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The couple stared at each other, eyes wide. This was not how Richard had envisioned proposing. 'Well, too late to take it back now, 'ol boy.'
"Richard, do you really mean…? Are you truly asking me to…?" Kate did not miss his eyes darkening at hearing his name.
"Yes, I am. I know we cannot marry very quickly, not like Darcy and Elizabeth. Of course, they were lucky the Bingleys wedding was already planned. There wasn't much to change for their sakes. Your mother is in delicate condition, and not up to traveling or planning another wedding at the moment. I know you want your whole family there. And it will be a while before your new sibling can travel. Unless you would like to elope. I could have us on our way to Gretna Green within the hour."
He relaxed a bit more when he saw her smile. He also thought there may be some tears welling in her eyes.
"I want the right to call you mine. I want the right to write to you, check in on your wellbeing. I want the right to claim every dance and to tell the Turner's and Blakeston's of the world to move it along."
"Your mother and my Aunt would murder us if we ran off to Gretna Green."
"Is that a yes?" he asked with a smirk.
Kate rolled her eyes. "Of course it is. As though I would give you any other answer."
Kate found herself sitting in Richard's lap and his lips upon hers.
"Richard!" yelled Georgiana, running over to the bench they were seated on. "This is highly inappropriate!"
"Calm down, Georgie. I am merely expressing my joy at Kate accepting my proposal."
Georgiana stood there for a moment and let his statement sink in. Once it did, she squealed in delight.
"Now, dear cousin, go and tell my mother so I might have a few more minutes alone with my love."
Kate blushed at his statement. Georgiana nodded and turned to run to the house. Before she got too far, she yelled back, "That is still highly inappropriate!"
The couple in the garden didn't care. Once Georgiana had disappeared into the house, Richard said, "Are you sure we cannot go to Gretna Green? They are going to be relentless."
Kate smiled and shook her head. She noticed Richard looking at their surrounds. "What is it?"
"Bingley proposed to your sister here. My brother proposed to Olivia here as well, that's why I recommended it to him."
"I will take that as a good sign."
It was only a moment later that their loved one's descended upon them.
Lady Julia was glowing, there was no better term that could best describe her at the moment. She watched as Richard welcomed his guests with his fiancé on his arm. The engagement was announced in the paper the day before, so naturally, everyone was eager to congratulate the couple. To see that her son would be so well settled, and very happy with his match, it gave her a peace she didn't know she needed. She almost wished that the Blakeston's were going to be in attendance if only to rub it in Lady Blakeston's face. Tonight was going to be perfect.
"Last night was so perfect," reflected Lydia the next morning. "The way the Colonel kept you by his side all night, eagerly showing you off to all in attendance…. I hope I meet a man who views me as something to treasure."
"Happiness in marriage is entirely by chance. It is impossible to truly know someone until you spend a great deal of time with them, that doesn't take place until after marriage," said Mary. She may not be as uptight as she used to, but she could still be so pragmatic.
"While I believe that is true for most matches made in Society, I will have to disagree with you in the case of our Kate and Richard, as well as Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth, and the Bingley's. This is why reputation is so important. Who are the gentlemen's relatives and friends? That alone can tell you a lot about the character of a man," said Georgiana.
Mary looked thoughtful. "I never thought of it in that light."
"I would rather never marry than enter into a union with a man who did not respect me, or that I could not respect in return. Thinking back to what I witnessed from our parents, it is not a very pleasant," said Lydia.
"I agree. Thankfully, we are all in a position where we can make that choice. There are many others who cannot," put in Georgiana.
Mary nodded in agreement. Had it not been for her Aunt's generosity, she and all her sisters would have been in very different circumstances. Kate joined them in that moment, bearing the same dream-like smile she had sported the past few days.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Kate. We had thought you would sleep in a while longer," said Georgiana.
"I thought about it, but today is to be our last day in Town. I wanted to see what patterns and fabrics they have available. I mean, we haven't set a date, and it appears as though it may be a long engagement, but I still wanted to have a look."
"Not to worry, dear," said Lady Julia, as she entered the breakfast room. "I received a letter from your Aunt yesterday. You may all stay for a few more days. She wants you to take special care with your choices and make notes on what you like. She and your mother eagerly await your return to discuss more."
The girls were excited about this news and quickly began to make plans to spend their time wisely. This was how Richard found them.
"How blessed I am, to break my fast with the loveliest ladies in London."
"Flatterer. Your father wishes to see you this morning," said Lady Julia.
"I am aware, Mother, but I thank you for the reminder. Father wishes to have both my brother and myself attend him at his club." When he sat down, he noticed all eyes were on him. "What? Did you think that it was only the fairer sex that enjoys sharing their good fortune, before those who wish you well to your face alone. Father has been waiting for this opportunity."
This set off a round of giggles.
The ladies were resettling themselves at Longbourn. They had had a wonderful time shopping for patterns and trousseau. Marianne had sent word for Lydia and Mary to shop for a new autumn/winter wardrobe as well. Lady Julia took the time to have Georgiana's done as well, and sat in on all of their appointments, so they could safely say that they would be at the height of fashion.
Upon their arrival, they learned that Mrs. Bennet would be on bedrest for the rest of her pregnancy, having had some sort of episode while they had been in Town. The household was already feeling the strain. She was not in any immediate danger now, but Fanny Bennet was not one to sit idly by while there was neighborhood news to know. Given her circumstances, her visitors were limited which meant that she would be depending on her daughters for constant information. It had been two weeks since the wedding, Mrs. Bennet wasn't due to deliver for another six weeks, and their elder sisters could not be home for another month. The youngest sisters and their friend felt that time was going to slow considerably, especially for the one so recently engaged.
"Do you mean it, Aunt? We can marry from Longbourn?" asked Kate. Marianne had requested an audience with her niece and the Colonel upon their arrival. After allowing the two to settle in (Richard at Netherfield), they managed to meet before dinner.
"Yes. I had looked forward to having a wedding at the chapel at Dylan, but I realized that it would be some time, and I have the impression that neither of you wish to wait that long. It is possible that your mother may need a long recovery, and the babe will not be up for travel for some time. I know you wish to have your mother there, and also, your friends are all mostly in the area, or near enough by that they are more likely to make the journey. So, we all came up with a compromise; you may marry from here, no earlier than the end of September, and we shall hold the Christmas celebrations at Dylan."
Richard could hardly contain his delight. "I must say that I am very pleased with these plans. How do you feel about this new, dearest?"
"I, too, am well pleased. Thank you, Aunt."
"You are very welcome, my dear. Now, I have one more bit of business I must discuss with you both. My gift to you is redecorating the master room. I have already sent word to have all of my persona; possessions moved to the matron's rooms."
Kate was blushing while trying not to look at Richard, who was smiling at her.
"What do you need from us, Aunt?" asked Richard cheekily.
"Colors and fabrics, furniture stylings, or anything else you can think of. I have sent for a popular designer in Bath. They will be here within the next couple of days, and I would like to have everything settled upon as soon as possible."
They then left to meet the rest of the house for dinner. In three months' time, she would become Mrs. Fitzwilliam. How wonderful that sounded.
I have no idea what they called designers and renovators at that time. So, I kind of tried to move things along in this chapter. I have planed only a few more chapters in this story, then it will be time for Mary's. I hope this chapter meets expectations.