Chapter 31. Caroline’s Interview
“I see you have come to call Caroline,” Charles said. “From all your comments on proper manners that I have endured over many years, I find it hard to believe that well-mannered guests transport their entire wardrobe with them when they visit for tea.”
“Charles, you are so...”
“I insist on knowing the reason for your appearance here in Hertfordshire.”
“Must a sister have a reason to come see her brother?” she answered with a feigned sweetness that no longer fooled Charles. He walked across the room to sit in a comfortable chair, he did not know how long it would take but Caroline would eventually tell all.
“I was bored in London and Mr Hurst finally confessed your location. Why would you not tell me you were with Mr Darcy? I have told you I wish to know him better.”
Caroline moved to the windows, but Charles did not follow, and he remained silent.
“The country here is very wild; the natives are savages living in their forests and farms.” Caroline motioned about the room and asked, “Is the entire manor decorated in this sparse fashion?”
When Charles did not answer, Caroline moved to the chair opposite from him and sat down with a great sigh. “Mr Hargrove did not make me an offer and Mr Hurst was a bore, so I decided to follow you–how long do we stay with Mr Darcy? Is Miss Darcy here as well?”
Charles waited patiently and Caroline stood once again to pace in the room. “Say something Charles! Or do I have to be the only one with a worthy speech every time?”
“Did you bring any letters Caroline? Possibly a note from Mr Hurst?”
“No,” she lied. “I just departed London on my own.”
“Left my house in London with all your belongings? Without a word to Louisa or Mr Hurst?”
“Why would I bother to tell them? They are happy together and wanted to be shed of me.” Now Caroline sat and pretended to cry though her brother was not affected.
“I find myself in a most difficult situation Caroline,” Charles informed her.
“I must go and impose upon a friend for a room for an errant sister. I shall only ask for lodgings for a short time before we return to London. At my house, I shall visit with my sister and brother Hurst, and we shall decide how to proceed. If you are unable to live with them in harmony while I am conducting business...”
“Charles, you are not in trade any longer!”
“...and if you are unable to marry, I shall make arrangements for your care. An apartment or room in a reputable home will be found for you.”
“A ROOM!” she screeched. “I am not an old maiden aunt to be gotten rid of in rented room! I am not...”
“What happened with Hargrove? I offered him an additional thousand to marry you this summer.”
“You offered him money to marry me?” she gasped, unbelieving to hear of the arrangement. “My dowry is sufficient!”
Charles nodded. “He was interested after the Musgrove party, but I found he needed an additional incentive to take you to wife. What did you do to cool his interest?”
Caroline frowned before finally explaining, “His sister came to town to visit, and I did not care for her gowns. They were last season’s fashions, and she grew offended at my comments.”
Shaking his head, Charles rose from his seat. “Sister, I cannot find a suitable man to marry you. None with titles or wealth care for your sharp tongue and none who need your dowry would treat you well enough.”
“If only Mr Darcy...”
“No! Do not even hint at that, Caroline!” Charles ordered. “He said plainly that he has no interest in you as a wife.”
The brother and sister exchanged cold looks for a moment before he continued, “Remain here and I shall beg lodging until Saturday when we return to London.”
At the door he paused and asked, “Will I hear a very different story from Hurst or Hargrove when I see them, Caroline? It would be better for you now if I know all.”
Caroline did not answer, and Charles feared there was more to the story than what his sister had revealed.
**++**
Elizabeth sat in the parlour with her sisters and Georgie, listening to Mrs Annesley’s instruction on playing the duet.
When the door opened, and a maid entered with a note on a silver tray; she approached Miss Darcy and curtseyed as she presented to parchment with her name in her brother’s handwriting.
“What can William need to tell me so urgently when he will be here for dinner in another hour?” she asked as she broke the seal and then read the note.
Her eyes grew wide as she read and once done, she passed the note first to Mrs Annesley to read and then to the Bennet sisters.
When it came to Elizabeth’s hands, she read it quickly and then read it a second time to try and understand what Mr Darcy had written.
**++**
I shall be a few moments late this evening for supper Georgiana.
Do not worry but please inform Mrs Bennet that I am uncertain if Mr Bingley will attend us tonight.
Bingley’s sister, Miss Caroline, appeared at Netherfield this afternoon in a rented coach followed by a wagon of trunks and hat boxes.
It appears she came expecting a long visit.
I shall not allow more than three nights and Mr Bingley will leave with her to find her a suitable situation in town.
I do not know more than that and wish to know less. All will be well. William
**++**
Elizabeth looked up as Georgiana began giggling and could not stop. Mrs Annesley caught Miss Darcy’s eye but rather than cease giggling, Georgiana explained her gaiety.
“Do you remember the day Miss Bingley brought her brother to call in London, Mrs Annesley? I told my brother then that she was determined to be my best friend and would certainly show up for tea someday accompanied by her trunks.”
Kitty, Lydia and Mary joined Georgiana with giggling while Jane and Elizabeth tried very hard not to laugh aloud. Mrs Annesley shook her head and stifled a few laughs before covering her mouth with both hands.
“Did she really invite herself to stay at Netherfield?” asked Kitty. “I did not think even gentlemen were allowed to do that.”
“It is very wrong, Kitty,” Elizabeth agreed. “She should have written her brother for assistance and waited for him to come to her.”
“There must be something that we do not know,” Jane tried to say. “Something that has driven her from her home in London to seek her brother’s aid.”
Elizabeth knew that her eldest sister had a growing regard for Mr Bingley, but his younger sister was becoming a concern. She glanced at her own sisters and wondered how she would act if Kitty or Lydia had turned out wild and unladylike as Caroline Bingley.
“Thank Providence we had the Darcy’s in our lives to bring us higher.”
**++**
Charles Bingley approached the Netherfield library with some hesitancy–not that he feared Darcy’s wrath but rather his own shame in addressing with his sister’s impropriety in the home of his friend.
A footman guarded the library door, an unusual sight, but the man opened the door as Bingley approached.
Inside Darcy and his secretary were reviewing a letter from another estate and speaking quietly.
Bingley walked to the window and stared at the gardens where a pair of men gathered limbs fallen in the last rain.
The rose garden still offered a few blooms in the autumn sunshine.
“Bingley,” said Darcy from his side. Startled just a bit, Charles blushed then turned back toward the view from the window.
“I hope someday to have as pleasant a view from my own window,” he told his friend. “It must strengthen you to see such order around your home.”
“Indeed, it does.” Darcy hesitated for a moment but then asked, “And how does your sister fare? I thought she was to become engaged to Douglas Hargrove.”
“Caroline wanted a husband with money and a family history. Hargrove was interested and willing to marry her this summer, but I fear she put him off by insulting his sister or some other unnecessary thing. And I wonder what she said to our sister and her new husband. Hurst is a calm, level-headed fellow; for Caroline to appear with all her trunks, he would have closed my house and left town. But I have received no letter from him with complaint.”
Darcy assured Bingley saying, “Simmons will guard the front door jealously and bring me all correspondence that comes to the house before delivering it to anyone.”
Bingley shook his head, “I imagine she has a letter on her person but dreads to reveal its contents.”
He swallowed and asked, “Might I beg lodging for my sister until Saturday. I shall send for my carriage and take her into town to discover what is afoot. I shall send a wagon later for all her trunks if you would store them for a few days more.”
Darcy nodded his head. “I shall allow Miss Bingley a bed until Saturday. She may take meals with the family or in her room but none of my servants will take her orders. If she has needs that her maid cannot meet, she is allowed to approach the housekeeper in her office and ask.”
Bingley laughed. “Caroline venture into the housekeeper’s office? Darcy, Bonaparte will be welcomed at Whitehall with a parade before Caroline Bingley would approach the kitchens or a servant’s office.”
“The assembly is on Friday, and it will be a perfect evening. If Miss Bingley wishes to attend, she must be on her best behaviour.”
“I shall suggest she remain at Netherfield and pack.”
Mrs Hobbes was summoned and after the carriage was dispatched and the footman unloaded the twelve trunks of gowns, shoes and hat boxes for storage in the cellar, she and Mr Bingley left to escort Miss Bingley to her room.
When she heard that she would sup alone that evening, Caroline broke down in tears but quickly recovered when her brother did not respond.
“Our invitation to dinner is long-standing Caroline and I enjoy the company of the Bennets very much. I would not miss it for a party with the Prince Regent!”
“But Charles...”
**++**