Chapter 9 #2
“I asked a question, Caroline,” he stated, his voice still calm.
There was no answer for a while.
Caroline
Caroline knew she was in trouble. Her futile attempt to manipulate the conversation had already proven fruitless, and she now faced the resolute determination mirrored in her brother's eyes. Taking a deep breath, she began her explanation.
“I was aware of your inner turmoil regarding your attraction to Miss Bennet.
Moreover, I had already discerned the manipulative intentions of both Miss Bennet and Mrs. Bennet, who sought to influence you into making an offer of marriage.
I sought to shield you from encountering her once more.
I was trying to help and protect you, Charles.
The Bennets don't matter to us; they don't offer anything valuable.”
She could see that her brother was not convinced.
“You used the word ‘us’. Tell me, what do you think I want?” her brother inquired.
Oh dear, this is a trap. I know exactly what he desires, but what he wants isn't in his best interest. But how can I make him understand this?
“Charles, I understand your current wishes, but pray trust me when I say that your desires will change soon. Let me remind you of Miss Abel and Miss Johnson. How did things turn out with them?”
She saw the fire igniting in her brother's eyes. She waited for his outburst, but it didn't come.
"So, you also think that my feelings for Miss Bennet are just a passing fancy. Tell me, Caroline. How many months have gone by since I last saw Miss Bennet? And how many months did I spend with those two ladies you just mentioned?"
She wasn't prepared for that question. She didn't know how to respond. He continued regardless.
“You are my sister. You are meant to care for me. Can you honestly say that you've observed me over these last four months as merely besotted with a passing fancy?”
"No, I sensed that your feelings for Miss Bennet ran much deeper than what I had previously observed," she had to admit.
That was a mistake.
Hunsford Parsonage, Kent
Darcy
As the silence lingered after he finished his proposal, Darcy’s unease deepened.
Why is she taking so long? Why is she surprised in the first place? Wasn't she aware of my intentions towards her?
After a while, he noticed her gaze moving on to the letter in her hand, and he observed a change in her countenance. She was contemplating something. Oh, dear God, is she refusing me?
Then she proceeded to do precisely what he had feared. She expressed her gratitude for his proposal but declared her intention to reject it. Why?
“Pardon me, but I would humbly request you to enlighten me as to the cause of my abrupt dismissal”, he inquired, his voice filled with all the anguish that he was feeling.
Once again, she directed her gaze towards the letter in her hand. Why is she looking at that letter every time? Whose letter is it?
“Is it reason enough that my own feelings are decidedly against you? Even if they had been indifferent or even favourable, do you think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man who has been the means of ruining, perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most beloved sister? Can you deny that you have separated Mr. Bingley from my sister?”
Darcy clearly heard the edge in her voice, though he couldn’t understand the reason behind it. What is she accusing me of? Did Miss Bennet really love Bingley?
Though Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst tried to influence Bingley, Darcy knew that it was his own words that drove Bingley to distance himself from Miss Jane Bennet.
What else can I do? Mrs. Bennet was trying to trap Bingley, and Miss Bennet never displayed genuine affection. No, I bear no shame for my actions concerning Bingley and Miss Jane Bennet. It was an act of loyalty towards a dear friend. I had to do it.
"I have no desire to deny that I conversed with Bingley concerning his admiration for your sister.
I shared my observations and implored him to reflect upon them.
Please let it be known that my actions were not driven by malicious intent or any personal gain.
They were done in service to a friend," he clarified.
By this time, his composure was starting to wane. And it spiralled further downhill on hearing her next words.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth was at a loss for words. She felt both puzzled and angry. Service to a friend? What about Jane? Who is he to come between them?
“But it is not merely this affair on which my dislike is founded. Long before it had taken place, my opinion of you was decided. Your character was unfolded in the recital which I received many months ago from Mr. Wickham. On this subject, what can you have to say? In what imaginary act of friendship can you defend yourself here? Or under what misrepresentation can you here impose upon others?”
Her voice carried all the resentment she felt towards him. And this time, she saw precisely what she had anticipated earlier.
Mr. Darcy countenance looked like thunder. He was really, really angry.
Bingley’s Townhouse, London
Bingley
The moment his sister confessed that she was aware of the depth of his feelings towards Miss Bennet, Bingley lost control. His composure, which was already hanging by a thread, slipped away entirely.
So, she knew. She understood the depth of my love for Miss Bennet. She witnessed the agony I endured over these past four months. Yet, despite this knowledge, she still attempted to separate Miss Bennet from me. So that is the true extent of her affection for me as a brother.
“So, you were aware of the extent of my love for Miss Bennet.
Yet, you still attempted to come between us?
Furthermore, you even attempted to involve poor Miss Darcy in all of this?
I must ask, Caroline, who planted the notion in your mind that I am attracted to Miss Darcy?
She is but a young girl, for God's sake.”
He saw his sister’s eyes widen at the mention of Miss Darcy. Nevertheless, he continued with his outbursts.
“I am aware of Miss Bennet's visit to our home.
Furthermore, I know that you paid a visit to her residence with the intention of severing all connections.
Who are you to withhold information about visitors who come to my house?
I am the master of this house, Caroline.
I need to be informed about the happenings here.
Moreover, who gave you the authority to spread rumours suggesting that I am spending time with Miss Darcy?
You mentioned this in a letter, Caroline.
Have you not considered the potential consequences if someone else were to read that letter?
Do you not realize the harm it could cause to Miss Darcy's reputation? Just wait until I inform Darcy about this. I would not be surprised if he chose to sever ties with us. I must acknowledge that I deserve such an outcome for the way you, my sister, have treated him,” Bingley's anger raged unabated.
“It was Mr. Darcy,” she replied in a feeble voice.
What in the world?
Caroline
When her brother mentioned Miss Darcy, Caroline realized that he was privy to the whole situation.
She understood that he had somehow encountered Miss Bennet, who had divulged the details to him.
She also came to the realisation that her attempts to manipulate her brother would not work this time. She was in deep, deep trouble.
Unfortunately for her, he was not finished. He continued, enumerating every transgression she had committed. And then, to her shock, he broached the one subject that struck fear deep within her.
Oh no, if he were to disclose that to Mr. Darcy, then everything would be lost. That is the end.
Caroline Bingley could never truly ascertain what had compelled her to utter such a falsehood.
Perhaps it was fear, a moment of panic that had overcome her.
She immediately regretted her words as soon as they had left her lips.
Yet, her stubbornness prevented her from retracting them, plunging her deeper into the intricate web of deceit.
Little did she realize the far-reaching consequences those words would have on the lives of her brother and his friend.
“It was Mr. Darcy,” she blurted out.
Oh my God, what have I done?
Hunsford Parsonage, Kent
Darcy
Wickham again. God, will I ever be freed from that wretched man? And why does she persist in championing his cause? Didn’t I warn Mr. Bennet?
The mere mention of Wickham never failed to ignite a fire within him.
Unfortunately, an enraged man is seldom endowed with wisdom.
Darcy was in no emotional condition to fathom that engaging in an argument with the sole lady who held his heart, the one he would eternally adore, was the least desirable course of action for him at this time.
“You take an eager interest in that gentleman’s concerns,” he didn’t try to modulate his voice.
“Who that knows what his misfortunes have been can help feeling an interest in him?”, she fired back.
“His misfortunes!” repeated Darcy, contemptuously,—“yes, his misfortunes have been great indeed.”
“And of your infliction,” cried her, with energy; “You have reduced him to his present state of poverty—comparative poverty. You have withheld the advantages which you must know to have been designed for him. You have deprived the best years of his life of that independence which was no less his due than his desert. You have done all this! and yet you can treat the mention of his misfortunes with contempt and ridicule.”, she didn’t hold back either.
“And this is your opinion of me! This is the estimation in which you hold me! I thank you for explaining it so fully”
Darcy had enough. He was hurt, humiliated and completely miserable. He didn’t have anything left to carry on like this.
Unfortunately for him, she did.
Bingley’s Townhouse, London
Bingley
Dear God, is Darcy involved in this?