Chapter 6

His aunt and uncle and Richard retired to their rooms and he was left alone with Georgiana.

"So Georgie, it seems that you have saved me from Miss Bingley."

"Oh brother please, do not be cross with me for not informing you. I was just so angry when I heard what she had planned. You should not have to be wary in your own home because of her. She needed to be stopped, permanently."

"I am not cross my dear, I am just surprised. I did not believe you capable of such a scheme, much to my shame."

"To be truthful brother, neither did I, until it happened. I was so outraged, and I was reminded of Wickham, and how he had schemed to get me to marry him for my status and money. Miss Bingley was no different to him, and suddenly I was reminded of all the pain and shame I had felt. But I realized that I had a choice to make, and I was not going to let people like them rule my life or yours."

"Well, I am glad, but do not think you have escaped being reprimanded about encouraging my staff to keep secrets from me. We will have a talk later on. There will be no more lying or scheming without my knowledge."

"I promise brother, I will not keep something like this from you ever again."

"You better."

The butler suddenly entered the room.

"Mr. Bingley has asked if he could talk to you Mr. Darcy."

"Tell him that I will speak to him in my office." His butler nodded and left the room.

"Well, I supposed I can't avoid this conversation."

"Good luck brother."

Darcy walked a little slower than his usual pace towards his office. He knew this would not be a pleasant talk. He still had not revealed what he knew about Miss Bennet and his deception over her stay in London. He took a deep breath and entered his study. Bingley was standing there silent and stiff as a board. He had never seen him so still.

"You wanted to talk to me Bingley."

He turned, looking more serious and defeated than Darcy had ever seen him. "Yes Darcy, thank you for speaking to me after the debacle earlier."

"Listen Bingley, I know that you would never be part of such a scheme–"

"But in a way I have been part of it, haven't I? All this years I have never tried to rein her in. I did not wish to see her atrocious behavior toward you. I do not like confrontations, you know that. I want people to get along and things to be easy, so I ignored it. I let it happen. You have always been like an older brother, someone of infinite wisdom, a man in complete control. I never realized that her behavior would be such a burden to you. You should not have had to endured it for me. I am sorry"

"Last year you came to me asking for advice. You wanted to become your own man and lease an estate like you father had wanted. Acquiring your own estate is a step on becoming your own man. But standing your own ground, not letting yourself be manipulated, not running away from confrontations; those are also important steps. You have always let other people use your lack of confidence to make you do things that you do not wish to do, and I'm afraid I am also to blame. I have not always been a good friend Bingley, especially not lately."

"What do you mean Darcy? You have always been a great friend."

"I wish that were true. I have a confession to make. Shortly after we left Hertfordshire and went to London Miss Bennet also came to London. I believe she went to stay with her aunt an uncle. She called on Miss Bingley and Mrs Hursts. Miss Bingley in her fear that being in her presence again would weaken your resolve to stay away from Miss Bennet and not propose came to me. We both agreed to keep her visit a secret form you."

"She was in London? Good lord what must have she thought of me that I didn't even bother to pay her a visit after all the attention I gave her in Hertfordshire?"

"I am sorry Bingley. I know that your sister eventually returned the call to discourage her of any future connection. At the time, I thought it to be in your best interest, now, I know it was a grave mistake."

"What changed?"

"I was informed that I was very wrong about Miss Bennet's feelings towards you, she did love you. I was wrong. I hope you can forgive me."

Bingley looked at him with a very sad smile in his face.

"There is nothing to forgive, it was my fault alone. This only further demonstrates just how weak I have been. I believed that she loved me but I let others convince me otherwise. I should have stood my ground and gone back to Netherfield and proposed. It seems that Caroline has not been the only one that has been taught a lesson with this debacle."

"It might not be too late."

"It might not, but I have to deal with Caroline first. After that I will consider it. I have a lot of thinking to do, what I wish to do with my life and how I must change. I hope we will still remain friends after everything that has happened."

"You will always have a friend in me Bingley."

Darcy could see a bit of the tension in Bingley's body fade a bit, but he still looked tired and sad.

"I have told the servants to pack, when it is all ready we will leave. I'm going to get Luisa and we will talk to Caroline. Luisa is also quite unhappy with Caroline and for once is on my side. I think that she has finally realized the damage that has been done because of Caroline's actions."

"Something tell's me that Caroline will not go quietly."

Bingley's face suddenly changed from sadness to fury. He had never seen him so angry.

"Oh, she will."

Bingley left the office. The meeting had gone better than Darcy had expected. He felt for Bingley, it had been a harsh awakening, but he hoped that in the end he would be stronger for it. Bingley was a good man and a loyal friend, he just needed a stronger backbone. Maybe this disaster with Miss Bingley would help him become a stronger man. Darcy certainly hoped so. He at least was finally released, he had confessed his part in the deception and had told him of Miss Bennet's feelings. It was all up to Bingley now, hopefully he would return to Netherfield and make thing right.

Caroline could not understand how it all had gone so terribly wrong. Today was supposed to be one of the best days of her life, the day she became engaged to Mr Darcy, instead in was the end of her life. She had been caught and defeated. If it had only been Charles and Mr Darcy she could have been able to still get what she deserved even if her plan had not gone as planned. But with Lady Matlock she stood no chance. And Georgiana… how had that timid little mouse been able to outsmart her, and why? Why would she not want her as a sister? And what was she supposed to do now?

She was in her room pacing as Charles and Louisa entered her room. Louisa looked stiff and unhappy and taking in account what had just happened it was no surprise, but Charles looked furious. It was not a natural look for him. She had never seen him so angry.

"I've called your maid and she will be coming in a moment. As soon as we are packed we will leave."

"Leave?"

"Yes, leave. What were you expecting Caroline? After your disgraceful behavior how could I ask Darcy to let us stay one more day in Pemberley. But I don't blame you Caroline, I blame myself. I have been blind and week. I thought becoming my own man meant acquiring an estate, finally fulfilling my fathers wish to become a landed gentleman. By I realize now that I was wrong. I have always allowed you and Luisa to lead me on and manipulate me for your own gains. My affections for you blinded me to your selfishness, but no more it is time to take control. We leave today and this will be the last time that you set foot on Pemberley, you will not bother the Darcy's any more."

"But if we leave there we will not be able to fix–"

"There is nothing that can be fixed. It is over Caroline, no more schemes. I will have it no more. I am your older brother and you will treat me as such."

"I agree with Charles on this Caroline. Your actions have brought disgrace on all of us. You could have completely ruined us all. I have encouraged you too much, I also did not see how out of control you were. We will all go to Scarborough together and then you will stay there for a years time."

"A year?!"

Charles took over then.

"Yes, Caroline, Luisa and I have talked and we think that it is best to give it a year for the rumors to lessen. You will be under close observation by our aunt. Luisa and I will talk to her and tell her the entire sordid tale. After a year, depending on her report Luisa and I will consider letting you into society again."

Caroline collapsed on the bed, tears started falling down her face. Luisa and Charles looked at her with no pity in their eyes. They turned and left, leaving Caroline alone.

In an hour, everything was packed and the Bingley's boarded the carriages and left. Caroline looked at the magnificent house one last time as the carriage left. She had dreamed of being mistress of that house, and now she would never set foot on it again.