Thank you. I love all your comments and ideas about Caroline, but I already had my plans in place, after I got over the shock of the apology. 😊 (No, I had not planned on that, but once I had written it, I thought it would work well into the story.)

In case you are wondering – half the time I sit back and let my fingers do the typing without input from my conscious mind, other than knowing the scene is a conversation between certain characters. Those are often my best scenes and biggest surprises.

EmlynMara – Congratulations – spot on.

~~H~~

Yes, No, Maybe

'I accept your apology, but no, I will not teach you,' said the Countess.

As Caroline sneered, she went on to explain. 'The information I have just provided you is what you lacked. While you have most of the skills, your attitude is what held you back. I also strongly suspect that the main reason you asked for my help is not so much that you wish to learn how to act like a lady, but that you want my endorsement in society.'

'You just do not want the daughter of a tradesman polluting society,' grumbled Caroline in disappointment that this stratagem had failed.

'Not at all. I would quite happily have Mr and Mrs Gardiner, the Bennet relations in trade, accompany me to even the most exclusive functions, since they are a sophisticated and elegant couple with exquisite manners. But I have chosen to live in a very retired fashion and have no interest in London society. You probably know more people than I do.'

Edith grimaced and sighed. 'It is also pointless. You have moved in London society for years and if your behaviour here is representative of how you acted in town, you would need endorsement by the crown to overcome your reputation.'

This time the stricken look on Caroline's face was genuine. She turned to her brother and asked, 'why did you not stop me from behaving like a…'

'Fishwife,' supplied Colonel Fitzwilliam drily when she could not find an appropriate word.

Bingley shot him an exasperated look but sighed. 'Caroline, I have lost count of the number of times I asked you to behave with consideration to others. You always refused to listen. You also refused to listen when I told you that Darcy would never offer for you.' He spread his hands as he slowly repeated, 'you… never… listened.'

'You also did not listen to me when I asked you to lower your sights,' came Louisa's voice from the doorway. 'I am afraid that you had to learn the hard way,' she added with a sad smile.

Miss Bingley's gaze travelled over the group until it came to rest on Fitzwilliam. 'Colonel,' she said hesitantly.

Richard immediately understood the question, but he shook his head. 'No, Miss Bingley. I have enough problems of my own.'

'So, I am to be cast out of the family and society in one fell swoop,' lamented Caroline.

'Not quite,' Bingley reminded her. 'Remember, I did write to Aunt Mathilda.'

'A fate worse than death,' muttered Caroline before she excused herself to return to her room to consider her future.

~~H~~

As soon as they finished eating, the Colonel suggested a walk to Edith.

'In this weather?' she asked with raised eyebrows.

'If you remember, this house has a long gallery. I thought we could look at the pictures since the view outside is rather limited to shades of grey.'

'I am relieved to hear that you are not so desperate for fresh air as to brave the elements,' Edith replied as she picked up the shawl which she had brought with her. She took the arm which Fitzwilliam offered and they set off for a stroll around the house.

Once they had some privacy, he said, 'I confess that I was relieved when Bingley did not make an issue of the events of last night.'

'Mr Bingley is a sensible young man. Since he wanted to marry for love, I doubt that he would force a marriage of convenience onto anyone, not even his sister.'

'Still, I must thank him for his forbearance. I wonder if I could do something nice for him.'

'Perhaps you could find him a husband for his sister amongst your comrades.'

'Did we no just agree that Bingley would never force his sister to marry?'

'I was not suggesting anything of the kind. I simply thought that you could introduce her to these officers and one of them might suit her and she him. Especially if he is in need of a dowry.'

'I could of course limit it to only the ones I think will treat her decently.' He chuckled. 'She is a beautiful woman; it is only her personality which has caused issues for her.'

'Indeed. I am reliably informed that she has all the accomplishments required of a lady.'

'Except she knows nothing about living in the country,' Fitzwilliam reminded her.

'She did get something of an education last evening… while you gentlemen were enjoying your port.' When her companion looked quizzically, she explained about Mrs Bennet's advice.

Richard laughed. 'Ouch. That must have hurt, having one of the women she despised giving advice on entertaining.'

They stopped in front of a portrait of a young man dressed in the elaborate fashion of forty years earlier.

'I had forgotten about this picture,' Edith exclaimed. 'I had heard of it but have never seen it.'

'Who was he?'

'My father as a young man. My grandmother brought it with her when her husband died, and she moved to Netherfield.'

'It is fortunate that this style has gone out of fashion. I cannot imagine Darcy dressed in those colours,' quipped Richard and was rewarded by a laugh from Edith. It was a most delightful sound, and he was pleased that he could elicit it.

They continued their stroll while chatting or being silent as the mood took them until Richard had to admit that his leg needed a rest.

~~H~~

The party, except for Caroline, was assembled in the drawing room to while away the rainy day.

Mr Bennet had found in Hurst an adequate opponent at chess and was thoroughly enjoying himself.

Mrs Hurst was using the opportunity of a quiet conversation with Mrs Bennet, who obviously had great experience with a certain delicate condition.

Kitty bravely attempted keeping Lydia amused as Mary practiced on the pianoforte. Fortunately for all present she was practising a sonata rather than scales.

Since Mrs Bennet was preoccupied with matters other than wedding preparations, Bingley and Jane sequestered themselves in a corner away from the others and used the time to discuss the future.

At the opposite end of the room Darcy and Elizabeth enjoyed their own conversation.

Since Elizabeth had watched Blake carrying a scantily clad Miss Bingley along the corridor the night before, she was concerned. 'Am I right in assuming that you and your cousin switched rooms?' she asked.

'Are you wondering if I was the intended target last night?' Darcy asked in return. When Elizabeth nodded, he sighed. 'I suspect that was the case.'

'What would you have done if she had come to your room?' Lizzy simply had to know.

'I would have asked my valet to take her back to her room,' Darcy answered with a smile which bordered on mischievous. 'I have learnt long ago to have Parker sleep in my room during house-parties to prevent any claims of compromise.'

Relief washed over Elizabeth's features before she frowned again. 'But suppose that Parker had not been with you. What would you have done then?'

'I would never marry a woman who would engineer a compromise to achieve her aims.'

Elizabeth tilted her head as she considered this statement. 'I am not certain if I should feel relieved or concerned. Concerned that you would not do the gentlemanly thing and rescue the lady's reputation or relieved that you will not be forced into a loveless marriage.'

'Does it matter to you?'

'How could you ask such a thing? It matters a great deal. I would hate for you to be miserable.' Elizabeth's eyes flashed as she made that statement.

'And why is that, Miss Elizabeth?' Darcy knew that he was pushing but he hoped to receive the answer he desired above all else.

Elizabeth blushed as she realised that she had given herself away. Ever since Darcy's proposal, or more precisely his confession of everlasting love, she had come to the conclusion that she returned his feelings in full measure. Especially as she recognised that he had always been courteous and yes, respectful. After all, did he not listen to her opinions during their debates? Surely that was an indication of his true character, rather than the stupid way he had phrased his proposal.

She took her courage in both hands and met his eyes, knowing full well what she was saying. 'Because I wish for you to be happy… with the woman of your choice.'

'Even if that woman is yourself?' Darcy whispered, searching her face for a hint of what he hoped to see, and hardly able to believe that his prayers were being answered.

'Yes.'

The certainty in that single word made his heart soar. Darcy could not wait for a more private moment. He took hold of one of Elizabeth's hands and with a wide smile asked, 'in that case, Miss Elizabeth, would you make me the happiest man on earth and consent to marry me?'

She gave him an impish smile. 'Since you are asking, yes.'

'Thank you,' he murmured as he raised her hand to his lips. He longed to kiss her senseless, but in a room full of people that was not an option. Instead, he asked, 'should I speak to your father?'

Elizabeth glanced at Mr Bennet and recommended, 'I think you had better wait until he has won the game.'

~~H~~

In her sitting room, Caroline Bingley paced restlessly, considering the events of the past day and more specifically the conversation with the Countess of Wentworth this morning.

How could she have been so wrong not to recognise the quiet self-confidence the woman displayed?

The answer was simplicity itself.

Mrs Farrington was an attractive young widow who behaved with quiet dignity. She did not put on airs and graces. She lived quietly in the country. She did not attempt to stand out.

Thinking back, Caroline realised that the Countess had probably laughed at her when she had acted in a superior manner.

Until this morning, when Caroline who was still smarting from all the embarrassment which she had suffered had attacked the lady. That attack had led to yet another defeat, when the Countess had made it perfectly clear how Caroline had made a fool of herself.

In the end Caroline had offered the apology and the request to be taught on the spur of the moment, in the hope that she could reverse the situation.

Even though her apology had been sincere, the Countess had discerned her ulterior motive.

Now that she was thinking about the situation as it was rather than how she hoped it would be, Caroline had to admit the veracity of the lady's evaluation.

For years Caroline had thought that society sneered at her due to her low antecedents. While that was partly true, it seemed that her own manner had betrayed her.

When she had acted superior it was seen as arrogance rather the self-confidence of someone who belonged in the first circles. The perception of the nobility must be exceedingly clear to have realised that Caroline had no self-confidence, only the studied manner which she had thought mimicked that of the members of the first circles.

In the process she had become a laughingstock at best, despised at worst.

Any time the Countess of Wentworth spent on educating her was a waste of effort. Even if she changed her manners to that appropriate to a lady, it would not matter since everyone in London knew her already.

Perhaps her sister had been correct, she had aimed too high.

Another thought intruded. During her conversation with Mrs Bennet after dinner last night, it had become abundantly clear that Caroline knew next to nothing about being the mistress of an estate. She had not even realised that the meat had not all come from a butcher shop, but that the men had hunted to provide those birds.

If even something as simple as organising a sumptuous dinner in a country house was outside of her capabilities, what else did she not know. And here she had deluded herself that she would be the perfect mistress of Pemberley… which was also in the country, which she despised.

The Countess had suggested that she should marry a tradesman. While Caroline cavilled at the idea, she had to admit to a certain logic to that advice.

Tradesmen generally lived in town.

She liked living in town.

A wealthy tradesman could afford the kind of lifestyle she enjoyed.

She remembered a conversation between her brother and Mr Darcy, where the latter had said that in his opinion they were at the beginning of a new era, where wealth would be counted as more important than dusty titles.

Perhaps she could be a leading lady in this new kind of society? Would it not be better to be respected as a major force in the new circles of wealth, than to be a despised and barely tolerated minnow in the first circles.

Suddenly the future did not seem nearly as bleak.

~~H~~

~~H~~

The Colonel and the Heiress (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2022