Mr. Bingley considered that. “Would Caroline’s twenty thousand pounds not set him right? She is itching to be a Baroness, you know.”
“Are you listening, Bingley?” Mr. Darcy asked, in some exasperation. “He is a gambler; he will run through her money, and then what?”
“Might be worth it, you know,” Mr. Bingley said. “Caroline would be a Baroness and out of the house. She would be happy, Jane would be happy, and thus I would be happy.”
“I would not allow Georgiana to marry a gambler,” Mr. Darcy said, irritated at his friend’s response.
The Colonel spoke for the first time. “You are comparing Georgiana and Miss Bingley? I intend no offense, of course, Mr. Bingley.”
“No, you are quite right, Colonel! Impossible to compare Miss Darcy and Caroline!” Mr. Bingley replied with heat, at least some of which was fueled by his drink. “You have no idea what Jane has been through these past few years. I am not going to be fussy about any man who wishes to take her off my hands.”
Mr. Darcy knew that Netherfield could not be a calm refuge, not with Caroline in residence and – Lord! – with Mrs. Bennet a mere three miles away. “You are right, Bingley. I know you will do what is right for you and your wife.”
Mr. Bingley nodded his thanks, and added, “There was a Mr. Lindsay visiting as well, but he is merely the second son of an Earl, and could not give Caroline a title. I liked the chap, though.”
The Colonel, also the second son of an Earl, asked, “Is the title the only thing she is interested in?” For some reason, this thought disturbed him.
Mr. Bingley shrugged. “I no longer know, Colonel. She used to talk a good deal about showing up her classmates, but a good many of those classmates now appear to be good friends. I do not pretend to understand what goes on in her mind.”
Mr. Gardiner listened to the conversation in silence, thinking that Miss Bingley deserved better than a gambler, no matter what title he possessed.
Soon after, the gentlemen joined the ladies in the drawing room. Caroline, seeing the Colonel enter the room, whispered to Georgiana, and the two of them launched into the happiest, most joyful piece in their repertoire.
The Colonel understood immediately that this was to show him that she could play something other than a dirge! He chuckled to himself but then stopped, recalling how very badly he had insulted her. She had demanded flowers for a week for insulting her at the ball; what would it take to gain her forgiveness for his latest crime?
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Elizabeth was not surprised to find a letter from Meryton in her morning post.
Lizzy,
Lady Lucas tells me that the Morning Post says you had tea with the Queen! With theQueen!! And you cannot be bothered to give your sisters a little help? I do not know what I have done to have such an undeserving child!
Mama
Elizabeth knew she had to respond to the letter, but could not find the patience to do it just now. She tucked it away in her writing desk.
***
At Westmoreland House, Lord Fane read the message for the third time. He shook his head, unable and unwilling to believe its contents.
“What is it?” his sister enquired.
In response, he handed her the note.
Lord Fane,
I am unable to drive out with you today.
Miss Georgiana Darcy
“But why?” Agatha asked, returning the note.
“I cannot imagine!” was the unhappy response. “You were with me when we saw her yesterday; did she seem cool in any way?”
“Not at all! She was her usual gentle and delightful self!”
“Perhaps she is weary? She has already had quite a bit of activity. She may just need rest.”
