A great weight lifted from his shoulders, Bingley turned his attention to what he was doing and thereafter saw some success in preparing for the morrow’s departure. His primary task was to set his affairs in order and neatly store his effects for his return. Bingley was not Darcy, who preferred everything ordered perfectly, but he was also not heedless of the need for neatness. In a short time, he had everything organized and went in search of his sisters. This decision would change his life.
Applying to the housekeeper, he learned his sisters were in the sitting-room making their final preparations. Thus, Bingleymade his way there, intending to ask a question of them. After the fact, he could not even remember what he meant to say.
“. . . how disappointed I am, Louisa,” Caroline’s voice floated out through the door standing a little ajar. “I expected more from Mr. Darcy. I was certain he would invite us to Pemberley this summer!”
Bingley grinned, even as he shook his head. Complaining about Darcy’s failure to fall at her feet and offer Caroline everything he had was one of her favorite subjects and one about which she could moan at length. Bingley had endured such diatribes so often that he thought he could recite them back to her in his sleep.
“Then, when we arrived there,” continued Caroline, “I was certain he would see my many sterling qualities and offer for me.”
“It is distressing that he has dithered,” replied Louisa. “What an excellent position in society we could boast if you were married to such a man.”
“Even so!” agreed Caroline. “Yet he does nothing. Does he not recognize that some other man may snap me up if he waits?”
Bingley was hard-pressed to avoid a loud snort that would alert his sisters to his presence. Throughout London, rumors Caroline had Darcy firmly in her sights and would consider no other man ran rampant. In previous years, she had attracted some attention, for she had a handsome dowry and was not ill favored. It had been more than a year now since any man had expressed even a jot of interest in her, and that likely would not change until Darcy married. Caroline’s delusion would be amusing if it was not so very pathetic.
“Do you suppose he will accede to his aunt’s wishes and marry his cousin?” asked Louisa.
“I do not suppose it.” Caroline sounded as if the very notion offended her. “She is four or five and twenty now, asI understand. If he meant to marry her, surely he would have proposed already.”
As it happened, Bingley agreed with Caroline’s assessment. Darcy had never been explicit about his intentions, yet Bingley did not think he would ever surrender to his aunt in such a way. The number of times Darcy had spoken of visiting his aunt with distaste suggested to Bingley that his friend had no desire to endure her as a mother-in-law when he must already endure her as an aunt.
“No,” said Caroline when Bingley thought to enter the room and end this eavesdropping, “I put the blame on thatwoman’sshoulders. She has drawn Mr. Darcy’s attention, and now I must wait until he forgets heragain.”
Bingley was at sea. That woman? Of whom was Caroline speaking? Bingley had heard nothing of Darcy’s interest in any woman of the ton; the gossip would be in every sitting-room in town if Darcy had paid attention to anyone. Darcy was only a gentleman, but his ancient heritage, wealth, and connections to the earldom of Matlock and several other noble families gave him more than a hint of notoriety.
“It is unfortunate that he met her again.”
“Unfortunate does not even begin to describe it!” spat Caroline. “It is nothing short of mercenary, for I am certain she planned it.”
“How could she know he visits his aunt every spring?”
“Mr. Darcy must have mentioned it.” Caroline growled in her fury. “If she had done as she ought and accepted that ridiculous parson, I would not need to lure Mr. Darcy in again. And it is nothing less than her due to live in such squalor, at the beck and call of his aunt. Too good for her by half!”
Now Bingley was completely confused. It was clear Caroline was speaking of Lady Catherine, but Bingley had heard nothing of Darcy’s interest in any woman in Kent. Darcy was alwaysreluctant to go and eager to return, though now that he thought on it, Darcy had returned later this year than was his wont. Was there a woman near his aunt’s estate who had turned his head? Bingley chuckled to himself at the thought—Lady Catherine would not take such news well at all, especially if he came across a woman he liked when staying in her home!
“Sheisa gentlewoman,” said Louisa.
“By the strictest definition only.”
Bingley could almost see the sneer marring his sister’s lips.
“Her father owns an estate, which makes her a gentlewoman.”
“I care nothing for her. I only wish she would remain at her father’s insignificant estate where she belongs. At least until his cousin removes them all from the property. Then she can live in squalor or join a brothel for all I care.”
“Caroline!” reprimanded Louisa. “You will not use such disgusting language!”
“Oh, it is of no matter,” said Caroline. “We departed Netherfield forever, and there will be no more opportunity for Mr. Darcy to see her. I can combat the mere memory offine eyesI am certain. Mr. Darcy shall bemine—you shall see.”
Several things clicked at once for Bingley—Caroline’s constant mention of fine eyes in Hertfordshire, her comments about the estate, and the vitriol she used all pointed to one woman. Miss Elizabeth Bennet! The how of it quite escaped Bingley at present, but it appeared Miss Elizabeth had somehow been in Kent when Darcy visited, and Caroline knew about it. The way she had treated Miss Elizabeth had always suggested that Caroline considered her a threat. Bingley had not truly seen it until now, but he supposed Darcyhadpaid her more attention than any other woman he remembered. Strange though it was, it seemed Darcy’s suggestion that Bingley return to Netherfield might have had something to do with his meeting Miss Elizabeth in Kent.
“Well,” said Caroline, grabbing his attention yet again, “atleast mousy Jane Bennet is no longer a threat. Charles’s distance from her renders any thought Mr. Darcy might have of returning to Miss Elizabeth impossible. At least in this, we are secure.”
Bingley did not hesitate another moment. The sound of Miss Bennet’s name on Caroline’s tongue and her allusion to keeping Bingley away spurred him into the room to confront his sisters.
“What do you mean, Caroline?” demanded he as he entered. “How did you keep me away from Miss Bennet?”
The expression of utter stupefaction on Caroline’s face might have amused him in other circumstances. Whatever else she was, Caroline was rarely at a loss, such that occasions like this were to be savored. Bingley rarely felt he had the upper hand as he did now.
