A/N- Thanks to all reviewers! You all guessed pretty much the same thing, that Caroline was compromised. Read on to find out exactly what happened. Juliana alicia miller, I was half tempted to use your suggestion. It would've been hilarious!

The party was shocked at the sight before them, for this had been the last thing any of them had expected. Caroline's limp form was gathered in Wickham's arms, and he appeared to be trying to rouse her.

'What is it?', asked Charles rushing to his sister's side.

'Ms Caroline fainted a while ago.', said Wickham.

Charles looked at him accusingly.

'What did you do?'

Wickham appeared to be abashed before admitting that he had kissed the young lady.

'WHAT!', roared Bingley looking ready to have Wickham hanged.

Darcy intervened, feeling rather puzzled that his childhood friend would do something so scandalous, and asked him for an explanation.

'You had better have a good reason, Mr Wickham, to use my sister so.', said Louisa fanning herself.

'Yes George', said Anne. 'Do you realize the impact this could have on Ms Bingley's reputation, were anyone to see you? Her life would be ruined! Pray, tell us whatever possessed you to do such a thing?'

Wickham seemed unaffected with the proceedings, and said rather calmly,

'Caroline just agreed to be my wife, and with joy I couldn't help myself. Surely it is not so scandalous to kiss a young lady I am now engaged to?'

Charles didn't look like he believed Wickham, for he had been under the impression that Caroline had set her cap on William.

'Why would she accept you, with whom she is barely acquainted?'

Mrs Hurst spoke up.

'Oh Charles', said she sounding exasperated. 'Caroline has been partial to Mr Wickham for some time now. I am not in the least astonished.'

'Congratulations then, Mr Wickham. I apologize for being rude to you.', said Charles, still looking surprised at this turn of events.

'Not at all, I understand your concern.', said Wickham pleasantly.

'But why did Ms Bingley faint?', asked Georgiana.

'I have already sent for Dr Jones, Ms Darcy. I am certain he will be here soon and tell us what is wrong with my fiance.'

Caroline was transported to her own chambers, and Anne volunteered to stay with her till Dr Jones arrived. Meanwhile, Louisa felt that she just had to enlighten her friends in the city, and wrote to them excitedly while wondering what sort of a wedding it would be. Within half an hour, the whole household knew the joyous news and quite a few letters were on their way to London.

It was then that Dr Jones finally arrived, was shown to Ms Bingley's chamber, and the situation explained to him. He merely suggested that the young lady had probably fainted with great joy and told the anxiously waiting family that she would wake soon. He also warned of headaches and confusion at first, but assured her siblings that it would pass soon, and recommended rest for her till she felt fine.

True enough, Caroline woke up an hour later to find Louisa and Anne siting with her.

'Wickham!', she gasped, as soon as she regained consciousness.

'Worry not Caroline, we know that you are soon to be Mrs Wickham.', said Louisa teasingly.

'What! No! Surely not!', cried Caroline looking extremely distressed.

'Mr Wickham told us that you had consented to be his wife, merely minutes before you fainted. Is it not so?', asked Anne gently.'

Caroline shook her head, and looked as though she was living a nightmare only to find that it was no dream.

'Mr Wickham did propose... but I declined. I do not care for him enough to possibly agree to it... I'd never do so. He was angry when I refused... he said that I must be his wife... or that he would spread rumors that he had compromised me... he kissed me... and I was so scared and I fainted.'

Caroline started sobbing.

'What rubbish! Mr Wickham is a perfect gentleman. Dr Jones told us that you would be confused for a while. I believe that is what it is.', said Louisa, just as Wickham entered the room and requested private audience with his fairest Caroline, adding that he was desperate to discuss certain things with the woman who had made him the happiest man in existence.

Caroline looked fearful and clutched Anne's hand desperately but she just smiled encouragingly at left the room with Louisa.

'Why!', cried Caroline when she was left with Wickham.

'Why what, love?', asked Wickham attempting to kiss her before being shooed away by a very hysterical Caroline.

'Why are you doing this to me? I don't want to marry you, I don't even wish to see your face ever again. What is this tale that you have fed everyone? Why do you wish to ruin my life? Why?', asked Caroline sobbing loudly.

'My dear, it is obvious that you are as confused as Dr Jones said you might be. Do you not remember saying that you would be delighted to marry me? Surely you don't want to break it off now, when the entire village knows what happened, and your sister has already written to half the London's population. After all, no man would want a wife who refused to marry the man she spent so much time with alone, kissing passionately, who she claimed to love with all her heart? You are lucky that I'm willing to take you.'

To anyone else Wickham's words would sound calm and reasonable, but Caroline detected the threat underlying beneath them, and cursed the fact that she had fallen right into the trap, and that Louisa had been so hasty, much like she herself would have previously been.

'My brother and Mr Darcy won't let you do this!', cried Caroline clinging to this last hope.

'They believe me, and they know that you will be delusional for a while. No one will listen to your crazy ideas, and if they do it won't serve you well in any way for your reputation will be ruined forever. I suggest that you do as I say, and get married to me willingly, because you WILL marry me and if you create any problems for me you might have... a tragic accident soon after our marriage. How devastated would I would be! All your dowry would not help with the grief, but I could still try to get along in life with it.'

Wickham flashed her an evil grin that made her wish she were dead.

'I won't let my brother pay you any dowry! He will agree to that gladly.'

'Without dowry, I'm afraid I have no incentive to marry you, and ensure that your reputation remains intact. Now be a good girl and prepare for our marriage.', said Wickham.'Or else.'

And leaving that threat hanging in the air, he left. Caroline could hear him cheerfully explain to Louisa that all was well, and that the marriage would go ahead as planned. Only minutes later, she heard Louisa ask her what all the earlier fuss was about, and herself answer that she was merely a bit confused, and that she did want to marry Wickham.

All were happy, but Caroline Bingley's life had just been torn apart. Under the circumstances she did the only thing that would make her feel better. She started penning a poisonous letter, that would cause the recipient as much unhappiness as she was undergoing.

The letter was addressed to Jane Bennet.

A/N- This is possibly my favorite chapter so far. Caroline really had that one coming with all her bad karma. And yet she doesn't learn. Poor Jane. Keep reviewing, it adds sunshine to my rather rainy life. ( Not that I don't like the rain, but anyway it does brighten up my day and inspires me to write more. )