A/N- Thank you, reviewers. It means a lot that so many of you stuck with this story for so long and I hope the next chapters don't take as long to come.
Mr Darcy was in Netherfields' library, hoping to find a book to amuse himself with for a few hours. Georgiana preferred to sleep early most days and as his wedding day came closer, Charles could speak of little else. Darcy had thought of confiding in his cousin his intentions to ask for Miss Elizabeth's hand in marriage before the wedding, but to his surprise, his cousin, too, had excused himself early that night. And so Darcy was left by himself.
It was the very opportunity Caroline had been waiting for.
Here was a perfect chance to make sure that Mr Darcy's attachment to Elizabeth was merely superficial and remind him that she was wholly unsuited to being the mistress of Pemberley. She would remind him of his duties to his family and his estate, and if that were to fail, she would remind him that he could not ruin Georgiana's prospects by marrying a country nobody. That would certainly be enough to bring him to his senses, and he would be grateful to her for timely intervention. Caroline kept imagining how he would react.
He would be very distressed, she knew. He might even be displeased with her for meddling in his affairs and telling him what to do. But very soon, he'd realize that she was right and thank her. He might even propose on the spot, overcome by admiration and gratitude.
It was with such hopes that Caroline slipped into the library.
"Mr Darcy?", she called out.
Mr Darcy turned to face her, feeling strangely disturbed by her presence.
"Miss Bingley, what brings you here?", he questioned. Although she had reacted calmly to the news of Charles and Miss Bennet's engagement and congratulated the happy couple, he couldn't help feeling that she was not quite reconciled to the match, and the the thought made him feel uneasy.
"I hoped to find you alone, Mr Darcy, so that we may discuss a matter that has been weighing on my mind", said Miss Bingley.
That statement did little to ease Darcy's growing discomfort. He was grateful neither of them had undressed for bed yet, but even fully clothed, being alone with her so late did not sit well with him. However, he did not feel that he could turn her away without listening to her concerns, and so he gestured for her to sit.
"What is it, Miss Bingley?", he inquired.
"You must know, Mr Darcy, that fond as I am of Jane Bennet, sometimes her family's behaviour does not seem quite appropriate to me", she began.
Mr Darcy could hardly disagree with this statement, but Caroline did not seem to require any input from him.
"Jane herself, of course, is as well mannered as a girl in her situation could hope to be, and I am delighted to have her as my sister. But her sisters, especially Miss Elizabeth, have lately made me feel uneasy", said Miss Bingley.
"I have always found Miss Elizabeth's manner rather pleasing", said Mr Darcy, relaxing a little. It seemed that Miss Bingley was only there to speak ill of her least favourite Bennet, as she often had ever since Edward had revealed his interest in Miss Elizabeth, and as long as she would say her piece and leave him in peace, he would not mind the interruption too much.
"I know you have enjoyed her company, Mr Darcy, and I am glad to see you get along well with Jane's family, but I am afraid that Miss Elizabeth does not quite understand your feelings for her."
Darcy's eyes widened. Was Caroline Bingley, of all the people, attempting to advise him on how to proceed with his courtship? His attempts to win Miss Elizabeth's affection might have provoked much well meaning advice from his cousin and sister, but he did not think he could stand to listen to the same from Miss Bingley.
Caroline misunderstood his expression and went on.
"You have, of course, spent much time in her company lately", she said. "And that is but natural, for your friend has been courting her sister. But I'm afraid that Miss Elizabeth mistakes your friendliness for more than it is. Mr Darcy, if you continue to seek her company so often, you may be raising expectations you cannot possibly fulfill. Even your own cousin suspects you harbor a great affection for her, and I am afraid to think of what her family thinks."
Darcy suppressed a sigh. It seemed that Miss Bingley continued to believe that she could dissuade him from pursuing Miss Elizabeth even when he had made his feelings so clear.
"I assure you, Miss Bingley, I raise no expectations I do not intend to meet", he said coldly.
"I do not mean to say your behaviour has been lacking, sir, but do think of the Bennets. They do not move in the same circles as we do, and you have seen for yourself how different society here is. Miss Elizabeth may be expecting a proposal any day, and think how disastrous that would be."
Darcy did not wish to make it known that he intended to propose soon, so he satisfied himself with merely shrugging at her statement.
"I do not think any harm will come of my actions", he said.
Caroline, however, would not take the cue and drop the topic.
"Mr Darcy, your friends understand that you could never make an offer for anyone like Miss Elizabeth, not when you have your sister to think of. Such connections would hardly aid Georgiana, nor could one who has not had the benefits of a superior education be a role model for her. Why, the advice she could give would certainly lead that girl into trouble, for the manners that are acceptable in the countryside would be so inappropriate in town..."
"That will do, Miss Bingley", said Darcy a little sharply, beginning to lose patience with her. "I believe I can manage my own affairs without your help."
He then proceeded to give her a piece of his mind as civilly as he could, but the they were both too distracted by the conversation to notice the young girl who had been lurking outside the library and had run off without hearing her brother's defense of Lizzy Bennet.
A/N- It took impossibly long, but this chapter is finally complete. I'll try to work on the next as soon as I can, but I haven't written for so long that I'm incredibly rusty, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, and stay safe, readers!