She thought the better of it, however, and said nothing. She had no desire to rile her sister and hoped she might have some indication of the situation from Isabella herself.
Returning to Pemberley after the function with Mr and Mrs Darcy, Emily mentioned some part of her conversation with her sister, having urged her cousin Elizabeth to discuss the matter with no one else.
Elizabeth reacted with some enthusiasm. Isabella was almost eighteen, she said, just the right age to have some personable young man take an interest in her, even if it came to nothing.
But Mr Darcy was silent, so much so that his wife, thinking he had not heard their conversation, repeated some of its salient points for him.
This time, he did respond.
“I did hear you the first time, my dear. The reason I did not respond immediately is that I was rather surprised. Mr Bentley has only known Isabella and her family for a very short time. I mean, what does he know of her family and how much do they know of his connections?”
Seeing the expression on the ladies' faces, he added, “These are not idle matters for gossip, for when a young woman is given in marriage, she goes into the care of her husband's family; it is therefore imperative that everything possible that can be known about them is discovered before and not after the event.
“As for the young couple, how much time have they spent together to gain an understanding of one another's disposition and interests? I should imagine they have met and conversed together on some four or five occasions. On what foundation will such a marriage be built if he were to propose and be accepted so precipitately?”
Elizabeth's excitement abated somewhat at his sober words. She knew well her husband's cautious attitude to such matters, and he had, on occasion, been proven right.
She asked Emily, “Does Caroline really believe Mr Bentley means to propose to Isabella?”
Emily was unsure.
“I think she does, but she admits she has no indication of Isabella's feelings at all.”
“What do you think, Emily?” asked Mr Darcy, who had the highest opinion of his wife's cousin. “Do you believe Bentley will propose?”
But if he had expected a definitive answer, he was to be disappointed.
“I am afraid, Mr Darcy, I have not had the opportunity to observe them closely at all. But, Isabella is not only beautiful, she has a very gentle and appealing nature, and I would not be surprised if Mr Bentley's feelings were already engaged. As to his intentions or her feelings, I am not privy to them,” she said.
Both Darcy and Elizabeth laughed at this response. It was typical of Emily that she would not rush to judgment upon any matter. Prudent, circumspect, and sensible of the consequences of anything she might say or do, she was generally unwilling to commit herself until she had all the facts.
Only once in her life, at the age of twenty-six, when she had decided within an hour that she would marry Paul Antoine and travel with him to Italy where she would care for him until his death, had Emily thrown caution to the winds and acted, having consulted none but her own heart. It was a decision she had never regretted.
Meanwhile, Caroline had waited impatiently to discover if her husband had had an approach from Mr Bentley, but apparently, there had been none, since he mentioned no such thing. For her part, she had resolved not to speak of the matter to Fitzwilliam unless and until Isabella spoke of it to her. Determined that she would not appear to be pushing her daughter into any situation, Caroline held her peace.
There being no communication from Newland Hall, nothing more appeared to be required of her.
However, on the following Friday, when the family, having finished a late breakfast, had each departed to attend to their own interests, Fitzwilliam to Matlock with his steward, Caroline to attend to her correspondence, and Isabella to the music room, a carriage arrived at the door and the maid came upstairs to advise Caroline of the arrival of visitors.
On going downstairs, she found Mr Philip Bentley and the two Misses Henderson waiting for her in the parlour. The gentleman was seated, perusing a book he had picked up from the table, while the ladies were studying intently a portrait of her husband and their two sons, which hung above the mantelpiece.
Clearly, Caroline thought, Becky Tate must have enlightened them about the circumstances of Edward's death, for they turned as she entered and, with great sensitivity, refrained from making any comment on the portrait.
Greeting them warmly, Caroline asked for tea to be brought and sent the maid to ask Isabella to come downstairs. On her entering the room, it was quite apparent to Caroline that Isabella was the reason for their visit, for the conversation turned immediately from comments upon the impressive views of the hills and moors that the windows afforded to their pleasure at seeing her again. Maria and Frances Henderson were both elegantly dressed for driving out, while Isabella wore a simple gown of sprigged muslin; yet the sisters remarked upon her dress, saying how well she looked, while Mr Bentley kissed her hand and expressed his delight at seeing her looking so well. Isabella blushed and thanked them for their kindness. It seemed to her mother that to Isabella, the compliments were entirely unexpected.
Caroline could not help feeling that there was some degree of embellishment in their language, yet while their enthusiasm may have been extravagant, she could not point to anything that might lead one to believe it was insincere. Indeed, the two sisters appeared to like Isabella almost as much as their stepbrother did.
As they took tea, the purpose of their visit became clear.
It transpired that the young people were planning a picnic party to one of the prettiest places in the district—indeed, some would say, in Derbyshire.
“We have been informed that Dovedale is a place of such charm and beauty, it is not to be missed,” said Maria, “and my brother has expressed a desire to see it before he returns to London at the end of the month.”
“We thought perhaps we might take a picnic and wondered if Isabella would like to join us next Saturday,” Frances added eagerly.
Seeing the look of surprise on Isabella's face and thinking perhaps that she was somewhat unsure, Mr Bentley intervened to say that Mrs Rebecca Tate would be coming and had promised to bring along a couple of friends: Doctor Gardiner and his wife.
Caroline laughed and said it would be a brave person who believed that her brother Doctor Gardiner would be free for a picnic, but perhaps his wife Cassandra would be happy to join their party.
Only then did the Henderson girls discover that Doctor Richard Gardiner was Caroline's brother and offered their apologies, very politely.
“We have met and heard of so many people in the past few weeks, we cannot keep up with them all; please accept our apologies, Mrs Fitzwilliam,” said Maria, only to be assured by Caroline that no offence had been taken.
“Well, Isabella, will you come?” asked Frances and Isabella turned to her mother, momentarily, as if not entirely comfortable with the prospect, at which point Mr Bentley, who had been standing a little apart, intervened to say, “If safety is your concern, Mrs Fitzwilliam, you need have no anxiety. Mr Henderson will let us use one of the carriages and everyone will be transported there and back with the greatest care, I assure you. Miss Isabella will come to no harm.”
At that, Caroline smiled, as if to dismiss all such concerns and said, “Well, if Isabella wishes to go, I can see no objection. I am quite sure I can entrust her into your care, especially if Becky and the Gardiners are to be there too.”
It seemed Isabella was not at all averse to going but had waited for her mother's response. When Frances urged, “Please do come, Isabella? I am sure it will be great fun,” she said, yes, she would like to and thanked them very much for inviting her.
While both ladies greeted her reply with smiles, there was no mistaking the delight that lit up the countenance of the gentleman.
They left soon afterwards, having arranged to call for Isabella on Saturday morning.
Caroline was by now quite
convinced that Mr Bentley was falling in love with her daughter. Romantic by nature, she was easily persuaded, but how else, she argued, was one to explain the most particular concern shown by him and the very special assurances he had given regarding her safety and comfort?
Still, she waited for a hint from Isabella that she'd had some indication of his feelings for her, but none came. If she had any knowledge of it, Isabella was keeping it to herself. She did not appear to be inordinately excited about the picnic either. Perhaps, Caroline thought, Mr Bentley was being a truly proper gentleman and wished to ask Isabella's father's permission first, just as Fitzwilliam had done before revealing his feelings to her.
On the morning of the day chosen for the picnic, Caroline was rather more excited than her daughter.
It was an uncommonly lovely day, following upon a cool, clear night, when the wind had blown all possibility of rain away. A sky of quite breathtaking blueness greeted them, with small, white clouds drifting lazily across it and sunlight spilling over the tranquil scene.
“A perfect day for a picnic,” said Caroline and Isabella agreed, but again said little more.
When the Hendersons called for her, they came in a handsome open carriage; Mr Bentley alighted and came to the door to escort her to the vehicle, while the ladies remained within, waving to Caroline as she stood at the entrance. She was surprised to see no sign of Becky Tate but was assured by Mr Bentley that the Tates were on their way in their own vehicle and would be bringing Dr and Mrs Gardiner with them.
Reassured, Caroline wished them an enjoyable day and waved them away, believing now that she could with confidence reveal her hopes for their daughter to her husband.
She was not sure, however, that he would welcome the news.
CAROLINE WAS RESTLESS. She disliked uncertainty and was concerned that Isabella had said little on returning from the picnic, except to indicate that she was rather tired.
Caroline had thought she looked happy and had noted also the general expression of pleasure on Mr Bentley's countenance when he had escorted Isabella to the door. Polite and correct as ever, he had wished them good night and sent his compliments to Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had not as yet returned from a journey to Staffordshire.
Thereafter, Isabella had gone directly to her room and asked the maid to prepare her bath. Despite Caroline's desire to discover what, if anything, had transpired at the picnic, she had restrained her curiosity and left her daughter alone. Determined not to behave as their infamous Aunt Bennet had done in times past, she waited, hoping Isabella would come to her if she had something to confide.
But she did not.
Finally, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Caroline sent for the carriage and travelled the mile and a half to the Tates' place to see Rebecca. She felt uncomfortable doing it but needed desperately to talk to someone. Though somewhat weary after the day out, Becky Tate was quite willing and able to talk.
At first, Caroline pretended that she was concerned because Isabella had returned and gone directly to her room and was ever so quiet.
“I was anxious she may have been too long in the sun out of doors or had eaten something that disagreed with her,” she said, but Becky soon assured her that it could be no such thing.
“Isabella was not out of sorts,” she insisted, “indeed she was in a very happy mood all day, but especially in the afternoon, when she and Mr Bentley walked along the water's edge to the stepping-stones above Thorpe, where they waited for the rest of the party to catch up with them. I have not seen her happier. Believe me, Caroline, I am convinced Mr Bentley will soon propose to her. It was quite clear to me and to anyone who saw them that they are in love; at least he is, without any doubt, and though Isabella's modesty will not let her reveal her feelings, I cannot imagine that she is unmoved by such a strong show of affection. However, I think he has to wait awhile before he can propose to her.”
Caroline was greatly discomposed at having to ask young Rebecca Tate these questions, but she had to know.
“Do you mean, Becky, that he has said nothing to her yet?”
“I think he has all but said it, though not in so many words, but Mr Bentley probably intends to write to Colonel Fitzwilliam first. He returns to London next week and I think I can safely predict he will approach Colonel Fitzwilliam on his return. His sister Maria thinks so too,” she declared and again Caroline was bewildered.
“Becky, how can you be so certain? Has he spoken of his feelings to you?” she asked.
Rebecca laughed out loud. “Of course not! But I have eyes and ears, Caroline; it is quite obvious he is besotted with her; ask Cassy if you do not believe me, she will tell you no different. Oh, he behaved with perfect decorum, he is such a fine gentleman,” she went on. “But, I understand he needs to attend to some business matters in London before he can make her an offer. I gathered from Frances, who is a little more forthcoming than her elder sister, that Philip Bentley has no estate, only his income from the law, which is pitifully small, and a generous allowance from his stepfather.”
This information set Caroline thinking and, having thanked Rebecca, she left, hoping to be home before dark. Rebecca's revelations had put a somewhat different complexion upon the matter and left Caroline even more confused. When she reached the house, she could hear Isabella playing the piano in the music room and gathered that she must be in a better mood. She half hoped her daughter would come downstairs, but she did not.
As she waited for Fitzwilliam to return, Caroline's impatience and anxiety grew. What, she wondered, should she tell him? At first she had wanted to break the news by suggesting that he prepare himself for an approach from Mr Bentley, but now, if as Becky Tate had supposed, the gentleman was going back to London without proposing to Isabella or asking her father's permission to do so, what was there to tell?
Poor Caroline, torn between her romantic inclinations and the practicalities of giving a daughter in marriage, was completely perplexed by the situation in which she found herself. It was clearly not a simple matter of two young people falling in love. Besides, there was the business of Mr Bentley's income. If Becky Tate was right, what would Colonel Fitzwilliam say to the prospect of his son-in-law being so dependent upon the generosity of his stepfather?
Perhaps, she thought, it may be best to say nothing at this stage, and when Fitzwilliam did arrive, weary from his journey and rather irritable at having been delayed, Caroline decided that the latter path was unquestionably the more appropriate one.
The following week, Mr Bentley called to say good-bye before leaving for London, where he expected to remain a month. But, he assured them, he was delighted with Derbyshire and would return as soon as his work permitted him to do so. Invited to stay to dinner, he begged to be excused, blaming his stepfather for imposing upon him a duty he had to perform before he left.
“I would so much prefer to stay to dinner, Mrs Fitzwilliam, but alas, duty calls…” he said and Caroline replied that she understood perfectly and they agreed he would dine with them the very first Sunday after his return. Isabella, who spent some time alone with him in the parlour while her mother absented herself, ostensibly to ask that refreshments be served, had seemed very pleased to see Mr Bentley, but not so very unhappy to see him go. Caroline, who remembered suffering deeply each time Fitzwilliam and she were parted, was confused.
Could her daughter really be in love? She could not be certain.
As for the gentleman, it was quite apparent that he went very reluctantly and took as long as he possibly could over their parting, after which Isabella retired to her room again.
When Fitzwilliam returned from the markets at Ashbourne, Caroline waited until he had bathed and rested and made sure he was comfortably settled in his favourite chair with a drink before she ventured to open the subject of their daughter and Mr Bentley.
Fortuitously, Emily had come over that afternoon and taken Isabella with her to the hospital at Littleford, where some new equipment was being install
ed in the children's ward. Isabella had always shown a great interest in the hospital and had been pleased to go, besides which, she wished to speak with her aunt Emily, who was the closest Isabella came to having a confidante.
While Caroline told her husband, in some detail, everything she had observed and all that Rebecca had told her regarding the matter of Mr Philip Bentley and Isabella, Fitzwilliam listened very carefully, asking only the occasional question.
Once she had concluded her narration, however, his response was rather curious; at least, it was not at all what his wife had expected.
He appeared to be neither overjoyed nor unhappy. He made no immediate objection, but he gave no sign of approval either.
He said simply, “Well, I shall wait for Mr Bentley to approach me and when he does, we shall see. Meanwhile, I do not believe we should badger Isabella with questions on the matter. I do not wish her to believe that we are keen to be rid of her. She is not yet eighteen and I am in no hurry at all to marry her off to anyone.”
My Cousin Caroline: The acclaimed Pride and Prejudice sequel series The Pemberley Chronicles Book 6 Page 21