Page 27 of New World Tea Company
The scene at Netherfield had been contentious throughout the afternoon. At lunch, Caroline announced her change of heart and intention to attend the affair at Lucas Lodge. Charles smiled and welcomed the change but reminded his sister, “Our carriage leaves promptly at six of the clock this evening.”
“Yes, Charles. Whatever you say,” Caroline said, seeming to agree.
Still, the afternoon was rife with shouts about cold bathing water and ribbons with creases. The chambermaid, Alice Hill, fled in terror from Miss Bingley’s rooms, and only Mrs Hobbes was brave enough to venture into the chamber to dress the young lady’s hair.
Everyone in the manor heard Caroline’s decision to change her gown only minutes before six of the clock. At fifteen minutes past the hour, Charles mounted the steps and banged on his sister’s door. Finding Caroline still in her dressing robe with a dozen gowns on the bed, he equalled Caroline for volume when he declared her a selfish, spoiled creature.
She yelled about being trapped in the wilderness among savages when Charles left her room and travelled back down the stairs. It was another thirty minutes before she came down todiscover that the Bingley carriage with her family and Mr Darcy had left as soon as Mr Bingley returned from his visit to her chambers.
“Did he leave me behind?” she asked the footman, who remained silent. Then she grew angry and declared, “Charles left me!”
In anger, Caroline grabbed a porcelain figure on the nearest tabletop and threw it against the wall. The figurine shattered, and Caroline ordered the man, “Summon another carriage!”
“I cannot, Miss Bingley.”
“What do you mean? There is another carriage in the stables!”
The young footman, David Hill, agreed but said, “That carriage belongs to Mr Darcy, and none but himself can order it out.”
“How dare you disobey me!” Caroline said as she stomped toward the back of the house. She stopped and asked, “Where is the kitchen?"
“Allow me to show you, Miss Bingley,” David said, stepping around the angry woman and leading her down the hall. He opened the door and stepped inside, allowing Caroline Bingley entrance to the kitchens. Seated around a long table were the servants who fetched water, dusted the furniture, and served the meals. At the head of the table sat Mrs Hobbes, the housekeeper who ruled over the kitchens. Rising from her seat, Mrs Hobbes motioned the others to remain seated while approaching Miss Bingley.
“How can I help you, Miss Bingley?”
“My brother left me behind.”
When Mrs Hobbes did not comment, Caroline continued, “Order the other carriage out. I shall not be left behind.”
The housekeeper looked convincingly contrite when she replied, “There is no one here with authority to order Mr Darcy’s coach out, Miss Bingley. That gentleman is very protective of his horses and coach.”
Stamping her foot, Caroline raised her voice, “I am Miss Caroline Bingley! You will do as I say, or you will be dismissed.”
At the table, Mr Harris rose and approached the unhappy gentlewoman, “Miss Bingley, I am Mr Darcy’s valet, and I assure you that no one can order out the Darcy coach and horses except for Mr Darcy himself.
“But this is a matter of some urgency,” Caroline argued. “My brother is among the savages of Herefordshire without me!”
“Savages, miss? Are we savages in Hertfordshire?” asked the housekeeper.
“Yes, of course, you are savages in your huts.”
Mrs Hobbes glanced about the sturdy walls of Netherfield and suggested, “Miss, I can send a message to Mr Bingley asking for direction. A footman can reach Lucas Lodge and return in an hour or so.”
“An hour!” screeched Caroline. Her anger again bubbled up, and the young gentlewoman declared, “All of you will be dismissed tomorrow morning! All of you!”
Mrs Hobbes nodded and said, “Miss Bingley, I suggest you return to your chamber. It will take you several hours to unfasten your buttons without help from myself or the maid.”
“What? No! Send that girl to help me now.”
“I shall not do so, Miss Bingley. You just declared that we are all fired as of tomorrow morning.”
Caroline looked around the room but did not recognise any familiar items except plates and cups that she could throw. However, the servants blocked her from reaching any of them.Frustrated to be thwarted, Caroline turned and fled from the kitchen. In the hallway, she did grab several decorative items on the small tables, though none of them broke when they hit the walls, and she stomped up the stairs to slam the door of her chamber three times.
Struggling to pull the tight dress over her head with the buttons still fastened, Caroline forgot about the ostrich feathers in her hair and broke the shafts of three of the four blue feathers. She rang for service, but no one attended her, and she was forced to make do with cold tea and three stale biscuits as the only supper she had that evening.
“Tomorrow, they will all be turned out! Without a reference!” Caroline swore as she dressed for bed.
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