Page 50 of The Marriage Game
When Colonel Fitzwilliam finally returned to Matlock House, the Earl and the Countess demanded a full explanation of why he had been gone so long, but he begged a respite, saying that he very much needed a bath, a nap, and a meal, though he must first send a message to Bingley House.
Dearest Caroline,
At long last, I am home at Matlock House. I will visit you as soon as I am presentable; at the moment, I am not fit to be seen!
Your devoted,
Richard
Once his message had been given to a stable lad for delivery, he went upstairs to his room. He emerged some three hours later, dressed in civilian clothes and looking newly shaven and much refreshed.
“Carstairs must have despaired of your appearance,” the Countess commented, smiling.
“He took it as a challenge,” the Colonel replied, sitting down before a plate of cold chicken, fresh bread, butter and tarts.
Appetite finally satisfied, the Colonel gave his parents a full report of his activities since leaving London.
“One does not know whether to feel sorrow for Wickham’s loss or not,” the Earl said when his son completed his report. “A young man, cut down in his prime!”
“One certainly does know,” the Countess retorted. “I feel sorry for the widow, but he was leaving her alone with two children! What would have happened to her, had Richard not been on hand?”
The Colonel had other things on his mind. “Have you seen Caroline? I must go to her.”
***
He was welcomed as a hero at Bingley House, and he had to repeat the story of his travels and travails. He had the great pleasure of sitting very close to Caroline, and if anyone saw that he was holding her hand, no one commented on it.
“Would you be willing to be married from Pemberley?” she whispered to him.
“Did the Darcys offer it?”
“Yes; and we thought perhaps a double wedding with Georgiana and Lord Fane!”
“Georgiana? Engaged to Lord Fane?” The Colonel sounded astonished.
“Yes; it happened soon after you left.”
But Lord Fane could not yet possibly know of Wickham’s death! Unless Darcy had told the man, after receiving Richard’s message? The Colonel resolved to go to Darcy House as soon as may be.
***
An hour later at Darcy House, the Colonel learnt from Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy that Georgiana had gone to Lord Fane and confessed all.
“You mean I need not have made that terrible journey?” he demanded.
“I suppose not,” Elizabeth said. “But what would poor Lydia have done without you?”
The Colonel forbore to respond; yes, of course, the young widow had been fortunate indeed for his presence in Newcastle, and God knew that she was in dire need of some good fortune, but still…
When Georgiana entered the drawing room to welcome her cousin home, she was a bit red-faced. “I am so sorry you have been put to such trouble on my behalf, cousin.”
“I understand that your own courage made it unnecessary, Georgiana; I am monstrous proud of you! And I understand that you are betrothed?”
Mr. Darcy answered, “I signed the marriage documents yesterday; you, as her co-guardian must sign them as well.”
The Colonel shook his head. “Evidently a good number of decisions were reached while I was absent.”
“Yes, a double wedding at Pemberley!” Georgiana laughed at his expression. “You need not look cross, cousin; Caroline has already agreed.”
“Yes, she told me so; and I am so far from being cross that I have no words to express my happiness!”