Chapter 3
Bingley Sets the Trap
In bidding goodnight to his younger sister, Bingley reiterated his expectation of her success in finding a husband during the coming Season in Town. Caroline glared, saying he did not comprehend how matters would be.
Seeing that Caroline was resolved to her scheme, Bingley waited in the sitting room adjoining Darcy’s assigned bedchamber.
At first, the Hursts protested his request for them to join him.
Bingley insisted, knowing Louisa also disliked confrontation.
To his mind, his family needed to face the issue their sister had become.
Finding a man who would be discreet on behalf of Darcy’s reputation and of his sister’s had been imperative.
Bingley was aware she would not deserve the consideration if she did attempt to compromise his friend, but he wished it, nonetheless.
The answer presented itself in Darcy’s valet, Carpe.
The man agreed to the scheme, assuring Bingley he would do what he could to preserve Caroline’s dignity.
While they waited, Bingley asked Louisa to tell him of Caroline’s interactions with those men who attempted to gain her notice.
Bingley was incensed to learn of Caroline’s rejection of every caller below that of a peer.
He knew he was, in part, to blame because he had not checked his sister’s pretensions.
But she was not a peer’s daughter, nor was she likely to marry into the higher circles, given that their money came from trade.
Bingley demanded to know if their youngest sister engaged in any other behaviors that would blacken his name.
Only then did Louisa admit how their sister pocketed the money he had left to pay the servants to close up the house in Town.
Louisa explained Caroline’s certainty that she would have them back in London in under two weeks, and their sister’s confidence that Bingley would give her the coin a second time if she claimed he had not.
Declaring an intent to see the money returned, Bingley was appalled to learn his younger sister had spent it on new gowns meant to gain Darcy's attention.
“And you chose not to tell me any of this,” Bingley said, looking between Louisa and her husband.
“I…apologize, Brother,” Louisa said, her eyes lowering from his gaze.
After a beat, Bingley said, “This brings to mind that your house was to be renovated by now, Hurst. I must wonder what else you have kept from me. I shall verify that you have not lied about that. It is time you and Louisa host Caroline in your home.”
“Oh, ho.” Hurst sat up with a suddenness. “I am not certain when the conversation turned from Caroline to our estate, but I think you too hasty.”
“Neither of you was willing to inform me she had stolen from me, actions which could tarnish my reputation. Given that you prefer her to me, you're welcome to take her in. Or, more like, she can take care of you.”
“Now, Bingley, I think we must discuss—”
Caroline’s screech echoed through the walls. Bingley stood, moving to the door of Darcy’s room.
“What are you doing here?” Caroline demanded.
“You are even less appealing unclothed than you are clothed,” Carpe said, raising his voice so that he might be heard over Caroline’s protestations.
“If you slap me, I will return the favor. Take heed, as I am not dependent on you to pay my salary. Now, cease caterwauling and put on the blasted robe, madam.”
Seconds later, Carpe opened the door wide, inviting Bingley and the Hursts to enter.
“Anything else I should know?” Bingley asked Carpe while his sister tightened the belt of her dressing gown.
“There was more to the tea she sent up after the assembly. Very likely also in your own tray, so that none would catch them but the Hursts and force Darcy’s hand. After my accident, I know the bitterness of laudanum when I taste it. I did not drink more than a sip.”
“You lie,” Caroline exclaimed, attempting to drown out the valet.
“Let me summarize what I know, Sister. You demanded a key from Mrs. Nicholls to Darcy’s room this afternoon.
At the assembly, you and Louisa had a conversation during which she warned you not to attempt a compromise.
You said you would not try. You claimed you would succeed.
” Bingley sniffed the teacup. “You drugged Darcy’s tea.
You thought Darcy would be in this bed and under the influence of laudanum so you could…
carry out your heinous deed. Yet, you are upset because Carpe is not Darcy? ”
“How do you know of our conversations?” Louisa’s alarm grew as she grasped the full extent of the reasons for their brother’s altered behavior that evening.
“You told your husband, and he told Charles in his drunken state?” Caroline accused. “You have ruined everything, Louisa. This plan would have worked.”
“I did not learn of your scheming through our sister or her husband,” said Bingley.
“I must now mitigate this disaster you have created. You have committed criminal acts, Caroline. You stole funds from me, and now you attempt to steal Pemberley by compromising Darcy. Heed me now. He will not marry you. No circumstance leads to Darcy marrying you, Caroline. It will never happen. You have only injured yourself.”
Bingley was too enraged to care that his sisters looked at him with trepidation.
“Harold and I will never again hide anything from you. And we will be glad to stay with you and watch over our sister,” Louisa said, bargaining to remain under his roof. “And you, Caroline, will never again do anything that might blacken our brother’s reputation, will you?”
“Of course not,” Caroline simpered, recognizing that her brother had been tested beyond his limits.
Bingley flinched when Caroline attempted to wrap their arms together, knowing she intended to walk him from the room so they might leave this whole situation behind.
He also knew she believed it would then be much easier to persuade him to forget anything untoward had been attempted.
Bingley knew her intentions and was tired of her using a pretense of affection to manipulate him.
“Brother, I am certain our friend will understand I made a mistake—”
“He was never your friend. It is now Mr. Darcy to you, Caroline. If he allows you to speak to him again,” Bingley said.
“He would never wish me away—”
“Hurst, have Louisa and Caroline packed. Breakfast will be on the sideboard at seven. You three will be gone by nine, I care not where. And if I learn that you lied about the repairs these last four years, I will expect recompense for all expenses you incurred while neither you nor Louisa respected me or my family’s name.
My solicitor will verify that you are adhering to your promises and marriage articles.
Or, we can agree you are to pay Caroline’s expenses and escort her about until she is married or has her own establishment. ”
Bingley left the sitting room. In the corridor, he paused to rest against a wall. He ignored the screaming that had commenced between his sisters and Hurst, who hurled accusations at one another.
He looked up when Carpe opened the door to Darcy’s new room, indicating it was over. Darcy stepped out to thank Bingley by handing him a short glass of brandy. Bingley thanked Darcy for the drink, then made his way to the master’s chambers, thereby putting an end to the night.
Elizabeth Speaks with Her Sisters
“Lizzy,” came Mary’s voice on the other side of Elizabeth and Jane’s bedroom door.
“Come in,” Jane said.
Elizabeth sat at a small desk writing their aunt Gardiner of the evening’s amusements.
“How long have you known Mr. Darcy?” Mary asked Elizabeth.
“A few minutes longer than you,” quipped Elizabeth.
“Let her finish her letter, Mary. She has already said that they have never met before. It is true that our aunt and uncle have talked of them to us and of us to Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley.”
“By association, we might at last see the changes needed in our younger sisters’ behaviors,” Elizabeth said, then dipped her quill in the inkpot.
“Mr. Darcy was all kindness,” Mary said, a light blush rising on her cheeks.
“Do guard your heart against him, Mary. I believe his will soon belong to our Lizzy,” Jane said in her gentle way, though those same words teased Elizabeth.
“I am not afraid of losing my heart to him. He is too serious for me. He is indeed better served in losing his heart to Elizabeth,” Mary said, also goading her sister.
“You are both ridiculous,” Elizabeth sang out.
“Mr. Darcy would no sooner select me for his bride than he would choose to wed a barmaid. He may not be bound to his cousin in betrothal, claiming his aunt’s wish one neither desire, but his wife will be from the first circles.
And that is the end of this conversation. ”
“Oh, poor Mr. Darcy.”
“I think not, Jane dearest. I am certain she will be perfection.”
“As he is not betrothed, I hope he chooses you, Lizzy,” Mary said again.
“If only such a man would fall madly in love with me,” Elizabeth said good-humoredly. “I think him everything honorable. And for diverting attention from his friend and my beloved older sister, I would render him any favor within my power to gift.”
“I always appreciate your efforts to stop our mother from exposing us to her most embarrassing behaviors. Your efforts to protect us and our sisters from ridicule are greater feats than any knight might attempt, Lizzy,” Jane said, moving to kiss the top of Elizabeth’s head while gesturing that she finish the letter.
“During our set, he said he did not often dance at assemblies or balls. That he is uncomfortable around those he does not know. He was exceedingly glad Uncle Gardiner suggested he and Mr. Bingley make our acquaintance.”
Jane began plaiting Mary’s hair. “I am not jealous of you, but I wish my hair had your natural wave, Mary. Not even with braids or irons can I make a curl stay a full evening’s outing,” Jane said, a wish she had spoken a thousand times before.
“I, too, appreciate Mr. Darcy’s coming into the neighborhood with Mr. Bingley.
He may depart without offering for you, Lizzy, and do what society expects of a man of his circle.
But I think he will leave his heart in your care. ”