Chapter Four
Bingley House in London
Charles! Charles!” Miss Bingley’s voice was shrill with horror.
“Yes, Caroline?” Mr. Bingley looked up from the slice of ham he was cutting.
“You must listen to this!” She read aloud from her newspaper.
We have just learnt that a certain Miss GD of Derbyshire was one step away from eloping with the steward’s son before her brother caught the unlucky pair just in time. We can only wonder what possessed her! Perhaps Mr. FD is not as attentive a brother as one would hope?
Then she looked up and stared at her brother with wide eyes. “It must be about Georgiana Darcy!”
Mr. Bingley’s eyes opened wide. “But – it is not possible! Darcy would never have allowed her to be on her own!”
“Do you not recall something about her being allowed to go to the seaside with her companion?”
Pushing his plate aside, Mr. Bingley considered it. “I do remember something of the sort.”
Miss Bingley threw the paper onto the table. “I am certainly glad I did not marry the man! Heavens, the ton will never forget this! Whatever was Georgiana thinking?”
Mr. Bingley refrained from pointing out that Mr. Darcy had never offered her marriage; instead, he rose at once and went to his study to consider how he might assist his friend.