“We believe so, Lizzy. You have heard Mr Finch say that he believes you will make a complete recovery; I assume that will mean riding as well, my dear daughter,” her mother explained.
“I think that it will be hard to ride another horse. I miss Astraea every day!” Elizabeth choked up.
“It is like anyone or anything that we truly love when they are no longer with us, Lizzy,” her mother sat next to her on the settee, taking her small hands in her own.“It is a sad truism sweet girl, but life does go on, and moving forward in no way diminishes the role that ones who are no longer with us played in our life. When you are ready, your papa will acquire a horse for you. You will always remember Astraea and in time you will be left with the pleasant memories and the ache you are still feeling will no longer be your constant companion. It speaks well of you that you love so deeply and are not fickle; I am sure that she knew how much you loved and cared for her.”
“Do you think that there is a heaven for horses, Mama?” Lizzy asked in all seriousness.
“I know not Lizzy, but if there is, I am sure that Astraea is there, and she has all the apples and carrots she wants.” The answer achieved its aim, it gave the grieving girl some comfort. That day was the last day that Elizabeth left a tribute at Astraea’s empty stall, and it was not long after that the stall was put to use.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Miss Caroline Bingley thought that she was fooling everyone at her school, not realizing that Mrs Gilbert and her chamber mate saw though her ruse. The month in the scullery wearing the scratchy burlap dress had dragged by slowly. The flighty Lydia had completed her month a sennight before Caroline’s time was over. Caroline did not repine the girl’s absence as she had heard enough about the‘wonderful’Denny to last a lifetime. A penniless officer would not beherlot in life, of that, she was sure.
Caroline all but ignored Miss Helen Jacobson and did not limit her muttering about how she hated having to play a role and how she would get even with her family. Miss Jacobson had never believed that the haughty girl had suddenly had an epiphany, a belief echoed by Mrs Gilbert. Once she had heard the mutterings for a number of evenings in a row, she had her weekly meeting with the headmistress and when asked if she felt that Miss Bingley’s change was genuine, Helen had relayed what she heard in their shared chambers when the other did not pay attention or consider that she was awake as she talked to herself.
Caroline Bingley was congratulating herself on her masterful performance, expecting that she had achieved her aim, a trip back to Netherfield Park for Christmas. She had confidence in her powers of manipulation and persuasion, so she had no doubt that she would not be returning to this horrendous place.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Oscar Bingley was sitting in the study at Netherfield going over the latest reports from the business. Since they had sold twenty percent to Gardiner and Associates, more custom had been brought in and the profits had expanded, and now they were looking at opening a second location close to Tattersalls, which Oscar agreed would be a prime location. Gardiner owned the land that they would use, so it would mean that he, Gardiner, and his brother would each own one third of the business. With the expected expanded income, his smaller stake would recoup more income each year, once the infrastructure costs for the new location were taken out of the initial profits.
Nichols knocked, and was asked to enter; he brought a salver with Mr Bingley’s incoming correspondence. There was one letter that he was particular interested in reading, the one from the headmistress of Caroline’s school. Like the headmistress, Oscar was sceptical of the nearly-instant change that his youngest appeared to have made, especially given that she had never previously apologised for any of her outrageous behaviours.
2 December 1799
Dark Hollow School for Girls
Wiltshire
Mr Bingley,
It saddens me to report that we were all correct in our estimation that your daughter was acting the part that she thought that we wanted to see.
I have had confirmation, as in unguarded moments, she talks about her plans in front of the young lady that shares her bedchamber. Based on the revenge that she continues to promise against you and the other members of your family, and especially Lady Elizabeth Fitzwilliam, I do not know if she actually is dangerous or if it is merely a fantasy.
As I wrote previously, her sudden appearance of contrition was very suspect. My belief is that she is one who thinks that her own will is enough to make things the way that she wants them to be. I can offer no opinion as to why, after the demonstrations of your will, that she still thinks that she can hoodwink you; that part is a mystery to me.
As much as I hate to fail, you may need to consider placing her in a school stricter than even mine. Failing that, I have no idea what will affect any change in her behaviour and attitude. We can try the term after Christmas, but if there is no genuine change, I would recommend that you look at what your next step will be.
Sincerely,
Mrs Hesperia Gilbert
Headmistress
Oscar rang the bell for the butler and asked him to find Mrs Bingley and inform her that she was needed in the study. It was not too many minutes later that Martha entered the study. She stopped at the door with a questioning look after seeing the grim mien of her husband. He beckoned her to enter and close the door, and wordlessly handed her the missive.
“This is all my fault,” Martha cried, looking most distressed. Her husband stood and came and sat close to her on the other chair in front of the big desk.
“It is something inside of Caroline, my love,” he soothed. It had been some months now that they had started using endearments in their address to one another again.
“How can you say that Oscar; it is I who placed all those wrongheaded ideas in her head!” Tears were rolling down her cheek.
“Did you or did you not place the same ideas into both of our daughter’s consciousness?” he asked pointedly. She nodded in her shame that she felt whenever she thought about her past follies.“Does Louisa persist as she used to be or has she genuinely changed?” he asked leading his wife to see the point he was making.
“Louisa is a well behaved and pleasure to be…” Her lips made a symmetrical‘O’as she suddenly saw what her husband was pointing out.“Both girls heard the same from me when I uttered the social climbing nonsense, and both heard my contrition.”
“That is exactly my point,” Oscar hugged wife close, happy she realised on her own which meant that she would not forget this and want to flagellate herself again.“They both were privy to the same information and look at how differently they have reacted to it.”
