Confounding Caroline

by Leenie Brown

  Darcy’s were not the only brows that rose at the statement. In fact, there was not a brow that remained unaffected by such a declaration.

  “I do not trust her after last night.” He blew out a breath. “She attempted to find a way to compromise me with one of her friends — a lady she claims would be a good match,” he explained to those who had not been in the Johnsons’ library. “We had a discussion about it before I left today that did not sit well with her.” He held Darcy’s gaze. “She claims that Pemberley will be hers, and I have told her that I would never allow it.”

  When Bingley had finished speaking, silence reigned for several minutes.

  “I had hoped to discuss something that I have been pondering since your call yesterday.” Jane’s cheeks flushed, and her eyes lowered for a moment before rising once again, filled with determination.

  “Please continue,” Darcy encouraged before Bingley could.

  Jane gave him a grateful smile. “When we last spoke, we considered the fact that your aunt will not be pleased if you are successful in winning my sister’s heart.”

  Bingley watched Georgiana’s face as Jane spoke to Darcy. From the lack of surprise, he surmised that Georgiana had been told of Darcy’s intentions to marry.

  “And we must still consider that,” Jane continued. “However, I have been considering how best to…” Her brows furrowed, and her lips pursed as she considered her words. She took a breath and smoothed her expression. “How best to prevent Miss Bingley from interfering with either your plan to marry,” her lips curled into a smile and her eyes sparkled, “or mine,” she concluded.

  “You are determined to marry?” Delight filled Bingley as he asked it.

  Jane lifted her chin and met his gaze. “I am,” she replied simply. “However, I should not like to have to share a home with a woman who has caused me pain and treated me poorly.”

  Darcy watched Jane with pleased surprise. The Jane he had met yesterday, who was more forward and less reserved than the one he had met in Hertfordshire, seemed not to have been a figment of a moment but of an enduring nature.

  “I can send her to live with our aunt. I do not see Hurst abiding her presence for more than a few months,” Bingley replied.

  “That would be effective as long as your aunt remains well, but what if the worst should befall her? Then where would your sister reside?”

  Bingley blew out a breath and shrugged. “I would hope she might be married,” he said uncertainly. Knowing how abominably she had treated Jane, he had no desire to have his sister in his house after he married, for he could see her causing trouble just to prove that she had been correct about Jane not being the best choice of wife.

  Jane smoothed her skirt, her eyes watching her hands’ motions. “Why hope?” she asked, lifting her eyes to his again.

  Bingley could see the unease that mingled with determination in her features, and he admired her courage as he waited for her to continue.

  She swallowed and drew a fortifying breath. “It could be arranged.”

  Chapter 9

  “Arranged?” Bingley repeated the word with no small amount of surprise. Was Jane suggesting that they arrange to compromise Caroline? He had not thought his Jane could be so scheming. While it was shocking, it was not off-putting. In fact, if he were candid about the feelings it stirred within him, it was rather appealing that she would go to such lengths to have a happy future with him and to provide the same for her sister and Darcy.

  “I know it is not proper,” Jane said quickly, her courage faltering at the startled look on Bingley’s face. “But your sister has not treated either you or me well, and I dare say she has not spoken favourably about my sister to Mr. Darcy. If she were to know that we were arranging things so that a match might occur between my sister and your friend, I am certain she would find some way to interfere just as she has between us.” As she spoke her anger at how she had been duped into believing Caroline was a friend when in actuality she was nothing more than someone at whom Caroline might laugh rose. She clasped her hands in her lap and squared her shoulders. She would not faint now. She would continue on.

  “In fact, I believe the reason she interfered at all between you and me can be set solely on the fact that Mr. Darcy showed interest in Elizabeth. If you were to remain at Netherfield, so would Mr. Darcy. That simply could not be allowed if your sister was to win the prize of Pemberley, which you have just now claimed is her continued goal. Therefore, one and all must be removed from Netherfield and such a danger. And one must not encourage any connection with someone like myself here in town. Why what would happen if you and I should decide to marry, and you would return to Netherfield before she could effectively ensnare her prize? Would Mr. Darcy return to Netherfield with you for a time? Would he be a guest at our home? Would he continue to be enamored with my sister? It really would be far too dangerous to allow any of that.”

  “She has a point,” said Richard. “A very good point.” He smiled. “You are just as delightful as your aunt. Are all the members of your family so astute?”

  Jane felt her cheeks begin to burn at such a compliment as she laughed lightly. “No, I fear they are not. Elizabeth is to be sure, Mama has her moments, and my father can outshine us all when he is roused to it. However, my younger sisters seem to lack depth. Mary shows potential if she would but see things in degrees rather than absolutes. However, Kitty and Lydia show no desire to think beyond what appears before them unless they are scheming to get their way.”

  Richard chuckled. “Then I would have to disagree with you, for it sounds like all your sisters could be counted among the great minds of England in some fashion if they were directed properly.”

  “That is it precisely,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “There is much potential in them all. However, there is a sad lack of guidance, and that is all I will say on that subject.” She gave a sharp nod of her head to punctuate her determination to speak no further.

  “Do you have a plan for how we might deal with Miss Bingley?” Richard could not hide his interest in such as scheme — not that his interest in a scheme came as a surprise to any who knew him.

  Jane raised a shoulder and let it fall. “Are there any gentlemen who might catch her eye, and who might be encouraged to pay particular attention to her with the goal of engaging her affections?”

  “None that own Pemberley,” Darcy muttered.

  “She is so fixed?” Jane asked.

  Bingley nodded. “Napoleon would more readily give up France to England than my sister will give up pursuing what she wants. She is a very determined sort of person. She always has been.” Bingley could not hide the frustration and anger he felt toward his sister.

  “It is a good trait if it can be properly directed.” Mrs. Gardiner’s voice was soothing.

  “Indeed, it is,” Mrs. Annesley agreed.

  Bingley could not help but smile at how both women were attempting to ease his mind. “I am certain it will someday serve her well.”

  “There is Sir Matthew Broadhurst,” Georgiana said quietly. “He has just arrived in town, and from what I have heard, he is rather attractive — broad shoulders, fine legs, wavy brown hair, deep brown eyes, and a pleasant expression. He is also said to be wealthy and heir to a lovely estate in Surrey. And,” Georgiana’s brows raised to add emphasis as she continued, “he has a title. There is little to dislike about such credentials.”

  “It does not hurt our cause,” Mrs. Annesley added, “that his uncle’s will requires him to marry before he can take possession of his inheritance beyond the title. Therefore, he is actively seeking a bride this season.”

  Jane’s brows furrowed. “If he is all those things, why is he still unattached?”

  Georgiana grimaced. “Mrs. Allard says he seems rather quiet and reserved.”

  “Would he be ill-used by a lady who is neither of those things?” Jane asked in all seriousness. She wished to see Caroline married, and married well, but she did not wish to injure an unsuspe
cting gentleman in the process.

  “Oh, no,” Georgiana replied. “Mrs. Allard said he is very fixed and unyielding in his opinions and standards. She suspects that is why he has not found success with the few ladies he has attempted to court in the past.”

  Jane sighed. “I do not wish to see Miss Bingley tied to an ogre even if he is titled and handsome.”

  “Not even if she deserves it?” Bingley asked.

  “No, not even then.” Jane could not be the cause of someone else’s misery, even if that someone had caused a great deal of sorrow for her. She would forever feel the weight of such actions.

  “There is only one way to decide,” said Darcy. “We must meet him. I am certain that, between Bingley and me, we can determine if it will be an amicable match.”

  “You are not going to discourage us?” Bingley’s mouth tipped up in a crooked half smirk.

  Darcy shook his head. “I am a bit surprised that my sister is the source of knowledge on such a thing, but I find I cannot fault a plan that will see you happy and clear a portion of the path for me to claim my own happiness.” He shrugged and then shook his head. “I startle myself, to be honest, but whatever part I need to play to see this through to the end, I am willing to play it.”

  So it was settled that, as soon as it was convenient, Bingley and Darcy would find a way to meet Sir Matthew Broadhurst and evaluate his suitability as a husband for Caroline.

  It took only two days from the time the decision was made in Darcy’s drawing room for an opportunity for such a meeting to occur.

  As the sun was beginning its journey to its height, warming the earth and the people who had ventured out into the crisp air of a clear winter’s morning, Darcy and Bingley came upon a solitary rider loping his way through the park with a groom trailing at a good distance behind him. Bingley, as he always did, tipped his hat and wished the gentleman a good morning.

  The gentleman returned the gesture and then slowed his horse as he drew nearer Bingley and Darcy.

  “I do not believe I have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance,” he began. “I am Sir Matthew Broadhurst of Stoningham in Surrey.”

  “Charles Bingley,” Bingley returned, “and my friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Indeed, it is,” Darcy agreed.

  “I have not been to many soirees yet, and it seems I like to rise earlier than most. I believe, you gentlemen make six whom I have met since arriving in town. May I join you?” Sir Matthew drew his horse alongside them after Bingley had assured him that they would be delighted to have his company.

  The gentleman appeared to be everything that Georgiana had said he was. His dress was impeccable. He appeared to be of an acceptable stature, neither too tall nor too short. He was handsome with a very pleasant and amiable, if quiet, air about him.

  “I have heard that you have just recently come into your title,” said Darcy. “My condolences on the loss of your uncle.”

  Sir Matthew’s gave his thanks softly and somberly. “He was not the friendliest of men at times, and he could be demanding. However, my uncle was a good man who took my mother, my siblings, and myself into his home after my father died.” He glanced over at the men beside him. “My father was the rector of the parish near Stoningham.”

  “Do you have many siblings?” Bingley asked.

  “A younger brother and two older sisters,” Sir Matthew replied. “My sisters are both married and happily settled, and my brother is studying to take orders. He is much like my father. And you, do you gentlemen have siblings?”

  “I have a younger sister who has been left in my care,” Darcy answered. “She is just sixteen.”

  “Both of your parents are gone?” Sir Matthew’s voice was once again soft and soothing as he inquired.

  “For several years now,” Darcy answered. “It is something Bingley and I have in common.”

  “You do not have a parent remaining either?” Sir Matthew asked, turning to Bingley.

  “No,” Bingley replied. “My father died three years ago, leaving me a fortune and the care of my sisters. Louisa has married, but Caroline has not.” He noted how Sir Matthew’s expression spoke of the gentleman’s interest in that last fact. “My father was a tradesman.”

  Sir Matthew’s brows rose. “You do not own an estate?”

  There was no censure in his tone. He seemed genuinely interested.

  “Not yet,” Bingley replied. “I have let an estate in Hertfordshire and am looking to purchase one in the near future.”

  “I wish you well in your endeavour.”

  There was again a genuineness to the man’s words that impressed both Bingley and Darcy.

  “I cannot claim my estate until I marry.” Sir Matthew shook his head. “My uncle knew that if he did not force me out of the house and to seriously consider taking a wife, I would bury myself within the walls of the estate, seeing to the needs of it and my mother and brother and naught else.” He shrugged. “I can be too focused on duty at times.”

  Bingley laughed. “Darcy can be the same.”

  “He speaks the truth,” Darcy agreed. “Until recently I had only considered marriage in the light of duty just as I considered everything else.”

  Sir Matthew smiled knowingly. “You have found a lady who makes you question your view of duty, have you?”

  “Indeed, I have,” Darcy replied.

  “I wish you joy,” Sir Matthew said.

  “I have not won her yet. In fact, I am not entirely certain I will win her.”

  “He will,” said Bingley emphatically. “I know he will.”

  Sir Matthew’s head cocked to the side, and curiosity suffused his expression. “I should enjoy hearing the tale, but I will not ask as it is not my place to be informed of your private matters,” he said. “I will only wish you success.”

  “And I shall wish you the same,” Darcy returned. “Do you have anyone in mind for the position of Lady Broadhurst?”

  Sir Matthew shook his head. “I do not. It is perhaps unkind of me to say, but the few ladies I have met have been nothing more than a pretty face with feathers for brains.” He shook his head. “Such giggling!”

  “What do you wish for in a wife?” Darcy asked, casting a sidelong glance at Bingley.

  Sir Matthew shrugged. “I likely know better what I do not want than what I want. I suppose I should like someone who would be a good hostess and manager.”

  “Does she have to be a gentleman’s daughter?” Bingley asked pointedly. Caroline was proficient both at hosting soirees and managing everyone’s affairs.

  “You wish to be rid of a sister?” Sir Matthew asked with a laugh.

  The man did not lack perception. That was a point in his favour according to Bingley. He would need to be a man who could see through Caroline’s scheming and airs.

  “I do.”

  Sir Matthew eyed Bingley cautiously. “What is wrong with her?” he asked.

  Bingley chuckled. “I am not certain I should answer that, for we have had a falling out recently over her disapproval of my choice of bride, and even though she is my sister, I do not know that I would be the most charitable of persons to describe her.”

  “You are to be married?”

  “Eventually,” Bingley replied. “As soon as I can rid myself of a sister and help Darcy secure his heart’s desire.”

  Poor Sir Matthew could not hide his confusion, though he did an admirable job in trying to disguise it.

  “We are attending the Taylor’s ball this evening,” Bingley said. “Caroline will be there. You can meet her and judge for yourself if you might be persuaded to consider her.”

  “She is not hideous,” Bingley added in response to Sir Matthew’s continued look of skepticism.

  “No,” Darcy agreed. “She is quite handsome.” He smirked. “She has the same colouring as her brother, but is much, much prettier.”

  Sir Matthew’s features relaxed into a smile at the c
omment. “Very well, if it is just a meeting,” he agreed.

  “It is just a meeting,” Bingley assured him. “And if you are interested, then I will explain over a bottle of Darcy’s finest port how both my happiness and that of Darcy hinges on my sister.”

  “My port?” Darcy said in surprise.

  Bingley shrugged. “Very well, we will discuss it at my house over the best I have.” He turned to Sir Matthew. “Do we have an agreement?” He held up his hand. “I neglected to mention she has twenty thousand pounds. She does not come empty-handed.”

  Sir Matthew drew his horse to a stop. “Yes,” he said, nodding his head. “Yes, we have an agreement. I will meet your sister and then, if I find her to my liking, you may attempt to persuade me to aid your cause.” He held out his hand, which Bingley gave a hearty shake, sealing the deal.

  Chapter 10

  Mr. Bennet popped his head out of his study door. “Hill.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Please inform Lizzy that I would like to see her.” He held a very interesting missive in his hand and knew that his daughter had also received some correspondence from town. He was interested to know what Jane and Mrs. Gardiner had to say.

  He closed the door and returned to his chair. He propped his feet on a footstool and peered through his glasses once again at Edward Gardiner’s surprising letter, giving it a quick perusal and then putting it aside to open the next unexpected piece of mail. Colonel Fitzwilliam? The name did not sound familiar to him at all.

  He smoothed the creases out of the letter and began reading.

  Mr. Bennet,

  Allow me to introduce myself to you. I am the Right Honorable Richard Fitzwilliam, colonel in his majesty’s armed forces and second son of the Earl of Matlock. I am also the cousin of Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire, whose acquaintance you hold, and am the co-guardian of his sister.

  What follows is information that is of a very sensitive nature, and I would request that as a gentleman you guard it with the utmost care.