Poor Caroline, but I don't feel sorry for her at all. I'm glad some of you enjoyed how it all started to fall apart for her. Here is everyone reaction and Georgiana's plan start to become a bit clearer. Enjoy!

Chapter 4

Caroline was sprawled out on the floor, half her body inside Mr. Darcy's room half outside in the corridor. She lifted her head slightly and realized that she was not looking at Mr Darcy but at his valet.

"What are you doing here Miss Bingley," she realized that he was speaking very loudly, she could also hear movement behind the other doors. In panic she realized she must have woken everyone up. As she tried to stand, the doors started opening. Georgiana's first, then her brother's, then her sister's and then Mr. Hurst's and lastly at the very end of the corridor Mr Darcy's. Caroline's mind went into shock. What was he doing so far away from his own chambers? They all stood with candles looking at her. Then Mrs Reynolds also appeared with two maids likely to see what the problem was. They must have heard the scream. Caroline stood still, not knowing what to do. Finally her brother spoke.

"What on earth are you doing Caroline?"

Caroline panicked, this was not how the plan was supposed to go. She needed to think fast or all her plans would be for nothing. "Oh Charles, this is so embarrassing. I don't know how to tell you… I'm afraid I was to meet Mr. Darcy."

Mr Darcy hearing her statement approached them in fury. "That is false! To be accused so in my own home. And if that were true, why would I not be in my room? Would I not have notified you madam when I had to change rooms for the night? She is lying!" Charles was looking in shock and panic between Darcy and her, she needed to convince him.

"Oh Mr. Darcy, how can you say such a thing. I know that it is most improper, which is why you do not wish to confess it, but I have been compromised now. The servants have seen, you must own up to it."

"My lord Caroline, you are right, you have been compromised." Charles had gone white, but Mr Darcy was going red with fury.

"If you are compromised you have compromised yourself, and anyhow Pemberley's servants are very loyal, not a word will get out of this, I will make sure of it."

"But what if it does, brother you must see. I would be ruined, you must do something, I am your sister." Charles looked between Darcy and her speechless. She looked at her sister farther down the hall and gave her a pleading look. She come forward. "Charles, Caroline is right, she will be ruined if she does not marry now, you must make this right, you are her brother, you are responsible for her."

"Well… Darcy…"

"No Bingley, I refuse to be forced into marriage by this scheming… I refuse to call her a lady."

Georgiana suddenly stepped forward. "Why do we not all calm down, it is late and we are tired, I suggest we talk this through tomorrow morning, we should all go to sleep. Sally–" she gestured at her maid. "–Will stay with Caroline tonight and Parker will stay with my brother and tomorrow, after breakfast, we will talk. How does it sound?"

"That sounds like a marvelous idea Miss Darcy." Charles chimed in relieved. "Lets all go to bed and we will resolve this tomorrow morning."

Georgiana looked at her brother and he finally turned and left for his room, his loyal valet following after him. Louisa grabbed her arm and dragged her to her room, the maid following behind her. When we were behind close doors Louisa finally spoke her mind. "What were you thinking Caroline? Have you lost your mind?"

"I needed to do something or Mr Darcy would not have me."

"Mr Darcy will not you have you now either, and you have shamed our entire family in the process. Do you realize the repercussions this could have on our entire family?"

"Mr. Darcy is a man of honor, the plan might have not gone exactly as planned, and it might take some time but he will marry me in the end."

"Are you delusional? You did not manage to compromise HIM, just yourself. He is not honor bound to marry you for your own shameful actions. And that story you made up back there, about arranging to meet him will be believed by no one. His character and morals are very well established."

"Silence Louisa! I know what I'm doing."

"On your own head then, goodnight." She turned and left.

The next morning breakfast was tense. No one spoke and they barely ate, except Mr. Hurst, who seem the least bothered by the mood.

Darcy could barely eat or drink. He took some small sips from his tea but even that was an effort. He had never felt this mixture of emotions before so strongly, even when he found Wickham in Ramsgate, the rage had overpowered everything else. But now, anger was mixed with anxiety and fear, true fear. He refused to marry Miss Bingley but what if this spread, he new how gossip worked, it could be turned into a lovers rendezvous gone bad in no time. People liked to gossip and they did not care whether it was true or not.

He had had such high hopes after seeing Elizabeth in Pemberley. Here is where he was at his best and could show her type of man he really was. And now… what would SHE think of all of this. Mrs. Raynolds approached Georgiana and whispered something in her ear. Georgiana stood and spoke.

"How about we retire now to the sitting room and talk. I do believe it would be better to settle this as soon as possible." She looked calm and composed, she looked at him and nodded encouragingly.

He was surprised, He thought that she would be handling this situation much worse than she was. He stood up. "Yes, lets get this over with."

As everyone stood and started leaving he stopped to talk to her. "Georgiana you don't have to be here for this."

"Yes brother, I do, don't worry about me. I have learned from what happened with Wickham and I refuse to let his shadow affect my confidence any longer. This time I can be strong for you."

They walked together to the sitting room were the Bingleys and the Hursts were waiting. Mrs Hurst looked tense, Bingley worried and Miss Bingley determined. The more Darcy looked at her the angrier he got. They sat down and Miss Bingley started to speak. "I know that what happened yesterday night was very distressing but there is a very simple solution, Mr. Darcy and should I marry."

"NO!"

"Mr. Darcy you must see it is the best solution to our problems."

"Your problems, you mean." He had never heard Georgiana talk in such a confident and cold voice. Everyone turned to stare at her as if they did not recognize her.

"Miss Darcy –"

"Don't Miss Darcy me Miss Bingley, it will not work. You came to this house as a guest, because your brother is a good friend of my brother. Every time you have been here you have imposed on us with your obsession of becoming Mistress of Pemberley, and don't try to deny it. You have not been subtle about it. We have turned a blind eye and been polite out of respect for your brother, but you have gone too far. You have abused our hospitality and have tried to take advantage of our honor to force yourself upon us, permanently this time. This will not do. I will not allow it."

"Georgie –"

"No William, this time I protect you."

"What do you mean…"

Mrs Raynolds entered the room. "The Lord and Lady Matlock, and Colonel Fiztwilliam sir." Everyone was stunned as they entered. "Well, you got yourself into a spot of trouble didn't you Darcy." Richard smirked at his stunned face.

"This is no joking matter Richard." Lady Matlock gave Richard an irritated look.

"Yes mother." But the smirk did not leave his face. As they all settled down Darcy was able to find his voice again.

"Aunt what are you doing here? I did not expect you."

"We are here to help you solve this mess, we got an express yesterday night from Georgiana explaining the situation and asked us to come to help you with this farce." He turned to Georgiana again even more stunned that before. She smiled at him.

"I told you I would protect you brother."