Jane nodded emphatically as if her point had been made.
"Did he pass her a love letter? Steal a kiss? You better have something more than his insistence that she visit the museum with us."
With a defiant gleam in her eye she said, "He wasveryinsistent."
What did I do to deserve so many impossible people in my life?
Do not answer that.
"He gave her all the encouragement one would give a shy child. He has known Dar—that man I happen to be married to—for a few years now. When he met Georgiana she was just a girl, I do not think he has ever stopped thinking of her as such.
"He insisted she go for her own good not from any special desire to be in her presence. He barely spoke to her! And of course it was obvious Mrs. Annesley wished to go and shecould only do so if Georgiana went. Perhaps it is Mrs. Annesley he is in love with. She is quite a lot older than Mr. Bingley—that must be why they keep it quiet. Think of the scandal! Miss Bingley will be devastated should it get out."
"You are being ridiculous," said Jane.
"No, you are! Mr. Bingley is considerate towards everyone, but he is affectionate only to you. If he has been inattentive to you of late it is because you have rebuffed him, not because of any alteration of his feelings."
It was difficult for me to admit this but it was true. I had ignored Jane's purposeful indifference because it conflicted with my own schemes. And I had preferred to place the blame firmly on Darcy.
Jane still appeared doubtful, but before I could present additional evidence (or throw any plates) Georgiana entered the room.
"Georgiana! You are exactly the person to settle this little disagreement," I exclaimed before I had time to considered my words. Georgiana was immediately discomposed. She clearly did not wish to be put in the middle of a disagreement and certainly would be further discomposed by the question I intended to ask her. It was a question I needed to put very delicately. Hmmmm . . . how to word it?
"Are you currently engaged or likely to become engaged to Mr. Bingley?"
My sister-in-law's shock was profound. "Wha—no! No, I'm not. Why would you ask that?"
"I am sorry to put it so bluntly, but Miss Bingley wrote to Jane expressing her joy at the prospect of soon calling you sister."
Georgiana's visage did not display confusion or astonishment as I thought it might, rather her expression was of unsurprised exasperation. "Oh,Caroline,"she said wearily.
I had thought Georgiana unaware of her friend's malicious nature. Apparently not.
"Please do not judge Caroline. She is not a bad person," Georgiana said.
"Of course not," said Jane.
I said nothing. I felt my brow raise skeptically. I was doing the Darcy haughty eyebrow thing. I could not help it. It was a particularly apt expression for this situation.
"She is really quite sweet and entertaining once you get to know her. She simply has a few unfortunate aspirations," Georgiana continued.
"Such as having a familial connection to the Darcys any way she possibly can?" I asked.
"Yes."
"So there is nothing to it then? No secret romance between you and Mr. Bingley?"
"No, indeed. You have heard him. He talks to me as though I were Henrietta's age. There are no special feelings on his part. As for my feelings for him, well, he is a perfectly amiable gentleman but he is so . . . just so . . . kind," she finished lamely.
I knew what she wanted to say. Mr. Bingleyiskind. But also dull. And inoffensive—almost to the point of tediousness. And a little soppy.
Imagine being married to such a man! I would rather be married to Darcy—
Iammarried to Dar—that person. I certainly had not forgotten. And I did not mean that. I certainly would rather be married to Mr. Bingley. Not Jane's Mr. Bingley, obviously. ButaMr. Bingley.
Everything would be so much simpler with a man like Bingley. No wounded feelings. Fewer arguments. Less desire to stab people.
Unless it was myself. Out of pure boredom.
