Page 41 of A Rational Man (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

O n Christmas morning, Miss Bingley surprised everyone at Netherfield by coming down to breakfast. She was not greeted as she had hoped and expected, for the friendly chatter stopped at once and everyone’s faces bore sudden expressions of dismay.

But she put a brave face on it, sitting down in the chair that the footman pulled out for her.

It was not her chair, for Aunt Beatrice had taken the chair Miss Bingley favoured, but she thought it best not to make a fuss of it.

“Good morning, everyone!” she said cheerily.

“Well, there you are at last, Caroline,” Mrs. Armstrong said.

“I apologise for not greeting you sooner, Aunt,” Miss Bingley said, in a syrupy voice. “No one told me you were here.”

Mrs. Hurst opened her mouth to object, but her husband shook his head at her and she subsided.

“But why were you in your room to begin with, Caroline?” Mrs. Armstrong asked. “Were you ill?”

Miss Bingley shook her head. “No, indeed; though perhaps sick at heart.”

“Sick at heart? But why?”

“I am certain that my brother has told you of his plan to have me removed from the family home.”

“He has, though I believe this is entirely your doing, Caroline.” Mrs. Armstrong’s voice became stern.

“What! All because I did not wish him to make a mésalliance!”

“I hardly think Miss Bennet can be considered unsuitable for the son of a man in trade,” was the unwelcome reply.

“She is a gentleman’s daughter; she is as kind as she is beautiful.

Had she been given a Season in Town, I do not doubt she could have done a good deal better than your brother.

She is lowering herself by marrying him, and she does so only because she has been so little seen.

You do understand that, do you not, Caroline? ”

“This has been explained to her,” Mr. Bingley put in. “But she will not hear it.”

Miss Bingley interrupted. “Surely we can speak of something more cheerful on Christmas! What are our plans for today, Charles?”

“We have been invited to take our Christmas dinner at Longbourn, Caroline, but I do not think you should attend.”

“Charles! Whatever do you mean?”

“I mean that I do not trust you to behave yourself with the Bennets, and I will not have Jane and her family subjected to your vitriol.”

“But – “

“I am determined, Caroline. You will stay here. I have given the servants the evening off so that they may spend it with their families, but I will have Cook leave a cold collation for you.”

Miss Bingley protested vigorously, but her brother would not be moved.

Mrs. Armstrong asked her niece if they might speak privately; Miss Bingley was not eager for a tête-à-tête with her aunt, but she could not think of a way to decline. The two ladies repaired to the drawing room.

“I will not beat about the bush, Caroline. You have doubtless wondered why I am here.”

Miss Bingley began to assure her aunt that her presence at Netherfield was everything welcome, but Mrs. Armstrong waved that aside.

“Caroline, it is Charles’ intention that I take you back to Scarborough with me when I return home.

I tell you this so that you may begin to prepare yourself for your change in circumstances. ”

Miss Bingley went white. “It is not possible for me to live in Scarborough.”

“You have no other option.”

“He said I might have my own establishment in Town!”

“Nonsense. Only think how that would look, when he and the new Mrs. Bennet open Bingley House, and you remain in some dingy townhouse elsewhere. Think you not that everyone would wonder why your own brother cannot be brought to house you?”

Miss Bingley’s mouth opened and then closed. Mrs. Armstrong waited for her niece to understand her situation. Finally, Miss Bingley said, in a small voice, “He really does mean to send me away then?”

“Of course; did you think this was all some sort of ruse to force you into better behaviour? Ah, I see; that is exactly what you thought. No, this is quite serious. Miss Bennet’s father will call off the engagement if you are not out of the house, and Charles will not choose you over his intended.

Do you see now how you have injured yourself? ”

“But Louisa will never allow Charles to remove me from the family!”

“You are quite wrong, my dear. Louisa is delighted; she has never had the courage to stand up to you, and now she will not have to. You should have seen her at Longbourn, making up to Miss Bennet! No, you have lost your chance with Charles and Louisa, and now you must go on as best you can. Scarborough is not so bad, you know. We have assemblies, theater, concerts, opera – and the sea, of course!”

“Single gentlemen?” Miss Bingley’s voice was a mere whisper.

“Oh, many of them! Scarborough is a favourite place for sea-bathing and we have a good many visitors coming to take the waters, so there are new acquaintances to be made every month. It is a good deal more lively than Meryton, I promise you that.”

“I – I cannot quite take it in, Aunt. I must think –“

“I understand, of course. Since you will not be going out this evening, you will have a good deal of time to adjust your expectations.”

***

Longbourn looked very festive that evening. The girls had brought in all manner of greenery, and had even hung mistletoe in likely locations. Ribbon had been wound around the banister, expensive beeswax candles burned on every table, and an enormous log crackled in the parlour fireplace.

The Bingleys, Hursts and Mrs. Armstrong were welcomed heartily. Their outerwear was taken, and they were then introduced to Mrs. Bennet’s brother and his wife, the Gardiners.

Mrs. Gardiner would not be rude to Mr. Bingley, of course, but he could not miss the fact that she was a good deal cooler to him now than she had been when they were last here for Mary’s wedding. He hoped he would have the opportunity to explain himself to her before the evening was out.

In fact, it was Mrs. Gardiner who introduced the subject as soon as the usual pleasantries had been exchanged and everyone had found a seat. “I do not see Miss Bingley here,” she observed, coolly. “I hope she is well?”

Every face turned to Mr. Bingley. He cleared his throat nervously, and then said, “I did not allow my sister to join us tonight.”

There were a number of gasps from his audience.

He continued, “Her behaviour has been dreadful, and I understand that I am very much to blame for allowing it to continue as it has. I cannot change the past, but I can certainly do better moving forward.”

Mrs. Armstrong added, “She will come to Scarborough with me when I return north, and she will no longer trouble her brother and the future Mrs. Bingley.”

Mr. Bingley had the great satisfaction of seeing his intended give him her very best smile.

Mr. Bennet nodded at him. Mrs. Gardiner began to applaud – heavens!

– and then everyone in the room joined her!

Mr. Bingley turned red, but seeing the humour in the situation, he rose and bowed to the company, which in turn made everyone clap all the harder.

It was a merry party that went in to dinner half an hour later.

***

That night, Jane expressed her surprise and delight. Elizabeth was equally delighted, saying, “Mrs. Armstrong is exceedingly kind to be willing to take Miss Bingley on.”

Jane said, “Charles told me privately that the only reason she was induced to do so was the fact that Miss Bingley will contribute to the household finances.”

“Oh! I did not know that the lady was in sufficiently dire straits for that to be sufficient inducement.”

“Her husband died quite young, and she did not have a large enough dowry to live as she wished after that sad event. Charles has offered her funds before, but she did not like to take charity.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Well, this will certainly not be charity!”

“Which is precisely what she said!”