There was a minute’s silence as everyone digested that remark. Finally, Mrs. Bennet said, “I am not certain what you mean by that, Miss Bingley.”
Caroline was ready. “Oh, only that with so many people in so small a house, the noise must be terrible.”
Mrs. Bennet’s voice was now firm. “I assure you, Miss Bingley…“
Caroline overrode her. “No, no, you need not assure me; I know what I see. The furniture here is out of fashion and worn; your butler is old and slow; the exterior of the house is not well-kept. All in all, the atmosphere here is one of chaos, lacking in fashion and good taste. No one could get well in such a dreadful place.”
By this time, Jane had tears in her eyes; she jumped to her feet and ran out of the room. Mrs. Bennet could not move; she sat with her hand to her mouth, looking absolutely shocked. The younger girls simply stared in astonishment.
Elizabeth was trembling with rage. She rose to her full height and began, “Miss Bingley –“
But Mr. Darcy interrupted her. “Miss Bingley, I have never heard anything so rag-mannered in my entire life!”
Miss Bingley rose and turned to face him. “Truly, Mr. Darcy, I know you must agree with me; the locals are something savage, are they not?”
“I do not agree at all, Miss Bingley. I have found the people here to be kind, warm and everything pleasant, which is a good deal more than I can say for you.”
“What?!” Miss Bingley was shocked. “Mr. Darcy, howdareyou!”
Elizabeth turned to Mr. Bingley, who still sat in his chair. “Mr. Bingley, have you anything to say?”
Mr. Bingley was wide-eyed with horror. He knew Caroline could be rude, but he had never imagined she could sink to such a level! What was he to do? He rose from his chair and managed to say, “I believe my sister is not feeling quite the thing. Come, Caroline, let us leave the Bennets in peace and return another day, when you are more yourself.”
Elizabeth spoke quickly. “Mr. Darcy, I hope you will remain. But Mr. Bingley, I must ask both you and your sister to leave now and not return.”
“But I said nothing!” Mr. Bingley protested.
“Exactly,” Elizabeth said, succinctly. Then she marched to the front door, past the startled butler, and threw it open.
Caroline led the way to the carriage, head high, and climbed in. Her brother followed her. She smiled at him, though she was seething at Mr. Darcy’s remarks to her.
“You did that on purpose,” he accused her.
“I did, yes,” she agreed, tossing her head.
“But – but why? You know I am interested in Miss Bennet.”
“That is exactly why.”
“I have not the pleasure of understanding you, Caroline!”
“Then let me explain it to you, Charles. You can do better than Miss Bennet, and I insist that you do so.”
“I do not think Icando better, Caroline. Miss Bennet is lovely and kind. She has a serene spirit, and she makes me feel at peace. What is so wrong with that?”
“I need to marry well, Charles, and it is clear that I must find someone other than Mr. Darcy, as he has evidently been bewitched by that awful Miss Eliza. You tying yourself to an unknown and unimportant country girl does not help me achieve my goal. I need you to have my best interests at heart. How is it that you do not see that?”
“How is that you expect me to haveyourbest interests at heart, when you do not havemybest interests at heart, Caroline?”
Caroline quickly thought of Chirpee and soon had tears in her eyes. “Because Mother and Father asked you to care for me. I am your youngest sister, Charles!”
Mr. Bingley recalled his arrangement with Colonel Fitzwilliam and then buried his face in his hands. He feared Jane Bennet was lost to him forever, and he had no one to blame but himself.
As the carriage made its way back to Netherfield, Caroline reflected on the visit to Longbourn. She knew not what arts and allurements Miss Eliza had used on Mr. Darcy, but if he could be so easily taken in, then he was not worthy of Miss Caroline Bingley. She dismissed him from her mind. But she had, with very little effort and inconvenience to herself, eliminated JaneBennet as a sister-in-law. She congratulated herself on her success.
Chapter Twenty-Three
George took Georgiana to the same establishment that Mrs. Cartwright worked at, Madame DuBois’ Fine Dresses. Georgiana had mastered a number of complex stitches as part of her education as a young lady, and such talents should be worth money. George impressed upon her that if her body needed more food due to her pregnancy, it would be up to her to earn the money for that food.
