Page 39 of The Marriage Game

The next morning, Caroline came awake to the sound of birds singing outside her window. It had taken her some time to fall asleep, with all the excitement of Elmstree in her mind. She was grateful to have the opportunity to sleep as late as she wished! Would the mistress of Elmstree have that same luxury? Would there not be a good deal of work to be done? Supervising staff and the like?

But what would it matter, what would having such responsibilities matter, if she was by Richard’s side? She would be glad to do her duty, in partnership with Richard! When had she begun to think of him as Richard? And what a heroic name it was, like Richard the Lionheart! She immediately berated herself for sounding like something out of a silly romance novel. She had never developed a taste for reading at all, let alone stuff and nonsense where the heroine cannot bear to be apart from her beloved. What silliness!

Except now it seemed that it was not silliness at all; such feelings were real, and Caroline was experiencing them! This was how Charles felt about Jane, how Mr. Darcy felt about Elizabeth!

She rang for Alice, who greeted her mistress pleasantly. Caroline had been astounded at how ready Alice had been to excuse her mistress’ past bad behaviour. They were now almost friends.

That afternoon, Mr. Lindsay came calling, begging Caroline to go for a ride in the park. Caroline had every intention of discouraging his suit, but she did not know how to decline a ride in the park, particularly as they had driven out together many times in the past weeks.

“You are looking particularly lovely today, Miss Bingley,” he said, as he handed her in.

“Thank you, Mr. Lindsay,” she replied. “How is your sister? I have not seen her of late.”

“Alicia has been rather busy,” he replied, smiling. “I am happy to say that she has a suitor, and this time it is someone of whom the family approves.”

“Oh! I am so happy for her!” Caroline knew she spoke the truth; she was not the slightest bit envious!

“It is all because of you, you know.”

“Surely she would have emerged from her self-imposed isolation at some point,” Caroline insisted.

“Perhaps, but no one can deny that your friendship hastened the process.”

“Well, then, I am glad that I could be of help to her.”

“I suspect you will be invited to the wedding.”

“Then I suspect I will be delighted to attend!” Caroline replied.

“Miss Bingley, there is something I particularly wish to ask you…”

“Mr. Lindsay, I find myself feeling rather tired; would you very much mind taking me home?”

“Of course not, Miss Bingley; I am sorry you are not well.”

***

Later that day, closeted again with Mrs. Annesley at Darcy House, Caroline asked: “Is there a graceful way to turn down a marriage proposal?”

Mrs. Annesley smiled. “One rather hopes to subtly discourage a suitor before it reaches that point, but if one has not been successful in doing so, then something like this: I am highly sensible of the honour you do me in asking me to be your wife, but I do not feel for you that peculiar regard that I think is required to make a marriage successful.”

Caroline stared at Mrs. Annesley, who smiled and added, “It is rather a mouthful, I agree. But you want to make certain the gentleman knows that you appreciate his sentiments. It is, after all, quite a difficult thing for a gentleman to propose marriage, not knowing what the lady’s reaction will be. He deserves consideration.”