Hello lovely People

I am sorry this is taking a bit of an age to post new chapters. Typically I write on the train when I commute to and from work - but covid has me still working from home so I don't get that little bit of 'me' time quite the same...

Hope everyone is keeping well and thanks again to everyone who read and takes the time to review. They really brighten my day ;)


"I am awaiting an explanation," he replied sternly. He stood tall, square shouldered and unusually stiff. His mouth was set in a tight thin line which only accentuated the sharpness of his cheekbones. Caroline looked upon him somewhat dumbfounded. She felt a flutter of panic within her chest as the hair on the back of her neck shot to attention under the coldness of her brother's stare. All trace of his jolly, easy temper was gone; the man before her she knew not. It made her uneasy. Never had her brother reminded her of their mother so.

"Charles it is all but a silly misunderstanding," she began; faltering upon hearing the uncertainty in her own voice. Her mind was a whirl with sudden panic. How much could she truly reveal? What exactly had her brother learned from his short visit with the odious Miss Eliza Bennet? She knew not how best to respond, and it vexed her greatly.

How dare her courage fail her now! She scolded herself for such a weak display. She had never before been intimidated by her brother; she would be damned if she would allow herself to be so now. To be meek in response to the first notion of Charles acting as a real man of determination was unforgiveable.

"Oh, for heaven's sakes Charles, it is but a misunderstanding!" She spat the words in an attempt to gain authority. Upon hearing the hardness of her tone, she witnessed a flicker of doubt pass across her brothers set expression; this pleased her immensely.

She had not yet lost control of the situation. Her spirits thus rallied she continued with her usual gusto. "Now, let us go inside and take tea. We shall discuss the matter when, and only when, you have calmed yourself. I am sure after a moment of reflection you shall repent upon such a harsh, and may I add unjust charge upon my person. I mean really Charles such boorish behaviour, implying that I keep secrets from my own dear brother. What must poor Darcy think of your ungentlemanly conduct? Bursting forth from his very carriage to accuse me of something which was merely a small misunderstanding amongst common and indifferent acquaintances. I dare say he was most embarrassed by it all, for I know I am most ashamed of you. And in front of his dear sister no less. It was very badly done."

"Enough Caroline. That is quite enough. Do you think me such a simpleton that you can simply talk around the question and shame me into relenting? To entirely forgo my aim in speaking with you? Upon my word, dear sister, I have had quite enough of your excuses. You cannot think I do not know your true nature? Do you really believe after almost one and twenty years I do not know your character? I have always been your champion, but never through blindness of your faults. I have always protected you from your own ridiculousness, shielding you from the vexation of others created by the use of your own sharp tongue. I have done my best to keep gossip and the distain of others from reaching you; but I shall do so no longer sister if you have betrayed my trust in this. You may think me a fool Caroline, but I have done all in my power to protect you from yourself, even if you are too conceited and full of self-importance to consider such a truth. However, even knowing your spoilt nature never did I believe you would stoop quite so low as to manipulate your own kin!"

"You protect me?" She scoffed, choosing to ignore his rather unflattering observation of her character. "Oh, Charles do be serious. For a moment I was rather alarmed by the uncharacteristic fire within your person, mildly impressed even I must admit. Yet once again you disappoint. Do not place your own failings in the situation upon my shoulders."

She walked several steps away from him, turning her back in order to regain her composure. How dare he speak to her so. Her cheeks burned hot as her anger swelled. This whole distasteful situation was Miss Eliza Bennets doing. Oh, how the woman would rejoice if she could see them both now.

"You accuse me of being in possession of a sharp tongue! Perhaps mydear brother, if you fulfilled the duty as head of this family, I would not need to voice my opinions so forcefully. If a man speaks his mind, it is his duty. He is respected by his peers and admired for his forthright nature; but if a woman should voice her own opinions she is deemed at fault? Chastised and frowned upon, expected to hide behind the shirttails of her own brother? You! A man who cannot make up his own mind with true certainty can have no place in acting in the so-called role as my protector." She laughed in exasperation. She was done. Picking up her skirts, she turned ready to depart for the safety of the house. There was no way Mr Darcy would tolerate such uncivil behaviour under the roof of Pemberley.

"We are not done here," Charles yelled, stepping forward, taking hold of Caroline's wrist impending her attempt at escape.

"You may not be, but I most certainly am. One morning in the company of Miss Eliza Bennet and you are practically feral. If this display was not justification enough to relent all thoughts of purchasing Netherfield Park, I do not know what more advice on the matter one can give you."

"Stop this at once Caroline. I know what you are doing. Manoeuvring the line of conversation to best suit yourself. Insulting the character of another in order to bring everyone down to your level. It is a habit of a lifetime, and I should not have expected anything less. But on this matter, you shall not deter me. I will ask this but once more. Did you or did you not know Miss Jane Bennet was in London."

He let go of her wrist. Such a scene gave him no pleasure. He signed loudly, running his hand through his hair in frustration. He looked across at her, the look of anger upon his face now replaced with a pensive expression.

"I need to know, was she in London? I simply cannot understand that if she was in town, why would she not let it be known to me?"

The regret in his voice only vexed Caroline further. Her brother clearly still believed himself in love, or at least to have some sort of feelings towards the older Miss Bennet. A full London season had almost passed since their last meeting in Hertfordshire, yet he obviously still pined for the girl. Such ridiculous displays of sentiment over a girl most unsuitable she could not comprehend. Yet, it was this very softness, this weakness of her brothers' heart, she could use to her advantage.

She looked down at the ground just long enough to give the impression of remorse, before lifting her gaze to meet her brother's.

"Yes, Miss Jane Bennet was indeed in town, but it was not my place to divulge such information."

"Not your place? You are my sister! If not you to share with me such news, then who? Caroline, you knew what my expectations were last November, you knew how I felt. Yet it was my own family and closest friend who warned me over making a fool of myself. I have regretted ever since our departure my cowardice in not asking the truth of the lady. For I do not believe she would ever deceive me. Yet, I felt such a fool when presented with the notion that she did not care for me."

"Charles it not seem important at the time to..."

"Important! It did not seem important that the woman whom I previously believed myself willing to forever call my own was but a stone's throw away from my own front door?"

"Charles you are being ridiculous, do not upset yourself so. She did not wish to see us."

"But she did see you. Do not deny it, for her sister has already confirmed that you and Miss Bennet did indeed meet."

Caroline paused as her brain tried to process all the scenarios and exchanges from their two very short meetings which Jane could have shared with her sister. How clever of Charles, to ask if she knew when he had already been informed that they had indeed met. How sly of her brother. What had Miss Eliza told her brother exactly. How much did she know of what was said between the two women? Did Charles know that Jane had written to her immediately upon her arrival in town? Did he know it was almost a month before Caroline had written a rather curt response back? It had been only out of politeness that she had invited Jane to tea one afternoon, knowing full well Charles was otherwise safely engaged.

Caroline had tried her best to be neutral, to simply see the girl as a past acquaintance; yet it was clear from the very start that she was still just as enamoured with her brother as he was with her. Caroline had done all in her power to imply that her brother was the life and very soul of ton society. To repeat the hope of soon calling Miss Darcy's sister, was indeed rather a stretch, but it was an effective tool in her arsonry. It had not taken long to crush the girl's spirit, while maintaining the facade of friendship. Poor naive Jane, for she truly believed that Caroline was indeed a dear friend. So much so the girl had continued to write and had even continued to call upon her several times.

Caroline of course had informed the staff that Miss Bennet was not be permitted access during visiting hours. Their second meeting had only occurred out of pure necessity. Her brother had been uncharacteristically at home participating in morning calls when she had been informed that Miss Bennet was waiting to be admitted. Cursing the staff for their incompetence, Caroline had rushed to receive Jane alone, taking her to the small library for tea in order to avoid the party which was gathered in the parlour. It was during this meeting that Caroline, rather ungraciously, had informed Jane that they were likely to never be back to Netherfield and that she would soon be leaving London for the country. She had implied that there was nothing she would miss about Hertfordshire, and thankfully it seemed Jane had been quite astute in understanding her full meaning. The call ended soon after and Caroline had not heard from Jane since.

Yet the only question which remained was how much of her conduct had been brought to her brothers' attention. To expose herself to more detail than necessary would not do herself any favours, yet she did not want to be caught out.

"As you seem to know so much, why not just tell me what you wish to know?"

"It would appear I know nothing."

"You knew that Miss Bennet and I did indeed cross paths this season."

"Yes, but that is all I know, I wish to know particulars. I wish to know why I was not informed?"

"It gives me no pleasure to tell you this, but I kept Miss Bennets presence in town to myself at the request of the lady. She did not wish you to know Charles."

She waited a moment for her little white lie to settle. Upon seeing the sadness of his expression, she knew this was her best way to end this discussion once and for all.

"I do not know what Miss Bennet has spoken to her sister, for I can only tell you what I know from my own experience. Upon hearing Miss Bennet was in town, I wrote to her. It became clear she was not unwilling to resume our previous acquaintance, but it was not forthcoming. When we did finally meet, she asked me to keep her arrival in town from your knowledge. I think she was embarrassed still by your overzealous attention last autumn. I told her I did not like keeping secrets from my family, but she begged me brother, so what else could I do but promise to keep her confidence?"

She paused to observe his reaction. He no longer looked angry, he stance less tense; but there was an expression of such sadness upon his face that Caroline almost regretted the cruelness of her words.

"She did not wish to see you or be known to you. If that is not confirmation enough that your previous thoughts of her being a potential bride were lost forever, I can think of no other logic. Miss Bennet, unlike her sister, is no gossip. I am sure what was said to me was said in the strictest of confidence. It would not surprise me if Miss Eliza Bennet had merely brought up the subject in order to cause her poor sister much embarrassment. Charles, do not fall prey to the incessant need in which some woman have for gossip. Do not let the devious nature of one woman come between the bonds of brother and sister. I admit I was wrong to keep such a truth from you, but I hope you can understand. Jane is my friend and I did not wish to cause either of you pain."

"You should have told me. I should have been told. Did Darcy know?"

She bit her lip, oh lord he was not going to continue this ridiculous conversation with Darcy?

"I do not know; I would expect not. I daresay Jane would have known to avoid his introduction. They are not exactly likely to move in the same circles. Jane only came to me from the duty of our friendship. I do not wish to cause her any further discomfort."

"I never wished to cause Jane discomfort," Charles replied softly. "I would never hurt her."

"Then that is settled then. Let us forget this conversation entirely. It can do no one involved any good to dwell on the matter. Let me assure you Charles, I did not keep secrets from you willingly; but I could not break the trust of a friend. I am sorry that it has affected you so. I am sure in time your heart will mend."

"I am still angry with you, though I cannot fault your loyalties to a friend. If anything, it pleases to see you so. Give me a few days to process this news and I am sure I will see the sense of the situation. Perhaps you are right, we should say no more on the matter."

"I could not agree more. Come, let us go inside and I shall ask Mrs Reynolds to bring you some delightful tea and cake. For cake has never failed to perk your disposition, even as a boy."

Linking her arm through his, they headed towards the house. Upon entering the foyer and removing the wrap from her shoulders; Caroline finally let a small sigh of relief escape her lips. That had been too close, but she was certain she had managed to turn the topic in a way which worked to her advantage. Damn Eliza Bennet. No doubt she would be seeing her again soon during her stay at Pemberley. It was very clear she would need to keep a very close eye on that woman.