Of all the breakfast tables in all of London, the one shared by the Bingleys and the Hursts had to be among the most solemn and uneventful. Two seats were occupied by the exceptionally dull married couple of Mr. and Mrs. Louisa Hurst (née Bingley) - neither had ever been strong or interesting personalities and nothing had changed since their union. A third seat at the table was occupied by one Charles Bingley. Despite his generally cheerful countenance and overall pleasant disposition, the fellow had been rather downcast lately much to the disappointment of his two sisters. They remained certain that he would overcome the latest of life's difficulties and soon forget that he had almost tied them to a fate of being related to an inconsequential family from the countryside. In the fourth seat sat Caroline Bingley, whose general scheming regarding one Mr. Darcy since leaving Rosings occupied almost all of her mental capacity and rendered her incapable of associating with those less fortunate than she.
In line with the rest of English high society, the group had recently removed themselves back to town to enjoy the remainder of the summer. Caroline applauded herself on her ability to secure invitations to balls, operas, and parties through acquaintances that were sure to provide settings for her to pursue the object of her affections. In fact, a promising opportunity presented itself with a dinner party to be hosted that very evening. With a small sigh of satisfaction, Caroline adjusted her seat and took the final bite of her breakfast.
Her brother Charles glanced over towards her, looking even more put out that she seemed to be in such an uncommonly pleasant mood. Pushing back his chair, he rose from the table and motioned to his sister. "Caroline, won't you please accompany me to the study? I have a matter I wish to discuss with you."
Quirking her eyebrow up at his request, she followed suit, rose from the table, and followed Charles down the hall to the quaint study tucked away in the corner of the house. Morning light streamed through the windows, catching the reddish tones in the Bingley siblings' hair as they settled down across the desk from one another. Clearing his throat, Charles met her inquiring gaze.
"I cannot help but notice that you seem more cheerful than I have seen from you perhaps in my entire life as your brother. Even in comparison to when we were in London a few months ago, your mood is drastically changed. Might I inquire as to why that is, Caroline?"
"Charles, I simply feel like this time in London is finally the season for me. What with the connections that we have, the events to which we have been invited, with the entire situation - I feel as if I am closer than ever to fulfilling our mother's wishes and making a match she would be proud of."
At her words, Charles reclined into the plush office chair and moved his gaze out to look through the window to the back courtyard.
"I recall feeling similarly only a short time ago while we resided at Netherfield. As you have witnessed since, hope is a dangerous thing that can often lead to much despair if matters don't work out as you wish."
"I know that it has been difficult for you since leaving Miss Bennett, and I apologize for that," Caroline said, truly sorry that her brother was still melancholy over the whole matter even if she wasn't necessarily sorry that it hadn't worked out between them. "I am sure it also did not help discovering that she was also in town when we were last here and never catching sight of her - I don't know why she didn't send us notice." She decided to omit that this notice had, in fact, been sent by Miss Jane Bennett and that she was likely the main factor in why the two had not met again. "Still, I am feeling optimistic that both you and I are inching ever close to following our parents' direction and marrying as they wished.
"I certainly appreciate your positive outlook on this, even if I do not quite share it for myself or even for you," Charles said as he leaned forward to emphasize his next words. "I know that our mother cultivated you as she did all of the flowers in her garden - delicately and with much care. Yet, I have always feared that she forgot that you were not her doll or her plaything - that whether she liked it or not, you were always far too headstrong to not allow your emotions to enter into whatever match came about. For better or for worse."
"Charles, please -"
"No, Caroline. After this time at Rosings, I feel as if I must speak up. I have every interest in seeing you smartly matched and with someone who I will feel confident can take care of you. I am glad that you seem in good spirits about it all. I will not, however, allow you to continue to fawn over men, friends of mine or otherwise, who do not seem to return any sort of interest."
"I will not embarrass this family," Caroline retorted in a huff. " I realize that I have perhaps been overzealous in some of my pursuits, but I know you trust that my intentions are in the right place and all I am trying to do is succeed. Give me time - I truly think that the winds are shifting in my favor."
Caroline stood and strode to the window, composing her thoughts for what she wanted to say next.
"Charles, the problem is that you are speaking as someone who has much higher hopes than I of finding a partner that is not only sensible but who also captures your heart. You have the ability to include your emotions as you search out a suitable wife. I have different priorities in a future marriage and thus I must take a different approach. It is necessary, and it is with the same final goal of following the path that our parents encouraged. You know this - and I am asking you to respect that and to not interfere again."
Charles considered her for a moment before responding.
"If you do nothing to concern me, I will do nothing to interfere. I want your happiness. But Caroline - the very second I hear gossip of any serious actions of yours this summer is the second that I intervene. I must out of brotherly duty."
Caroline responded to this statement with a nod and headed to the door. Her brother had never been serious when offering soft rebukes of her machinations with Darcy - he could say what he liked, but she didn't expect anything to change soon.
That evening, a refreshed, hopeful, and determined Caroline Bingley entered the hall of the dinner party with the rest of her family. Her copper-colored hair was offset by the deep green of her gown. While one could say that her generally desperate and hawkish approach tended to repel gentlemen at social gatherings, no one could deny that she made a pretty picture in whatever room she occupied. In this particular room, floor to ceiling windows and doors in the back of the hall were open to the pleasant evening, and the party extended out to the back patio.
The Bingley group began to make conversation with their hosts. Caroline simultaneously scanned the room to familiarize herself with the attendees. Fortunately, the only real target she cared about stood several inches taller than almost all of the other guests and was quite easy to spot. With a small, slightly devious smile, she began to work her way towards the crowd towards him.
Richard had assumed an easy stance against one of the columns near the back doorway, with his shoulder leaning slightly against the pillar and a drink held lazily in his other hand. He had been chatting pleasantly with Mr. Darcy until his cousin spotted the arrival of the the Bingleys. That had signaled the perfect opportunity for him to go talk about business with an acquaintance, and he was currently wearing his customary scowl as he worked his way across and out of the room. Darcy had been particularly morose following the events at Rosings, and Richard knew Darcy would be even more in a state if he was aware that his proposal had been overheard but not only himself, but the lady he was studiously attempting to avoid this evening.
Richard, on the other hand, was enjoying watching Caroline work her way through the crowd along the edge of the room. He found himself captivated, as always, by the way her hair glittered in the candlelight accenting the room like its own flame. He moved around the column to where his cousin had been, and watched her glance up to get her bearings. She instantly adopted a look of disappointment at the discovery that her tall target was no longer the man she had hoped. Recognizing this fact, Richard felt an annoying twinge of hurt that was quickly replaced by amusement as he watched a young lord approach her with a ridiculously overdone bow.
"Lord Franklin Framingham, my lady. It is an extraordinary pleasure - I made an acquaintance with your brother-in-law Hurst earlier this spring and have awaited our meeting since. I am sure he has mentioned me?"
Caroline used her years of training to school her features and reply politely to the thin, pale gentleman who stood before her and had preceded any introduction from her own family.
"It must have escaped his mind, but I am pleased to meet you. But if I may -"
"You are truly a vision," the man stated, his eyes open slightly too wide and focused slightly too intently on her face until he proceeded to bow for a second time. Caroline swallowed, and looked over the man's shoulder to spot Richard, who was now silently laughing into his drink.
"Thank you. Now, as I was saying -" Caroline lost a step in her voice as the man stepped far too close for comfort and grasped her upper arm on the side of her body facing away from the gathering.
"Listen, Miss Bingley - I know you are in want of a title and estate. I heard this fact mere months ago when you were previously in town. I can provide that without question. Let us not miss an opportunity to fulfill both our wishes - mine being a wife much lovelier than I could hope for…"
Caroline felt a swell of discomfort at being approached in such a way by a stranger, and quickly opened her mouth to make her feelings known.
"You will unhand me and stop this at once. You may be correct in the fact that I have an objective like any other young unmarried woman here, but what you fail to realize is that I am not desperate in the slightest," she proclaimed vehemently. She attempted to shake the lord's hand off of her arm but he only tightened his grasp as she met his eyes in a glare.
"I would do as she says, my fellow," a deep voice interjected then, "unless you find yourself looking for additional trouble this evening." Richard approached and placed a light hand on Caroline's back, all humor gone from his expression just moments before. Framingham narrowed his eyes at them both, but backed away, turned, and headed away quickly. Richard prepared to console Caroline about the encounter, but before he was able, she spoke.
"Everyone we are acquainted with and surrounded by is in such poor moods this evening, it is truly exhausting," Caroline huffed, her bottom lip slightly pouting out. "That man is just the last straw...as if his title can make up for his dreadful countenance. Thank you for intimidating him so he would leave."
Instantly at ease due to her attitude, Richard chuckled, his hand lingering on her back.
"You had the whole situation handled, but I certainly do not mind being your assistant. Have you ever considered joining the militia? I think we could use your spirit," he joked.
With a small smile, Caroline rolled her eyes and huffed again, and leaned her head against his shoulder briefly before straightening up quickly, her eyes looking past him. He turned his head himself and to no surprise, saw his cousin Darcy re-entering the room.
"Let us go greet your cousin, shall we?" Caroline said in a satisfied tone, as she moved away without waiting for a response. Richard ran his hand through his hair, suppressed the urge to focus too closely on her walking form ahead of him, and followed the lady across the room. Meanwhile, that same lady refused to consider why she so badly wanted to glance backwards to see if he cared that she was walking away.
