by M-C Ranger
As there was no question that Fanny Dashwood be outdone - after all, the Bingleys owed their fortune to trade - she replied to her friend that following week and everything was delivered in the oppressive heat of London and not the green, refreshing country air.
Norland Park, the 17th of June, 1811
Dear Louisa,
It was with great pleasure that I received your news. I am happy to hear that your husband is still doing well and that Caroline is striving to stay as busy as possible, even in this torrid month of June in the capital.
Norland is splendid at this time of year. Naturally, I had already noticed this before, but now that I am its owner, its radiance has been rekindled in my eyes, if you wish my opinion. I followed my first idea, which was to dust the old library and transform it into an office for Mr. Dashwood; this task is now complete, and I am rather proud of the result. All the dusty books have now been placed in crates, which I have stored at the back of a storeroom in the servant wing.
Mrs. Hurst, who in her letter had highlighted the significance of the library at Pemberley, wondered what Mr. Darcy would have thought; it suddenly became apparent to her that these people must not have formed a friendship during their stay at Netherfield Park. Regardless, she would greatly benefit from keeping company with the Darcys and the Dashwoods. She thus continued in her reading until a passage so captivating required that she sit to savour it even more; her friend Fanny had succumbed to the temptation of unburdening herself and had lowered - involuntarily? - her guard.
... It will not be news to you, my dear, when I remind you of the perfectly ridiculous actions of my brother, Robert. This manipulative Lucy Steele has admirably laid her snares and he has fallen at her feet, like a big simpleton. I cannot tell you how disappointed I am, even more so because she was able to attract the benevolence of my mother by flattering her and appearing to be as humble as possible. Mr. Dashwood and I have therefore decided to retreat to our dear estate, far from the interventions of this conniving young woman. And so you must understand my distress, my dear friend. Imagine that I recently received a note from my mother begging me to reconsider my initial judgement and to once again meet with Robert and his wife. I must admit that it is not with a happy heart that I invited them to find some respite in Sussex when they come through the area. Do not judge me, Louisa. On the contrary, have pity on me. I will greatly need it soon, as you do not know everything...
It was at this exact moment that Miss Bingley entered her sister’s small boudoir and found her seated at the edge of her chair, fretfully fumbling with the pages of a letter.
‘Louisa, what is it? Not bad news, I hope?’
‘Sit down, Caroline, it will be worth your while! This is the latest news sent to me by Fanny Dashwood.’
‘Do we not already know all the details behind the pitiful marriage of her younger brother?’
‘True, but you did not know that she had to make amends, under pressure from her mother, to accept and patronise Mrs. Robert Ferrars!’ exclaimed the older sister, her tone triumphant.
‘My lord! This is horrible! I can’t believe it. I cannot imagine the Dashwoods receiving the newlyweds at Norland Park, with a smile, no less! I would never lower myself to gestures such as these.’
‘Keep a few of your sentiments on reserve, as that is not all. Let me read what follows:
...The news that I am about to share with you will soon be known, so I prefer to mention it to you briefly. In this way the gossip, which will soon spread, will not surprise or shock you. My brother Edward, though he has been disinherited, did not hesitate for long and has returned to Devonshire. Did I not warn you to not consider going to this region? He has returned to Miss Dashwood at Barton Cottage and has asked her hand in marriage. She has almost nothing. No fortune, no true relations, and, as of recently, neither does he! Imagine, she accepted! My mother no longer expected anything to come of her eldest, as Miss Morton had resolutely disappeared when the situation with Edward came to light. How will we be able to return to London without attracting stares and disparaging comments? I wonder. And because when it rains, it pours, imagine how bad things can become when you have two...
My dear friend, please feel some empathy for us. Pity me for having two brothers as foolish as this. Dare I add, by way of advice, that nobody is immune, not even you, Louisa, and that...’
‘What does she mean, by: “Nobody is immune, not even you, Louisa”?’ inquired Caroline Bingley, furrowing her brow. ‘What is she implying?’
‘I must admit,’ Mrs. Hurst began, placing the letter on her lap, ‘that I told her of the manner in which we resolved the issue with Jane Bennet. She told me that she had used a similar strategy to keep her brother away from Miss Dashwood.’
‘And now,’ continued her sister, with a scornful look, ‘the manoeuvre has been a total failure. But she is gravely mistaken if she believes that we shall succumb to the same fate!’
‘You are correct. Charles has never been as distant from Hertfordshire and his “angel”. Incidentally, he did not even know that she was in London. This whole affair goes back more than seven months. It feels like an eternity!’
‘Furthermore, we shall soon be leaving for Pemberley. I do not feel that I am in the wrong by indicating that Derbyshire and its attractions are enough to forget everything else. And my dear Louisa, I know whereof I speak!’ concluded Caroline Bingley, a glimmer of rapacity in her eyes.
End of the third season
Sequel
Summer 1811
Volume 4
