Page 104 of Compromise & Consequence
“We are, Sir. Her brother, Mr. Charles Bingley, is one of my husband’s friends.”
“My brother and I are Mr. Darcy’sparticularfriends,” Caroline said, wanting all and sundry to know how important she was to Mr. Darcy. “We have stood by him through his sham of a marriage and will continue to do so after he has thrown this tart off for a better match.”
“I see.”
A look of understanding crossed the man’s face.
Caroline felt vindicated. Now she could step back and watch as everyone turned on the Bennet chit. After tonight, Eliza Bennet would never be able to hold her head up in society and Mr. Darcy would be forced to divorce her.
By this time, Mr. Darcy had stepped forward and curled his arm around Eliza’s waist, and drew her near to him. This was not to be borne. How could he lower himself to practically accost that fallen woman in front of everyone?
“Lord Matlock,” the older man said, “have your servants remove this woman from my presence.”
Yes! Finally, Eliza Bennet would be put in her place, Caroline thought with glee, then gave a start when two footmen took hold of her arms and began to steer her down the hall toward the staircase.
“On whose authority do you remove me from Lord Matlock’s house!” she demanded and struggled to break free.
“Hold one moment,” she heard the man say, and although they no longer dragged her down the hall, the footmen did notrelease their grip. All three of them turned to face the man and Caroline swore everyone who was at the ball was now crowded around, whispering and pointing in her direction. Fighting for her social life, she faced the man, her chin held high.
“They are removing you from the premises by my authority,” the man said in a voice laced with steel. “You have insulted a cousin to the King of Spain and the granddaughter of Count de Cortez.” The man looked as though he were to speak again, but Darcy spoke up.
“She is also the much-beloved wife of Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, Derbyshire.” He cast an apologetic glance at the gentleman. “I am sorry to have interrupted, Sir.”
“No harm done, Mr. Darcy. I like a man who is impassioned to protect his wife’s reputation, regardless of the circumstance.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
As we all know, angry people are not always wise; and in witnessing her greatest enemy achieve victory and take the prize of Pemberley from her, Caroline lashed out in an attempt to wound Darcy as much as that fallen woman from Hertfordshire.
“How droll that you come to her defense so readily, Mr. Darcy. I remember when we first knew her in Hertfordshire, how amazed we all were to find she was a reputed beauty. I particularly recollect your saying one night after the Bennets had been dining at Netherfield, “She a beauty! I should as soon call her mother a wit.” But after she exposed her bosoms at my brother’s ball, your esteem forher personseemed to improve.”
An almost unearthly silence descended upon the crowd. Only the rustle of silk gowns and nervous coughs dared cut through the ominous air. The man gave a cryptic look at the tall thin man and he hurried to have footmen usher all the guests back into the ballroom. Soon, only Mr. Darcy, Eliza Bennet, Lord and LadyMatlock, and the unknown gentleman stood facing Caroline and her two guard dogs.
“Lord Matlock, introduce me to that woman.”
Lord Matlock stepped forward and bowed low. “With pleasure.” He turned to face Caroline and, with a smile that was not in any sense of the word friendly, said, “Sir, this is Miss Bingley, lately of London. Miss Bingle, this gentleman is His Royal Highness, Prince Augustus, Duke of Sussex.”
Caroline fainted and awoke in a hackney carriage, her cloak, reticule, and shoes tossed on the floor beside her. The next day, she was on her way to Scarborough before the guests of the ball had even risen from their beds.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Meanwhile, Charles Bingley rushed to the ballroom in search of Jane. The colonel said he was courting Miss Bennet, but that did not mean he could not plead his case. They were not married and she was still a single woman. Plus, they had a strong connection. He knew she loved him and he had been an utter fool to abandon her after his ball last November. He would not make the same mistake twice and was determined to show her that his love was true and steadfast.
He spied her across the dance floor and paying no attention to who was dancing, skirted the edges until he came upon her and the blasted colonel.
“Miss Bennet.” He gave her a low bow and brought her fingers to his lips, brushing the lightest of kisses across her knuckles. He knew how to romance a young woman. “You look divine this evening.”
He gave the colonel and Darcy a quick greeting before turning his attention back to his angel.
“May I solicit your next available set, Miss Bennet? I look forward to partnering with you again, it will bring back fond memories of the last time we danced.”
At the startled glance Miss Bennet gave the colonel, he realized his error in reviving the memory of that night.
“I have only the sixth set open, Mr. Bingley—”
“Wonderful, I will claim it before some other gentleman steps forward.”
“Of course, you may have the sixth set then.”
