Vol 2, Chapter 13
Richard’s senses were heightened, almost like they were when he went into battle, as his horse approached Longfield Meadows.
Charlotte’s mourning period was over. He knew she had made an imprudent choice in her first husband, but all he cared about was whether or not she loved him as much as he loved her.
He would not, could not, rejoice the death of another, but neither would he find remorse in this part of the Almighty’s plan.
If his suit were successful, he knew she would not be a maid as she had been married before and was now a widow.
He had always found this somewhat hypocritical: a man was lauded for his prowess regardless of his marital state, but if a woman did anything before she was married, she was ruined, to be shunned!
It was one of the patriarchal society’s arbitrary rules for which he cared not a wit.
Richard was enjoying running his estate, Brookfield, and he especially enjoyed working with the horses in the horse breeding program. In the space of six months he had gone from poor soldier to estate owner. If that were not enough, Anne had named him the heir of Rosings Park!
Richard handed the care of his horse to a groom while a footman took his valise with a change of clothing to his chambers.
His carriage with his man and trunk were about an hour or two behind him.
His first stop was to greet Bennet in his study, where he informed his host that his parents would arrive a day later, as they wanted to be present to welcome Jane and Andrew when they arrived at Longfield Meadows.
Richard made his way to his suite, the same one he occupied last time he was at the estate, if for a much more sombre reason.
When he looked at his pillow, he saw a handkerchief he thought he lost at Broadhurst decorated neatly with his initials in embroidery.
He was sure there was only one person who would place it there for him.
“Welcome, Richard,” the Duchess welcomed her daughter’s new brother with a kiss on the cheek. “I trust that you are well, as is everything at Brookfield?”
“Yes, thank you, all is well Aunt Priscilla,” Richard answered in an absent-minded fashion, his eyes locked to Charlotte’s. After greeting everyone else, Richard sat himself down in an armchair right next to the corner of the settee where Charlotte was sitting.
“You are looking well, Richard,” Charlotte opened softly, aware her mother was watching intently. “I especially like your new handkerchief sticking out of your pocket!”
“As are you, Charlotte. I am pleased to see you are no longer wearing mourning garb,” Richard stated.
“Oh, enough! We have waited far too long as it is!” Richard exclaimed.
“We are neither of us children, I request a private audience with you. I assume as you are a widow who places token in men’s bedchambers I need no one’s permission but yours? ”
“That is a safe assumption, Richard, and I would very much like to hear what you have to say. Allow me a short while, for I would like to at least inform my parents.” Charlotte stood and crossed the drawing room to where her parents were sitting near Bennet and Priscilla.
Richard watched her talk to Sir William and Lady Lucas but could not hear what was being said. Both her parents nodded, and Charlotte returned to Richard. “I assume since they are not having me run off, that means we may talk?” Richard asked.
“Indeed. Follow me, sir.” Richard complied, relieved he would soon have this cycle of waiting broken as he was a man of action, and he needed her as parched man needed water.
Charlotte led Richard across the hall to what was considered a small drawing room but was far larger than the one at Longbourn. “Richard, I request you sit. There is something I must tell you before you speak. Will you allow me to say what I need to first?” Charlotte requested firmly.
“If that is what you desire, of course I will. Please, Charlotte, proceed.” Richard sat, the initial wave of panic having settled, for she still called him Richard rather than reverted back to the distance of formality.
“Richard, you are the first and only man I have loved. Until I tell you what I need to now, and if you are still willing to have me after, I would feel like a fraud if we started our life together without your knowing all.” With some trepidation Richard nodded for Charlotte to proceed.
“My first husband never proposed to me, I, for all intents and purposes, proposed to him.” Charlotte winced at his obvious shock and disbelief.
“Surely not!” Richard blurted out and then stopped himself. “I apologise, Charlotte, please.”
“That you had a reaction was not unexpected; I only expected a louder and longer outburst,” Charlotte smiled.
“My mother is not a romantic, and for years she indoctrinated both of her daughters, especially me as I am almost twelve years Maria’s senior, with her jaded view of matrimony.
” Charlotte proceeded to explain their shared former views on selecting a life partner.
“By the time I met my late husband, I had heard for more years than I care to remember that I was on the shelf and how I was a burden to my father and would be one to my brother when my father was no longer with us,” Charlotte explained.
“When Collins articulated his need, by his patroness’s order, to return to Hunsford married or at the very least betrothed, I offered myself as a solution for his problem and he as one to mine.
” Richard could not help scoffing at the fool Collins was and how ridiculous his aunt used to be.
“I had resigned myself to living with a man of mean understanding who thought anything his patroness said was gospel. Then I met you at Broadhurst, and no matter how I fought against it, I fell in love with you, and I hoped they were not, but suspected my feelings were returned. If there was to be suffering, I prayed it would all be on my side. It was then I learnt what I had been taught about matrimony was all wrong, and what I used to consider silly romantic ideals Jane and Eliza espoused were correct. No matter how my heart yearned to be with you, without dishonouring my family, myself, and causing a scandal, I could do nothing but marry him as planned.” Charlotte paused.
“In addition, I am worried that if I were to become with child early in our marriage those who know of my first marriage, granted that is the small society of Meryton, will question whether it is your child or his. Lastly, I am concerned there will be talk that will hurt your family even with me being an unknown within the Ton.” Charlotte hung her head, sure after what she shared Richard would want nothing to do with her.
Richard placed a finger under her chin and gently lifted her head so he could look into her eyes as he spoke.
“Firstly I do not give a damn, excuse me Charlotte, what anyone else thinks or says. I discussed my intention with my parents, and they know all regarding you and me, and I, we, have their unreserved support. In our world, what is open to most women is to marry and usually for a home and security. It is a rare case that ladies are as wealthy as the Bennets or my cousins Gigi and Anne in order to afford not to marry if they choose, or only for love. I did fall in love with you at Broadhurst, Charlotte. I knew you were betrothed to another, but my heart overruled my head. The night before your wedding, I got foxed to try to dull the pain of knowing you would be another’s wife, that he would be the father of your children.
” Richard stopped and realised he had omitted an important question.
“You are not with child, are you? It will not change anything for me, but I would like to know.”
“As far as I know, I am still a maid, so it would be a highly impossible,” Charlotte admitted begrudgingly as she burned scarlet from the embarrassment of the disclosure.
She decided as she had told him that much and seeing his incredulous look, she should explain that Mr. Collins had not only been lacking in mental acuity.
She also informed him she had suffered her monthly indisposition every month since her late husband’s death.
“In cases such as this, a good memory is unpardonable, let us only look forward,” Richard stated firmly, then dropped to one knee.
He was aware and appreciated she did not want to be called by the name Collins which reminded her of her great folly.
“Charlotte, I am a simple ex-soldier and have never been good at making flowery speeches, so I tell you simply that I love you with all I am and will until I draw my final breath. Please grant me your hand and become my wife. Charlotte, please, marry me.”
“Of course I will marry you, Richard. You have made me the happiest of women. My heart has been crying out for yours and yours heard and answered.” Whatever else Charlotte was about to say was left unsaid as Richard captured her lips with his own.
Some ten minutes later there was a knock on the door, and after the third time which resulted in no response, Elizabeth opened the door slowly.
It was only then the betrothed couple stepped back from one another.
“This had better mean you are gifting me Charlotte as a sister, Brother dearest!” Elizabeth arched her eyebrow.
“Yes, Eliza, we are to be sisters! Richard proposed and I accepted him,” Charlotte beamed.
“You allowed him to propose? That is progress Charlotte,” Elizabeth teased as she hugged her brother-in-law and soon-to-be sister-in-law. “Have you two decided on a date yet?”
“We had not discussed it, but what think you, Charlotte? Your parents are here, the Bennets and the Darcys too. My parents arrive on the morrow, and Jane and Andrew a day or two after. We could apply for a common license and marry after my brother and Jane arrive,” Richard suggested.