Notes: I promise, this is the last sad chapter.
Many thanks to my beta reader and co-author Sam. H.
Part III
April 1812 – August 1812
Depression and anxiety are negative feelings, and when combined with loneliness, create a powerful conflux resulting in devastating consequences for one's well-being and self-esteem.
By mid-April, Caroline Bingley felt the quickening. Completely isolated in Meryton, she spent most of her time at Netherfield worrying about her future. Her maid, Jenny, who had cleaned up the evidence on the sheets was aware of her condition, but she promised to keep her confidence.
Bingley immediately started making arrangements to travel to Scotland with his sister. She will soon not be able to hide the pregnancy, even with today's fashions in dresses and they left for Scotland as soon as all the arrangements were made
A storm broke out the morning of the second day of travel. With little visibility, a carriage travelling in the opposite direction drove too quickly around a bend in the road and collided with the Bingleys'.
Bingley's coachman was thrown from atop the coach, falling hard and breaking several bones. Caroline hit her head and lost consciousness, Jenny broke her arm and leg, and Bingley, though tumbled about, was the most fortunate of all, receiving no long-term injuries. He tried to revive his motionless sister, but she did not wake.
In the other carriage was a young couple, unknown to Bingley. The lady was distraught and in tears as her husband was in great pain.
Both carriages were in too poor a condition to continue on. They did not have long to wait before three more carriages came upon their accident sight and stopped to be of assistance. One of the carriages belonged to the Farrows - a wealthy family the Bingleys were acquainted with superficially - and the other two belonged to families of the Ton. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the Farrows offered to take the injured Caroline to the next inn, about 10 miles away. Another family offered to take Bingley and Jenny, and the third one agreed to take the young couple.
Since the Bingleys coachman's injuries seemed quite severe, it did not seem wise for him to travel cramped in a carriage. Bingley and Mr. Farrow gently moved him to lie inside Bingley's carriage and promised to return for him.
The Bingleys stayed at the inn for several days. Due to inclement weather, the Farrows had to remain as well. The doctor who examined Caroline, who regained consciousness before reaching the inn, determined that she had suffered a severe blow to the head. Rest and calmness were all she needed to recover; she was fortunate it was not life-threatening. The babe was well and once her headaches were gone; she could continue with their trip.
By chance, or perhaps because Mrs. Farrow directly asked the doctor who treated Miss Bingley, Mrs. Farrow learned of Miss Bingley's condition.
Due to their injuries, the coachman and Jenny could not continue the trip to Scotland. Bingley arranged for their long-term care at the inn, until their injuries were healed and left the necessary amounts they would need to return to Netherfield.
A carriage and coachman were hired and the Bingley's continued on their journey. Almost three weeks after they left Nethefield, they finally arrived at their destination. The cabin where Caroline would stay was small and far from Edinburgh. The nurse, Mrs. Douglas, was already there, but a new maid was employed at the last town to attend Caroline. He left several hundred pounds with Caroline for any unforeseen circumstances and promised to return before the child was born at the beginning of the summer. A week later, he returned to Netherfield.
Caroline's life in Scotland was bleak. She was not a woman who knew how to keep herself company. She required society, gossip and attention. Her only constant companions were the thoughts in her head, reminding her of how wrong a turn her life had taken. As each day went by she became more anxious and depressed. Her physical condition made her uncomfortable and her mental state made her lethargic. Not a month into her sojourn there had gone by when a letter arrived which would be the catalyst to her making a most drastic decision.
June 10, 1812
Dear Caroline,
I am so upset with you. How could you be so irresponsible as to get pregnant out of wedlock? How could you be so careless as to let Mrs. Farrow of all people to find out about your unfortunate situation? What were you thinking? I cannot believe your lack of consideration for us!
The consequences of your reckless actions are disastrous. Everyone we know is gossiping about your pregnancy and speculating about who the father might be. Your condition was even published on the gossip page of the newspaper!
It is unendurable. In the last two days, I have received letters from Miss Edison, Miss March, and Mrs. Ethel asking if the rumours and gossip spreading throughout the Kingdom were true. I have never been so embarrassed in my life.
It is imperative you do not return to London. Certainly not for several years, if ever. You must also marry as soon as possible. Charles said he is willing to add 10,000 pounds to your dowry.
Unfortunately, my husband and mother-in-law have informed me that you are not allowed to visit my husband's estate. In fact, they want me to cut all ties to you. My husband has made it clear to me, he will not allow your poor reputation to impact his good name or that of our unborn child, due in just a few weeks.
I am sorry for your sad and unfortunate circumstances, but I am afraid there is nothing I can do to help you.
Take care of yourself.
Louisa Hurst.
On a fateful day in early July 1812, a horseman arrived at Netherfield with a heartbreaking letter that would completely change the lives of Charles Bingley and several other people.
June 26, 1812
Scotland
Mr. Bingley,
It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that your sister passed away a few hours ago. I am making the necessary arrangements to have her buried in the nearest churchyard.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Mary Douglas.
Bingley turned pale, his eyes filled with tears and immediately requested his coachman to prepare the carriage. He would leave for Scotland at dawn.
The trip was long and arduous, yet unlike his previous trip north, it was uneventful.
He went directly to the cabin where Caroline had lived for the last few months, but it was empty. He then instructed his driver to take him to Mrs. Douglas's address. He was fortunate to find her at home. Mrs. Douglas told him in great detail everything that had happened in those weeks leading up to Caroline's death.
"The main issue with your sister Mr. Bingley was her deep depression. She felt forsaken and with no possibility of good prospects she lost the desire to live."
"Why did you not contact me before? I would have come immediately!" shouted Bingley vehemently.
She shook his head. "Mr. Bingley, you were aware of your sister's mental condition. Besides, I had no way of knowing she would do something so damaging!"
Bingley took a deep breath to calm down, "My apologies, it was not your fault." He then inquired, "I pray you, how… how did she die?"
Mrs. Douglas sighed. "She took her own life, Mr. Bingley. She bled to death. By the time I found her, it was too late."
Bingley closed his eyes, trying not to cry. "Where is she buried?"
"In a small cemetery two miles from here. At first, the parson would not agree to bury her in holy ground; but I was able to convince him, eventually."
Bingley blinked quickly. "I would like to go to the cemetery. Would you please show me?"
Mrs. Douglas accompanied him to a small cemetery beside an old church. Caroline's tombstone only had her initials written on it.
Although Mrs. Douglas was only a few feet away, Bingley broke down and out of anger, guilt, and, above all, helplessness, began to cry. He had failed his sister. He would never be able to make amends for all that led to her sad ending. Mrs. Douglas discreetly left him alone with his tragic thoughts and guilt.
Throughout his life, Bingley had been a good-humoured and friendly gentleman. He had never been a violent man, but what he now wanted most in the world was revenge against the man who had ruined his sister's life.
He wanted to kill Sir Frederick with his bare hands. He did not care if he died on the gallows; the only thing that mattered to him was getting justice for Caroline.
When Bingley finally returned to Netherfield it was to find a black edged express waiting for him. Louisa had given birth, but died from a result of blood loss. While the newborn girl was healthy, the babe had not turned and labour was twenty long, arduous hours. The midwife had a difficult time turning it and the trauma was too much for Louisa's weakened body. There was nothing the midwife could do to stop the bleeding.
Charles stood in the middle of the entryway in stark shock. Although Charles was still upset with Louisa for the hurtful letter she sent Caroline, news of her death left him devastated. It was a double blow following the loss of his younger sister. He immediately departed for the Hurst's estate to pay his respects and meet his niece.
Mr. Hurst had never loved Louisa and theirs had been a marriage of convenience – he received her large dowry, and she married into the gentry. Yet it was still shocking to see Hurst not even pretend to mourn his wife. The only thing Hurst seemed upset over was the fact that his newborn child was a girl and not his heir.
The first time Bingley met his niece, she looked at him and grabbed hold tightly to his finger. At that moment, Bingley knew he would love her for the rest of his life and would do everything possible to protect her and make her happy.
After Louisa's funeral and burial in the small cemetery of Hurst's estate, Bingley remained with the Hursts' until little Lucy's christening. Hurst had asked him to be her godfather.
During that time, Bingley noticed his brother-in-law did not pay the slightest attention to his newborn daughter and referred to her as the girl. It also came to his attention that the wet nurse, who was also feeding her one-year-old son, did not make little Lucy her priority. He often heard his tiny niece crying with no one paying her any attention.
The night before his impending departure to Netherfield, Bingley met with Hurst to discuss his concerns regarding his niece.
Irritated, Hurst commented, "I am not willing to spend money on another wet nurse. One is enough since the girl is only three weeks old."
"But I have heard Lucy crying several times a day, without anyone paying her the slightest attention!"
"What do you want me to do? My mother is sick, and she cannot nor does she want to take care of the girl. I have very few servants, as you are aware, and I do not have enough money to hire more." He frowned and added, "Due to Louisa's settlement, I can only use 2,500 pounds of the remaining 12,500 pounds of her dowry since the rest is settled on the girl!"
Bingley's eyes widened at such a response, and Hurst continued, "Furthermore, I still have to repay a debt of my father's to the amount of 1,200 pounds."
"But you can use the pin money you used to provide for Louisa's personal use to hire someone else to care for your daughter!"
Hurst shook his head. "I never gave Louisa any pin money; she had the money from the interest on her dowry. In fact, I used her money to pay my debts. Now I will only have access to what remains of the dowry if the girl dies!"
Bingley opened his eyes even wider and shouted, "Are you thinking of killing your own daughter!?"
Annoyed, Hurst replied, "Don't talk nonsense, Bingley! I may be disappointed with not having an heir and not being able to use Louisa's money, but I would never kill a child, much less my own daughter!"
The two gentlemen argued for several more minutes before coming to an agreement. Bingley would pay the wages of another wet nurse and cover other expenses in the future. He was concerned for little Lucy's well-being. She was the last immediate family member he had left.