William saw to their departure and smiled at Miss Bingley after closing the carriage door. “I will call on you tomorrow, Miss Bingley, Charles.”
The carriage departed and William returned indoors with a broad grin on his face. It had been an exciting day and he was elated with meeting the fine lady, who could possibly be his future wife.
~*~
“I think I am in love, Lizzy.” William gushed as he sat down next to her in the library where Lizzy had been reading alone. “I was wishing for my future wife to drop from the sky and the most beautiful angel literally crashed into me. Her carriage, actually, but it must be providential. She is pretty and witty and apparently has a large dowry. I think she is perfect.”
Lizzy smiled to see her friend in bliss but was concerned what kind of a woman this Caroline Bingley truly was. Her speech with her brother when alone made her appear grasping and mercenary but until she met the woman herself, Lizzy was determined to be cordial and non-judgmental. “I’m glad your holiday has been an eventful one. I know you have had many gatherings and invitations with your friends and their families, and my mother has been delighted with the parties she has been able to attend with your parents.”
William smiled, “It has been better than my expectations and I have never been happier. Meeting an attractive lady, finishing school, and preparing for my trip this summer, I am truly excited for my future and it seems everything is coming together perfectly. The lady I admire, she has a younger brother who is also pleasant and is a cheery fellow. Charles Bingley is only fifteen but I think he will become a fine gentleman and perhaps he might marry one of your sisters someday. I spoke to him for a while and he is genuine and intelligent. He might not be bad for Georgiana if my parents approved.”
“You, matchmaking,” Lizzy giggled, “you must be in love. Tell me how you met her. I hope I will meet her soon, Will. I would like to see... you did ask me to help you choose, remember?”
“But of course, Lizzy.” He kissed the top of her head. “What would I do without you? Allow me to tell you of my very own adventure today.” He proceeded to tell her about the carriage accident and meeting the Bingleys.
“Your shoulder!” Lizzy exclaimed. “Are you all right?” She fussed as she stood over him from the other side of him on the couch and inspected his shoulder in multiple places. “Are you in great pain?”
William laughed, “You are such a mother hen. Mrs. Gardiner told us about how overprotective you were during her pregnancy and I can see you doing the same now.” He pulled her down onto his lap with his right arm and embraced her. “I will be fine. It only smarts when I move it too much but the doctor said I should be fully recovered in a couple of days.” He rested his cheek on her head, “It means no fencing, though, my dear. I will not be able to duel you for a while but we will find something else to do. No,” he laughed when Lizzy briskly sat up to ask a question, “we cannot go shooting either. That will have to wait until you are much grown. Come, let us go and see what puzzle father left for us. He enjoys giving us riddles to solve and we still have our chess match to finish. I have not forgotten you beat me soundly last time and I will have my revenge!”
Lizzy stood and wrapped her arms around his waist as they began to walk. “I hope you get better quickly, Will. Not only because I want to fence with you again but also because I do not wish you pain. You could have died today and I would have been sad.”
“I am fine, Lizzy. Today was a momentous day and I am confident that it is a beginning of a new chapter in my life. If I find Miss Bingley as wonderful as I believe she is, I will ask her for courtship and if she will wait for me, I will have something to look forward to when I return from my journey. John Knightley and I will both have our ladies waiting for us and perhaps we can even marry in a double ceremony.”
“I have not heard of many double weddings and that would be quite an adventure.” Lizzy responded as they walked to the study. “I would love a double ceremony with my sister if I were to ever marry. I still don’t wish to marry but if I did, I would want a small ceremony by the ocean with God and only a few of my closest friends to attend. I wouldn’t need much else.”
William smiled, “And would I be invited? That is, IF, if you got married?”
“Of course, Silly Willy!” Lizzy laughed. “You might be old and decrepit by then but I’ll make sure to have someone assist you!”
“You minx!” William laughed loudly, “I am only twenty now. Wait until you are older, little miss! I am going to tease you mercilessly that you are old and decrepit.”
Lizzy stuck her tongue out, “But you will ALWAYS be older. Come now, old man, I am going to find all the answers to the riddle and win your papa’s prize... AGAIN!” She laughed and ran off to the study while William grinned and followed after her.
Chapter 14
“How is your ankle faring, Miss Bingley? I hope you will be able to dance tomorrow.” William asked the beautiful woman who was dressed very finely. “Are you... is there a ball or
