The day came when the Netherfield party arrived at Longbourn to personally hand the Bennet family a formal invitation to the ball. Mr Bingley was his usual amiable self, Caroline had a more controlled demeanour and Mr Darcy barely spoke a word. Still resentful about the previous incidents involving Lydia and Caroline, Mrs Bennet offered no more than an obligatory expression of gratitude.
"May we count on your attendance?" Mr Bingley asked hopefully.
"Yes, you may expect some of us to be there, sir," Mrs Bennet replied.
"I hope that your health would have recovered sufficiently by then for you to engage in some dancing, Miss Bennet," he beamed at Jane who smiled shyly in return. "Miss Lydia and Miss Kitty, I know you have been eagerly waiting for the ball. We have extended the invitation to the officers through Colonel Forster."
"Mama…" Lydia looked pleadingly at her mother who frowned but said nothing. "How is that fair? Everyone else can go except for me!" Lydia whined.
"It is your father that you have to persuade, Lydia," was Mrs Bennet's curt response.
"I already tried."
"We still need to resolve the matter with Mr Jones," Mrs Bennet told her in a hushed tone.
"If you would like Mr Jones to attend the ball, I am sure we can make the necessary arrangements," Caroline overheard the last remark and proposed the idea.
Knowing Lydia would not be able to help but react, Elizabeth immediately thought of a way to avert the potential argument. "Would anyone like some tea?"
"Yes, please," Mr Darcy was quick to answer. Elizabeth tried to convey her gratitude discreetly as she met his gaze. The bell was thereafter rung, and refreshments were brought in by Hill.
"Shall I provide some entertainment by way of reading to you all?" Mr Collins volunteered and proceeded to leaf through his copy of Fordyce's Sermons. Caroline audibly sighed, causing her brother to glare at her.
"Of course, please do," Caroline forced herself to say. The parson took this as another encouraging sign from the young lady.
After observing the scene before him, Mr Bingley suspected her sister had done something more than what she claimed. He also sensed that there was some problem relating to the apothecary. Wanting to discover the truth, he excused himself soon after to speak to Mr Bennet in the privacy of his study.
"Make sure you are on your best behaviour," he whispered a warning to Caroline before he left.
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"Good afternoon, sir," greeted Mr Bingley when he was admitted.
"Mr Bingley," Mr Bennet welcomed the visitor. "Take a seat."
"We called today to personally deliver the invitation to the ball."
"I see. So what the ladies have reported is indeed correct," Mr Bennet remarked then muttered to himself. "How much more talk about ribbons and laces will I have to endure?"
"I heard that Lydia may not be able to attend, which is a real shame. She was the one who has asked most persistently about holding a ball."
Mr Bennet studied the young man before continuing. "I should thank you for accommodating my family at Netherfield."
"It was my pleasure."
"I am, however, extremely concerned about what happened to Lydia during her stay there. I heard that there has been some unpleasantness between her and your sister. Would you care to elaborate on what exactly transpired?"
Mr Bingley then explained what had led to the food fight between the young ladies. He concluded that it was all a petty misunderstanding and assured him that Caroline had already apologised to Lydia about her ill-judged actions.
"How about the incident where Mr Jones walked in on Lydia while she was dressing? How did that happen?"
"Pardon? I… I was not aware of that," Mr Bingley sounded confused.
"My wife related to me that Lydia was changing into clean clothing after the food fight when your sister brought Mr Jones in. That seems rather… peculiar," Mr Bennet narrowed his eyes as he said this.
"Perhaps Caroline was not aware that Lydia was not fit to be seen at the time."
"Hmm. She supposedly spoke to the maid who attended Lydia beforehand." Mr Bennet continued after a pause, "And Mr Jones informed me that your sister had expressed her worry that Lydia had been compromised and wondered at what ought to be done."
Mr Bingley opened his mouth but closed it again for he did not know what to say. Given Caroline's recent erratic actions, he could not rule out that his sister could have been responsible for this problem. "How does Miss Lydia feel about the situation?" he eventually asked.
Releasing a deep sigh, Mr Bennet shared that Mr Jones had decided to do the honourable thing and pronounced that he was willing to offer for Lydia. "Much as Lydia wants to be considered a grown woman, she is but sixteen and does not have the maturity and capacity to start a family or manage a household. She has made it clear that she does not want to marry Mr Jones."
Oh, Caroline! What trouble have you created again?
"I am afraid that news of this incident has reached others like the Phillipses. One of your housemaids would be the most likely source. Mrs Phillips is my wife's sister and the principal gossip in the village," Mr Bennet added in a grave tone.
It was no surprise that Mrs Bennet did not give them a warm welcome today, Mr Bingley thought. "I will speak to our housekeeper as a matter of urgency to emphasise that our staff must not engage in spreading gossip. I sincerely apologise for what has happened."
"And how about your sister? Do you not believe that she had a hand in all this? The food fight you may consider petty, but putting Lydia's reputation at risk is an entirely different level of nastiness. I have five unmarried girls, as you well know."
Hearing the edge in the older man's voice, Mr Bingley despaired and confessed his frustration with Caroline. He had already approved his sister's betrothal with Colonel Forster but that would not be publicly announced until the ball. His chances with Jane might be diminished by Caroline's irresponsible antics.
"I have an idea, if you will hear me out…"
Mr Bennet gave him an expectant look which prompted Mr Bingley to continue. "Might we prevent word about Lydia spreading further if people have something else to gossip about?"
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When Mr Bingley returned to the parlour, Caroline immediately exclaimed, "Oh, look at the time. We still have more invitations to deliver!" She had quite enough of listening to Mr Collins drone on about female virtues.
"We do. But I was just admiring the gardens through the window from Mr Bennet's study, and I thought it is a fine day for walking outside," Mr Bingley hinted, his eyes settling on Jane.
"Oh, you are correct! We have had such bad weather for days so now is a good time to enjoy the outdoors. Jane, why don't you take Mr Bingley for a stroll?" Mrs Bennet instructed her eldest daughter.
When the pair came back from their walk, they happily shared the news that they were now engaged. Everyone was astonished to learn about this development. In the midst of the Bennets wishing them joy, Caroline was left feeling even more disgruntled.
In the succeeding days, Mr Bingley became a regular visitor at Longbourn. He and Jane were often seen in Meryton, with Mr Bingley proving to be most attentive to his betrothed. The shopkeepers were appreciative of his generous custom, and the locals only had the good things to say about the new couple.