Page 35 of Elizabeth and Caroline
“Much, much joy to be enjoyed in solitude,” said Jane, giving Lizzy a teasing grin.
Caroline moved her food around on her plate and said nothing.
Elizabeth sat next to her in the drawing room after dinner, even as Mr. Darcy said they should retire early to get rest for the journey tomorrow and Mr. Bingley chortled and said, “Oh, yes, rest.”
Elizabeth did not know what to say to Caroline, and she sat there, sorting through things and discarding them until she finally settled on, “I have not forgotten our vow.”
Caroline sighed heavily. “It is late December. No one is in London, anyway.”
“I did speak to him about bringing you with us,” said Elizabeth.
“He hates me,” said Caroline vehemently.
“No,” said Elizabeth immediately.
Caroline glowered at her.
Elizabeth realized she could not confess to Caroline everything she had shared with her husband. It would be abundantly mortifying for her friend. She would instruct Mr. Darcy not to ever indicate that he had any notion that Caroline had ever fancied him. “I think,” she said carefully, “that it might not be pleasant for you, being with us right now.”
Caroline considered this.
“Only because we shall likely be… well, you would have nothing to do and no one to entertain you, and you would be on your own too much of the time and—”
“Yes, yes, of course,” said Caroline, taking a deep breath, composing herself. “I do see that, actually.”
“But in a few weeks’ time or a month or… well, then—”
“I shall find a way to London,” said Caroline, giving her a little smile. “I am not without my own skills and resources, Eliza.”
Elizabeth smiled back. “You are quite formidable, and this I know.”
“If you ever leave your bedchamber,” said Caroline.
“Caroline!”
“If you are out in society at all, then you must look about for me,” said Caroline. “Look at the men and see what you think?”
“Absolutely, yes,” said Elizabeth, her smile widening.
Across the room, Mr. Darcy yawned pointedly.
Elizabeth flushed. “My husband is ever so tired, and I think I must make sure he doesn’t fall asleep on the way to his chamber.”
Caroline snorted.
Elizabeth giggled. She shot to her feet, smiling broadly. “Well, I shall begin to say my good nights, I suppose?”
“The two of you are ever so subtle,” said Mr. Bingley.
Back in her husband’s bedchamber, and she and Mr. Darcy agreed that having the commentary of the others was not something they would miss at all when they were alone.
They were both eager for each other again, but things settled a bit awkwardly between them for some time,perhaps even more awkwardly than the night before.
There were a number of halted statements, nervous laughter, mishaps trying to help the other undress.
When they were finally both bare skin on bare skin in bed together, he breathed into her ear that he thought he had done it wrong the night before, and she disagreed vehemently, sayingnothingabout it had been in any way wrong.
“I think you’re supposed to… have a release,” he said.
