“Indeed,” Miss Bingley nodded, “it must account for her lack of manners. How impertinent she was to interfere while we were making plans for the fair!”
“But you liked her suggestions,” Oliver pointed out.
Miss Bingley put one hand to her lips. “I spoke only out of politeness, you know. You were not aware, but I already had in mind to put a tent over the dancing area, but I had to let her think the notion was hers.”
“Poor creature,” Mrs. Hurst continued. “She is a sweet thing, to be sure, but her appearance leaves something to be desired. I do not know when I last saw a girl so plain, and, unfortunately, she lacks taste and style to make up for it.”
“No style at all, I am afraid,” Miss Bingley added. “Her dress today was such a dull shade of blue, and it did not match her Spencer or her bonnet at all.”
Her comments did not please Theo. A frown appeared on his face.
“While I am no judge of style, I am afraid I never saw anything wanting in Miss Greenbough’s appearance,” Oliver said with a decided air.
“But even if you had, I know you would never say so to us! You are all politeness, Your Lordship!” Mrs. Hurst crooned. “No, I concede, her appearance cannot be found wanting while we are in your presence. After all, she is your old friend, is she not? Tell me, how long have you been acquainted?”
Oliver glanced at Theo, who raised his eyebrows pointedly.
“Our acquaintance was only formed last week at church, Mrs. Hurst. I never saw her before then.”
“Oh!” Mrs. Hurst tittered. “I was sure, by the look of things, that you must have had some prior connection, but I suppose I was wrong.” She shared a look with her sister.
Miss Bingley spoke up again. “When you tour the fairgrounds, Your Lordship, I hope you shall allow me to accompany you. I should love to take in the lay of the land, mark out with my eyes where things ought to be built. Would that be acceptable?”
“Certainly, Miss Bingley. I shall be glad of your company.”
They rose from the table.
Mrs. Hurst tapped her husband on the shoulder. “Hurst, we are leaving now! Do stop stuffing your face.”
Reluctantly, Mr. Hurst left the remaining treats and stood up.
“May I walk you to your carriage?” Oliver asked.
Mrs. Hurst happily accepted. Theo followed them to the front lawn, where their chaise waited on the circular drive. Mr. Hurst entered first, followed by his wife. Oliver chatted with them to finalize a day to visit the fairgrounds.
“A word, if I may, Miss Bingley,” Theo spoke in a low voice, so the others could not hear. “It does not become you to speak ill of others in their absence. The things you said about Miss Greenbough were unkind.”
Miss Bingley’s complexion reddened. “I-I assure you, I meant nothing by it,” she stammered.
“Perhaps. But your words may wound nevertheless. And they will not endear you to Lord Connally by saying them, either, if such is your goal. Good day to you, Miss Bingley.”
S
Caroline felt ashamed. She had not expected Mr. Hodge to call her conduct into question, but she knew he was right. It was unkind to speak ill of someone in their absence. At the Ladies Seminary of London, gossip flowed freely and girls regularly put down others, both to their faces and behind their backs. This attitude continued in the cutthroat “marriage mart” of the Season, where it became even more vital to assert one’s own qualities and discredit one’s rivals. Yet in the recesses of her mind, Caroline recalled her mother, while she was still living, exhorting her to uphold the “golden rule”–treat others as you would have them treat you.
Caroline was silent on the return to Fairclough. Mr. Hodge had told her that her disparaging comments would not endear her to Lord Connally. She recalled all the unkind things she said about Elizabeth Bennet in the presence of Mr. Darcy. At the time, she believed that by pointing out Miss Bennet’s flaws, Mr. Darcy would acknowledge her faults and turn his attention back to Caroline. Now, she wondered if her behavior was not the very thing which had driven him away.
S
Later in the week, Caroline and Louisa went with Lord Connally and Mr. Hodge to inspect the old fairgrounds. Mr. Hurst declared that he was not needed, and chose to accompany his mother on her visit to Spaw House instead.
“Oh yes, I can quite envision it already!” Caroline exclaimed when she saw the fields. “Over here is where we shall put the stalls for all the marketplace goods to be sold, and in the middle, we shall erect the stage and the tent. On the other side will be more stalls for the vendors selling food to be eaten at the fair, and on the western side, the produce stalls.”
“I say, you do have it all worked out!” Lord Connally exclaimed. “You are a credit to this endeavor, Miss Bingley.”
“I had some thoughts regarding colors to use for the festoons and banners, Lord Connally.” She showed him her sketches of the design for the stage, tent, and stalls, each bedecked with bright garlands of red, yellow, and orange flowers and colorful ribbons. Mr. Hodge looked over his friend’s shoulder to see.
“You have an artist’s eye, Miss Bingley,” Mr. Hodge remarked. “The colors will be quite festive.”
