Confounding Caroline

by Leenie Brown

  “Do you dance?” Hurst asked as he rose.

  “I actually enjoy the activity. I have an affinity for music, you see.”

  Hurst’s brows rose. “Caroline does like music.” He gave the man next to him an appraising look. “You’re handsome and you have a title, so those will stand you in good stead.” He paused. “She is a schemer at times. How stalwart are you?”

  “My mother has often said there are few less yielding than I, but I cannot see it.” The corner of his lips tipped upward in amusement.

  “Then, you will do fine,” said Hurst, clapping Sir Matthew on the shoulder. “I should hate to present her with anyone weaker than immovable.”

  “Since you have not run away at such a comment, then I am to assume you are not easily frightened,” said Bingley with a laugh.

  “It is just a meeting,” Sir Matthew reminded them.

  “We are a hopeful lot,” said Hurst.

  “Or desperate,” said Sir Matthew with a grin.

  “Aye, there is that,” Hurst agreed. “I wish my wife to run my house and not my sister, but that is neither here nor there at the moment. Come along, Sir Matthew. Let’s see how you like her.”

  “No matter how this meeting goes, I will call on you gentlemen in three hours time. That should give me enough of an opportunity to have danced with her and watched her with others.”

  “We will await your arrival with eager anticipation,” said Bingley. Then, he and Darcy slipped out of the Taylor’s ball, for neither wished for their presence to place any hindrance on this meeting.

  Bingley blew out a breath as his carriage pulled away from the curb. “Our happiness could be closer to our grasp in three hours.”

  “Or just as remote,” Darcy added, causing Bingley to shake his head and chuckle.

  ~*~*~

  Three hours later, just as promised, Sir Matthew arrived at Bingley’s home and was shown to the study. Glasses of port were poured, and the four gentlemen settled in front of the hearth where a fire burned brightly, driving away shadows and filling the room with welcome warmth.

  It was four gentlemen, not just three, for Richard had called at Bingley’s and discovered that Sir Matthew was arriving later and could not be persuaded to leave under any circumstances, save for a man from his unit delivering orders that needed immediate attention. And since no such man appeared with said orders, he had waited with an open book on his knee and his head resting against the back of his chair while he dozed. Darcy, knowing how ill his cousin tended to sleep at night, kept his voice low while he and Bingley pondered the future and recalled the past.

  “So?” Bingley’s question cut through the air of anxious anticipation which hung in the air.

  “I wish to know more about your situation and that of Darcy’s before I come to a conclusion,” said Sir Matthew. “She is pretty just as you said,” he said to Darcy. “There is that in her favour.”

  “What do you wish to know about Darcy?” Richard asked with a grin.

  “I can speak for myself,” Darcy retorted.

  “Both you and Darcy said that you have your eyes on possible wives, did you not?” Sir Matthew directed the question to Bingley.

  “That is correct,” said Bingley. “As you know, my wealth comes from trade and was left to me by my father with the hope that I would use it to secure an estate and elevate my family. To that purpose, I leased Netherfield, an estate in Hertfordshire, at Michaelmas. Darcy joined me there to help me evaluate its condition and teach me some of what I will need to know.”

  “And this is where you met your lady?” Sir Matthew stretched his feet toward the fire.

  “Yes, Miss Jane Bennet. Her father owns the estate next to Netherfield.”

  “A gentleman’s daughter,” Sir Matthew nodded in approval. “It seems just the sort of young lady one who is aspiring to be a gentleman should marry as she will know what is expected of her role as his wife.”

  “That is not why I chose her,” Bingley said. “It frankly mattered not to me what her origins were. Miss Bennet is one of the most beautiful and kind ladies I have ever met.”

  Richard chuckled. “And Bingley is well-versed in beautiful ladies. His charm has gained him access where his ties to trade would keep him out.”

  “If only we all could be so fortunate,” Sir Matthew said with a laugh. “I confess I do not possess a great deal of charm. Never have and, most likely, never will.”

  “But you have a title,” said Richard. “One does not need copious amounts of charm if one has either a title or a fortune the size of Darcy’s.” He chuckled. “If you have both, as my brother the viscount does, then you could be the ugliest, grumpiest curmudgeon in all of the empire and have women flocking to you.” He shook his head.

  “Your brother is neither ugly nor a curmudgeon,” Darcy argued.

  “Aye, but the ladies do gather.”

  “He should marry and be done with it,” said Sir Matthew. “He is not married, is he?”

  “No, but my mother insists it happens this season, so by summer he may be.”

  “And then she will begin harassing you twice as much as she does now,” said Bingley.

  “I am hoping my brother refuses to comply.” Richard drained the last of his port and rose to refill his glass. “But, we are not here to discuss my marital state,” he said as he removed the stopper from the bottle. “Bingley, continue to tell Sir Matthew why your sister is set against Miss Bennet.”

  “Right. Miss Bennet. She is the eldest of five daughters.”

  “Five?” Sir Matthew said in surprise.

  “No brothers,” Darcy added.

  “Indeed?”

  Bingley nodded. “Five pretty daughters.” He grinned. “Miss Mary might make an excellent Colonel’s wife,” he teased.

  Richard shook his head. “Not unless she has a fortune. Remember, I am the second son, not the heir.” He settled back into his chair.

  “We are not here to see Miss Bennet’s sisters married,” said Darcy.

  “One we are,” Richard said into his glass as he lifted it to take a drink.

  “Miss Elizabeth Bennet is the second eldest daughter and the lady who has captured Darcy’s heart,” Bingley explained. “And that is one reason why my sister is opposed to my marrying Miss Bennet. For if I am married to Miss Bennet, then, Darcy will necessarily be thrown into the path of Miss Elizabeth, and Caroline suspects that Darcy is besotted.”

  “Which he is,” Darcy added.

  “I do like hearing you admit it,” Richard muttered.

  “As do I,” Darcy replied. “Miss Elizabeth is not the only objection Bingley’s sister has raised. Miss Bennet’s family is…” He paused. “Well, there is no particularly polite way to say it. There are those of her family who are both ridiculous and improper at times. They also have an uncle who is a country solicitor and another who is a tradesman here in town. However, I do think these objections would be overlooked if I were to offer for Caroline. Then, she would willingly allow her brother to marry as he chooses.” He sighed.

  “She is so set, is she?” Sir Matthew asked.

  Darcy nodded. “She has never attracted my attention in such a fashion. She is not what I wish for in a wife. We are not companionable.”

  “And companionship is important to you?” asked Sir Matthew.

  “It is.”

  “I see.” The port in Sir Matthew’s glass swirled up and around and down, up and around and down, as he thought. “If you were to marry – both of you – and Miss Bingley remained single, why would that be an issue?”

  “I would not wish to subject Miss Bennet to having to host her. I could see Caroline causing problems for my wife, resulting in misery for her. Miss Bennet has a sweet, tender constitution. She has already felt the sting of my sister’s maneuverings. You see, when Caroline left Hertfordshire, she left a letter for Miss Bennet hinting at my marrying Darcy’s sister. Not a word of it was true, of course. Then, when Miss Bennet came to town to visit her aunt a
nd uncle in Gracechurch Street, she paid a call on my sisters. They did not deign to accept her into the house, and I am certain they have no intention of returning her call. A call, I might add, that she concealed from me. I only learned of it through Darcy.”

  Sir Matthew’s head bobbed up and down slowly. “I see,” he said once again before slipping back into thought as he watched his port chase itself along the sides of his glass. Then, the glass stilled. He drained its contents and placed it on the table. “Your sister has twenty thousand?”

  “More if it is needed,” said Bingley.

  Sir Matthew smiled. “I am not agreeing to this for your money, but I do wish to have something to settle on children and such, you understand.”

  “You will take her?” Bingley asked hopefully.

  Sir Matthew nodded. “I must marry to take possession of my full inheritance. The lady I met tonight was all that was proper, if a bit cool, in her reception. She mingled with ease amongst the other people in attendance. She did not want for dance partners. Her taste in fashion,” he shook his head, “it is good but expensive. That could be an issue. I do not like to be separated from my money, for as you know, it is not my money to dispose of as I wish without thought. There is a duty to those who follow me. To my son who will take up the title. I know that such thinking is perhaps not popular, but it is how I believe.”

  He rose and picked up his glass. “May I?” he asked.

  “Certainly,” Bingley said.

  “I like you,” Sir Matthew said as he crossed to where the decanter of port rested on a cabinet. “You and Hurst have been very open with me about the trial your sister has presented to you, and you have not tried to dupe me into thinking I am tying myself to an angel when she is not.” He turned and leaned against the cabinet. “I actually think we could do well together. I could be wrong, of course, and that does concern me for I have always longed for felicity in marriage.” He shrugged. “I will call on her at Hurst’s tomorrow and invite her to go for a drive. Her acceptance or reluctance of those items will tell us how we should proceed.”

  Bingley raised a brow.

  “I am not opposed to a compromise,” Sir Matthew said with a grin. “I see no point in delaying. I need a wife, and you gentlemen need to be free to claim yours without fear of reprisal.”

  “You will truly take her?”

  Sir Matthew nodded. “I will not marry quickly. I will fall into a betrothal with haste, but I do wish for a bit of time to court her after she has been forced to accept such a courtship before we wed.”

  “Are you hoping that once she can no longer consider Darcy as an option due to whatever compromise we arrange, she will find her more rational self?” Richard asked.

  “Indeed, I am,” Sir Matthew said. “I would also rather not take an angry hornet home with me. Time should help me with that as well.”

  “You are a sly one.” There was no mistaking the admiration in Richard’s voice.

  “So I have been told a time or two.” Sir Matthew lifted his glass to his lips and hid a smile behind it. “If you are a quiet, focused sort of person, slyness is rarely suspected.”

  Richard guffawed. “Do you play cards?” he asked.

  “Not often.”

  “But when you do, I suspect you win,” Richard said.

  “Indeed,” Sir Matthew agreed. “Nearly always.” He returned to his seat. “Do you wish to speak of marriage settlements now or after our betrothal becomes necessary.”

  Bingley shook his head and chuckled. “I am certain I am going to enjoy being your brother.” He rose and went in search of paper and pen. “I see no reason to delay.”

  Chapter 12

  “My home has never been so full of handsome eligible gentlemen.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled broadly as she settled back into the chair from which she had been presiding over the discussion in her sitting room. “Sir Matthew, it is, of course, a delight to meet you.”

  Sir Matthew inclined his head in acceptance of her words. “I thank you for accepting me into your home with no prior introduction.”

  Mrs. Gardiner waved his words away. “Any friend of Mr. Bingley or Mr. Darcy is always welcome in my home.”

  Darcy thoroughly enjoyed how her eyes danced with pleasure as it once again reminded him of Elizabeth.

  “I understand you are from Surrey?” Mrs. Gardiner continued.

  “Yes, ma’am, I am.”

  Mrs. Gardiner did not reply but merely looked at him expectantly.

  Sir Matthew straightened a sleeve. “My estate, or what will be my estate, is Stoningham. It was left to me by my uncle, along with the title. He was my father’s older brother, but he never married. Therefore, the inheritance has fallen to me.” He went on, at her prompting, to tell her about his mother, his sisters, and his brother. She even managed to wrangle out of him details about his sisters’ families and situations.

  “And you wish to share all this with Miss Bingley?” Mrs. Gardiner had risen to pour the tea which had just arrived.

  “I need a wife,” Sir Matthew replied.

  Mrs. Gardiner replaced the teapot on its tray but did not lift the filled cup to pass to Jane, who stood ready to distribute the tea things. “You have met Miss Bingley?”

  “I have.”

  “And you are satisfied?”

  He nodded.

  “And your family? Will they also be satisfied?”

  He shrugged. “I believe my mother will be happy to have me married.”

  Mrs. Gardiner lifted the teacup and handed it to Jane. “I will be happy to have you married,” she said with a laugh, “for I wish for nothing more than to see my nieces well-settled with these two fine gentlemen.” She began filling another cup. “However, I would not be able to rest easy knowing that such a thing came about at the expense of your happiness.” Her eyes met Jane’s. “And I know Jane would also feel such a calamity most grievously, for her heart is amongst the tenderest in the land.”

  Jane smiled and blushed as she returned from giving Sir Matthew his tea to get another cup.

  “You may rest assured, ladies, that I have considered my own happiness very carefully in all of this. I believe, in time, Miss Bingley and I will get on quite well.” He hid a smile behind the rim of his cup. “After her sharp edges are smoothed a bit, that is.”

  “You do not go into this blindly, then?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.

  “No, my eyes are fully open. I know there is a risk in what I am doing. A great risk. However, I am not the sort to gamble without thought.”

  “Very well,” Mrs. Gardiner said as she handed Jane a cup of tea and then poured one for herself. “We will proceed with clear consciences.”

  “As you should,” Sir Matthew agreed.

  “You called on my sister today, did you not?” Bingley asked.

  It was the topic Darcy had hoped to broach as soon as the man entered the room, but as it was not his home nor was it his sister’s future being arranged, he had refrained, and instead, he had thoroughly enjoyed watching Mrs. Gardiner interrogate Sir Matthew while feeling quite glad that this time he was not the person of interest to Mrs. Gardiner.

  “Mmm hmm.” Sir Matthew nodded as he swallowed his tea. “She was agreeable. Very cordial. We had a good discussion, and I did ask her to go for a drive tomorrow.” He paused, and his brows furrowed. “She has agreed but not with alacrity. I think she would have refused if Hurst had not entered the room just prior and made a point of gaining her attention with a cough when she did not immediately reply.” He took another sip of his tea. “Drawing her along will take far too long. I think it best if we move toward limiting her choices to all but me. She can be convinced of my worth after she has accepted my offer.”

  There was a constant calmness about this man that Darcy was beginning to admire. There was a matter-of-factness to everything. Possible outcomes were presented – both good and bad – discussed and then put away like papers in folders, each with its own place. Even when Mrs. Gardiner had questioned him, he h
ad replied with ease and directness. This unflappable, intelligent, calculating gentleman might actually be the making of Caroline Bingley. The thought brought a smile to his lips. Who would have ever thought there was such a gentleman? Darcy certainly had not until this moment.

  “Then we need a plan,” Bingley declared.

  “I do not want to be implicated as the source of the compromise,” Sir Matthew placed his empty cup on its saucer and set it aside on a table near him. “I do not wish to go into this marriage with any more difficulty laid at my door than necessary.”

  Darcy watched Mrs. Gardiner hide a smile. “That seems wise,” he said.

  Mrs. Gardiner nodded her head in ready agreement.

  The room fell into silence for a moment, each occupied with his or her own thoughts.

  “I should not mind being the source,” said Jane.

  All eyes turned toward her.

  Though she bit her lip and her hands were clasped tightly, there was a sparkle in her eyes that Darcy found surprising, but then, the Jane he had met here in town had surprised him several times already.

  “Are you certain?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.

  Jane drew in a deliberate breath and pulled herself the tiniest degree more upright. “This whole thing was my idea. Any blame and displeasure which arise should be mine to bear.” Her lips curled up slightly. “Besides, though I know it is not proper to seek a reprisal, I do find I would not mind causing Miss Bingley some discomfort, for she has caused plenty for me.” Her smile grew. “And I would have her know that though I smile often and am obliging, I am not without resolve.”

  “That should stand you in good stead for after you are married,” Sir Matthew said.

  “Aye,” said Bingley. “I am not opposed to sharing in Caroline’s displeasure.”

  “Oh, no!” Mrs. Gardiner cried, clapping her hands. “She might suspect you, and a scheme is much more effective if it is accomplished with an element or two of surprise. Jane’s being involved will be surprising to Miss Bingley, no doubt, but not nearly so much so if the accident, whatever it may be, is affected with her brother’s assistance, since that brother is currently put out with her.” Her eyes shifted from Bingley to Darcy. “However…” Her voice trailed off and her eye brows raised. “That is,” she added, “if assistance is needed?”