by Jayne Bamber
3.
Caroline spent several days moping about her brother’s house in Grosvenor Square after seeing him off. He had boarded the ship bound for Italy, and she knew not if she would ever see him again. He had given her a significant portion of money, as well as full use of his home, and yet for the first time in the whole course of her life, she felt she would have traded it all to have her brother back.
She had really believed she could coax him into changing his mind, once they returned to the diversions of London and the familiar society of their friends. Perhaps they could have even found a doctor that could cure him. As a last ditch effort, she had sent him to see his friend Mr. Gardiner, ostensibly to break the news to Jane’s family about her passing, but really so that Mr. Gardiner might attempt to persuade Charles not to go away.
Apparently, things had gone horribly, horribly wrong. Caroline had counted on Charles speaking to his friend man-to-man; she had certainly not thought that all of Jane’s family would have been present, by some perverse coincidence. Though he had not wanted to speak in any great detail about the encounter, Caroline had gleaned that his first meeting with Elizabeth Darcy since her robust refusal of his proposal six months prior had been neither expected nor desired on either side. The new Mrs. Darcy had not been particularly pleasant to poor Charles, despite his poor health and grieving heart.
The rest of the Bennets had behaved about as poorly as Caroline would have expected of such an ill-bred family, and apparently Mr. Darcy himself had made an appearance just when it seemed the visit could not have gotten any worse. Having called in Grosvenor Street looking for Charles, Mr. Darcy had been directed to the Gardiner residence, apparently bent on confronting Charles about some unfortunate rumors that were circulating about his sister, which Darcy believed to have originated with Jane. Despite her indignation on her brother’s behalf, Caroline could well believe Jane capable of lashing out at the Darcys even from her deathbed, for she had naught but ill to speak of them. Jane, it seemed, despised Eliza more than even Caroline ever had, though Caroline fancied she herself would have made more of such an advantageous connection, in Jane’s position. Stupid cow.
It was a pity that Charles had been unable to reconcile with his long-time friend Mr. Darcy, for it would have given him such cheer before leaving England – perhaps forgiveness from Darcy, though Caroline thought he needn’t ask for it at all, might have even persuaded Charles to stay.
This had, unfortunately, jeopardized Caroline’s own plans regarding her return to society. As bitterly as she regretted the events leading up to her sudden departure from London, and from respectability, she knew that contrition alone would not get her very far without the Darcys’ help in society, and she meant to have it.
After Charles sailed for Naples, Caroline began to make discreet inquiries into what the rumors about Georgiana could possibly be, and the reality was far more shocking than she had imagined. Certainly this explained Mr. Darcy’s anger, even his determination to blame Charles, and she could only hope he and his wife did not believe her to be complicit, else she was hopeless indeed.
There was only one thing for it, and after about a week, Caroline had summoned up the courage to call upon them herself. Caroline was rather angry with herself for being so nervous about making the call; she had fretted, to an embarrassing extent, on what to wear. Would Mrs. Darcy be in mourning for her estranged sister? Would Caroline be expected to wear mourning for Jane? To mourn Jane meant to condone her ill-usage of the Darcys, not to mention black looked terrible on her complexion, but to forgo the custom might make her look ill-bred. It was too much of a conundrum for her, and she was mortified at being reduced to anxiety over mere clothing, like some wilting debutante; she settled on a ready-made gown of very fine gray silk. She glared at her own reflection in the mirror for quite some time, trying to remind herself that she was a woman on the rise, who had never been one to be trifled with.
To her relief, Mrs. Darcy seemed to have settled somewhere in the middle herself, wearing pale lavender with minimal black trimming, a mere nod to mourning. Mrs. Darcy received her with equal measures of hesitation and civility, though it was more than Caroline had expected.
Mrs. Darcy showed her into the small parlor, which Caroline noticed had been redecorated since her last visit there, and was gracious in offering her a seat and calling for tea, declaring herself to be at home alone that morning.
“I had understood Miss Darcy and Lady Rebecca to be in residence at Darcy House,” Caroline said cautiously.
“They are, as well as my sister Mary,” Mrs. Darcy replied. “Mary has gone to stay with my aunt and uncle in Gracechurch Street, to provide what comfort she can for my poor Mamma. Rebecca and Georgiana are out at present, delivering wedding invitations, I believe.”
“Hand-delivered invitations, my, how very grand. Pray which of them am I to congratulate?”
“Neither,” Mrs. Darcy replied with a smirk. “In fact, Mrs. Sutton, you are to not only congratulate Lady Catherine de Bourgh, but welcome her as your new mother-in-law. Have you not heard?”
As Caroline struggled to mask her confusion, Mr. Darcy strode into the room, and Mrs. Darcy reached a languid hand out to him. “William, darling, what do you think? Here is my sister-in-law come to see us. I was just congratulating her on acquiring Aunt Catherine as a mother-in-law.”
Mr. Darcy’s momentary surprise at seeing Caroline in his home was soon replaced by a degree of unrestrained laughter as she had never known him to exhibit, and he sat down beside his wife in a relaxed attitude. “Good Heavens,” said he, “I had not considered that angle. And good morning to you, Mrs. Sutton. I had not – this is an unexpected pleasure.”
Caroline smiled her most charming smile, hoping the Darcys believed in her sincerity. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. Your wife has been most welcoming. I came to offer my condolences, though I understand Mrs. Bingley had been somewhat estranged from her family before she married my brother.”
Mrs. Darcy smiled encouragingly at her. “I suppose there is a decided lack of proper guidelines laid out for one paying such a condolence call. What does one say to a person who has lost a relative they did not particularly like? Pray forgive my candor, but I hope to relieve you of any discomfort you may feel in wishing to offer your condolences, as is proper, though you are aware, I am sure, that Jane and I did not part on the best of terms.”
Mrs. Darcy’s honesty was startling. “Yes, exactly.” Damn the woman! Caroline wished to despise her, both for her effrontery to Charles and for stealing away Mr. Darcy, yet she was so annoyingly gracious! Indeed, Caroline admitted to herself that she would certainly not have been half so civil in Mrs. Darcy’s position.
“It is a difficult thing,” Mrs. Darcy continued. “I have mourned Jane’s loss already, when I lost the sisterly affection we once shared. I am sorry your brother has lost his wife, as I am sorry my poor Mamma has lost a daughter, but I lost Jane more than a year ago, and have long since made my peace with it.”
“Well… for that, then, you have my sincere condolences. Thank you for receiving me. I had understood from Charles that my visit might not be entirely welcome to you, though I would wish to offer my friendship.”
Mr. Darcy cleared his throat, his usual reserve returning somewhat. “I was severe upon your brother when last we met. I called the day before yesterday to make amends, and was told he had left the country. Please convey my regards, when you have occasion to write him.”
Though Mr. Darcy looked rather embarrassed at having made such a long speech, Caroline could not doubt that he was sincere, for he must certainly understand that it was his right, as the superior gentleman, to stand by his quarrel with Charles. “You are too kind, sir. I certainly shall pass your message along. I am sure it will mean a great deal to my brother.”
“Yes, well, I think it must be the right thing to do.” Darcy scowled awkwardly and abruptly stood. “I suppose I shall leave you two ladies to become reacquainted.” He bowed befo
re hastening from the room.
Mrs. Darcy laughed. “Quite the conversationalist, is he not?”
“I am sure he has a great deal of business to attend to.”
“And I am sure,” Mrs. Darcy replied, feigning an exaggerated whisper, “that he is really very sorry for being so hard upon your brother last week. It is only that there have been rumors circulating about poor Georgiana, which we have reason to believe my sister Jane to be responsible for, and Mr. Darcy supposed perhaps those close to Jane were also involved.” She raised her eyebrows in an unspoken challenge.
“Yes,” Caroline said, having been prepared to face such a question. “I confess I had heard some of the whispers. It is absolute nonsense! I cannot account for how anybody who knows Miss Darcy could possibly entertain such absurd slander. I have been doing everything in my power to refute these scandalous falsehoods whenever I have heard them spoken of. You may be assured of my friendship, both of you.”
“I thank you,” Mrs. Darcy replied, apparently satisfied with Caroline’s answer. “As we are practically related in more ways than one, perhaps we might dispense with formality and use one another’s Christian names?”
“You flatter me, Eliza,” Caroline said, the name feeling foreign on her tongue. She had only ever used that name as a form of insult, and apparently Mrs. Darcy seemed to feel it, for she wrinkled her nose.
“Elizabeth will do, or Lizzy, if you like.”
“Elizabeth, then. You may call me Caroline, or Caro, as my siblings do. Dear me – you said we are related in more ways than one – what is all this about Lady Catherine?”
“So you really have not heard?” Her eyes lit with mischief, Elizabeth leaned forward eagerly, as if they were bosom sisters sharing some great secret. “It is most remarkable! Just last week we heard the news. Your father-in-law announced his engagement to William’s aunt, Lady Catherine. They are neighbors in Kent, and of a long-standing acquaintance. In fact, from what I understand, Lady Catherine was in love with Sir Gerald even before her marriage to her late husband, but you must not say you heard it from me! You must ask your father-in-law to tell you all about it, for it is a tragic tale! At least it shall have a happy ending.”
Caroline stared at her tea, trying to formulate some sensible reply. She knew Lady Catherine de Bourgh only by reputation, and had only met her husband’s father once, on the evening she had most unwillingly become betrothed. He did not seem the type of man to inspire such romantic notions.
“I am all astonishment,” Caroline replied. “I have not yet had the chance to visit the Suttons since coming to Town. I was much occupied with Charles before he left for Italy, and my husband did not accompany me – that is, he is much occupied in Scotland – but of course I should pay my respects to his family. It has been many months since I have seen his dear sister Cynthia.”
Elizabeth wrinkled her nose with distaste. “I would thank you to remind her not to spread any further gossip about Georgiana. I know you and she are great friends, and I am sure she will listen to you, though most of the family has already given her a thorough scolding for her part in spreading the rumors.”
Caroline gulped. Cynthia is behind these rumors? “I was not even aware that Cynthia and Jane were ever acquainted,” Caroline said primly.
“I do not know that they were, though they must have some mutual acquaintance. But it is of little matter. I am sure she will obey her rather imposing new stepmother, particularly now that she is to acquire a new sister, as well.”
“I cannot claim to have any degree of influence over her,” Caroline admitted, “But I shall certainly do what I can.”
“Pray forgive me. You are not the sister to whom I was referring. It seems that Lady Catherine and Sir Gerald have waited so many years to wed, but they have nonetheless managed to produce a natural daughter, a girl of about Georgiana’s age, who will be joining them in London. They mean to acknowledge her, and have arranged to provide her a proper dowry and give her a season in Town.”
It was all Caroline could do not to let her jaw drop. “Good God! But that is really quite scandalous – it almost strains credulity! Are you quite certain there has been no misunderstanding?”
“It is fairly astonishing Lady Catherine is the last person I should ever expect to have such an interesting history! However, I am quite sure of it. My husband had it from her himself, just a few days ago. It is most fortunately timed, to be sure, for certainly once word of all this gets around, the dreadful whispers about poor Georgiana will begin to fade away. She has been so brave about it, but she does not deserve this blight upon her debut season. In fact, as we are friends now, and practically relations, and you are so keen to do what you can to help, perhaps you might be of assistance in steering conversation toward Lady Catherine and Sir Gerald and their daughter, whenever you hear anyone spreading the gossip about Georgiana.”
This was exactly what Caroline had wished, to prove she could be of use to those whose friendship she so desired. She could scarcely believe her good fortune in having such an arrangement offered before she had dared to ask. Such a valuable declaration of friendship, even a chance to claim a relation to the Darcys and Fitzwilliams – in exchange for her assistance in squashing the vicious lies being spread about poor Georgiana Darcy. Caroline smiled warmly. “I should be happy to do anything I can to assist your family in overcoming these dreadful attacks on Miss Darcy’s reputation. She is such a dear girl, and as you say, deserves far better.”
“Indeed she does,” Elizabeth replied. She paused for a moment before grinning widely at Caroline. “If I may be so bold, Caroline, there is one additional favor I would ask of you. I would never presume to impose, were it not for my extreme concern for Georgiana – as I said, she has been having a difficult time, and we are doing everything we can to preserve her tranquility when she is here at home with us.… Unfortunately she does not at all get along with my youngest sister, who is even more outspoken than myself, if you can imagine such a thing. She is staying with my aunt and uncle at present, though my aunt expects the arrival of her fourth child in the spring, and my sister’s… exuberance… it is a little trying on her nerves, given her current condition. We are doing what we can to facilitate some degree of peace between Georgiana and my sister, but two teenage girls who both require the greater share of my attention has been arduous, to say the least. I hope you will not think me deficient in confessing it, nor too forward in asking if you might be of some assistance in the matter….”
“You need only ask, Cousin Elizabeth,” Caroline replied smoothly, relishing the idea of granting any favor that might obligate the Darcys to her.
Elizabeth let out an indecorous laugh. “Forgive me, only one person has ever called me Cousin Elizabeth, and he was truly the most ridiculous person – you must call me Lizzy, everyone does. I pray you call me Lizzy when next we are in company with Rebecca, it will give her such a shock!”
And now we are to have an inside joke between us? Better and better. “What might I do to assist in matters of diplomacy between your sister and Miss Darcy?”
“Well, as your husband did not accompany you to Town, and your brother has left the country, I imagine it must be rather lonely, just you and the Hursts....”
“Lonelier than that, in fact. I am not staying with George and Louisa – Charles has given me use of his house in Grosvenor Street.”
“Well then,” Elizabeth grinned, “perhaps a companion is just what you need! Not a paid companion, of course but… a friend. A very young girl who might look to you for guidance in manners of decorum?”
“You flatter me, Elizabeth – Lizzy. Certainly Georgiana need take no hints from me. She is such an accomplished, graceful creature, but I should be honored to assist.”
“Dear me, you quite mistake me. Given all that Georgiana has been through, she must remain with us, though my sister Lydia, on the other hand, I am sure could benefit from your instruction. My husband and I would provide an ample allowance for her
room and board, and any clothing or other requirements she may have, and of course we should be forever grateful to you, if you felt yourself equal to the task of, shall we say, educating her in the ways of elegant society?”
Guardian to Mrs. Darcy’s sister, that could be interesting. Of course, Caroline had found little to impress her in what she had seen of Elizabeth’s younger sisters at the Banfields’ ball in September, but that would only increase her triumph in reforming the little hoyden. “Pray, what age is Miss Lydia Bennet?”
“Lydia is sixteen, and as the youngest of five she is very eager to be a woman grown already, though she lacks the desire to behave like one. I will not dissemble, Caroline, she may at times try your patience, God knows she does mine, but I would not ask it of you if I did not think you are fully capable of handling her. In fact, to be quite frank, I think you might actually frighten her out of her wits – I rather wish you would.”
Caroline laughed in spite of herself. She was really beginning to enjoy Elizabeth Darcy’s company. Though she meant to accept, she asked, “Might it be possible for me to meet the girl?”
“I believe that can be arranged, though as I said, she is staying with my uncle at present. I must speak with my uncle and William about the arrangement, and break the news to Lydia – in truth, I cannot imagine what she might say when I tell her of this plan. I would not cause you any undue embarrassment in exposing you to some interesting language.”
Caroline laughed again, beginning to feel really amused with Elizabeth’s manner of colorful candor. It was no wonder Charles and Mr. Darcy had both fallen in love with her so quickly.
“Well, Lizzy, I believe I shall accept Miss Lydia’s companionship, provided your uncle approves, and our first meeting goes well. I expect it will be quite interesting. Speak to Mr. Darcy about it, and Miss Lydia, of course. I can assure you, she shall find my company most instructive.”