I know George is not a favorite, but it was the name that most fit. Trust me, I tried to name him something else, but it just didn't feel right. Charlotte did not marry Mr. Collins, and has in fact, caught the attention of another.
"Oh, a son! I have a son! And he is so handsome, too!" cooed Mrs. Bennet. It was four days after she first woke up and she was finally strong enough to hold her baby boy.
"Mr. Bennet, God has been very good to us!"
"I feel I must agree with you, Mrs. Bennet."
"Two daughters married, one to marry in just three weeks, and all to very wealthy, respectable gentlemen! And now, we have a son! We shall never have to worry about a thing again!"
"I see very little to stress ourselves over in our future, but let us just enjoy the moment shall we, dearest?"
Mr. Bennet, Mary, and Lydia were the only ones attending to the Bennet matriarch at the moment. Jane and Lizzy were at Netherfield, catching up on some much needed rest, while Kate and Georgiana had gone into Town to take care of some wedding details with Marianne and Lady Julia.
Mrs. Bennet looked slyly to her husband. "I was told Mr. Collins sent his regards and regrets that he is unable to join us 'in this happy time.'"
"Indeed he did. He also made mention of how very odd Lady Catherine found it that a woman of your age would have a child now, and a much needed male heir at that. I am sure my reply shall leave him feeling far less regret. I will be greatly surprised if I should ever hear from him again!"
"Mr. Bennet!"
"I can very well afford to speak my mind to that gentleman now. That anyone would dare insinuate that any member of my family would do something so deceitful… He's lucky to have come away from this with a sternly worded letter."
"Well, at least that is done with. Oh, my little George! Have the Colonel and Kitty set their date?"
"Kate, Mama, and yes, they shall wed in six weeks," answered Mary, though her mother tuned the first half out. The baby had begun to fuss. "Lydia and I shall be heading to Netherfield tomorrow to work on our dresses for the wedding. Dr. Anderson believes that quiet will speed up you recovery."
"Oh, hang the quiet! I have had enough of quiet!" Mrs. Bennet's outburst, oddly enough, seemed to calm George. Mr. Bennet raised a brow.
"Mama, Lady Lucas and Mrs. Phillips plan to visit tomorrow. I am sure it shall not be that quiet, and you shall be able to catch up on the local gossip straight from their lips, instead of depending on us to remember all of the details," soothed Lydia. Mrs. Bennet's health wasn't the only reason they were going to Netherfield.
"Yes, of course! Oh, I cannot wait to show off my little George!"
Soon enough, George was sent to be fed, Mrs. Bennet was left to nap, Mr. Bennet escaped to his book room, and Mary and Lydia took themselves off to the garden.
Kate and Georgiana were very much enjoying themselves in Town. They had managed to break off from their aunts, and found themselves in a quaint, but fashionable, accessory shop.
"It feels so good to not be so cooped up. I mean….." Georgiana looked a bit startled.
"No worries, Georgie, I know what you meant. It has been a very trying few weeks, but Mama is much better and we have a wedding to prepare for," Kate said, giggling. They continues shopping around.
"Oh, goodness me! Kate, look, it's Miss Bingley!" Sure enough, Caroline Bingley stood on the other side of the shop amid a gaggle of society ladies. They hid themselves behind some shelves.
They were too far to properly hear the conversation, but the reactions were very telling. Miss Helen Woodhill, a supposed close friend to Miss Bingley, was doing what one could only describe as 'putting one in their place.' One would say that Miss Bingley was deserving of such treatment, and she had amassed quite a lot of animosity towards her person, but there was something in her countenance that gave them both pause. A look of mutual agreement passed between the friends, and they made their way over to the group of falsely browsing ladies.
"So you see, Miss Bingley, I understand that you will want to keep yourself out of Society's eye for the next several months. So, you need not worry about us invading your privacy. You must be very embarrassed. We shall leave you now. We are meeting Lady Blakeston for…."
"Caroline! I am so happy to have come across you! Georgie and I were just saying we need to call on you while we are in Town. I wanted to hand deliver your invitation."
"Miss Westfield," said Miss Woodhill, a bit nervously, "I did not realize you were on such close terms with Miss Bingley. In fact, I had thought it quite to opposite."
"Things change, Miss Woodhill, and Caroline and I are almost sisters. Why wouldn't we be on good terms?"
"I was given to understand that she was estranged from her brother."
"Why on earth would you think that? He is only just back from his wedding tour, and once they did arrive back at Netherfield, my mother's condition has taken quite a bit of our attention…"
"How is your mother?" asked Miss Bingley.
"She is much recovered. Our little brother continues to thrive,"
"And he has to be the most adorable baby I have ever beheld!" exclaimed Georgiana!
"You must be sure to come and see him," continued Kate. "The doctor has only just approved visitors."
"You should join us for tea!" cried Georgiana. "I see my aunt's carriage coming down the street now."
A moment later, an ornate carriage did arrive. Georgiana spoke up before her aunt or Mrs. Westfield could say anything.
"Look who we ran into, Aunt. I hope you do not mind if Caroline joins us. We have much to catch up on."
"Of course," the countess said, sizing up the situation. "We would be more than happy to have you join us, Miss Bingley. Come along girls, we must make haste. I am feeling quite famished." The ladies bit their farewells, the ladies on the sidewalk very much stunned, and took their places in the carriage.
It was a bit tense and awkward. Miss Bingley broke the silence. "Why did you do that? I have done more than enough to gain your ire. Why would you stop their censure?"
"There are many reasons one would insert themselves into such a situation," said Lady Julia, "the largest being that you have a least a distant connection to everyone in this carriage. It would be better for us all to give off at least the illusion of harmony. However, I suspect Kate and Georgiana had another motive, I am sure they would be happy to share with you. But first, I shall have my say."
Miss Bingley mentally prepared herself, but her nervousness was obvious. Lady Julia continued.
"I have always been aware of your attentions towards my nephew. You have made them quite plain. The fact that my nephew ignored your advances should have been enough to convince you he held no interest in you in that manner. You are the sister of one of his closest friends, nothing more. I have no doubt that those intentions were fanned by Miss Woodhill. Miss Bingley, the Woodhill's are nobody's friends but themselves. The entire family likes to think very well of themselves. Nearly all of their connections have been made through dishonest gain, which is why there are many in my circle, who have little to do with them. You are new to our circles. Miss Bingley, you have tried to think yourself better than you are. I am not one to look unkindly upon anyone for their station, but I do not like to see someone belittle others, especially when they have no place to. Your father was a tradesman who made a large fortune, but he was still a tradesman.
"My niece and soon-to-be daughter have seen fit to extend to you an olive branch. Do not squander this opportunity. I suggest you send your apologies to your brother, and your regards to Mrs. Darcy. And Miss Bingley, orange is not your color. I would suggest greens, purples, blues, cream, white, and some red. They shall not wash you out."
"Thank you, my lady," she said quietly. She looked at Kate and Georgiana.
"I find I cannot stand by and watch someone being bullied, no matter if some believe they may deserve it. I spoke the truth when I said we are practically sisters. Jane is all sweetness, and I know she would like to see all well within her family, as would Charles. Lizzy is likely to let bygones be bygones for her sake, but do not think Jane is completely meek. She may have been once, but she knows how to stand up for herself."
A few seconds passed before Miss Bingley began asking about her wedding. The past was, somewhat, left behind.
"Charles!" called Jane, as she entered her husband's study. "Have you received a letter from your sister?"
"Yes, but I have been loathed to open it. Has she written to you as well?" he asked worryingly.
"No, but I suggest you read it before I explain more."
Bingley found the letter and opened it with haste. Jane waited patiently, taking delight at his facial expressions.
"How did this change come about?" he asked.
"Apparently, Kate and Georgiana was of some help to her, and offered her their friendship, or something similar. I know she sent you a letter of apology. Did she say anything else?"
"She asked if she and the Hurst's might come and stay. She understands that the house is full, but they only intend to stay through the wedding. They shall all take themselves out to Hurst's family estate afterwards. They shall be spending Christmas there, and they hope to see us again after the New Year. We should discuss this with Darcy and Lizzy first. With Lizzy's current condition…"
"Oh! Kate said Caroline was likely to send her regards to Lizzy. I must go find her at once."
Bingley sat back into his chair and smiled. It seemed all would be well in their world.
Caroline had, indeed, written to Lizzy, and it was taken quite well.
"At least we shall not have to worry about her anymore."
"Are you are you are alright with her being here, dearest?" asked Darcy.
"I doubt she wants to bring about the censure of your aunt and her circle, not when she has just been privileged enough to gain a foothold into it. Habits are hard to break, but Miss Bingley has very strong motivation to do so."
"I just do not want to see you stressed."
"I am not an invalid, William. I just have bouts of sickness, and that is completely normal. We shall confess to Kate and Richard our news, and if they will it, we shall tell all our friends and family. I do not doubt that once the truth is known, all will see to it that I am very well rested. But only once I know Kate will not feel overshadowed. Charlotte's news is already all over Hertfordshire. I want Kate to have the attention she deserves."
"She will, my love. I am sure she will find your hesitations to tell nonsense. Announcing it on her wedding day would be overshadowing. The wedding is still five weeks away."
"They shall both be back in two days. We shall tell them then," she said, cradling her still flat stomach.
I enjoy redeeming characters. I had thought Caroline would initially fade into the background, but it seems she will continue to be visible in the background. Now not to get any hopes up, since I have intended to write something before only to not follow through, but the wedding should be next. I have no plans to write a scene about Lizzy and Darcy breaking their news, or Charlotte's news, though it will be mentioned. When I post the last chapter of this story, I shall post the first to Mary's.