Who would have thought… 😊
~MoL~
Propositions and Proposals
Collins was not the only one who watched Bingley as he approached his sister, although Lieutenant Pratt's feelings were less benevolent.
He was frustrated that Bingley had snatched away a prize he had hoped to gain.
Technically, Pratt's intentions were honourable. He was perfectly willing to marry, as long as his prospective bride came with a dowry. Since he was not profligate in his spending, he simply wanted enough to live a life of modest comfort. Pratt had worked out that five thousand pounds in the four percents would provide two hundred pounds per annum for life. Which was adequate to rent a cottage in the country and even have one or two servants.
Since arriving in Meryton, he had canvased the young ladies and discovered the few who had the kind of dowry he required.
Miss Bingley had the most attractive dowry, but it was obvious that she had her sights set much higher and he had no way to attract her interest.
Of the local ladies, he had initially hoped to court Miss Mary King, who had recently inherited ten thousand pounds, but her uncle had whisked her away as soon as Pratt started to pay attention to her.
Miss Robinson's dowry was the same as the Bennets', but she was too experienced to fall for his blandishments. Which was why he had hoped to gain Miss Kitty's affections. But thanks to Bingley, he had missed out again. At least by conventional means.
He had hoped not having to resort to a compromise since he wanted a willing wife… but needs must. Though, if he was forced to take that course of action, why not gain the maximum benefit? It would also have the added advantage to revenge himself on Bingley for his interference.
He looked at the pretty Miss Bingley and started to formulate a plan.
~MoL~
'My apologies for taking so long, Caroline,' Bingley said when he handed the wine to his sister. He did not bother to mention the reason for his delay. After all, all he had done was to offer a glass of wine to Miss Kitty and then escorting her to her family.
'I was wondering if you had quite forgotten me,' Caroline replied and took a sip. Grimacing she said, 'Although now I wish you had not bothered. This wine is decidedly inferior.'
'Well, I suppose that military men are not experts at arranging a ball. They are more readily acquainted with musket balls. We have to make allowances. But everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.'
'Do you have a dance partner for the next set?'
'Not yet,' Bingley said as the musician were playing the opening notes of the next dance. 'But I think it is now too late to ask any of the ladies.'
Caroline put down her glass. With a pleasant smile she said, 'In that case, you can dance with me.'
Her brother was happy to comply.
~MoL~
Elizabeth and Darcy were standing at the side of the room as she was watching three people.
'Pardon me for saying this, but I am right next to you, not across the room,' Darcy teased.
Elizabeth glanced up at him and said with a chuckle, 'I will pardon you, but I could not help but feel amused by the attention my mother is paying our cousin and Charlotte. You can almost see her thinking, how soon can those two be married?'
'Is your mother truly reconciled to the idea of losing her position?'
'She is not reconciled but eagerly awaiting this event.' When Darcy looked dubious, she explained, 'She does not relish the duties attendant to being the mistress. She would prefer to spend her time socialising with friends.'
Darcy gave a relieved sigh, having received an explanation for the lady's attitude. 'I think your cousin and his lady are very well suited,' he commented.
'I quite agree. I am pleased that someone has at last recognised Charlotte's many sterling qualities. I am even more delighted that she will be part of our family.'
Their conversation was interrupted by Elizabeth's next dance partner coming to claim her.
~MoL~
At supper, although the meal was not refined, the dishes had been tasty and plentiful.
The Bennets and their friends sat together at one table. There was just enough room to accommodate them all, as Mary had volunteered to take Kitty home after her upset with Lieutenant Pratt.
After supper, Colonel Forster came to claim Caroline for a set and Collins surprised Mrs Bennet by asking her for a dance. The lady almost giggled like a young girl but was delighted to accept. She surprised her neighbours by still being very light on her feet.
The colonel, after his dance with Miss Bingley, felt that he had done his duty for the night. He quietly slipped out through an open set of doors, hidden behind a curtain, which let some fresh air into the room without freezing all in the vicinity.
He was blowing a cloud on the terrace when only a few minutes later he was joined by Henry Fitzwilliam. 'I thought that all you young bucks would be vying for the attention of the lovely ladies.'
Henry shrugged. 'Thanks to your men, some of us are superfluous. And as it happens, I like to get a breath of fresh air on occasion.'
He did not say that in recent days he was starting to lose his taste for mindless revelry. To be precise, ever since Darcy announced his courtship with Miss Elizabeth. As Darcy was looking truly happy and relaxed for the first time in Henry's memory, he considered that such a state might not be a bad thing.
~MoL~
The strains of a fast polka were audible as Forster and Fitzwilliam were standing to one side of the terrace engaged in desultory conversation, when, without warning, a couple came tumbling through the door.
The startled yelp in a female voice, followed by, 'What the devil do you think you are doing?' was very familiar to Henry.
The officer, who answered, 'Consider this my proposal of marriage, Miss Bingley,' was less well known to him. 'You will find that you are in no position to refuse. Everyone will know what activities we engaged in out here without a chaperone, when you return to your brother with swollen lips and disarranged hair and clothing.'
Once Lieutenant Pratt had gathered his courage to proceed with his plan, he was completely focused on his victim. As they approached the door to the terrace, he clasped the lady firmly to himself, and quickly lifting her, carried her through the door. Thinking the night too cold for anyone to be outside, he did not expect any witnesses to what was really happening.
'I shall be quite happy to testify that you acted in a manner unbecoming an officer and a gentleman at your court-martial,' thundered Forster.
The unexpected reprimand caused Pratt to release Miss Bingley, who immediately backed away from him. Not to be intimidated, the Lieutenant considered that for eight hundred pounds per year, he did not need to concern himself with a military career. 'There is no need for a court-martial. I shall be quite happy to resign my commission in preparation for my nuptials.' He turned to Caroline. 'That will allow me to focus on my lovely bride. Is that not correct, my dear?'
'I am afraid that you should have consulted the lady before making such a move,' drawled Henry as he stepped up to Caroline's side. 'You see, the lady is not available to marry you… since she is already engaged to me.'
He took Caroline's hand as he turned to her and with a small bow placed a kiss on her fingers. As he did so, he gave a wink, which only she could see. 'As you are the injured party here, I shall leave it to you to decide whether I should thrash this cur,' he added as he straightened up.
'Thank you, my love. I know that you shall always defend my honour, but I believe that Colonel Forster has a prior claim on deciding his punishment,' Caroline exclaimed breathlessly.
'How could you be engaged? You spent hardly any time together tonight.'
Henry sighed theatrically. 'We were merely being discrete until my father officially announces our engagement.'
'A likely story. Who is your mythical father that he needs to approve your marriage?' Pratt blustered. He was discomfited that not only was his scheme not working, but he was potentially facing unpleasant repercussions.
Henry shrugged. 'The Earl of Matlock. So, you can see why we did not wish to jump the gun.'
Forster delighted in an evil grin as he added, 'And his brother is Colonel Fitzwilliam of the Royal Dragoons.' He glanced at Henry. 'Are you as good with the sabre as your brother claimed?' When Henry gave a deprecating smile and a nod, the Colonel said, 'I am almost tempted to let your spar with our Lieutenant… with live blades. It would save me the bother of a court-martial.'
Pratt turned white. Even in the militia, they had heard of the exploits of Colonel Fitzwilliam. If that colonel thought that young man was good, Pratt had not the slightest desire to face off against him Particularly not with live blades. He opened his mouth to try and protest but no sound came out. He almost fainted in relief when he heard the answer.
'You heard my lovely bride. She does not wish for me to engage in pest control,' he said with a mischievous grin.
Forster sighed. 'I suppose, in that case I have to clean up the mess.' He cocked his head listening for the sounds coming from the hall. 'It seems the music has stopped. Might I request that you take your lovely lady inside and send out Carter and Denny.'
Henry agreed and offered his arm to Caroline. 'Thank you, Colonel. Good night.'
'Good night and give my regards to your brother.'
~MoL~
Forster had ensured that he was seen by the other guests as Henry and Caroline returned to the ballroom, to ensure there would be no gossip for the couple.
Once Henry had sent the men the colonel had requested, he asked Caroline, 'Do you feel up to dancing? I believe we should discuss… things.'
She quietly replied, 'At present I would prefer to sit down but you are correct. No one will think anything of it if we speak while we dance.'
They were fortunate that the dance was not too energetic and they had the opportunity to talk.
Henry started by saying, 'I apologise for my presumption of claiming we were engaged.'
'There is no need to apologise. I have never before been so grateful as I was when you claimed the connection.'
'How quickly do you wish to become disengaged?' Henry asked. After all, it would be better to end this sham quickly.
When Caroline did not answer immediately, but colour crept into her cheeks, he reconsidered the situation.
It had been an instinctive reaction to come to her rescue. Much in the way as he had done for Darcy only a few months ago. No thought was required for him to act. Once he acted, the words flowed naturally to right the situation. It had been this gift which had given his parents the idea that the law was his ideal occupation.
There was also a side to Henry which only his brother Richard had fully recognised. Henry was basically a decent young man. Yes, he had been spoilt, like so many of his class were and it had given him an inflated opinion of himself. But deep down there was the need for fairness and justice.
But thinking back to his own reaction when Pratt had claimed Caroline, he realised that if he had been armed, it would have been easy to run Pratt through. Perhaps being engaged to Miss Bingley was what he had wanted all along?
Judging by her reaction to his question about breaking the fledgling engagement…
These thoughts flashed through his minds too quickly for her to react. He caught himself and before Caroline could answer his initial question, he suggested, 'On second thought, do you wish to become disengaged?'
This question flustered Miss Bingley even more. 'Are you saying that you are willing to continue this…' Words failed her.
'Engagement?' he provided the proper word. He smiled. 'I confess that I am as surprised as you appear to be, but I find that I quite like the idea.'
Caroline almost missed a step as she considered the offer. She could not quite bring herself to call it a proposal, even though that was what Henry seemed to offer. For many years it had been her ambition to join the first circles. She had worked hard to become accomplished and had tolerated the slights of the other students at school. She had suffered the sneers of the parents of those girls. All this she had endured to achieve her ambition.
And suddenly, without warning, she was presented with her dreams on a gilded platter. She had thought that Henry was just the man who would be perfect as a potential husband. Yet in the hidden depth of her soul, she had doubted that he would consider the daughter of a tradesman, no matter how well dowered and accomplished she was.
In the end she could not bring herself to answer one way or the other. Instead, she asked, 'Could I have time to think about this?'
Henry was delighted at that response. In his more lucid moments, he had expected Caroline to jump at the chance to have an Earl for a father-in-law. The fact that she wanted to think about his sort-of proposal, meant that perhaps she liked him better than even she had thought.
'Take all the time you need. It looks like I am not going anywhere.'
~MoL~
~MoL~
Master of Longbourn (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2023