AN: I actually meant to write this chapter earlier, but real life kinda came out of left field with a sick baby who needed extra snuggling. Luckily I had the chapter outlined beforehand so once he felt better, I could sit down and get to it :)
I've been trying to do one POV for each chapter, so I've once again ended this chapter sooner than I would've liked. I already started working on the next chapter (1000 words in so far) and it'll probably be pretty short - hopefully I can post it this week *fingers crossed*
At first Caroline thought Jane Bennet's unfortunate illness was all the more unfortunate because of how it would interfere with her plans. Now, upon a full night's rest to ponder the matter more closely, she sees it for the opportunity it is.
Her advantage in managing all the pieces in this game - for she refuses to see it as anything other than a game - is that she has intimate knowledge of each piece. She can move Charles, Louisa, and Darcy around as necessary without much effort. Though Louisa is obviously the most difficult to manage, mostly because she is usually aware of being managed, she still acquiesces to her sister's suggestions more often than not.
The new pieces, namely all the Bennets but more particularly Jane and Elizabeth, she hasn't quite figured out. But unlike the others, she has taken the time to try. And while Caroline's understanding of the Bennet sisters is rudimentary at best, it is leaps and bounds beyond what the others in her party could claim. For all that Charles professes to love Jane Bennet, he has taken little opportunity to do more than stare at the poor girl or, when she's not present, profess his undying love for her. It's a juvenile reaction at best, but she's hardly surprised at her brother's behavior.
At least he's making an attempt, however blundering it may be, she muses to herself over breakfast. She watches Darcy's sulking, more pronounced than usual, and his stalwart refusal to meet Elizabeth's eyes. Honestly, it's like he's not even trying. As though the whole world were made for Fitzwilliam Darcy's pleasure, and all things he desires will just fall into his lap without the least exertion on his part.
It must be nice to live one's life with that type of assurance, she thinks with a certain degree of acid. Never mind that some of us need to work for it.
Caroline by no means dislikes Mr. Darcy. On the contrary, there was much about him she admires. Even qualities beyond his beautiful estate and his deep pocket book. She's under no illusions that she loves the man. That would be silly and childish, the type of fantasy the weak-minded indulge in. No, it's not love. It's a means to an end.
With Darcy making no overtures for his own cause, it's really far too easy for Caroline to take over. After breakfast, she provides scant little time for Darcy to make good on whatever plans of courtship he might have. She does her best to monopolize Elizabeth's time. Which is, of course, incredibly easy given that she has already laid the foundation for it. She and Charles are the only truly friendly faces Elizabeth knows at Netherfield. Louisa is not unfriendly, but she is not welcoming by default. And Darcy... well, he's done himself no favors in this regard.
It's easy to suggest ways for her and Miss Bennet to pass the time. She starts by offering a walk around the grounds. Elizabeth immediately perks up at the prospect, but hesitates. Caroline can already hear the excuses about Jane and wanting to return to her, so she presses a little and takes advantage of propriety.
"Come Miss Elizabeth, I insist. As hostess it is my duty to entertain you, but as your friend it is my pleasure."
With such an overture, Elizabeth can hardly refuse.
It's a tricky matter, playing the friend. One most appear considerate. It took hardly a day knowing the girl to learn of her love the outdoors. She'd no doubt walk from Netherfield to Longbourn and back if given the choice. But her health, though not as dire as her sister's, won't allow it at the moment. And what her cold does allow Caroline suggests against, urging her to stay near the house should Jane need her.
Within an hour she's agitated, annoyed at the limitations that tease more than soothe her desire to do something. Her frustration brews until she sighs and claims she's too tired to continue. On the way back, they come across Charles and Darcy, no doubt on their way to join them.
Caroline apologetically as they approach and says, "Our apologies, gentleman, but we were just on our way back in."
"Oh, that's such a shame-"
"Are you sure you couldn't be persuaded to take another turn about the grounds?" There's a fire in Darcy's eyes as he makes his request. A gritty determination that Caroline has so rarely seen but can't help appreciate. If only it were turned toward her.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth says, sounding anything but disappointed. In fact, she seems to have perked up a bit. "I am not feeling up to further exertion at the moment. I've quite exhausted myself."
It's not completely untrue. She does appear more tired than their walk should warrant, but it's her patience that has been exhausted more than anything else.
"The exercise and fresh air will no doubt do you some good." Darcy gestures towards the treeline and adds, "There's a path-"
"Unfortunately," Elizabeth interrupts, "I was not exaggerating when I said I was not up to it."
Darcy is at a total loss. If her own experience amounts to anything, he's a man that is not often interrupted and would not take to it kindly. He gapes at her, at a loss for words.
"Of course of course," Charles hastily cuts in, giving Darcy a curious look. He steps forward and offers his arm to Elizabeth, who accepts it with a small smile. "Perhaps we could get you some tea and let you rest in the drawing room."
The two make their way up the main stairs into the house, chatting about Jane's condition as well as Elizabeth's. Darcy stares after them at a loss. There's a defeated look about him, shoulders hunched and arms slack at his sides.
"If you were interested in joining us, you should've set out with us."
Darcy starts before blushing at his reaction. "I had business to attend to."
"You needn't make excuses," she laughs and walks past him into the house. Though she's normally disinclined to let Darcy sulk on his own, for it only makes his mood worse, she has the distinct feeling that his foul mood could only benefit her.
Caroline, not one to let go of any advantage, continues to hound Elizabeth all day. After a brief disappearance to spend time with her sister, she wrangles Miss Bennet into playing piano.
She picks the pieces for the younger woman, choosing between boring church hymns and more difficult concertos. Elizabeth yawns several times but remains the picture of politeness when asked to play another by an overenthusiastic Charles. Her playing is tolerable but no where near proficient. She plays like a girl who was forced to learn but takes no particular delight in the act itself.
Darcy, for his part, sits in a corner and pretends to read. The perpetual frown on his face is the only thing that gives him away.
When Caroline can tell she can take no more piano, she suggests they read together. Charles' face falls but ever the diplomatic host, he settles himself into his favorite chair. Elizabeth gets up to peruse the scant collection they have (for none of the Bingleys are avid readers, prompting no necessity to have a large selection available to them). Caroline, knowing better than to allow her free reign, quickly finds a book that she knows to be unappealing to any young woman with half a thought in her head.
Elizabeth's eyes, alight when Caroline first went to find a book, dim considerably when they land on the title. It was a popular work a few years back, an unrealistic romance about a rich duke and a lovesick young duchess. Its appeal is primarily in young girls who want nothing more than to fall madly in love and find a husband. Or in older woman, unhappy in their own marriages, who seek to live vicariously through the hackneyed portrayal of love over all. The characters are nothing more than cliches and the plot is, at best, lacking.
(And if Caroline should take some small amount of pleasure in her obvious dislike for the book, well, no one need know.)
The three of them take turns reading passages aloud. It falls completely on Caroline to sound amused when its her turn, for Charles really can't be bothered. This isn't something Caroline could have normally talked him into doing, not if any other diversion were available. But apparently allowances will be made for entertaining his soulmate's dearest sister.
For a while, Elizabeth at least tries to enjoy the exercise. As it goes on and on, her dislike for the characters becomes more evident. She can barely suppress her disdain during lines that are particularly harsh or dim-witted, and she passes the book on to Caroline so quickly, as though fearful the idiocy might wear off on her.
Mr. Darcy looks on, no longer feigning interest in his own book, but unwilling to contribute to the reading.
It's not until the end of a chapter when Charles makes a display of fidgeting and then yawning widely that Elizabeth suggests they perhaps put the book away. Charles has never looked so relieved in his life, nodding excessively in agreement.
Caroline merely smiles demurely as she says, "Of course. We can save the rest for another time, perhaps. I wouldn't want to keep Miss Elizabeth from her sister - I know you are most likely quite eager to attend to her."
"I am, thank you." There's just a hint of warmth in her eyes, a light that hadn't made an appearance all day, before it disappears behind a cloud of skepticism. "Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me."
Although Darcy looks like he's about to speak, Charles cuts him off. "You'll send Jane my most ardent hopes that she is feeling better, will you not?"
"That I shall." Again that spark before it disappears. "And I shall report back to you how she is feeling during dinner."
"What a lovely girl!" Charles declares. Given that he has said as much about every young lady he has met, it's hardly a solid recommendation in her favor, but Caroline bites back her scolding. She's far too pleased with how things have progressed so far to be truly annoyed with her brother.
Really, the whole day gives the appearance of indulging Elizabeth's hobbies while doing no more than irk her more and more. She has paid special attention over their time together, made note of when she's at her best. And though by no means the beauty her sister is, as with anyone, there are circumstances that bring out her positive attributes. Her eyes in particular can be quite handsome, but only when in high spirits.
All that Caroline need do is continue to make sure Elizabeth is not in high spirits for the duration of her stay at Netherfield.
