Chapter 1.13 #5
“Well then, let it be as you wish. Considering I gave Mr Bingley not the least bit of the hard time I gave poor Mr Darcy when he applied for my consent, it is only just that he suffer a little more in other areas. You may announce your engagement whenever you please. Just try to do it when I am not in the same room with your mama and preferably not during dinner. Promise me this, will you? And let me know when you decide what date to have your wedding, Lizzy, so I am in attendance to play my part in accompanying you to the altar.”
He continued to tease them a bit longer until they finished eating and having their coffee. An hour later, when Mr Bingley arrived to invite them to Netherfield for dinner, the discussion in the library remained animated.
∞∞∞
Caroline Bingley had just awoken when she received her sister’s letter, sent by express.
She read it a few times, threw it on her bed and rang for her maid.
So, stupid Charles let himself get trapped by that Jane Bennet.
What a fool! And now Louisa demanded that she quickly return to Netherfield.
Why on earth did Louisa need her? Surely, there was nothing to do about the engagement once it was made public.
She did not want to leave London! What was there for her to do in Hertfordshire?
To bear the impertinence of Lady Cassandra?
To be annoyed by that insupportable chit, Eliza Bennet?
How could she abandon the select and most elegant company of Lady Sophia?
And, most of all, how could she leave the presence of Lord Markham, the most charming gentleman she could ever imagine?
Mr Darcy was nothing in comparison—not in wealth, charm or politeness.
Lord Markham was everything Caroline ever dreamed of in a gentleman and in a suitor.
He was ever so kind to her, always seeking her company, pretending to be interested in her relatives, in Netherfield, even in Darcy, Lady Cassandra and those boring Bennets.
To Caroline’s utter satisfaction, neither Lord Markham nor Lady Sophia seemed to hold Lady Cassandra in high esteem—and why would they? The woman was pure impertinence with an abominable sense of independence.
Thinking of this fresh news, Caroline noticed that she was not as bothered by it as she thought she would be.
So Charles will marry Jane Bennet…that was it!
Her only concern was the reaction of her new friends and especially of Lord Markham.
Would the unfortunate alliance diminish her chances of happiness?
If that were the case, she would never forgive Charles for ruining her brilliant future.
Lady Markham—how lovely that sounds, indeed!
She hurried to prepare herself. Once more, she was invited to tea at Lady Sophia’s—the third time in a week—and Lord Markham would be there, too. She would handle the situation to her advantage; yes she would. She was a very clever woman; everybody said so. The future Lady Markham!
∞∞∞
Lady Cassandra remained in a corner of the drawing room, looking around attentively. Dinner was over, and the gentlemen separated from the ladies for less than a quarter of an hour.
Earlier that day, when he returned from Longbourn, Darcy shared with her the news of his engagement with such enthusiasm that she could not help laughing at him.
He looked like a schoolboy, she told him, and he did not protest. He only insisted that their engagement remain a secret as only Mr Bennet and Georgiana had been informed.
Secret indeed. She smiled to herself. It was enough to look at both Darcy and Elizabeth to see they were betraying their arrangement with every fibre of their being: every gesture, every word, and every stolen glance.
However, she promised to keep their secret.
Her eyes were drawn toward Elizabeth and Jane Bennet—such an astonishing difference between them.
Not such a classic beauty as her sister, Elizabeth Bennet looked more beautiful in a lively, joyful, vivid way.
They were both happy, that was obvious, but while Jane Bennet was smiling toward her intended, Elizabeth Bennet was laughing with her eyes and her whole being—she was laughing at her betrothed and at life itself.
Her happiness was palpable, as was the bond between her and Darcy.
Their connection was evident in many particulars: the way they searched for each other’s eyes, the way she blushed every time their gazes met, and the way Darcy stared lovingly at her No, they certainly could not keep their engagement secret for long!
Lady Cassandra turned her attention toward Charles Bingley. He talked of nothing but their engagement and the ball about which he had asked her opinion to complete the list of guests.
The ball that David Fitzwilliam will also attend—no doubt about that.
Lady Cassandra had thought about it innumerable times that day since she had seen his name at the top of the list. Although she hated herself for it, she had to admit she was anxious and desirous to see him again. She felt helpless and defeated—again.