Chapter 31 - Caroline's Down Fall
AN: Just a short chapter. I will be jumping around a little with to explain how the characters experience the time line. It seemed the best way to given continuity to the story.
All going well with the knee replacement. Should be out of hospital tomorrow.
"Caroline," Charles Bingley sat at his breakfast table in one of London's finest neighbourhoods on this fine sunny Saturday morning.
Before him a copy of yesterday's Times folded neatly at a predetermined page. Of course his sister would read The London Chronical, where many of the Ton's death and marriage notices first appeared. It was, in his estimation, a gossip rag meant for the ladies. Charles had quickly perused his sister's copy, which lay unopened on the table. It held the same information but in a much more disreputable fashion.
Darcy, being himself, wished for a more accurate delivery of his betrothal to Miss Bennet. Therefor he'd managed to have the announcement placed by Lord Fitzwilliam in the Times. Usually only the births, marriages and deaths of the members of parliament and royalty appeared in the prodigious periodical. It bespoke his friend's connections and level of society that the engagement notice had been accepted and published.
"Yes, Charles," Miss Bingley sounded put upon.
Only last night they had sat down and particularly discussed her recent behaviour towards Louisa and Hurst. Mr. Bingley sent them to the theatre so he could be alone with his sister for the heated tête-à-tête. Still the woman had not repented, if anything Caroline seemed colder and more distant towards her sister. When he mentioned the Miss Bennet's, Caroline's vitriol commenced. It led Charles Bingley to start putting his plans into action.
"There is an article here," Charles handed over the paper with a tight smile, "I think might interest you."
"You know I do not read the Times," she stated shortly.
"Oh, well," he did not like the subterfuge but felt it a necessary first step to introduce his agenda. "Mr. Darcy arrived from Kent last Friday. I waited upon him the very next day. We had much to discuss. I have been in company with my friend at least three times this week and I cannot tell you how happy I am for his current situation in life. I though you would like to read about Darcy's engagement."
That changed Caroline's mind rather rapidly. Taking up the print, she scoured the page until she found the announcement. Head coming up to look her brother in the eye, she compressed her lips together and placed the sheet precisely beside her plate. At first colour drained from her face before the red of anger spread.
"Not a word, Caroline," Charles warned, a frown covering his lips. He knew how she would react to this news. "You must have long suspected Darcy felt nothing for you. Indeed, he told you so last December. I do not wish your excuses," he interrupted her before she could start, "as Darcy told me of the incident himself just this week. You see, I knew my friend would soon return from his visit to Rosings Park and I needed to speak with someone who would understand my current predicament. That predicament," Charles allowed his blue eyes to ice over and brought to mind Miss Bennet's heartbreak, "is you."
"Me," a startled squeak escaped Caroline's control.
"You have been inappropriate towards my friend for many years," Charles tone accused. "Your behaviour towards Miss Elizabeth at Netherfield bourn of jealousy was unsupportable. Darcy has not, nor will he forgive such a slight of the woman to become his wife. We both know of his resentful temper. He has cut you and will not welcome your presence in any of his homes. Socially he will shun you, especially after discovering how abominably you treated his future sister in your letters last November and at the theatre in January. How could you do it, Caroline, when you know how my heart has been affected at her loss?"
"Oh grow up, Charles," she started.
"May I remind you," instead of shouting, his voice became whisper quiet and his blue eyes like steel, "I own the house you now reside in. Your sister is unable to host you, even if you had not treated her with such contempt these last weeks. Be very careful, Caroline, your future lays in my hands alone. It is the price you pay for being a conniving woman. I have the paperwork to grant you the interest from the five percent's from your dowry but have ensured you cannot touch the principle. Tell me, if I demand you leave this very minute, how will you live on a thousand pounds a year?"
"Charles," Caroline cried, understanding she'd pushed her brother too far and wondered what more she could say.
"Do not say another word," Charles warned in the same low tone. "You will live in this house until you are married. I suggest you look to a man of trade with five thousand a year and no more. The stench of our history is upon you, Caroline and it is time you understood that you will never be accepted into the first circles. Even Darcy chose a gentleman's daughter, a poor one without connections, but a gentleman's daughter none the less. You have one year in which you will hire staff and keep your house with your allowance from your dowry. I will allow you only the use of this dining room, one parlour and your bed chamber. You are not to have guests to stay but may entertain as your budget allows. Finally," this time Charles stood, "make no bones about it, if you do not find a husband within one year, I will find one for you. At the moment I am considering Mr. Walliston and Mr. Granger. Both are eminently suitable for a woman in your circumstance."
"I will not entertain such a man," Caroline declared.
"Both are hardworking, honest men in want of a wife," Charles softened his voice further, "however if they do not meet your requirements, you have one year, Sister, to be married before I will not give you a choice. Do not test me upon this," he added over his shoulder. "Mrs. White, the housekeeper will stay at my expense to oversee my instructions and educate you as to which rooms you may use and how to economise. The clock starts now," feeling enraged at being forced to take this hard line, Charles found himself infuriated enough to mutter, "tick tock," as he rose and left the room.
Incensed, Caroline felt like throwing the crockery across the room. Under the seething exterior, a calculating mind took over. She would not be able to afford new gowns every season or a carriage to take her to amusements. Servants did not come cheaply nor did the finest foodstuffs. London could be an extremely expensive city. Beside this, her friends would shun her once her situation became known to society. A viscous laugh escaped.
What friends, Caroline considered. They are barely acquaintances who use me as I use them. Now they will not want to know me. I have to capture a wealthy husband before this disgrace becomes public knowledge. Miss Hastings invited me to the theatre tonight. I shall be engaged by tomorrow morning, no matter what I have to do.
So, dressed in her finest gown, Miss Caroline Bingley awaited the Hastings carriage. They entered the theatre to the titter of many voices. So far the young women, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Hastings had spoken of the weather and other acceptable topics.
"Did you read about Mr. Darcy's engagement," Mrs. Elinor Hastings asked one of her acquaintances the moment they entered.
"Mama," Anne Hastings lamented, "the whole town is atwitter with it. Do you think we shall see her tonight?"
"Do not look now," Mary Pembroke stated, "the gentleman himself is entering with the most hansom creature on his arm. I gather the woman is Miss Bennet. Oh that dress, it is exquisite."
"Is that Lord and Lady Fitzwilliam accompanying them?" Elinor Hastings asked, knowing exactly who the older couple were. It demonstrated family support for the union. Miss Bennet would simply have to be accepted in the first circles.
"Oh, look," Mary couldn't keep her countenance, "it is my old friend Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I hear her daughter Anne recently married the youngest son of Lord Fitzwilliam."
"Yes, I too read that in the Chronical," Miss Bingley added. She could play this one of two ways. Either tell the truth of Miss Bennet's ridiculous background or claim prior knowledge of the relationship and make herself indispensable. Before making any comment, especially after the discussion with her brother, she decided to make more subtle enquires as to the general feeling. "Of course, Mr. Darcy has only returned from Kent this week. I wonder if he aided his cousins in their marriage."
"I quite forgot you are intimately acquainted with that family," Anne Hastings enthused. "Pray tell us, who it that other couple?"
"That," Mr. Hastings declared with a slight frown, "is Mr. Edward Gardiner."
"Who?" requested his wife and Mrs. Pembroke in unison.
"One of the Nouveau riche," Mr. Hastings stated. "His wealth comes from trade, new money but not very well connected." He did not add that many did business with the man to increase their coffers as estates began to run dry. Mr. Gillam made a vast fortune acting on behalf of several gentlemen, Mr. Hastings included. "I suspect," he added with a sigh, understanding his own links to business could not be hidden now, "he will soon be offered an invitation to White's with such acquaintances."
"Tell us, Miss Bingley," they all turned to her, "how is Miss Bennet known to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner?"
Unable to answer, she had to link information gained several months passed, information she had barely listened too. "Miss Bennet once told me she had an uncle in trade," Caroline offered.
Raised eyebrows suggested she did not know as much about Mr. Darcy's intended as she assumed. It lead the group to wonder if the young woman overplayed her self-importance. This translated into the rest of the party slightly snubbing her. As Caroline Bingley kept her brother from Jane at the Theatre, the occupants of the Darcy and Matlock box chose to associate only within their social circle. Mr. Hastings and his family were not of that standing.