17. Chapter 17

June 14, 2014 – Some of you lovely folks have forgotten this is an old story. I couldn't write this fast to post daily like I have been! I am running late so an explanation of the Ides of March will have to wait for tomorrow.

I also need to confess that I am, shall we say, fashion challenge. So if you are looking for description of gowns and clothing and such, you're going to be pretty disappointed with me. I rarely put in those kinds of details

And now for some more of the unraveling of Caroline's scheme.

Chapter 17

"Miss Bennet is in London!" cried Bingley incredulously.

"Yes." Elizabeth replied. "Did your sister not send you a letter before she left for Lincoln?"

"Lincoln? Caroline is in London."

"We arrived in town on Thursday. Friday morning Jane sent a note to Miss Bingley informing her that she was to be in London for six weeks. Miss Bingley then wrote back with regrets that she could not call, because she was leaving for Lincoln to visit her Aunt the next day. She also said she did not expect you to be able to leave Manchester before March."

"Then your sister is not in Devonshire visiting the Walter family?"

"Mr. Bingley, I am afraid we do not know any such family and we have no friends, to my knowledge, in Devonshire." Elizabeth replied.

"I am beginning to see." Bingley pondered. "Miss Elizabeth, I WILL be calling on Miss Bennet, but I have much to do today. I should like to surprise her. Would you and Miss Darcy be so kind as to not let her know I am in town yet? I promise I will call as soon as I can, Miss Elizabeth. It has been too long since I had the pleasure of your sister's company. Could you please also give me the address where she is staying?"

"Certainly, sir, Jane is staying with my aunt and uncle at No. 10 Gracechurch Street. I will not tell her I have seen you. I think I can comprehend the nature of your business sir. And I wish you well in concluding it in a satisfactory manner."

Elizabeth had a very good idea what his business was to delay his calling on Jane. She had seen him struggle to maintain his composure as he discovered his sister's attempt at deception. She only wished she could see the look on Miss Bingley's face when he called her out.

"Miss Darcy, is your brother in his study? I have an important matter I wish his advice on." Mr. Bingley asked.

"Yes, he is, Mr. Bingley. I am sure he will be happy to give you his opinion on whatever you may wish to ask him."

"Thank you. Ladies, it was a pleasure seeing you both. Now if you will excuse me, I need to see Darcy."

Georgiana and Elizabeth left in the carriage to meet Jane and Mrs. Gardiner.

"Elizabeth, did what I think just happened, really happen?"

"Yes, Georgiana. Mr. Bingley must have been told that Jane was in Devonshire visiting a family called Walter. Knowing Miss Bingley, she probably intimated that my sister was interested in some man there as well. Miss Bingley told Jane that she was going to Lincoln to keep Jane from calling and accidentally running into Mr. Bingley. Miss Bingley probably knew her brother was going to be coming to London soon. If she were to stop Jane and Mr. Bingley's courtship she needed to try to convince them that they were both away and that they were indifferent to the other. By the look on Mr. Bingley's face, I would say that Miss Bingley is in for a very nasty surprise. I only hope your brother can help Mr. Bingley come up with a suitable rebuke, one that will teach her not to try and interfere with others like that again!"

"Knowing my brother's 'regard' for Miss Bingley, I am confident they will come up with something appropriate."

Georgiana and Elizabeth headed to their appointment resolute on keeping Mr. Bingley's secret.

Bingley entered Darcy's study highly agitated.

"Welcome back to London, Bingley. I trust you have concluded your business in Manchester to your satisfaction."

"Yes I have, thank you, Darcy."

"Is something the matter, Bingley, you do not appear to be in the best of spirits this morning."

"I encountered Miss Elizabeth in the entry way just now, Darcy."

"Yes, she is staying with Georgiana whilst Mrs. Annesley attends her daughter awaiting the birth of her daughter's first child."

"Miss Elizabeth informed me that Miss Bennet was staying with her relatives in Gracechurch Street."

"Yes, as a matter of fact we are having dinner there Friday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner are pleasant people Bingley, nothing at all like Mrs. Bennet."

"Darcy, when I arrived home last night Caroline was there. She told me Miss Bennet was staying with a family in Devonshire and that she was not expected at Longbourn until March. She also said Miss Bennet was enjoying the attentions of a young man in the family she was staying with."

Darcy was shocked.

"Miss Elizabeth also told me that Caroline wrote Miss Bennet telling her that I was not expected to leave Manchester before March and that she was on her way to stay with our Aunt in Lincoln. Darcy, I cannot believe this of Caroline! She has willfully sought to deceive me, to separate me from the woman I intend to court! How could she!"

"Bingley, calm down. I know that you always try to see the good in people. That is one of your most endearing qualities. But my friend, not everyone is as amiable as you or Miss Bennet. I hate to say this but your sister is one of the most selfish women I know. She cares only for her comfort and her position in society. That is why she has been chasing after me for all these years even though I have tried to make it perfectly clear that I have no desire to pay her any attentions."

"Darcy, I know you have always been polite to her for my sake. I know she is a selfish woman but I never thought she would be willing to cause me pain just to get her own way. What am I to do, Darcy? I cannot stand by and let her get away with this. If I do she will never listen to anyone again."

Both men were silent, lost in their thoughts, pondering the situation and evaluating different courses of action. Darcy was the first to speak.

"Bingley, you say Caroline claimed that she was going to go and visit your Aunt in Lincoln. Is that not the Aunt she is always putting off, trying to avoid such a visit?"

"Yes," said Bingley, comprehension dawning. "Go on."

"Since Miss Bingley expressed her desire for such a journey I think you should arrange it for her. Send an express to your Aunt warning her to expect your sister. Tell her what she tried to do." Both men shared a knowing look at this. "When you have a reply, confront Caroline and see what she has to say for herself. If she denies everything, well, then perhaps you should tell her that the fire has greatly set you back and that she should not count on you continuing to cover her overspending of her allowance for the foreseeable future. The quarter has just started. She should have plenty of time to economize."

Bingley smiled at this last suggestion. "I think I will tell her that she must live within her allowance anyway. She will not be welcomed back into my house until she has proved she can act with the proper amount of respect to me and those close to me. This includes you and Georgiana, Darcy. She will cease her machinations towards you. You have borne them for too long. I should have stopped them long ago."

"I wish you luck, Bingley. I shall inform the staff that we are not home to Miss Bingley until you have news from your aunt. I would not want your sister to find out Miss Elizabeth is here. It would warn her of her danger."

"Thank you my friend. I shall see you when this is resolved. I have asked your sister and Miss Elizabeth to conceal my presence in town from Miss Bennet until I can call on her myself. Well, I should be off to send an express and make arrangement for my sister's removal to Lincolnshire. Goodbye, Darcy."

"Good luck, Bingley!" said Darcy as he shook his friend's hand.

After Bingley left Darcy sat back in his chair and reflected on this most unexpected meeting. A smile formed on his lips when he thought about Bingley confronting his sister. Bingley seemed to be coming into his own. He was ready to confront his overbearing sister and assume his rightful place as head of the family. He smiled even further when he considered that he would no longer need bear with Miss Bingley's unwanted fawning over him. At least one good thing was to come out of this mess. That was worth celebrating! Darcy went and poured himself a glass of wine. He picked it up and raised the glass. 'To Bingley! May he finally have found the resolve to be the gentleman he can be!'

Elizabeth and Georgiana met Jane and Mrs. Gardiner at the Modiste's at the appointed time. Jane looked as beautiful as ever in her new gowns. Georgiana thought the blue one especially became her.

"Miss Bennet, you will look stunning in that gown."

"Thank you, Miss Darcy."

"Will you not call me Georgiana now?"

"If that is your wish. Then you must call me Jane."

"Of course, Jane! Now, I know of a wonderful little teashop near here. When we are finished let us meet there for lunch. We can compare our notes and plan for the rest of the day."

Mrs. Gardiner noticed the new confidence in the girl before her. When she first met her in Derbyshire she appeared so sad and withdrawn. It was pleasurable to see her blossoming into a confident young lady. Lizzy would be a perfect companion for her at this time. If she could impart more of her liveliness on Miss Darcy it would help her overcome the famous Darcy shyness. She was becoming more and more like her mother all the time.

"That is a wonderful idea, Miss Darcy. Since the weather is clear today and the teashop is just a few blocks away, why not walk? We can have the carriages meet us there later." Mrs. Gardiner suggested.

Elizabeth laughingly replied, "Aunt, Georgiana and I never refuse the opportunity for a walk. I think Jane is the only one who would refuse. But as we all know, Jane is too good to ever do so!"

"Lizzy! Stop or I shall have to tell Georgiana about you, Mr. Perkins and the beech tree!"

"Jane! I wish to keep my dignity intact for at least one more day. I relent!"

"Jane," Georgiana queried as the made there way toward the teashop, "Who is Mr. Perkins? Pray tell me."

"Have mercy on me, Jane!"

Jane ignored her sister; she knew Elizabeth really did want her to tell her story.

"Just after Lizzy turned 16 a gentleman by the name of Mr. Perkins came to stay in the neighborhood. I believe he was about five and thirty."

"At least" groaned Elizabeth.

"Well, this Mr. Perkins took quite an interest in Elizabeth and our mother did everything in her power to further the match." All the ladies rolled their eyes. "Elizabeth did everything she could to avoid being alone with him. One day she was caught outside walking when Mr. Perkins appeared. Fortunately for Lizzy she was near a grove of beech trees. When they caught sight of each other Lizzy quickly turned into the grove. Unfortunately, there was no group of trees she could hide herself in so she did the next best thing." Here Jane paused for effect.

Georgiana took the bait. "What did Elizabeth do?"

With a triumphant smile Jane continued, "Why, she climbed up into a beech tree off course!"

"Elizabeth, you did not?"

"What else was I to do?" Elizabeth grinned.

"And you claimed I was not acting very lady like the other day when you told me about Mr. Collins! Did he find you?"

"Elizabeth was safe from him, that is until he got concerned and came back to Longbourn to organize a search party!"

"And what happened next?" Georgiana giggled.

"Fortunately my father had an inkling as to what was going on."

"Only because he had climbed trees with me in that same grove." Elizabeth piped in.

Jane continued as if she had not been interrupted. "Papa made sure he was the one who searched that grove where Mr. Perkins had claimed he lost Elizabeth. Once Papa had assured her he was alone she alerted him to her position and he helped her get down without anyone knowing where she was. Mama was beside herself when Lizzy walked into Longbourn on our father's arm. After that, Papa had a talk with Mr. Perkins letting him know that Lizzy did not desire his suit nor would he ever grant his own consent. I think Papa was worried that she would be forced to climb another tree to avoid him and he was concerned she would fall and hurt herself."

"Not quite Jane, he KNEW I would not fall out of a tree, he just did not want to keep going out to look for me in the trees of every grove within five miles of Longbourn!"

The four ladies entered the small teashop in jubilant spirits after Jane's tale. They spent a delightful half hour eating their lunch and drinking their tea.

"Well Miss Darcy, what are your plans for the rest of the afternoon?"

"I need a new bonnet. We were going to look for one, and perhaps one for Elizabeth too. Would you care to join us?"

"Aunt Gardiner, it is up to you. Do you need to be home soon?" Jane asked.

"Unfortunately, yes I do, Jane."

"Mrs. Gardiner, we could bring Jane back to Gracechurch Street when we are finished if she would wish to join us."

"I have no problem if you wish to join Elizabeth and Miss Darcy for more shopping, Jane."

"Then I shall be back in Gracechurch Street by 5 o'clock Aunt. Thank you."

"Do not spend all of your father's money in one place, girls!" Mrs. Gardiner jokingly admonished her two nieces as she left. Not that she was worried that they would; they were too responsible to act in such a reckless manner.

Georgiana knew many places to go searching for bonnets and the three ladies had a very enjoyable afternoon shopping. Georgiana bought two new bonnets and persuaded both Jane and Elizabeth to buy one as well. When Elizabeth and Georgiana dropped Jane off, Elizabeth ran inside to have a quick word alone with her Aunt.

"Aunt, you will never believe it but I saw Mr. Bingley today. Let us just say Miss Bingley has not been totally forthright in her dealings with Jane. Mr. Bingley should be by to call in the next day or two but he wants to surprise Jane. I just thought you should know. I did not want Jane to suspect anything so I contrived an excuse about money to talk to you. I shall fill you in with more details when I can, Aunt. I must be going now."

"Thank you for warning me. Do not worry; I shall not say a word to Jane. Goodbye now dear, we shall see you Friday evening then."

Elizabeth and Georgiana made their way back home. It had been another eventful day.

"Georgiana, you are going to wear me out if you keep me going like this. Older women such as myself cannot maintain such a pace! Promise me we will not do anything other than attend my fittings tomorrow. I think I have shopped more in these two days than I have in the last two years!

"As you wish Elizabeth, but remember I said we were to visit my aunt tomorrow."

"How could I have forgotten? Then we shall visit your Aunt and attend my fitting but that is all! I have hardly set foot in your magnificent Library. Please allow me the luxury tomorrow?"

"Of course! And I told you, do not be concerned over meeting my aunt. She will love you."

"You said that before, Georgiana."

"It is the truth, Elizabeth. Now, it is time to prepare for dinner. I will see you in an hour."

An hour later they joined Darcy for dinner. Conversation soon turned to Mr. Bingley.

"I assume Mr. Bingley wanted to talk to you about his sister, Fitzwilliam."

"Yes he did. What do you know about this whole affair?"

"Elizabeth told me about the note Miss Bingley sent Miss Bennet. We assume from what Mr. Bingley said, that Miss Bingley is not currently in Lincoln, that she told him Miss Bennet was in Devonshire and that possibly she was accepting the attentions of another man."

"That about sums it up."

"What will Mr. Bingley do, Fitzwilliam?"

"That I am not at liberty to say. However, I would not be surprised if Miss Bingley goes to go visit her Aunt in Lincoln after all." Darcy said this with a smug expression on his face. The rest of the meal was spent recalling the rest of their day. Georgiana spared Elizabeth a retelling of the tree story. She was sure Elizabeth would be mortified if she did.

Charles Bingley spent the remainder of the day planning his confrontation with his sister, and pining for Miss Bennet. She was so very near to him but he would not see her until he had resolved things with Caroline. Caroline had betrayed him and he was determined to resolve the issue before he went to apologize to his Jane. She did not deserve this and he did not want her to worry needlessly over the matter for he was sure she would be kinder to his sister than she deserved. He was ashamed for his whole family. Hopefully tomorrow Caroline's fate would be sealed and then he could face his angel again.

Caroline misinterpreted her brother's ill mood for the success of her schemes. The fire in Manchester had come at just the right time. Soon she would see Charles fall in love again with some other pretty thing. If she had the right connections and a large enough fortune she would see her brother married before autumn. Then she would finally secure Mr. Darcy for herself. She had great plans for Pemberley. Her thoughts then strayed to the challenge it would be to redecorate such a large house.

Mr. Bingley awoke the next day counting the hours before he could expect a reply from his aunt. If all went well, he would confront his sister before dinner. He would tell her his plans and make sure she was ready to depart first thing on the morrow. After she was gone he would go to Gracechurch Street to call on Miss Bennet. If she forgave him for his sister's actions, he would ask her if he could court her. If she agreed he would ride to Hertfordshire that afternoon and see Mr. Bennet the next day. If all went well, he could return to London by Saturday, happily on the way to matrimony.

Wednesday morning after breakfast, Georgiana took Elizabeth for the fitting of the first of her new gowns. Georgiana was very pleased with the way they looked on her friend.

"These will look lovely on you, Elizabeth. Fitzwilliam will be quite pleased!" Georgiana added without thinking.

"I am sure your brother needs no confirmation of your excellent taste. He sees its results on you every day."

Georgiana blushed when she realized what she had let slip. "Elizabeth, you know you are a beautiful woman, my brother would hardly be a man if he was not pleased by these new gowns on you." She covered.

"If you were speaking of Jane I would agree. She is five times as pretty as the rest of us Bennet girls."

"You sell yourself short, Elizabeth," Georgiana protested. "But I will grant you that Jane is simply stunning. I know of few women who can compare to her in beauty, especially the beauty of her character."

"Yes, that is my Jane."

Changing subjects Elizabeth asked, "When do we call on your aunt?"

"We will leave here and go directly to Afton House."

"Tell me what to expect, Georgiana."

"My Aunt, Lady Matlock, is a kind, generous woman. She has a lovely sense of humor but she does not suffer fools well. I think you will like her very much as she will like you."

"Thank you, I must admit I am looking forward to meeting more of you family even if it has not seemed as I do. I was a bit tired yesterday when we spoke of it."

Afton House was very impressive indeed. Elizabeth felt that, if ever she could be intimidated meeting someone, it would be someone living in a home like this. Georgiana and Elizabeth were led into a sitting room, where an elegant looking woman of about 50, if Elizabeth could guess an age, greeted them.

"Georgiana!"

"Aunt Helen, it is so lovely to see you. May I introduce my friend? Aunt Helen, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth, this is my Aunt, Lady Matlock."

Elizabeth curtseyed and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Matlock."

"So this is the famous Miss Elizabeth Bennet! It is a pleasure to meet you finally. I have heard many things about you." Lady Matlock replied.

Georgiana and Elizabeth exchanged looks and Georgiana began to laugh.

Elizabeth hastened to explain. "You must forgive Georgiana, Lady Matlock. I am afraid it is my fault. You are the fourth person associated with Georgiana that has said the exact same thing when we were introduced."

"In whose illustrious company do I now reside?" Lady Matlock asked, now much intrigued.

"Well ma'am, first it was Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper at Pemberley. I am acquainted with her daughter Mary Clark. Then, your nephew Mr. Darcy said the same thing. Finally Mrs. Thomas, his housekeeper here in town so greeted me when I met her on Sunday."

"Knowing the character of all three of those persons I feel better about the company I unwittingly keep!" cried Lady Matlock. "Please be seated. Georgiana has spoken often of you in her letters, Miss Bennet. She also informs me that you are the reason she is not staying with me right now. It is quite all right as I see that you are keeping her good company. It is wonderful that she has found someone close to her own age."

With that Lady Matlock had pronounced her judgment; she approved of this Miss Bennet. It was obvious that everyone was right about what they were saying of her. By the end of the visit she had shown herself to be a lively, intelligent woman and at the same time unpretentious, not seeking to benefit from her acquaintance with her niece other than with the rewards found only in the bonds of true friendship. London could use more women like her. Elizabeth Bennet was a welcome breath of fresh air.