"Engaged you say!" Caroline cried, her fork half way to her mouth. "To Mr Wickham? As in the red coat, you are certain?" She could not have been more shocked by the news Charles had shared. She smiled sardonically, "Poor Miss Eliza. How despondent she must feel, to be passed over for one's younger sister."
"Yes, quite certain," Charles replied over the top of his Chronicle, not registering his sister's barb at Elizabeth. "There is a small announcement in the morning paper." He tried to keep his tone neutral, disinterested; just as Darcy had requested. They had spent over a week searching the pair out. Yesterday it had all come to a head, with the couple being discovered renting a room in Lime Street.
Charles was not sure of the particulars, in truth he did not wish to know, he was happy simply doing as instructed. He had been charged with placing the announcement in the morning papers whilst Darcy and Lord Colville agreed to settle the rest. He had not been entirely sure as what one included in a wedding announcement, so had kept the disclosure short and straight to the point. Colonel Fitzwilliam, for his part, was finding Wickham a new militia post far away from London; and by proxy, of course Meryton. He took comfort knowing their nuptials were due to take place in just three days' time. Surely such speed would ensure all hint of scandal to be securely extinguished.
The Bennet girl was now in the care of her aunt and uncle until the wedding took place at St Clements. The only role Charles still had to play was to ensure as many people knew of the engagement as possible. It was imperative that anyone expecting otherwise was to be convinced a betrothal had always been the scenario. He would do all he could to promote such a story, anything to help safeguard Jane. Poor Jane he thought with feeling, how he hoped this unfortunate affair had not caused her too much pain. She may not have loved him, but he was still not quite able to forget her. Hopefully his sisters, and their aptitude for gossip, would serve his purpose well.
No one would ever know the girl had been so foolish; no one would know Wickham never intended to marry her. Charles felt his blood boil at such a disrespectful, deceitful, selfish man! How could a gentleman, any gentlemen, behave in such a manner? What pained him most was the realisation that the silly, naive Miss Bennet seemed entirely besotted with the man. He pitied the girl for he wondered how long such an opinion of her future husband would last.
It was through their time together at university that Charles had befriended Darcy, a friendship which had only strengthen as the two matured. At the time, Darcy and George Wickham shared university lodgings; so the three had often been in company. Although Charles never really liked the fellow, too flash and boisterous for his taste, he had never thought he would turn out quite so scandalous. Charles often wondered if this was the reason he and Darcy had become such astute friends, with him offering the gentleman easy company in comparison to that of his father's unruly godson.
Charles in truth owed much of his happiness at Cambridge to Darcy. Without his friendship the stigma of new money and no status would have been much more prevalent. Both gentlemen had needed the other for their own personal survival. They had enjoyed endless debates, walks in the Walkerian Botanic Garden and studying in the library until their candles grew so small, they could barely see the pages in the wee small hours. Above all they had given each other what they had craved for most, companionship.
At that moment a young sandy haired boy came into the parlour, twisting his flat cap in his hands as he fidgeted nervously. Upon seeing Charles, he dropped his eyes to the floor. Charles smiled at the boy's bashful behaviour, clocking the faint bruising of a black eye and burst lip. Boys would be boys.
"Beggin', yer pardon Miss Bingley but em carriage has been brought round as yer request. Shall I get em to wait?"
"Ah perfect Simon, I shall be but a few moments. Go and wait with the driver, I shall be with you shortly."
The boy nodded and hurried from the room. Charles looked after him rather puzzled, he was certain he had seen the boy before but could not place him. He glanced at Caroline.
"Oh, Charles do close your mouth and stop starring. You know full well I intended to hire another errand boy. Simon has been with us but less than a week. Do try and make him feel welcome. I have yet to decide if I shall keep him."
He nodded at his sister. She was always hiring and firing some member of the household staff; he preferred to stay out of such matters. The house was Caroline's domain.
"Are you quite certain this is what you want?" Montague asked, waiting till Charles had finished reading the returned correspondence. "I know I initially supported such an idea but I wish to know you are still quite determined to meet with the fellow, in your own home no less."
"I am quite certain this is the best course of action; I think even Darcy agrees. How better to understand one's potential enemy than to break bread with him? A week in each other's company I am sure will tell us more about the other than months of correspondence. Nor will I be alone. We all know my sister is fearsome protective, especially where our fortune is concerned. You are in our corner and Darcy shall be often present. I am certain you would prefer to suss the gentleman out first hand. So, you see I really do believe that once my cousin and I meet again after so many years apart, all can be discussed as gentleman. I am sure the matter can be settled amicably."
Montague raised his brow. He could not tell if Bingley was just hopelessly optimistic or quite simply dim in the head. Discuss the matter as gentleman, what was there to discuss? His cousin was challenging their livelihood. He wished for the share which he felt was rightly his. He doubted very much Alfred Bingley would simply concede with his legal suit upon realisation that his cousin Charles was indeed quite a charming fellow.
"Very well," Montague replied. "If you are certain, he is best to stay with you rather than elsewhere, who am I to force the matter. As the letter states he will be here by Wednesday and stay the fortnight thereafter. For my part I wish you to be careful what you say and discuss when I am not present. I do insist Bingley, if you wish for my council you must pay heed to my advice. I cannot allow you to give Alfred any information which he can then use to our disadvantage, intentional or otherwise."
"As if I would!" Charles huffed. "You sir are as bad as Caroline. She practically hit the roof when I said I had written him an invitation to visit with us. Screamed the place down so she did. Called me out entirely. It would seem, like you, she does not trust the man. But Caroline is Caroline, she cannot see what she does not wish to. I am not as foolish as everyone thinks. I am fully aware of the dangers, what it would mean if his claim ran true. I am however, hopeful. I am confident my father was not the sort of man to be so careless as to make bargains. Nor can I think him so dishonest that he would take the profits owed to another as his own. So yes, I do believe my cousin and I should be able to settle this discussion, hopefully bypassing court altogether."
"Speaking of your sister," Montague began tentatively. "You are more than aware of her... shall we say your sisters' high spirits? I must advice you to keep her in check around your cousin. We know her tongue to be rather sharp when so desired. There is no point angering the bear when more flies are caught with honey."
"You are worried her temper may give rise to her causing offense?"
Montague smiled, unable to help himself. Causing offense was something Caroline did most expertly. 'The thought has crossed my mind."
"You feel I am too lenient on her? Perhaps I am, I have always rather over indulged her behaviour. It does tend to make my life easier. She has always been rather head strong, much like our mother." He paused in thought before continuing; "losing our father so suddenly, then all the struggle with mother... she was but fourteen. For her part she took on most of the work, I was unable to help. Mother and I had struggled at the best of times. I was away in university; Louisa was soon wed. I often think she married in haste just to have a real home again. I was not prepared to take on my younger sister. I believe she will always resent me for it. I have not been firm in my role as guardian, and now she is nearly of age I feel the ship has somewhat sailed." Seeing the look upon Montague's face he composed himself. "Do not fret, I shall speak to her privately. She will understand the gravity of the situation concerning our cousin."
Montague considered Charles somewhat reflective change in attitude, seeing the first glimpse of the real man behind his typical steadfast cheery disposition. There was depth to be found there after all. No sooner than the sombre words were spoken, Charles reverted back. A forced, bright smile fixed once more upon his face.
"Tell me," Bingley spoke brightly, "do you plan on attending the Mayweather masquerade? It is but eight days away. I fear I have left my costume choice rather late in the day. I fear every man will wish to be a maharaja. Do you know Miss De Bourgh, Darcy's cousin? She is a member of the charity and a dear friend."
"Yes, I am acquainted with Miss De Bourgh, she is rather skilled at extracting donations without one realising they are even doing so. I Already have my ticket. My uncle is attending and I have been asked to act as chaperone to my cousin. I am most fortunate in that sense, for she has taken our costumes upon herself. I am merely to meet with the tailor on Thursday.
"Your cousin you say," Bingley asked his curiosity piqued. "How fortunate you are to have a lady so happy to take charge. I find ladies excel themselves in such creative a task. Perhaps I will need to beg for Caroline's assistance."
Montague merely nodded unwilling to discuss the topic of his cousin further. "I imagine you sister would excel in a great many things if she were to simply apply herself to the task in hand. Now, I really must be leaving, I promised Viscount Scarsdale I would call upon him at the club."
"You are meeting with the Colonels brother?"
"One and the same. A small matter on behalf of his father."
"I have never been a fan of Henry; he and his brother could not be more unalike. Beat me most atrociously at cards last time we played. Entirely cleaned me out."
"Perhaps that eludes more to your skill at the card table than that of his character," he laughed tipping his hat before picking up a pile of papers upon the desk. "I shall see myself out."
He left the room and walked the now familiar hall of the Bingley's townhouse. He paused upon passing the drawing room, listening for any hint of life within. Nothing. He had not seen Caroline since their parting upon arriving back in London four days ago. Not that he wished to see the girl, he told himself; he simply preferred not to let the woman surprise him. Smiling at the maid, who rushed to open the front door, he stepped out into the late afternoon sunshine. He looked up just as the carriage pulled alongside the kerb.
He watched as a young boy hopped down from the seat beside the driver and scurried with haste, ready to open the door. A mass of parcels dropped into his out stretched awaiting arms, before Caroline emerged from the carriage, a mass of swirling dark, golden velvet.
"Oh, for heaven's sake," she moaned rolling her eyes. "Am I never to be rid of you?" She looked past Montague entirely. "Simon, take these inside and have Hannah place them in my rooms. Then I wish you to go with Jensen, he knows the way; there is a package for me at Mcguvans. Tell them I shall be back by the end of the week to discuss the restoration. Tell them I will not be put off again."
She leaned back into the carriage and pulled out another box. "Well off you go boy, you have your instructions, be gone."
The boy quickly ran up the steps past Montague, giving the gentleman a quick bow as he passed.
"Simon?" Montague asked surprised. "What in the devil is that child doing here?"
"He needed employment and I needed an errand boy. It is quite simple."
"You offered him a job," he said smiling at the young woman before him with her nose in the air. "How did you even know?"
"You are not the only one to observe what goes on around them. I heard the reason behind the boys beating was due to his being offered the job of a farm hand over another. When people are desperate, they cannot be trusted. Why would I leave the child there? He had no one to help him, his family did not seem concerned. There was nothing to keep him in Derbyshire."
"No that is true, his family would have as soon as sent him to the poor house than feed another mouth."
"No one deserves such a fate." She spoke forcibly. She saw the look he was giving her and did not like it. "It is merely a trail. I was looking for staff regardless. If he cannot do the job, I shall not think twice about letting him go."
"Where is he staying? I highly doubt he has connections to help him in London, perhaps I..."
"Do not concern yourself. I have settled such matters. He is in a boarding house."
"A boarding house," he all but laughed. "Is that not rather grand for a mere errand boy?"
"The matter does not concern you. I assume you are leaving? Please do not let me detain you further." She moved to pass him, but be moved slightly blocking her route.
"While I have you, there is a matter I wish to discuss. I have just spoken to your brother regarding his invitation to your cousin."
"Can you believe I am to endure that man in my own home!"
"Your brother thinks it is for the best. For my part I too have reservations, but also agree it is better the devil you know."
"What is it you wish to discuss?"
"I am asking you to be a gracious and welcoming hostess. I do not want to give him any fuel to his fire."
"You are accusing me of being uncivil? I believe where he is concerned, I have every reason to wish him ill. He is waging war on our very existence. I have every intention to tell him exactly what I think of him!"
"All the more reason for you to control your temper."
"You are chastising me for not hiding my poor opinion of my so-called cousin?"
"I am merely asking you to check your behaviour."
"You are asking me to bow down," she all but roared.
"It is not the same thing;" he replied his own irk rising. They were arguing in the damn street no less!
"Of course, it is. You are asking me to hide what I think, to not say what I believe. If I were a man, we would not be having this conversation. You would take my opinion for what it was. You would take my mistrust and censure of a man whom I believe no more than a con artist as informed guidance. You would not tell me to simply hold my tongue in fear of causing such a scoundrel offense. You would not dare tell my brother to play the gracious hostess."
"We are not talking about the rights of men..."
"You mean the place of women."
"I do not wish to argue. I have said my peace, I have given my warning. I am simply asking that you do not anger this man unnecessarily. I see no reason for us to fear him. Yet, until we know more, we must consider the fact that whatever proof is in his possession could indeed harm you and your family. Caroline, I am merely trying to help you."
Her eyes grew wide upon him using her name, but she did not call him out over it. "I neither asked for your guidance, nor do I wish it."
"Now see here. Whether you like it or not I have agreed to help your brother. By extension that would mean you too. May I advise that you grow up. It is time you embraced playing the games of the adult world rather than that of an over indulged child."
"Does my brother know how shockingly you speak to me?"
"I imagine your brother only wishes be had the nerve to do so himself. Good day Miss Bingley." He smiled with satisfaction at the look upon her face and headed in the direction of Whitechapel.
