“A symptom of her delusion.”
“Very well,” replied Bennet. “We shall allow her to implement her own downfall, though I will act if she goes too far.”
“That may be for the best. Then again, if you throw her from the house, Bingley will realize he must do something, especially after your warning the day he arrived.”
Bennet nodded but changed the subject. “Your wife did not accompany her?”
Hurst’s eyes bored into his wife’s sister. “We received an express from Louisa before Caroline arrived. Caroline was most . . . abusive toward Louisa and offended her. I responded and told her to stay there for the moment—I do not think it will be long before Caroline wears out her welcome at Netherfield.”
“Yes, that is for the best.”
Nothing further passed between them, their focus resting on the company and on Caroline above all others. From the frown gracing Mrs. Bennet’s face, Hurst expected she was already beginning her campaign of offense. Hurst did not know if she would go so far that she would provoke Bennet, but he would enjoy her downfall, no matter what form it took.
JANE BENNET PAID CLOSEattention to Miss Bingley—even the name was a departure, for Jane had always called her “friend” by her first name. Now that it was clear Caroline was and had never been a friend, Jane could no longer think of her in such intimate terms. If Charles proposed and Jane accepted, she would consider her future relationship with her, but for the moment, formality was far easier.
“I apologize for my sister, Miss Bennet.”
Turning, Jane regarded the man by her side. The question of whether she loved him no longer lingered—Jane knew she did, that she would spend the rest of her life with him in joy if circumstances allowed. What remained uncertain was whether she could trust him.
“I had hoped that she would remain in London a little longer, though I knew her coming was inevitable in the end.”
That was not what Jane wanted to hear. The way Mr. Bingley spoke, he had thought to avoid his sister—the situation had moved beyond simple avoidance into the realm of needing decided action, steps that only he could take. Once again, Jane wondered if Mr. Bingley had the fortitude to stand up to his sister and demand her good behavior. The next few days, she suspected, would tell her whether she could accept him. There was no time like the present to begin that discovery.
“Did you wish to avoid her, Mr. Bingley?”
The way Mr. Bingley regarded her, Jane thought he had caught something of her unspoken meaning. “Any rational person wishes to avoid Caroline,” said he with a slight undercurrent of humor. “She is my sister, Miss Bennet—I love her, but to own the truth, I do not always like her. There was never any question that she would be part of my life, but I mustown that I had hoped for more time in your company before I needed to deal with her interference.”
The response was a little more encouraging. “What if she refuses to accept me?”
“Then she will reap the reward of her intransigence.” Mr. Bingley smiled and took Jane’s hand in his own. “Let me be clear, Miss Bennet. You will always have my allegiance and my support—should I gain your acceptance, you will deserve no less as my wife.”
“And Miss Bingley’s intentions for Mr. Darcy?”
This time, Mr. Bingley did not bother to hide his derision. “Darcy has no interest in her, which he made clear to me before Caroline arrived. Should she overstep, Darcy will not hesitate to put her in her place.”
Jane softened. “That will not be your responsibility, but it is good to hear.”
Mr. Bingley regarded her curiously. “To own the truth, I had not thought your sister disposed toward him. Has that changed?”
With a smile, Jane turned her attention to her sister and the handsome gentleman by her side. “I cannot say, but she has softened of late.”
“Had Darcy come to Hertfordshire in a better mood, their situation might be akin to ours.”
There was no reason to point out the fallacy—and the month’s absence—so Jane ignored the comment. “I am happy for her, for I always thought Mr. Darcy was a better man than he showed us.”
“There is no better man than Darcy,” said Mr. Bingley.
“Then what do you mean to do about Miss Bingley?” asked Jane, turning back to the original topic.
“That depends on her behavior,” replied Bingley. “If she accepts defeat, however ungracious it may be, Hurst will sendfor Louisa, and we will continue as we have, though I will make it clear to Caroline that I expect her good behavior. If she persists, then I will need to decide what to do with her.”
Mr. Bingley paused as if considering, then shook his head, his glance back at her unreadable, or perhaps a little cautious. “Hurst and Darcy both expressed their opinion that Caroline might . . . try to take matters with Darcy into her own hands.”
For a moment, Jane did not understand his meaning. Then comprehension flooded into her, and she stared at him, shocked.
“Do you suggest she might try to force his hand?”
“That is exactly what I mean.” Mr. Bingley’s mien was no less than grim. “Darcy has already declared that he will not offer for her regardless of her actions, so if she spawns gossip, it will redound solely to her detriment.”
