Hello my dear readers! Thank you all so very much for the kind words and continued enthusiasm - I am so very happy you are enjoying a stronger Bingley and that you like Darcy and Lizzy getting along from the start. Will here ever be a misunderstanding? I don't know, the story is still unfolding.
I am afraid I do not recall who asked, but yes, at the present, all three single Bingley siblings are living with the Hursts. Elizabeth and Caroline do because they have to, as Charles has no place of his own at which they can join him. Bingley, as stated earlier in the story, divides his time between friends and the Hursts.
As to Caroline... You already think she is vile. Just wait until you read this chapter... ;)
Chapter Nine
Despite the tension that was apparent between herself and Caroline, and between Charles and Caroline, Elizabeth was enjoying her first society ball immensely.
Her second partner, Mr. Hiddleston, had proved quite charming, though he did not intrigue her as much as Mr. Darcy. She was pleased, however, that while he waxed eloquent about horses, he did not entirely monopolize the conversation during their set. He was good enough to ask her about her travels as Darcy had and voiced his admiration of her command of the Spanish language.
Not all of her partners were so agreeable. Following a most delightful third set with Colonel Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth's fourth and fifth partners—while they did express some little interest in her time abroad—mostly talked of themselves, their families, and their wealth. She was ever so thankful that she had accepted Mr. Gardiner for the supper set, as she then had further opportunity to hear more about her beloved parents.
Following the rich repast Mrs. Hiddleston's team of cooks had prepared, Elizabeth elected to sit out the first set after dinner to allow the food to settle—and her feet to rest a little more. It had been a long time since she had danced so much and sitting to a long conversation and the task of eating between sentences had been a little draining on her energy. She was quite content to sit and chat with Mrs. Gardiner and one of her friends, a Mrs. Jennings.
They were in the midst of a discourse regarding the gowns they saw on the ladies in attendance when Mrs. Jennings put a hand to her lips and giggled behind it. "My dear Miss Elizabeth, I do think that handsome Mr. Darcy is coming to speak to you."
Elizabeth looked over her shoulder. Darcy was indeed walking toward them. Looking back to Mrs. Jennings, she said, "Madam, just because the gentleman is walking in our general direction does not mean his intention is to talk to me."
She was proven wrong when Darcy stopped next to her a moment later and bowed. "Miss Elizabeth, Mrs. Gardiner, madam," he greeted them.
"My good friend Mrs. Jennings of Berkeley Street, Mr. Darcy," offered Mrs. Gardiner.
Darcy inclined his head again. "Mrs. Jennings. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"And I yours, Mr. Darcy," said the lady with a broad grin.
He turned his gaze once again to Elizabeth. "Are you enjoying your first society ball in four years, Miss Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth smiled. "I am enjoying my first society ball ever very much, Mr. Darcy," she replied.
His eyebrows lifted. "Your first ever?"
"Indeed. I was only sixteen when I went with my aunt to Spain, after all, and had not debuted in society," she said.
"Ah, yes, I remember now." Darcy then glanced briefly at the dancers, before he looked back and said, "Would you care to take a turn about the room with me? We might speak more about your visit to my sister."
Elizabeth prayed that her cheeks were not as red as she feared when she heard his request. He could not ask her for another dance without arousing speculation, but he wished to spend more time getting to know her. She was flattered, even if it was only to further assure himself of her suitability to meet his young sister.
After a glance at Mrs. Gardiner and Mrs. Jennings, both of whom wore knowing smiles, Elizabeth thanked him and stood. She took the arm he offered and after he nodded again to her companions, they moved off at a leisurely pace.
"It is refreshing, is it not, after sitting so long in one attitude?" Darcy asked after a moment.
"It is a small kind of accomplishment, I suppose," she replied.
"Have you had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Bingley about calling at Darcy House? I have no wish to press or inconvenience either of you, of course, but I confess I am eager to see if a new acquaintance will be beneficial to my sister."
"In fact, I have," Elizabeth said. "Between the fourth and fifth sets I managed to have a word with him about it. Charles said he would be more than happy to call tomorrow after breakfast if it is no trouble to you."
Darcy drew a breath and nodded. "It suits me very well. Thank you, again, for your willingness to aid me, though you know me not at all."
"As a gentleman I met recently said to me, it costs one nothing to be kind."
Elizabeth paused a moment to collect her thoughts, then continued. "Sir, I am more than happy to be of what assistance I can, but I must ask you if you truly have no one else you might turn to. What about Colonel Fitzwilliam's mother or his sisters?"
Darcy grimaced briefly. "To be perfectly candid, Miss Elizabeth, although Lady Disley is always very kind to my sister, she intimidates Georgiana. My aunt Lady Catherine, who is my uncle's sister, lives in Kent and rarely leaves her estate, as her daughter is of a sickly constitution. Fitzwilliam's sisters are married with families of their own."
"And as neither he nor his elder brother are yet married, a friend or paid companion is your only recourse," Elizabeth observed. "In that case, I am especially eager to do what I can for Miss Darcy."
She felt Mr. Darcy's eyes on her and looked up to find an expression of gratitude looking back at her. Elizabeth felt a blush creeping into her cheeks and tore her gaze away. They continued on without speaking to each other, though were stopped a few times by others. Mr. Darcy courteously introduced her to each acquaintance and spoke with them briefly before moving on.
Elizabeth soon realized she was quite content to pass the time in such a manner. It was almost comforting to find she could enjoy the company of a gentleman without being required to entertain him. Mr. Darcy, when she chanced to glance sidelong at him, appeared just as happy to simply walk the perimeter of the dance floor with her as he had moments ago to be conversing with her.
And if she were not mistaken, when he released her to her next dance partner, he was reluctant to do so. But surely, she was imagining things—they had only just met, and it was much too soon for Mr. Darcy to admire her beyond her willingness to visit his sister.
As Elizabeth danced with her first titled partner, a young baronet whom Colonel Fitzwilliam had introduced her to after their set, she found her attention divided between his awkward attempts at conversation and Mr. Darcy. The gentleman from Derbyshire was handsome, and he was very rich indeed. But it would be folly, she mused, to entertain any hope of their acquaintance becoming more than a friendship. She had a large fortune, yes, but it had been earned from trade. Charles, though not active in the business himself, still owned a ten percent share of Bingley Textiles. A connection to trade would be insupportable to a man like Mr. Darcy.
Then there was Spain. Traveling with her aunt in and of itself would mean little had the last four years not been spent tending a camp full of soldiers. That she had been an unmarried girl surrounded by men would undoubtedly be looked down upon by anyone associated with Mr. Darcy—if not the whole of the ton.
How was she ever to marry, if her feelings on the marriage state were to change, with such a history?
A sigh escaped her unbidden, and the baronet lifted an eyebrow. "Are you well, Miss Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth tamped down on her sudden melancholy and forced a smile to her face. "Quite well, Sir Anthony," she replied. "I am merely a little tired. "It has been a long evening, and I am not used to these hours."
"Has it been long since you attended a ball?" Sir Anthony asked. "Did you even attend balls in Spain?"
Elizabeth nodded. "The regiment general, my uncle, arranged balls when he could, most often when we were encamped near a large village. Unfortunately, that was not a regular occurrence and when we did have a ball, it did not last so long as this one."
Sir Anthony chuckled. "And this one is not over yet," said he.
She laughed. "Thanks for the reminder!"
The next few hours passed enjoyably, but Elizabeth could not say she was not relieved when it was over. Her feet ached and her body had grown weary … and there was still the journey home, alone in a carriage with Charles and Caroline, to be suffered through. Unless, of course, Caroline elected to ride back with the Hursts.
Lost in thought as she was, Elizabeth stumbled when someone stepped on the hem of her gown as she went in search of Charles. She would have fallen and embarrassed herself had not a strong hand taken her by the arm to steady her.
It was Mr. Darcy, with Colonel Fitzwilliam at his side.
"Thank you, sir," said she as she gathered her skirt in one hand to lift the hem from the floor. "You have saved me from a most disastrous end to my debut."
Mr. Darcy smiled. "You are most welcome, Miss Elizabeth."
"Might we see you safely to your brother's care?" said Fitzwilliam. "Wherever he is?"
"Bingley is likely still conversing with his last partner," Darcy observed.
"Or he's giving that sister of his a sound tongue-lashing," suggested the colonel. "I cannot believe she had the audacity to speak ill of Miss Elizabeth before you met her, Darcy."
Elizabeth shook her head. "I do not doubt Charles's intention to have words with our sister, but he would not do it here. He is conscious of the spectacle it would be if he were to confront her in a public setting."
The three moved closer to the entry hall, where they at last met with Charles.
"Ah, Lizzy, there you are," said he as he caught up to them. "Caroline has already escaped with Louisa and Hurst, but if she thinks I have done with her, she is greatly mistaken."
He glanced at Darcy and Fitzwilliam and nodded his head. "Thank you for looking after my sister, sirs. She knows hardly anyone beyond the family."
The cousins shared a look. "It was our pleasure, Mr. Bingley," said Fitzwilliam.
"Darcy, has Elizabeth told you? We will call on you and Miss Darcy after breakfast, if it is not inconvenient," said Charles then.
Darcy nodded. "She did, yes, though given the present hour it is more likely to be after noon when any of us rises."
Bingley grinned and nodded, then he sobered and drew a breath and blew it out slowly. "It will certainly be a late hour for me, as I have a confrontation with my recalcitrant sister to attend to when we get home. Come, Lizzy… Let us get there and get it over with."
Elizabeth curtsied to Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam and wished them a good night. She was not looking forward to the row that was coming any more than Charles was, but she knew it was best Caroline be confronted. Though she had lost track of her sister several times throughout the ball, more than once she had seen her standing with one young lady or another, laughing and pointing at her.
Probably gossiping about my weather-beaten skin again, she had mused.
The wait for their carriage was several minutes, during which Charles chatted amiably with those he knew who were also waiting. When at last his modest equipage drew up, he handed Elizabeth in before climbing in himself and sitting in the rear-facing seat. The ride home was silent, the tension mounting with each clip-clop of the horses' hooves.
The moment they stepped inside the Hurst residence, Charles demanded of the butler to tell him where Caroline was. The man reported that both she and the Hursts had retired to their rooms.
"Charles, perhaps we ought to wait until tomorrow," Elizabeth said softly.
Her brother shook his head as he moved toward the stairs. "No, Lizzy. I need to speak to her tonight before I lose my nerve. Too often have I said nothing when she was unkind to you when we were younger, let alone in the last ten days. Her remarks to Darcy were abominably indecorous and disrespectful."
Elizabeth chose not to protest any further, and merely followed him to Caroline's door, where he knocked hard three times. They waited several moments and received no response. Charles tried the knob and found it locked; he then pounded his fist on the door and yelled, "Caroline, I know you are in there. Either you open this door yourself, or I call the housekeeper to open it for you."
A low growl was heard through the door, and then the stomping of feet. Seconds after the lock clicked and Caroline's sneering face appeared in the gap, she said, "What do you want, Charles? It is four in the morning, and I wish to go to bed."
Charles palmed his hand against the door and pushed it open, causing Caroline to stumble back. Had Elizabeth not been beside him, she was certain he would have slammed it shut after crossing the threshold.
Crossing his arms, he said, "I want to know what possessed you to say such things as you did to my friend about our sister. I want you to explain the audacity with which you chose to describe her as not handsome enough for any man to dance with, that to do so would be insupportable, and that to stand up with her would be a punishment. I want to know why yet more of my friends told me you were gossiping about Lizzy every chance you could, making unkind remarks about her appearance, her clothes, and her character."
Caroline huffed and turned her head away even as she mimicked his pose and crossed her arms.
"Well?!" Charles demanded. "What have you to say for yourself? How can you possibly excuse such deplorable conduct?"
Caroline snorted as she shot an angry glare at Elizabeth before shifting her gaze to their brother. "I was trying save our friends the trouble of knowing her and attempting to save you the embarrassment of having to introduce her," she snapped.
"What on Earth makes you think such nonsense, Caroline? Elizabeth is our sister! It is our duty to assist her in society, not ruin her prospects!" Charles yelled.
At this, Caroline snorted derisively. "Our little sister was a foolish, selfish girl to go running off to Spain. She threw away any chance she had of a respectable reputation in society to spend the last four years cavorting with who knows how many soldiers. How are we to know that she has not ruined herself or how many she has bedded?"
Elizabeth gasped in utter shock at the reprehensible accusation. "Tell me you did not say such a thing to those people!" she cried.
Caroline favored her with a mocking smirk. "I did not have to. All that needed to be said was that we had no idea what you've been up to while you were away."
Charles lifted a hand and just stopped himself from striking her; Caroline, startled at nearly being slapped, took a step back as he clenched his hand into a white-knuckled fist and turned away to compose himself.
"I really cannot understand you, Caroline," Elizabeth said. "Why do you hate me so much? You have always hated me, and I simply cannot understand it. We are family, and I have always loved you in spite of the evidence that you do not love me. I have been gone four years and have been returned to this country barely a fortnight, and you have already embarrassed me before Mr. Darcy and spread gossip about me to your friends, and for what reason? What did I ever do to you?"
"You were born," Caroline sneered angrily. "We are only a year apart in age, yet who was it that our mother and father preferred? Who got all the dolls, the pretty dresses, the attention? Louisa was the precious firstborn, Charles the heir every man desires, and you—you were somehow more loved than me! It was as if I did not even exist!"
"But that's ridiculous!" said Elizabeth. "Mamma and Papa never ignored you—you were showered with as much money and presents and affection as I was, if not more for your demanding it. They loved you—we all loved you! But nothing I ever did pleased you. I could never win your approval or affection, let alone your love. All I have ever wanted was for us to be sisters."
"And all I have ever wanted was for you to be gone. I was so much happier without you here—why couldn't you have stayed in Spain?!" Caroline demanded.
Elizabeth drew a fortifying breath—it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep the tears burning the back of her eyes from spilling over, but she would not give Caroline the satisfaction of seeing her cry.
"I could not stay in Spain because our uncle loved me too much to allow me to continue putting my life at risk," she managed. "I came home because I had to, and because I wanted to see my brother and sisters again, but clearly that was a mistake. Believe me, Caroline, had I known how you truly felt about me before my return, I would have begged Uncle Halsey to let me remain with him, or pressed my brother to find me another accommodation."
She turned then to Charles and said, "Brother, I will be removing myself and Mrs. Martin to a hotel as soon as she rises—I refuse to stay where I am not wanted."
Charles flashed an angry glare at Caroline. "I will go with you," said he, before taking her by the arm and gently guiding her to the door. After Elizabeth stepped into the hall, she heard him say,
"Well, you got what you wished for, Caroline—you have but one sister now. Whether you continue to have a brother, I have yet to decide."