"How do you fair this morning?" Colville asked taking the seat next to Montague's bedside. He observed the persistent bruising to his friend's face. "I see the colour is beginning to fade, you appear less black and blue, merely a rather unbecoming shade of puce."
"Thank you for such a charming observation," scoffed Cedric grimly. His mood was low. He was sore; utterly sick of being confined to bed, and above all displeased beyond reason to find he had yet another visitor who did not possess the face of Caroline Bingley. He wished to be up, to be active, and above all to confront Alfred Bingley with the information Benjamin Pike had finally relented.
"Oh, come now, do not be so doom and gloom. You are on the mend and shall be up and about in no time."
"No time!" Cedric cried with passion, slightly wincing from the fervour of his actions. "No time you say, are you mad? I am to stay confined to this ruddy bed for another three sennight. Bound with this bloody splint! Mummified no less in my own bedchamber. Yet you call this no time? And I must confess, I cannot stress how the itch from this confine is driving me to distraction."
Edward Colville laughed at such an indignity. Forced confinement did a gentleman's spirit very little good.
"Though I can sympathise with your displeasure, I shall not indulge it. You had us all rather worried. I can only find relief in your misfortune, for I am simply glad to know you are on the mend. Anne and I have been quite worried."
Of course! Thought Montague, his interest piqued, suddenly putting two and two together. Had he not specifically asked Miss de Bourgh to take Caroline into her care upon his departure to Scarborough? If Alfred had chosen to remain at the Bingley residency, perhaps this explained why Caroline had not returned to his bedside. The daughter of Lady Catherine would be all propriety, likely Anne would avoid all hints of scandal. Caroline simply could not come to him!
"And pray, how is the lovely Miss de Bourgh?" Montague asked, momentarily forgetting his plight, his temper lightening. "You have secured yourself a fine match. Though I do not envy you taking on the mother."
Edward leaned forward and gently boxed Cedric on the arm. "I will have you know Lady C is but a mere pussycat. For Anne I would endure far worse. Though our wedding it would appear will now be lavish beyond all comprehension. My poor Anne is handling it very well. But if my indulging Lady C by allowing her to plan a wedding celebration to end the season like no other secures her good opinion of me, then who am I to argue?"
"A pussycat indeed, she is all claws and fangs. No doubt she.."
"Cedric," cut Colville with feeling; "you can hardly judge my future relations when your inclinations sit with a woman whom I think unworthy of your affection."
"Oh, enough Edward. Is such condensation not beneath you? I will not discuss Miss Bingley with you if you continue to hold onto such unjust prejudice."
"Then we shall continue to agree to disagree, I will not quarrel with you Cedric. However, Miss Bingley is the very reason I am here."
"Not to bring cheer to the invalid..." muttered Montague under his breath. Colville unamused, ignored him.
"You asked me to tempt Alfred with thoughts of a business venture in the West Indies, and to that I have kept my promise. When I heard of your return following this... attack, I did all in my power to keep him within view. Alas, though I and even Colonel Fitzwilliam have kept Alfred busy as much as possible, it would appear he is much engaged elsewhere on occasions. He refused my invitation to stay and through no fault of her own, Anne cannot reach Miss Bingley."
"What the devil do you mean she cannot reach Miss Bingley?"
"Following your rather hasty departure north, Miss Bingley wrote Anne a letter expressing her rather gallant intention of following you. You can imagine her surprise to then realise this was not the case and that Miss Bingley was in fact still in London."
"I sent the foolish girl back as soon as I knew her intentions. Scarborough was no place for her to attend. It was no jolly."
"So, it would appear," remarked Colville dryly once again taking in his friends rather battered appearance. "You really must inform me of what took place. If this is linked to Alfred Bingley I do not understand why you are not simply calling the magistrate? Really Cedric, is such tight-lipped secrecy necessary? You could have been killed."
"Yet I was not, and the secret is not mine to share. I will not bend in this Edward. But surely Miss de Bourgh and Miss Bingley have been in company since her return?"
"No, that is the issue. She has avoided all Anne's attempts at calling upon her, returned no correspondence. Anne even reached out to Mrs Hurst, but it would appear the sisters are amid some sort of feud. I promised Anne I would speak to you. I assured her Miss Bingley was likely your chief nursemaid and she was fretting over nothing."
"She has not been here since the evening of my return last week. I must admit I do not understand why she has not come."
Edward frowned. Although he could not understand his friend's fervent attachment to such a girl, from what he had witnessed the morning after the Mayweather ball he was certain she returned such feelings with equal intensity.
"You mean to say you have not seen her?"
"For a moment I rather foolishly assumed she had not called upon me for she was with Miss de Bourgh. It would appear that is not the case." Cedric felt his disappointment swell within his chest. "And what of Alfred? Have you any reason to suspect anything untoward has taken place?" Cedric forces himself up into a seating position, pushing down hard on his elbows in an attempt to straighten his torso. He grimaced as pain shot up his side, grinding his teeth in frustration. "All of this I have done for her and she cannot even do me the decency of calling? Where is she?" Anger flooded through his person. "She has played me for a fool," he yelled.
"Cedric please calm yourself," Edward moved forward gently placing his hands upon Montague's shoulders, easing him back against the support of his pillows. "You must rest, you will do yourself more harm than good if you do not allow yourself time to heal."
"You are right, of course you are old friend," Cedric conceded rubbing his hands over his face. "Send for Charles, he of all people should be able to convey his sister to me. I must speak to them both. After all it is Charles to whom I am employed." He looked over to his desk, a large, dog-eared leather-bound ledger sat starring back at him ominously. Each page filled with distasteful detail of Alfred and his father's dealings with the Turnpikes. "I have lost my head long enough."
"I am sorry to bring more bad news to your door, but Charles Bingley has left London. Darcy called four days ago to inform Anne that both men intended to return to Hertfordshire immediately on a matter of business." Here Colville paused, it did not seem right to share Anne's confidence that she believed her cousin to have left in the pursuit of a lady. He himself could never imagine Darcy to be so soft headed.
A gentle knocking announced the arrival of Miss Brown. The housekeeper entered the room, a tray of medical vials and steaming mutton stew as reason for her interruption. "Beg your pardon my Lord," she spoke softly, curtsying low to the Viscount; "but the master needs his rest. The doctor was very strict; he is not to be agitated."
"You were listening at the door," Cedric bite back rather unkindly.
"One could not avoid when you raise your voice so out of character," she replied calmly setting the tray down and handing the first of three vials to her master.
Montague downed the horrid liquid as Miss Brown arranged his pillows, readying him to receive his supper. Colville stood ready to depart.
"Edward stay; I am bored out my wits. A man can not just sit in bed for days..." Cedric took a mouthful of stew, his eyes already feeling heavy.
Colville glanced at the housekeeper who returned a small smile as she escorted the Viscount from the room. "He will be asleep in but a moment. Having him so agitated will do him no good."
"You drugged him," Colville responded taken aback by the young woman's quiet control.
"I merely gave him what the doctor asked me to administer. He is too spirited for his own good. He needs quiet, not more upset."
Upon reaching the foyer Miss Brown retrieved the Viscount's hat and gloves, before standing at the foot of the stairs, keen to return to her master. Just as Lord Colville was about to take his leave, she blurted out with feeling;
"She's no good for him you know. I wrote to her, asked her to come, and still she did not. Yet he looks for her each day, asks for her every time he hears someone move below stairs. A woman like that does not deserve such devotion from a man such as he."
"It is not our place to judge;" replied Colville softly closing the door behind him, unwilling to acknowledge the pained longing expressed in the housekeepers eyes.
It was dark before Caroline returned home. After hours of being prodded and poked by the modest she had sent the carriage home, taking a long and slow walk around Hyde Park. She had avoided the popular areas, straying from the path to allow herself to wallow in her own misery. Her only consolation was she did not regret her decision. Her one selfless act would secure the happiness and wellbeing of all those she loved. Her siblings would thrive, and Cedric would be safe from Alfred. Her heart hurt, but in time she would forget him as he would she; a thought which offered little comfort, but one which she must believe. She had only four full days of freedom. As soon as they wed they would leave for Scarborough.
It was gone seven, she felt confident Alfred would not be present at such a time. He was becoming quite the regular at the gambling tables of Whites. For once she was thankful to the Fitzwilliam brothers; even the elusive Henry had taken it upon himself to keep her cousin entertained. She would take supper in her room with the door firmly bolted.
The house was quiet. Lord how she wished to see Charles happy face. As much as her brother vexed her, she missed him dreadfully when they were apart. The lightness of his character, although at times frustrating, was such a consistent contrast to her own, it could not help but offer comfort.
Ascending the stairs she was half way when the bell rang loud announcing a visitor. She paused, who would call at such an hour? The maid had not even reached the door when it was thrown open, a sour faced Louisa entering abruptly.
"Have you absolutely no consideration? Nigh on three hours I have sat in that carriage! You!" She pointed accusingly at Caroline. "Get in the parlour I shall deal with you directly. And you," she all but barked at the maid; "come with me now." Louisa bustled past Caroline, huffing and puffing as she moved up the staircase two at a time, her expression thunderous. "Make haste, make haste," she squawked at the maid. Since becoming with child, the urgency of her bladder was a force unlike any other.
Caroline stood dumbstruck by the whirlwind that was her sister. Having been shunned by Louisa for over a week, her sudden appearance was unexpected. Her determined attitude even more so. She made her way into the parlour, taking a seat by the fire. She could not but feel apprehensive. She waited, pulling at a nail subconsciously. The expression of acute displeasure across her sisters face was one Caroline had never witnessed before. Never before had Caroline seen so much of their mother etched across her sisters fair complexion.
Finally Caroline heard the rustle of her sisters skirts. Stilling her hands, straightening her spine, she sat ready for whatever chastisement her sister felt her due. Louisa entered, her face still as dark and unpredictable as thunder. Arranging her skirts she took the seat opposite Caroline. Only silence followed.
"Louisa," Caroline began, unable to tolerate the awkwardness any longer; "If the reason in calling this evening was to guilt me into an apology then there is no need, you are quite in the right. I am truly happy for you. I did not mean to sound dismissive. What you must realise is..."
"You are engaged," her sister interjected coldly. Caroline paused mid sentence, her jaw agape. How could her sister know such a thing?
"You are engaged and I hear it spoken as mere tearoom fodder from women we neither call friends nor like. Women who mock, torment and laugh openly to our face? What on earth are you playing at Caroline? How could you stoop so low?"
"Louisa please. I have told no one, you must let me explain, it is but for our own good."
"Told no one? Yet Lady Julianna Mycroft was all a titter. To think Anne thought you held Mr Montague in genuine affection, that I dared to believe her. I was foolish to think you were capable of such a thing."
"You have been discussing my affairs with Anne? Feeble, Goody-Two-Shoes Anne!"
"Hold your tongue. Such petty insults simply show your ignorance. Her friendship offers a great deal of affection; such I could never hope to receive from you." Louisa stood, a flush of anger threatening tears. She half turned, unable to look upon her sister.
"How could you Caroline? A man whom seeks to ruin our brother? All your speeches of family name and standing. No doubt you will help Alfred ruin us. You were always a selfish, self centred girl; but to sell out your own family and take from ones own brother for your own self preservation? For all Charles stolen wealth would only come to you as his bride. Very cleverly played indeed."
"Louisa how can you think such a thing?" Caroline gasped at the sting in her sisters words. "How dare you imply such vile, devious behaviour. I am trying to..."
"Enough Caroline. Why else keep such news secret?"
"Because it is the only way I can stop Alfred exposing our family and hurting all around me! I am many things Louisa but in this you must see the truth. I have told no one for I am ashamed. Marrying him is the only way to keep us all safe. He will leave Charles be for he will do nothing to discredit us. He would not jeopardise his new brides standing. Surely you can understand this?"
"But why? What do you mean by expose us? If father simply owed his family money, we must just pay him his dues. It is simple. There is nothing to find at fault. Charles would not harm anyone, he is all virtue."
"It is not Charles. It is all mother."
"Mother?" Suddenly Louisa's face paled. "Oh heaven forbid." She took the seat once more opposite Caroline, her face grey. "We could never recover if such a scandal came to light."
"You knew! How much do you know and why did you not tell me!"
"It was not my place. It was a flippant comment she made years ago. I went to father. I just wanted to know her better. You and her were always so similar. I thought if I could get closer to her, share a secret she may like me best. Then I realised I did not wish to know her better. Father would not share particulars, but I know enough. He swore me to secrecy, due to his own shame no doubt. And I did exactly what you fear others will do to us now. I was disgusted. I said nothing as I did not want to believe such a thing true, for our blood to be so tainted. For the three of us to be borne to such a woman. I agreed to marry Reginald the moment father died. All I wanted was to be out from under her roof."
"How could you," Caroline asked? "You turned your back on us, on me? Why did you not speak to me? Louisa you left me with her. You knew what she was like and you left me."
"I hated her Caroline. She was cruel and demanding. She ridiculed me for not meeting her expectations. Shut me out and praised you, making you in her vision. So high and mighty, the ultimate perfectionist. I couldn't bear her criticism any longer, nor the hypocrisy of it all when I found out she herself was nothing more than damaged goods.
"Louisa she was our mother!"
"She never once behaved with motherly affection. Another man's mistress before securing father? God rest his soul. How he could love such a woman."
"That is what father told you? This is what you think you know? That she was merely some man's mistress before marrying him?"
"Is such shameful behaviour not enough?"
"Louisa you know nothing. Father did more harm hiding the truth in vague details than he could ever have thought possible. Is this why you never came? That last year after father's death? I had to supervise her at every moment. Endure her hysterics and intoxicated ramblings. You just left me."
"I was too angry. She was so hard on me, on us. Always demanding perfection when she herself in truth was so far removed from such a vision. I just wanted to be free of her."
"By sacrificing my freedom."
"You were young, and in the end it was not for long. It was not as though you and I were close. And anyway, you are under Charles guardianship now. All is well. We will simply pay Alfred for his silence. All this fuss when a decent sum could have easily curbed his displeasure. That is all he wants. Honestly Caroline, thinking marrying him is the only option. Why do you always take things upon yourself." Louisa stood, readying herself to leave; "I shall fetch Charles and Reginald now, a sum shall be agreed and that will be the matter closed. This ridiculous business has gone on long enough."
"Sit down," Caroline demanded. "You will sit down and you will be quiet and I shall tell you exactly what Alfred knows. What our mother endured and the part he and his father played. You have spent far too long thinking the worst. Mother was not perfect, I know her temper more than anyone. I too hated her at times. But Louisa if only you knew the truth, you would not judge her so harshly."
And so Caroline told her sister everything; their mother's past, Matthew Bingley, Alice, the truth about their brother, Alfred's obsession with their mother and finally the attack on her beloved Cedric. With each addition she felt a weight lighten from her shoulders. Her sister reacted as she knew she would. Silence; a ghostly complexion, uncontrollable hysterics, anger and finally fear.
"He is Charles brother," Louisa repeated painfully. "Heaven forbid such a secret can never be told. Charles must never know the truth of his parentage. Our family would never recover from such a scandal. If only we had known. I am surprised mother could function at all."
"And this is why I must do as he says. He has promised if I agree to be his bride it will all go away. I cannot let him ruin Charles, not just financially but his temper. His pureness would be gone forever."
"Can Mr Montague do nothing?" Louisa begged. "Surely a man such as he with such a reputation can find a solution to absolve us of all this?"
"I cannot let Alfred hurt Mr Montague again. He is confined to his chambers, broken and bruised and it is all my doing. Alfred all but told me he is not safe. Louisa this is the only way. Let me do this now, Cedric will be none the wiser. I shall be wed by the Sabbath and you all shall be safe."
"Caroline you cannot marry such a man. You are opening the door to a life of misery. I will not let you do this. I believe you care for Mr Montague more than you will admit. And what certainty do you have that Alfred shall stay true to his word?"
Caroline moved forward, kneeling by her sister, taking her hands in her own. "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. It is rarely romantic. There is no guarantee Cedric and I would ever be more than what we are now. It is a risk I am no longer able to take. We live in a male dominated world. We are bound by the rules of society in which we navigate. At least this way the choice is mine. Allow me to control our future the only way in which I can. Allow me one more selfish act, the only selfless thing I have ever truly done. I am not kind. I am not empathic. This is a fitting end for me. You have your child to think of. Louisa you must agree to let me do this. A confidence between sisters."
"Even if you indeed wish to go ahead with this, you are not yet of age. Charles will never consent."
"I forged his signature. Oh do not look at me like that, I did it for years before we sold fathers business. Alfred has obtained a special licence. Today I have been fitted for my wedding gown. It is all done Louisa. It is all agreed. My only last request is that you accept this. That you be my witness."
"That I will never allow."
"Louisa please. If you and Mr Hurst are present nothing shall be seen as untoward. It will be a low key wedding, all perfectly respectable. No reason for rumours. Everyone shall believe I simply chose to marry our cousin and no one will be any the wiser. He wishes to return to Scarborough immediately, and I have agreed."
"You cannot be serious."
"Indeed I am. I am sorry Louisa, but this is the only way. He has outsmarted us at every turn. There is too much at stake. You yourself know how destructive the censure of the ton can be to a family. I am marrying Alfred in four days, with or without your blessing."