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Bingley sprang up and began pacing, looking more frustrated than Elizabeth had ever seen him.

“After her behavior at Christmas… well, you know as well as I what we told her. While we were all at Netherfield, she alternated between sulking, arguing, and pretending that nothing was wrong. Perhaps she convinced herself that I would not follow through with it.”

Jane admitted, “That may be my fault; I fear that it was such a relief when she returned to her former manner that I preferred to believe she had made her peace.”

Charles stepped to his wife’s side and gently touched her hair.

“Angel, we have discussed this; Caroline’s behavior is no more your fault than it is mine.

” Once he saw the guilt in her eyes had softened, he continued the story in a tired voice; “When we came to London at the end of February, we had the Hursts over to celebrate Caro’s birthday.

” He did not bother to hide his sarcasm.

“They are not willing to take my sister in either, so the next day Hurst and I visited the solicitor in charge of Caroline’s trust and explained the situation.

He drew up the necessary paperwork to release her inheritance and the three of us met with my sister two days later. ”

Bingley paused to take another sip of wine and then sighed. “I expected her to throw another tantrum, but she behaved like a perfect lady… just bobbed her head and signed where we pointed. To be honest, it made me rather nervous.”

The other three smiled a little. Bingley continued, “Caro said that she wished to remain in London, so we agreed that Hurst and I would help her find an appropriate apartment while Louisa and Jane would assist her in hiring a companion and setting up the household.”

Seeing how upset her husband was becoming, Jane moved to stand by him; Charles took her hand and kissed it. “Her primary interest appeared to be in determining how much of her money she could spend immediately on a new wardrobe.”

Jane squeezed his hand and added, “But she seemed to accept it all. Charles and Mr. Hurst found her a lovely place, and Louisa and I went with her to see what needed to be done with regard to furnishings and so forth. Caroline seemed very excited about the decorating,” she trailed off mournfully.

Bingley drew his wife back to the sofa and they settled upon it as if they had walked back from Yorkshire.

“So, that was the situation when we left London. The apartment was leased. Caroline had appointments to interview several prospective companions and I had thought that she understood she was to hire one and then move while we were away. Indeed, that was her excuse for not coming along to visit her Bingley relations. I even gave her fifty pounds as a birthday gift to use in redecorating her new place.” Charles slumped back into his chair and rubbed his face vigorously as if hoping to wake from an unpleasant dream.

Elizabeth could not suppress her curiosity. “So she was still at your house when you returned from Yorkshire?”

Jane pinched her lips in a tight line and Charles threw his hands up in frustration.

“Oh, she was not at the house—off at some party somewhere,” he laughed sardonically.

“When Mrs. Barton suggested that we ask Caroline’s new maid about Jane’s sapphires, naturally we were confused.

What had happened to her old abigail, and why was she not at Caroline’s apartment?

And, of course, we were disappointed that my sister was not moved out. And so Monique was summoned.”

Lizzy could not help but gasp. “You mean…”

Jane nodded. “Yes… she did not hire a companion, but a new French lady’s maid.”

Darcy actually snorted.

Charles rolled his eyes. “Oh, but that was just the beginning. Monique told us that she believed her mistress did have sapphires among her jewels, and so the three of us went right up to Caroline’s suite.

First, mind you, there was absolutely no evidence that she had begun packing, and Monique claimed she had been told nothing about such an endeavor.

And then, we discovered Jane’s necklace on Caro’s vanity, along with some other jewelry that my angel had not yet noticed was missing. ”

Darcy focused on his brother-in-law and demanded, “And so? What has been done? Have you confronted her?”

Jane sighed weakly even as Bingley responded, “Oh yes. We had quite the row last night when she finally turned up. At first she was furious that I had reclaimed the jewels—apparently Caro was planning to wear Jane’s sapphires to some ball tomorrow.

When we tried to discuss the situation with her, she acted as if she had done nothing wrong.

Actually, she accused us of misinterpreting her actions…

she seems to genuinely believe that we are in the wrong. ”

Bingley sighed before continuing; just remembering the argument made him feel ill.

“Somehow, in her warped logic, she had decided that I could not possibly intend for her to move out of the Waverley Street house, and thus the funds I had left for setting up her household could be used to buy herself a splendid new wardrobe for the Season. My dear sister has been swanning about enjoying herself for the last month… Oh, and did I mention that she has been opening invitations addressed to Jane and myself?”

By this point, both Bingleys appeared quite exhausted in their misery.

Thinking quickly, Elizabeth checked her watch and, observing that it was nearing seven, turned to the other couple.

“Well, it seems to me that what the two of you need is a good meal; Mrs. Davies has promised a roast and a fruit tart, among other delicacies. And then, if you wish, perhaps the four of us could put our heads together and form a plan?”

Bingley cocked his head and showed the first hint of enthusiasm all evening. “Would that be Mrs. Davies’ famous apple tart?” Finally laughing a little, the four good friends made their way to the family dining room.

Conversation was kept light and easy as they worked their way through a satisfying Sunday dinner. The Bingleys described their trip and the Darcys shared bits of news from their weeks in London. When the famed apple tart was served, Elizabeth brought up Mary’s engagement to Mr. Tucker.

“Did you receive the invitation for our dinner party Monday? It would give you a chance to see the Gardiners, as well to know Mr. Tucker better before the wedding. Do say you will come,” pleaded Elizabeth.

Jane looked to her husband and Bingley nodded slightly. “It sounds lovely, Lizzy. I didn’t see the invitation, but there is such a lot of correspondence piled up, and what with the other things going on, I haven’t had a chance to go through it all yet.”

Conversation continued until every last crumb of the apple tart was consumed.

The gentlemen declined to separate from their ladies and so all four moved back to the sitting room where Darcy provided the ladies with wine and then poured out glasses of port for Charles and himself.

There was a moment of silence as everyone settled and appreciated their first sip.

Elizabeth spoke first. “Well then! What is to be the plan of attack?”

“Oh Lizzy… for everything Caroline has done, I don’t wish to attack her,” remonstrated Jane, although she could not help smiling a little.

“Very well. Perhaps an evacuation plan?” Once Jane had nodded hesitantly, Elizabeth turned to Fitzwilliam, hoping that her husband might offer something more useful than fretting over semantics.

Mr. Darcy began with a practical question; “Exactly how much has she spent? Can she still be installed in the apartment without you providing more capital?”

Bingley responded thoughtfully; “Between her purchases and hiring Monique, she spent nearly all the fifty pounds I gifted her to set up her household. Thanks to your advice,” he nodded to his friend, “I arranged with the solicitor for the lease to be paid directly from her account to the landlord—Caroline could not fiddle with that, thank heavens.”

“So, in essence, the rooms are available, but she has spent out her decorating fund without doing anything to make the apartments livable,” noted Darcy.

“Quite.”

“Would it be possible to pay a companion in the same manner that you are settling the rent?” inquired Elizabeth. “Have a solicitor draw the funds from Miss Bingley’s account quarterly or monthly or however it is usually managed? ”

Charles looked to Darcy who nodded, understanding what his wife was about. “Certainly—that is our arrangement with Mrs. Annesley, in fact.”

“And what condition is the apartment in? How much work actually needs to be done for someone to live there?” asked Elizabeth.

Jane answered, beginning to show a flicker of enthusiasm.

“Actually, I thought that the rooms were quite delightful just as they are. The lady who owned them was a widow—she lived there with an aunt for three years before marrying again. Caroline’s primary concern seemed to be that the colors were rather bland. ”

Lizzy caught her elder sister’s eye and they began to giggle, Miss Bingley’s vibrant color preferences having become something of a running joke between the pair.

“Well, she has had her chance to redecorate before moving in, so now she will simply have to live with it,” declared Elizabeth decisively. “What of the furnishings? Chairs and drapes and such?”

Bingley handled this question. “Mrs. Macintyre has left behind all the window dressings and some furniture that she did not need in her new husband’s house. It all seemed to be in good condition to me, even if my sister proclaimed it inferior and wanted to replace it all.” He rolled his eyes.

“Shall you allow her to take any of the furniture from your house?” asked Mrs. Darcy.

Charles looked to Jane, who nodded without hesitation. “Yes. In truth, the manner in which she has decorated her rooms is quite… different… from our own taste. I don’t know what we would do with the furniture if she left it.”

Lizzy smiled and tried not to imagine what sort of style was so extreme that even the normally placid Bingleys could not live with it.

“Well then... Jane and I could visit the apartment tomorrow with a few maids and a brawny footman or two to see that the place is clean and furniture arranged in the public rooms. Miss Bingley may change it later, as she wishes, of course. We can empty the larger bedchamber and dressing room and move the contents of her current suite in their entirety; it might be comforting for her if her new chambers to be furnished in a familiar manner.”

The Bingleys began to show more spirit than either had felt since returning to London, even when Darcy offered forthrightly, “I would recommend that you make all the arrangements for the move yourselves and simply inform Miss Bingley of the date. Do not give her any options.”

Elizabeth added, “Based on what you have said, it should be easily accomplished in a week. Of course, the most critical issue is personnel; Miss Bingley cannot live in the apartment alone and maintain her respectability.”

Charles responded immediately; “There were several excellent ladies who answered my advertisement for a companion. Caroline was to select one while we were gone, but our housekeeper said that she kept none of the appointments I made.”

Jane’s resolve was increasing. “Charles, if you will give me the details, I could interview them. Lizzy—would you help me?”

“Yes, of course. Although our Aunt Gardiner would probably be more helpful—she has more experience hiring senior servants than I.”

Darcy disagreed. “Actually, I would suggest that Bingley and Mrs. Hurst conduct the interviews; I fear that any choice made by you and Jane would be disregarded by Miss Bingley immediately. Forgive me, but your sister is perfectly capable of making the woman’s life a misery.”

“You will get no argument from me.” Bingley looked to his wife. “Jane, angel—I fear that if Caro realized that you and Lizzy had made the arrangements, she would vent her spleen by spreading more unpleasant gossip about the two of you.”

Mrs. Bingley could not argue and so it was decided that Charles and Louisa alone would choose a companion for their younger sister. “For I like to think that Caroline has at least a modicum of respect for her own siblings,” commented the gentleman glumly.

The couples discussed a few remaining details, but it was not long before the Bingleys decided it was time to depart.

As the Darcys accompanied them to the door, Jane turned to hug her sister.

“Oh Lizzy—thank you so much.” She looked up to her host and the tremble in her voice underlined her relief. “And you as well, Mr. Darcy.”

“Indeed, we were truly at our wits’ end and you have given us a plan,” added Bingley.

“And none of this shall affect our attending your dinner party on Monday.” Jane tried to look hopeful; “After all, it should be all settled by then.”

Once the Bingleys were safely loaded into their carriage and headed back to Waverley Street, Elizabeth turned and threaded her hand through her husband’s arm. As they moved toward the stairs, she rested her head on his shoulder; “Have I ever thanked you for having such a sane sister?”

Darcy’s deep laugh warmed them both. “No, but it was the least I could do, given that I also brought Ashbourne into your family.” Lord Edward Fitzwilliam had been behaving in an increasingly scandalous manner that spring.

“Hmmm… yes. I suppose he balances out Mama and Lydia well enough.”