Caroline took in a small breath and shook her head, “It almost seems unkind,” she said honestly as she really thought about it for the first time. “To think, just because you were born before he was, you will be blessed and he will not.”
“That is very true,” he admitted. “It is something I have pondered for a very long time. I cannot tell you how often I felt guilt over being Richard’s older brother, knowing that I can live the life of leisure if I so decide. Knowing that I could marry Emily because I loved her, and not because I had to. Richard is not so lucky; he cannot follow his heart as I did,” he said as he turned for a moment and looked at his brother, who was happily chatting with Elizabeth and Jane. “He must be sure that the woman he falls in love with comes with an income of her own.”
“I find myself seeing things in a very different light than I once did,” Caroline admitted. “I do not believe I would have ever felt such sympathy for either the Colonel or Miss Catherine as I do now.”
Owen leaned over and whispered, “Do not concern yourself too much, my dear Miss Bingley, for I know two secrets that you do not know concerning the couple in question,” he told her.
Caroline could not help herself, “What would that be?” she asked.
He thought for a moment, “I think it best if I do not say anything more just yet,” he told her. “Better to be sure I have all the facts before I say anything more.”
“I will admit I am a bit disappointed. You have piqued my curiosity in a way that is begging to be satisfied,” she told him. “And yet, I find I am also very happy to see you are not a man given to gossip as some are. Another thing I am remembering is just how much gossip can hurt,” she told him. “I cannot believe I forgot so easily, but it is a nasty vice and one I do not want to continue in.”
“I could not agree with you more, Miss Bingley,” he said as they came to the end of the path. Owen stopped and turned to his brother, “Well little brother, I believe we both have had a very pleasing morning. We have both been well fed, had some much-needed exercise in the warm and beautiful sunshine, as well as some very good conversation. I believe we are both very fortunate men,” he said as Richard, Jane, and Elizabeth came up and joined them.
“I agree completely,” Colonel Fitzwilliam told him. “And to that end, I was wondering if I might prevail upon you to come and join Miss Bingley and Georgiana along with myself for dinner this evening?”
Owen looked over at Jane and Elizabeth, “Only the three of you are eating dinner?” he jokingly questioned him. “What are my cousin and his lovely Elizabeth going to do? What are Mr. Bingley, Mrs. Bingley and the lovely Bennet sisters planning on doing? Will they all be fasting this evening?” he joked.
Jane laughed, “No, Mr. Fitzwilliam, we will not be fasting,” she said. “We are to join the Admiral and Mrs. Godwin for dinner this evening. Admiral Godwin desires to meet my mother and father.”
“Well then, I suppose I will have to come to Windham House and have my supper with you, little brother. After all, I cannot allow you to have two such lovely companions as my cousin Georgiana and Miss Bingley all to yourself, now can I?” he said.
“No, indeed not, brother,” Colonel Fitzwilliam replied.
Owen turned to Caroline and said, “I wonder, do you think,” he began to say as he guided her over to the carriage, “Do you believe it is providence that has brought you and I together at such a time in our lives?” he said as he helped her into the carriage.
Caroline looked back at him. Her heart fluttered just a bit, taking her by surprise. “I think perhaps it might be,” she said as she gazed into his eyes.
Colonel Fitzwilliam leaned over and whispered to both Jane and Elizabeth, “I think you are right, my brother is rather taken with Miss Bingley,” he said softly. “I would not have thought it possible, but he is actually smiling again.”
Jane nodded her head, “And both Lizzy and I have noticed how altered Caroline has been,” she told him again. “I think knowing your brother has been very good for her.”
Elizabeth arched her brow, “I cannot be a party to these schemes of yours,” she teased. “I have promised William; I will no longer attempt matchmaking for anyone who does not expressly request my help.”
Jane laughed, “Oh Lizzy, do not worry so. I hardly think inviting Mr. Fitzwilliam to dine with his brother and cousin is so very meddlesome,” she told her. “In fact, I think even Mr. Darcy would approve.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed, “Besides, it is not you who is meddling,” he told Elizabeth. “It is I who am doing so this time.”
Before Elizabeth could say anything more, Owen called out, “Come now little brother, it is most grievous of you to keep the ladies from returning to Windham House so that they will have ample time to prepare for their dinner party this evening.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam nodded his head, “You are right, as always,” he told him.
Chapter Fourteen
After dinner, the ladies all went to the parlor to sit and take tea, while the gentlemen retired to the study for some port and cigars. “The admiral will open a window while he has his cigar, so we will have to have another log placed on the fire. He knows I do not care for the smell of cigars,” Mrs. Godwin told them. “I do hope it will not be too chilly for anyone.”
Mrs. Bennet wrinkled her nose, “I do not care for cigar smoke either, foul things,” she said as she looked around the room. “You do have a very lovely home here, Mrs. Godwin; and so conveniently located in the city as it is, must be very nice.”
Mrs. Godwin smiled, “It is indeed, Mrs. Bennet,” she responded. “Although, there are times when I long to be in the country.”
“Oh, do you prefer the country to London, then?” Mrs. Bennet asked.
“I did not always, but I find now as I am getting more set in my ways that I do,” she commented. “There is something about a country dance or a country dinner that just holds so much charm.”
Mrs. Bennet’s smile broadened, “That is exactly what I always say,” she told her.
“Mrs. Gardiner, I believe Mary mentioned that you are from Derbyshire, is that correct?” she asked her.
“Yes, we lived near Lambton,” she said. “I think it a very beautiful place. I very much prefer that part of the country to London.”
“I have been to Lambton on two occasions,” Mrs. Godwin said. “I thought the peaks of Derbyshire to be very lovely.”
“I could not agree with you more,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “And have you ever been to Pemberley?”
“I have not had that pleasure,” Mrs. Godwin told her. “Although, I have spent time with Lady Fitzwilliam at Willowing Park in Bedfordshire, and I liked that part of the country as well.”
Mrs. Bennet cried out, “Oh, Willowing Park is Lord Fitzwilliam’s family home,” she commented. “We spent yesterday with Mr. Fitzwilliam having tea, and he was very attentive to my younger daughter, Kitty. He very much enjoyed hearing her sing,” Mrs. Bennet said. “And Mary played as well.”
Mrs. Godwin looked over at Mary and smiled, “Jonathan said that you played a new piece on the pianoforte for him recently when he called at Windham House. He said he liked it very much,” she told her. “I was wondering if you might be persuaded to play it for us this evening?”
Before Mary could answer, Mrs. Bennet chimed in, “Oh, I am sure Mary will play for us,” she told her. “Mary always loves to play. Of all my girls Mary plays very well.”
Just as the gentlemen came into the room to join them, Lydia walked over and sat down on the sofa next to Mary. “I was talking with Kitty, and she said that Lizzy is planning a ball for Miss Darcy,” she announced, interrupting the conversation. “I am so looking forward to it. I do so want to dance and make merry with all the handsome gentlemen!”
Mary looked at Lydia, “I am not sure your husband would want you to be dancing with all the handsome gentlemen, especially at such a delicate time,” she told her. “Perhaps if you are bored, we could persuade Uncle Gardin
er to take us to the theater, or to a concert.”
“I do not like the theater, and I loathe sitting and listening to music,” she said in a sarcastic manner. “I wish Lizzy would take us to a ball this very night. That would be truly wonderful! Then I could dance with all the handsome young men in London as much as I pleased,” Lydia laughed.
“Lydia, that is a very rude thing to say,” Mary scolded her. “Mrs. Godwin has opened her home and invited us here, to say you would rather be at a ball is very unkind.”
Lydia shrugged her shoulders, “I meant no offense,” she snapped at Mary.
Mrs. Godwin smiled, “I am not offended, Mrs. Wickham,” she told her. After a few moments of awkward silence, she turned to Mrs. Bennet and said. “I think the wedding will be very lovely if the weather holds.”
Mrs. Bennet nodded her head. “I pray it will. I so dislike the snow,” she commented.
“Mr. Gardiner was saying to me only this morning that it has been an unseasonably warm Autumn. He commented that if the weather should hold, we could be in for a very warm, dry winter as well,” Mrs. Gardiner said.
“I know Lizzy hopes the weather will remain nice so that they will have easy travel back to Pemberley,” Mary shared. “I know I should like a white Christmas.”
Mrs. Godwin sipped her tea, “I must say, Mrs. Bennet, that is a very lovely gown,” she told her.
“Thank you for saying so,” Mrs. Bennet responded. “I was very pleased with the shop. Mrs. Gardiner suggested it. I believe Mary said you have been there as well.”
“Yes, I always have my gowns done by the seamstress at Higgins. They always give me the best price for my gowns, and Mr. Higgins is a very dear friend to both the Admiral and myself.”
“I went shopping recently and bought lots of lovely gowns,” Lydia chimed in. “And then I went and bought several hats as well.”
Mary narrowed her eyes just a little. She wondered how her sister could have possibly paid for all those dresses and things she was talking about. She was just about to ask but decided the matter would be best discussed at another time. “How many gowns did you commission, Lydia?” she asked her.
Lydia shrugged her shoulders, “I think it was six,” she giggled. She thought for a moment then said, “Yes, it was six in total. I remember because three of them were true Indian Muslin and three of them were silk.”
Mary swallowed hard, “Six new gowns!” she said somewhat shocked.
“Yes, and I purchased four new hats and two bonnets,” she concluded. “I just love London and all that it has to offer. I wish Wickham, and I could live here,” she laughed as she looked at her sister. “How sad it is that you should live here, Mary, instead of me. London and all that it has to offer will be wasted on you!” Lydia sighed, then she got up and went over to speak with Kitty.
Mary returned her teacup to the table and excused herself. “If you will excuse me for a moment,” she said as she got up. “I think I would like to go out on the balcony and get some fresh air.”
“Oh, do not be too long out there, my dear,” Mrs. Bennet warned her. “Your wedding is less than a week away; you do not want to catch a chill and have a stuffy red nose when you marry.”
Mary turned back to her mother and said softly. “I will take my shawl Mama, and I will be mindful not to stay too long.”
Jonathan watched as Mary walked through the door and stood on the balcony. He excused himself and followed her out. “Mary, is something wrong?” he asked her as he walked over to her.
She turned towards him, “Oh Jonathan, you will catch a cold; you have no coat,” she said, her voice filled with concern.
He shook his head. “I am well,” he told her. “I promise you, the evening air is not yet so cold that it bothers me. In truth, my mother has the parlor so warm this evening that the bit of cool air is very refreshing.”
She lowered her gaze just a little and smiled, “Yes, it is rather warm in the parlor,” she agreed.
Jonathan took her hand in his, “Mary, what is it?” he asked her. “I can see you are distressed. What is upsetting you?”
“Oh Jonathan,” she said her voice filled with apprehension, “I am afraid your family will think unwell of me after tonight.”
“No Mary, I promise you that is not the case,” he told her.
Mary looked at him and saw the concern in his eyes, “Jonathan, that is very kind of you to say,” she told him. “I just cannot help but wonder what your mother and father must be thinking of me now that they have met my mother and Lydia. I should never have agreed to this dinner party or allowed your family to meet mine.”
Jonathan pulled her away from the door so that they might talk more freely. “Mary, you must believe me, my family loves you. You have found your way into both their hearts in the brief time they have known you. Please do not doubt me when I say they do not think less of you because of your mother or sister.”
“I feel so bad for Mrs. Godwin. She is such a lovely woman, and I know she is being very patient with my mother’s many questions and Lydia’s outright rude behavior,” she told him. She looked into his eyes and shook her head, “Oh Jonathan, what if your mother and father withdraw their support for you to marry me?”
“Please do not be anxious about your mother and sister,” he told her again. “Let me put your mind at ease on the matter. I spoke with my father only this evening, and he was as happy as ever to have you join our family. In fact,” he said as he reached up and gently brushed a stray hair from her face. “My father is so taken with you, as is my mother that he has requested we consider living here with them now instead of living in the house my position would provide for us. He believes having you here will offer my mother some much-needed companionship that she has always longed for,” he told her. “Mary, truly since meeting you, I have watched my mother’s health improve tenfold. I know it is much to ask of you, but would you consider living here with my mother and father?”
Tears filled Mary’s eyes, “Of course I will,” she told him. “I have grown very fond of both your parents. And I should like to do whatever I can to help your mother recover.”
Jonathan pulled her into his arms, “I know my mother will be so pleased,” he told her. “I have spoken with my uncle, and he said that I may live here and still perform my duties to the parish. It is not very far from here, and I could easily walk it when the weather is good. It will be good for my constitution, and it will allow me time to spend with my father. I lost a great deal of time with him when I was a lad, and he was away to sea. Now finally, I will have an opportunity to know him better.”
Mary felt as if a burden had been lifted from her heart, “Jonathan, I feel so very blessed,” she told him.
Jonathan gently lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Mary, I cannot help but feel this is the Lord giving me another chance to mend the divide with my father completely. I am so thankful for this chance, and I know in my heart I owe it all to you,” he said, his voice filled with love for her.
Mary smiled, “I cannot wait for our wedding day. The day that I become Mrs. Jonathan Godwin cannot come soon enough for me. I love you so,” she said as he pulled her into his arms and held her close.
Owen sat on the chair next to Miss Bingley and his cousin Georgiana. “Dinner was very good,” he commented. “Georgiana, you have been the perfect hostess this evening.”
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