Generation One: Chapter 3 - Fragile Hope

Chapter 3 - Fragile Hope

Six months have passed in the time of grief, and now Caroline has become Mrs. Davenpore. Alfred’s will has been changed, arrangements made and perhaps Caroline will be content. Because it is a wedding, Caroline and Alfred wear white, even though this is a second marriage for both, the rest of the family still are in mourning black. 

 

Alexa is happy for our sister. Dearest Alexa always sees the best in people, and now that she is six months gone with child she views all the world through rose colored glasses.  I wish the newlyweds the best, but I suppose I am too cynical in regards to my oldest sister.

I am truly pleased that Alexa and Andrew will be welcoming a child in about three months time. My dear sister glows, like she has a marvelous secret. After the wedding, I spend a few moments with my expectant sister and my niece or nephew. I know both the parents-to-be wish for a son, but will love a daughter just as much. 

 

The Davenpores left for a short trip to the seaside, leaving the house quiet. We spent the week while they were gone enjoying the peace. Andrew spent as much time as possible with his wife. It does my heart good to see the love they share and their joy for their coming child.

 

All too soon, Caroline and Alfred returned. She had not even been home an entire day when she confronted me in the front hall. “Brother, have you considered whom you will marry at the end of the year?”  Caroline began without preamble. 

 

“No, Caroline, I have not. I have had enough to be done running the estate to consider marriage.” I answered her.

 

“Surely you must know it is essential that you marry someone who can bring money and status to our family! It is your duty. I married, both times, doing that very duty. You almost did the same. When you are free to be in society again you must actually marry this time. Perhaps you could wed Miss Howard, her family has noble connections---"

“No, Caroline, I refuse to marry a social climber of your choice. I refuse to be drawn into such an unhappy match.” I interrupted, unwilling to allow her to go on.

 

“Unhappy match?!” She repeated, incredulous. “It would be perfectly beneficial to her kinfolk and to us.”

 

“But would she or I be happy? I think not. As I have said, I will not marry a woman you choose. You may be my older sister, but I am Master of Pemberly and the Darcys now, as you yourself have said you will always be a part of. I will choose my own bride.” I was past considering anything she wanted. I was a grown man, capable of choosing a worthy life partner. I did not require my sister to choose my wife!

 

“You will choose someone unsuited to be the Mistress of our house! She will be a failure and do not think I will not make my feelings clear! I may be just a woman, but a woman can fight with words.” She spat back.

“Then you will disgrace yourself as you disgrace me, for I remind you again that married or not you are a Darcy.” I reminded her.

 

“Perhaps we can come to a compromise.” Caroline said, abruptly cooling to calm. 

 

“And what would this compromise be, Sister?” I asked, cautious to hear her terms.

“You choose your own bride, and I promise to keep a civil tongue in company concerning her.”

I was instantly suspicious. Caroline never did anything that did not benefit herself. “And what, pray tell, do you seek in return?”

 

“Merely this, Brother, that when the time comes I am allowed to be the one to choose the bride of your heir.” The look in her eye was not a pleasing one, but…the olive branch was more than I had expected.

“Very well. But you must wait until the heir is no longer a child. I will not have you forcing a match too soon.”

“As you wish.” Caroline left me then, and I remained a few moments more, dread in my heart. I had just struck a devil’s bargain. I had a way out, if I played my hand right. I had long ago decided to change the custom of the eldest son being the one to inherit. I planned to see the most suited child succeed me, and now it was more essential than ever that the child I would name heir be able to handle the burden I had placed upon them.

Why did I agree to such I thing you may ask? The answer is a simple one. There was a woman I loved, but had never thought I could wed, and when presented with a chance to make a desire reality I took it.

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Andrew refused to stand still. Back and forth in front of the hearth he paced, unable to stop. Alfred and I joined his vigil, waiting for news.

Of what, you ask? The impending arrival of Alexa and Andrew’s first born. Alexa was upstairs with Caroline and the doctor, and we men were forced to wait in the parlor. I did not envy Andrew. The woman he loved, and my dear sister, was in pain and there was not a thing he could do to ease it.

Finally Caroline came downstairs to give the news we were anxious for. She went straight to Andrew and gave him the glad tidings of the birth of his son and the health of his wife. Andrew went straight to be with them, while Alfred, Caroline and I went to our quarters. It was late, and we all eagerly sought our beds.