“Mamahasimproved of late,” said Jane.
“She has,” replied Elizabeth, “but she is still the same woman she has always been.”
“Then the trick,” said Jane, “will be to convince her of the necessity of whatever papa decides.”
Elizabeth nodded her agreement, but a thought took hold of her at that moment. Jane had fallen silent, concentrating on her reflections, allowing Elizabeth to consider what had occurred to her, and the longer she ruminated on it, the more she believed that it just might work. No one in the family could influence their mother, but perhaps they could convince her by some other means.
“Jane, I think I have some notion of how it may be done.”
Interested, Jane regarded her, saying: “How to convince Mama you mean?”
“I do,” said Elizabeth.
For some time after they discussed Elizabeth’s notion, and Jane agreed it might be possible. It would involve others, and there may be some mortification involved on that score. Againstthe possibility of forever worrying over the looming cloud of Lydia’s behavior, however, Elizabeth thought they must seize any opportunity that presented itself. Elizabeth did not know how to go about it, but Jane offered a few suggestions. Elizabeth determined to put it to the test at the first opportunity.
“I knew you were ambitious, Caroline, but this is beyond the pale. That you would even consider such a foolhardy notion as provoking the anger of a peer of the realm is proof of your stupidity. How could you even contemplate such insanity?”
Caroline, though she was angry enough to spit nails, remained sullenly silent, glaring at Bingley as ifshewere the injured party, rather than the potential means of their collective downfall. Hurst sat near Bingley’s chair, for once showing no trace of the hedonistic gentleman. His pitiless glare was fixed on the sister-in-law he had never truly liked. Louisa sat next to him, appearing apprehensive yet determined, having brought the matter of Caroline’s ruminations to their attention. Caroline now likely considered Louisa a traitor, but Bingley could not express his gratitude to his eldest sister in warm enough terms. She may have saved them.
“You,” continued Bingley when she did not speak, his finger jutted toward her like an accusation, “who weighs everything by societal advancement would dare to carry tales about the granddaughter of an earl? Do you not understand the social pressure the earl can bring against you? Bring against us all? Do you not suppose that allowing one word of this matter to pass your lips would mean the ruination of any pretense the Bingley family possessed to any acceptance?”
When his sister still refused to respond, Bingley loomed down over her, leaning on the arms of the chair and barking: “Answer me!”
“Louisa misunderstood me,” spat Caroline at last, casting ahateful glare at her sister. “I will do nothing to reveal Miss de Bourgh’s misstep.”
“Do you now call my wife a liar?” asked Hurst, his voice low and dangerous. “Heed me well, Caroline—in a test of who is more truthful, my vote would come down on my wife’s side every time.”
“As would mine,” said Bingley.
Rigid in her chair, Caroline again did not deign to respond. Hurst needed no such courtesy.
“Do not be obtuse, Caroline,” said Hurst. “Louisa understoodexactlywhat you meant, for it was not ambiguous. While I cannot say if you would have been stupid enough to follow through with it, considering it at all says you misread the situation so poorly that I must wonder if the seminary, of which you boast incessantly, taught you anything.”
“Since you have no defense,” said Bingley, “let me make myself rightly understood. As Lady Catherine herself informed you, shouldanymention of this matter become known, they will ruin you in society. If it was solely your reputation to consider, I might allow you to go to it and count it your own fault when the consequences force you to flee to the north. As it concerns the entire family, however, I have no choice but to act.
“You will forget every mention of Miss de Bourgh and never even repeat her name in society, let alone pair it with any hint of events of the past few days. If I so much as suspect you are thinking of her in a manner of which I do not approve, I will bustle you into my carriage and send you on your way to Scarborough faster than you can say ‘first circles.’ Am I very much clear?”
“I have no intention of breathing a word of it,” growled Caroline. “May I be excused?”
“Yes, go, for I do not wish to see you at present. But heed my warning, for it is no idle threat.”
Caroline disdained acknowledgment, instead standing and stalking from the room. Anger still roiled in Bingley’s breast, looking for an outlet, completely unlike his usual cheery disposition. As there was no outlet, Bingley took several deep breaths to control himself, which worked better than he had hoped. Then he turned and regarded Louisa and Hurst, feeling he had better control over himself than even a moment earlier.
“Well?” asked Bingley shortly. “What do you think? I do not doubt she agreed for no more reason than to retain access to Darcy and spin her webs.”
“Caroline never intended to follow through with it,” defended Louisa.
“Yet the notion even occurring to her is dangerous and reprehensible,” said Hurst. “Youknowthis, Louisa.”
“That is why I brought it to your attention,” said Louisa. “Caroline will now be impossible, for she does not like it when I defy her.”
“Louisa,” said Bingley, choosing his words carefully, “I am cognizant of how you and I let Caroline have her way.”
“That is the truth,” snorted Hurst. “Matters might be different if the family dynamic was not as it is.”
It was the point Bingley had been trying to make. “What I am trying to say is Caroline is our younger sister and must defer to us.”
“Doyouthink she will?” asked Louisa.
