~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
After the subject of Caroline Bingley had been canvassed, Ladies Matlock and Hilldale agreed the social-climbing shrew seemed in danger of committing societal suicide if she failed to control herself. They agreed not to allow anyone to denigrate their friends.
Darcy heard his aunt and her daughter-in-law state they would ruin the harpy—depending on her actions, of course. Suddenly remembering Miss Bingley’s brother was present, the group looked toward him apologetically.
“She made her bed; now she must lie in it. I have warned her for years that Darcy has no interest in her and she is not of the circle she believes herself in. She will have to live with the consequences of her actions,” Bingley said, realising everything being said of his sister was just. “I now regret bringing her here; unfortunately, I had nowhere to leave her, and I needed a hostess. She has burnt every bridge with thefriendsshe claims to have, and I had little choice. I hoped she would, finally, act as a hostess and mistress should, but I must acknowledge a leopard cannot change its spots!” Bingley assured the party he understood and was sanguine with what may have to happen to his sister.
It was decided only Frank and Hattie Philips would be informed the Fitzwilliams were visiting Longbourn before the assembly on Tuesday night, where a confrontation might reasonably be expected. The Fitzwilliams had met Hattie and Frank on many previous visits, so Fanny insisted such genial company should not be denied them merely because of Miss Caroline Bingley.
When Georgiana came to join them, Darcy intended to walk with her into the room, but Lizzy reached her first and escorted her to a seat between her and Jane. Darcy noticed Georgie seemed comfortable seated between the two Bennet ladies and was not displaying her usual extreme shyness. He saw her engage in conversation with all four Bennet daughters, most particularly with Kitty and Mary—the two closest to her in age. It was not long before they were all on a first-name basis.
Darcy’s heart warmed as he saw the Bennet girls drawing Georgie out. She appeared to have dropped the protective mask she had donned—much like the mask he wore at times. He watched in awe as Elizabeth Bennet led the effort to make Georgie feel at home and accepted. Eventually, he would learn it was rare, very rare, for Jane and Lizzy to allow someone to sit between them. They only did so with those they loved dearly, or those they wished to protect. What he noticed immediately, however, was genuine fellowship without judgement; it was a balm to Georgie’s soul—and by extension, his.
Darcy realised few were lucky enough to have such an enjoyable evening. He, and everyone else, agreed Fanny Bennet kept an excellent table and complimented her. Fanny blushed becomingly at each compliment, replying with her thanks after each.
The Earl and Bennet retired to the latter’s library after dinner, which contained a very impressive collection, although not the equal of Pemberley’s. To be sure, Pemberley’s collection was the work of many generations. After entering, the long-time friends became engrossed in a game of chess while they sipped snifters of rare French cognac.
The Countess and Fanny Bennet sat together, the dear friends chatting for some time since they had been parted for over six months. The younger crowd sat around them in various groups.
The twins settled with Richard and Andrew; Marie sat with Lizzy, Jane, Bingley, and Darcy; and the last group was comprised of Mary, Kitty, and Georgie. The two companions spoke together off to the side and seemed to be getting along well. Darcy could not remember being so at ease in company since the Ramsgate incident.
Before the evening closed, Georgiana slid into the spot next to her brother and looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “Georgie, are you well? If you do not…” he started, surprised when Georgiana bade him stop.
“Mrs. Bennet told me she hugged you, William. Is that true?” Georgie asked softly, shocked when her brother nodded.
“I was in Mr. Bennet’s study, and she was asked to come in to meet me. To be honest, I had just been more open and honest with Mr. Bennet than I had been with anyone, perhaps even myself. I was grateful for his acceptance. When Mrs. Bennet came in and hugged me, it was not unwanted,” Darcy related quietly.
“It felt so good, brother. It is not that you…” she tried to explain and was again caught by surprise when her brother hugged her.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As Bingley readied himself for the assembly, he felt both foreboding and relief. Either Caroline would no longer be a problem after receiving a long-overdue comeuppance, or she would demonstrate she had learnt to behave with propriety.
He still loved his sister, even though he did not like who she had become, flaunting her airs and condescending behaviour. She was his sister, after all. He recalled her performance the previous night when she demanded Darcy bring herdear friendto reside at Netherfield Park rather than with thewild savages—the Bennets. He also recalled the tirade she unleashed the day Bennet came to call, and the tantrum she threw after learning Georgiana would not be returning to Netherfield Park.
Unfortunately, Caroline had demanded the maids replace the items in her chamber she smashed—so the sounds of bric-a-brac being broken had echoed throughout the house a second time. This caused Bingley to arrive at a sad conclusion: Caroline would not act with propriety at the assembly; hence the time of Caroline’s reckoning was close at hand.
It was likely his younger sister would be unable to control her temper and might spew a stream of vitriol that would embarrass him and Louisa and would cause her to be forever banished from society.
He had spoken with Louisa, who assured him she would no longer cover for, or excuse, Caroline’s behaviour. He had been pleased to see Louisa take Caroline to task the day Bennet visited them and was pleased to learn Louisa would not suffer the same consequences as their sister, if Caroline decided to hammer the nails into the coffin lid of her societal hopes.
Bingley met Darcy and his brother Hurst in the entryway of Netherfield Park. He and Darcy had secured the first, supper, and last dances with Jane and Lizzy respectively. Hence he did not intend to allow Caroline’s penchant to befashionably latein order to make a grand entrance to delay them.
Besides, the less attention she garnered at the assembly, the better. The shades of orange she wore had made her the laughingstock of their actual circle for many years. Further, the object of her machinations, Darcy, was nauseated by her presence, due in no small part to her liberal use of expensive—but cloyingly pungent—perfume. Certainly, others had been nauseated by it as well.
When Louisa descended the stairs, Bingley asked where Caroline was; Louisa merely shrugged her shoulders. The two friends decided to take Darcy’s carriage, securing the Hursts’ agreement to bring Caroline as soon as she deigned to join them.
Eventually, Miss Bingley descended the stairs in a hideous orange gown with a matching turban and oversized, dyed ostrich feathers, expecting to be admired by Darcy. She was furious when she learned he and her brother had already departed.
The two men’s absence only ignited her fury. Every time she watched her brother force Darcy to accompany him somewhere else, usually starting with or ending with a visit to the lowly Bennets, she had begun to hate Charles with a passion. He had deprived her of the time she needed to spend with Darcy to convince him to make her the next mistress of Pemberley.
“Go upstairs and throw your tantrum or hold your tongue and come with us,” Hurst demanded, winking at Louisa when she hid her laugh in a becoming cough.
Miss Bingley reined in her anger in order to prove she was dignified enough to become the mistress of Mr. Darcy’s estate. The sooner they reached the so-called assembly, the sooner she could convince him how far above the Bennet sisters she was, in spite of their reputed beauty.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As they had planned, Darcy and Bingley arrived at the assembly on time. On entering the hall, Sir William Lucas, the Master of Ceremonies, introduced them to the principal families in the area.
