“B-B-But I thought you loved me, Harold,” she whispered as big tears rolled down her cheeks, realising what her sister almost cost her.
“It is not a question of love, Louisa. I do love you, but I did not like the person you had transformed into, always deferring to Caroline. Even though ours was an arranged marriage, I came to love the woman I married, the same one I saw again just now when she finally took her sister to task. Better late than never.” He looked at her with a smile and a twinkle she had not seen in his eyes for too long, realising just how much she had missed it. Louisa Hurst thanked God for the strength He granted her, enabling her to stand up to her younger sister, finally.
“Sister, I always knew you were intelligent and knew your own mind, so I never understood why you bowed to Caroline’s wishes and fed her delusion she would become Mrs. Darcy.” Bingley smiled at the sister he, too, had missed.
“Charles, I know it was not the right thing to do, but I found it more peaceful. You know how she is when she does not get what she wants. I do know it was wrong, and I am so sorry. Will you both forgive me, please? I did not see the harm in her chasing Mr. Darcy, but I admit she has gone too far in her obsession.” Louisa looked from her husband to her brother.
“Darcy does not just find her annoying, he dislikes her intensely. He will never offer for her, even if she is ill advised enough to try and compromise him. I would absolutely support him if she tried to do so. He hates that both of you use his name to gain entry to society events. You may have noticed any invitations that include my sisters are now few and far between, have you not?” Charles pressed, needing Louisa to understand how much damage had been done to their standing, and that some could yet be avoided.
“I had noticed, Charles; why is that?” Mrs. Hurst asked softly, then nodded in resignation. “Is it because of her constant pursuit of Mr. Darcy?”
“No, but it is simple. Darcy has let it be known although he is my friend, he has never given leave for anyone to use his name to gain entry to the ton and any rumour circulating about the possibility of his marrying Caroline is false.” Bingley frowned, realising the damage his younger sister had wrought had almost ruined them in society. There was still time to repair the damage she had done, but she could not be allowed to continue to act as she had. He intended to make sure she did not.
Louisa’s lips made a perfect “O” after she understood how close she had come to committing social suicide. She decided she would never again defer to Caroline and looked forward to rebuilding the relationship with the husband she had come to love.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
When Bennet returned home, there were five expectant female faces waiting for him in the drawing room. “What are you and your daughters waiting for, Fanny?” he asked with a smile, knowing full well what they wanted to know.
“Papa!” Kitty whined.
“Miss Catherine, ladies do not whine,” Mrs. Chandler rebuked her gently with a smile on her face as she sat in a corner doing needlework.
“I will not keep you in suspense,” Bennet chuckled. “Mr. Bingley is a very affable young man. His brother Mr. Hurst was asleep when I arrived and had to be woken and never said a word, so I have no idea what he is like. But the sisters! I can attest one sister thinks herself superior but has the manners and vocabulary of a sailor. I did not wish to do so, but I was forced to give her a set-down. The older sister had the good sense to refrain from speaking and seemed ashamed of the younger’s behaviour, so there is hope for her yet.”
“Papa, what did she do?” Lizzy asked with an inquisitive look on her face.
“Bingley mentioned his friend Mr. Darcy would be joining him and that Mr. Darcy’s sister and his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam will be arriving on Monday.” He winked at Fanny as Mary jolted and looked up at him with wide, hopeful eyes he pretended not to see.
“Richard is coming?” the girls chorused. Mary’s eyes quickly changed to a dreamy look as she thought about the man she loved.
“Correct,” affirmed Bennet “When he mentioned this, I told them that Reggie was one of my best friends and Miss Caroline Bingley thought it was her duty to take me to task on the manner in which I addressed my friend.” Bennet smirked playfully.
“She did not!” was the chorus of incredulous female voices.
“She most certainly did. I took it upon myself to point out our societal differences from the daughter of a tradesman, and I told the rest after she exited from the room that I would speak with Elaine and Marie about her if she did not behave herself. I am of the opinion she will be unable to amend her behaviour. It probably will be necessary to put her in her place,” Bennet stated with resignation.
“Mayhap I was wrong in naming them the superior sisters;” Lizzy said slyly, “it should be the self-proclaimed superior sister!” This started giggles and laughter in the room; once they died down, the Bennet matriarch grew serious and addressed her family.
“Then she will pay the price and it will be on her head,” Fanny Bennet pointed out. “Elaine and Marie will not stand for that kind of behaviour as they consider us family; neither would I stand for any slight to the Fitzwilliams.”
Fanny tensed in resolve and Bennet grinned, a small part of him hoping that the next time Miss Bingley slighted them his Fanny would be within hearing of it so he would be able to witness his wife taking the harridan to task.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Darcy arrived at Netherfield Park just as the sun was setting. Bingley and his hostess, Miss Bingley, were waiting on the front steps to welcome him. A footman took his trunk off the carriage and to his room so his valet, Carstens, could unpack for him.
Darcy was unsurprised when Miss Bingley flew down the stairs and attached her talons to his arm. She appeared surprised when Darcy physically removed her hand and stepped away from her. She did not understand why he pushed her away, she, the perfect candidate for Pemberley’s mistress.
‘Mayhap he is tired from the trip and has been upset by being forced to travel to this backwater country,’ she told herself, conveniently forgetting two salient facts: first, she had been told more times than memory would serve that Darcy did not like her and only tolerated her to be polite and second, Darcy himself spent the bulk of his time at Pemberley, in the country near the town of Lambton, an area much like the one where they were now. ‘If he does not offer for me soon, then I will affect a compromise and he will have to marry me. He will thank me for helping him get to the point!’
Seeing how uncomfortable Darcy was with Caroline’s behaviour, her brother requested she go inside to make sure everything was in order for dinner, as he was sure their guest was hungry after journeying from Town.
She believed she could display her skills as a hostess by doing so, so she made her excuses and went into the house. She intended to make an entrance at dinner that would dazzle her Mr. Darcy.
“Bingley, so there will be no misunderstanding, I repeat what I have previously told you; no matter how much your sister desires it, I will never offer for her, even if she attempts to compromise me,” Darcy stated in a tone that brooked no opposition as soon as Miss Bingley was gone, and the gentlemen were alone.
“Darcy, you have no idea how many times I have told her exactly that,” Bingley said despondently. “I know what she is like. As it now stands, she is but one faux pax away from someone setting Lady Matlock and her daughter-in-law on my sister.” Bingley grinned.
