Chapter 10 #4
As he sat there grieving, a gentle tap sounded on the door. Looking up, he saw his sister patiently waiting for his permission to enter. Wow, that is new.
“Enter Caroline, what do you want?”
"Charles, I have been reflecting upon our conversation yesterday, and I find myself in complete agreement with everything you said.
I was mistaken in interfering in your and Miss Bennet's affairs.
I was wrong to waste all these years waiting for Mr. Darcy to propose to me.
I am now willing to marry anyone you deem suitable for me.
You may inform others that I am actively seeking potential suitors," Caroline declared.
Bingley could hardly believe his ears. Is this truly Caroline speaking?
"I have already done that. It was one of the tasks on my list today. I went to White's and made it known that you are now seeking suitors," Bingley replied, still perplexed by the sudden transformation exhibited by his sister.
"Oh, but there is one condition," Caroline added, her words not yet concluded.
Bingley suddenly felt a twinge of unease. It was Caroline, after all. She might express a desire for a titled suitor or something.
"I no longer wish to reside in London. I desire a suitor from a location as far away from London as possible," she revealed.
Bingley sprang up from his seat, taken aback by her words. What am I hearing?
"Goodness, Caroline! What does this mean? Why do you wish to distance yourself from London? You have always sought the company of society here," Bingley exclaimed.
“I see no attraction in London anymore, brother. I have come to realize that I am an outcast in this society. I yearn to be as far removed as possible. Thus, bear in mind that I shall not entertain suitors with ties to London. I no longer desire any reason to visit this city throughout my life.”
“Are you truly certain of this, Caroline? Might it be your sorrow speaking? London boasts many other well-mannered gentlemen, sister. Darcy is not the sole contender," Bingley sought reassurance.
“I have never been more certain in my life, brother. I want to live as far away from London as possible,” she declared emphatically.
There was nothing more to say on that front.
"Very well, I shall bear your wishes in mind," Bingley replied, his tone filled with acceptance.
Louisa
Louisa sat in her brother's study, uncertain of the reason for her presence here. A swift glance at her husband's countenance mirrored his own confusion.
What is transpiring here? Caroline wears a sullen expression. And now Charles summons us for a meeting. What has occurred in the two days of my absence?
After a while, her brother, who was scrawling an ineligible letter for the past five minutes, looked up and gazed intently into her eyes, causing Louisa to feel uncomfortable.
“Tell me Louisa, why didn’t you tell me that Miss Bennet is in London?”
She hadn't anticipated such a question. Now I can understand Caroline’s bad mood.
As she tried to come up with an answer, her brother helped her out.
"Nevermind, Louisa. I do not require your answer. It is evident that you have always followed Caroline's lead. I already have Caroline's answer, and I don't anticipate a different one from you. However, listen carefully to what I am about to say.
I met with Miss Bennet and her aunt yesterday, and it proved to be a fortuitous encounter.
They graciously shared a wealth of information with me.
I am now privy to the details of Caroline's correspondence with Miss Bennet, their visit to our home, as well as your subsequent visit to the Gardiner residence.
It has come to my attention that you both endeavoured to keep Miss Bennet and myself apart. "
Louisa interjected swiftly, attempting to explain herself.
"I am aware of Miss Bennet's visit here. I accompanied Caroline when she called on the Gardiner household. But I had no knowledge of any letter. If such a correspondence was sent, it was Caroline's doing."
She saw his brother considering this before continuing with his narrative.
"I believe you. The details are inconsequential now.
What truly matters is that I am completely convinced of my affection for Miss Bennet.
I have also come to realize that she harbours feelings for me.
I have requested her permission to court her, and she has graciously agreed.
I intend to return to Netherfield next week, and this house will be closed.
I want you to open your townhouse and move there for a while.
I also request you to take Caroline with you.
I have given her a period of five months to secure a suitable match.
If she remains unattached come September, I shall establish a separate establishment for her and release her dowry. "
Louisa was taken aback. She couldn't fathom her brother taking such drastic measures.
“You could never do such a thing, Charles. She is your sister,” she protested, her voice filled with disbelief.
"I can, Louisa, and I will," he responded firmly. "Caroline has already consented to this plan. In fact, you might be surprised by the condition she has put forth. She said she will agree as long as her future husband resides as far away from London as possible."
Louisa found it hard to believe that Caroline would make such a demand. She knew how much her sister loved London and couldn't envision her willingly living elsewhere. Charles is jesting, surely.
"You jest, brother. I know Caroline would never propose such a condition."
"No, Louisa, go and ask Caroline yourself.
I, too, was taken aback initially. However, she truly came to me today to communicate this.
She declared that she has had enough of London and feels like an outcast here.
She is ready to accept a gentleman who possesses an estate far removed from this city. I am not jesting. I am very serious."
Louisa was at a loss for words. She had already experienced enough shocks for one day. Little did she know, there were more surprises in store.
"There is another important matter I wish to communicate to both of you. Darcy came here today. I asked him to depart and never return. Our friendship has come to an end," Charles stated firmly.
Louisa sprang up from her seat. She saw her husband doing the same. Their faces reflect a mixture of surprise and concern.
“Charles, what is happening with you? What happened here in the two days we were away? Mr. Darcy is your best friend. No, I know you consider him as a brother. What mistake did he make for you to sever his friendship?”
When her brother didn’t respond for a while, Louisa continued.
“I know you loved Miss Bennet. I admit it. I was also feeling some regret seeing your suffering over these past four months. But Caroline continued to assert that Miss Bennet is not good for you. I was not strong enough to compete with her. You are right, I always followed her. I wonder why.”
Louisa saw her husband staring at her in surprise. Even her brother was staring at her. Though she felt uncomfortable being the centre of attention, she continued.
“But Mr. Darcy was always on your side, Charles. He always tried to act keeping your best interests in mind. I still remember Caroline approaching him at Netherfield to help her take you away from Miss Bennet. He refused to join her plans. He said he has no right to direct you in matters of heart. He said you will have to navigate it yourself.”
She would have spoken more, but to her absolute horror, her brother walked around the desk to come near her and kissed her on her cheek.
Bingley
Only when Louisa spoke of her remorse regarding her involvement in Caroline's scheme did Bingley understand the extent by which he was affected by his sister's actions. He was pained by it for sure. But it was obscured by other emotions like his love for Miss Bennet and his anger at Darcy. He couldn’t tell what prompted him to kiss her.
It was a voluntary action. The shock registered upon Louisa's countenance was not lost on him.
"I thank you, Louisa, for acknowledging your regret in regards to your actions," Bingley spoke.
"You cannot know the extent of relief it has provided me.
Caroline, on the other hand, has yet to offer a sincere apology.
To know that at least one of my sisters comprehended the pain I endured is a great solace.
Now, regarding Darcy, I've heard your arguments.
Darcy did inform me about his refusal to participate in Caroline's schemes.
But it was his words that deterred me from returning to Netherfield all those months ago.
Yes, both you and Caroline tried to persuade me as well.
However, after leaving this house following our conversation, I fully intended to return to Miss Bennet.
Unlike you and Caroline, Darcy knew how to manipulate me.
He acted as though he was on my side, creating the illusion that I was the one making the decision.
Do you know, he was aware of Miss Bennet's visit here? Caroline informed him about it. He even suggested to Caroline that she should refrain from telling me about it. Cutting all ties with Miss Bennet was his idea."
Bingley observed the shocked expression on Louisa’s face. So she doesn’t know it either. It was all Caroline and Darcy.
"By the time we visited the Gardiners, Mr. Darcy was in Kent. Are you suggesting that Caroline engaged in correspondence with Mr. Darcy? Such impropriety!" Louisa exclaimed in disbelief.
"No, Louisa, I had the same suspicion. Did you and Caroline visit Miss Darcy two or three days before Darcy left for Kent? Was it after Miss Bennet's visit here? Can you recall?" Bingley inquired, prompting his sister to recollect the specifics of their visit to the Darcy residence.
"Yes, we did visit Miss Darcy. Mr. Darcy was also present. I remember Caroline following Mr. Darcy to the refreshment table and having a hushed conversation. I couldn't discern the details of their conversation as I was seated near Miss Darcy," Louisa recounted.
A wave of sadness washed over Bingley. This only served as further evidence supporting Caroline's revelations. He had clung to a sliver of hope, even if it was irrational, that perhaps his dear friend was innocent and Caroline was weaving falsehoods.
"You are overreacting, brother."
Bingley sharply turned upon hearing this. This was perhaps the first time his brother-in-law had dared to voice an opinion to him.
Hurst
Hurst was mightily impressed with his brother, right up until Charles broached the subject of severing his friendship with Mr. Darcy. He believed that Charles had handled the situation with Caroline flawlessly. However, severing ties with Mr. Darcy seemed to be a step too far.
"Why do you say that, Hurst?" Bingley inquired.
"Did you not hear Caroline's words regarding her actions?
You now know that even Louisa, who was ever a willing accomplice in Caroline's machinations, remains ignorant of Mr. Darcy's involvement in this affair.
Can you fathom Mr. Darcy conspiring with Caroline in any matter?
For all I know, Mr. Darcy holds naught but contempt for Caroline," Hurst asserted his point.
"What if Darcy himself confessed to me his knowledge of Miss Bennet's presence in London for the past three weeks?" Bingley questioned.
"Very well, let us assume that Mr. Darcy somehow became aware of Miss Bennet's sojourn in London.
But why would he choose to remain silent, save for his belief that such an encounter may not be in your best interest?
He witnessed your anguish, Charles. Perhaps he deemed it more difficult for you to be reunited with Miss Bennet," Hurst queried.
"I have already inquired of him as to why he elected not to apprise me of Miss Bennet's presence in London.
He claimed it was of no importance. Can you fathom that, Hurst?
Who is he to determine the importance or insignificance of events in my life?
Do you know, Hurst? I saw Darcy on the eve of his departure for Kent.
We even conversed regarding Miss Bennet that day.
He should have divulged the information then.
He witnessed the struggles I was going through at that time," Bingley's voice faltered on his final words.
"Perchance Mr. Darcy did not comprehend the depth of your attachment.
It is plausible that he erred; after all, he is but a mortal.
He likely believed that he was acting in your best interest by withholding such knowledge.
Why not afford him the benefit of the doubt?
" Hurst attempted to reason with his brother.
This time, Bingley took a moment before responding.
"Hurst, since my father's demise, I have perpetually been under the influence of others.
Decisions were made on my behalf, and I, being excessively amiable and spineless, acquiesced.
I was content, believing that my sisters and my friend always had my best interests at heart.
I presumed they understood my desires. But this time, they have overstepped the bounds, Hurst. Nothing in my life surpasses the significance of my love for Miss Bennet.
I can comprehend if Darcy is unaware of this fact.
However, I cannot condone his misguided assumptions or his propensity for deciding on my behalf.
Henceforth, I have resolved to live life according to my own wishes.
I no longer desire a friend who betrays my trust, as Darcy has done," Bingley declared, his voice filled with emotion.
Hurst reclined in his seat, sighing deeply.
Though he did not concur with his brother's sentiments, he can understand why severing connection with Mr. Darcy was important for his brother.
After all, it was Charles who had endured months of suffering.
And if Mr. Darcy had indeed committed the transgressions Charles accused him of, then Charles had every right to be incensed.
Mr. Darcy doing such a thing is hard to believe. It doesn't fit his character. Yet, if he is innocent, why would he confess to such actions? That would be a folly, and Mr. Darcy is not a foolish man. I wonder if there are some misunderstandings here.
He did hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately, he took no action to address it.