Caroline turned on her sister. “You need not sermonize, Louisa. You have repeated that speech so many times that I can recite it by memory. I do not want a peer. I want Mr. Darcy.”
Louisa gave up. “Very well, sister. I am only angering you further. I will be in the drawing room to receive our guests. You may join me if you change your mind.”
She left, but Caroline remained at the window, watching the carriage draw near. Mr. Darcy rode beside it on horseback. Her heart ached. What a cruel twist of fate, that her own words had bound the man she wished to marry to her greatest rival.
She rang for her maid. “Martina, fix my hair. I am going down.”
She pinched her cheeks, dabbed her eyes, and changed her gown. Though her eyes were still red, there was no help for it. When the carriage stopped at the door, she stood beside Louisa in the drawing room.
Charles was waiting outside to hand Miss Jane Bennet down. Caroline watched as Mr. Darcy assisted Miss Elizabeth, then another young woman, Mary Bennet. She turned to Louisa. “Three sisters?”
Louisa shrugged.
The two women waited as the Bennet sisters entered the drawing room. Servants followed, carrying three trunks upstairs. Elizabeth approached and curtsied.
“Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst. Please let your housekeeper know that Mary and I will share a bedchamber.”
Louisa said, “Let me show you to your rooms. Miss Elizabeth, there are enough chambers if you would prefer one of your own.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No, thank you, Mrs. Hurst. I prefer to share with my sister Mary.”
The three sisters followed her upstairs.
Meanwhile, Caroline stepped outside to where Mr. Darcy stood. Threading her arm through his, she spoke in a low voice. “Mr. Darcy, is there no way you can free yourself from this entanglement?”
He removed her arm sharply and spoke to her with anger. “Miss Bingley, you do understand that you caused this?”
She flushed. “I did not mean to cause harm.”
His gaze was steady. “Yes, you did. You meant to embarrass Miss Elizabeth, and you succeeded. She fled your spiteful words, and now she and I will be married in a week’s time. You may congratulate yourself, madam. Now, if you will excuse me.”
He turned and walked away. “Charles, may I speak with you in your study?”
Bingley followed. “I say, Darcy, I am truly sorry you have been drawn into this. I always knew Caroline could be spiteful, but I never thought she would be so unprincipled in public. I had hoped one of my friends might court her, but she has ensured that none will ever look at her twice.”
Darcy took a seat. “Bingley, Miss Elizabeth is marrying a stranger. One of her requests was to have two of her sisters as guests at Pemberley. Would you consider spending the summer with us there? It might help her to adjust more comfortably.”
Bingley considered. “Darcy, if I go, you know I must bring Caroline. That means Louisa and Hurst as well. Louisa is the only one who can manage her. Caroline hates Miss Elizabeth.”
Darcy frowned. “Yes, that is unfortunate. Still, I would appreciate your company. The truth is, Miss Elizabeth and I have not courted. I promised her father I would not visit her bed until she had come to know me better. If you and your party come to Pemberley, we can occupy ourselves with hunting, fishing, and riding, and I shall not be too constantly in her company. Miss Elizabeth likes Louisa, and with her sisters there, she will not feel pressed or uncomfortable. The only challenge is Caroline, but perhaps you could warn her. Tell her that if she misbehaves, you will send her to your relations in Yorkshire.”
Bingley laughed. “I could do that. Caroline might even behave if she knew she would be exiled from Pemberley, her favorite place in the world.”
Darcy’s lips twitched. “Think about it. Speak with Louisa and Hurst. Perhaps they already have plans for the summer.”
Bingley nodded and poured them each a drink. “Darcy, what are your plans now?”
Darcy took a swallow. “I will travel to London for a common license and to prepare the marriage settlement. I wish to bring Georgiana and Richard back with me. I will not tell the rest of my family until after the wedding. It will serve no purpose, and I know they will be displeased. Can you take on two more guests?”
“Yes, that will be no problem,” Bingley said.
“Thank you, Charles. Once we are married, we will depart directly for Pemberley. I hope you, your family, and my cousin Richard can join us, though I will understand if you cannot.”
Bingley finished his drink and stood. “I will have an answer for you when you return. When do you leave?”
“Now,” Darcy replied. “My man is loading my trunk. I will bid farewell to my betrothed and then depart.”
Bingley followed him out and went to wait in the drawing room.
