Finals are done, grades turned in long ago but now summer session has started where students freak out for a briefer yet more intensive period of time. Regardless, I should have more time to update now. Thanks for hanging in there with me.
JLC (05/31/23)
~~PoR~~
"Goodness, how very kind of Mr. Darcy to invite me to his wedding." Mr. Bingley had been surprised to find the elegant invitation in the morning's post. "I shall make plans for the journey to Meryton, directly."
"Meryton? Miss Bennet's raggedy little market town? If you wish to celebrate a tradesman's nuptials in the deficient society of Hertfordshire, you shall have to do so without me." Miss Bingley was quick to share her thoughts on her brother's plans.
With great deliberation, Mr. Bingley made a close scrutiny of the missive - flipping the paper over to review the direction and back to confirm the details, then bringing it in so close it scraped his nose, only to extend it as far as his arm could stretch and squint at it. "That is exactly what I will do, as I see no evidence that you are invited."
"You are such a child, Charles." This was a such a frequent reproof directed at the young man, he had learned to ignore it.
"And how do you know Meryton is, as you say, raggedy? You have never even been there."
"I know not a single person of note from that part of the country and Miss Bennet has said there are no great houses there. Why, her own family is considered the height of local society. And they hardly ever come to London. When they do, it is to stay with relations in Cheapside. Can you imagine?" This was punctuated with a very unladylike snort.
"Caroline, one of these days your snobbery is going to get the better of you." Mr. Bingley had no idea how soon his words would be proven correct.
~~PoR~~
"I do not know why I am even entertaining this scheme. Miss Bingley has no place in our lives, why must you bother?" William asked his aunt. He had received an earful about the unfortunate encounter with Miss Bingley when it occurred. He had hoped that as the days passed and there were other things to think about, like a wedding and the estates that had been acquired, his aunt's ire would recede. It had not.
"I am not one to let a slight go unavenged."
"Unavenged? That is a bit extreme, is it not? A grasping woman behaved stupidly. It is hardly a novelty in today's world and hardly something that needs to be avenged."
"Miss Bingley insulted your betrothed, you cannot let that stand. Your father may have dismissed whatever he considered a mere sting to your mother feelings, God knows he inflicted worse, but I expected more from you, William."
William's expression was dark. "I see your manipulation for exactly what it is, and I do not appreciate it. You will not do so again; do you understand me? I will not tolerate it."
Lady Catherine slapped William good-naturedly on the knee. "Good for you, William! Standing up to family is just as important, if not more so, than standing up to those who may be wholly unrelated to you. Another lesson that can be learned from your father."
"I would prefer not to be put in such a situation at all, but I am quite capable of fending off conflicts when it is required. I just do not see that it is required in this case. I like Mr. Bingley and, given the opportunity, I think we could become friends but as it stands now, we are merely partners in business. I need not socialize with him. If circumstances demand that I must, I can simply ask him to curb his sister's poor behavior. I really had no intention of inviting him to the wedding. But no, Lady Catherine de Bourgh cannot leave things alone and must always have her share of the conversation."
"Indeed, I must," Lady Catherine agreed with an emphatic nod.
"I do not like using him in this manner, just to make his sister jealous. How do we even know she will be jealous? I also do not like you embroiling Elizabeth in your antics."
"You know nothing of the female of the species, nephew. Of course Miss Bingley will be jealous once she learns that those she so openly disdained have high connections that she will be unable to use to her advantage. And Elizabeth needs to learn. Miss Bingley will not be the only ill-mannered harpy she will come upon. If you mean to have a presence in town, that Bingley chit is but the first of many Elizabeth will face. And Miss Bingley needs to know her place in the world. I am doing her a favor."
"Your beneficence is truly remarkable." William could not contain his sarcasm, still out of sorts with his aunt.
"You speak the truth, nephew." Lady Catherine nodded again and retreated into silence as she and William waited for the others to join them so they could leave for the theatre.
Lady Catherine had it on good authority that Miss Bingley and her brother would be attending the evening's performance with the Grantleys. She had no acquaintance with that family but one of the friends she had recruited for her evening's entertainment was able to ascertain their plans.
She bustled her family and the Bennets into the carriages earlier than she would have preferred. She wanted to ensure she, Jane, and Elizabeth were in place before the Grantleys, who were known to arrive unfashionably early so they could watch those of greater style and status make their way to their boxes.
Upon entering the theater, Lady Catherine scanned the lobby and saw that her quarry had not yet arrived. A few of her accomplices were waiting so she shooed the rest of her party up to their box. William and Lady Anne refused, choosing to remain in the lobby with Lady Catherine, Elizabeth, and Jane.
"You must not spoil my fun. If you insist on hovering about, go over there and talk to Anne and Julian," she nodded toward her daughter and new son, who had already stationed themselves in a nearby corner. Anne caught her mother's eye and gave her an exaggerated wink, which caused Lady Catherine to roll her eyes. They did not have long to wait before the plan commenced.
"Miss Bennet how delighted I am to see you! It has been too long since last we met." Mr. Bingley's excited voice cut through the din as he made his way to Jane. Lady Catherine deliberately took a step back from the younger ladies and quietly greeted Julian's mother, the Countess of Milland, who had joined her.
"Charles now is not the time. We must not keep the Grantleys waiting." Miss Bingley hurried after her brother.
"Nonsense, Caroline. I am sure the Grantleys would be delighted to meet Miss Bennet. And they have not even arrived yet. And of course, I would be overjoyed to meet more of Miss Bennet's family." He looked at Jane expectantly. "This is your sister, yes? Miss Elizabeth?"
"Oh, yes! This is my dear sister, um, Lizzy, I mean, Elizabeth. Elizabeth, this is Mr…um…Bingley, Mr. Bingley." Jane offered a wide-eyed and rather stilted introduction. Lady Catherine was glad she had not required Jane to do anything more than be present. Luckily, Mr. Bingley did not notice her discomfort.
"How splendid it is to make your acquaintance, Miss Elizabeth." He bowed deeply.
"It is a pleasure for me as well. At last, my curiosity may be sated, for I have heard much of you from not only my sister but Mr. Darcy as well."
"Oh, goodness, now I am worried whether I shall improve or fall short on acquaintance," Mr. Bingley laughed. "Before you make your determination, may I say that I was honored to receive an invitation to your wedding."
"Thank you. I hope you will be able to celebrate with us."
"Ha, honored indeed," Miss Bingley loudly reminded those assembled of her presence.
Mr. Bingley coughed, trying to mask his sister's rudeness. "I say, have you met Caroline?"
"I would not claim we have met, encountered is perhaps a better word," Elizabeth replied.
"Yes, I encountered Miss Bennet's charming sister on Bond Street." Caroline tilted her head as she examined Elizabeth's gown and wrinkled her nose slightly. "Miss Eliza, it seems your dressmaker made a rather respectable imitation of one of Madame Laurent's creations. To the untrained eye, that almost looks like silk. However, the poor stitchwork is obvious to anyone with a discerning eye for fashion." Miss Bingley fingered the cuff of Elizabeth's sleeve then daintily rubbed her forefinger and thumb together as if ridding them of an unpleasant substance.
Miss Bingley looked beyond Elizabeth to Lady Catherine. She leaned in close as if to impart a secret but spoke in an amplified whisper so that those close could hear. "If I may give you some friendly advice - with Mr. Darcy's wealth, such that it is, I hope you can inspire your mother to make better fashion choices. Lack of style should not be a consequence of lack of status. Your mother is quite old-fashioned and dowdy. She will do you no favors as you attempt to rise above your station. If she were my mother, I should be mortified to be seen with her at the theatre, attired as she is."
"Miss Bingley, I cannot say I agree with you. My mother has always been considered a handsome woman and if I am honest, she places too much importance on having a pleasing appearance, but then you have not met my mother, so could not know that."
Miss Bingley waved Elizabeth's comments away as well as dismissing Mr. Bingley efforts to silence her, as she noticed the crowd pressing in closer around them. "Oh, you are too droll. Now admittedly, I have little knowledge of your country ways, but I think you would do well to at least aspire for more. You have done well to catch yourself a wealthy tradesman, but your current manners and dress will do little to enhance your place in the world."
Finally, Lady Catherine stepped forward. "Upon my word," said her ladyship, "you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. Tell me, Miss Bingley, what compels you to proffer such guidance? Why do you presume to impose upon a gentleman's daughter in such a manner. What are you to her?"
Caroline bristled at the woman's strident tone. However, she could hear her name whispered among those in the theatre lobby. She was encouraged by this; never could she have imagined having such an audience as she announced her place among the elite. "Madame, I do believe in brutal honesty, and I must speak as I find. You have done your daughters a disservice. They are uncouth and ill-prepared to circulate among a more cultured society. I am sure you did not know better but ultimately, it is a reflection of your own failure as a mother."
Basking in what she thought to be her triumphant moment, she reveled in the gasps she heard among those in the crowd. The little country miss and her mother had no reply and could only blink at one another. She found it very satisfying. Surely, her brother would limit his contact with the insipid Miss Bennet now that he saw the lack of class exhibited by the Bennet family. The Bingleys were moving away from trade, it would not do to become more entangled in it by marriage. It would be detrimental, nay catastrophic, to her own future.
"Miss Bingley, what have you done!" Mrs. Grantley hissed. The Grantleys had quietly come up behind the young friend of the eldest Miss Grantly, hoping to be introduced to Lady Catherine DeBourgh and the other women of the upper circles who all seemed enraptured by Miss Bingley's conversation. They initially had reservations about their daughter's friendship with Caroline Bingley, her wealth came from trade and her rudeness, in particular, but noble connections could certainly make up for that. Looking around, Mrs. Grantley counted no less than six peers. Her dismay was almost immediate as she heard the last few exchanges between Lady Catherine and Miss Bingley.
Caroline looked over to her friend, expecting to exchange a knowing glance but saw that Miss Grantley's face showed only horror. Mrs. Grantley's expression was horror mixed with anger. "You will need to find other seats for the performance. You are not welcomed in our box." She turned and marched her family away from Miss Bingley and the display they just witnessed as quickly as possible.
It was only then that Caroline noticed that she was not receiving looks of admiration but rather looks of contempt. Anne Neeley wandered over to her mother and mother-in-law, and linked arms with them both. "Mother, what have you done? Is there something you care to tell me? What is the failure of which this young lady speaks? And daughters? I thought I was an only child."
Lady Milland patted Anne's hand. "Now, obviously, this young woman is confused. She must be new to society, so she can be forgiven for not knowing who is who among the ton." She looked kindly at Caroline. "Tell me, dear, who are your family?"
"My excellent parents have passed from this earth, but they would not have been known to you." Mr. Bingley answered for his sister, not trusting her to reply as she looked bewildered.
"I am sorry to hear about your family but is that a Yorkshire accent, Leeds, perhaps?" Lady Milland asked.
"Indeed, it is Mrs.- oh, I am sorry, we have not been properly introduced." He looked toward Jane, who was watching his sister rather intently.
Instead, Lady Milland took up the obligation for introductions. Like Lady Catherine, she was usually a stickler for proper protocol, but she wanted to complete the introductions before Caroline Bingley fainted.
"No need to stand on ceremony. I believe you are Mr. Bingley, and you are obviously acquainted with the Bennet girls. Are they not lovely? I adore them." In truth, she had only met Elizabeth and Jane a few times, but she adored what she saw and, more so, she adored serving up a nice bit of revenge.
"I am the Countess of Milland. My son Julian is married to Anne, this delightful creature on my arm. As you might have guessed, this is her mother. She is not Mrs. Bennet but rather Lady Catherine De Bourgh, of Rosings Park, Kent." Miss Bingley's face turned white as she groaned softly.
"And this is your sister, Caroline, is it? Are you well, dear? I assume you have met Mr. Darcy and his mother Lady Anne Darcy," she gestured to where they stood a little further away, "seeing as you are on such close acquaintance with Miss Elizabeth that you feel comfortable offering your guidance and expertise." Mr. Bingley looked at his sister from the side of his eye as she grasped his arm, but he remained silent.
"Time is short but if you care to know, I can point out several of our friends if it might aid your knowledge of society. We have Lady Covington and Lady Eldredge in attendance tonight. The Duchess of Bolton is just there, you see, speaking with Lady Jersey. And—" Lady Milland continued, pointing out the mentioned individuals.
"No, that is not necessary. I am not feeling very well. Charles, take me home." Miss Bingley interrupted the countess. Miss Bingley figured there was not much more she could do to make herself look the fool. By not recognizing the countess or Lady Catherine (multiple times!), not to mention being openly condescending and rude to those of higher status than herself, she had marked herself as an outsider and an upstart, even more than accent she worked so hard to lose. Socially, she might recover from this, but it would take years. She groaned again.
"You take the poor thing home, Mr. Bingley, and see to her comfort. I look forward to chatting with you about Leeds. I do hope you will indulge me; my mother's family is from around Bradford and I have many fond memories of Yorkshire. I will be at the wedding at Longbourn so perhaps I will see you then." She dismissed them with words of sympathy for Miss Bingley and chummy promises for future chats for Mr. Bingley.
Now that the display was over the lobby emptied as people made their way to their boxes and seats, but the theatre was humming with talk of Miss Bingley. Finally, those heading for the Matlock box rejoined the rest of their party. William and Elizabeth took the last remaining seats in the front row of the box with Lady Catherine and Lady Anne seated behind them.
"I do not even have words for what just happened. How much of that was planned, Elizabeth?" William asked.
"As far as I know just the strategic presence of certain people in the lobby. It was impossible to plan too much. One could not be certain that Miss Bingley would behave as she did."
"I have to admit it sits better with me than I thought it would. I had envisioned something more incendiary considering my aunt's involvement." No sooner than the words were out of his mouth than Lady Catherine leaned forward and poked her head between those of William and Elizabeth.
"I knew you found the whole thing distasteful, William. So, Clara and I devised this little scene. Miss Bingley learns her place and hopefully a little humility, and not an untrue word was said, nor a voice raised in anger. Had she minded her tongue nothing would have happened. Every bit of spite came from Miss Bingley, and she made sure her voice was heard. She might want to consider a career on the stage. Projection is just as important if not more so than talent. What good is talent if you cannot hear a word that is said. But she really is a caricature of a stage villain, she is so misguided in her actions. I knew it would be too easy and not nearly as much fun as I desired. Instead, I had to settle for driving you and my sister to a distraction by not knowing what was coming. You were working yourself into quite the lather, you two." She cackled as she sat back in her seat.
"That is absolutely diabolical. Why did you not tell me there was no cause to be concerned?" William asked Elizabeth.
"Because I am a coward, William. Need I remind you that there will be but fifteen miles separating our estates. I do nor want to get on Lady Catherine's bad side." Fifteen, she mouthed in mock horror making William laugh. Elizabeth glanced over to her mother, seated by her younger sisters on the other side of the box. "Honestly, it was also nice to have someone go to such lengths in my defense."
"I have failed you already, Elizabeth. My aunt scolded me on this very thing. I am so sorry." Elizabeth took his hand in hers and squeezed.
"William, I will have none of that. There is no need to feel guilty. What could you have done to remedy this? Would you call out Mr. Bingley for not taming his sister? Dissolve your partnership? Almost everything I can think of would result in some damage to your partnership with Mr. Bingley but no consequences for the actual perpetrator. Some things just need to be handled among women."
"I could have come up with some scheme like my aunt." It was more question than statement.
"Hmm, I can just see you conspiring with my father, my uncles, your uncle, who else, maybe your valet, perhaps some school chums, for Miss Bingley's comeuppance. What form would that have taken?" She asked laughing.
"Just because you say that I'm going to write to my cousin Richard and see what plan of action he would come up with. He would love an opportunity to prove his mettle against my aunt."
"Not fair, you can provide your cousin with information as to what ammunition would work best against Miss Bingley. The starting points are not the same."
"Fine, you may craft the letter giving Richard only the information you deem necessary."
"But it is a hollow exercise, it is not as if it will be acted upon. We will be unable to prove the efficacy of the plan."
"Seldom are battlefield plans enacted as intended. Are you saying tactical planning is a hollow exercise?"
"Of course not, but…"
William and Elizabeth bickered playfully even after the play began. Lady Anne leaned over and rested her head on her sister's shoulder and gave a contented sigh. "They are going to be so happy together. Is it not wonderful?"
"It is. How I wished you had experienced the same." Lady Catherine kissed her sister's head and turned back to watch the performance.
