Neither rain, nor sleet, nor trips to London
Caroline Bingley thought she was clever, but she forgot one of her brother's odd quirks: He almost never starts a trip without having to turn around to collect something that he has forgotten. This time his forgetfulness becomes a benefit to him and a curse to his not-so-clever sister when Charles gets a chance to play postman.
Netherfield Park, November 27th, 1811
Caroline Bingley was not a morning person, yet on the morning after her ball, she was wide awake and standing at her bedroom window as her brother Charles rode away toward London. Of course she was awake because she had never gone to sleep, too busy was she in drafting letters to friends and one special letter to Dear Jane.
Yawning now as stretching in satisfaction, Caroline rang for her ladies maid. The girl almost certainly did not expect her mistress to rise before noon or one of the clock, but the timid creature was too conditioned to not wake and come scurrying when the bell rang. There was a certain pleasure in seeing the girl's wide but sleepy eyes as she now stood as near as required yet as far away as she could from Caroline. It is always good to have someone close who knows her place. "Yes, Miss Bingley?"
Caroline pointed at the stack of letters. "Mildred, take these down to Mr. Night. Tell him I want the letters posted this morning. Except for the one marked for Longbourn. It should be hand-delivered first. Then return and help me to undress for bed. I will sleep for four hours and then rise ready for departure. The carriage is to be ready at one." When the tired maid moved too slow, she barked, "Get to it, girl!"
The girl scampered away and Caroline sat on her bed, pleased with herself. The much put upon servant did not bother telling Miss Bingley that her name was Millicent, or that the butler was named Nichols, not Night. The lady would not care and Millicent would only earn a slap for her trouble. Fortunately or unfortunately, Millicent returned to find that her mistress had fallen asleep in her ballgown. Her sleep would be uncomfortable, her gown most likely ruined, but the poor maid did not dare wake the woman.
Sighing, she also took herself to bed. She would need all of the sleep she could beg, borrow, or steal if this day went on as it seemed that it would. Just wait until we reach London, though! I will notify the hiring agent immediately and interview in the mornings, while that witch is asleep. By next week I shall have a new employer! Anyone would be better than her!
Satisfied with her own resolution, the poor beleaguered maid fell back into slumber.
Just outside, some minutes later...
"Where are you off to, James?"
"Longbourn and then the Post, Mr. Bingley. The Miss had quite a handful of letters prepared this morning."
"A letter for Longbourn? Here, give it to me and I will handle the delivery myself, my good man."
Grateful to have his journey shortened, if only by two miles, and pleased that he would have more time in Meryton to flirt with the pretty daughter of the Haberdasher, James quickly fished the letter to Jane Bennet out from the bottom of his stack. "Thank you, Sir. And have a pleasant ride to London."
"On your way, James." Charles Bingley, surprisingly cheerful on so little sleep, watched the footman ride away and then he turned to continue his brisk walk into Netherfield.
Mr. Nichols was the next to encounter him, "Sir? I thought you rode away a half hour since?"
Looking a little like a scolded schoolboy, Charles admitted, "It seems that I forgot my important papers in my study. I realized it on the road and had to turn around. Glad that I did not make it as far as London. Say..." he began, chagrined, "Please don't tell my family or Mr. Darcy about this. They shall chide me, asking where I keep my brain."
Mr. Nichols chuckled, "You have my word, Sir. Oh, and Mr. Darcy departed even before you this morning in his carriage, so he will certainly not hear of it."
"Oh? I suppose that Darcy did say something about Town, but I was tired and thinking on other matters at the time." He quickly proceeded to his study, retrieved the missing papers, and departed again.
The butler shook his head and allowed himself a smile. I would imagine it was thinking of Miss Bennet that blocked all other matters from your mind. She is a fine lady, Mr. Bingley, though I wonder how she will fare if you do not do something about that sister. Watching the man ride away a second time, he took a moment to wonder, Should I have mentioned that his sister ordered the carriage prepared for a long journey?
Then a maid came to speak to him about an expensive vase damaged by one of the drunken officers at the ball on the previous night and other matters were forgotten.
As always happened when Charles approached Longbourn, he felt a thrill of anticipation at the thought of soon seeing the beautiful Miss Jane Bennet. She is an angel! So beautiful. So kind. He road up the drive and tipped his hat to the stable boy who stepped up to take his horse, "Keep him ready, if you will. I cannot stay long. I must be off to London."
"Aye sor," was all the boy said as he led the beautiful horse away.
Elizabeth Bennet was just returning from one of her early morning walks as he approached the door, so he stopped and turned to tip his hat. "Good morning, Miss Elizabeth. I'm off to London, but it seems that my sister had a letter for your sister wanting delivery, so here I am. Is Miss Jane awake?"
Elizabeth smiled, knowing that her sister would rush to be ready once she heard that her suitor was below. "If you can delay for no more then ten minutes, I believe that she will descend. Would you care to enter and take a seat?"
Charles hesitated, due to his turnaround and now this detour, he had already been on his horse for nearly three-quarters of an hour. That meant that he almost certainly smelled of the animal. "Perhaps I should wait outside."
"Very well then. I shall ask Hill to bring a coffee out to you." The cheerful young woman walked briskly inside as Bingley watched. I wonder why Darcy always seems to argue with Miss Elizabeth. Such a bright and lively creature. And pretty, though nobody is equal to my angel.
Jane appeared in only eight minutes, looking somewhat flustered and not quite put-together, which only made her more beautiful in Bingley's eyes. "Hello, Mr. Bingley. Lizzy said that you had a letter from your sister?"
"Yes, here. You look lovely this morning. I do not know why my sister wrote. Perhaps to invite you to tea while I am away in Town?"
Jane took the letter and seemed to hesitate on what to do with it while Mr. Bingley stood there. Elizabeth, seeing the conflict in Jane's expression, chose to distract the man, "Mr. Bingley, while Jane reads why do you not tell me about what needs doing in London. Oh, not any matters of business or private matters, just anything else."
Charles, ever suggestible and compliant, did exactly that. He was so cheerfully speaking that he did not see Jane's smile fade, or her entire expression fall. The young woman, normally so determined to put on a serene front, looked stricken as Elizabeth asked, "Jane, what is wrong?"
Janes eyes were tearful as she turned and rushed inside.
Charles, shocked and concerned, began to follow, but Elizabeth wisely stopped him, "I shall see to her. There must have been something in the letter...? Look, she dropped it there. Why do you not examine it and see what has so overset Jane while I go and speak with her?"
After watching the second sister disappear inside, Charles approached the letter and snatched it up. As he read, his face paled and his normally smiling mouth became set in anger. Several parts in particular made his anger increase:
"I do not pretend to regret anything I shall leave in Hertfordshire, except your society, my dearest friend; but we will hope, at some future period, to enjoy many returns of that delightful intercourse we have known, and in the meanwhile may lessen the pain of separation by a very frequent and most unreserved correspondence. I depend on you for that."
Charles had departed that morning with every intention to return. At no point had either of his sisters or Hurst spoken of following him to London. What scheme is she at now? He continued reading:
"When my brother left us, he imagined that the business which took him to London might be concluded in three or four days; but as we are certain it cannot be so, and at the same time convinced that when Charles gets to town he will be in no hurry to leave it again, we have determined on following him thither, that he may not be obliged to spend his vacant hours in a comfortless hotel. Many of my acquaintances are already there for the winter; I wish that I could hear that you, my dearest friend, had any intention of making one of the crowd-but of that I despair. I sincerely hope your Christmas in Hertfordshire may abound in the gaieties which that season generally brings, and that your beaux will be so numerous as to prevent your feeling the loss of the three of whom we shall deprive you."
Charles cursed out loud and said, "Numerous beaux! Caroline knows that I wish to court Miss Bennet! How dare she!" Realizing that he had crumbled the parchment in his hand, he smoothed it out as best he could and continued reading. A few lines further he read that which was an outright lie:
"Mr. Darcy is impatient to see his sister; and, to confess the truth, WE are scarcely less eager to meet her again. I really do not think Georgiana Darcy has her equal for beauty, elegance, and accomplishments; and the affection she inspires in Louisa and myself is heightened into something still more interesting, from the hope we dare entertain of her being hereafter our sister. I do not know whether I ever before mentioned to you my feelings on this subject; but I will not leave the country without confiding them, and I trust you will not esteem them unreasonable. My brother admires her greatly already; he will have frequent opportunity now of seeing her on the most intimate footing; her relations all wish the connection as much as his own; and a sister's partiality is not misleading me, I think, when I call Charles most capable of engaging any woman's heart. With all these circumstances to favour an attachment, and nothing to prevent it, am I wrong, my dearest Jane, in indulging the hope of an event which will secure the happiness of so many?"
"Damn her! How can she write such outright lies!? Miss Darcy is only fifteen and like a sister to me!"
"Is it traditional in London now for men to stand outside another man's estate to yell and curse, Mr. Bingley?" Charles looked away from his shaking hands and saw Mr. Bennet standing there, looking both stern and bemused.
Charles bowed, "Please accept my apologies, Mr. Bennet. It is this... this pack of lies! I was on my way to Town on business when I recalled that I had forgotten something, so I turned back. A footman was preparing to visit the post and your home with letters, so I offered to take the letter for here. Only when Miss Bennet read the letter, she rushed off in tears! And now I read what my sister wrote, I understand fully! Here Sir, read this."
Mr. Bennet was surprised to have the crumbled article shoved at him, but he took it, expecting some entertainment from the letter. After reading it in its entirety, he shook his head. The schemes of ladies indeed. Thomas looked at his daughter's suitor, "May I ask a few questions?"
"Certainly. I have nothing to hide."
"You say that you were going to London. Did you intend to return in three to four days or were you intending to remain?"
"To return, certainly! I was actually hoping to finish sooner, perhaps in two days, so I departed early... and had to turn around."
"And do you have a tendre for this young lady, Mr. Darcy's sister?"
"Certainly not! She is fifteen, not yet out, and much like a sister to me."
"And is it certain then, that your sisters and Messers Hurst and Darcy are to depart today?"
"Mr. Darcy has already departed, earlier than me I am told. I knew of his intentions. The rest comes as a great surprise to me. I was not even intending to open my town house, but was intending to take a hotel, just as she stated."
Thomas Bennet grinned, "Then you have before you a quandary, Mr. Bingley. You can remount your horse and hurry off to town, where it seems that your sister, at least, intends to do all in her power to dissuade you from returning. Or you may remain here this morning, where I will speak to my upset daughter and cajole her into returning downstairs so that you may explain the truth as you see it.
"Mr. Bingley, in making this decision you will either please your sister and lose my Jane, or you will please and appease my Jane and set yourself in conflict with your sister. I will be honest with you: as much as I respect you, I will not entertain any possible future for you with my daughter until you have properly dealt with matters with your sisters. There cannot be two women in charge of one home and I will never give my Jane into a situation where that conflict exists. Think on your choice, young man. If you remain and wish to speak with my daughter, then ask Mrs. Hill to call for me."
With that Mr. Bennet returned inside and left Charles to fume and ponder. It did not take long: Darcy has always been telling me that I must take my sister in hand. This is the last time that I will allow her to try and control my life!
A few minutes later, Thomas stepped out again, recalled by Mrs. Hill. "You have made a decision then?"
"Yes, Sir. I wish to speak with your daughter and reassure her. Then I must deal with my sister."
"Might I offer another suggestion?"
"Of course, Mr. Bennet."
"Did you have a set appointment with your man of business?"
"No. He only knew to expect me today or tomorrow."
"Your talk with Jane might take a while. Why not stay for the day. Allow your family to depart. Perhaps even take a different room once you arrive and let them spend some energy searching for you. I believe that your man of business might be able to help you set certain matters in motion concerning your sister? Then, only when you have the upper hand, should you approach her."
Charles thought on this for several minutes, his angry scowl slowly returning to his natural smile, "Your advice is sound, Mr. Bennet. I believe that I shall follow it. May I ask to speak with your daughter now?"
"Well, I fear that my Lydia is still soundly sleeping now, but I could perhaps convince Jane to come down."
Jane did step down, though only after her father reassured her that all was well and Elizabeth helped to tend to her swollen eyes. Once she joined Charles they took a walk in the garden. Elizabeth and her father stood at his study window to watch the pair and smiled at each other when Jane's face blossomed into joy. "Well, that is done. Let us hope that your mother continues to sleep for a few more hours before our peace is shattered."
There was to be no peace yet, however. Just at that moment a man cleared his voice behind the father and daughter, "Mr. Bennet, may I hope for a few moments to declare myself to your most worthy daughter, Miss Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth looked from Mr. Collins to her father in alarm. She was grateful when her father's face turned stormy and he said, "I see no possible reason that you would need to speak to my Elizabeth alone. Daughter, go outside and play chaperon while I speak with Mr. Collins."
She never heard what exactly transpired, but Elizabeth would always be grateful for the image of Mr. Collins storming out of Longbourn with his hat and valise, demanding transportation to the inn and the post.
Three days later a very serious Charles Bingley walked into his townhouse. Before he went into the sitting room, he pulled his butler and housekeeper aside, giving them very specific instructions. Then he pushed open the double doors of the room where his family were ensconced. Hurst, as per usual, was snoring with a glass and an open bottle of Bingley's best brandy on the table beside him. Louisa, Bingley's oldest sister and Mr. Hurst's wife, was playing with her bangles and agreeing with their younger sister. Caroline Bingley was in full fervor, complaining loudly.
Upon seeing Charles, Caroline immediately began scolding him, demanding an answer to where he had been and berating him for missing last evenings festivities, where she had arranged for him to meet the "lovely Miss Devries!"
Charles, having heard all that he wished to, barked, "Enough! Be silent, Caroline!" Hurst jerked awake, his hand upending the glass of brandy. Caroline tried to bark back, but this time Charles was having none of it.
When he departed to return to his hotel an hour later, several important matters had been addressed:
His wine cellar was locked, but only after the bottles in his study were also returned there. The entire contents would soon be traveling north to Netherfield.
His lease on the townhouse would cease at the end of December. The Hursts and Caroline would be allowed to remain through then, but no longer. None of them were welcome to take up residence at the estate that they had so precipitately abandoned. Charles reminded the Hursts that they had a small estate that required attention. He also suggested that they take Caroline with them.
Failing that, and regardless of their decision to host her, Caroline's dowry was now her own to manage. Charles would no longer manage or supplement it. Already his solicitor had begun the process of notifying the merchants and dressmakers of London that his sisters could no longer purchase on his accounts.
And he was engaged to Miss Jane Bennet. When he married her in December she would be the one and only mistress of his estate, either at Netherfield or elsewhere if they so chose. Caroline would not return to play hostess and she would never have the opportunity to overshadow his beloved wife.
Fitzwilliam Darcy read his friend's much scribbled and blotted letter from Pemberley with a mixture of chagrin and amusement. After deciphering the hen-scratching, several lines stood out, and one in particular set him back and made him rethink his own behavior in Hertfordshire:
"Caroline tried to argue that my Jane did not particularly care for me. Yet I had the evidence of Jane's reaction to Caroline's letter to prove otherwise. My dear Jane was devastated to learn (falsely) that I was in pursuit of your sister. It took me some time to reassure her and get her to cease crying. Of course my angel is beautiful even when she cries." Darcy wanted to hold on to his own belief that Miss Bennet did not love his friend, yet the evidence showed otherwise. While he might think the lady too placid, he did not think her false. She would not act the part of a devastated lover if she did not feel it in truth.
Another excerpt read: "Both Louisa and Caroline attempted to argue that I would acquire a large number of embarrassing relatives if I married Jane. I stated most clearly that I already had embarrassing relatives close at hand, so what would it matter if I gained a few more. They did not appreciate this, of course. Yet I would argue that while some of Jane's family may be uncouth and perhaps even grasping, at least they are not mean, controlling, and manipulative." Darcy, having endured a long and sharp letter from his Aunt Catherine the day before, found himself in agreement. And who would not trade in ten Louisas or Carolines for one Miss Elizabeth?
And that brought him to the final excerpt which both startled him and made him think: "Knowing how poorly you and Miss Elizabeth get along, I asked my Jane if it would cause problems if you were able to return and stand up with me at our wedding. My sister Elizabeth will, of course, stand with Jane.
"She said that all would be well and that she would ask her sister to refrain from arguing. In the conversation I learned that Miss Elizabeth heard your insulting words at that first assembly and that has been the beginning of her dislike. I tried to explain that you did not like crowds or dancing, but Jane told me that any excuses or apologies had to come from you to Miss Elizabeth for it to make any difference."
Each time that Darcy read this and remembered his own words at the assembly, he cringed. He had been raised by his parents to be a gentlemen, but left to fall into pride and arrogance. He found himself revisiting each encounter, each conversation, and each look that passed between them. Whereas before he believed that the lady had been debating with him and attempting to capture his interest, now he saw the truth.
These many and constant reviews also kept the enticing image and memory of the fair Elizabeth on the forefront of Darcy's mind. He had left Netherfield in part to separate himself from her presence so that she could no longer tempt him. Now that intention was lost in contrition and desire. Despite his strongest determination, Darcy found himself and and his sister on the road from Derbyshire toward Meryton a week before the wedding.
As this story is about a letter, it is unnecessary here to relate the details of a much-needed apology and the subsequent and rocky relationship that followed. Suffice it to say that Fitzwilliam Darcy departed for London on the day after the wedding, but only with the understanding that he would pay court to Elizabeth Bennet during her own stay in London at the Gardiners.
In the many years that followed Caroline was never able to fully forget that it was her own letter to Jane along with her brother's forgetfulness which became the undoing of all her cherished plans. Despite this knowledge she never reconciled with her brother, and so never had to witness the felicity of the two friends and the two sisters who became their brides.