Owen smiled playfully, “Well, it is simple, really; If I am your partner for the first dance, then I can seek you out upon my arriving,” he told her as he looked at her with admiration. “And if I am your partner for the last dance, then I am ensured of being in your thoughts when you return to your room to retire for the night.”
Caroline blushed just a little. Owen was so completely charming, and he had such a way about him. When she was with him, she almost felt she could trust him; that she could let go of her fear and love him. “What a perfectly shocking thing to say,” she laughed. “Truly, Mr. Fitzwilliam, that is very forward of you,” she teased. “Next, you will be requesting all of my time in-between the first and last dance as well,” she commented.
He looked deeply into her eyes, “That is a marvelous idea, Miss Bingley,” he said as he guided her through the crowd and out to the foyer. “Of course, if I were to spend so very much time with you, there would be talk of an understanding between us.”
Caroline felt her heart beat faster, “Yes, I think there would be,” she said, feeling just a little breathless. Caroline looked over and saw that Charles, Jane, and Louisa had followed them out and were coming to join them. “I will save you two dances, Mr. Fitzwilliam,” she said softly. “The first one…and the last.”
Owen found himself feeling very satisfied with her answer. As Charles came up beside them, he released her arm and turned to the others. “I thought it was a magnificent performance. I found it very enjoyable,” he said to Charles.
“I agree with you completely. It was a very good performance,” Charles told him. “I must say, Mr. Fitzwilliam, you have very fine seats. I dare say they were as nice as Darcy’s.”
Mr. Fitzwilliam laughed and shook his head, “Now, Charles, you must not let my cousin hear you say that” he joked.
“Quite right,” Charles laughed.
“Thank you, Mr. Fitzwilliam, for asking us to join you,” Jane said. “I believe we will see you at Miss Darcy’s coming out ball?”
Owen nodded his head, “Indeed you will, Mrs. Bingley,” he told her. He looked back over to Caroline, “Miss Bingley, I look forward to our dance,” he said softly as he lifted her hand and gently kissed it.
Caroline smiled, “As do I, Mr. Fitzwilliam,” she replied, letting her guard down.
Owen turned back to the others and bowed his head slightly. “I will say goodnight, then,” he said before turning to leave.
Both Jane and Charles bid him good night. “Come, Jane; let us go this way,” Charles said as he guided his wife away from the crowd and to their waiting carriage.
Louisa took hold of her sister’s arm as they followed behind. “Oh Caroline,” she whispered softly. “You have done it!”
Caroline furrowed her brow, “Louisa, whatever are you talking about?” she asked her.
Louisa narrowed her eyes and laughed, “Why, you have convinced Mr. Fitzwilliam that he should marry you,” she told her.
“Mr. Fitzwilliam has made no offer of marriage, Louisa,” she told her.
“Yes, but he will,” she said as her mouth turned up into a very satisfied smile. “Just think, you shall be Lady Fitzwilliam. It is just as you always hoped it would be. I must say, he seems very agreeable, and if his attentions to you this evening are any indication, I believe you will be married before Christmas time,” she told her. “Oh, it is all so wonderful; he is wealthy, and I think you will be able to control him very easily. Having the upper hand in your marriage is very important, my dear sister.”
Caroline's stomach lurched just a little as she listened to her older sister carry on. She suddenly felt very ill when she realized just how like Louisa she herself sounded when speaking of marrying Mr. Darcy. “Louisa, you are mistaken,” she told her. “I have done nothing to persuade Mr. Fitzwilliam to show me his regard or favor.”
Louisa laughed, “Come now, Caroline, there is no need to be coy with me,” she assured her. “Truly, you are too modest. At first, I wondered why you were behaving so very altered; but then Jane told me how filled with despair Mr. Fitzwilliam was reported to be because of the loss of his late wife. It was then I understood. You were attempting to be sympathetic to gain his trust and win him over. I must say, it is very clever of you, sister, and a bit devious,” she commented. “I believe it is working because now we see he is very agreeable and has all but forgotten his dead wife!”
Caroline shook her head, “Louisa, how could you say such a thing! I promise you, it is not at all like that!” she snapped at her as she grabbed her sister's arm and pulled her to the side to continue talking.
Louisa furrowed her brow and narrowed her eyes, “There is no need to become so agitated. Really, Caroline! I was merely complimenting you on succeeding with your plan.”
Caroline shook her head, “What plan is it that you keep talking about?” she demanded to know.
Louisa shrugged her shoulders a little, “Do you really not remember?” she asked her. “I suppose I am not surprised; it was years ago. You returned from staying with our aunt and uncle,” she reminded her as she lowered her voice. “Father wanted you to marry James Talbot, but you were determined. I remember very clearly you telling me Mr. Talbot was not wealthy enough for you. You said you would never marry a tradesman. You said you would rather die an old maid than to marry someone from Father’s social sphere, and that one day, no matter what you had to do, you were going to marry a wealthy gentleman of rank and superior connections,” she finished saying. “I must tell you after you lost Mr. Darcy to the likes of Elizabeth Bennet, I was beginning to think you should have married James Talbot after all. Oh, but now here you are about to become engaged to a Lord!” she enthused.
Caroline looked down towards the ground as she remembered very clearly speaking those words to her sister. The meanness and the spirit behind them came back to haunt her. Was that what she had been doing with Owen? Had she merely been doing whatever she had to in order to trick him? Her stomach lurched again as she looked up at her sister, “Even if I did say such horrible things then, it is not how I feel now!” she told her as she began walking back towards the carriage.
Louisa caught up to her. “Very well, have it your way,” she said as they reached the carriage together.
“I began to wonder where the two of you were,” Charles said as he helped Louisa up into the carriage. Once Louisa was situated, Charles turned back to Caroline and extended his hand to her. When she did not take his hand, he called out her name, “Caroline?”
Caroline looked up at him in confusion for a moment, “Oh yes, of course. Thank you, Charles,” she said softly.
Caroline did not say much as they rode along. All she could think about where the cruel and hurtful things her sister had said to her about Owen. Her heart ached because she knew deep down there was a time not so long ago when she would have congratulated herself for fooling such a man as Mr. Fitzwilliam into loving her, but not now. She looked over to the window and watched as people hurried past, and thought about Mr. Fitzwilliam. Caroline examined her own conduct and knew in her heart she could never hurt him. As she fought back the tears that threatened to fall; she realized she had fallen completely in love with Mr. Fitzwilliam. Even with all her attempts to guard herself against becoming too close and to keep him at arm’s length, Owen had found a way to her heart. She took in a deep breath and sniffled in as she did her best to consider what she would do next.
It was late by the time Owen returned home. He went to his study and poured himself a glass of port, then he walked over and sat down at his desk.
“So,” Richard said as he came into the room, “Did you see Miss Bingley?”
Owen leaned back in his chair, “Richard, you did not stay just to ask me about Miss Bingley, did you?”
Richard walked over and sat down, “I was wondering how things went with Miss Bingley, yes,” he admitted. “But I promise you, that was not my only reason for staying. Mother asked me to join her for dinner, as Father was dining
with his friends this evening.
“I see,” Owen said. “Well, to answer your question; yes, I did see Miss Bingley,” he told him as he thought about how Caroline looked this evening. He found her completely captivating and charming. “Before you ask, yes, we have worked out our differences, and we are friends once again.”
“Only friends?” Richard remarked. “I thought perhaps your feelings for the lady went deeper than that of friendship.”
Owen shook his head, “If you are asking did I declare myself to her and ask her to marry me?” he said as he sipped his port. “No, I did not.”
Richard got up and walked over to pour himself some port. He turned back and looked at his brother, “But I can see it in the way you talk about her. You wanted to do so,” he said.
Owen sighed as he leaned back in his chair, “Caroline Bingley is a very difficult woman to understand…” he began to say when Richard’s laughter interrupted him.
“Tell me, Owen, what woman is not difficult to understand?” Richard asked him as he walked back over to sit down.
“That is very true,” Owen smiled. He took another sip of his port and said, “However, with Caroline, there is more to it. There is something there, something I believe in her past that keeps her so distant and…”
“Difficult?” Richard offered.
Owen looked at him and shook his head, “I am being serious, little brother,” he told him. “For the first time since Emily, I find myself feeling things for this woman that I was sure I would never feel again.”
“But that is good; I should think,” Richard told him. “I know you loved Emily very deeply, but Owen, you cannot stop living because she is gone. Finding Miss Bingley I think has been good for you both. As I said before, she has been less difficult since coming here and knowing you.”
Owen sighed. “Richard, I do care very deeply for her,” he admitted to him. “I can share things with her that no one else understands, at least, not in the way that she does.”
“It sounds as if you are in love again,” Richard commented.
Owen leaned back in his chair and considered his feelings, “I will admit to having feelings for her,” he told him. “However, beyond that, I still cannot say. I loved Emily so very much; it is still very strange to think of spending my life with anyone other than her.”
“I know it is difficult for you, but you must come to terms with the fact that she is gone,” Richard told him. “This may well be your chance at finding someone whom you could have a life with.”
“Yes, well, I am not the only thing standing in the way,” Owen told him as he finished his port. “As I said, there is something holding Miss Bingley back as well, something in her past that haunts her, I believe, and she does not trust me enough to speak to me about it.”
“Well, I have never known you to back away from a challenge,” Richard said as he finished his port and stood back up. “Owen, if you have no objection to my doing so, I believe I will stay here for a few days. I would like to spend some time with Mother, and right now, Windham House is rather busy with preparation for the ball.”
“I have no objection to you staying here; it is your home as well, and always will be.” He said thoughtfully.
“Thank you for saying so,” Richard told him as he let out a small sigh, “I must admit, I will be happy to have all this coming out nonsense done and over with. I think it all very ridiculous. Truly, I do not comprehend the need to be putting Georgiana on display for every young man to come and ogle. Surely, there must be a better way to introduce her to the ways of society without all of this pomp and circumstance.”
Owen looked up at his brother and laughed, “If there is, Richard, I do not know of it. Besides, I think young ladies rather enjoy their coming out. It gives them an opportunity to…”
“To put themselves on display,” Richard snapped. He could not help but feel more irritated just thinking about it.
Owen laughed, “I believe you would prefer this ball not take place,” he remarked.
Richard sighed heavily, “I am not opposed to Georgiana having her ball,” he told him. “I am only concerned that she be happy.”
Owen stood up and walked over to the door with his brother, “Richard, if you want to make our cousin happy, then I believe you should ask her to dance at her ball,” he suggested. “In fact, if you wish to make her very happy, do not ask Miss Bennet to dance at all.”
Richard furrowed his brow and shook his head, “I am afraid I do not understand your meaning?”
Owen laughed. “I know, little brother,” he said as they walked up the stairs together.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Caroline came down from her room and found both Jane and Elizabeth sitting in the parlor chatting. “Jane, I wonder if you would care to join me on a walk through the park? I thought perhaps some fresh air would do me some good, as I did not sleep very well last night.”
Jane furrowed her brow, “I would be happy to join you, Caroline, but Charles is to be away with Mr. Darcy today. They are going to go fencing,” she explained. “Besides, I thought Louisa was to come for tea?”
Caroline took in a small breath, “I have written a note to her and said that I am unwell and that we shall meet for tea tomorrow,” she explained.
“Surely if you are feeling unwell, you would not wish to go out walking in the park this morning?” Jane asked, feeling confused.
“On the contrary, I would still very much like to go if you would accompany me. As I said, I did not sleep well last night. I was plagued by some rather unpleasant dreams, and believe being out will do much in the way of helping me to feel better,” Caroline told her. “Perhaps Elizabeth would care to join us as well?”
“I have nothing pressing to do. I could go and speak with Kitty and Georgiana; perhaps they will come also?” Elizabeth asked.
“Very well,” Caroline said as she turned to leave. “I will go and get ready,” she said before leaving.
Once she was gone, Jane turned to Elizabeth and said, “Caroline seems rather uneasy this morning. It is odd that she should have such an unpleasant night sleep when by all accounts, last night went so very well.”
Elizabeth arched her brow, “You said Mr. Fitzwilliam came to the theater; is it possible things did not go well between them?”
Jane shook her head, “Not at all. In fact, when Mr. Fitzwilliam came to the concert, he was very attentive to her. He even made a point to invite us to sit with him and then made sure Caroline was seated next to him,” she explained. “I was sure they got on very well. Even Charles made the remark that he thought perhaps Mr. Fitzwilliam might be speaking with him soon concerning Caroline.”
Elizabeth chewed her bottom lip, “If it is as you say and Mr. Fitzwilliam is very close to speaking with Charles, perhaps one chance meeting in the park would be enough to help settle the matter,” she mumbled out loud.
Jane smiled, “Lizzy, do remember your promise,” she warned her. “You do not want Mr. Darcy to think you are behaving like Mother again.”
Elizabeth arched her brow and sighed heavily, “You are right, I do not wish for him to see me in that light. Caroline has not asked us to help her with Mr. Fitzwilliam, so I shall not meddle,” she said as she stood up and began walking towards the door, then she stopped suddenly. “However,” she said as she walked back over to Jane. “I think we could send a note to Colonel Fitzwilliam and ask him to join us if he should like. After all, William did say that it was all right for me to help Georgiana when it comes to affairs of the heart,” she suggested.
Jane considered what Elizabeth said. “Colonel Fitzwilliam is spending some time with his mother and brother at Hallowell House,” she commented. “So if you did send a note suggesting that he is free to join us, for Georgiana’s sake, he might tell Mr. Fitzwilliam of our being there, and then both gentlemen would be free to join us.”
“Exactly,” Elizabeth smiled, “I do not think that would be meddling in Caroline’s affairs, would it?�
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Jane smiled, “Certainly not. After all, you are merely seeking to help Georgiana spend some time with the Colonel; we are not asking him to invite his brother along,” she said. “Of course, if he should invite Mr. Fitzwilliam to join us, all the better.”
Elizabeth hesitated for a moment as she considered how best to proceed, “I will write the note to Colonel Fitzwilliam while you go and speak with Kitty and Georgiana. If they agree to join us, we will send the note to the Colonel. If they choose not to, we will not send the note,” she explained. “I will have the note ready as soon as you return.”
Caroline waited as James helped her step down from the carriage, followed by Jane, Elizabeth, and Georgiana. “It is a lovely day,” Caroline remarked.
Elizabeth looked about, “It is a bit chillier, but not so much that we will not enjoy our walk,” she said before she turned to James. “We will take a turn around the park and then be back here within the hour.
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