A/N - this is the last story in my Three Sisters... series, although each three stand alone they are fun to read in turn (I hope!).
Now both Mary and Kitty have happy futures secure it seemed unkind to let Caroline Bingley languish in obscurity. I hope this little story does her justice and wraps up another loose end or two from A Trip to Pemberley. And most of all, I hope you enjoy reading! xxx
"Would you like to call on Mr and Mrs Burton or Mr and Mrs Leigh today?"
"The choice is yours, my dear. I am quite content to accompany you to whichever home you favour. I will be happy, as long as we are together…"
Caroline Bingley smothered a groan, fixing her stare with such ferocity on the book she was trying to read that the words blurred and became double with the effort. Living with her brother and his new wife was more of a trial than she had imagined it would be, for the pair were so happy and in love that neither wished to counter the other on even the most trifling matter, so no decisions were made and one was forced to endure a perpetual billing and cooing as if they were a pair of lovesick turtle doves, and not, as Caroline had once credited them, sensible, rational creatures.
They must have left both sense and rational thought at the altar, Caroline mused. If that is the only future one is guaranteed by marriage, perhaps I should be grateful I have thus far avoided it!
But Caroline was not grateful. If there was one bitterness she nursed that rankled deeper than the sickening interactions of her brother and his bride it was that she, Caroline Bingley, had been left quite utterly and unceremoniously alone, whilst not only Jane Bennet had managed to marry, but her sister Elizabeth as well. And she to Fitzwilliam Darcy!
Well, Caroline sniffed. It is not as if I ever truly cared for Mr Darcy in any case, but he is more foolish than I believed to have chosen Elizabeth Bennet as his wife. I dare say they will be happy together, but I doubt very much that wedded bliss reigns in Pemberley quite as peacefully as it does here in London!
She must have stirred, then, or made some sound that betrayed her presence, reminding Charles and Jane that they were not alone in the parlour.
"Oh, you are welcome to come and join us, Caroline," Jane Bingley said, with a warm smile that betrayed no malice. "I am sure you would be quite as welcome at either house as we would."
Caroline was rather less convinced, recalling one angry exchange she had shared with the new Mrs Burton when that lady was still Miss Cartwright and wondered if she would be quite as welcome as Jane seemed to suppose.
"Yes, Caro, you may come if you wish!"
Charles meant well and was a picture of politeness, but his voice fell flat and Caroline was left convinced that he was nowhere near as eager as his wife that she take them up on their offer.
A flash of disappointment gave way to indignation. Charles might care less for her company now that he had Jane hanging off his every word, but she was no charity case.
"I am perfectly capable of finding my own entertainments!" she declared, lifting her book a little higher as a prop. "I have been trying to read all morning, and dare say I will have more success once the house is quiet!"
This was a pointed comment and one which certainly landed as far as Jane was concerned. Caroline's new sister-in-law frowned, dropping her head apologetically and laying a hand on her husband's.
"You are quite right, dear," she said, softly. "Charles, we have been very thoughtless in continuing on with our conversation when Caroline wishes to read. How annoying she must find our constant indecision!" She laughed, gently, and Caroline immediately repented of all her unkind thoughts towards her new sister. Why could Charles not have chosen someone with at least a few flaws? She despaired. It was impossible to feel anything other than affection for sweet-tempered Jane, even when she had entirely upset the balance of the Bingley family, and left Caroline forever relegated to the status of guest in the house where she had formerly been mistress.
"I know!" Charles beamed, delighted to have discovered a solution to their problem. "What say we call on both families? That way honour may be satisfied, and we need not fret over making a decision at all. Huzzah! Now, dear me, I wonder which we ought to call on first…"
Forestalling the likelihood of yet another long whispered discussion, Caroline was the one to offer a solution.
"The Burtons live closest, so perhaps you would be well served to begin there. Your route to the Leighs might take you through the park, then, should you wish it to." She paused, fixing her eyes upon Jane and smiling, wanting to make good of any fleeting bitterness that might have developed between them. "It is such fine weather, dear, and I know how you love to see the ducks on the pond."
"A jolly suggestion!" Charles exclaimed, standing and making for the door as if he intended to execute it that very instant.
His wife stood, smiling at his enthusiasm, but as she passed Caroline's chair she paused, laying a hand on her shoulder and squeezing it. Caroline was so touched by the gentleness of the gesture that she glanced up, and was surprised to see a glimmer of concern in Jane's pale eyes.
"Perhaps you would care to join us for a turn around the park, Caroline?" she asked, nodding towards the window. "You are right, the weather is quite lovely today and I do not like to think of you holed up inside and poring over a book. That is the perfect recipe for a headache. Why not meet us there on the hour, and we might watch the ducks with their funny ways, and get some fresh air. You need not continue on with us to call on the Leighs, but return home. It will be a little interlude in the day for you, at least, and one always stumbles across an acquaintance or two who have also chosen that particular park to walk in."
The invitation was sincerely given, and Caroline felt so touched by Jane's evident care for her that she nodded, hesitantly at first, but then with confidence. She dropped her eyes to her book, not wanting to appear too eager, and said, with a sigh.
"I shall see what progress I make on my book. I expect I shall be so caught up in its delights that I shall scarcely wish to leave it, but if I do then I shall endeavour to meet you for a short turn." She cleared her throat. "Please give my regards to Mrs Burton, and to her husband, of course. Enjoy your afternoon!"