Chapter 16
When her brother told her that he intended to visit Jane Bennet, Caroline tried to persuade him not to.
She reminded him how indifferent Jane had been towards him at Lady Westcliff's ball.
Still, he ignored her, insisting that it was only natural that Miss Bennet had behaved that way after he had left Hertfordshire without so much as saying goodbye.
"You will see, Caroline. Once she realises that my intentions are honourable, she will receive me very differently," Charles said confidently, trying to convince his sister.
He was equally convinced that Jane still had feelings for him.
He was wealthy and handsome and could offer her a life of comfort.
Besides, he had persuaded himself that he would never find another woman as beautiful as Jane who would willingly become his wife.
When Caroline realised her brother would not yield, she decided to accompany him.
Somehow, she had to prevent him from making the greatest mistake of his life.
If he married Jane Bennet, it would affect her directly.
After seeing the way Mr Darcy had looked at Eliza Bennet at Lady Westcliff's ball, she was convinced she had to keep him as far away from that chit as possible.
She knew he would never propose to a poor young woman from such a vulgar family.
But as long as Mr Darcy remained infatuated with Eliza Bennet, it would only delay the day when he finally proposed to her.
"Very well, Charles. If I cannot change your mind, then allow me to accompany you. I believe you may need someone to console you when Miss Bennet refuses you again," Caroline said dismissively.
"Very well. You may accompany me, if only to prove how mistaken you are. But I warn you, I shall not permit you to interfere."
Mr Bingley and his sister left for the Gardiners' house. Upon their arrival, they were surprised to find an unexpected visitor.
Mr Bingley warmly greeted Jane, while Caroline was pleasantly surprised to see Matthew still holding Jane's hand. Mrs Gardiner immediately sensed that an awkward situation was about to arise. Hoping to ease the tension, she welcomed the newcomers, invited them to sit down, and had tea served.
"My dear Jane, it is such a pleasure to see you again," Caroline said, feigning delight. "When I learned that my brother intended to call on you, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for us to renew our acquaintance."
Turning to Matthew, she added with a polite smile,
"I did not see you at Lady Westcliff's ball. I was so sorry to learn that you had not been invited."
Caroline was delighted to have found an opportunity to put Matthew in his place. She still had not forgiven him for treating her like a common gossip at Lady Campbell's dinner.
"Lady Campbell and Lord Westcliff invited my father and me, but we had business in the north—both private and professional—and were therefore unable to attend."
Matthew was beginning to lose patience with Miss Bingley's hostile remarks and with the inquisitive way her brother kept looking at his future wife.
Caroline continued making pointed comments, while Jane and Mrs Gardiner did their best to respond politely and prevent the conversation from becoming even more uncomfortable.
Mr Bingley, who had not yet noticed that Matthew was still holding Jane's hand, said, "Miss Bennet, one of the reasons I came today was to see you.
I also wished to ask whether you would do me the pleasure of accompanying me to Mr Robinson's ball.
He and his wife have now been married for a year and are celebrating the anniversary with their friends and acquaintances.
Would you and your family do us the honour of dining with us tomorrow evening before the ball? "
It never occurred to Mr Bingley that Jane might decline his invitation.
Jane felt Matthew's hand tighten slightly around hers as he listened to Mr Bingley's invitation.
She intended to decline as graciously as possible, explaining that she was already engaged elsewhere. Before she could speak, however, Matthew answered for her.
"I am sorry, Mr Bingley, but my betrothed is not available tomorrow, nor the day after, nor at any future time—unless your invitation includes us both."
Only then did Mr Bingley notice that Matthew was holding Jane's hand, and he concealed his disappointment as best he could.
"I beg your pardon, Mr Andrews. I was unaware that you and Miss Bennet were engaged. Please accept my sincere congratulations. I trust you know how fortunate you are."
"Indeed I do," Matthew replied, meeting Mr Bingley's gaze without flinching. "I know very well how fortunate I am that Miss Bennet has agreed to become my wife."
"Thank you, Mr Bingley," Jane added gently. "Our engagement is very recent, and very few people know of it."
She had no wish to hurt him. She knew that, beneath his youthful foolishness, he was not an ill-natured person.
"You cannot imagine how delighted I am for you, Jane," Caroline said with a radiant smile. "You are to become the wife of a distinguished solicitor and successful businessman. A most suitable match for a young lady of your station."
Caroline was positively delighted. Finally, Jane Bennet would no longer trouble her. Besides, Jane would be marrying someone entirely appropriate to her rank. Aspiring to become the future Mrs Bingley had always been far beyond her place.
For the remainder of the half-hour the Bingleys spent in Cheapside, Caroline amused herself by making one impertinent remark after another, while her brother remained almost entirely silent.
Matthew refrained from putting Caroline in her place only because Jane, with a single look, silently begged him not to. He detested pretentious people more than anything, but he knew it was not worth wasting either his time or his energy on a woman like Miss Bingley.
Shortly after the Bingleys had departed, Mr Gardiner returned home.
Matthew asked if he might speak with him privately, and the two gentlemen withdrew to the study.
Once Mr Gardiner had given his provisional consent to the engagement, Mrs Gardiner celebrated the occasion by hosting a special family dinner, and everyone gathered around the table.
John and Laura were delighted by the news.
"Matthew, I shall finally have a male cousin! I was growing tired of always being the only man."
"You are hardly a man," Laura replied with a grin. "You are only a little boy."
Everyone laughed, and the cheerful conversation continued throughout the meal.
On the journey home, Caroline turned to her brother.
"You ought to be grateful to that solicitor for finally taking that woman off your hands. You will see—you shall meet someone far superior. A gentleman like you deserves a lady from the first circle, someone like Miss Darcy. Jane has found exactly the husband she deserves."
Charles looked at his sister in disbelief.
"You are so selfish, Caroline. You do not care in the least that I am hurt. The only thing that matters to you is proving that you were right."
He shook his head sadly.
"I hope you are happy now. And I hope you will finally leave me in peace."
For several days afterwards, Mr Bingley scarcely spoke a word to his sister.
◆◆◆
Elizabeth had spent more than two weeks in Kent visiting her good friend Charlotte.
She was grateful for the opportunity to be away from Longbourn.
She needed time to think. Rosings and the beautiful park surrounding it had allowed her to reflect upon everything that had happened in her life recently.
She loved walking along its many paths, especially the one that wound through a beautiful forest.
She confided some of the things that troubled her to Charlotte.
She valued her friend's opinion, for Charlotte always saw things from a different perspective, often making Elizabeth realise when she was mistaken.
She told her that her aunt had offered to hire a steward for Longbourn so that she might have more free time.
"Do you think it is a good idea, Charlotte?"
"I believe it is a wonderful idea, Eliza.
Since you were fifteen, you have worked far too hard on the estate.
If your father cannot afford a steward, and your aunt is willing to help, you should accept her offer.
That will also allow you to spend the Season in London and enjoy all the advantages Lady Campbell's company can offer you. "
"And find a husband of fortune and consequence?" Elizabeth asked with a mischievous smile.
"Even if you do not take it seriously—yes, Eliza, that is one of the advantages you may gain by staying in London with your aunt," Charlotte replied with her characteristic practicality.
Charlotte did not wish to speak against Mr Bennet, but on more than one occasion, she had heard him complain that he was not feeling well and send Elizabeth to attend to his duties.
Later, she had seen him at her own home, talking with her father, playing cards, and discussing history and philosophy with his friends.
She hoped Lady Campbell would help Elizabeth see her father as he truly was.
"Thank you, Charlotte. I shall discuss the matter with my aunt.
If my father refuses her help, I shall tell him that he will have to manage Longbourn himself, for I am planning to stay with my aunt for a long time.
" Elizabeth knew she had to take advantage of everything Lady Campbell offered her.
After all, everything would belong to Mr Collins once her father died.