Saturday October 23, 1813 – London
Richard Fitzwilliam had little difficulty in ascribing the word "eventful' to his day so far. As he walked in Hyde Park with Miss Thompson on his arm, he could not control the large smile that spread over his face. She had, so far, been content to let him talk about superficialities until they arrived at the park. Her quiet he knew to be somewhat uncharacteristic. That she had many questions to ask was a certainty but only a few of the more important ones should be addressed now.
"Miss Thompson, obviously you realize your father has consented to the courtship. I suspect you have many questions to ask of me, do you not?"
"I do indeed, Colonel."
"Perhaps we can start by called me Mr. Fitzwilliam. My resignation is in process and officially I will be a civilian again in less than a fortnight."
She gave him a slight grin, "That will be no hardship on my part, Mr. Fitzwilliam. And how shall you like being a gentleman?"
He met her teasing look with a grin of his own, "I shall like it very much, I think. You are, I believe, the first to name me so. I thank you. Now, as to your questions?"
She waited for several moments before responding, "I know my father gave his consent but your visit with him lasted over a half hour. My father knew you would ask for his consent since I had talked to him earlier. Whatever could you talk about for so long?"
"He wished to ensure that I could support a wife properly and comfortable. I assured him I could and provided the information to assuage his concerns."
"As I am an interested party, could you share that with me?"
"Of course, I had planned to do so when the opportunity arose." His face took on a look that she was coming to learn indicated he was deliberating on how best to answer and that he would answer when he was ready. She schooled herself to patience."
When he finally spoke, she later realized she should be amazed that he would confide in her to the degree he had. For now, she listened.
"When I arrived home I went to stay with my parents. The Darcy's stopped for a short visit of a few days before continuing on to London. As first I thought my cousin had anticipated my situation but now I believe it was simply his foresight. He saw an opportunity and seized it." He glanced at her and saw her confusion.
"I am not making a lot of sense am I." He shook his head, "please, be patient….As I was saying, my cousin saw an opportunity, in this case a decent small estate being sold cheaply because the owner needed funds desperately. He bought it, I suspect, for one of his sons but when he realized my situation, he – in conjunction with my parents and siblings – gave it to me. I am the proud owner of a small estate with about fifteen hundred pounds a year which could be increased to two thousand according to my cousin. The property has been neglected although the manor house is, apparently, in decent shape. With my pension and income from savings I will have an annual income of about twenty five hundred pounds a year. More than enough to support a family although we will not by any means be wealthy. He paused following the last statement and looked at her, "I realize that it may be less than you are used to and we will not be making much of a presence in London."
Miss Thompson strolled beside him in silence for a minute or two before, answering the unasked question. That she smiled at him with no reservations before answering eased his concern, "Mr. Fitzwilliam, I am much relieved. I do not need a lavish house or income. My concern was that we might depend upon my dowry. I am much relieved we shall not."
"Your father spoke of that. I am sure he was concerned that I might be a fortune hunter…."
"No, I do not think so. I told him that I was sure you would not have spoken, if my dowry was an issue. I cannot tell you how or why I believed that but I have come to the conclusion, Mr. Fitzwilliam, that you are an honourable man. Your cousin Elizabeth certainly thinks highly of you."
They walked in silence for a few minutes, basking in the sun and coolness of a late October day before she put words to her thoughts, "I have found that, despite living my life in the city, I quite prefer to live in the country. Visiting the city for few weeks for the theatre and exhibits is wonderful but I am quite content in the country." She paused for a moment before asking, "Where is this estate to be found?"
"About ten miles from the Darcy's estate at Pemberley. Do you remember the small village of Lambton?" at her nod, he continued, "Holsten is about five miles east of Lambton while Pemberley is five miles west. According to Darcy, the road between them is in good shape. I expect we…I will see much of the Darcys when.." His face got slight red from embarrassment at his mistake.
"I apologize, that was very presumptuous of me."
"Indeed it was, Mr. Fitzwilliam; however, I am not offended. Not at all."
She exerted herself to continue the conversation, successfully diverting it to topics of lesser significance. Unfortunately he could not speak of the condition of the manor house or the number of rooms since he expected his first survey of it would not occur until Christmas when he visited the Darcys.
As they neared the exit where their carriage waited for them, she raised the issue that she knew would have to be addressed. That she was extremely uncomfortable doing so quickly became apparent to Fitzwilliam as she became silent and looked worried. "Come, Miss Thompson, I know not what has you so unhappy, but I am sure it cannot be as bad as your expression suggests."
She laughed and he thought he detected a touch of bitterness in her voice as she responded, "I do not know if you are right or not, sir." She walked in silence for several moments looking at the ground in front of her feet. "Oh, there is no easy way to say this. Your parents, they…they refused to attend the Darcy's wedding because the only available accommodation was with us. It was not stated so but that is what we believed. How…how will they feel about this courtship and …and me?"
"I have spoken to them already." He placed his other hand over hers on his arm and squeezed, "Janet, I expected my father to object. In this I was not disappointed. My father is most unhappy with the connection to trade; nevertheless, once he had voiced his objections – twice I might add – and I had made him aware of the firmness of my intentions, he limited himself to grumbles. I suspect the fact that Darcy wed Elizabeth, whom he has come to regard with approval despite her connections to trade, has done much to assuage his ire. I do not know how he will treat your parents but I have no doubt he will be civil. He will accept you as my wife, should you accept me."
"I beg your pardon!" she came to a complete stop and gazed at him.
He thought back to what he said and his countenance once again assumed an embarrassed mien, "I apologize once again. I am…I am too precipitate." He squared his shoulders and faced her directly, "Janet, Miss Thompson, I spoke out of turn but I will be frank. There is very little doubt in my mind that I will make you an offer. Its timing and its acceptance or rejection are both yours to command. I will say no more at this time."
He placed her hand on his arm once more and continued to walk towards the waiting carriage. After they both had seated themselves and the trip back to her home begun, he resumed their previous conversation. "I have told you of my father's reaction. My mother surprised me. She was rather silent during the discussion with my father, the reason for which became clear as I was about to depart. She observed my interest in you last evening and that I had spoken with you privately on the balcony. She suspected that I had made an offer of marriage or courtship. She discerned our pleasure when we returned to the ballroom and a little later she spoke to Elizabeth who was most complimentary of you. I have observed that she has a great deal of respect for Elizabeth. As a consequence, you may expect an invitation to tea for you and your mother to meet her on Monday next."
The remainder of the ride was conducted in relative silence as the young lady had much to think on. She had formed a very good opinion of the gentleman sitting across from her in the carriage but she had yet to take his full measure as a possible husband. It seemed that he was less uncertain but, as she suddenly realized, he was not going to pressure her to make a decision in haste but, instead, would allow her to proceed at a pace with which she was comfortable. When he finally escorted her to her door and bowed over her and kissed her fingers, she knew that his openness and consideration had advanced his suit quite a bit and this, she thought, was only the first day of their courtship.
