The Three Colonels Read Online Free

Easter,” Jane told Louisa. “Susan would be desolate without her Aunt Hurst in attendance.”
    â€œSusan is but a babe. She hardly knows me, I am sure.”
    â€œNo. She loves you to distraction, I am certain of it,” Jane insisted. She turned to Caroline. “Susan will miss her godmother, too. But you will be on your honeymoon, so her other aunts must console her in recompense for her loss.”
    Caroline shook her head at her sister’s blind goodness. Jane, sweet Jane! Who could not like Jane?
    When Caroline had found herself sitting in a Meryton church on a December morning watching her brother’s wedding, she at length had reconciled herself to the union. True, she did not have the connections Caroline had been taught to desire in a sister-in-law, but Jane was sure to prove to be a loving partner to Charles, a good mistress of Netherfield, and an attentive mother, and that counted for much. Caroline would be there to watch this unfold, for she could not live with the Hursts, and she was too clever to want to pay the whole of the expense of living in Bingley House in Town.
    Caroline tried to be of use to her brother and sister, but the servants would not mind her commands. When she complained to Charles, she discovered to her horror that they were acting under his express orders. There would be only one mistress of Netherfield, and her name was Mrs . Bingley. Caroline learned there was a bit of steel beneath Jane’s kind and soft exterior.
    The relationship between Jane and Caroline grew much improved during and after Mrs. Bingley’s confinement. Caroline took over many of Jane’s duties prior to the birth, but took pains to act (for the most part) as she believed Jane would wish and never hesitated to ask for direction. That she disagreed with many of Jane’s decisions did not stop her from holding her nose and acting correctly.
    Still, Caroline was stunned that later Jane would have her join Mr. Darcy as godparents to her daughter. As astonished as Caroline was to learn that, despite all expectations, she grew to adore little Susan Frances. She took true joy in the child. Her efforts were not lost upon Mrs. Darcy, who was visiting her sister and was in the early stages of her own confinement. The two old adversaries finally had something in common—love for Charles and Jane’s daughter.
    The door opened again, and Caroline’s initial look of annoyance at yet another interruption in her preparations changed instantly upon her recognition of the woman in maroon standing in the doorway.
    â€œMay I come in?” asked Mary Bennet Tucker.
    Without hesitation, Caroline rose and moved to greet her visitor with a smile, upsetting much of Abigail’s work.
    â€œMary, my dear! Come in! I am so very glad to see you.” She kissed the slim, dark-haired woman on the cheek with genuine affection before allowing Mrs. Tucker to accept the welcome of the other ladies. Reclaiming Mary’s hands, Caroline swept her critical eye over the lady’s dress.
    â€œMary, I am sure I taught you better. The color of your gown complements your eyes, but the cut! It is positively matronly!”
    â€œCaroline!” protested Jane. “Mary’s dress is lovely.”
    Mary smiled. “No, Jane, Caroline is right. My dress is modest by her standards, but as I am married, I think it suits me better.” In a manner reminiscent of Elizabeth Darcy, one of Mary’s eyebrows rose as the woman took in Caroline’s décolletage. “It is certainly not as shocking as yours.”
    â€œShocking? Mary, you must remember I am not yet married.”
    â€œAnd you wish for your intended to remain your intended?”
    â€œPrecisely!” The two laughed lightly.
    Jane shook her head. “That is unnecessary, Caroline. Sir John is violently in love with you.”
    Some of Caroline’s smile slipped from her face. She did not doubt Sir John’s