Page 23 of Fitzwilliam Darcy Undone
“He insulted me in a most egregious manner at Lucas Lodge. You must demand he leave immediately.”
“Why should I demand Darcy leave? Because a few weeks ago he finally told the hard truth that you would never be mistress of Pemberley? I cautioned you not to set your sites so high, sister. The taint of trade still lingers around us. You conveniently forget pieces of our history when snubbing the gentry of Meryton. Our sainted mother earned her keep washing Lord Danby’s necessities before she and Father married−”
Darcy’s eyebrows raised a little at the tidbit that Mrs. Bingley washed Lord Danby’s necessities. Not that it mattered. One does what one must in order to put food on the table. There was absolutely nothing wrong with honest labor. A fact that Miss Bingley refused to admit.
“Stop!” she screeched.
“Why? Because truth hurts? Face facts Caroline. You will never rise above your station to the extent of an estate such as Pemberley. The most you can hope for is a gentleman squire same as Louisa. She has a wonderful chance of a happy marriage if you would leave her be. Hurst drinks himself into oblivion because he cannot stand the sound of your voice.”
And Hurst is not the only one who cannot stand the sound of her voice, Darcy mused to himself.Grating, annoying, high pitched. He shuddered.
“Why are you being so cruel Charles?” Her tone had turned to whining.
“Because I am tired of your childish tantrums. No more. If you cannot behave like the gentlewoman you wish to become, like Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth−”
“Eliza Bennet!” Caroline spat out.
Darcy’s anger rose again at her tone. He rose to his feet to join them in the hall when Charles spoke again, his tone hard.
“You have just proved my point.”
“And what is that? Pray enlighten me.”
“Her name is Elizabeth. Only close friends call her by that name and she has asked you numerous times to desist, yet you won’t. Why? Does that somehow make you feel superior?”
“She doesn’t deserve such a regal name, scampering about the countryside, hems six inches deep in mud.”
“This is why you shall fail in all your endeavors. You refuse to see what a lovely woman Miss Elizabeth is. She puts up with your barbs and insults and does not give you the set down you so richly deserve.”
“I will not be civil toElizabethBennet.” She stressed Elizabeth’s name.
“I wasn’t going to say anything, but Darcy told me of your insinuations about her last night at the ball.”
“I made no insinuations. I spoke truth.”
Darcy stood once more. She would not slander Elizabeth again!
“Truth? You wouldn’t know truth if it bit you in your derriere.”
“Charles! I will not have you speak to me in this manner.”
“You bandied it about that Miss Elizabeth had engaged in scandalous behavior with her cousin while under the roof of her father. Please tell me how this is truth?”
“All I said was that much more than an engagement may have been anticipated−”
“Enough! What right do you have to spread such malicious gossip about a kind and generous woman? Are you that insecure in your own worth?” Darcy heard the heavier sound of Bingley’s tread and knew he’d be pacing the floor. Most likely pulling his hair out at the same time. “You must apologize.”
“I will not. And you cannot make me.”
“Then I have no choice but to send you to Aunt Cora’s in Scarborough.”
“You would not!”
“Yes, I would and I am. I leave for London this morning to attend to some business. Have your maid pack a small trunk and you leave this very day. Louisa can forward the rest of your things later on. Now leave me. I’m disgusted with you and do not wish to see your face unless it is looking out of a carriage window.”
With a vile epitaph tossed in her brother’s direction worthy of a hardened soldier, Miss Bingley ran upstairs, slamming her bed chamber door so hard the picture on the hall wall fell and broke the frame. Darcy rose to his feet for the final time and joined Charles. He regretted overhearing their conversation, but in no way had he wanted to see or speak with Miss Bingley while his temper ran almost as high as hers. After a slight shrug from Charles, by way of apologizing for his sister’s rude behavior, they both strode to the main staircase, stopping when Mrs. Hurst came hurrying down, her face awash with dismay. Darcy continued on, but couldn’t help hearing their loud conversation.
“I’m glad I caught you before you left for London,” Mrs. Hurst said.
