As information about the Bennets filtered through the gossips of theTonand was passed onto those in the country, it was realised that to disparage any Bennet was to disparage some very powerful members of the peerage and a number of extremely influential members in the first circles.
The example of what had befallen Caroline Bingley had a chilling effect on anyone who considered doing so. Much to Thomas Bennet’s chagrin, the anonymity he had once revelled in was no more and it was clear theTonexpected the Bennets to be seen as they were members of the top tier of the first circles.
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Before requesting a courtship with Jane Bennet, Bingley had not considered the need to purchase a townhouse. After he received permission to court his angel, he sent word to his solicitor to keep his eyes and ears open for eligible properties that came up for sale. He had given up the lease on the rented home just a month previously.
There were enough irresolute members of theTonwho gambled too much, so his solicitor was sure Bingley would not have to wait too long before something became available. Darcy invited Bingley and the Hursts to stay with him, Georgiana, and his cousin Anne de Bourgh at Darcy house, and the invitation was gratefully accepted.
More than ever, Louisa thanked her lucky stars she had broken with Caroline. Had she made the monumental mistake of not doing so, she would have committed social suicide, just as her sister had.
She had no doubt if she had not, her husband would have consigned her to his family’s country estate and left her there alone if he had not left her altogether. She loved her sister, she always would, and was sorry for the straights Caroline was in, however she would not reach out to her because it was clear the happiness of many would be sacrificed for the happiness of one, to include her own.
Louisa was truly enjoying the changes that her decisions had wrought on her marriage. Even though hers was arranged and was at the time considered a marriage of convenience, she had never felt closer to her husband.
Mrs. Hurst had been far too oblivious regarding him in the past but now knew her husband had never over imbibed. As he had stated that fateful day, he only feigned sleep to avoid any trouble his social climbing sister-in-law wrought.
There was genuine felicity in her marriage now, and for the first time she felt like she may be on her way to falling in love, that it was with her husband was a blessing beyond measure.
To her humiliation, she admitted she had before dreaded the marriage bed, but now she craved it. Not only for all the obvious reasons, but the time they shared there was just for her and her husband, and she was learning she not only was falling in love with the man she had agreed to marry, but she liked him, and if they were so blessed, then maybe God would soon grant them a child.
The invitation to be guests at Darcy house, coupled with the fact Louisa was invited to join all of the Bennet, Fitzwilliam, Darcy, and Gardiner ladies, who also included Anne de Bourgh, when they went on their shopping expeditions had even more positive effects than her decision to not let her sister continue to rule her life.
Seeing the genuine affection between the sisters and soon to be sisters, and the fact that she was shown as much affection as she was willing to give, proved what joy having true sisters of the heart could be.
Bingley and Hurst would often accompany the men to White’s or Boodle’s which was a clear signal to the members of theTonstill in Town that very influential members of the first circles fully accepted and supported Bingley and the Hursts.
As vowed weeks previously, it was made quite clear by Ladies Matlock and Hilldale that Caroline Bingley was persona non grata. While there were not a great number of members of theTonin Town, there were always more than enough gossips and the writers of the society pages to provide the news so that all members of society, no matter their class, would know not only that Bingley and the Hursts were accepted and welcome, but that Miss Bingley was not.
Louisa knew her sister still tortured herself with the society pages and did not have to stretch her imagination to know when she read about all of them, she would be mortified and green with jealousy.
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On reading about the betrothal of Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley to Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, Miss Caroline Bingley had very nearly had an apoplexy. The woman had used some of her limited on-hand funds to travel to Town, believing her brother would soon see the error of his ways and recall her to his side with an apology and as much money as she wanted.
With such an expectation, Caroline had not drawn from what was left of her dowry. She was still certain she would be the next mistress of Pemberley and so had suffered the degradation of riding post to Town to make sure she was available for her summons to Charles’s side.
Her plan was to tell her friends all about that chit Eliza Bennet and her grasping family. She was most confused when none of her friends had responded to her many letters but convinced herself they must be too busy for correspondence as they were preparing for travel.
The truth was very far from Caroline’s current understanding of things. Ladies Matlock and Hilldale even before they returned to Town, had let it be known that they would not know anyone who was associated with Miss Caroline Bingley, so every single one of her letters had been unceremoniously consigned to the fire without being opened.
When she at last arrived in town without any funds needed to stay at a hotel or return to Scarborough, it was not a concern for her. Miss Bingley was sure her friends would receive her and expected invitations to stay at a townhouse within a few scant hours after it was known she had come.
To her horror, she received a very different response and a most rude awakening. At every townhouse she attempted to gain admittance to, so she could call on one of thosefriendsshe had informed she would be arriving; she was told no one was at home to her and she was not welcome to return.
Already in shock over this treatment, her folly was highlighted for her in the starkest of terms when she came across two of her erstwhile friends walking and talking together in Hyde Park.
When she approached them, she saw on them the same pinched, disgusted look she often employed, and she was very publicly given the cut direct. It was indisputable, witnessed proof of her error in her treatment of the Bennets, and that the Ladies Matlock and Hilldale had not made empty threats.
Caroline Bingley was beyond humiliated, she was mortified, and knew without a doubt she could never show her face in Town again or for that matter, anywhere in society. She went to the bank where her dowry was kept and withdrew all of her funds.
She then made her way to Gracechurch Street where she hoped no one would recognise her. It had been years since she had walked the streets there with her family to and from her father’s businesses. She began to purchase what she thought she would need for a long voyage.
Next, she rented a coach to take her to Liverpool and when she arrived, she purchased a ticket on the first ship to America. And so, Caroline Bingley left England’s shores in absolute shame, dejection, mortification, and worst of all for her, obscurity. She finally was forced to face the truth of her own insignificance.
Chapter 16
Elizabeth Bennet was extremely excited. Not only would she see Darcy House for the first time, but also the newly named Bennet House as well. Excitement was palpable for all of the Bennet siblings as they got closer and closer to Town.
