Compromised!

by J Dawn King

  “My sister is staying at the Meryton Inn. Caroline will be departing early tomorrow for Liverpool where she will transfer to a ship sailing to Ireland. It is there where she will stay, Mr. Bennet. Does that satisfy?”

  Mr. Bennet was horrified. The shrew was a mere two miles away at the same inn as Darcy’s aunt and uncle.

  “No, sir!” Mr. Bennet walked to Darcy to gain his notice as he signaled to Colonel Fitzwilliam to join them. Bingley followed. Mr. Bennet turned back to him when they were clustered together. “Mr. Bingley, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Lord Matlock, Darcy’s aunt and uncle, are both staying at the inn along with my cousin. All three have vested interest in stopping the marriage of my daughter to Mr. Darcy. We have gathered Miss de Bourgh and Miss Darcy here for their protection. Your sister being in close proximity is dangerous.”

  “What!” Darcy and the colonel exclaimed at once. “Your sister is here?”

  Bingley caught himself before he could step back from their instant rage. It would not do to look cowardly in front of the ladies. “She is staying at the Inn in Meryton, gentlemen. She will not be spending any time at all here at Netherfield Park and will be departing north early tomorrow.”

  He was confused when this did not placate them at all. Before they could speak further on the matter, the Lucas family arrived. In the hustle and bustle of greetings, Darcy took Richard aside, whispering frantically in his cousin’s ear. It was only a moment before the colonel nodded and walked away. He was not to be seen until the second course had been served at dinner.

  With the colonel gone, Bingley did the only thing a reasonable man could do under the circumstances. He seated Jane Bennet on his right for dinner. Placing Mr. Bennet on his left, he was in a position to restate his intent, not in words, but in actions. When that seemed to have no impact on the young lady, he decided words might better serve him.

  “Miss Bennet, is there an arrangement between the colonel and yourself?” It was the question weighing on his mind so was the first thing out of his mouth. He heard Mr. Bennet snicker as Bingley turned away from him to look at Jane.

  Jane wondered at Bingley. He had arranged the meal without the assistance of a hostess. His disappointment at seeing the attention the colonel was paying her was obvious, and he was not allowing his sister to infringe on the gathering. The warmth of his eyes pulled at her heart in a way that the colonel’s never had. She loved spending time in quiet conversation with the gentleman seated beside her. She loved the joy his very presence made her feel. Certainly, he was dissimilar to Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. He was not a man of command and intensity. By now, Jane knew the colonel’s attraction was his ability to take the lead—to provide protection, shielding her from harm and an uncertain future.

  She had known Bingley for slightly over one month. During that time, he was constant. He had the ability to provide for her and the desire to give her the kind of home life she longed for. Their life together would be peaceful and amiable, especially with Miss Bingley no longer in his household. That he had taken a stand against his own sister was an important step towards being a responsible gentleman. Again, these were qualities she desired.

  What of Colonel Fitzwilliam? Bingley had offered for her. Would he? They had only known each other for less than a handful of days. Yes, the admiration was there. She was not blind. Nonetheless, circumstances were not. In the pit of her stomach, Jane knew Bingley would never demand more of her than she was able to give. Because of their many hours spent together, he knew exactly what to expect from her. Her time with the colonel had been limited and fraught with the turmoil surrounding Darcy and Lizzy. He was a man of war, with an officer’s income, who might be recalled into battle at any time. The nation was still heavily involved in war with France and turmoil was growing in the Americas.

  Jane now knew in her heart what to do. She could see Bingley’s impatience for her answer. Even her father was leaning closer to her to hear.

  “Mr. Bingley, there is no arrangement, nor do I believe there ever will be.” The joy evident on the face before her revealed she had made the right decision, for her. From the corner of her eyes, she saw her father sit back in his chair and nod in approval. The relief she felt in her heart was telling. It had already made its decision. Jane’s mind had simply taken a while to catch up. She smiled at Bingley and all was well.

  ***

  Mrs. Bennet had watched it all. The love between Darcy and Elizabeth was clearly obvious. She had worried about Jane’s seeming attraction to the colonel. Richard Fitzwilliam’s character was firmly developed. His years of leadership could easily wear the tender feelings of her eldest daughter down to where she became a ghost of herself. The colonel needed a woman with a strong will and a steady nature. Jane was much better matched with Bingley. Besides, who knew where the colonel would settle a wife and family. Bingley would be their closest neighbor. Two daughters with excellent futures. Now, who to match with Colonel Fitzwilliam?

  ***

  Richard Fitzwilliam arrived at the inn in time to clearly hear the plans being made between the co-conspirators. Thanking heavens that the walls were thin, he listened as Lady Catherine outlined the scheme she and his father had determined. Caroline Bingley was to be the bait.

  The longer he listened, the more he realized his course of action. He was an honorable man who had sworn to protect the nation. The nation included his cousins— all three of them. It would mean setting aside his desire for a woman he should not marry. Once his path was decided, he was content. Happiness would follow.

  Silently he backed away from the door and returned to Netherfield Park. There was much to be arranged.

  ***

  The colonel was not the only person listening to the conversation. From the inside of her bed chamber, Lady Matlock could hear the words as if she were standing next to her arrogant husband. That he and his evil sister would do something like this to Darcy was unconscionable. Their nephew had never given them cause to justify an attack of this sort.

  The Fitzwilliam coffers had been teetering on empty when marriage to her had been arranged almost five and thirty years ago. Lady Matlock came with a hefty dowry that saved the Fitzwilliam holdings. A small part of her marriage settlement had been the setting aside of a sum for a second son. Fear of her husband kept her from transferring the funds to her son. Their man of business was sure to report any transaction she made to Lord Matlock. With determination, she decided it was time Richard removed himself from the danger of his occupation to an estate close to the cousin he loved like a brother. It was also time she reminded her errant husband and sister-in-law that she was not the daughter of a Duke for nothing.

  ***

  Caroline Bingley looked at the man seated in the carriage across from her. In every aspect of his person, he was appalling. He smelled like he had not bathed or washed his teeth for months. His subservient manner towards Lady Catherine was disgusting. There was nothing humble about Caroline Bingley so she absolutely abhorred that quality in others. Mr. Collins was so far below her she refused to speak even one word to him. Their plan of action did not require discussion. She was to distract Darcy while Collins grabbed Elizabeth. There would be no wedding. While she stayed at Netherfield Park, Mr. Collins would take the carriage north towards Gretna Green. It was a hired coach with a driver who was reputed to not ask many questions. Darcy would never want Elizabeth Bennet after the clergyman was finished with her.

  ***

  The sounds of light footsteps in the hallway signaled the approach of a servant with a refill of the whisky decanter—or, so Lord Matlock thought. When the door swung open to reveal his wife he was surprised, but easily dismissed her.

  It was not until the door slammed behind her that he acknowledged her presence. He turned back around to find her standing just inside the door with her fists firmly planted on her rounded hips. The look on her face was fierce. He had not seen that particular expression since the first and only time he had dragged his drunken companio
ns back to their home after a late-night party. She had laid down the law, threatening to call in the help of her father, the Duke. Since then, she had gone her way in their marriage as he had gone his. This resistance was entirely unexpected.

  “You will call this off, Hugh Fitzwilliam, and you will call it off now.”

  “How dare you interfere with family business, Helen!” Lady Catherine was angry. She had wanted to personally stop Darcy from his impetuous actions, placing him in a position where he was forced to marry Anne. If she had her way, Caroline Bingley would never have been allowed in their presence. She was a disgusting example of a fortune hunter grasping at her betters to move herself up in society. How her brother could use her to accomplish their goals was unpalatable. Now to have her insipid sister-in-law making demands; it was beyond the pale with whom she had to interact on that night. “I will not have it.” She turned to her brother. “Hugh, send her back to her room. I demand it.”

  “Go ahead, Hugh. Just try to send me back to my room.” Lady Matlock’s voice was calm and quiet. It was a trick she had used when her boys were young. The louder they got the quieter she became so they were forced to cease yelling to hear her. She had not realized until then it would work on her husband. “I will send an express first thing in the morning requesting refuge with my father. Once his disapproval of you is made known, we shall see just how many friends and supporters you retain in Parliament. We shall see how long you survive without the assistance of my father’s coffers. You will be ruined in society and financially, is that not true?”

  The wind left Lord Matlock’s sails when he realized his wife was serious. No one besides his wife and father-in-law knew how dependent he was on Helen’s family. Now, his mouthy sister knew the money he sent to support Rosings was not his to give. It was the Duke’s. They were both beholden to him, which left a bitter taste in Lord Matlock’s mouth. They had gambled and lost.

  “Why did you have to bring her here, Hugh? You fool!” Catherine whispered as if her sister-in-law could not hear. “You should have left her in town.”

  “As for you, Catherine, there is an accounting for you as well. After my son and our nephew are through, I would imagine the rest of your life will be spent in the dower house, unless you cease this activity immediately.”

  The threat was valid. Anne had inherited the estate two years prior, yet allowed her mother oversight of Rosings due to her own weakened health. If Lady Matlock involved Darcy and Richard, she stood to lose her position, which was intolerable.

  “It is too late, Helen.” For the first time in decades, Lady Catherine de Bourgh was fearful. What would she do without Rosings? “That Bingley woman and Mr. Collins left almost a quarter of an hour past. They should be there by now.”

  “You sent them off together with no maid to accompany Miss Bingley?”

  “And waste money on a woman of no account?” Lady Catherine was appalled at the thought of spending precious coin on someone far beneath them. It mattered not to her that propriety demanded they have a chaperone. It was a short distance to travel and they would arrive unannounced. No one of importance would be affected by their actions. Therefore, it concerned her not at all.

  Helen Fitzwilliam stared menacingly at both her husband and his sister. “Then you had better hope our nephew is not swayed by your foolishness and my son protects Miss Elizabeth.” She paused. “No, you had better pray your plans will fail and you had better pray now!”

  ***

  The carriage containing Caroline and Mr. Collins was making the last charge up the hill to Netherfield Park when the substandard construction of the axle gave way. It had been Caroline’s demand that they increase their speed which had put them in immediate danger. The carriage started to tip as the passengers grabbed whatever they could, hanging on for dear life. By the time they stopped, the coach arrived in front of Netherfield Park on its side.

  The horses screamed as they tried to regain their footing. The coachmen yelled as they tried to contain the horses. This commotion brought the attention of the guests who began pouring out of the dining room and through the front door. The squeals and howls from the outside of the carriage was terrifying.

  Darcy, and the recently arrived Colonel Fitzwilliam, helped settle the horses as Bingley and Mr. Lucas climbed up the braces on the bottom of the carriage to open the door and check on the occupants. There they found Mr. Collins sprawled on top of Caroline. Both Mr. Lucas and Bingley sucked in their breath at the sight.

  The moans and groans of the couple alerted Bingley that they were still alive. Carefully, he lowered himself into the passenger compartment, helping Mr. Collins to stand. There was an injury to his hand and to his left ankle. By the time he was assisted out of the carriage, his complaints were loud and repetitious. Caroline slapped away her brother’s hands and stood on her own. It was not until she was outside the carriage that she adjusted her clothing and feathered bonnet.

  When no one else came from the carriage, Mrs. Bennet started with a chuckle. All eyes turned to her, looks of confusion and censure on their faces as her volume increased. Finally, a full-throated guffaw came from the woman’s mouth as she pointed to Caroline Bingley.

  In front of her was the cause of her eldest daughter’s lost happiness. Memories of weeks of being talked down to and spoken of harshly by Caroline Bingley rushed to her brain as she realized that justice was standing in front of her in the form of her husband’s despicable cousin, Mr. Collins.

  Moving her index finger to point between the two of them, she exclaimed at the top of her lungs. “Compromise!”

  Chapter Nineteen

  There was something completely justified in Mrs. Bennet’s actions. The thought that Caroline would be wed to Mr. Collins, living under the shadow and explicit instructions from Lady Catherine de Bourgh, struck those gathered outside the estate as being a fitting end to her machinations—and his.

  “My dear, Mrs. Bennet,” her husband whispered from close behind her. “You just guaranteed that Miss Bingley would be the next Mistress of Longbourn. Whatever were you thinking?”

  Without looking back at the man she had lived with for the last five and twenty years, she reached up and patted the hand he had placed on her shoulder just before he spoke. “I am well aware of that possibility, Mr. Bennet. We shall just have to make sure you stay healthy and happy for many years to come, shall we not?”

  He chuckled quietly. “Then should I meet an untimely end, Mrs. Bennet, I hereby give you my permission to put bugs in my bed and yours before you walk out of Longbourn to reside with one of our well-settled daughters.”

  They both looked to where Darcy and Elizabeth were standing and realized they were almost as close together as they were. Mrs. Bennet looked back at her husband. “They will be happy, will they not?”

  “I have every reason to believe so, my dear woman.” Thomas Bennet watched as the colonel walked over to disturb the peace between his cousin and Elizabeth. Again, he chuckled as he watched Darcy frown at the interruption. The colonel must have noticed as he changed course and headed for Bingley.

  “They planned to kidnap Elizabeth and carry her to Gretna Green for Collins to marry. He will go north, but with a much more fitting bride, aye Bingley?” The colonel slapped his friend across the back.

  “I do believe so, Colonel Fitzwilliam.” As the carriage was righted, groomsmen from Bingley’s stable came to help with the repairs. Bingley ordered them to cease as he requested his carriage be readied to return his sister and Mr. Collins to the inn in Meryton. Mr. Collin’s luggage was untied and strapped to Bingley’s coach as Charles approached his sister.

  “You cannot be serious, Charles. It would be a degradation to be attached to the cousin of Mr. Bennet.” She lifted her head, unseating her precariously perched bonnet. “I will continue as planned to Aunt’s home in Ireland. There is no need that this ever be mentioned outside of those gathered here. I trust in their decorum.”

  “No, Caroline. You have not y
et reached your majority and I have not yet turned over your funds to you for your travels. Unless you have resources I am unaware of, you will do as I instruct you.” There was no arguing with the sternness in his voice.

  “But, Charles!” The whine had returned in full force. It had no impact on her brother. She looked to the others and found no help. Not even mealy-mouthed Georgiana Darcy came to her support. She should have known. None of the rabble in front of her appreciated a woman of quality.

  “In you go.” Bingley grabbed her elbow and led her to his carriage steps. Mr. Collins had already entered, not waiting to help his betrothed.

  Bingley looked at the man before him. He was truly repulsive, even to a forgiving man as Bingley. “I will meet with you first thing tomorrow to discuss arrangements for your nuptials. Agreed?”

  “Agreed.” Mr. Collins was confident that with the help of his patroness, he would have the wife he deserved. Miss Bingley’s dowry was a consideration as well. Put in the hands of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, they could only prosper.

  All standing outside heard his words as the carriage finally started forward. “Miss Bingley, you will be delighted to know that my patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, will graciously condescend to give you instructions as to the proper deportment befitting a woman of your stature and standing in society. My esteemed…”

  The carriage moved out of hearing range as all pretended they had not heard. Mrs. Bennet had paid close attention when Bingley had approached his sister. She had vested interest in his actions, for it would speak to how he would care for her eldest. Mrs. Bennet may seem as silly as her youngest daughters; however, her love for her eldest was fierce. She wanted only the best for her. Jane had been hurt with Bingley’s bungled proposal the week past. As a mother of a gentle daughter, Mrs. Bennet understood she needed to step back and not push them together. What appeared to be a good match for her eldest might not be.