Mr. Bingley grimaced. “Then again, it would affect us all if it ever reached London. Darcy will weather it, for his standing is sufficiently high, but my standing will suffer, and Caroline will become nigh unmarriageable.”
It was, Jane supposed, the moment that if she decided this was all too complicated, she could let Mr. Bingley know. Several factors stopped her, the most important being that she was not about to allow Caroline Bingley to determine her happiness. Jane loved Mr. Bingley, and if he proved himself, nothing was stopping them. If she sent Mr. Bingley away, that would also disrupt Lizzy’s budding romance with Mr. Darcy, though Jane had enough of a sense of the gentleman’s determination to suspect he would not allow such a minor consideration to come between them.
“Standing does not concern me, Mr. Bingley,” said Jane. “There may be some tittle-tattle in Meryton, but only Sir William has any presence in town, and his influence there is confined to his stories of St. James’s court. There should be no consequences in London.”
The look the gentleman directed her was filled with gratitude mixed with appreciation. “You are correct, of course. Then, with your permission, I shall deal with Caroline based on her behavior. If I must, I will take her north to stay with my family for a time.”
“That is understandable.”
“Whatever happens,” continued he, “she must attend this season in London with the express purpose of finding a husband. I no longer wish to support her, and Hurst wishes her gone from his house.”
Jane nodded, though the notion of throwing off so close a family member pained her. “That would be for the best.”
At that moment, Miss Bingley turned away from Mrs. Bennet, displaying an expression that could only be termed a smirk, while Mrs. Bennet glared at her back. It appeared Miss Bingley had accomplished her objective with the matron of the house and was now looking for her next victim. Jane was not about to allow the woman to have the satisfaction.
“Jane,” said Miss Bingley with a sneer she did not bother to conceal, “I see you are here with my brother again.”
“It wasmychoice to approach Miss Bennet, Caroline,” said Mr. Bingley, a warning in his tone.
It was no surprise when Miss Bingley ignored it. “I hope you have been well, Jane, though I suppose I should not ask, given what I have seen already today.”
“We are all well, indeed,” replied Jane, proud of herself for her level tone.
“And do you still entertain the officers?” Caroline laughed, though it was not a pleasant sound. “Perhaps you and your sisters may find husbands from among their number. Youdofind them to be quite the extraordinary gentlemen, do you not?”
“On the contrary, Caroline, we have not seen the officers in some days. Though new acquaintances are always welcome, I donot think we appreciate the officers any more than anyone else in the district.”
Caroline looked at her with feigned shock. “I had understood your youngest sisters relished the sight of a man in regimentals.” Shock turning to studied nonchalance, she added: “Then again, I suppose you must all consider something other than uniforms. Why, when there are men of greater consequence present, such considerations must give way to even a handsome face.”
“Tell us more, Caroline,” said Mr. Bingley, his manner now quite displeased. “After all, if anyone knows about mercenary motivations, I must assume that person isyou.”
Jane did not gasp at the direct insult, though it was a near thing. The insult infuriated Miss Bingley, embarrassment coloring her cheeks, but she swallowed her retort and went on the attack.
“I wish you well, Jane, though I cannot but suppose you must look beyond Meryton for your prospects.”
Then Caroline turned a deliberate glance toward Georgiana, her eyes returning to Jane with an ugly smirk. “I see you have met dear Georgiana. How fortunate you have been to make her acquaintance, for I hope she will become a closer connection soon.”
“Is that so?” asked Jane, interrupting whatever Mr. Bingley wished to say.
“Oh, no one who sees Charles in her company can mistake their connection. I apologize if I am blasting your hopes, but it is best to know the truth as soon as possible, is it not?”
For a fleeting moment, Jane almost pitied the woman. “The truth? I wonder if you are seeing the same scenes as I am, Miss Bingley, for you appear to be blind.”
The comment brought out the woman’s ire and her claws, but Jane spoke before she could unsheathe them.
“I have been in company with Mr. Bingley and Georgiana several times, and I have seen nothing out of the common way. Whenever we are together, Mr. Bingley is at my side like he is now. Georgiana is much too young for marriage and shows no affection for your brother. The Bennets are an old and respected family and are not prone to such behavior as you suggest. Please take your poison elsewhere, for I am not interested in it.”
The way her nostrils flared in offense, Jane knew she had struck a nerve. To own the truth, Jane was rather proud of herself. She had pushed back with calmness and no overt unkindness, acting more like Elizabeth than herself.
“Brother, it is time to leave this place,” snapped Miss Bingley. “I insist upon it.”
“You may insist all you like, but it will not move me,” replied Mr. Bingley. “We will leave when the time for our visit concludes and not until then. If you wish to leave first, you may take the carriage—Hurst and I will return with the Darcys.”
Then he stepped closer and said in a low tone: “Perhaps you should not speak at all, since nothing of worth emerges from your mouth. Do not insult my neighbors any more than you already have, for I shall not tolerate it.”
For a moment, she glared at him, confused that he had not obeyed her. Then she flounced away, her next target Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
“She will be the death of me,” muttered Mr. Bingley, shaking his head.
