Chapter 4

J ane and Elizabeth took themselves to the stillroom, neither having said a word after the scene in the drawing room. Elizabeth had shared with Jane the conversation she had had with their father before he went to collect Lydia. The two eldest Bennet sisters had expected him to retreat to his study after having exerted himself to teach Lydia of her own insignificance. That was not to be the case. Papa was to take an active role in superintending the girls’ education while effectively silencing any protests from their mother.

“This is something I never expected,” Elizabeth stated as soon as they were sure there were no servants close to the stillroom.

“Nor did I. Not even when I used to see the world as I wanted it to be, had I ever imagined Papa would take our sisters in hand the way he has. I do not like to say anything which could be construed as disrespectful to Mama, but removing her influence from our youngest sister is very necessary,” Jane opined.

“I am sure you are correct, Janey. When I spoke to Papa before he allowed Lyddie to go to Brighton, never did I think he would take my words to heart in the way he has. If anything, I believed he would punish me for speaking to him in the manner in which I did on that subject.”

“Do you think he will apply this newfound diligence to the management of the estate? Will he begin to save for our futures?” Jane wondered .

“Only time will tell. I am not sure how much he will be willing to do with the estate. According to what Papa said once, Mr Collins will still be the master here one day, and the fact Longbourn will not remain in the hands of a Bennet has always discouraged Papa from expending efforts only to benefit our cousin at some point in the future,” Elizabeth recalled.

“At least if Mama and our youngest sisters are taught to behave within propriety, possible suitors will not be scared off,” Jane sighed as she unstopped the bottle containing her rosewater to take its scent and check if it was ready. In Jane’s estimation, it still needed another sennight to a fortnight.

“Do you still pine for Mr Bingley? I thought you had moved past him.”

“I do not refer to Mr Bingley and his pernicious sisters, I am speaking in generalities. What man of good sense would have wanted to court any of us with the way Mama, our youngest two sisters, and even to a certain extent, Papa behaved in the past?”

“That is an apt descriptor for the social climbing, fortune hunting shrew. Although I feel Mrs Hurst should be able to stand up to Miss Caro , I think she follows where the harpy leads for the sake of peace and quiet,” Elizabeth opined.

“Like Lydia and Kitty were…you may have something there. You could very well be correct,” Jane agreed. “Then that would make Mrs Hurst more like her brother. One who is irresolute and easily led. I promise you, Lizzy, I do not regret Mr Bingley any longer. I wasted far too many tears on one who was not worthy of my regard. Like you, I need a man not a boy. Until he matures and becomes his own man, I pity the lady who marries him. Whoever it will be, it shall not be me! His younger sister would still expect to rule the roost, and he would not stand up to her.”

Elizabeth checked on her lavender water which was almost ready. Between them the two eldest Bennet sisters decided they would waste no more breath speaking of the Bingleys.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

“Charles,” Miss Bingley screeched, “this is not to be borne. Why have we not been in company with Mr Darcy? You need to be furthering your relationship with dear Georgiana.”

“What relationship?” Bingley questioned. “Darcy heard you hint of that connection one time, and he told me in no uncertain terms his sister would not come out until she turns eighteen at a minimum, or even possibly older than that. He also indicated his family would never accept me as a suitor for Miss Darcy for the same reason they would not accept you.”

“What nonsense you speak! Of course they will accept me, I am of the Ton !” Miss Bingley insisted.

Harold Hurst, husband to Louisa, snorted. He normally feigned sleep, but this was too rich for him to ignore. “All three of you are delusional. Of the Ton indeed. You, Sister dearest, are the daughter of a tradesman. Your brother is wealthy, but he and you are considered nouveau riche . Even had your late father purchased an estate, it would have taken more than two to three generations before the upper ten thousand considered you free of the stench of trade,” Hurst reported. “No matter your pretentions, you are not now, nor have you ever been, a member of the first circles. Good grief, you are below those Bennet chits you always denigrate.”

Louisa Hurst and Charles Bingley did not know which way to look. Reminding their younger sister of the truth of their situation and refuting her claims was the surest way to cause the eruption of an epic tantrum. They both saw the signs of the impending explosion as Caroline’s fists were balled at her side, and her face had taken on a deep purple hue.

As was her wont when she wanted to demonstrate her fury, Miss Bingley reached for the nearest vase. “Break one item in my house and you and your brother will find yourselves on the street without delay,” Hurst threatened. “I have put up with your infantile behaviour for too many years, but no more. Your brother does not have the spine to check you, but that does not mean I will tolerate your tantrums in my house any longer.”

Miss Bingley did not like the look of resolution on her brother-in-law’s countenance. Hence she pulled her hands back from the vase she was about to heave against the wall. Knowing Louisa always complied with her demands, she turned to her older sister. “How can you allow this drunken lout to speak to me this way in your house?” she shrieked and stamped a slippered foot.

“This is in fact my house,” Hurst barked. “For too long, I have sat back and not demanded my wife honour her wedding vows to me. That ends now.” He looked at his brother-in-law whose mouth was flapping open and closed. “As of today this pretentious shrew is not welcome in my house. Unlike you, I am not capricious. What you do is up to you, but she has two hours to vacate the premises.” Then he turned to his wife. “You have a choice to make. Either you remain with me and show me the loyalty I demand as your husband, or you may leave with your sister. However, if you do, do not ever return, and you will forfeit your dowry and pin money.”

“Come, Louisa and Charles, we will leave this useless soused man and his inferior house. I always said you married far too low, Louisa,” Miss Bingley commanded.

“No, Caroline, I will remain here with my husband,” Mrs Hurst stated softly.

“ You will do as I say !” Miss Bingley screamed.

“My wife is not yours to order about, she pledged to obey me and not you. I recommend you begin to pack. Any of your ridiculously garish ensembles you do not remove with you today will be tossed into the street.” Hurst looked at his fob watch. “Time is a wasting. You have one hour and five and forty minutes before you must vacate my house…not a minute longer!”

“Come, Caroline, we need to pack,” a shocked Bingley told his younger sister.

Somewhat in a daze that one, her older sister had defied her and two, that the man she always thought was in a drunken haze had ordered her from his house, Miss Bingley allowed her brother to lead her up to her chambers. With the help of Louisa’s maid, most of her fashionable outfits were packed before the deadline Hurst had imposed. The conveyance was ready for them in the front of the house.

“Until I can lease a house, we will need to take a suite at one of the hotels, mayhap Grenier’s Hotel in Jermyn Street has suites available,” Bingley suggested as he and his younger sister departed Hurst’s house in the Bingley coach.

“Nonsense, we will go to Darcy House, and our special friend will put us up,” Miss Bingley insisted. “Once Mr Darcy hears how infamously that lout treated me, he will have his aunt, Lady Matlock, ruin the traitorous Hursts in society. Being in the same house with the Darcys, you will forward your suit with dear Georgiana, and I will induce Mr Darcy to finally do his duty to me.”

Not wanting to spark another tantrum, Bingley did not mention the fact his younger sister had recently been in the same house with Darcy for about two months, and other than eschew her company, nothing had furthered her dream of being the mistress of Darcy House and Pemberley. Darcy had told him more than once he would never offer for Caroline, not even if she lowered herself to compromise him. He also knew, and would not tell his sister this, that Darcy did not want her at his homes any longer, fawning over his sister with insincerity. With all of that, he took the path of least resistance, struck the ceiling with the head of his cane, and once the carriage was stopped, told the footman to instruct the coachman to take them to Grosvenor Square. He ignored the fact he had only deferred a tantrum because his sister would not react well when they were turned away from Darcy House.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Darcy had been home from Kent for a few days. His cousin’s rebuke of his actions to separate Bingley from Miss Bennet, and the fact Mr Bennet had not forced his second daughter to marry where she had no inclination was swimming around in his mind forcing him to accept he had been wrong about much.

In addition, he had felt shame regarding not warning those in Meryton about the silver-tongued devil in their midst. He knew the local magistrate was Sir William Lucas, and to that end he had written a letter to the knight, laying out Wickham’s propensities and past crimes. He did this, of course, without referring to his sister. He knew the militia was scheduled to leave the area for Brighton, but he knew not when.

Sir William had replied with a long, flowery letter, much like the way Darcy remembered he spoke, explaining the Derbyshire Militia had moved to their spring and summer quarters already. Sir William also added news that the blackguard had been exposed by Mr King, along with the tale of Wickham’s attempt to gain Miss King as his fiancée. When the facts had come to light, Wickham along with a Lieutenant Denny, had stolen from other officers and then deserted. He had closed with thanks for Darcy’s condescension in warning them, albeit somewhat belatedly.

He hoped Miss Elizabeth had been able to see the truth of the profligate seducer. From their argument during their dance at the Netherfield Park ball, Darcy had deduced Wickham had poured poison in her ear regarding himself. After his discussions with Richard in Kent, he had come to the conclusion his own behaviour had more than likely made Miss Elizabeth fertile ground for Wickham to blacken the Darcy name .

At least, knowing Wickham was no longer in the militia meant he would allow Mrs Annesley to take Anna to the house in Brighton for June and July. The companion had proposed a sojourn in a coastal town, so his sister would be able to have a positive experience in such a place, and hopefully help to begin to erase the horrors of Ramsgate from her consciousness. He and Richard would escort Anna and then allow her to enjoy herself. Once they were sure all was secure for her stay, after a short stay at Darcy House, he would make for Pemberley for the summer. On his departure his cousin would remain in London.

Thinking of Sussex and Kent made Darcy cogitate on how he had told his aunt in no ambiguous terms he would never marry his cousin, Anne de Bourgh. He had told Lady Catherine the unvarnished truth. She had nevertheless attempted to browbeat him into submission and had been most unsatisfied with the result calling him a selfish, unfeeling boy. He was convinced she would soon forget his words and proceed to try and force the marriage.

Darcy’s reverie was broken when there was a knock on his study door. “Enter,” he called out. Mr Killion, his butler, opened the door and with a bow to his master, stood in front of the desk.

After a nod from Mr Darcy, he spoke. “Mr and Miss Bingley are attempting to call. I followed your instructions and said you are not at home as Miss Bingley is present. She began to make a scene on the doorstep, so I had them enter and wait in the entrance hall,” Killion reported. “Thompson and another footman are watching over them to make sure the lady does not wander from the entrance hall.”

Darcy pinched the bridge of his nose. The last thing he wanted to do at that moment was to face the harridan who was Miss Caroline Bingley. It was time to make sure the shrew knew her pretentions would never be gratified .

He followed his butler towards the entrance hall. Darcy stopped and indicated his butler should as well as he heard Miss Bingley’s grating voice. “Move you brutes! Just you wait! The day I become mistress of this house you will be sacked with no characters! When Mr Darcy hears how you have treated the woman who will soon be his fiancée, he will not be pleased.”

With a nod to Killion, Darcy proceeded down the hall. When he entered the hall, Miss Bingley tried to advance towards him to grab onto his arm like a limpet. He shook his head, and the two footmen blocked her path to him.

“Bingley, you are well aware your sister is no longer welcome in any of my houses, are you not?” Darcy gave his friend, who would not look him in the eye, a pointed look.

“How do you already know of the infamous way that Louisa and that reprobate of a husband treated us?” Miss Bingley asked, wilfully misinterpreting Mr Darcy’s words. “And now to make it worse, these lowlifes, who need to be dismissed forthwith, will not allow us entrance into your magnificent house. I am sure dear Georgiana is mournful without me…”

“Miss Bingley! No one will be dismissed from my house, except you!” Darcy barked. “I know not what occurred with the Hursts, but your mention of it was the first I am aware of anything between you. I meant you , Miss Bingley. You are not welcome in any of my homes. Also, when did I, Colonel Fitzwilliam, or my sister ever permit you to address her informally? Do you think that by implying a closeness it makes it true? Had you behaved in a more ladylike fashion and left when you were told I was not at home, I would not feel the need to make sure you understand that you will never be Mrs Darcy!” Darcy gave Bingley the gimlet eye, and continued. “As I have told your brother on multiple occasions, not even a compromise will induce me to marry you. ”

Caroline Bingley heard the words, but her brain refused to comprehend them. This could not be! For five years she had been determined to become Mrs Darcy. She would not accept this! Not believing what he said about a compromise, she threw herself forward, certain Mr Darcy would catch her.

Seeing what the delusional woman was about, Darcy simply sidestepped her, and she fell face first onto the marble floor, her arms splayed out before her. There was a sickening crunch as her nose broke when it hit the unforgiving, hard floor.

“Bingley, I will have to rethink our friendship. If you are so weak as to bring her here knowing it was against my expressed wishes, I am not sure we can see one another socially. I will greet you in public, but no more than that. I warn you now that I, and all members of my family will cut Miss Bingley if she dares to approach us. In addition, I will make sure that the Ton knows I will not allow my name to be used any longer by a Bingley to open doors for them.” Darcy did feel sorry for Bingley, who looked on dejectedly as his sister began to wail and scream. “I have tried to advise you to check her so many times, but all you do is give in to her. You need to stiffen your spine and make your own decisions. Before you take your sister away, advising you about Miss Bennet was badly done by me. You should have made up your own mind on that, like you should do with everything. Also, Miss Bennet was in London and called on your home in January, and I believe your sister returned the call some weeks later.”

Miss Bingley sat up, her blood running down the front of her garish gown. “Surely we can remain here until she is seen by a physician,” Bingley pleaded.

“I am afraid not. Take your sister to wherever you are being accommodated and have a doctor called. If you had honoured my wishes, none of this would have occurred today,” Darcy pointed out .

Mrs Killion, the housekeeper had come to see what had caused all the caterwauling. She had a maid bring water and cloths. Some were used to clean the blood from the black and white marble, and one was given to Miss Bingley to hold over her nose. The Bingleys were escorted to their conveyance by the two Darcy footmen.

Darcy was well aware he had been harsh, but like he had with Lady Catherine, he had to make sure the shrew knew the truth of his feelings. He could only hope that this woman would accept the truth of the matter.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Bingley told his coachman to convey them to Grenier’s Hotel in Jermyn Street. His sister’s maid and his valet were in the coach with the two Bingleys. The former held the cloth over her mistress’s nose and face while the latter kept his face impassive as if this was just any other day. For his part, Bingley knew he had brought this on his own head. How many times had Darcy and others pointed out that his capriciousness would lead him to nowhere good? He had finally pushed Darcy too far.

With other men he may have been able to try to make amends. With Darcy Bingley knew better. He could not forget what Darcy had said one night at Netherfield Park when Miss Bennet had been ill upstairs, that his good opinion once lost, was lost forever. It did not bode well for a reconciliation.

What Darcy had said before the ignominious departure from Darcy House struck Bingley forcefully. He had loved Miss Bennet, had he not? If so, why had he allowed his sisters and Darcy to divert him from his path? And now, to discover, albeit long after the fact, she had come to Town and called on his sisters. That Caroline had said not a word of it, did not surprise him in the least.

He had much about which to cogitate, and the first thing was what to do with his sister. It did not take long before the coach began to slow when they arrived at Grenier’s Hotel.