AN: Another update! Yay! And somewhat on time :) I am still currently working with my ten chapter outline, but we'll see how long it takes me to go through the necessary plot points (and if the characters decide to behave as intended). And I hope to continue updating biweekly (time permitting of course).

The next update might actually be sooner - I had originally written some Darcy POV excerpts that I wanted to put in this chapter, but it seemed more cohesive to make this a Caroline-centric update. Next update will probably be all Darcy.

Not going to lie, this is difficult to write. Not because of the characters or plot or anything, but trying to mimic the writing style of Victorian England isn't really my forte. It was really freeing when I started another side project with Pride and Prejudice (love to hate), where I was free to use more modern phrasing and verbage. I feel like I'm digging into a thesaurus every time I write. And I'm obviously no expert on this time period - my entire knowledge is based on period literature that I haven't actually read in a few years - so hopefully it comes off at least passable.


There is little if anything that Caroline has found redeeming in the countryside. It would not matter if half the Ton were to reside here as well.

She does concede, however, that Pemberly does have its unique benefits. The property is very well situated and the grounds quite pretty, she will allow. The rooms themselves are spectacularly furnished. If only it were closer to London, it would indeed be perfect.

This place that her brother has picked has little to recommend itself. The upstairs corridor has a draft, the gardens have been neglected and need work, and though she has heard there is a pond somewhere on the property, it isn't visible from the house.

What use is a pond if no one can see it? she thinks darkly.

Wrinkling her noise in annoyance, she takes another sip of tea before deciding to get to work. "I believe, sister, that we should perhaps pay our visit to the Bennets this afternoon."

Louisa raises an eyebrow. That they would visit has indeed been agreed upon, but the date was set for a few days from now. Moving the engagement forward would seem strange. "It's only been a day, Caroline. Is there any particular reason behind your eagerness in this acquaintance?"

The sisters are close, but it isn't in either of their nature's to be open. Perhaps it would be better to say that they are allies in most matters. They read each other well, are of a similar mind in most matters, and share familial goals. Yet each has her own secrets, which is clearly evident as Caroline tries to dance around the true nature of her plans.

"Well, we had best keep on eye on Miss Jane Bennet." This is, of course, the easiest point to make. And if she's lucky, the only one she'll need to.

Louisa inclines her head slightly in agreement. "I suppose." But then adds, "It would be quite indecorous to drop by unannounced so early in the acquaintance. Invite them here instead."

Not a bad plan, since it will allow them to keep their commitment for Thursday. Testing the waters, she adds, "What do you think of the girl?"

Her eyebrows lift and she very carefully chooses her next words. "Jane Bennet is quite the handsome girl with a quiet disposition. It is rather a shame that some of her younger sisters do not seem to share that quality."

"Well, with a mother like that."

They share a laugh. Yes, they are in accord so far. "I merely think we should get to know the girl, the better to be able to advise Charles in how to proceed should he choose to court her."

"Oh Caroline." Louisa tsks slightly before dipping a biscuit in her tea and taking a bite. "You know very well that she's just Charles' type. Even if he hasn't known her name for some years, he would have courted her anyway. I'm actually very curious to see how much different his pursuit will be this time."

Now it's her turn to choose her words carefully. "But should they not be compatible... perhaps knowing her better would help us nudge him away from the inevitable heartbreak that such a realization would bring him."

Silence fills the drawing room as Louisa considers. "Yes, I suppose so," she says in an offhand sort of way. While not a complete dismissal of Caroline's plan, it's not the hearty agreement she had been hoping for.

She bites her tongue to avoid asking for her opinion of Elizabeth Bennet. Their first encounter was so brief, she doubts her own mind has been made about her rival. Though, with an unconscious touch to her left wrist, it seems thoughts on Elizabeth will by necessity or design tend towards the negative.

There's no more talk of the Bennets until they depart to write letters. Louisa takes it upon herself to write Charles about how things are going at Netherfield. She eyes her sister warily as she makes the announcement, and Caroline wonders not for the first time whose side Louisa would take should it come to an argument between the siblings.

(She almost asks her sister not to mention Elizabeth Bennet but manages to stop herself. No doubt Jane will come up in the course of the letter, but Louisa would have reason to mention the other sisters. No, better to leave it alone instead of draw any more attention to it.)

To fill the time, Caroline sets herself to writing Mrs. Bennet with an invitation for them to visit either later that afternoon or tomorrow.


The Bennets, who apparently don't care about appearing too eager to form a connection with the Bingleys, appear on their doorstep within a few hours. Louisa seems almost impressed, though perhaps a little put off. Caroline merely tries to determine the motivation. Is this a mother of five daughters hoping to marry one of them off to a wealthy man she has yet to meet? Or is this a mother who has a particular interest in a particular gentleman because her daughter's wrist bears his name?

The girls are so loud that their approach to the drawing room is heard long before their actual arrival. The chatter causes Louisa to give Caroline a disapproving look for having brought this upon them before a smile is pasted on her face. Ever the gracious hostess, she exhibits a patience that Caroline has never quite been able to affect.

All the while Mrs. Bennet goes on and on without end, giving first the history of the house and its previous honors, then about the neighborhood and all the upcoming balls and festivities, and that somehow leads into an admonition against the frivolous lavishness one would find in the Ton followed by an immediate inquiry into the latest fashions there.

It is extremely tiring.

Very few of the Bennet daughters take part in the conversation (with the exception of the younger two, who seem to have quite a bit to say about fashion and balls). Eventually Mrs. Bennet's endless discussion putters out just as tea is brought in.

With little subtlety, Elizabeth Bennet takes advantage of the lull in conversation. "You must be eager to have your brother join you here. No doubt he means to arrive soon and make use of the estate he's found for himself."

The atmosphere of the room becomes suddenly heavy. All eyes are on Caroline and her sister as they impatiently await an answer. No doubt there is something mercenary in their desire to meet Charles.

Luckily it is Louisa who answers, for Caroline is quite sure she wouldn't have been able to hide the venom in any reply she could voice. "He does mean to be here in time for the ball at Lucas Lodge next week. He's always been quite fond of such outings and wouldn't dream of such a chance to meet his new neighbors."

How unfortunate for Louisa that she chose to speak, because she is bombarded with questions about Charles and his preferences for dances (lead by the youngest Miss Bennet whose name escapes Caroline at the moment). Jane has the decency to blush at the questioning while Elizabeth pales but wears a bemused smile.

"How are the gardens?" Elizabeth interrupts after a few moments of silliness and Louisa's floundering under it. "I have heard they are quite beautiful, though it has been some time since a family has taken up residence here and I wonder if they have suffered from the neglect."

Louisa looks so grateful at the change in topic that she almost sighs in relief. "They have, though the gardeners are quite determined to have them presentable by the time Charles arrives."

Feeling that she is slowly losing her sister as an ally against the Bennets, Caroline jumps in. "If you would like, we could all go out and take a turn about them. I'm sure it would do us all some good to have some fresh air after such a long afternoon indoors."

Some of the Bennet sisters perk up at the suggestion, most notably the eldest two. The others agree with varying degrees of interest and Caroline can feel Louisa's eyes boring into her as she leads the way out.

Within moments they form parties as they start out on the walk. Caroline manages to break off at a brisk pace with Elizabeth while Louisa falls back with Jane and Mary. The others trail even further behind, taking far too much delight in each variety of flower and sculpted hedge. Whom they plan to win over with such flattery she's not terribly sure.

Silence reigns for several minutes before they are sufficiently far enough away from the others that Elizabeth must feel safe in their intimacy. "I must take the opportunity to apologize for our younger sisters." She kicks a stone down the path. "They are... overzealous when it comes to anything involving a chance for silliness and fun. Don't let that scare you though, they are harmless as they will never seek you out as a dance partner. You are quite lucky in that respect, your poor brother will no doubt be hounded to dance with them whenever he has a free moment. Hopefully he won't mind."

"I dare say he'll enjoy the attention," she says dismissively. She catches Elizabeth's frown and reprimands herself. Her goal is to win over Elizabeth as a friend and apparently she's already made a misstep. With great effort she reminds herself to be friendly (though not to go so far as Mrs. Bennet, the very idea making her shudder in distaste). "You needn't worry. I remember my excitement when I was their age, looking forward to each dance the way I now look forward to a chance to stay in and read."

A lie, every word of it, but Elizabeth need not know that.

At the mention of books, the conversation flows more easily. Miss Bennet has a lot to say on the matter and is surprisingly well read, more so than Caroline is. She's never looked kindly upon those of their sex who spent so much time on an activity that's only use is to try and impress men. But she refrains from being anything other than agreeable, mostly claiming to have tastes very similar to Elizabeth's all the while being honest about what she has and has not read.

"I must admit, I did not take you for an avid reader."

"Well," Caroline whispers as if sharing a secret, "I'm not as much of one as I should like, but it is a hobby I would indulge in more, time permitting."

Elizabeth smiles wryly at that but doesn't comment.

Their walk lasts little more a half hour, but definite progress has been made in winning Elizabeth's friendship. Miss Bennet is by no means warm to her, nor is she in return, but the foundation has been laid. Ample time remains before Charles and Darcy arrive, and she is quite confident that she'll have everything in place by then.

The two woman are in fact the last ones to arrive back at the house and the carriage is pulling into the drive. Good-bye's are said all around, the usual pleasantries exchanged, and Mrs. Bennet manages to guarantee that they will come visit Longbourn come Thursday.

"Jane Bennet really is a sweet girl," Louisa says as they watch the carriage depart. "Such a shame she was born to such a family, otherwise I think she could not be more perfect for Charles." Without waiting for a response, she turns on her heel and returns to the house.

"It is indeed a shame." Jane would suit their brother quite well in nearly every regard. If her family had more (or really, anything) to offer in way of wealth or connections, Caroline would welcome the girl with open arms.

Probably.