Page 126 of New World Tea Company
To pass the afternoon, Charles and Jane called on Mrs Gardiner at Grace Church Street. Jane’s aunt sent for Mr Gardiner to join them where the newlyweds shared the recent news from Meryton without discussing the problem on Olive Street.
Geoffrey and Louisa spent the afternoon in the parlour without the expectation of any callers. When Charles and Jane returned from visiting the Gardiners, the four spent the end of the day discussing the latest newspaper stories regarding the endless wars with Bonaparte and the outrageous price for a bottle of wine.
In time they dressed for dinner and gathered once again in the parlour. However, the family waited an extra thirty minutes before Caroline joined them. Mrs Hurst told no one that she and the housekeeper conspired to schedule the meal thirtyminutes later than announced to make certain Mr Hurst’s bowl of soup was hot when placed on the table. Jane recognized Louisa’s plan and approved but Caroline remained oblivious to the machinations of others. Her first complaint was aired when it proved necessary for her to walk into the dining room unescorted – her siblings were each with their spouse.
The primary topic during the meal was Caroline’s situation and the youngest Bingley sister directed the conversation completely. Several times during each of the three courses, Miss Bingley would ask plaintively, “What is to become of me?”
After the dishes were removed and the servants dismissed, Mr Hurst expressed his opinion. He said simply, “Regarding Miss Bingley’s situation, it is best if Louisa and I are free to enjoy the quiet of Olive Street without relatives. We hope to start our family…”
Interrupting Geoffrey’s statement, Caroline declared, “You are vulgar to speak of such at the dinner table, Mr Hurst.”
Ignoring the woman’s outburst, Hurst continued, “And when we return to the countryside at the end of the season, I shall close the house.”
“But I need a roof over my head!” Caroline declared. “Where shall I sleep and eat? Where shall I entertain?”
With her mouth set in a frown, Louisa said, “Sister, you should have married years ago when you had a dowry that attracted gentlemen in need of a wife with wealth. Unfortunately, you pursued Mr Darcy and chased away the other gentlemen.”
“None of them were suitable, “Caroline declared. Then she attempted to school her features to be more pleasant and turned to her brother. “I shall live with Charles.”
“No,” objected Jane firmly and immediately. “We deserve a peaceful home; if you are present, it will be contentious and filled with unpleasant voices.”
Frowning, Caroline hissed, “My brother will not cast me to the side of the road.”
Charles replied, “Caroline, you refused to hear my counsel for years and you have made your own bed.”
Taking his wife’s hand, Charles continued, “Nothing will persuade me to compromise my wife’s felicity.”
“And the same with our home,” Mr Hurst said. “You must find another situation immediately.”
“Who will marry me?” wailed Caroline loud enough to make the others wince, giving proof to Jane’s words regarding a contentious and unpleasant voice.
“There will be no suitable suitors in town, and you refuse to consider numerous gentlemen with small estates,” Louisa reminded Caroline. “A dowery of five thousand pounds in the city will only attract tradesmen and tavern keepers.”
“What shall I become? A shopkeeper’s wife?” cried Caroline. “Must I marry a tradesman? No, I should have to deal with customers at the counter and count pennies! I would not have any servants!”
Taking a deep breath, Charles spoke up, “I have been made aware of a suitable position. An older noble lady needs companionship with the recent marriage of her daughter. You would be safe and secure as a lady’s companion.”
“Employment?” Caroline asked, aghast to hear the idea. “Charles, will you force me to work like a girl in a shop?”
Her brother responded sharply, “Caroline, you are on the shelf and unlikely to fall off. You cannot become a nanny because you know nothing of children and have never liked them. Being a lady’s companion is the only other suitable position.”
Remembering how she had treated the lady’s maids in her employ, Caroline replied, “I shall be no better than a maid at the beck and call of this woman!”
Seeing that Charles remained resolute to protect the quiet of their home, Jane kept silent because there was nothing that would relieve Caroline’s distress. But Louisa added, “Sister, you can perform on the instrument for the lady and her daughter and son-in-law at night.”
Realizing she had no other choices in front of her, Caroline asked, “Who are these people?”
“The lady’s daughter recently married a gentleman in the neighbourhood, and they have made their home in his family’s manor. I imagine the lady will take supper with the newlyweds once a week, when they visit the dower house.”
“A gentleman…a farmer? Do you mean they are a farmers? Lord, I shall be surrounded again by sheep and cows,” Caroline wailed as she cried true tears.
Very quickly, Caroline listed the deficiencies of such as situation. “A dower house? Such homes are never warm in winter. A widow is never funded properly. I shall never have a proper dinner or entertainments again.”
“You will have opportunities to play on a pianoforte. The lady’s daughter has seen to her mother’s comfort. However, the lady’s financial condition is much like your own,” Charles answered. “She also gave her money to George Wickham.”
Geoffrey stifled a chuckle that caught everyone’s attention. Caroline turned on her brother-in-law and demanded, “What did you wish to say Mr Hurst? Tell everyone what humorous notion that wandered through your small mind?”
Not glancing at his wife, Geoffrey replied, “Well sister, you will find that you have much in common with your employer. She is Lady Catherine de Bourgh who was duped by the samecharlatan, George Wickham. The lady also lost fifteen thousand pounds.”
