Chapter XII #3
Bingley, however, was implacable. “Not another word, Caroline. I should have determined to leave today when I learned of your behavior in Lambton. That is a mistake I can now rectify.”
Hurst, who had remained silent, nodded. “Yes, I agree. We should be gone at once.”
Yet Miss Bingley did not move, appearing unable to understand the collapse of all her plans and her banishment from Pemberley. Bingley, still furious at her, did not wait for her to regain her senses.
“Caroline, you will return upstairs and instruct your maid to pack for an immediate departure. If you do not obey me at once, we shall depart without your effects. Then Darcy’s excellent staff can ship them to you—at your expense, taken from your dowry.”
That got Miss Bingley’s attention. Without another word, she stalked past the Hursts, up the stairs, and within moments they heard the slamming of the bedchamber door.
“I shall summon Miss Darcy at once,” said Mrs. Reynolds, as she stepped away.
For the first time, Darcy realized that not only had his housekeeper and butler witnessed the exchange, but several other servants had been nearby.
They made themselves scarce at once, but servants gossip, though Pemberley’s servants were well treated and fiercely discreet, and Darcy trusted the tale would go no farther than the house.
“If your servants did not have the reputation for being as quiet as the grave,” muttered Bingley, “this story would be all over the district within a fortnight.”
“Two days,” rumbled Hurst. “Caroline would make it all that much more salacious, given her unhidden ambitions.”
“If you will excuse me,” said Mrs. Hurst, “I should see to my sister.”
She squared her shoulders and addressed Darcy. “Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Darcy, and your patience toward my sister. I shall ensure she understands the situation and makes no further trouble.”
“That would be for the best,” added Hurst. “If society continues to suppose Caroline enjoys Darcy’s friendship, it will help her find a husband at last, now that her pretensions toward Darcy are at an end.”
Seeing Darcy’s expression, Hurst shrugged. “I know it will be a fiction, Darcy, and I do not ask you to do anything but allow it to persist.”
“If she finds a husband,” said Darcy, directing a sly look at his friend, “she will no longer be your responsibility.”
“Happy thought, indeed,” said Bingley, drawing laughter from all three men.
Mrs. Hurst curtseyed and departed up the stairs, leaving Darcy with the two men. Hurst regarded him speculatively, while Bingley continued to mutter epithets Darcy was certain were directed at his sister.
“I shall not comment on your departure, Darcy,” said Hurst. “It is not my business to do so. Regarding Caroline, I shall only say that her days of doing as she wishes are at an end. Her behavior toward Miss Bennet has turned our Bingley into a tiger.”
“Whether I have grown fangs I cannot say,” retorted Bingley with a grin, “but you are correct, Hurst. I am little inclined to allow Caroline to continue acting as she will.”
“That is for the best, Bingley,” said Darcy.
“You need not say it, my friend,” interrupted Bingley. “Caroline’s behavior does me no credit in society—with that I have no argument.”
“Either way,” said Hurst, “since we are to depart at once, I should make my preparations.”
Hurst then eyed Darcy. “I know you consider me more of an acquaintance than friend, Darcy, but I hope you will continue to associate with me. Should we induce some unfortunate fool to take Caroline on, we will not have that millstone between us.”
“I have no objection,” said Darcy, though in truth Hurst did not interest him enough to make frequent association appealing.
“Good,” said he.
When he left, Bingley turned to Darcy, but at Darcy’s warning expression, he swallowed the apology plainly waiting on his tongue, though not without a look of amusement.
“With any luck, Caroline will desist, my friend. How long do you suppose the business in London will take?”
Darcy grimaced. He had not shared his thoughts about how Miss Lydia’s situation might be resolved with anyone yet, and thought it best to speak to Mr. Gardiner before anyone else. Thus, he resolved to speak in general terms.
“It depends how long it takes to locate them. I have a notion already, but I may be wrong. At a minimum, I suspect we will be in London for a week, and potentially much longer.”
Bingley considered this and then nodded.
“It will take me three days to travel north, then almost a week to return south. If you find them early, you might wrap the business and find yourself eager to leave London. Feel free to retire to Netherfield if you are at leisure to do so—I shall dispatch a letter to the housekeeper before leaving Pemberley to inform them.”
“Thank you, Bingley,” said Darcy, extending his hand, which Bingley clutched in friendship.
“Not at all, Darcy.” Bingley laughed. “If you think about it, we shall be brothers if we both have success. Not in the way my sister wished, but brothers all the same.”
“That we shall,” said Darcy. “I shall see you in Hertfordshire before the end of the summer.”
“Godspeed, my friend.”