An incensed Caroline Bingley sat alone in the second-floor drawing room waiting for her sister, Louisa Hurst to join her. The Hursts and Charles Bingley had just returned from seeing a business partner in Middlesex late the night before. The occasion was to celebrate their daughter Amelia's 18th birthday.
Charles was specially made sure to attend, it seemed the birthday girl was smitten with him and the union seemed perfectly natural to all, except perhaps Charles. Caroline sent the warmest wishes to Amelia with Louisa while remaining behind. She had no interest in cultivating a friendship with Amelia Balfour so long as Charles remained indifferent to her. She also knew the party would be well attended by potential suitors for Amelia, though they would all be from trade. No gentlemen there would be suited for a match with her she decided.
While awaiting the family to return, Caroline saw Mr. Darcy come to the door. He was not seen in, which was proper in that she was alone at the house. Had she known what news he brought, she may have risked the impropriety to hear of his betrayal from his lips.
All her hard work to rescue her family from social calamity was for naught. Mr. Darcy has declared for the Bennets, requesting Charles to attend him while calling upon Miss Bennet at her uncle's residence.
The uncle that practically lives in Cheapside. If Charles were to entangle us with that lot they will be calling upon us constantly, asking for endorsements and handouts no doubt!
It was beyond her what her brother saw in the Bennets. The family on a whole was wanting, both parents behaving indelicate and their daughters acting likewise. Miss Jane Bennet, the woman of his affection, did not express the same officious behavior as her family, but the family connection should be enough to turn anyone away.
It was Caroline's duty to protect her brother, and herself really, from the exposure to such a pastoral match. All winter and spring she had managed to keep secret Jane was in Towne. Miss Bennet was new to London and lacked shared correspondence with anyone Charles knew. It was an easy omission with little risk of exposure.
She was not alone in her subterfuge. Mr. Darcy had assisted in keeping her brother occupied with events at the club and providing moral support of her obstructive behavior.
As he put it, "Charles is too eager to please, he will become the victim of a scheming unworthy woman if he does not become wary of pretty faces with poor connections. There is nothing wrong with a sibling taking certain care to ensure this does not happen."
She and Mr. Darcy had an understanding, a common goal. It was a matter she considered to be of great importance between them. Surely her sensible precautions would bring them closer, perhaps sowing the seeds for a future, more intimate relationship.
This seemed to no longer be the case.
Through clenched jaw she seethed, "HE could not even be bothered to inform me of his change in opinion. How dare he act so discourteous to me."
Caroline fought back tears of frustration as she shook her head. The sound of a door opening brought her out of her angry haze. A maid came in to set down tea and a few biscuits.
Still raw from the day before, her emotions kept her too occupied for taking meals. The biscuits did not appeal to her in the slightest.
She felt betrayed, hurt, and even vengeful. Even the room she sat in seemed to reflect her feelings. Her eyes fixated on the scene in the stained glass window dominating the room. It was the Hurst family crest of a red sun with three trees above. The sun had a face that appeared peevish to her.
How appropriate, She thought to the unmoving sun, winning her fight against the welling tears in her eyes.
If you cannot win them over, you might as well join them in loathing.
While staying in Netherfield Park last summer, Mr. Hurst had the home in London updated with inheritance from the passing of a paternal uncle. It was only appropriate then to use some of the money to install the family crest in a prominent position within the house. The window of the drawing room where Louisa and Caroline spent much of their time was a worthy location according to him.
I am sure you disapprove of me, too bad for you I am not a Hurst but a Bingley. You have no power over me. What do I care all the house was updated save for the room I reside and the servants' quarters? What mind do I have that now you are staring down at me all day while I attend to my things with Louisa? You are just a silly family crest stuck in a window, she thought to herself, returning the peevish look at the grimacing sun in the window.
Mr. Hurst made his opinion clear on the matter with less than subtle hints, he did not intend for Caroline to live with them for long. He thought she spent too much time on Regent street, purchasing the newest fashions of the Ton. Though residing in his house, she was under the purview of Charles, not Mr. Hurst. She spent her allowance from her brother without restraint.
Mr. Hurst did have cause for concern as when Caroline frequented Regent Street, she did not go alone. Between Mr. Hurst's love of cards and Mrs. Hurst's appreciation of London's fashion, they could ill afford to maintain their home at the West end of Golden Square long into the future. Caroline was unaware of the financial burdens looming. She only knew her brother-in-law was negligent at best and practically antagonistic with drink.
Caroline acted as whipping boy. Mr. Hurst was critical of her in private, committing slights whenever possible. Rather than addressing spending habits directly, it was easier to find fault with the youthfully indulgent sister-in-law as the bad influence for their impending financial troubles. Till she was married off or Charles purchase an estate away from Towne, there was nothing to be done for it. After all, he could not have the younger sister in better dress than his wife.
That would be too shameful.
Charles was never keen on noticing shifting attitudes. This was true of the feeling Mr. Hurst had towards him and Caroline. It was willful ignorance, of that Caroline was sure, but she believed he came by it honestly. She often thought he got all the lightheartedness of the family while she inherited a permanent scowl in her heart. Other than the youngest daughter, none of the Bingley children had great care of the future. Only Caroline was filled with concerns of tomorrow, but she was also the most alone with her father and mother now deceased.
Rather than having ill will towards her sister for catching the ire of Mr. Hurst, she learned how to use it to her advantage. Mr. Hurst was often parading her about in front of prospective suitors. It was all a losing battle for him, as she only wanted Mr. Darcy and Charles was anything but instructive with Caroline. She found in Louisa an ally, someone to shield her from looming nuptials.
Louisa would "misplace" invitations when it seemed a proposal was imminent. She would testify to Caroline's sudden symptoms of illness, keeping her away from society when a serious suitor was hanging about. With enough time, the gentlemen lost interest, having little to urge them on but a confounded Mr. Hurst.
When it seemed Charles would purchase Netherfield Park, and end all hope she had of deepening the connection with Darcy through marriage with his sister Georgiana, Caroline could count on Louisa to add her voice to the chorus of objectors. So long as her brother and sister were around, Louisa could do as she pleased.
Louisa entered the room and shooed the maid that was now tending the fireplace away. Her favorite tea, the soft rose with notes of berry was already there and she wished to speak to her sister alone. Despite the warmth of the mid-afternoon sun, Louisa could not help but notice how strained her sister's eyes were as she joined her on the couch.
"Caroline," Louisa said gentle, warm, and welcoming. Her voice was soft and soothing like a cat purring. "You were missed at the Balfour's. It was a dreadful bore though Estella was there with an interesting bit. Seems Lady Jersey was taken by Charles when he last went to Almack's. She inquired about him soon as he left the card table some Thursday past. Can you imagine, a friend like Lady Jersey… That would help your marriage prospects for sure. I think you could handle a title." She said with a yawn.
Louisa sat down next to her sister and loosed her shaw. Bleary-eyed with lack of sleep, she looked at her freckled-faced younger sister. Caroline looked thinner than when they had gone away.
"That would be wonderful. But I am afraid that Lady Jersey will not take a second look at a Bingley should Mr. Darcy have his way." Caroline said nonchalantly, reaching for a biscuit to put on her plate. She did not eat it, just left it there as she sipped her lightly fragrant tea.
The silence hung in the air as Louisa glanced about the room. Leaning into Caroline she whispered, "What happened? Mr. Darcy is a friend. Is this about…you know..."
Caroline's brown eyes held Louisa's fixed as she slowly took another sip. Setting her tea down, she reached into her skirt and pulled out a note with a broken seal. She handed the folded slip of paper to Louisa as if it were a dirty thing she was glad to be rid of. The letter was the same that had been given by Mr. Darcy, it read as follows.
Bingley, I have taken up residence once again at twelve Grovesnor street. I am the forward party as my cousin, Miss Anne de Bourgh and my sister Georgiana will be joining for the season. While in Kent I had the pleasure of renewing the acquaintance of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. You may remember Mr. Collins from our time in Meryton. He has a connection with my Aunt, as clergyman of her parish. What's more, he is cousin to the Bennets and was hosting Miss Bennet. Miss Bennet has since quit Mr. Collin's house for London and is staying with her uncle, Mr. Gardiner on Gracechurch street. She is there with the eldest Bennet daughter. I intend to call upon the Bennets when you are next available to accompany me. Your's faithfully, F. Darcy
Louisa read the letter twice before dropping her arms, the letter falling to her side.
"Well, I suppose there goes Lady Jersey. Not even an Amelia Balfour, but a Jane Bennet?" she said. "I for one am glad I have married already. I weep for you sister. Not to worry though, Frederick adores me too much to deny me my sister's company."
Caroline raised her eyebrows at the defeated willowy woman next to her.
I am not sure what Frederick she means, for the Frederick Hurst I know would toss me out first chance, Caroline thought before fixing her face to hide her reaction.
"Charles has not seen the letter. He is safe, for now." She said calmly.
"How though? Surely Mr. Darcy will meet with Charles and the truth will be discovered even if the letter is never delivered. Whatever obstacle you place in front of him will be temporary, you must know that. I do wonder why Mr. Darcy would tell Charles about the Bennets? He is your ally is he not?"
"He was, but I believe Miss Elizabeth Bennet has seduced him with her 'fine eyes'. I cannot imagine what tricks a country lady like her had to pull to turn his head." Caroline said, her face twisting in disgust. "I say, we treat the Bennets. We cannot sway the gentlemen, so we will work where we are most effectual."
"AH. I will support you of course, but I fear that it will not end well. Though who is this Miss Anne that is staying with Mr. Darcy? Do you know her?"
"I do know of her. Perhaps we can find out from Georgiana when she comes who she is. If she was sent here for his own good, then we can infer Lady Catherine de Bourgh is against the Bennets. Perhaps we can use that," Caroline said cruelly.
"I will see what I can find out if anyone knows of Miss Anne or Lady Catherine. I have an appointment at the Westover club this evening. What can you do to the Bennets then? They have followed us here, you must have something planned." Louisa said perking up with intrigue in the air.
Louisa did not generally get involved in the machinations of London society. She preferred a passive role, gathering information in easy conversation and observation.
"I have already invited them to tea tomorrow. I need to have Charles out of the house, can you not get your Frederick to make use of him someplace?" Caroline said as Louisa nodded in response. "I plan to foster a friendship with the Bennets, bring them out to places they have never seen before. Perhaps once they see the obvious, that they do not belong here, they will run home to their small lives. It will be as it should be. If we cannot get the gentlemen to give up, we will convince the ladies." Caroline said with bitterness.
"Carol, you are wicked," Louisa said with a laugh.
"Is it wicked to want to protect your brother from ruin?" she snapped back.
"Of course not, I only jest. My apologies. Please, eat. You look as if you have not eaten in a day." Louisa said, holding a biscuit out to Caroline.
Caroline took the biscuit. With a small bite, she nodded solemnly in appreciation.
"There, that is better. Drink the tea and finish all that is here. I will come see you after the club to tell you all that I find out. Leave it to big sister, I will handle the rest for you. For now, come here and lay your head." Louisa held out her arms welcoming the stressed girl into an embrace.
"Louisa, I am not a small child! You do not need to coddle me so…"
"Hush, I missed you and wish to embrace my sister."
A hesitant smile hung low on Caroline's face as she leaned into her sister.
Perhaps I am not as unwelcome as I thought.