Notes: Dubious sexual consent (rape)
Many thanks to my beta reader and co-author Sam. H.
PPP
Before retiring for the night, Elinor asked Caroline if she might join her in her bedchamber in an hour. There was important news she wished to share with her.
Intrigued by her dear friend's request, Caroline agreed, "Why certainly my dear Elinor, I shall wait for you to arrive. Just knock and enter when you have refreshed and made yourself comfortable."
After Caroline prepared herself and dressed in a nightgown and robe, she dimmed half the candles and settled herself on a divan near the fire. A few minutes later she heard a quick knock on the door, and turning her head she saw the door open.
To her shock and surprise, it was not Elinor who stepped through the opening, but Fredrick! He closed the door behind him and leaned on the door behind him, waiting for Caroline's reaction.
Caroline jumped to her feet, "Sir Frederick! What are you doing here? Where is Elinor?" Her first instinct was to order him to leave at once. If word got out she entertained a man in her bedchamber, she would be ruined.
Frederick took a step forward, raising his hand as if to calm a skittish horse. "My dear Caroline, before you throw me out, pray I beg you to listen to what I have to say."
He took another slow step towards her. She noticed his other hand was holding a bottle of champagne, "Sir, it is most inappropriate for you to be in my chambers. Should anyone find out-"
He took another step forward and cut her off, "My dear, I have a specific reason to come to you. I was desperate to find private time to speak with you. Pray, allow me to have my say and if you still wish me to leave, I shall."
Hesitant and nervous, Caroline decided to hear him out, "Very well, I will listen. Did anyone see you make your way to my bedchamber?"
"No, I made sure there were no witnesses." Lifting his hand holding the bottle, he asked, "Shall we share a drink while we speak?"
Caroline had to keep herself from grimacing, she was not fond of the taste of Champagne. "Oh, very well then."
Caroline moved over to a small table in the corner and grabbed a couple of glasses from where they sat next to a jug of water.
Meanwhile, Frederick was busy opening the bottle and smiled at her as she brought the glasses close. "My dear, will you not sit back down? I will pour the drinks and join you."
Caroline fluttered her lashes at him and sauntered back to the divan, thinking he would be watching her. Meanwhile, Frederick had been busy pouring the drinks and adding a little something extra to Caroline's.
He walked over to where Caroline had taken her seat again and handed her one of the glasses. He then kneeled in front of her and took her other hand in his, caressing it slowly with his thumb. "Since I have known you, I have been impressed by your beauty, your elegance and your character. Without realizing it, I fell deeply in love with you." He kissed her hand and looked her in the eye, "Would you do me the honour of being my wife?"
Caroline was ecstatic and whispered "yes".
"My dear Caroline, you have made me the happiest man in the world. Let us toast to our future felicity!" He raised his glass to sip, watching while she raised her own glass to drink.
"My love, this is a special champagne I bought hoping to share it with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do."
Caroline took another sip, a little surprised; the flavor was different of the others she had previously consumed.
Frederick raised himself off the floor and sat down, quite close to her. "You cannot imagine how happy I am." He lifted a hand to caress her cheek and leaned in close to her. "May I kiss you, my love?"
Caroline, ecstatic she would marry this handsome gentleman, nodded and lifted her face. Frederick kissed her softly, his lips the barest of touches on her own. Then he sat up straight and encouraged her to finish her drink, and he would pour them another one.
With their drinks refreshed he sat back down, and this time laid his palm flat on her back, slowly caressing in circles, from her shoulders to her waist. He leaned over to kiss the side of her neck and Caroline, enjoying the sensations he was building in her, leaned her head over to the side, her eyes closing.
A little dizzy now, she swallowed and asked, "When shall you speak with my brother?"
"When I return from London. I will bring back the marriage settlement for his signature. Hush, my love. There is plenty of time to discuss the details." He took another sip, encouraging Caroline to drink more of hers. Then, he took both glasses and placed them on the table.
Frederick then kissed her more passionately than before, his hands stroked her back, around to her hips and up to cover her breasts. Caroline gasped and pulled back.
"Sshhh… all will be well." Frederick kissed her again, his tongue nudging her mouth until it found entrance. Her head was spinning, from his kisses or the champagne, she did not know, but it felt heavy on her neck and she could barely hold it up.
She was aware Frederick was holding her close to him, his breathing had sped up, and she imagined she could hear his heart beating. It was her last coherent thought before losing all sense of reality.
The following morning, Caroline woke up disoriented, with a headache. Little by little, fragments of the previous night began to weave together. She was engaged, was she not? It was a blur, but she was fairly sure dear Frederick visited her bedchamber last night and proposed. They shared a drink and toasted their betrothal. He kissed her, and it was lovely, but then it all became a blur.
As she attempted to roll over on her side, she was struck by painful discomfort between her legs. Lifting the covering she looked down and gasped. There was blood on her legs and the sheets were stained with it too. With horror, she realized Frederick, and she had been intimate, but why could she not remember?
Taking deep breaths, she tried to calm down. There was no problem, after all, she was engaged to him. She would speak with Frederick, and they shall marry as soon as he could arrange it.
Sore, but feeling more confident and joyful, she dressed without the assistance of her maid. She hoped to speak to her fiancé before her brother awoke. She left her chambers, forgetting about the sheets on her bed, stained with her blood.
She went to the dining room for breakfast and found her brother and Mr. Darcy there alone, with no sign of Frederick.
With a smile, she asked her brother, "Charles, have you seen Sir Frederick this morning?"
"No, Caroline. The last time I saw him was last night. He returned with his sister to London at first light."
"They are already gone?!" Caroline could feel the blood draining from her face.
"Do you not remember him mentioning he had to leave very early this morning during dinner last night?"
"Yes, yes. I… I had forgotten." Caroline recalled Sir Frederick informing her of his return to London that day. He had an important business matter that could not be canceled, but he assured her he would return in three days with the marriage contract for Charles to sign. He asked her not to say anything yet to her brother. Being an old-fashioned gentleman, he wanted to speak with Bingley and ask for his blessing before telling anyone else. It would be difficult not to tell Charles, but she would tell Louisa. She was so excited!
PPP
After breakfast, Caroline went for a walk with Louisa in the garden. When they were a few feet from the house, she exclaimed, "Oh, Louisa, I am so happy. At last, I will be able to fulfill my dream of belonging to the first circles of England!"
Louisa looked at her curiously, and Caroline added excitedly, "Sir Frederick proposed to me."
Surprised and happy, Louisa responded, "Really? What good news! I know it is not necessary, but has Charles already given his consent?"
Caroline shook her head. "No, Sir Frederick has not spoken to him yet. But he will return in three or four days with the marriage contract. He asked me not to tell him yet, as he wants to ask for his permission and blessing to marry me."
Louisa smiled. "I am very happy for you. In addition to being a baronet, Sir Frederick is very handsome. His sister is a nice woman as well."
"Yes, dear Elinor is such a good friend. I am sure she will be an excellent sister. I will be the envy of the Ton!" She sighed. "You have to help me convince Charles to return to London as soon as possible to purchase my trousseau. I also want to participate in the season with my fiancé."
Louisa nodded and replied, "Of course! If we cannot convince our brother, Mr. Hurst and I will gladly accompany you to London."