by Linda Phelps
“You have never before cared about the workings of the servants, and now is no time to start,” said Caroline. “Remember, we came after you because we longed for your company, and now you speak as if you will deprive us anew.”
“Had you stayed properly at Netherfield I would have been back in two or three days, and you would not have been in the least deprived of my company. I believe, Sisters, that you could not bear to miss the theater and the balls.”
“They will be the better for having you as an escort,” said Louisa.
“I must think on this,” said Bingley. “I fear I have committed a breach of manners by this sudden exodus.”
“We took the liberty of leaving notes for some of the more prominent families,” said Caroline.
“Have you no affection for the friends we left behind?” said Bingley. “I had thought you were quite pleased with some of them, Jane Bennet, for one.”
The sisters took care to avoid meeting each other’s eyes. In their rehearsals of this conversation, they had not prepared themselves for Bingley’s unprecedented failure to fall in with their plans. Worse, he had mentioned Jane Bennet by name.
“Jane Bennet is indeed a sweet girl,” said Caroline. “Louisa, what was it that Mrs. Bennet said about her prospects? Ah, I remember. The mother believes she is likely to receive an offer from a neighbour, a Mister George Long,” said Caroline. How easily this falsehood had come to her!
“I was delighted when I heard that news,” cried Louisa. “Pretty as Jane Bennet is, with no dowry and such unmannered mother and sisters, she is fortunate to receive these attentions.”
“The mother confided that Jane has had amiable feelings for this man since they were both children,” continued Caroline. “One can only feel pleasure that such a fine young woman is in the way of happiness.”
Bingley’s face changed. His normally open countenance became frozen. He looked from sister to sister to see if they were teasing him. “I heard nothing of this when we were at Netherfield.”
“That is because we women have the leisure to tell each other of the bustle among the neighbours. You men have other things to think of, but we women hear the news almost before it has happened, “said Caroline. “You would be surprised to discover how much we learn as we net our purses and adorn our bonnets.”
“Oh, my dearest Charles,” cried Louisa. “I do hope you had no serious expectations of a future with Jane Bennet. I admit she seemed somewhat attached to you, but we were told that she displays such a degree of affinity to men with whom she feels friendship that they are often deceived as to her intentions.”
“Poor Charles,” said Caroline. “I hope you are not distressed by this news. Louisa and I believed you were aware of her proclivities. We thought you were amusing yourself with the neighbourhood beauty, as you so often do.”
After thought, Bingley said, “I can scarce give it credit. I hear such reports from you and Darcy about Jane that I cannot comprehend. I believe I must go down myself to discover if it is true, and, of course, tender proper good-byes to our friends.”
“Dearest brother,” said Louisa. “I beg you, do not do so. You will appear the forlorn lover, to your shame and hers. Do not give the locals ammunition with which to disparage you, and us, as your sisters.”
“Further, Charles,” said Louisa, “you know that Georgiana Darcy comes to stay with her brother before the week is out. It would be wretchedly ill-mannered of you not to be here to greet her.”
Bingley was silent. The sound of a carriage roused him. “You are about to make calls,” he said. “It is a pleasant day for it.”
“We will happily forego them if you prefer our company, or you may come with us. You have yet to announce to all of your friends that you are in town. How will they know if you do not call upon them?”
“I am sure my sisters can deliver the message,” said Bingley. He saw them into their coats and bonnets and escorted them to the carriage.
“That did not go as we had planned,” said Louisa, once the sisters were on their way. “We must make a better effort.”
“Better than my invention regarding Mr. George Long?” asked Caroline. “How do we convince our brother that any woman would prefer George Long to Charles Bingley?”
“Perhaps we can convince him that Jane favoured our brother because of his money,” said Louisa.
“And so she did!” cried Caroline. “I knew that was the case, which is one of the reasons I felt we must leave Netherfield.”
“Let us not speak on the topic of Jane Bennet again. If he mentions her, we must change the conversation to a different subject. It is the kindest way to keep his spirits up.”
“I agree,” said Caroline. They smoothed their coats in anticipation as the carriage drew up to the door of the first house they would grace with their presence that morning.
Miss Georgiana Darcy’s Journal (Maidenstone)
At last I am summoned to London. I began to wonder if I was to spend the entire winter here with Mrs. Cassidy. Brother sends the coach for me tomorrow. Although I am generally quite content here, I do crave a bit of amusement. Upon occasion I find myself remembering Wickham. How good he was to me, or how good he seemed to be. It is difficult for me to believe that all was a mere charade.
In town there will be concerts and operas to delight our ears. Further, since I have grown over an inch since last winter, I shall need to see about new clothes. I expect Mr. Bingley’s sisters will assist me in that endeavour. Each has kindly written me a letter of welcome. They are eager to be companions to me.
My trunk is packed, waiting in the downstairs hall for the morning arrival of the coach.
Miss Bingley’s Journal (London)
We have had a time convincing Charles that any pursuit of Jane Bennet is futile. It seems he still thinks of her. I believe that among us, Darcy, Louisa, and I have made it clear that she had no interest in him. He seems not to consider that if that is the case he has been ill-used, but he is somewhat downhearted. When ever has a young lady rejected him in such a fashion?
We have committed one gaffe. It seems Darcy convinced Charles that Jane was expected to marry her cousin, that tall clergyman, while we told him she was on the verge of matrimony with George Long. Our stories do not match, but let us hope that one bolsters the other as an example of Miss Bennet’s tendency to flirt.
Fortunately for us there are parties almost every evening. The Hursts have hosted two of them. Also, all of our friends have made sure to entertain us as a means of welcoming us back to town life. Charles is able to find distractions to take his mind from what he believed was a mutual attachment. His spirits rise almost daily, for he is always unable to feel low when there is an abundance of pleasant company near at hand.
As a result, of all this activity, we have dined with dear Darcy almost as often as we did when we shared a country residence with him. I believe he is becoming more attentive to me. He never fails to greet me and admire my attire, and he often finds a means to sit next me at dinner and in the drawing room after. We do look well together when we dance, and one would be blind not to notice the attentions he pays me,
I am aware that many of my friends monitor our behavior. I need not puzzle over what they say when I am not present. “Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley! What a delightful match!”.
The only disadvantage to being a part of this society is that the Longstreets are almost always in attendance, not just the newly-wedded pair but William also. Therefore I must muster my endurance when he compliments my dress of the evening. Then, he often manages to sit with me at dinner. Anne Constable confided that he asked her especially for the seat on my right hand. “No, no!” I cried. “I would rather have almost anyone else. Old Mr. Brighton, or Mr. Darcy, for example, would be much my preference.” Anne seemed somewhat offended that I had so little desire for the company of her new brother, but she promised to refuse him if he asks such a favour in the future.
He often manages to sit with me after dinn
er, when the men join us. It is all I can do to smile pleasantly at him, especially when he asks questions such as this. “How do you progress with Mr. Darcy? He has the leisure to think of other women now and opportunities to be in their company. You cannot possibly be present to serve as the constant attraction you were in the country. Is that not a danger to your cause?”
“This prospect does not frighten me,” said I.
“You have always been fearless,” said William. “I cannot forget the time you accepted my challenge to climb onto the roof. You could have been killed, and had you been, the blame would have been mine, so fortune smiled on me in that instance.”
“My courage is that of the spirit now,” said I.
He has correctly guessed the reason for our sudden return to town.
“Ah,” said he, “you fear the power of that lovely young woman, Jane Bennet. You rescue your brother from her clutches.”
“You may be sure we did just that,” said I..
“But how, Miss Bingley,” said he, “will you find the opportunities to impress Mr. Darcy when you see him only at parties and balls? How can you become the premier object of his attentions?”
As I glance about any drawing room it becomes clear that I am the most handsome of the unmarried women, whilst I have further a small fortune to make me seem even more handsome. Darcy is a sensible man. He will judge me and the others sensibly, which means that I must come first when he is ready to make an offer.
Several of the young men keep their eyes upon me. They would welcome the chance to marry Caroline Bingley. I must decide what to say if one or more of them makes me an offer before Darcy does. One or two cannot be considered to be entirely ineligible for me to marry, but I must follow my heart which belongs to no one but Mr. Darcy.
If William Longstreet is able to command my attention any more often than he already does, Caroline Bingley and William Longstreet will become the talk of London. He would enjoy that above all things. What arrogance he has!
I am conscious that Caroline Bingley and Fitzwilliam Darcy are already the talk of London.
Georgiana is expected tomorrow. She was a child when we saw her last May. Since then Darcy has kept her isolated. I expect his motive is to allow her to develop into an accomplished woman before he introduces her to London society. Let us hope Charles finds her much improved. Louisa and I hope she will be the one to take his mind off Jane Bennet for good and all. She had no conversation when we met her earlier, but perhaps that fault has been remedied. If not I am quite willing to help her through awkward pauses until she learns the trick herself.
She will spend the Christmas season with dear Darcy, and then return to whatever distant spot is the site of her education. I expect to find her much improved from when I last saw her, for she is older now. Darcy says she is taller and that her skill at the pianoforte continues to improve.
Charles has never been impressed by musical ability, but perhaps Georgiana can bring about a change in his attitude.
Mr. Darcy’s Journal (London)
Georgiana arrives tomorrow. I am eager to see her. Her letters tell of her daily round, which consists of lessons and walks and lessons and a ride on a pony, and lessons, with little time to read or otherwise amuse herself. I regret that such a regime is necessary, but her thoughts must be kept from Wickham and the grievous error she so nearly made. Where would she be today had I been unable to rescue her from his plot to elope with her?
She has been so dedicated to “becoming a sister in whom you can take pride, dear brother,” that she has not complained about this year of abstinence from enjoyment She shall have her reward during this holiday in London.
The Bingley sisters have corresponded with her, and although they and she have met only once, they are well on their way to a state of intimacy. She is in need of female companionship of the better sort. Caroline in particular speaks of her often. She should prove a good guardian and friend to my dear Georgiana. I must tell her often of my gratitude for the pains she takes.
The thought of the fate that Georgiana only avoided through fortune and her own good instincts fills me with horror each time it occurs. Wickham. Has there ever been another man as unprincipled as he? He has kept the story to himself, not only because of the money I gave him for his silence but also because of my promise that I will kill him if it becomes common knowledge.
The sisters were quick to visit Darcy and welcome his newly arrived sister. Darcy made sure they were aware of her accomplishments. At his bidding Georgiana played a song on the pianoforte and another on the harp. When tea was served, she poured with graceful correctness. Darcy urged her to display a fire screen, the design of which she had created and executed to perfection.
If the girl had a fault, it was her silence. One did not find her taking her place in the conversation. When she did speak, she glanced first at Darcy, as if for permission. Even Bingley with his ready amiability could not guide her to speak unless spoken to. She looked only at her needlework or her lap.
As Caroline and Louisa made ready to leave, Darcy spoke quietly to his sister, after which she stood and walked with them to the door. “I am so pleased to see you again,” she said. “Please come to call whenever possible, and my brother and I will call upon you. We are giving a dinner on Tuesday next, and your presence will add to our pleasure. I will send a note tomorrow inviting you with more formality.”
“We will be delighted to attend,” said Louisa. “Our brother, of course, is already a presence in the house. I hope you find him amiable.”
“Oh, very much so,” said Georgiana, looking at her feet. “He is such a good friend of my brother. It is excellent that he stays here.”
“I hope he becomes an excellent friend for you also, Miss Darcy,” said Caroline. “There is nothing we wish for more than to have our two families in a state of familiarity”
“Yes,” said the girl. “Thank you for calling,” and she left them with only the manservant to show them out.
Darcy’s Journal (London)
I had hoped that Georgiana would feel easier, but she is shy with me and even more so with Bingley, although he does everything possible to please her. I do not suggest that he is falling in love. Her manner is much too distant toward him.
Perhaps I have been too strict with her. Sending her off to board far from London may not have been well considered. That she has been diligent in her lessons is more than evident by her performances at her instruments. I believe she has absorbed a good deal of learning in the fields of literature and art. However, I cannot find a way to make her converse with me on these topics. “I am afraid, dear brother, that you will despise my opinions.” But how can I despise them if I am not to know them?
I understand why she is not familiar with me; we have the Wickham misadventure to hinder openness in other areas. Still I cannot understand her coolness toward Bingley. Any other woman would have long since become comfortable in his presence.
I hope she does not consider him another Wickham. Perhaps she is leery of charming men in general. She is young. This will pass. However I had hoped she would warm to Bingley. He would make her a fine husband. I know the sisters hope for such an outcome as much as I do.
Miss Bingley’s Journal (London)
We have called upon Darcy and Georgiana. She has not progressed as much as I had hoped. She looks well, but she has no conversation whatsoever. I am sure that Louisa and I did all that was possible to show that we care for her. We could not gain her promise to visit a few shops with us tomorrow. However, we have since had a note that she will be pleased to join us. Darcy must have convinced her. She looks to him before moving or speaking. It is good that he cares to have his sister and I become friends. She does not want us to take such trouble with her. As for that, I shall convince her we were not doing it for her as such, but that we merely invite her to join us for a pleasant morning.
I remember Jane Bennet’s protests when we offered her hospitality at the time of her becoming
soaked by rain whilst on her way to dine with us. “Oh, no,” cried she. “I cannot bear to have you go to such bother for me.” And the end of that was that she stayed for the better part of a week, long after she was well enough to return to her home.
I am suggesting that if dear Georgiana wants to receive the attentions of Charles, she would do well to please his sisters. Even Jane Bennet understood that.
Dear Darcy’s eyes were constantly on me when I spoke with his sister. He is aware that I am taking special pains with her, showing her great honour and hospitality.
If I can make Georgiana my friend, it may well serve to bring me more often into Darcy’s presence.
“Here, Louisa, what think you of this?” Caroline handed her sister a letter. “Have I made the situation clear, do you think?
Louisa read:
My dear friend Jane,
I know that you will forgive my neglect of your letter when you understand the constant demands on our time Louisa and I suffer here in London. We have been to the theatre thrice, attended two balls, and have had more invitations to dinners than I can recollect without consulting my journal.
Therefore you will feel no surprise when I tell you that none of us plans to return to Netherfield this winter. I will confess that my only regret on this score is that I will not have the companionship of the person I hold most dear in all of Hertfordshire. How I wish you could come to London, but I realize that such a wish is most impossible to be granted.
““Indeed, the Bennet finances would never stretch to allow such a thing,” said Louisa. “We need not concern ourselves with that possibility.
Miss Georgiana Darcy has come to stay with her brother. We are all so pleased to see her. She has become most proficient on the pianoforte and the harp, and her needlework is beyond compare. In short, she demonstrates what good tutors can accomplish when they have a dedicated and gifted pupil. She progresses in the studies of Italian and French to the point where she and I can converse quite comfortably in those tongues.
