“Why has Mr. Darcy never introduced us to his Fitzwilliam relations, or for that matter his younger sister?” Miss Bingley whined.
“Caroline, do I need to remind you what both he and Fitzwilliam told us?” Bingley responded exasperatedly.
It was just the two of them at the house on Curzon Street. Bingley had laid down the law that he would no longer fund the Hursts’ lives since they felt if they lived with Bingley, they would not need to expend their funds. He loved his older sister, but she was her husband’s responsibility, not his. Hence the Hursts were at Winsdale, the Hurst estate. Unfortunately, his younger sister was still with him and had not given him a reason to pack her off to their aunt—yet.
In the almost one and one-half years since Bingley had been introduced to Darcy at Cloverdell, they had become goodfriends. Not like he and Fitzwilliam were, but they often met at White’s when both were in London. The club was an option which precluded any ladies—namely Caroline—from inserting themselves into their conversations.
His sister had kept her behaviour under moderation since the visit to Fitzwilliam’s estate. However, it was as plain as the nose on her face she had not given up her dream of being the mistress of Pemberley and Darcy House. That it was a dream which would never be realised did not seem to sway her.
As far as being introduced to Fitzwilliam’s parents, she had been informed in no uncertain terms the Earl, Countess, and Viscount had no interest in meeting Miss Caroline Bingley. Caroline was also aware that her desire to become Miss Darcy’s friend would never occur. She was a ward of the Fitzwilliam parents, which therefore precluded an introduction.
“I read the Fitzwilliams are holding a ball tonight,” Miss Bingley stated ignoring the inference her brother made. “Had we been introduced; we would have been invited.”
“How long have I been Fitzwilliam’s friend? For many years, is that not so?” Bingley answered his own question.
“I suppose so,” Miss Bingley sniffed.
“If in all those years he has not introduced you to his parents, why would you think Mr. Darcy, their nephew who is not their son, would do so?” Bingley demanded. “It is a coming out ball for a young lady the Countess sponsored. Unlike you, I have been introduced and I will attend tonight, and I will not be late, fashionably or any other reason.”
“Then you must bring me with you!” Miss Bingley screeched. “You are a terrible brother not to have your sister introduced to a peer of the realm.”
“Did you introduce me to every friend of yours from that seminary you attended—if, in fact, you made any?”
“Well, no, but that is not the same thing.”
“It is. Thank you for making my point for me. I am warning you now, attempt to push your way into Matlock House and you will be on your way to Scarborough faster than you think.”
By now Caroline Bingley knew her brother did not make empty threats. As soon as he had told her of his invitation, showing up uninvited was exactly what she had intended to do. She had been sure when she explained she was supposed to be there with her brother she would have gained entrance.
The plan was discarded with alacrity. With a scowl on her face, she began to stomp out of the drawing room, all the while thinking of another option to have her brother take her with him.
Bingley, knowing what his sister did when she was upset and or angry, stopped her. “Caroline, you had better control your temper. As I have warned you before, I will deduct the value three times from your allowance, and if needs be, from your dowry, for each item you destroy in a snit.” For the second time in minutes, Miss Bingley had to change her planned actions.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Miss Bennet, may I have a private interview with you?” Andrew Fitzwilliam, Viscount Hilldale, requested.
Jane looked to her mother and the countess who were in the drawing room with her and Mary. “I will allow it without disturbing the men in the study,” Fanny granted. “The door will remain open, and you will have no more than ten minutes. And Andrew,” Fanny looked at him slyly, “do not forget, Johns will be in the hallway close to the door.
“He will have no cause to act,” Andrew promised.
“In that case, I will allow Andrew to address me,” Jane agreed.
Their mothers and Mary stood and exited the room. Lady Elaine may not have intended her voice to be heard, butboth in the drawing room did not miss her comment: “It is about time that boy began the process of making Jane my daughter.”
“Jane, it has been since before your come out I have known you are the only woman for me. However, I promised myself I would not marry before my birthday in September upcoming,” Andrew began. “I know, as my father pointed out, there is no magical age when one is ready to marry, but I have seen so many of my friends marry too young, making unwise choices, and then have miserable marriages. For myself, I wanted to reach a certain level of maturity and be as sure as I could be I had found the right woman to be the partner of my future life.
“Of course, I may not be the one for you, but I can tell you it has been a long time since I have known I am in love with you and there is no woman I could respect more than I do you. You are so much more than your outward beauty, which is second to none, but it is your mind, kindness, compassion, and intelligence which were the main attractions for me. Jane, will you allow me to court you?”
“Andrew, I have a question,” Jane responded. Andrew nodded for her to ask it. “What is the purpose of a courtship?”
“Ahem, ehrm, well to find out if the couple is compatible, to get to know one another as well as possible, and to discover if they desire to spend the rest of their lives together,” Andrew answered in a state of confusion.
“And do you need any of those questions answered regarding myself?”
“No, I know you are the one for me, but I wanted to give you as much time as you may need.”
“Have we not known one another for many years now?” Andrew nodded. Jane went further. “Was it not obvious to you my feelings match your own, and have since before I came out?”
