Page 9

“You are making wrinkles, Caro,” Louisa said, as she had so often when they were girls. Caroline unscrewed her frown with difficulty.

“I am sorry. But I cannot stop thinking about Mr Darcy asking Miss Elizabeth Bennet to dance last night. It was so strange to see him with her, such a jumped-up country bumpkin of a girl. And the whole family has not the least education. It is painful to see Mr Darcy, of all men, with such a simpleton.” Caroline smoothed her navy blue silk gown, wishing she did not feel jealous of a no-name rustic miss like Elizabeth Bennet.

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet does not seem like a simpleton to me,” Louisa returned. “She seemed quite shrewd, actually. She is certainly taking full advantage of her unexpected inheritance.”

“What do you mean?”

“Why not procure two fortunes instead of one? Or so I imagine her to think. Her inheritance from her uncle may be generous, but I am sure it is not as vast as ten thousand a year.” Louisa leaned back on the settee and studied her nails.

Caroline lifted an eyebrow as she studied her sister.

Louisa was growing quite rotund around the midsection now that she had been married for a few years.

And it was not from the promise of a child soon to arrive, either.

Indeed, Caroline would be surprised if they ever managed to have a child, with her husband so often away at the track, or the gentleman’s club.

Anywhere, really, where he need not be in the company of his wife.

Louisa met her gaze. “You do not agree?”

“I do, unfortunately.”

“Well, you have been pouting about it all morning. Why not do something about it?” Louisa challenged. “I know that you have long hoped that Mr Darcy would be yours. Elizabeth Bennet may put a damper on all your plans.”

Caroline rose and began to pace. She hated that her sister was right. “That comment about her ‘fine eyes’ was very telling. I do not think I have ever seen Mr Darcy as taken with a woman as he was with Elizabeth Bennet,” she said with a huff.

“Yes, it does not bode well for your plans to catch him yourself.”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “You are not being very helpful by pointing that out, sister,” she said through gritted teeth. “However, I have a plan.”

Louisa perked up at this. “Oh? And what does this plan entail?”

Caroline stalked along the tall windows, hardly feeling the warmth of the late morning sunlight they allowed to stream in.

“I will send an invitation to Miss Elizabeth, asking her to supper tomorrow. I will then assist her in setting her cap for Charles — which, to judge by that mother, I am sure she will do, given the slightest opportunity.”

“Why would you do that? I thought you did not like her.” Louisa sat up straighter and followed her movements as Caroline walked back and forth.

“I do not. However, we must think of the greater good. Charles has said he thinks her pleasant and witty. If it is a match between them, Charles will gain her fortune and estate, rather than depleting his by purchasing an estate for himself.” She allowed herself a small smile, ever thoughtful of smile lines, as her sister and mother had reminded her ever since her childhood.

“More importantly, even if it is not a match, it will detach Miss Elizabeth from Mr Darcy.”

Louisa scrunched up her nose in distaste. “Are you quite sure, Caro? I had thought to do better for Charles. She has no title and no connections, after all. I heard tell that her father barely leaves his house and refuses to travel to town for the Season.”

“That does not mean that Miss Elizabeth will be averse to the idea. Besides, Charles will have to learn to steer his wife with a firm hand, no matter who he marries.”

Louisa looked doubtful. “That is neither here nor there. How will you facilitate things between them? Charles seemed very taken with the sister, rather than Miss Elizabeth.”

“Charles is very easily steered. A few suggestions here and there, and he will transfer her allegiance to Miss Elizabeth. And Mr Darcy is very proud. When he sees that Miss Elizabeth is interested in Charles rather than himself, he will be disgusted with her and forget all about her. And if not that, he will see how happy Charles is and step gracefully out of the way. You know how loyal he is to our dear brother.”

A small smile played on Louisa’s lips. “And with luck, he might turn to you for solace?”

Caroline lifted her hands in mock innocence.

“Why should he not? I may not be as rich as Miss Elizabeth will be, but I am more cultured and accomplished, both traits about which Mr Darcy has waxed long in the past. He prides himself on the fact that dear Georgiana is so accomplished. He must surely want the same in his wife.”

“So that is why you started learning Italian and trying to play the pianoforte, is it? How is that going, by the by?” Louisa asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

“ Non lo sapresti.” Caroline came and sat down next to her sister, who laughed at her.

“Do not be cross. I commend you for trying to improve yourself to catch a mate. If you recall, I did the same to catch Mr Hurst. And you know how many times I have been prevailed upon to play the pianoforte since we have been married.”

“We are off the subject,” Caroline said. “The point is that we must try to convince Charles that Miss Elizabeth is the better choice, even if she is inferior in looks. She will have the greater fortune.”

“I am not criticising, sister. I think it is a good plan. But will it work?” Louisa sighed and folded her hands in her lap.

“Charles and Miss Elizabeth did not seem particularly interested in each other at the assembly. And there was his foolish remark, as well. Will Miss Elizabeth accept an invitation to dine with us?”

Caroline thought for a moment. “That is a good point. Perhaps if we invite Miss Bennet to come along as well, it will act as an inducement for Miss Elizabeth to accept. Miss Bennet seemed interested in Charles, or at least seemed to like the attention. I admit, she was a little difficult to read. I could not tell if she was enjoying Charles’s attentions for their own sake, or out of the knowledge that it would be quite the advantageous match. ”

“There is only one way to find out, I suppose. We shall invite them both and see the best way to proceed. I am sure if we invite them, they will be eager to come, especially if they know the gentlemen will be here as well.” Caroline stood and started toward the door. “I will write the letter now.”

Being well accustomed to composing and sending invitations, she was not slow to accomplish her task. Not half an hour had passed before the invitation — its hook carefully baited with the promise that the gentlemen would be present — was sealed and in the hands of a footman.

As though she were being rewarded for her cleverness and diligence, Mr Darcy was in the corridor when she left her rooms. With a small, private smile, Caroline fell into step with him, heading toward the drawing room for afternoon tea. “Are you recovered from last night?” she asked lightly.

“I am. A pleasant evening, was it not? I think it bodes well for Bingley’s residence here. Are you happy with the house?” Mr Darcy asked.

She offered him her most brilliant smile.

“I am. I believe it has promise, to be sure. Only one thing causes me any concern, and that is how confined and unvarying we are likely to find the neighbourhood. There are not many families in the vicinity that would be appropriate dining companions, do not you agree?”

“The degree of elegance will be somewhat lessened from what we might expect in London, perhaps. I do not think it will matter to Bingley, though. He has a very warm and amiable nature.”

“True,” Caroline replied, carefully concealing her disappointment.

It did not give her much hope that Mr Darcy could be persuaded to forget Miss Elizabeth when he was already defending the village where she had grown up.

As though anyone could be satisfied with a little countryside village, after spending time in London!

But Caroline had to try. Her future fortune and consequence depended on it.