CHAPTER 3

Mr. Phillips had invited Mr. Bingley and his guests to the small party at his house. Except Mr. Bingley, all others had begged to be excused, citing fatigue from their travels. Mr. Bingley had decided to engage Mr. Edmund Phillips as his lawyer to deal with all the legal responsibilities of leasing Netherfield Park and also was aware that being friends with the foremost citizen and magistrate would work in his favour as he wanted to create a good impression on the townsfolk. He readily accepted the invite to attend the small soiree and mingle with the genteel townsfolk.

Mr. Bingley concluded his business with Mr. Phillips at his office and both of them set off towards 's house by going over all the happenings in the small town. Once they reached the house, there was a party in full swing as some of the military officers were also invited. Colonel Forster and his newly wedded wife, Miss Angela Forster, his newly promoted lieutenants Wickham and Denny and Major Pratt were also in attendance.

All the Bennet girls were introduced to Mr. Bingley and Colonel Forster and his officers. Jane and Mr. Bingley immediately formed an amiable acquaintance. Mr. Wickham attached himself to Miss Elizabeth. They fell to talking about the newly arrived neighbours and came upon the topic of Mr. Darcy. Mr. Wickham looked concerned and became pale when he heard that Mr. Darcy and his SISTER were in the neighbourhood. He became silent and thoughtful and lost track of the conversation. He didn't hear Lydia call out for a dance and loudly bully her sister Mary to stop her concerto and play some dance music and he didn't hear Elizabeth when she asked him if he danced. He started when she lightly touched his sleeve and repeated her question.

He claimed that he didn't have much occasion to dance and wanted to sit out this set. Elizabeth became concerned.

"Mr. Wickham!" she exclaimed, "you look so pale. Shall I call for some tea."

"Thank you Miss. Elizabeth, but I am fine. It was just that 's name evoked some very painful memories and made me lose my countenance but now I have recovered. You asked me if I dance. Yes I do. If you permit me, may I have the next set."

Elizabeth curtsied and said " I would be most pleased to dance with you Mr. Wickham"

Lydia was enjoying herself dancing a set with Mr. Bingley. She extracted a promise from him to hold a ball in Netherfield Park after the Assembly which was to take place that Saturday evening, 3 evenings hence. She made Mr. Bingley announce his intention to give a ball to introduce his family and friends to the townsfolk. Mr. Bingley was so jovial that he acquiesced to the ball and to host a dinner shortly thereafter.

After all dances were danced and people were preparing to go home, Wickham asked Elizabeth if he could call on her the next day. Mr. Bingley asked Miss. Jane if he could call on her the next day.

Mr. Bingley was deliriously happy when he reached home. He found his family and friends sitting in the drawing room around the card tables. His eldest sister Caroline , he noted , was dressed as if she was at a court presentation. She favoured orange and was dressed from head to toe in a silk gown of shade of burnt orange. Her orange dyed plumes in her turban stood 2 feet above her head. Her arms were full of jangling bracelets and fingers were full of rings. She wore a heavy diamond choker for a necklace. Also she had some waist jeweled decoration. It was as if she gotten out all her jewels and worn them at the same time. Her gown was decollete in the latest Paris fashions and he sighed with irritation when she bent her torso to offer Mr. Darcy a better view of her assets. He noted that his friend Darcy was busy in instructing his sister in the game than in Caroline's appearance and her wiles.

Charles Bingley's second oldest sister was Mrs. Louisa Hurst. She had married Mr. Hurst even though she was younger than Caroline. Hurst was aware of Caroline's vicious streak and never showed much interest in her. He was a kind hearted, smart, intelligent man who was shrewd enough that his business and trade were prosperous and he loved his wife. Hurst was usually vexed by his wife's sister and showed the barest minimum civility she warranted. He was 10 years his wife's senior and had sheltered and guided Charles after their parents died in a carriage accident 7 years ago. Charles was a young man of one and twenty when the business was transferred to him.

Caroline had always aspired to get a title and therefore had badgered Charles to purchase an estate. They had to become landed gentry in order to be invited to their social circles. Charles Bingley had befriended Fitzwilliam Darcy just before he left university, after the death of his parents. When he introduced Darcy to his family. Caroline had immediately latched onto Darcy and pursued him with all her strength. She showed off at every opportunity and was so condescensing to others that Charles felt like shaking her to rattle some sense into her. But he never did that as he was very non confrontational and was very prone to preserving the peace.

When Charles entered the room, all enquired as to his lateness. He informed everyone about his attendance to the gathering at Mr. Phillips and told all about the idea of a ball and also the invite to the Assembly 3 days hence. Caroline immediately expressed her views about hosting a country ball and exclaimed " Charles, are you out of your mind. Attending and hosting country balls. Do you think we are to sink to this level."

Darcy was surprised and eyebrows rose up in response. He had been instructing Charles regarding his duties as a landed gentleman. His sister would be his undoing. Her blatant disrespect to the master of the house was not to be borne. Georgiana had always been schooled in that aspect. If she had objections, she was very welcome to voice them, but she had to be careful of the company and circumstances. She could always approach her brother in private to let him know of her thoughts. But she would never dream of contradicting her brother in such rude language in company. Darcy gently nudged Charles and nodded. Darcy had let Charles know that if he allowed his sister to speak so, her example would prompt his servants and tenants to do the same.

" Caroline" cried Charles " This is no way to speak to the master of the house. Don't forget, I am your guardian and the head of the family". Charles sprang up from his chair., continuing " If you do not wish to be a part of my plan, I shall make arrangements for you to be sent to our Aunt in Ireland. Your behaviour is getting unbearable. You dare shout at me so in the hearing of the staff in the house is not done. You always claimed to be a gracious hostess and now when you get a chance, you act thusly. Please think before you contradict me in this manner next time. "

Caroline was flabbergasted. Her younger brother speak to her thus was shocking to her. Hurst was watching this whole occurrence with amusement. He was very tired of Caroline jumping to outdo Louiza in her own house and acting like mistress. He was pleased to see Charles remind her of her place. His wife Louiza tried to intervene, but Hurst gently squeezed his wife's hand and very slightly shook his head "no".

Georgiana was so shocked at Caroline speaking like that to her brother that her eyes widened in shock. She had always been an obedient sister until she wasn't. She was supposed to be at her finishing school in London. But an unhappy occurrence had brought her back to Pemberley and put her in bad graces with her brother. She had been persuaded to go to Ramsgate with her companion Mrs. Younge and elope with George Wickham. Her brother had arrived on the day of the intended elopement and prevented it. George Wickham tried to blackmail her brother, but her brother put an end to that by claiming that he will say he was present with her all the time and Georgiana's reputation would never be sullied by the words of a steward's son. Mrs. Younge was just told that if she tried to spread any news about this occurence she would never be able to get employment anywhere in the top social circles.

After returning to Pemberley, a doctor had been summoned to examine Georgiana and after he had proclaimed that she was still a virgin and intact. Her brother had not let alone for a second and had employed an older lady by the name of Mrs. Annesley as her companion. Mrs. Annesley was also privy to the scene between Caroline and Charles as she was a gentlewoman fallen on hard times. So Darcy refused to treat her as a servant but treated her as one of their own. He had related the Ramsgate incident to her. Mrs. Annesley was of high morals and once she realized her main job would be keeping all unworthy suitors, especially George Wickham away from Georgiana, she was very protective of her.

Caroline sat for a few minutes after this outburst from Charles and suddenly announced her decision to retire for the night, as she could not fathom her brother insulting her before Mr. Darcy, who she wanted to marry desperately and her brother was aware of this.

Mr. and Mrs. Hurst followed with their intention to retire as well. At a very subtle signal from Darcy, Mrs. Annesley hinted to Georgiana that she should retire as well because of their long journey during the day.