"Elizabeth and our two sisters went directly to work, and the entire undertaking was completed within three days."
With raised eyebrows, Bingley asked, "How may I obtain the vaccine, Mrs. Darcy? I should like to be inoculated, and I imagine Caroline would wish it as well."
Caroline lifted her sultry eyes to Mr. Darcy. "I should indeed, if Mr. Darcy would perform the procedure upon me."
Chapter 59: A Shocking Impropriety
Miss Bingley’s expression and manner were so suggestive that even the two young ladies blushed. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley also colored.
Elizabeth's cheeks grew heated as well, but from anger, not embarrassment.
Her narrowed gaze remained fixed upon her husband. She watched as he looked away from the offensive woman and raised his wineglass to his lips.
Then Miss Bingley turned her attention to Elizabeth and smirked.
As Elizabeth watched, Miss Bingley's hand slipped from Mr. Darcy's wrist and disappeared beneath the table.
Then Elizabeth saw her husband choke on his wine.
He sprang abruptly to his feet. The wine in his glass splashed across the damask tablecloth and onto Miss Bingley's plate and the bodice of her silk gown. Crimson stains spread wherever the wine landed.
Both Miss Bingley and Georgiana jumped to their feet in alarm.
Mr. Darcy snatched up his napkin and dabbed at his mouth and chin, as he coughed uncontrollably.
The wine had ruined a portion of the expensive tablecloth, spoiled Miss Bingley's dinner, and splattered the bodice of her very costly, very provocative gown. Elizabeth could see droplets of wine trickling down the woman's décolletage, but ironically, he had somehow managed not to stain his own clothing.
Mr. Bingley was on his feet as well.
Georgiana moved immediately to her brother's side and began clapping him on the back as he gasped for air.
"Fitzwilliam, are you well?"
The young lady sounded genuinely distressed.
Elizabeth watched the drama unfold as though she were seated in a box at the theater rather than at the dinner table. She noted that Mr. Darcy was still coughing. The wine must have gone down the wrong way. But he was still coughing. Still moving air. He would survive Miss Bingley's assault.
She turned her gaze upon Miss Bingley. At first, the woman seemed stunned by the result of her inappropriate liberties with Mr. Darcy's person. Then Elizabeth saw Miss Bingley's face redden and her eyes narrow as she noticed the red blotches staining her expensive silk gown.
Amusement glinted in Elizabeth's eyes. That woman had received more than she had bargained for. Perhaps she would now hate Mr. Darcy for publicly humiliating her, and the Darcys would spend the rest of the visit in peace.
Then Elizabeth saw Miss Bingley raise her eyes to meet her own. The woman looked like a viper ready to strike.
So, it was not over.
Elizabeth turned her attention back to her dinner and ate another forkful of the perfectly prepared salmon. Kitty also continued to eat, while the others attended to the chaos Caroline Bingley had created.
Mr. Bingley motioned to a footman, who pulled Caroline's chair back, and the woman hurried from the table.
Georgiana said, "Fitzwilliam, here is a glass of water."
He took it and drank. The water calmed his cough, and they both resumed their seats.
Mr. Bingley asked, "Darcy, was the wine bad? Shall I call for another bottle?"
"No, Charles. The wine is not at fault."
Elizabeth saw confusion settle over her husband’s face. If the wine was not at fault, what was he to say next? He could hardly admit at the dinner table that Caroline had touched him inappropriately.
