Edward and I will be happy to bear all the expenses of the enterprise; indeed, it would be well worth it to save Jane from a man who is unworthy of her, no matter how handsome and wealthy he may be!
As you may guess from the above, I am rather incensed by the whole thing! What man allows himself to be led about by the nose by his youngest sister?!
Your outraged sister,
Madeleine Gardiner
By the time he had finished reading, Mr. Bingley was white-faced. He lowered the letter to his lap and stared at Mr. Bennet. “This is what everyone thinks of me? That I am led about by Caroline?”
“Do you deny it?” Mr. Bennet asked, leaning back and folding his arms across his stomach.
Mr. Bingley rose, gave the letter back to Mr. Bennet, saying, “You have opened my eyes, sir, and I thank you for it.” He excused himself and made his way to the parlour, where he spenta pleasant half an hour with his Miss Bennet before making his way home.
He had managed to conceal his distress while he was with Miss Bennet, but once he was alone, his face revealed his turbulent feelings. Had he really been so foolish? Had he coddled his youngest sister to such an extent that he had become an object of ridicule? He had always prided himself on being an honest man, and he hoped to be as honest with himself as he was with others, and in that spirit of honesty, he realised that he had done himself and his household a grave disservice by being so very accommodating with Caroline.
But he had now learned his lesson, and Caroline would soon feel the weight of it.
***
Miss Bingley was determined that Charles should make the first move toward reconciliation, as he was the one at fault; unfortunately, this had not yet happened. In addition, Louisa had not come to visit her and support her position. This was most unexpected.
Finally, she sent her maid, Alice, to fetch Louisa. Perhaps her sister could make Charles see how unreasonable he was being!
She could not see her sister’s frown upon receiving the message from Alice. Unsure of how to proceed, Mrs. Hurst approached her husband. “Harold, I wish you would advise me.”
“On what subject, my dear?”
Louisa pinked with pleasure at the endearment. It had to be admitted that her relationship with her spouse had improved immeasurably of late. He had confessed to her that he had not at all approved of Louisa’s behaviour under Caroline’s influence, and he now entertained hopes of her continued improvementnow that Caroline had imprisoned herself in her room and was soon to be exiled to parts unknown. “I have just been told by Alice that Caroline desires my presence.”
“No, no,” he told her. “You are not to see her, for she can only have mischief in mind.”
“But –“
“I know it is difficult for you to refuse her; it seems it is difficult for everyone to refuse her. Well, almost everyone, as I am not so afflicted. I tell you what, Louisa; I shall accompany you. And hear this – you are not to see your sister without the company of either myself or Charles. Do you understand me?” His tone was kind but strict; he would hold firm.
Louisa bowed her head in assent.
“Let us begin as we mean to go on; I shall escort you to her room. Do make certain that she is not in déshabillé before I join you.”
They walked together down the hallway to Caroline’s room. Louisa knocked, tremulously.
“Who is it?’
“It is I, Louisa.”
“Come in.”
“Harold is with me; are you properly dressed, Caroline?”
There was a pause, then: “Why is Harold with you?”
Mr. Hurst supplied the answer. “Because she is not permitted to see you without myself or Charles.”
“What?! That is absurd! She is my sister! How dare you come between us!”
“And I am her husband, and she will obey me. Do you still wish to see her?”
After another pause, Miss Bingley said, “Come in.” Her tone was sour.
