Page 80 of I Thee Wed (Pride And Prejudice Variation #2)

Elizabeth watched Charlotte’s relationship with Mr. Seton develop over the next several weeks. One morning, she and Mr. Darcy sat in the breakfast parlor discussing her friend’s prospects.

“What think you, Elizabeth? Is Seton courting Miss Lucas, or does he have other intentions? Last evening, they were discussing two tenants with a boundary dispute. I begin to think his only interest may be to learn from her years of experience.”

Elizabeth said thoughtfully, “I would like to believe that he has come to trust her judgment and to enjoy her company, that this is his way of courting her. Perhaps they are that sort who will have a meeting of the minds first, and then the heart will follow after.”

Darcy shook his head and stood. “My father always said, every man follows his own mind. I wish your friend the best.” He pulled his gloves out of the pocket of his riding jacket.

“My dear, I will be out on the eastern boundary again today. If you have need of me, send one of the Miller brothers. What are your plans for the day?”

“Charlotte and I will be organizing the stillroom. If there is time, I would like to drive to Kimpton to purchase a supply of the herbs we need for Dr. Rutledge's recipes. They are out of stock here in Lambton.”

He bent to kiss her. “Ask that the Miller brothers drive you. It is a fine day for a drive into Kimpton.”

Charlotte entered the breakfast parlor in time to serve herself before the food was taken away. Elizabeth looked up from the newspaper.

“Good morning, Charlotte. I am driving into Kimpton today to purchase herbs for the Stillroom.” She raised a brow.

“Georgiana says there is a milliner’s shop where she purchases all her bonnets.

They also sell gloves and ribbons. Your green day gown could use a different color ribbon, and perhaps you could find a matching bonnet. ”

Charlotte set down her fork. “I would like to see Kimpton, and I have enough money for two bonnets, unless the milliner sells them very dear. What time do we leave?”

Elizabeth looked at the clock. “It is half past ten. Can you be ready by half past eleven?”

Charlotte agreed. Elizabeth looked at her friend. “How does it go with Mr. Seton, my dear? Is he only learning how to manage his estate, or do you think he has a deeper interest in your company?”

Charlotte looked thoughtful and then sighed.

“Lizzy, I would like to think that he has a preference for my company. I am not the only person who has experience managing an estate, yet he continually seeks me out. I believe he may feel awkward speaking with women and is using his estate and his inexperience as an excuse to visit with me. If I were certain as to his intentions, I would encourage him, but I do not want him to think I have set my cap for him.”

Elizabeth studied her friend. “Charlotte, Mr. Seton has made daily visits to Pemberley for weeks now. He speaks primarily to you during his visits. I believe there is real interest there.”

Her friend looked hopeful. “Yes, I have been counting the days. It has been six weeks of almost daily visits, Lizzy.”

Elizabeth pressed her friend’s hand. “You just made my point. I believe he is truly interested, and if he has not spoken, perhaps it is because he is afraid. Give him some form of encouragement. Either he will move the relationship along, or he will back away. I believe there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. A woman had better show more affection than she feels so that she may help him on.”

Charlotte laughed. “Lizzy, that sounds very like something one of our mothers would advise.” She pressed her napkin to her lips, then added, “But you may be right. I will encourage Mr. Seton. I believe we could be very happy together.”

At half past three that same afternoon, Elizabeth was handed down from the carriage when Mr. Seton approached her.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Darcy. I have come to call on Miss Lucas.”

Elizabeth curtsied. “Mr. Seton. We are well met. Charlotte is here with me.”

Mr. Seton turned and handed Charlotte down. He bowed over her hand.

“Miss Lucas, will you take a turn in the garden?”

She curtsied. “Nothing would please me more, sir.” She smiled at the tall man, then reached for his arm and added, “How are you doing today? Are your tenants still at sword points with one another?”

Elizabeth heard him chuckle. She lingered and watched as the couple walked away from the entrance and entered the garden.

Charlotte was looking up into Mr. Seton’s eyes.

Elizabeth watched as he placed his free hand over her friend’s.

, There was affection in the gesture. Perhaps today, they would reach an understanding. She turned away and entered the house.

Mr. Seton took Charlotte’s hand and threaded it through his arm, his gaze never leaving her face. Her eyes ran down his form and then back up to his eyes. She observed that they were as blue as the sky overhead. The sunshine glinted off his fair hair.

He was amused as he watched her run her eyes down his form and then back to his face. She was studiously watching him, and this caused him to smile.

“Miss Lucas, do I see admiration in your eyes?”

She flushed. He had caught her staring. She looked away.

“Is the well-spoken Miss Lucas tongue-tied?” He grinned. “Perhaps what I see is affection?”

He placed his free hand over hers. “Charlotte, tell me that you feel for me what I have come to feel for you. I do not know how to make speeches, but I can tell you that I am happy when you are at my side. I feel like I have come home when I enter a room and find you in it. And though I cannot explain why, I feel like I have always known you. Charlotte, when we are together, I feel free to be myself and know that you accept me as I am. Though I have inherited, in my heart, I am still the second son, but have come to believe you would have had me, even if I was not the firstborn.”

They had stopped walking and were facing each other. He held both of her hands in his, and she looked up at him, smiling despite tears running down her cheeks.

“Will you marry me, Charlotte?”

Her fingers curled around his hands. “I will marry you, Mr. Seton. It is my greatest pleasure to accept your hand in marriage.”

They walked arm in arm, talking. Eventually, the couple returned to the house and presented themselves in the drawing room, where Mr. Seton made the announcement.

“Miss Lucas has accepted my offer of marriage.” He was smiling.

Elizabeth jumped to her feet and ran to her friend with a fierce embrace. “Congratulations, Charlotte. I am so happy for you.”

Darcy extended his hand to Seton. “My congratulations. I wish you every happiness.”

Georgiana stood next to Elizabeth and offered her own congratulations, and then Darcy rang for the butler. “Champagne, Walters, and set an extra place for Mr. Seton. He will stay for dinner.”

The following morning at the breakfast table, Elizabeth asked for details.

“When is the wedding, Charlotte?”

“We will marry next week, Lizzy. Mr. Seton is leaving for London today to obtain a common license. You may know, he is an orphan with no living siblings. He says he does not want to be alone a moment longer than he has to be.”

“I applaud his decision. It is refreshing to see him so impatient and determined after waiting six weeks for him to come to the point.” They both laughed, but then Elizabeth saw her friend’s eyes slide to the floor. She looked uneasy.

“I am embarrassed to ask this of you, Lizzy, especially after the way our family has treated you. Mr. Seton has opened his home to my parents, but I prefer not to have them lodge with him. Will you accommodate my parents here at Pemberley? You know how my father can be, bringing up St. James’s several times a day and at least once at every meal.

I shudder to expose Gareth to that. Perhaps after we have been married for some months, but not before. ”

Elizabeth laughed. “I understand, Charlotte. Of course, your parents will stay with us. I will send the invitation today.”

The wedding service was simple. Charlotte and Mr. Seton had eyes only for each other.

Sir William and Lady Lucas were struck mute with astonishment that their twenty-seven-year-old daughter had done so well for herself.

Darcy was happy because Elizabeth was happy.

She now had a close friend as her neighbor in Derbyshire.

Following the service, the party returned to Seton’s estate, where the wedding breakfast had been laid in the long dining room. Seton invited his neighbors and tenants, and most attended the celebration.

Elizabeth sat on a couch and held a small plate in her hand when Lady Lucas joined her. The woman was fidgeting, and Elizabeth guessed she was uncomfortable. She turned to the older woman and said, “Charlotte is a beautiful bride. You must be very proud.”

Lady Lucas relaxed as she gazed at her daughter standing in the middle of a group of neighbors.

“Charlotte does look very well. She wrote that your maid had cut her hair, and I was upset. However, now that I see how well she looks wearing a low chignon, I must admit it was for the better.” She turned to Elizabeth.

“I know this marriage and Charlotte’s improved appearance are all on account of you, my dear.

If you had not invited Charlotte to Derbyshire, she would still be languishing away in Meryton.

I want to thank you for all you’ve done for her. ”

Elizabeth smiled at the woman. “Charlotte is my friend. I introduced her to three eligible gentlemen, and she took it from there. I believe they fell in love while they were fishing.” She laughed.

“I trust that you will care for my Jane in Hertfordshire, as I will continue to care for Charlotte here in Derbyshire, Lady Lucas.”

The woman pressed Elizabeth’s hand quickly, then released it. “Yes, I promise you. I will esteem Jane whenever and wherever we meet. And I know you love my daughter and will continue to treat her as you have always done, as a sister.”

Lady Lucas stood. “We have packed our bags and will complete the first leg of our journey back to Hertfordshire today. Sir Lucas is anxious to be home again, and I left the two boys at home with only Maria and Nanny to watch them. That could end in disaster.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Safe travels, Lady Lucas.” After she had shown her Meryton neighbors out, Elizabeth returned to the couch where she had been seated before, and Darcy joined her.

“Was that an apology, Elizabeth?”

She smiled at him. “Yes, the rift has been repaired. She has promised to treat Jane well. We have done a very good thing, Fitzwilliam. And I am very happy for my friend.”

Darcy looked at the newlyweds. “Seton is certainly very contented.”

Elizabeth touched his hand. “Lady Helen will arrive on Saturday. And then the Stanton sisters will arrive the following week with Jane and Charles. I hope we do as well in that quarter as we have done here today.”

Darcy curled his fingers around her hand.

“Never mind, darling. Aunt Helen will organize things as she sees fit, and all you and I need to do is follow along. Whether or not Phillip finds a match is none of our concern. You have done well enough to suggest two potential candidates and to open our home to them. It is just left to us to sit back and watch her machinations.” He grinned.

“Very well, darling. It will be a relief to watch and not have an active part to play.” She opened up her reticule and pulled out a letter. “I received this today.” She handed the folded sheet to him.

He opened it and read it, then raised a brow. “They are going to publish The Dryad in the Ladies’ Journal in the October issue?”

Elizabeth was studying his face. He was frowning.

“Fitzwilliam, I have worked for publication for three years and have always been refused. Then Alexander suggested I write a verse about love and loss instead. And it worked. It will be published under the pen name Elias Bennet. Please say you are happy for me.”

He sat very still. He was definitely not pleased. She waited. After what seemed like hours, he spoke.

“I love reading your work. I believed it was based on your thoughts about us, and knowing that it will be published in a women’s journal for the public to read is disconcerting.” He reached out for her hand. “I am not pleased, but I am happy for your success.”

Her expressive eyes darkened, betraying her sadness.

Darcy pressed her hand again. “I will be pleased, my darling, once I have accustomed myself to the idea. And I will not forbid you to submit future work under a pen name. Please, I did not mean to sadden you.”

She was still studying his features. His frown was no longer so severe as it had been.

“Fitzwilliam, I know it is not the thing for a gentlewoman to write and publish, but there is so little a woman is permitted to do. This is something I love.”

He looked down at the open letter in his hands. “I only need time, Elizabeth, to grow accustomed to the idea. No woman in my family, on either side, has ever published. It is simply not done.”

She tried to catch his eye. “But you do not forbid me from submitting my work?”

He let out a slow breath. “No, I do not forbid you. I knew from the first that you were a poetess, and you told me then that you intended to submit your writing. I only need time to reconcile myself to it.”

Before they could finish, Charlotte walked up and they both stood.

“Elizabeth, this day would not have happened but for you.” She turned to Darcy. “Sir, I know you had a hand in organizing the picnic, and Mr. Seton attended by your invitation. I want to thank you both for your kindness to me.”

Darcy bowed over her hand and said, “It was my pleasure, Mrs. Seton.”

Elizabeth embraced her friend. “You are very welcome, Charlotte. Send me a note when you return to Derbyshire. I heard Mr. Seton say you leave on a wedding trip tomorrow. Where do you go?”

“He has leased a house in the Lake District. We will remain only two weeks because of pressing business here on his estate.”

Elizabeth said, “Best wishes, Charlotte.” She kissed her friend’s cheek, and then the Darcy’s excused themselves and left with several others who were also offering their farewells.