The married woman’s ramblings fell silent, and Elizabeth gave her a gentle smile. “I apologize for not understanding what you were saying before. It does you and your brother great credit for even taking it into consideration.”
Mrs. Hurst looked relieved that Elizabeth was willing to engage in this difficult conversation. “Thank you, Miss Bennet. I value your opinion and your understanding of this matter. We want what is best for Jane, and her happiness and comfort are our utmost concern.”
“I will, of course, not be able to come to any kind of decision without discussing it with my father. I know he will want my opinion, but I have not the faintest idea of what I would say to him either way. With your permission, I will retire now to think on things in private, then go to Longbourn in the morning and speak with him.”
Mrs. Hurst nodded fervently. “Of course, Miss Elizabeth. I will make your excuses to the gentlemen. Thank you again for your candor.”
The ladies made their curtsies to one another, and Elizabeth walked slowly to her room. The weight of her conversation with Mrs. Hurst pressed on her mind like a heavy blanket, and Elizabeth knew it was going to be a long night of contemplation.
She only hoped Mrs. Hurst’s husband would not be waiting awake for his wife this evening.
∞∞∞
Bingley walked down the hall in the family wing towards Caroline’s room. He stood for several minutes outside her door, steeling himself for the conversation ahead. Three times, he raised his hand to knock before letting it fall at his side in silence.
Finally, he shook his head, squared his shoulders, and rapped firmly on the frame. “Caroline, I must speak with you. Now.”
One of Miss Bingle’s lady’s maids opened the door. Her cheek sported a brilliant pink mark in the shape of a hand, which was beginning to swell and bruise.
Bingley gasped at the sight. “Did my sister do this to you?”
The girl’s eyes fixed firmly on the floor, and she gave the tiniest of nods.
“Emily, is that right?”
Another minuscule nod.
“Please go see the housekeeper. Tell her I want someone to fetch you some ice from the icebox for your cheek. You are to remain in your rooms for the day. I promise you will not lose your position, and this will never happen again.”
Emily’s startled eyes flew up to meet his. He nodded and offered her a gentle, reassuring smile. She tentatively smiled back, then darted out of the room and down the hallway.
“What do you want, Charles?”
Miss Bingley’s irritated, nasally tones caused him to wince. He entered the room and was dismayed to see the utter destruction before him. Broken shards of glass from knick-knacks, perfume bottles, and teacups were scattered across the floor, their shattered pieces making further entry treacherous. An overturned chair and ripped books, as well as several torn dresses, were intermingled with the broken fragile items.
Choosing to ignore the havoc, Bingley cleared his throat and looked at his sister with a solemn expression. “Caroline, there’s a matter of great importance that I wish to discuss with you.”
Caroline, who had been idly flipping through the pages of a fashion magazine, raised an eyebrow in curiosity. “What is it, Charles?” she asked in a bored tone.
He took a deep breath, knowing that what he was about to reveal would likely not sit well with his strong-willed sister. “Caroline, your behavior in my home towards our guests the last few days has been unacceptable. I am therefore giving you two options. The first is marriage.”
She sat upright quickly on the bed, eyes lighting up with glee. “Marriage? Oh, I accept! I always knew coming to Netherfield would make Mr. Darcy see my abilities as hostess!”
“What? No!” Bingley stared at his sister incredulously. “Not Darcy! I’m talking about Mr. Hyde!”
Her eyes widened in disbelief, and her fingers clenched the pages of the book in her lap. “A tradesman’s son? Charles, have you taken leave of your senses? You cannot seriously expect me to entertain such a preposterous idea!”
He held his ground, his tone unwavering. “Hyde is a good man, and I believe that this match would be beneficial for both our families. He genuinely cares for you, and he is eminently suitable.”
His sister’s anger flared. “Suitable, you say? Are you suggesting that I should sacrifice my social standing, my future, and my happiness for the sake ofsuitability?”
Her brother sighed. “You do have one more option: Aunt Ethel.”
Miss Bingley’s face turned a shade of red. “You would threaten to exile your own sister to live among those Quakers? Charles, this is outrageous!”
Bingley placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice gentle yet resolute. “I don’t wish to threaten, Caroline. I merely want what’s best for you and our family. This marriage with Hyde is not a punishment, but an opportunity for a secure and honorable future. I hope you will consider it carefully.”
“But Mr. Darcy—”
