Note: This is a one-shot with no connection to the previous stories.
Note 2: The term "Abigail" is another word for a ladies maid. I tried to discover when the term came into vogue, but could not. For this tale I will assert that it was before 1811.
Chapter Thirteen – Always be kind to your Abigail
One should always treat servants with kindness, especially the ones who know all your secrets.
She was named Jenny Pepper before Miss Caroline Bingley decided that she needed a French maid. Caroline despised the French; convinced that a true French maid would most likely murder her in her bed. Instead she decided to give her current Abigail a French name. Resigned to her fate, Jenny would have chosen a pretty name such as Antoinette or Clementine. Caroline Bingley would never choose a name prettier than her own, so she chose Odile. Then she insisted that Odile practice her French accent, use phrases such as "oui demoiselle," and keep up on all of the latest French styles.
Jenny... or Odile... truly despised Caroline Bingley.
Miss Caroline was the daughter of a very successful tradesman who had wanted his children to make the step up to becoming gentry. The senior Mr. Bingley was a hard-driving businessman, but he was essentially a good man. He treated his workers and his servants well.
Mrs. Bingley, his wife, was a greedy, grasping creature who wanted to push herself and her children into the highest spheres of society as quickly as possible. She treated anyone who she deemed below her as if they existed only to serve and were otherwise little better than dirt.
Their daughters, Louisa and Caroline, absorbed their mother's ideals from infancy and never deviated from that attitude. They attended a prestigious finishing school where they learned the worst traits of the aristocracy. They had two goals in life: to marry as well as possible and to sunder all connections to trade. To do this, they learned how to gossip, to manipulate others, to defame, and wherever possible, to attach themselves to those above them.
Charles Bingley, the only son, had somehow escaped his mother's teaching to become a kind and genial young man. He was not as intelligent as his father, as wiley as his mother, or as ambitious as his sisters. In fact, an unkind person might describe him as cheerfully insipid, but harmless. Jenny thought that the boy might become a man if he could ever crawl out of the shadow of his sisters. He was also handsome, so she had a slight tendre for him.
Caroline Bingley was anything but harmless. In fact she could best be described as poisonous. A personal lady's maid, or Abigail, was her mother's present to the girl for completing finishing school. In the seven years tha Jenny... or Odile... had been serving the woman she had been witness to numerous incidents where Caroline had deliberately destroyed a rival's reputation or smeared a character. In one instance she had even engineered a compromise of a girl who was drawing more attention from the man Caroline wanted than she was. Then, after the compromise, Caroline had been the first to spread gossip to further destroy the girl.
She wasn't satisfied with ruining rivals either. She used every range of behavior, from begging and tears to screaming and throwing objects to control her brother. He was his father's heir and now the supposed patriarch of the family, but not to her. To her mind her brother and sister existed to further her own ends. For example, she was counting on Charles' friendship with Mr. Darcy, a wealthy and connected friend, both to advance her own social standing and to eventuate a marriage between her and Mr. Darcy. Jenny, watching from the sidelines, seriously doubted that her mistress would succeed, but neither she nor any other dared to tell the woman that.
On the day in which our tale begins, Caroline Bingley was in a particularly foul mood. She was currently serving as hostess for her brother in his leased estate, Netherfield. Jenny thought that Netherfield was a fine estate for someone like young Mr. Bingley. It was well-kept, elegant, and the property seemed prosperous. Miss Bingley hated everything about the place and had not stopped complaining since they arrived. She would not have been there except for one thing: Mr. Darcy was also there.
Jenny knew that Miss Bingley was obsessed with Mr. Darcy. In fact, since meeting the man five years ago, the woman had repeatedly commanded Jenny to seek out Mr. Darcy's servants to learn everything she could about the man, his preferences, and his habits. Abigails were often held at arms length by the other servants for fear that they might snitch; this task only made it worse.
Jenny truly despised Caroline Bingley.
Currently there were two guest at Netherfield: Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet. The first was very beautiful and all that was sweet and kind. The second was also beautiful, though not as classically perfect, with sparkling eyes and a witty tongue. Jenny quite liked both young ladies. Caroline despised them. She disliked the first because the girl was attracting her brother and she feared wedding bells. She hated the second because anyone with eyes could see that Mr. Darcy couldn't stop staring at the girl. Caroline had invited Jane, who became sick and had to stay. Elizabeth had come the following day to nurse her sister. And last night Mr. Darcy had been very clearly flirting with Miss Elizabeth.
So it should not have been a shock to Jenny when Caroline randomly struck out at her. Unfortunately, Jenny had been thinking about handsome Mr. Denny who had flirted with her yesterday when she was sent into town on an errand. This was not the first time Caroline had taken out her frustrations on her, but the other times she had been prepared and protected herself. This time she did not see it coming.
Her first warning was when Miss Bingley's ringed hand impacted Jenny's face. The ring, which was loose and tended to turn on the woman's finger, was turned inward enough that the sharp edge of the setting caught the tight skin over Jenny's cheekbone. It cut and Jenny felt blood running down her face.
For perhaps a second, Miss Bingley's humanity kicked in and she felt a pang of guilt, but then her true character reasserted itself, "You stupid girl! You're bleeding on my expensive carpet. Don't you come closer of you'll get in on my favorite day dress. Go get yourself taken care of!"
Jenny fled the room, cupping her face and fighting tears. She was intercepted by a footman who immediately took her to Mrs. Nichols, the housekeeper. With sympathetic clucking and a tight frown, Mrs. Nichols tended to the girl and fought the urge to do harm to the Mistress of the house. Once her work was complete, the kind Mrs. Nichols sent her to the far corner of Netherfield Park, "You go have some quiet time. I will tell that... Miss Bingley that I sent you to bed."
Jenny had been shocked and numb at first. As Mrs. Nichols tended to her, she was becoming angry. By the time that she was in the remotest part of the park, she was furious. Picking up a stick, she began beating at the grass, at a hedge, and at a tree. "I've always liked that tree. I wonder what it could have done to you?"
The abigail jumped and turned to find Miss Elizabeth Bennet sitting on a bench, book in hand. Jenny was trying to find her voice when the lady's face changed. In a trice Miss Bennet was up and standing in front of the girl, "Who did this to you? Was is Mr. D... Who did this?"
Jenny shook her head, "Mr. Darcy would never strike a servant, Miss. I'm surprised that you would think it was him. He's kind to all of us."
Miss Elizabeth's mouth set, but she asked, "Then... you're Miss Bingley's lady's maid... did she do this to you?" It was almost a demand, but said in such a gentle, caring voice that Jenny suddenly started crying. Miss Elizabeth wrapped her in her arms. Elizabeth was shorter than her, but Jenny felt like a little girl again being held by her mother. "There, there, miss. If you want, we'll talk to Mr. Bingley."
"No! I cannot lose my job, Miss Elizabeth. I need my job."
Elizabeth gazed at her sternly, but then she relented, "Very well then, I will not intervene yet. But I will not stand by while a good person is abused... and by the way, what is your real name?"
"What, Miss?"
The lady grinned, "I have heard Miss Bingley call you Odelle, or Odette, or..."
"Odile, Miss."
"Well, Odile, that is definitely not a French accent. So what is your real name?"
"Jenny, Miss."
Miss Elizabeth surprised her by dipping her very best curtsy. "Well then, I am pleased to meet you, Miss Jenny."
Jenny really liked this lady.
The Miss Bennets went home two days later and everything settled down, or at least it would have if Mr. Bingley hadn't insisted on throwing a ball. For the next several weeks everything was chaos as Miss Bingley prepared the house for the ball. She was not so busy that she couldn't complain all of the time. She complained about the county, the community, the house, the servants, her brother, and most especially about Miss Elizabeth. It seems that distance did not make the heart grow fonder for Miss Bingley. It was difficult to say with Mr. Darcy.
Nothing travels faster than gossip, so Jenny heard all about the Mr. Collins, a cousin who was visiting the Bennets of Longbourn with matrimony in mind. Caroline Bingley found it joyously hilarious that the man's intent was firmly fixed on Miss Elizabeth. Jenny was not so pleased. If the man was good, then so much the better. But rumors suggested that he was an idiot and very ugly. That would not do for the lovely and kind Miss Elizabeth.
One day Jenny was working to rearrange Miss Caroline's walk-in closet when the woman and her sister walked in. Oblivious to Jenny's presence, Caroline began to speak with her sister. "We can't let Charles propose to Jane Bennet, Louisa!"
"I actually like the girl, Caroline."
"Of course I like her, but not as Charles' wife! She will do nothing for our social standing... and her family! No, we have to separate them. And Mr. Darcy is still infatuated with Miss Elizabeth's 'fine eyes,'" She made a snort of disgust, "So I want to remove Miss Elizabeth from the scene."
"How do you propose to do that?"
"Easy, by having her marry that odious oaf Mr. Collins."
"Rumor has it that she will refuse any proposal from Mr. Collins, Caroline, so you can't count of that."
"You see, that's why I am more clever than you: I plan to engineer a compromise between Mr. Collins and Miss Elizabeth at the ball."
With near superhuman control, Jenny held back any gasp as her mistress outlined her plan. Jenny listened intently so that she would know remember every detail."
oOo
The next day was only one day before the ball. It had rained without ceasing for the past six days and was only beginning dry up. Jenny waited until Miss Bingley laid down for a nap before she stole downstairs and out of the house. Netherfield was only one mile distant from the town of Meryton and she made it there without mishap, despite the muddy roads. Once there she sought in vain for the person she needed until she heard a familiar laugh from Mr. Wickham.
Jenny knew Mr. Wickham's type. They preyed on maids all of the time hoping to get what they wanted without the fuss of commitment. She did not want anything to do with him. Still, where he was Mr. Denny was usually not far behind. She saw the man passing instructions to a soldier before turning to stroll towards Wickham. Jenny managed to intercept him instead. With a pleased smile on his face he said, "Odile! How good to see you. How are the preparations for the dance?"
"That is why I must speak with you, Meester Dennis," Odile replied in her fake accent. She knew that he knew that she wasn't French, but both seemed to enjoy the game.
"Oh? And what can I do for you, pretty lady?" Then his eyes took in her face and his smile vanished. "Who did this to you, Odile?"
"As I said, Mr. Denny," all trace of her fake accent gone, "That is why I wish to ask for your assistance..."
oOo
Caroline Bingley smirked in anticipation of the total ruination of her rival as she watched the toad-like Mr. Collins attempt to dance with a very irritated Miss Elizabeth Bennet. In less than an hour you will be betrothed to that fool, Miss Eliza. I hope he wants to dance with you at every ball for the rest of your lives.
She did not even become angry when Mr. Darcy danced an entire set with Miss Elizabeth because she was confident in her final victory. The supper set came and Miss Elizabeth managed to sequester herself away from her odious suitor with some other young people while Mr. Collins stuffed his face and then tried to hover near her.
It was time. Caroline signaled for her stupid chit of a maid and handed the girl the notes she had prepared. One would send Mr. Collins to the billiard room to meet his beloved. The second would send Elizabeth to the same place in order to prevent her wildest little sister from making a fool of herself. The third would send Mrs. Bennet after the pair to find them alone. Knowing Mrs. Bennet's clearly stated desire for the match, Caroline knew that she could count on the woman to make a scene. It was perfect!
From her vantage point Caroline watched Mr. Collins read his note, smile, and waddle off. A minute later Miss Eliza read a note and quickly rose, but without a trace of a smile. Caroline began moving across the room to enjoy her triumph, not checking to see if Mrs. Bennet got her note. She was weaving her way through the crowd when her abibail was suddenly in front of her, "Get out of the way, girl! Why are you even out here?"
"I'm sorry, Mademoiselle, but you wanted me to warn you if I saw your brother and Miss Bennet going off alone. He just took her to toward his office."
Cursing, Caroline changed her route and began pushing her way through the same people she had just passed through a minute before. What if I am too late!? I will not let my fool of a brother marry a Bennet!
Seeing red, she flung open the door to her brother's office. It was dark, but before she could turn and continue her search she felt strong hands push her in! In another moment clammy hands grabbed hers and a mewling voice said, "Oh, my dear. I knew that you were pining for me!" Suddenly wet lips were on hers and those same clammy hands were beginning to roam towards uninvited places and Caroline began slapping at the man who seemed to have ten hands.
Light flooded into the office as the door was flung open and a shocked voice shouted, "Mr. Collins! How dare you... Miss Bingley! What? Why? You HUSSY!" Mrs. Bennet's strident tone was already attracting attention and that oaf Mr. Collins couldn't seem to take his hands off of Caroline's person.
Another voice, this one amused, laughed, "Well, Cousin, it seems that you have found yourself a bride after all! Congratulations. I can only assume that Miss Bingley accepted your proposal, since she seems to be enjoying your kisses so much!"
"Caroline! How could you?" Charles Bingley barked, "Have you no sense? I didn't even think you liked the man!"
"What!? NO! This isn't..."
"Well, mark my words, Miss Bingley: You will not step one foot in Longbourn while my husband lives. The nerve! And the daughter of a tradesman!"
"MOTHER!" Jane Bennet's voice interuppted, "Don't speak that way! I love Charles and he's her brother!"
"You love me? Truly? Oh, Miss Bennet, I had hoped, but now that I know I cannot wait a minute more. Will you marry me?"
"Yes!" Jane replied with joy.
"No!" Caroline screamed in frustration.
"Charles! What are you thinking? We have to deal with Caroline's mess!" This came from Lousia, who should have been trying to save her.
Mr. Bennet shook his head at the couple who were still entwined, one pushing and the other pulling away, "Mr. Bingley, since these two need to sort themselves out and you need to talk to me anyway, wh don't we begin settlement talks for your sister and my heir. He can fill in the rest of the details later, but I will give you what you need to know about Longbourn..."
The two men walked away leaving everyone else to stare and laugh at the two in the office.
oOo
On the following morning a slender red-haired figure in a puce riding outfit strapped a valise onto the back of her horse, climbed aboard side-saddle (that being the only way she had ever learned to ride) and rode off into the dawn. The only other people awake were a guest and a maid. Mr. Darcy watche the woman fade off into the distance and shook his head. He suspected that the incidents of the previous evening were an attempt at compromise gone wrong. Since his Elizabeth was the most obvious target, he couldn't pity the Caroline.
Jenny Pepper watched from an unused room where she had hidden herself. She had suspected that her mistress would flee and she had no desire to go with her. She had already tearfully spoken to the master of the house asking if Miss Jane would need an abigail. "I cannot work for someone who does such things, Mr. Bingley. Miss Bennet is such a dear, sweet angel. Could I be her maid?"
She could not have chosen better words to please her master. When Jane Bingley moved into Netherfield, her new English abigail was waiting to serve her.
Mr. Collins threw a tantrum when he learned that his bride had fled. He even tried to demand her dowry of twenty-thousand. Those words were all that Bingley needed. He accused the parson of engineering the whole affair to gain Miss Bingley's dowry and threw the man out.
Mr. Darcy remained at Netherfield until his friends wedding. A chance overheard conversation showed Elizabeth Bennet the truth of Mr. Wickham's character and made her rethink everything she thought about both men. Jenny Pepper helped Mr. Darcy's cause by letting his valet know that Miss Elizabeth had heard his insult on the night of that first assembly.
When Mr. Darcy proposed shortly after Charles and Jane's wedding breakfast, it was a much humbler proposal which began with an abject apology. Elizabeth still said no... but she told him that she would consider a courtship. The smile that replaced Mr. Darcy's frown made her insides melt and probably reduced the courtship by several weeks. Additional smiles and judicious hand-holding trimmed that number down even further until one too many of those dangerous smiles won him a spontaneous kiss.
It must have been a very good kiss. The second proposal was accepted with alacrity.
Jenny continued to serve Mrs. Bingley for another two years. She liked her new mistress dearly, but felt sad when Mr. Denny and the militia departed. It came as a complete surprise when the officer, newly promoted to Major, appeared at Netherfield's front step and asked for her. Charles, in his generosity, even provided her with a small dowry. From several contemplative looks that the master had thrown her way over the past years, Jenny feared that he might suspect her involvement in the compromise. If so, he never said a word about it.
Mrs. Jane Bingley personally arranged Jenny's wedding and even stood up with her, further confirming Jenny's suspicion. But it was Mr. Bennet who firmly concluded the issue when he asked for permission to give her away, "A military officer needs a wife who is a good strategist, Miss Pepper. I was standing in just the right spot to see everything that took place. When someone handed my Elizabeth her note, I was already moving to put a stop to Miss Bingley's scheme. Imagine my surprise when Mr. Collins went in the opposite direction, followed by Miss Bingley."
The distinguished older man chuckled, "It served the girl right to be hoist on her own petard. It would be my honor to walk you down the aisle to your young man." Jenny did not understand Mr. Bennet's reference about petards... but then she seldom understood half of what the man said. She did feel the need to ask, "How did you know it was me?"
"I did not know for certain... until Major Denny returned for you. Elizabeth told me about your face, so I knew you might have your reasons. But I saw Major Denny push Caroline into the room. I just didn't know his motive yet. If he saw your face after Miss Bingley struck you, I would imagine he wanted to do much more than just give her a quick shove."
The wedding went off without a hitch... wait... they did get hitched... oh, this is confusing... back to the story:
Jennifer Denny followed her husband around the world as he rose in rank. They were never wealthy, but they were happy, and that was enough for them.
Mr. Collins tried to woo several other young ladies in Meryton, but was shunned by one and all. Eventually he returned to Kent where his beloved patroness chose a wife for him.
Miss Caroline Bingley went to London where she bathed and refreshed without the assistance of a maid. Then she sent a note to Mr. Brock, a gentleman of modest means who had persistently pursued her on the previous season, accepting his proposal. Brock heard of the scandal, but married Caroline anyway. He needed her dowry to shore up his failing business... for he was actually in the apparel business. Caroline was not in the position to say much by the time she learned the truth. Her dowry kept them solvent, but Mr. Brock was never a gifted manager, so she eventually had to step in and run the business herself.
You might still find her running the counter of Caroline's Ladies Apparel today. It is located in the middle of Cheepside.
Author's Note: I had all sorts of fun imagining scenarios for this story. I hope you enjoyed the one I chose. As much as it was fun to think of Caroline being compromised by Collins, I just could not imagine her following through. She would have killed the man before they reached the altar... on second thought...