Page 60 of Saving Jane
Mr Bingley and Elizabeth were directed by Livingston to a small sitting room just off the foyer at the front of the house where Lady Catherine received her steward and other tradesmen when necessary. The room was bright this evening as a footman finished lighting the tapers in sconces on the wall.
Bingley stepped into the room, approaching his sister directly. “Caroline, why have you come to Kent?”
Rising from a wooden chair, Miss Bingley smiled and greeted her brother as though nothing was amiss. “Charles, finally I have found you! Mr Darcy has kept you from town long enough. How many weeksmust you hide in the country? Can we not open the house for the season?”
Seeming to notice Elizabeth for the first time, Caroline sneered. “And what brings you to Kent, Miss...?”
“Caroline, I am certain you remember Miss Elizabeth Bennet from the Darcy home last autumn. She is the particular friend of Miss Darcy...”
“They are hardly good friends, Charles. They have a short acquaintance from last autumn,” Caroline interrupted her brother though she blushed.
Narrowing her eyes, Elizabeth remembered Mr Bingley’s distress and determined to remain gracious. “Miss Bingley, I was not aware that your brother kept a house in town.”
“Yes, it is a very fashionable house in Mayfair,” answered Miss Bingley.
“And I have not renewed the lease,” Bingley replied. “My family encourages me to join the class of landed gentry, and my intention is to find an estate to lease for a few seasons. I do not intend to incur the expense of a house in town while I discover if I enjoy the life of a country squire before investing.”
“But I must–we must have a house in town,” Caroline retorted. “How are we to entertain and enjoy the season without a house in London?”
Now, Bingley turned toward his sister and insisted, “Again, I ask, and you will answer–why are you here Caroline? You were to stay with the Hursts until Louisa’s confinement ended.”
When Miss Bingley frowned and did not answer her brother, Mr Bingley pressed his sister for an answer. “What have you done Caroline?”
She sighed and finally gave an explanation. “The Hursts would not allow any parties as Louisa neared her time. I was bored and invited a few friends for tea. Louisa is as large as a house and when I mentioned her size in front of friends, she grew emotional and tearful. Then Mr Hurst ordered me from the house and told the coachman to bring me here.”
Knowing his sister too well and imagining the details that his sister had left out, Charles shook his head. “Oh Caroline, what have you done?”
Attempting to deflect Charles’ attention, Miss Bingley began fussing about their brother-in-law. “This entire spring, Mr Hurst knew where you were hiding butwould not tell me!”
Glancing at Elizabeth who attempted to look anywhere but at the brother and sister, Bingley sighed, “Caroline, I have not been hiding–I have been working with Darcy at his different estates–I am learning what to expect if I purchase my own estate. If Mr Hurst has thrown you out of his house, there is no one left who will house you. What am I to do with you?”
“Get Mr Darcy to make me an offer of marriage and I shall no longer be your problem!” Caroline stated without reservation.
Elizabeth frowned but before she could admonish Miss Bingley, the very gentleman coughed behind them. Turning as one, they found Mr Darcy and his sister standing at the doorway. Charles blushed with embarrassment, but Caroline advanced toward Mr Darcy and Miss Darcy with a glint in her eye.
Quickly moving from the door, Mr Darcy guided his sister ahead of him and around another chair to maintain a suitable distance from his friend’s sister. Miss Bingley halted her advance when the gentleman had manoeuvred a pair of chairs between them. As Georgiana moved to stand beside Elizabeth, Darcy addressed the unexpected guest directly, “Miss Bingley, I feel that I must speak plainly. I have assured Charles several times that I shall never make you an offer of marriage.”
Perplexed and unhappy with this declaration, Caroline insisted, “But I am the perfect lady to set your table! I organize the best dinners...”
“When I need a new housekeeper, I shall seek your services as a servant!” he insisted.
Blushing Caroline argued, “But I am a lady of good taste with a large fortune!”
“Then allow your brother to arrange a match with a gentleman who is in need of a fortune and wife with fashionable taste. For myself, I am unable to comprehend your appearance at the home of my aunt. Lady Catherine declines to house you, and we must impose on Mr Collins to house you in the parsonage.”
“The parsonage?” cried Caroline, her disappointment clearly visible on her face.
Darcy’s voice grew colder. “This is the last time you can impose upon my family, Miss Bingley. The only other room is in the stable with the horses.”
Her colour high, Miss Bingley’s voice grew loud. “I have never been so insulted in all my life! I shall tell everyone in town of this treatment!”
Darcy’s face remained impassive as he replied, “If you feel it is necessary to repeat any portion of these events, I remind you that it will only further harm your reputation. Will people not wonder why we refused to house you when you appeared uninvited and unwelcomed at the home of my aunt?”
“Why would you treat me thus, sir?”
“Miss Bingley, you ignore polite suggestions. I have told you that you should seek elsewhere for company and matrimony, but you have failed to heed my requests.”
Caroline stood speechless for a moment as Darcy bowed and escorted Elizabeth and Georgiana out of the library.
