CHAPTER NINE

They reached Netherfield and Darcy went to his chambers to retire and give instructions to his valet about packing for tomorrow's trip to London. He also debated about sending an express letter to his attorney for making up papers and obtaining the license. He asked his valet, Mr. Brown about his views on the express. Mr. Brown "Mr. Darcy, it is well advised to send in an express. Maybe your attorney Sir Langley will be able to advise you regarding this marriage. Also if he anticipates your arrival, he l keep himself unengaged for working with you."

Mr. Darcy sighed and asked Mr. Brown to order the express rider to come over in an hour to pick up the letter. He decided to write to his cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam , second son of the Earl of Matlock, to join him as soon as possible. He felt maybe Richard would be able to give him some support and advice. Yes, he l ask Richard to come to London and there they can work out a plan of action.

Charles Bingley was agitated to say the least. He was not thinking about how Darcy was trapped into this marriage. He was wondering what had happened in the garden that Miss. Elizabeth had come back in such a state. Who had done that to her? He spent a few moments wondering who could have been missing from the ball. But there were so many people, plus they were all unknown to him. Also present were the militia. God knew who and how that person had done this. He remembered he had to deal with Caroline as well. She was getting out of hand. She was the eldest, but due to her behaviour, no man was willing to wed her. The men who wanted her only wanted her fortune. Other decent men spent some time in her company and never came back again.

Caroline Bingley was pacing in her room. Tonight was her last at Netherfield Park. Tomorrow morning she was to leave for Ireland. She decided to speak to her brother about courting and marrying Jane Bennet especially after the event that took place. And Mr. Darcy. HER MR. DARCY was to marry that chit, Elizabeth Bennet. The very thought set her blood boiling. She had to stop this marriage. But How?! Caroline was pacing around her room thinking about all this when she heard a knock on her door. She opened it to find a maid who let her know that the master had summoned her in his study. The faintly insolent tone of the maid set Caroline Bingley's teeth on edge. SUMMON HER! Who did Charles imagine himself to be.

She slammed the door behind her and went to Charles's study and opened the door so fast that the door flew out of her hand and banged on the wall. Charles looked up from his papers and narrowed his eyes at her.

Charles : "Caroline, is this the manner of entering in my study? You always imagine yourself to be the connoisseur of comport and behaviour. Where is all of that when you need it the most?"

Caroline : "You dare to SUMMON me to your study. And that maid you gave the message to was so rude. I demand you dismiss her without any references right away".

Charles : "Caroline you are overstepping the boundaries again. Which makes me very happy that I am sending you to our Aunt in Ireland."

Ca : "Speaking of etiquette and manners, your beloved's sister showed us what exactly they were capable of in order to ensnare eligible , rich bachelors. And when you went in that room with them, I thought you would side with me and oppose this wedding. But I imagine all you did was shake your head and nod at them."

Ch : in a warning tone "Caroline, you have said quite enough"

Ca : her voice getting higher and shriller, "Ever since I met Mr. Darcy, I had imagined myself to be his wife and the mistress of Pemberley. And you never assisted me in my endeavours. I would have snagged him if at all you had helped me or spoken one word in my favour. All you did was come to this backcountry where those wily women caught you and Mr. Darcy in their trap. Now I am to remain a spinster till the end of my days."

Ch : "stop your caterwauling this instant. I had a word with Darcy and now I can see how his assessment of you was accurate. He let me know he had no intentions of ever marrying you. And now you have lost all my respect and affection. You want to get married is it. FINE. So shall be it. I shall arrange a wedding for you as soon as I get wedded to Miss. Bennet and will send for you when I have made my choice. If you do not agree to these terms, I shall retract the part of the pin money that I give you. You'll have to manage with what Father had left for you according to his will. And you shall only receive your dowry upon marriage. I wont be paying for anything else. All of that shall come out if your pocket. Its up to you to decide. Now please go to your room and give your maid instructions to pack your belongings".

Ca: "Charles! No. please. Let me stay for Mr. Darcy's wedding at least. I am your sister. Your blood. You wish to dismiss me in favour of that no good gold digging slut."

Ch: "Caroline" he roared. "Retract your words immediately. Miss Bennet is a sweet angel. And a lady. Which you can never claim to be. You know what, we l do well without you. Leave this room instantly. Go to your room and stay there. Tomorrow you'll break your fast there. You will not join the others in the dining room. You will leave as soon as the carriage comes round. And I l give the letter to MY driver. He is under my instructions. Nothing you can say will sway him. Tell your lady's maid to be ready as well. NOW GET OUT OF HERE. "

Caroline scampered back to her room, tears pouring down her face and rang for her maid. She said to her maid, "Bethany, Charles has been so taken in by that no good bitch that he forgets his duty to me. His own sister. His own flesh and blood. I who have raised him after Mother and Father died in that horrible accident".

This was a blatant lie. It was Hurst and Louiza who had taken them in and who had sheltered them and allowed Charles to finish university and Caroline her finishing school. Hurst had paid for all that, managed the business, trade and finances and increased them. He had handed all to Charles the moment he was able to handle the business without accepting anything in return.

Her maid started helping her to undress. After she finished, she started brushing Caroline's hair. When that was done the maid handed Caroline her dressing gown. All through her tirade her lady's maid just said "There, There, ma'am. It will be alright. Maybe if you apologize to the master, he will relent."

Ca: "No he wont. That witch has cast a spell on him. He is sending you and me both to my aunt's house in Ireland. And he has told me , he l arrange a marriage for me and send for me and I am to marry that man without protest."

She continued : "anyway you may retire now. Make sure all things are packed for travel tomorrow"

Her lady's maid curtsied and left, gently closing the door behind her.

Caroline was impatient and a thought hit her. Why not ask Louiza and Hurst to intervene. Maybe Charles will listen to them. She got up and drew her dressing gown around her, took a candle and went to speak to Hurst and Louiza.