Author's note: It's been way too long since I've updated. I've been so busy with school, life, and non-fanfiction writing. It's almost the one-year anniversary of me starting this story. If you're still here, thank you! Enjoy the update!

Charles Bingley did not hear the news of the birth of the Darcy child for some time. Jane wrote to him upon the birth of the child, but he did not receive the letter for nearly a week. Jane, in her excitement, wrote poor directions on the letter and it took some time to reach the Bingley townhouse. In her haste, she smudged half the directions and blotted the rest. It did not matter, however, because Bingley was occupied with his sister and Mrs. Wickham.

When he arrived at his townhouse, he saw that Caroline had taken control. She had been his hostess for many years and thus had a hard time letting Jane take the lead. Whenever she was apart from Jane, she easily slipped back into her role as hostess, as lady of the house. She had many visitors and had indulged Mrs. Wickham with multiple shopping trips.

All of London had been told of scandalous things happening at Pemberley, but Miss Bingley was unaware of rumors surrounding her relationship with Mrs. Wickham. He planned to use these rumors as leverage to quiet her gossip and hopefully, to end her friendship with Mrs. Wickham. It was the only move he could possibly think of making. In truth, he had never been strong enough to stand up to his older sister. It had always been easier to give her what she wanted than to deal with tantrums.

"Bring me to my sister," he told his housekeeper. He was not in a cheery mood. His journey from Derbyshire had been long and he wished to put Caroline in her place so that he forgot his manners.

She nodded and led him to the sitting room. He noticed minor changes to the home as he walked the halls. He was certain there were vases on the tables he had never seen before. Caroline had been shopping. His anger increased; this house was Jane's to decorate. Caroline was not the lady of the house; she had no right to change any of the décor, even with something as small as a vase.

The housekeeper opened the door to the parlor. He saw Mrs. Wickham and his sister seated, laughing.

"Mrs. Wickham," he said with a sharpness to his voice he did know he was capable of producing, "I suggest you leave. I must have a moment alone with my sister."

"La! But where shall I go?"

"Anywhere else but here. Please."

"Fine," she said shooting Caroline I look, "I shall take a stroll around the park and return." She rose from her seat and left.

"That was very rude," Caroline said, her brow furrowed.

"No, what is rude is your behavior. This is unacceptable. We have gotten word of your behavior all the way at Pemberley. You may think what you wish about Mrs. Darcy, but you have no right to spread rumors simply because you are jealous."

"How dare you!"

"Caroline, I have had enough. I do not wish to argue with you any longer. I cannot support your behavior. You are a grown woman. I must tell you that your behavior has not gone unnoticed. People are talking about your relationship with Mrs. Wickham. They think you are far too close and frankly so do I."

"Don't be ridiculous. No one is speaking about us."

"Yes, they are. I assure you, they are. Mrs. Wickham has been associated with scandal since the start of her marriage. If you wish to marry well, or wish to marry at all you will cut your ties with Mrs. Wickham and you will stop spreading rumors about the Darcy family."

Caroline sat in stunned silence. Charles had never spoken to her like that before, had never spoken to her so strongly.

"Caroline, I know you may be angry with me, but I do have your best interests at heart. I wish for you to find happiness in marriage like I have done. I want you to have the best chance. You should be mistress of your own house, not pretending to be the hostess in mine and in Jane's."

"You are serious? There have been rumors?"

"Yes. I am serious. There have been rumors. You are smart enough to know that scandal follows Mrs. Wickham. Please remove yourself from her company."

She looked up at him with glassy eyes, "okay, Charles."

"Okay?"

"Yes. I am sorry. I will tell Mrs. Wickham that we can no longer be friends when she returns from her walk."

"Thank you," he said as he began to leave the room. "And Caroline, when you are done, please come and see me in my study. I wish to have another conversation with you."

"Okay."

Charles departed, feeling very relieved. Caroline did not lash out as violently as he had expected. There was still hope for her.

He made his way up to his study to take care of work he had been putting off during his visit to Derbyshire. He was absorbed with work for nearly an hour before he heard a knock on his door.

Caroline entered looking repentant.

"It is done," she said. "Mrs. Wickham has been sent back to Longbourn. She will remain at home, waiting for her husband."

"Thank you."

"Charles, I truly am sorry for my behavior. I was so very jealous. I wish to return to Pemberley and apologize."

"I shall write to Darcy and ask him if that is alright."

Just as Caroline was about to speak, a servant came and delivered the afternoon mail. Charles recognized Jane's handwriting and opened the letter immediately. His eyes scanned the page and he broke out into a grin.

"The Darcy baby has arrived," he told his sister. "His name is Bennet James and according to Jane he is a very large and happy boy."

"I wish to apologize even more. And to see the baby. Can you write today? I would like to return to Pemberley. And Charles, I promise I shall make it my goal to find a husband so I can be out of your house."

"I shall write to them at once and we shall see what they have to say."

She nodded and rose from her seat. "Please let me know what the answer is."

"Alright." He was not certain that Caroline was sincere, but she had expelled Mrs. Wickham from his home, which had to mean something.

He scribbled a letter to Darcy and sent it off. He would wait in London with his sister until he heard a reply. He turned his thoughts to finding Caroline a husband. It would be nice to see her settled, maybe somewhere like Scotland or Wales.