Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
The next morning, after breaking their fast, he and Bingley made plans to leave for London immediately.
Their conversation immediately following the ball had been difficult, at best. Bingley had been aghast at the vitriol his sister had spewed, in public, no less.
When he found out Darcy was leaving for London, he declared he’d come along and pay a visit to his own solicitor, stating it was time he released Caroline’s funds into her own hands.
She’d managed to raise the ire of her most congenial brother, and his anger was a sight to behold.
In some ways he was glad his friend was joining him as it made his leaving less conspicuous.
Bingley finished his meal and excused himself to finish packing.
Darcy decided to enjoy his coffee and continue reading the paper, when, inadvertently, he overheard Miss Bingley accost her brother in the small hall outside the breakfast room.
“Charles!” Darcy heard the patter of quick, determined steps on the marble floor. “I demand we leave this horrid town and remove to London at once.”
“I think not. I like it here.”
“This town is full of unwashed, ungrateful wretches who don’t deserve our consideration. They are rude and barbaric in their manners and customs.”
“That is a hefty charge to levy against a small market town who has shown us nothing but kindness and consideration.”
“If we stay here, Charles, you shall become entrapped and will never escape the horrors of Meryton.”
Darcy grinned at the increasing frustration in her voice, and almost laughed out loud at Bingley’s calm reply.
“What if I told you I would be a willing captive?”
“Argh! You will not listen to reason. You are allowing another part of your body to lead your head.”
In his mind’s eye, he could see her flailing her arms about and stomping her feet.
“Caroline! Mind your language.”
“If you won’t leave Netherfield, then I demand you ask Mr. Darcy to leave.”
“Ah... now we come to the crux of the matter. This is all about Darcy.”
“He is a boor. I don’t know how you put up with his dour attitude.”
“We have been close friends for over eight years and I see no reason to ask him to leave because you are in high dudgeon.”
“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 to Elizabeth Bennet.” 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.
“What is it, Louisa?”
“Reginald received word his father is quite ill and his mother begs us to attend them before... well, before he passes. We leave at first light tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry for you and Hurst. I was sending Caroline to Aunt Cora’s.
Her latest behavior has finally escaped the bounds of propriety.
Would you and Hurst mind making a small detour on your way to his family’s estate and drop her off.
I’m headed to London for an appointment with my solicitor and cannot put it off any longer. ”
“I will take her to Aunt Cora’s and she’ll go no further. Reginald’s mother has requested that she not ever visit them while they have breath in their bodies.”
Darcy reached the top of the stairs and paused, shaking his head.
Miss Bingley had much to learn. Not for the first time he dearly wished he could transport her to the Hebrides and after a few weeks, send an anonymous letter to Charles advising him where she could be found.
He chuckled softly at the thought of her trekking over the rugged terrain in nothing but her day dress and soft shoes.
That would be cruel. He might be persuaded to send along a blanket and a pair of warm boots. He almost laughed out loud.
Bingley began to ascend the stairs and paused on the first step. “Would you be so kind as to write the Bennet family and extend our regrets. We were to attend dinner tomorrow evening and I shan’t return for at least a fortnight.”
“Of course. Leave it to me.”
“Thank you.”
Within the hour, Darcy and Bingley were on their way to London and were not there to witness, nor prevent what happened next.
Worried about her husband’s piece of mind, Louisa knocked on Caroline’s door.
“What Louisa? I’m not fit for company.”
“Charles has asked if Mr. Hurst and I could deliver you to Aunt Cora’s. We leave tomorrow morning and it’s on our way.”
“Why are you going there, of all places. They are rude people and don’t treat us with respect.”
“I have no quarrels with my husband’s family. His father is quite ill and not expected to last long.”
“And you’ve bothered me with this drivel because....”
“Charles asked if I’d write a note to the Bennet family as he and Mr. Darcy cannot dine with them tomorrow evening. I need to be with Mr. Hurst and don’t have the time. Would you let them know for me?”
With a smile, reminiscent of a Cheshire cat, Caroline willingly agreed and it was no accident the footman was ordered to deliver it long after they’d all departed and she’d finally shaken the dust of Meryton from hem of her dress.
~~oo0oo~~
“Would you pass the eggs, please Lizzy.”