***
In the drawing room that evening, Jane began, “Caroline, your brother heard some rather unfortunate gossip about Lord Russell that you should be aware of.”
“There is always gossip about the aristocracy, Jane,” Caroline shot back at once. “We must not listen to it!”
“I think we should if that particular aristocrat is seeing a good deal of our sister,” Jane countered.
Caroline acknowledged the wisdom of that; Lord Russell had visited several times and had taken her on drives in the park. Caroline had heard a good deal about his horses, his properties, and his family tree. “Very well; what is it?”
Jane looked at her husband, who said, “Darcy says the man is a gambler, and the Earl of Matlock says that he is so deep in debt that he must marry a fortune.”
Caroline stared at her brother for a moment. “The Earl said that?”
“Yes; I have no reason to doubt his words.”
Caroline stared at her feet.
“Were we right to tell you, dear Caroline?” Jane asked, her voice warm with concern.
“Yes, of course. I have no wish to marry a gambler.” Her voice was flat.
“There is still that very nice Mr. Lindsay,” Jane said.
“Yes, I do like him, though he is but a second son.”
“And possibly Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Jane added.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam?” Caroline’s eyes went wide. “You must be joking, Jane. The Colonel is the last man on earth that I would ever marry!”
***
That night, Caroline thought long and hard about what she had learnt about the Baron. Mrs. Annesley had been right; if a gentleman goes on and on about himself and his possessions, he is not interested in learning about the young lady. He has another goal in mind. There could be no doubt that his goal was Caroline’s twenty thousand pounds.
Mr. Lindsay was a very nice man, and Caroline liked him, but he was rather dull compared with the Colonel – wait, was she comparing Mr. Lindsay with the Colonel? How had the Colonel entered her thoughts?
She turned over, determined to put all of it out of her mind and get some sleep.
Chapter Thirty
Mrs. Annesley thought it necessary to give Georgiana a bit more advice before attending Almack’s. Having heard from Jane that Caroline Bingley – of all people! – had received a voucher for Almack’s, courtesy of the Countess, Elizabeth invited Caroline to participate in the lesson. Caroline arrived in great excitement, clutching her voucher tightly.
“Almack’s is called the Marriage Mart for very good reason,” Mrs. Annesley began. “Here the Marriage Game is played in earnest. The players are expert, the stakes are high, and everyone watches everyone else with avidity. You cannot afford to make a single mistake.”
Georgiana sighed. “Oh, no, it sounds as bad as the presentation!”
Mrs. Annesley laughed. “Not quite as frightening as that, I hope. Be very aware of the patronesses, should you happen to meet them. They can revoke a voucher if they are displeased with you in any way.”
“And I suppose I must be extra cautious,” Caroline surmised.
“I am sorry to say that you are likely correct, Miss Bingley. I hope you will forgive me when I say that daughters of tradespeople are rarely given vouchers. Lady Sefton is the kindest of the patronesses, and that is why the Countess went to her. Her initials are at the bottom corner of your voucher, you see.” Everyone peered at the voucher.
“Ours have those initials as well,” Elizabeth said.
“She and the Countess are good friends. But there are a number of other patronesses. It is likely that Lady Jersey and Lady Cowper will be in attendance, and possibly the Countess Lieven and the Princess Esterhazy. I believe the Marchioness of Salisbury has become a patroness as well.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I do not know any of these ladies.”
“Remember the names, Mrs. Darcy. If you are introduced to any of these ladies, it would not hurt for you to express your heartfelt gratitude at being allowed to attend. You may well roll your eyes, but these ladies have tremendous power in society and they do not hesitate to use it.”
