“Just that we should not confuse superiority with discernment. This pursuit of standing and wealth only makes one grow harsh—we no longer know when we wound others.”
Caroline blanched as the importance of Louisa’s assertion struck her. Again, her confidence rose in response. Louisa had not thought her sister’s heart had become so hardened that she did not care that she stepped over others to achieve her ambitions, but she had not been certain.
“To wish to marry gentlemen and raise our consequence is not, I think, an evil. However, clawing and scraping for every inch of prominence is not admirable. When we act in such a way, we are no better than the highest of society who look down on those below them because they can.”
Raising a weary hand, Caroline massaged her temples. “Have I become so despicable?”
There was a plaintive note in Caroline’s question that tugged at Louisa’s heart. She reached out and took Caroline’s hand, squeezing it to impart comfort.
“No, I do not think we are beyond amendment. But I think it is high time we remembered what we should value and act accordingly.”
Caroline did not reply. It was difficult for her, but Louisa knew that a little pointed conversation now would avoid further heartache later.
“I shall allow no one to make Charles unhappy, Caroline. If his choice is Miss Bennet, he will have her, despite anything we might say. To own the truth, I have given myself over to much reflection this past month, and I have realized that Charles and I both allowed you to take the lead too often because it was easier than opposing you. That cannot continue.”
“Then you expect me to follow you like a good little sister?” grumbled Caroline, though she did not speak with the heat that had long been her custom.
“Not at all,” replied Louisa. “All I expect is that you treat others with kindness, moderate your ambitions, and show respect to your siblings.”
Louisa paused, uncertain whether to say this next bit. In the end, she decided there was no reason to hold back.
“To own the truth, it is good that Mr. Darcy will no longer be an option for you.”
Caroline looked up, fire in her eyes again, though not the raging inferno it might have been before.
“I must assume you will explain yourself.”
“My reasoning is simple,” replied Louisa. “When you cannot aspire to marry him, you must set your sights on other prospects. Your situation is excellent—you have a dowry, aconnection to the Darcy family if you are wise enough to keep it, and you are pretty enough for any man. There are others who have expressed interest in you, despite it being common knowledge that you wish for Mr. Darcy’s attentions. If you consider it, Miss Elizabeth is exactly the sort of woman who suits Mr. Darcy. You are not.”
Caroline appeared shaken, and well she might be—not that she would not have Mr. Darcy, but that Louisa believed that Miss Elizabeth suited him better. This doomed pursuit of Mr. Darcy had ruled Caroline from the moment she had made the man’s acquaintance. Losing the prospect, as she had long thought of him, was painful, but necessary.
“Please consider it, Caroline,” said Louisa, softening her tone to convey compassion. “There is still plenty of time for you to find a man who wishes to have you for a wife, who will make you happy. I hope you agree that it is for the best, but in the end, it is your choice.”
With that, Louisa stood and moved away from her sister. She had done all she could
Caroline would have to choose who she was. Louisa hoped she would choose wisely.
As she was walking away, the sitting-room door opened and the housekeeper stepped into the room, leading several ladies. The Bennets had come for a morning visit.
Chapter XIII
Elizabeth might have expected more tension. It was present, to be certain, but muted in some way she could not express.
“Mrs. Bennet,” greeted Mrs. Hurst, who had been walking across the room when they entered—away from her sister, Elizabeth noted. “Welcome to Netherfield.”
The way Mrs. Hurst smiled at them all—Jane and Mary were also present—told Elizabeth that the civility she had displayed since her return had survived her sister’s appearance. Miss Bingley, for her part, did not appear amused, though the fiery contempt Elizabeth might have expected was also subdued. That did not prevent her from making a comment.
“You are quite civil, Mrs. Bennet. Few would rouse themselves to morning visits after a function the previous day.”
As Elizabeth expected, Mrs. Bennet saw nothing of sarcasm in Miss Bingley’s comment, though her mother was more reserved with the woman than she had been in the past.
“Not at all, Miss Bingley. It is not as if it was a ball that extended into the wee hours of the morning.”
“We are pleased to welcome you,” said Mrs. Hurst, at least in part to prevent her sister from interjecting yet again. Then Mrs. Hurst looked at Elizabeth and winked deliberately where her sister could not see. “I shall send for the Darcys and have a tea service delivered.”
Within moments, Jane was with Mr. Bingley and Mrs. Bennet was attending Mrs. Hurst, Mary by her side, with Mr. Hurst sitting beside his wife. Elizabeth, though she sat nearby, was not close enough to participate in their conversation and was entirely too near to Miss Bingley to make ignoring her anoption. What she could say to this unpleasant woman was quite beyond her ability to understand, so she took refuge in banality.
“Your journey to Hertfordshire was, I hope, comfortable.”
