Chapter 19 Unforgivable

Lydia declined Elizabeth's invitation to come and stay at Pemberley. Instead, Mr and Mrs Bennet had gone to her in Newcastle for an extended stay but had come back to Bellevue a week later. Lydia had not wanted to come to live at Longbourn nor Pemberley.

She had established herself in Newcastle in a house in the better part of town. How she could afford to, no one knew. Mrs Bennet was convinced that Mr Wickham had performed some sort heroic deed on the battlefield that had been reward with a substantial pension for his widow. She was quite solitary in her way of thinking.

The material thing was that Lydia was well cared for with a roof over her head, servants to perform the heavy chores and food on her table. Elizabeth rather thought that Mrs Bennet's tale of entertaining, size of the rooms and Lydia's fashionable attire must have been exaggerated. Her favourite child could do no wrong...

Lydia had accepted Elizabeth's invitation to visit Pemberley for Christmas though. Elizabeth looked forward to seeing with her own eyes that her sister was indeed well.

Another letter from her sister Jane at Bellevue bore more dire news. Mr and Mrs Bennet were set to leave Bellevue in mid-November and threatened to come to Pemberley on their journey home. They had decided to return to Longbourn and celebrate Christmas with the Gardiners and the Phillips'. To Kitty's consternation, she was going home with them. Mary, on the other hand, was encouraged to stay on. Probably due to Jane's insistence that she could not possibly forfeit her son's favourite aunt. Mary had a magical effect on her colicky infant.

Elizabeth worried if Mrs Bennet saw Pemberley and Mr Bennet saw the library, neither would ever leave...

In haste, Mrs Darcy suggested a visit to Bellevue forthwith. Not even the dubious presence of Mr Crowe could deter her...

Arriving at Bellevue, it was obvious that something had shifted during the Darcys brief absence.

Mrs Crowe and Mrs Bennet met them at the parlour the butler had showed them into. Jane was sleeping, the babe had kept her up most of the night. Mary had aided her while the gentlemen were out fishing in the lake. Mrs Crowe said they had not expected the Darcys to arrive until later in the evening.

"Poor little Charles has colic, my Jane is quite exhausted. She has Mary to aid her but the babe wails the entire night if he is not rocked and carried. I am certain Jane and Mary walks with him miles every night."

"Why has she not sent for me? I did not know it was this bad, I could have relieved Jane for some portion of the night when necessary."

Elizabeth felt Darcy stiffen beside her. He probably did not want her to tax herself too much due to certain circumstances.

"We have it well under hand, Lizzy. I and Mrs Crowe have divided the mistress's chores between us and she has Mary for the babe. Charles is entertaining the gentlemen. We surmised with a grand estate, you had enough to deal with already. I hear Pemberley is something else..."

"Yes and well managed. Mrs Reynolds is a capable housekeeper but I would like to be of assistance to my sister when she needs it."

The Bellevue housekeeper announced that their rooms were ready and the Darcys followed her to their appointed chamber but was a little surprised when she guided Elizabeth to another part of the house. The housekeeper made profound excuses for not being able to accommodate them with adjoining rooms but Bellevue did not have more than one such suite of rooms for guests. It was currently occupied by the newly wedded Mr and Mrs Crowe. The Bennets shared a room, Mary slept by the nursery which left the rooms they had been shown. Elizabeth immediately wanted to disabuse the housekeeper of the notion that they needed two rooms but quickly decided against it. If she was to aid Jane during the night, it was better not to disturb her husband.

Mr Darcy was peevish and could not hide the fact when they re-joined for the supper meal.

Elizabeth was slightly amused by his indignation but relieved to see her sister up and about. Jane had dark shadows under her eyes which overshadowed any perceived grievances her husband might feel. Elizabeth was fairly certain of what her husband had taken umbrage against and fully intended to alleviate him when they were next afforded a private moment...

Jane told Elizabeth how little Charles stomach had started to bother him a week after the Darcys left for Pemberley. The doctor had said that in most cases like his, it would pass when he reached three months which was still a couple of weeks off. It was getting better though. At first, he had cried day and night, now, it was mostly the nights that bothered him. Two nannies had been hired but had left before a week had passed. A third had been hired from London but was not expected for another few days. Elizabeth immediately offered to relieve her sister of her part of the nightshift and simultaneously sent her mother and Caroline a displeased look.

They had been quick to aid Jane in her pleasant chores, not so much with the more arduous tasks.

Mary and Elizabeth agreed that Elizabeth had the first part of the night and Mary was taking over in the middle of the night.

The meal had not given Elizabeth any opportunity to inform her husband who sat on the same side of the table as her but at the opposite end. She could see by his rigid posture when Mrs Crowe bid the ladies follow her after the meal had been consumed that he was displeased. She tried to smile reassuringly at him but was unsure if he had understood her meaning. It unsettled her a little, as well as the thought of the onslaught of questions and unsolicited advice her mother surely had install for her...

The latter she had not needed to be bothered about. No one seemed to have noticed anything different about Elizabeth. That was not to say that her mother did not have some advice for her daughter. She barely had time to take a seat in the parlour before Mrs Bennet had the exact opposite of what she had expected to complain about.

"Lizzy, what are you dawdling for. You have been married a year and no sign of an heir." Mrs Bennet hissed loud enough for the footmen and the other ladies to hear.

"I am expecting in March, Mrs Bennet," she replied.

Congratulation immediately followed from Mary and Jane while Caroline was uncharacteristically excited.

"I thought you looked a little tired but it must be the glow of your impending motherhood. We should hold a dinner in celebration of this joyous event."

Elizabeth could hardly contain her surprise at the suggestion coming from Caroline who looked genuinely pleased. It might be from the prospect of overseeing an elaborate event but still...

Elizabeth had some reservations though...

"I am not sure that would be prudent, Jane does not need any more on her plate for now."

"Oh, Jane would not need to lift a finger. I will take care of the meal and I am sure Mrs Bennet will see to the flowers. She excels at flower arrangements, I have seen it myself."

"Thank you, Mrs Crowe, I am exceedingly fond of flowers and the hothouse here at Bellevue are so well-stocked." Mrs Bennet preened under the praise.

"I understand that you are taking Jane's shift tonight, Mrs Darcy?"

"Yes, I am."

"Jane should be much more rested on the morrow then. What say you, Jane. Should we hold a celebratory dinner in lieu of your sister's large fortune?"

"Yes, Caroline, it is an excellent idea."

Elizabeth was still not sure if the idea was excellent but it would seem that most of the work would fall on Mrs Bennet and Mrs Crowe.

The gentlemen arrived and Elizabeth sprung to her feet to intercept Darcy but she was not quick enough. Caroline beat her to it and ladled Mr Darcy with overly sweet congratulations on his prowess. One would think he had accomplished the feat entirely on his own. Elizabeth smirked from the thought alone until she noticed the ominous cloud in Mr Darcy's eyes. It was time to rescue him before the mood settled for the rest of the evening.

Elizabeth pulled him aside with an excuse for his aid in picking a piece of music she could play at the pianoforte. They were leafing through the selection of sheets while whispering clandestinely.

"I have offered to relieve Jane of the babe tonight, after his last feeding."

"I know." Darcy's scowl deepened.

"Does this upset you?"

"Not in the least but you sleeping in another chamber does." His frown was cute, Elizabeth thought but totally unnecessary.

"I will be relieved in the middle of the night. I thought it best if I did not disturb your sleep when I eventually retire."

"I..." Darcy's frown deepened as Caroline were right at his side.

"Do join us for cards, Mr Darcy. We are only three and in desperate need of a fourth. Mrs Darcy might want to rest before her night in the nursery..." Mrs Crowe must have forgotten their offer of providing them with some music. It mattered little as a harangued looking maid entered with a wailing babe.

"He is probably hungry..." Jane got to her feet and lifted the babe into her arms.

"Can I come with you?" Elizabeth inquired.

Jane nodded and the sisters hurried to the nursery, little Charles had a healthy set of lunges.

Jane settled with the babe at her breast with her sister as an eager spectator.

"Does it hurt?"

"No, but there is a slight stinging sensation at the beginning but it does not hurt. It is quite soothing, I usually grow very tired. Especially at this late-night feeding."

"How long until he needs more?"

"Usually at seven in the morning."

"Look, he has fallen asleep, how adorable he is."

"Thank you, Elizabeth. I will put him in his crib and retire. I really am tired..."

"Yes, goodnight Jane. He is in safe hands."

Elizabeth should not have jinxed it by the last cocky remark.

Little Charles must have felt that he had ended up in the crib and started to wine immediately. Elizabeth hurried to the crib and picked him up before a loud wail would bring Jane running back to the nursery. She walked, cuddled and sang softly to him and he appeared to fall asleep but as soon as she tried to put him back in his crib, an eye quirked and the wining resumed.

Elizabeth sighed and continued her circuits around the room until four in the morning when Mary came to take over.

"Have you walked him all night?"

"Yes."

"You could have sat down in the rocker, he likes that too."

Mary sat down in the chair and lay Charles on her thighs, facing her. She rocked them back and forth while she stroked the babe's stomach. First in downwards strokes, then circular motions before she lifted his feet towards his stomach. Charles let out an improper sound from his behind and settled down. Mary lifted him to lay him on her chest while she continued to rock them and the babe fell promptly asleep.

"I wish I had known that a few hours earlier..."

"Get some sleep, Elizabeth."

"Yes, thank you, Mary. You will make some lucky child an excellent mother some day."

"So will you, Lizzy."

Elizabeth smiled and ventured silently down the hall to her chamber. Her husband never managed to answer her suggestion of sleeping arrangements. It was better to err on the safe side...

The house was eerily quiet but her chamber was not. She thought she heard heavy breathing but guessed she was imagining things. She was too tired to think clearly about what to do. She removed her gown and lay down in the bed when it started to move.

Elizabeth shrieked but a hand came quickly and covered her mouth.

"Shush or you will wake the whole house."

Luckily, the voice was familiar.

"What time is it, Lizzy?"

"I have no idea but why are you here?"

"There is absolutely no chance that I will sleep alone when you are in the same house as long as I am not locked in at Newgate or Bedlam."

"I am glad, I did not relish the thought of sleeping alone. I have grown too dependent on having you close. Shall we shock Mr Bingley's staff and make them send out a search party for the missing master of Pemberley in the morning? Perhaps, Mrs Crowe shall call the magistrate and have me arrested for kidnapping forthwith and... Humph."

Darcy pulled Elizabeth beneath him and hovered over her.

"We cannot have you arrested. I will sneak out in the wee hours of the morning. As I see it, you are already apprehended, Mrs Crowe's magistrate will have no one to imprison."

"I like the thought of you sneaking out of my room like an illicit lover. Perhaps the magistrate will arrest you on the charges of a criminal conversation."

"I will give you a criminal conversation. Minx..."

Elizabeth was secured into a close embrace and lazy kisses soon escalated into fiery one's.

Mr Darcy had made good of his words. When Elizabeth awoke the next morning, her husband was gone but calling it morning was perhaps a stretch... Elizabeth, usually an early riser, had slept past noon. Breakfast had long since been tidied away when a sheepish Elizabeth made an appearance in the empty dining room. A short search led her to the formal parlour where the other's had gathered.

"There you are, Lizzy, we thought our honorary guest was going to sleep through her party."

Typical of her mother to make a point out of an already embarrassing issue.

"I thought you had been arrested," Mr Darcy mumbled in her ear. Elizabeth blushed furiously whilst glaring at her husband who had to turn away lest he let the others see his smirk.

The next moment her father entered the room, he had not participated in the previous night's dinner. Claiming a headache from the cold air on the gentlemen's fishing expedition.

Elizabeth believed he was purposely avoiding her, she had no idea why but it bothered her very little. He was welcome to play his little games but she needed not to pay them any mind.

"Charles, should you not engage the gentlemen in some sort of sport?"

"Like what, Caroline?" Mr Bingley sounded tired.

"Fishing or hunting? Mr Darcy have not had the opportunity to try your magnificent lake nor taken a shot at your birds."

"I am not leaving my wife," Mr Darcy was quick to reply but Mr Bingley did not seem to have heard him.

"We have been out every day for a week, Caroline, it is too cold for out of doors activities. Mr Bennet nearly fell ill yesterday. Besides, Darcy has his own lake and the hunting at Pemberley is superior to anything Bellevue could offer. If you are that eager to get rid of us, we will play a game of billiards."

"What nonsense, Charles, you cannot think that I am forcing you outside. I am merely making sure that everyone is entertained, as good hostess should..."

It seemed to Elizabeth that Charles had tired of his sister because she could have sworn he mouthed: this is not your house. Perhaps the special bond between the twins was being stretched beyond its limits?

Elizabeth took special care in her appearance that evening. Her new purple velvet gown was particularly flattering but it had nothing to do with outshining the new Mrs Crowe. She was just contradicting her constant nagging about how tired she looked and her ceaseless urgings that she needed to rest. Elizabeth could have needed a rest after her long hours strolling with the babe but she was not going to admit that to Caroline nor her overbearing husband. The latter she wanted to surprise, hence she readied herself in her own chamber.

The dining room shined in the light of hundreds of candles. Elizabeth guessed the servants had been up at dawn, polishing silver and chandeliers. Her mother had outdone herself and created beautiful arrangements for the table while the menu was still a well-kept secret. Mrs Crowe had been keeping the courses close to her chest whilst alluring them by remarks like the latest fashion in town and delicacies of superior quality. Elizabeth had missed breakfast and had only had tea which left her rather hungry. Unfortunately, she was also tired. Sleeping through half the day did not quite measure up to sleeping an entire night. By the time the soup was served, her mouth was watering while her stomach rumbled. Her first spoonful of soup was delayed by her husband but she could not begrudge him wanting to give a toast in her honour.

The soup was turtle soup served as calipee and calipash, two soups. The green was served in the upper shell while the yellow was served in the lower shell.

Elizabeth had never tasted turtle before but she had heard and read about the exquisite taste that was all the rage in London. The method of serving made her feel a tiny bit queasy. It was something morbid about serving a dish in its dead shell...

The array of dishes that was brought out next was astounding but Elizabeth could not help but think it was a bit overdone for a family dinner. A lifelike hedgehog were put on the table and Elizabeth had to inquire what it was before she dared to touch it. Caroline smirked and informed her it was almond mash that had been formed then torched to achieve the colour. It must have taken hours to make...

A piglet with an apple in his mouth was the centrepiece, Caroline offered to cut the snout for Elizabeth but she declined politely. Instead she opted to try the almond mash and a couple of the unsuspicious looking stews. The first she tried, turned out to be particularly difficult to chew, especially the meaty bits.

Elizabeth was not eager to show her ignorance but was spared when Mary inquired of Caroline what the kind of meat it was, holding up a piece of the pale meat on her fork.

"It is ox palate. A friend found it in a cookbook from the 1750s, I thought it was worth a try. Did you like it?"

Mary did not answer but as Elizabeth, she put the meat aside. Elizabeth noticed the meat from her second dish was pale as well but not as though to chew. Her stomach roiled in distress, she had not been sick so far in her pregnancy. Elizabeth thought she was merely so hungry she had made herself unwell.

She attacked the second stew with a gusto. Mr Bennet helped himself to some as well, finding it as delicious as Elizabeth because he took several mouthfuls which he chewed reverently.

"I must propose a toast to our hostess. It has been a long time since I have tasted tripe although I cannot decide if it is from a cow's or a sheep's stomach, it has been too long. My mother used to threaten me with this dish if I did not behave... To Mrs Crowe!"

Mr Bennet's voice was dripping with sarcasm which passed Mrs Crowe's notice entirely. She lifted her glass in the air and thanked Mr Bennet profusely with a saccharine smile on her countenance.

Elizabeth felt the bile rise in her throat, she could not suppress it and hastily exited the room. She ran to the chamber that had been appointed to herself, as it was close by the dining room.

Ran into the dressing room and emptied her stomach into her basin.

Mr Darcy was hot on her heels. Making sure that the loose curls she had draped over her shoulder, did not fall into the basin.

When the retching subsided he carried her to bed, wiped her face with his kerchief and fetched her a glass of water.

"I am sorry," Elizabeth whispered hoarsely after taking a sip of water. "I am not usually this missish about food but..."

Darcy sat down beside her and cradled her pale hand.

"Of course not but you are exhausted after a long night awake with the babe. Yet, your boorish husband cannot leave you alone when you are obviously too tired. Rest, Elizabeth." Darcy bent down and kissed her forehead. "I will fend off the dragons. Do you need aid to loosen your stays?"

"Yes, I will ring for de Montespan and undress for the night. Give Jane my excuses, I do not think I can be of much use to her tonight."

"Certainly not, I would not have allowed it. Let Mrs Crowe take the nightshift, she is too energetic by far. You need to rest for now but I cannot help but think that entertaining guests for Christmas might be too much for you."

"Have you met Mrs Reynolds? I will hardly be allowed to lift a finger under her watchful eyes."

"Thank heavens for Mrs Reynolds. I shall add a substantial bonus in her Christmas bow this year..."

Elizabeth chuckled at the earnestness in his voice.

Another kiss was placed on her forehead before Darcy rose from the side of the bed and left.

Elizabeth was not overly tired. She undressed and lay down on her bed with a book and some dry biscuits on her nightstand. Leaving her lady's maid, De Montespan perplexed. She never used the mistress chamber at Pemberley nor Darcy House in London for other purposes than dressing and undressing. She preferred to sleep in the master's chambers with her husband.

Elizabeth had no intention of sleeping though, just rest.

She had a surprise in store for her husband when he eventually retired.

The conundrum was how to get there unseen. She could not rummage the hallways of Bellevue in her state of undress...

The servant's passages was her only option and after a couple of hours of reading, she crept stealthily along the passages, up to her husband's chamber. She did not think he would be long and he was not. She heard Grey rummaging in the dressing room so she tiptoed into a corner of his room.

She sat down in a chair by the window. The night was clear, the moon and thousands of stars sent rays of light into the room but Elizabeth did not want to be seen.

She moved the chair into the shadows when Grey made enough noise to cover the sound. Not a moment too soon, it would seem. Her husband strode into the room and went straight for the dressing room and the awaiting manservant.

Elizabeth sat, trying to make herself as soundless as possible when the door from the servants' passage opened. A female figure stole across the floor and quickly hid under the covers. She had not really seen the person but the movements and figure pointed at one individual in particular. Dumbfounded she tried to decide what to do with the floozy that had thwarted her plan when the door to her husband's dressing room opened and he came towards her.

Elizabeth jumped from her hiding place. Her robe flying open which had initially been her intention, revealing her unclothed state. With her husband in a similar state and an interloper in their bed, her game plan had changed dramatically.

"You came," he whispered.

She ran to Darcy to cover him up before she alerted him of the intruder to their private sanctuary but he was in an entirely different mind than she or he misunderstood her intention.

He scooped her up in his arms and his lips descended on hers before she had a chance to speak up. Suddenly they were moving and she had to grab on to anything she could get hold of as not to fall because the arms that had lifted her up was busy exploring. She locked her arms around his neck, entwined her legs around his waist and tried to pull back her head but Darcy immediately grabbed her head and held her tight. She was falling backwards, despite her valiant efforts to cling to her husband. It did her little good when he was the one, throwing them both onto the bed. For a reserved and stoic man, he sure let go, in the throes of passion...

They landed hard on the bed, a toe-curling scream followed.

"I am so sorry, Elizabeth. Where are you hurt?" His hands were roaming frantically over her body in search of any sign of injury.

"It was not I who screamed. We have company, I tried to tell you but you had other things in mind."

"Where?"

"Squirming underneath me as we speak..."

Darcy scrambled to his feet, Elizabeth following close behind. She positioned her self in front of her husband who leaned forward and yanked off the bedspread to cover himself and his wife.

"Grey!" he bellowed as Mrs Caroline Crowe was revealed in a flimsy nightgown.

Soon, running footsteps were heard and a winded Grey appeared in the door. His master had never raised his voice at him, ever. When he heard him shouting, far down the servant's corridor, he immediately surmised something grave had happened and did not tarry.

He found his master with his eyes closed and a bedspread wrapped around himself and his wife.

"Remove that filth from my bed. We will remove to Pemberley in the morning. I would have liked to have left immediately but your delicate condition, Elizabeth, do not allow for such impetuousness. We will have to stay put until morning.

Please make sure, Grey, that she cannot enter this room again. I want footmen outside the door and by the servants' entrance. Under no circumstances should she be able to access these quarters, regardless of her begging, threats, blackmail or complaints.

Have de Montespan bring Mrs Darcy's luggage here, to my room.

Lastly, I want to investigate how she could have entered my room without notice. Did you see her enter, Elizabeth?"

"I did, she came through servant's passage."

"If you mind me saying so, Mr Darcy but I believe she must have had help."

"Are you saying that Mr Bingley has a traitorous servant under his roof?"

Grey did not speak a word but looked steadily at Mr Darcy.

"I believe I understand who, you are not thinking of Mr Bingley's servants are you? You have someone specific in mind who is not part of Mr Bingley's staff..."

"I have noticed that de Montespan takes a lot of notes, Sir. It might be an innocent way of remembering the preferences of her mistress but I thought it suspicious."

"Escort the woman to her room. Make sure her husband is informed before you leave her. I trust you explicitly, Grey.

We need to search de Montespan's room but I am loathed to leave Mrs Darcy alone at night. The maid was recommended to me by the trollop in my bed."

"Leave it to me, Sir. There is no need to upset Mrs Darcy more this evening."

"Thank you, Grey."

Grey left with an uncommonly quiet Mrs Crowe. Elizabeth and Darcy lay down, entwined in each others arms and limbs.

"I am so sorry, Elizabeth."

"You cannot help being so attractive to the ladies."

"I meant hiring de Montespan. I should have known better after Mrs Young."

"Her references are excellent and she is an outstanding lady's maid. Let us await the search and the conversation I will have with her later. Right now, I want to lay in your arms and rest my eyes."

When Grey entered their room an hour later, his master and mistress were fast asleep. He gently awakened Mr Darcy but he told him that to rest after a quick discussion about the things he had discovered. The issue at hand could wait until morning.

The Darcys afforded themselves a few hours of sleep before they tackled the unpleasant business of the day.

Mr Darcy contemplated ordering a family meeting but decided against it. Instead, he asked for a meeting with Mr Crowe and Mr Bingley.

They all gathered in Mr Bingley's study. Elizabeth and Darcy sat huddled together on the settee, holding each other's hands.

The search in de Montespan's room revealed a notebook that did not contain any reminders of Mrs Darcy's preferences but intimate details of her mistress. The most sickening ones were those with reference to both master and mistress...

Elizabeth felt ill by the thought of intimate details of their most private moments had been recorded and shared. De Montespan was released without a reference and Elizabeth had already sent a letter to Mrs Reynolds to inquire if the maid she had encountered at the Rose and Crown last summer might be persuaded to take the position.

Hannah was born in Lambton and she had a brother working as an undergardener at Pemberley, making it probable that she would be loyal. Elizabeth had liked her on a personal level, it suddenly held more importance to have someone she could trust than someone of high professional quality. Not that she had anything to complain about when she readied her hair before her first visit to Pemberley.

The notebook contained some comments that made Mrs Crowe's timing understandable. De Montespan had noted that her Master had been displeased which Mrs Crowe had probably seen for herself. Although it was highly unlikely she had guessed the right reason for his little vexation. The couple had spent less time together and her mistress had slept in her own bed the day prior. The maid did not know that Elizabeth had not slept there alone but Mr Darcy had left long before Elizabeth had rung the bell for her maid. These circumstances had eventually led to the maid believing the Darcys were having a marital rift.

Charles and Mr Crowe were shown in first and offered seats before Darcy asked Grey to bring Mrs Crowe.

She sauntered into the study with her nose in the air, unrepentant.

Darcy immediately started his rendition of the events of the previous evening.

Charles and Mr Crowe were naturally both appalled and horrified.

"It can come as no surprise that I will no longer allow Mrs Crowe into any of my homes, neither will I enter a home where she is present. Elisabeth his of the same mind as myself. She takes especially umbrage towards infiltrating our house with a spy that has related our private affairs for months. I am sorry it has come to this Bingley, I honestly did not see it coming but I fervently hope that it will not come between us and ruin our friendship. She is ultimately your sister and I leave her to her husband's care. We will leave for Pemberley today, as soon as we have sorted this situation. The abandonment is regards to Mrs Crowe, not you Mr Bingley nor your wife."

"I am speechless, Darcy. I do not know what to say..."

"You should not have to leave your sister, Mrs Darcy. I will remove myself and my wife."

"Mr Crowe, where can we go? My sister, Mrs Hurst, is not in town at the moment and I am not welcome at their estate in Sussex."

"How surprising," Elizabeth remarked dryly for her husband's ears only.

"I have an estate, Caroline." Mr Crowe was uncommonly grave for a man who did not often exert himself in any shape or form.

"I thought you were a second son?"

"I am but I have a small estate in my name that I inherited from a childless uncle. It is located in Ireland."

"I am not moving to the backwaters of Ireland to become a lowly mistress of a small estate. Charles, you cannot allow it!"

"I would think that a step up from a common strumpet, Caroline. I no longer care for your opinion, you are obviously deranged."

"But Charles, I am your twin sister, we have a unique bond."

"I prefer the bond I have with my wife, Caroline. She does not embarrass me nor aim to destroy any of the relationships I have with my friends."

Caroline was getting desperate, ready to lash out at anyone close enough.

"If you abscond with me to the remotes of Ireland, I will turn on you like a Valkyrie, Mr Crowe. I will be the wife from hades, hounding you every moment of the day..."

"I cannot see the difference. This married business was fun in the beginning but the novelty faded quickly, Caroline. When I say we are going to my estate in Ireland, I did not mean to say that I would stay there with you. No, I will escort you to the estate and head back to London forthwith. I might visit you occasionally, first and foremost to assess if you are ready to apologise to your brother and sister. I doubt the Darcys will even want an apology from you. I think they will be satisfied with the notion of your person, far away from themselves for as long as possible."

*Turtle soup info from (history extra).