Page 8 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“And you chose not to tell me any of this,” Bingley said, looking between Louisa and her husband.
“I…apologize, Brother,” Louisa said, her eyes lowering from his gaze.
After a beat, Bingley said, “This brings to mind that your house was to be renovated by now, Hurst. I must wonder what else you have kept from me. I shall verify that you have not lied about that. It is time you and Louisa host Caroline in your home.”
“Oh, ho.” Hurst sat up with a suddenness. “I am not certain when the conversation turned from Caroline to our estate, but I think you too hasty.”
“Neither of you was willing to inform me she had stolen from me, actions which could tarnishmyreputation. Given that you prefer her to me, you're welcome to take her in. Or, more like, she can take care ofyou.”
“Now, Bingley, I think we must discuss—”
Caroline’s screech echoed through the walls. Bingley stood, moving to the door of Darcy’s room.
“What areyoudoing here?” Caroline demanded.
“You are even less appealing unclothed than you are clothed,” Carpe said, raising his voice so that he might be heard over Caroline’s protestations. “If you slap me, I will return the favor. Take heed, as I am not dependent on you to pay my salary. Now, cease caterwauling and put on the blasted robe, madam.”
Seconds later, Carpe opened the door wide, inviting Bingley and the Hursts to enter.
“Anything else I should know?” Bingley asked Carpe while his sister tightened the belt of her dressing gown.
“There was more to the tea she sent up after the assembly. Very likely also in your own tray, so that none would catch them but the Hursts and force Darcy’s hand. After my accident, I know the bitterness of laudanum when I taste it. I did not drink more than a sip.”
“You lie,” Caroline exclaimed, attempting to drown out the valet.
“Let me summarize what I know, Sister. You demanded a key from Mrs. Nicholls to Darcy’s room this afternoon. At the assembly, you and Louisa had a conversation during which she warned you not to attempt a compromise. You said you would not try. You claimed you would succeed.” Bingley sniffed the teacup. “You drugged Darcy’s tea. You thought Darcy would be in this bed and under the influence of laudanum so you could…carry out your heinous deed. Yet, you are upset because Carpe isnotDarcy?”
“How do you know of our conversations?” Louisa’s alarm grew as she grasped the full extent of the reasons for their brother’s altered behavior that evening.
“You told your husband, and he told Charles in his drunken state?” Caroline accused. “You have ruined everything, Louisa. This plan would haveworked.”
“I did not learn of your scheming through our sister or her husband,” said Bingley. “I must now mitigate this disaster you have created. You have committed criminal acts, Caroline. You stole funds from me, and now you attempt to steal Pemberley by compromising Darcy. Heed me now. He will not marry you. No circumstance leads to Darcy marrying you, Caroline. It will never happen. You have only injured yourself.”
Bingley was too enraged to care that his sisters looked at him with trepidation.
“Harold and I will never again hide anything from you. And we will be glad to stay with you and watch over our sister,” Louisa said, bargaining to remain under his roof. “And you, Caroline, will never again do anything that might blacken our brother’s reputation, will you?”
“Of course not,” Caroline simpered, recognizing that her brother had been tested beyond his limits.
Bingley flinched when Caroline attempted to wrap their arms together, knowing she intended to walk him from the room so they might leave this whole situation behind. He also knew she believed it would then be much easier to persuade him to forget anything untoward had been attempted. Bingley knew her intentions and was tired of her using a pretense of affection to manipulate him.
“Brother, I am certain our friend will understand I made a mistake—”
“He was never your friend. It is now Mr. Darcy to you, Caroline. If he allows you to speak to him again,” Bingley said.
“He would never wish me away—”
“Hurst, have Louisa and Caroline packed. Breakfast will be on the sideboard at seven. You three will be gone by nine, I care not where. And if I learn that you lied about the repairs these last four years, I will expect recompense for all expenses you incurred while neither you nor Louisa respected me or myfamily’s name. My solicitor will verify that you are adhering to your promises and marriage articles. Or, we can agree you are to pay Caroline’s expenses and escort her about until she is married or has her own establishment.”
Bingley left the sitting room. In the corridor, he paused to rest against a wall. He ignored the screaming that had commenced between his sisters and Hurst, who hurled accusations at one another.
He looked up when Carpe opened the door to Darcy’s new room, indicating it was over. Darcy stepped out to thank Bingley by handing him a short glass of brandy. Bingley thanked Darcy for the drink, then made his way to the master’s chambers, thereby putting an end to the night.
Elizabeth Speaks with Her Sisters
“Lizzy,” came Mary’s voice on the other side of Elizabeth and Jane’s bedroom door.
“Come in,” Jane said.
