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CHAPTER 17
London - August
1815
Three colonels rose
with the owner of the Darcy carriage through the afternoon streets
of London; one in red, two in blue, one of them a Knight of the
Bath. The four gentlemen were silent as the carriage made its
way from the docks to the more fashionable part of town. Finally
the coachman brought it to a stop before the Buford townhouse.
The gentlemen disembarked and climbed the few steps to the door.
Minutes later the
group was shown into the sitting room. Awaiting them were Mrs.
Albertine Buford, Mrs. Louisa Hurst and Mrs. Mary Tucker. They
were greeted fondly. "Would you gentleman please have a
seat? Lady Caroline will be down in a moment…" Mrs.
Buford told them.
The men had no sooner
taken their seats when they rose again as Lady Caroline swept
through the door. "Colonel Fitzwilliam - thank you for coming.
Colonel Brandon - how nice you look in a Dragoon uniform; blue
becomes you, I think. Darcy - thank you for bringing them. I
do not believe I know you, sir," she addressed the man in
the red officer's coat.
"Colonel Denny
at your service, ma'am. Please allow me to express my deepest
condolences for your loss."
"Thank you,
Colonel, you are very kind. Please have a seat." The party
all reclaimed their seats, Lady Caroline sitting on the couch
next to her mother-in-law. "I must thank you gentlemen for
all your help seeing to Sir John's return home." The three
had worked hard to get the body of their comrade back to England
for burial - once again, Mr. Gardiner's assistance had proven
invaluable.
"We are sorry
we could not attend the services," said Brandon. They had
just been released from occupation duty in Paris.
Lady Caroline smiled
sadly, picking at her black mourning dress. The beloved orange
cameo was no longer at her throat; she had it framed in black
crepe and it now sat on her dressing table. "It was a lovely
day - so many came! Why, even the Minister of War was in attendance…"
A vision came into
Caroline's mind: The crowd was far larger than she had anticipated.
The family had wanted the services at the parish church near
the London townhouse, because of Caroline's condition, but the
War Office had suggested Westminster's - after all Sir John was
a Knight of the Bath. The Archbishop was in attendance, but allowed
the Buford curate to officiate. Her mind was rather numb that
day; she could recall none but five words of the eulogy. The
sound of the bagpipes cut through the fog in her head - she had
not before realized how mournful the pipes could sound. She felt
Edward and Rebecca helping her down the aisle. It is strange
what she could recall - the shattered courage on Mother Buford's
face; Eliza Darcy consoling Georgiana while failing to stem her
own tears; Charles being comforted by Jane; The Minister looking
so sorry, and all she could think about was striking him; the
feeling of wanting to cry, but having no tears left…
At that moment a
sob escaped from Mrs. Buford's lips. She rose unsteadily to her
feet. "If…if you gentlemen would excuse me…"
she apologized as she fled the room.
Mary rose to follow
but Caroline restrained her. "It is all right, Mary; Rebecca
will see to her. You must forgive my mother, gentlemen - it has
not been easy…" She has lost so much…
The family was
concerned for Caroline and her baby, and it was several days
before she could decide whether she wanted to live or die. The
Bufords and Bingleys and Douglases and Hursts gave her nothing
but love and support. But it was not until she reread John's
last letter but one that Caroline could see what her occupation
would be for the rest of her life. The baby - it had meant so
much to John, and, if truth be told, so much to her. John would
not want Caroline to waste away - so she would live. Live to
raise their child in love and be a witness to Sir John Buford's
life and accomplishments. Her fate was not so bad, and she had
expected it anyway. After all, had she not always known that
she would die alone?
Sir Richard left
his chair to kneel at Caroline's feet. "Lady Caroline, we
are here to pledge ourselves to your service…"
Christopher sat
next to Caroline on the sofa and took her hand. "Fitzwilliam
speaks for me as well…whatever you need shall be done…we
swear it." Both men were in awe of Lady Caroline's courage.
Darcy watched with
a poignant look on his face; just a month previously he had made
the same declaration to Lady Caroline as the two officers. He
knew she would politely turn them down, as she had refused his
help. During the whole of this terrible month she had carried
herself with dignity and grace - he had been witness to it, and
he was forced to admit that he had misjudged the lady. Darcy
was aware of the depth of her feelings - there was no mistaking
the slightly haunted look in the back of her eyes. It was obvious
to Darcy that this woman was no longer the Caroline Bingley he
had known. That person was cold and grasping and rude. This lady
was everything that person was not. What was the difference?
Had her soul been forged for the better in the fires of pain
and anguish, like the saints of old? He did not know. All he
knew was that he and Elizabeth could not like Miss Caroline Bingley;
and that they would both hold their dear friend Lady Caroline
Buford close in their hearts for the rest of their lives.
Caroline grasped
Brandon's hand while seizing Fitzwilliam's with her other. "Thank
you, Colonel Brandon - wait…I thought you a Brigadier…"
"Temporary
rank during the occupation. I shall retire at my permanent rank,
but with the Light Dragoons rather than the Life Guards."
After Waterloo, Christopher would never wear any uniform except
Dragoon Blue.
"And you, Fitzwilliam…shall
I call you Sir Richard now?" It had been announced that
Fitzwilliam would be awarded the Bath for his actions in Belgium.
"Whatever you
like, Lady Caroline…but from you I would prefer Richard,
or Fitz."
"And I shall
be Caroline to you - and to you, Christopher, if I may."
He nodded. "You gentlemen are so very kind…what good
friends my husband had! But fear not for me. My family and friends
have been quite a comfort to me…" this with a smile
for Darcy, Louisa and Mary, "Why, Jane and Suzanne were
here for weeks! And everything is settled. I shall share the
dowager house with Mother Buford at Buford Manor. They are enlarging
it even now and we shall remove there in the spring. My child
shall be raised as a Buford should - in Wales." Caroline
touched the six-month-along bulge in her midsection that her
ebony shawl had failed to conceal…
She could not
accompany John's body as it journeyed back to Wales to be interned
in the Buford family crypt. Edward and Lord Douglas saw to everything,
of course. Caroline looked forward to the spring when she and
the baby would finally go home. She expected to spend no little
time in the cemetery…
"I cannot tell
you how wonderful Edward and Rebecca have been…Mother Buford
and I shall be very comfortable and make merry together. You
must come and see us once we are established at Buford Manor."
"We shall,
Caroline…" pledged Sir Richard.
"You too, Colonel
Denny - you are welcome any time."
"Thank you,
your ladyship - it would be an honor to call upon you."
Denny's heart ached for her. He had not known Lady Caroline,
but he was predisposed to admire her due to his friendship with
Sir John. This lady exceeded all his expectations.
"It would be
my privilege to have you visit my home, sir. But I must request
one small thing." She paused. "My title came from my
husband, and he earned it by serving the King. The honor died
with him. While custom gives me the right of keeping my title,
I would prefer to be known by a higher one - that of Mrs. Buford."
Her eyes glistened as she again caressed her midsection.
The room grew very
silent. Tears began running down Louisa's face.
"Ah…but
I am neglecting my duties!" Mrs. John Buford cried. "Frau
Lippermann, Ist der Tee bereit?"
"Ja,
Frau Karoline; here is de Kaffee." The new assistant
housekeeper was bringing in a pot of coffee while Helga was carrying
a dessert behind her. "Tea - just vone minute, thankyou
verymuch."
"Danke."
Caroline received the plate from Helga. "Lousia, will you
pour the coffee? My brother Edward arranged for Frau Lippermann
and Helga to emigrate from Austria - was that not considerate
of him? We've been practicing - I speak German to them and they
speak English to me. With two Mrs. Bufords in the house, we are
'Frau Albertine' and 'Frau Caroline.' Richard, may I offer you
some of this Meranertorte? I must insist you have some
- it is simply divine…."
An hour and a half
later, the same carriage was making its way to Darcy House. The
gentlemen inside were just as solemn as before, if not as quiet.
"So, you still
plan to leave for Delaford in the morning, Brandon?" Darcy
was asking.
"Yes - thank
you for putting me up for the night, Darcy. It saves me the cost
of an inn." Christopher would never open Brandon House just
for one night.
"And you, Richard
- are you still for Longbourn with us?"
"Yes, I'll
pay my respects to Mrs. Wickham - then it's off to Kent."
"Going to beard
the lioness in her own den, Richard?" teased his cousin.
Sir Richard patted
his coat where he kept two letters next to his heart - one he
received in April, the other in June. "I have all the armor
I need right here, Darcy. I have faced Napoleon's hordes - what
is an elderly aunt to me?"
Before more could
be said the carriage reached its destination. As the party was
reaching the door it was flung open by the Mistress of the House.
She greeted her husband passionately, her cousin affectionately,
and the others very cordially. Darcy escorted the group into
the front hall, Elizabeth on his arm.
"Oh, Richard,
I forgot - I need to discuss something with you," said Darcy.
"Would you join me in the library?"
"Now, Darcy?"
cried Sir Richard. "I just got here! Can it not wait?"
"It is family
business, Richard," said his cousin gravely.
"Oh, for heaven's
sake! Don't you ever go on holiday from business, Darcy? Well,
come on - let's get to it!" Disappointed and aggravated
- he wanted to spend some time with Elizabeth and Georgiana -
Sir Richard stormed into Darcy's library. There he found a lady
waiting for him.
"ANNE?"
Sir Richard was frozen for a moment, trying to believe his eyes.
Lady Anne de Bourgh stood smiling at him. Then, with three quick
steps, Richard seized his beloved's face between his hands and,
for the first time, thoroughly kissed her. Anne's arms went quickly
around his neck and pulled him even closer.
Darcy discreetly
backed out of the room and closed the door.
Colonel Brandon,
who had seen all, was chuckling in the hall. "Now, that's
a proper greeting for a returning soldier," he was telling
Elizabeth as she led him into the parlor. There he found his
own surprise.
"CHRISTOPHER!"
cried Marianne Brandon as she flew into his arms. Brandon tried
to speak, but he found that he could not for all his wife's kisses.
As Elizabeth turned
to Colonel Denny after closing the parlor door she saw the officer
looking about with wide, nervous eyes. "Anything wrong,
Colonel?" she asked.
"I do not know,
Mrs. Darcy. You do not have Miss Augusta Liverpool lurking about
anywhere, do you?"
"No…pray,
who is Miss Liverpool?"
"Someone I
hope is NOT waiting for me."
Elizabeth laughed
gaily while Darcy patted the officer on the back. "You are
safe from Miss Liverpool, Colonel Denny. Come into the sitting
room - I promise that all that awaits you are my sister and my
housekeeper's cucumber sandwiches."
Sir Richard and
Lady Anne finally came up for air. "I have so much to tell
you," they cried in unison.
"You first,
Anne."
"No - you first."
"It can wait…"
"Please I want
to hear what…"
Hearing enough,
Richard kissed Anne again. "All right, now who goes first?"
"Go ahead,"
said a dreamy Lady Anne.
"Your last
letter - is it true? We are engaged?"
"Well, what
do you expect for compromising me?"
Sir Richard's face
broke into a wide grin. "Anne de Bourgh, I love you."
Lady Anne smiled
cheekily in return. "That's Lady Anne to you, sir!"
"You know,
I have not kissed you before today."
"Egad, sir
- we have been engaged for over two months! We have some catching
up to do."
"Marianne…my
Marianne, I cannot believe it…" Christopher stroked
her face.
"I am no dream,
my love."
"Why did you
not tell me you would be in London?"
"I wanted to
surprise you."
"You did that
- wait…whose idea was it?"
"Mine…why
do you ask?"
"It sounds
like something Mrs. Darcy would think of."
"Well…she
helped…"
Christopher kissed
her forehead. "My love…where is Joy? Back at Delaford?"
"As if your
daughter would permit that!"
"What do you
mean…she is here?"
"If by 'here'
you mean Darcy House, no. She awaits her papa at Brandon House."
At his look she added, "Oh, no Christopher…we must
remain for some time - for form's sake, at least. Joy is napping
now, in any case. Let us rejoin the Darcys."
The party sat comfortably
around the sitting room; the Brandons taking up most of one couch,
Marianne practically draped over her husband. Denny was embarrassed
and Georgiana was slightly shocked, but the Darcys looked upon
their friends with a lenient eye. Sir Richard and Lady Anne had
yet to make their appearance.
Elizabeth addressed
Colonel Denny. "Thank you for volunteering to come to Longbourn
with us. I am sure Mrs. Wickham will appreciate your kindness.
I am instructed to tell you that she personally thanks you for
your compassionate letter to my family."
The Colonel blushed.
"It is the least I can do, Mrs. Darcy. It is I that must
thank you - for lodgings here tonight and for transport tomorrow."
Denny was going with the Darcys to Meryton to offer his condolences
to Lydia. She and the children had removed to Longbourn at the
report of Wickham's death.
"Think nothing
of it, Denny," said Darcy. "We shall leave tomorrow
after breakfast to collect Mrs. Tucker, and thence to Hertfordshire."
Georgiana stuttered,
"Were you there, Colonel…when…" She could
not finish.
What to say? "Miss Darcy…yes I was there…but
I did not see Major Wickham fall." I cannot tell her
whole truth - that George stood awaiting Napoleon's Imperial
Guard like a man in anticipation of execution. That when I found
him the cannonball had practically cut him in half…No, those
are visions I will take to my grave. "He fought well,
but so did many others we left behind us in Belgium."
"I understand
that Richard was made a knight," Georgiana continued. "Do
you receive any award?"
"No, Miss Darcy,
save that my brevet promotion to Colonel was made permanent.
That is award enough for me."
"Why is that,
Colonel?"
He smiled. "I
will now have money enough to marry, Miss Darcy."
Georgiana blushed.
Darcy asked, "So
you plan to remain in the Army, Denny?"
"Yes sir,"
he answered. "I find the military life suits me."
"What is your
next post, Denny?" asked Christopher.
"For now I
am to return to the General Staff. But I think I will put in
for a transfer to India next year."
"Why India,
Colonel?" asked Georgiana.
"A colonel's
pay goes further there, Miss Darcy." And action is the
only chance I have at promotion, seeing that I am without influence.
Elizabeth smiled.
I hope Lydia likes India.
Sir Richard and
Lady Anne finally entered the sitting room, walking in hand-in-hand.
Elizabeth, Marianne and Georgiana embraced the couple with cries
of delight. It was some time before the pair could sit down upon
a sofa.
"If you don't
mind, Darcy," Sir Richard said, "I think there will
be a change of plans."
"I thought
there might - Kent or Derbyshire?"
"Rosings first
- Lady Catherine deserves at least that." Sir Richard then
grinned. "Besides, I need to survey my new properties, now
that harvest time grows near."
"Do you think
you will enjoy farming, sir?" asked Denny.
He gave the younger
man a stern look. "Denny - we are comrades now…you
may call me Sir Richard." A pause, then Fitzwilliam dissolved
into laughter.
"Denny, if
you call that fool anything but 'Fitz', I will personally cuff
you," demanded an amused Christopher.
After a poke from
his fiancée, Sir Richard stopped cackling. "I think
I will like it well enough, Denny - I know I will fancy the accommodations…"
He started chuckling again when he noted that Lady Anne was not
amused. "What is it, my dear?" She simply gave him
an arch look. "What?"
"Oh, do not
be cross, cousin," cried Georgiana. "Tell us of Richard's
proposal!"
"That is just
it, Georgiana!" Lady Anne responded. "There was no
proposal!"
"What? Then
how are you engaged?"
"You had a
hand in that, cousin." Lady Anne said with a look.
"Oh…the
letters…" Georgiana blushed, while Denny simply looked
confused.
"Yes, we have
compromised ourselves - we wrote to each other, Colonel Denny.
And there is nothing for it but to marry! Which is all fine and
good, but it would be nice to actually receive a proposal…especially
as Colonel Sir Richard Fitzwilliam acts as if Rosings Park is
his already!" She gave her intended a de Bourgh glare.
Sir Richard looked
at Lady Anne for a moment, then away. "Well, we can't have
that…" He began to stand.
"I beg your
pardon...?"
Abruptly, Sir Richard
threw himself at Lady Anne's feet. On one knee, with one hand
on his breast and the other raised to the heavens, he declared:
"Sweetest, loveliest Anne! You are the light of my life;
the song in my soul, the starch in my stockings…"
"The starch
in your stockings…?"
"Quiet, woman
- you're ruining the moment. Where was I…? Ah yes...I cannot
live without you! Would you - could you - might you consider
taking pity on this poor fool? I offer all that I have - an old
warhorse and a slightly used sword; what treasure. All I own
- and my heart. Say yes and make me the happiest man in the world!
Turn me down and call for the undertaker the next instant - for
I shall surely die of a broken heart. My fate is in your hands,
my lady…" He lowered his face into his hands for a
moment before peeking up at her. He beheld a smirking Anne, trying
not to giggle. He could not see the various looks of his audience,
ranging from delight to amusement to astonishment. "Marry
me, Anne?"
She smiled sweetly.
"Of course...before you inflect yourself on some other hapless
female."
Sir Richard sweetly
kissed each of Anne's hands before retaking his seat next to
her. "How was that, Georgiana?"
His cousin just
shook her head as the others exploded into laughter.
The three colonels
took their leave of each other before Fitzwilliam House. Darcy
had arranged for the house to be opened - Sir Richard and Colonel
Denny could not remain at Darcy House while Lady Anne was there.
Denny would be recovered in the morning when the Darcy party
dropped off Lady Anne and Mrs. Jenkinson.
"Goodbye Denny
- take care of the Army for me," said Christopher. "I
expect you will be a general before long." Especially
as you will probably be a brother-in-law to Fitzwilliam Darcy
soon!
"Thank you,
sir."
"Denny - I
am Brandon to you."
"Brigadier,"
using Brandon's brevet title, "you will always be 'sir'
to me." Denny snapped off a sharp salute, which Christopher
returned.
Marianne embraced
the younger man. "May you obtain your heart's desire, Colonel."
She was not talking about rank.
"All things
in God's time," he replied with a grin. At least six
months of mourning…
Christopher and
Sir Richard shook each other's hand. "Congratulations, Fitz.
I know you will be happy."
"Thank you
Brandon. Give my love to that daughter of yours. Marianne, farewell."
She kissed his cheek.
"Until the wedding, I suppose. I am so happy for you and
Anne! Safe journey." She turned and Brandon helped her back
into the carriage.
Christopher turned
back to the others, one foot in the carriage. "Here we all
are, save Buford…" He blinked. The others nodded, too
choked with emotion to speak. "Goodbye, then. Drive on,
driver!"
As the carriage
moved away, Marianne moved into her husband's arms, a place she
planned to spend much time in the future - perhaps the rest of
her life. "I cannot help thinking of poor Caroline. Had
it been you…oh I cannot bear it - I shall speak of it no
more…"
"Hush, my love…do
not worry; I have put in my papers…I will fight no more
forever."
"Christopher…I
was so proud of you yet frightened for you, all at the same time.
I might be a coward, but I want you home in our bed, never to
leave again."
He kissed her tenderly.
"I wish to be nowhere else, my Marianne…" he started
to smile, "although it will be a crowded place soon. When
is the baby due?"
"Around New
Years - maybe it will be a Christmas baby."
Christopher did
the math. "After, I should think."
"Perhaps…do
you think Joy will like a baby brother?"
"Marianne…you
do not know it will be a boy…"
"I was right
about the other thing…you must trust me on this…"
Christopher gave
up with an amused shake of his head. She might be right, after
all… "Marianne, I have but one request…"
"Yes, my love…?"
"If it is a
boy…his name must be John Richard."
She looked at his
face with tears in her eyes. "Perfect - and Caroline shall
be his Godmother."
As Christopher bent
to kiss her again, her murmured, "Perfect."
There were no more
sounds out of the Brandon carriage as it rolled through the London
night towards home and Joy.
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