

  About to chastise her sister for being rude, the door to the drawing room opened and Grieves announced the next guest.

  “His Grace, the Duke of Adborough.”

  Both she and Louisa turned at the name and to her surprise, two gentlemen entered the room. Her breath caught as she watched Lord Nathan and his brother the Duke approach a smiling Darcy.

  Lord Nathan was here! Her heart beat a rapid tattoo against her ribs and her breath came in quick, short bursts. Never in her dreams had she thought to see him again. After many days of no calling cards or visits she’d assumed he was still the Rake society wanted to brand him as, and his light flirtation, although exciting had meant nothing to him.