Page 24

WHEN CAROLINE ARRIVED at the ball, she had to stand on the sidelines for half an hour while Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy whisked their way around the dance floor, making eyes at each other, giggling at their own private jokes, and being annoyingly adorable.

She was jealous, of course, of the two of them, but it was not a jealousy borne of wishing to have Mr. Darcy for herself.

She could rather see that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy suited each other in a way that she and Mr. Darcy did not.

She was jealous of exactly that, however, how well they suited each other.

She did not think that she would ever be well-suited to another person, not in that fashion.

As a general rule, people did not like Caroline.

She could not entirely say why, but she had grown accustomed to it over her life.

As a small child, her father had doted on her, yes, but her mother had seemed cold and preoccupied with her other children, primarily with Charles.

Her brother and sister had not liked her, but then perhaps that was only typical sibling bluster.

If she had thought perhaps it was only a family dynamic, and that once she was amongst other people, she would be accepted finally, in this she had been quite disappointed.

Indeed, her family were the only people she could count on.

Other people found her quite off-putting.

She had learned ways to try to minimize this element of herself—whatever it was—that made people dislike her. She would look for something about another person to praise, anything at all, and she would steadfastly compliment the other person. Compliments helped to mitigate it—whatever it was.

She wished, of course, she could find out what it was that she was doing and simply stop doing it. Perhaps at some point, she could ask Elizabeth about it. She didn’t dare ask anyone else. Saying such a thing out loud to others would only make them dislike her more, and she was sure of it.

She had a suspicion, anyway, that she wasn’t actually doing anything wrong, that people simply couldn’t help it.

It was like, when you went by something that smelled bad, you were repulsed.

Caroline didn’t think she smelled (but maybe that was it) but there was something repulsive about her.

People could not put their finger on it.

Having attention brought to it, though, only made them uncomfortable.

During the whole of the dance, no one at all spoke to her.

She was here with her sister and Mr. Hurst, but they were off on their own, happy enough to be rid of Caroline, or so she assumed.

They had not actually spoken of it. She smiled at people, and they did not return the smile, but instead looked away hurriedly, as if they were frightened that smiling at her might encourage her.

She did her best, as the dance wore on and she stood there alone, not to feel sorry for herself. She had long ago learned that if she was self-pitying, it only made people like her less.

Finally, the dance ended.

Elizabeth sought her out alone, Mr. Darcy going off to join a small group of men in one corner. “Good evening, Caroline,” said Elizabeth. “You look lovely.”

“Good evening, Eliza,” said Caroline, smiling at the other woman with a feeling of genuine joy.

Only Elizabeth made her feel as if she actually was welcome.

It was a good feeling, a feeling of belonging.

“What is this?” She pointed to the reticule on her friend’s dress, buttoned there at the top of the skirt. “Did you have this made yourself? ”

“I thought I spoke to you about it,” said Elizabeth. “It’s part of my plan.”

“Oh,” said Caroline. “Your plan to do what exactly?”

“To ingratiate myself into society and establish both of us as forces to be reckoned with and to, ultimately, find you a husband.”

Caroline smiled. “Well, something simple, then.”

Elizabeth laughed, her expression sunny. “Obviously, yes. Quite simple.” She gestured with her head. “Come.”

Caroline followed her friend out of the room where the dancing was taking place and into an adjoining room, not the first room they’d come in, but another. Here, people were seated on settees and couches in small groups, little areas set up for conversation.

“Do you know anyone?” Elizabeth whispered to her. “I seem to have forgotten to have my husband make introductions as he was supposed to be doing before you arrived.”

“Oh, truly?” said Caroline, wincing. “Well, certainly, I’ve been introduced to everyone in the room, but—”

“Lovely,” said Elizabeth, prancing her way over to the most lively and crowded conversation spot.

There were a number of people there, including a baronet and his wife and three women who were all countesses.

Caroline would never have intruded on a conversation with these people. They would not be pleased, she thought.

But Elizabeth pushed her way in and smiled at all of them.

The conversation went on for a moment or two. They were talking about some issue with someone’s carriage wheel, it seemed. But it died out as one of the countesses gave Elizabeth a withering look. “And we have some newcomers, it seems.”

“Ah, yes,” said Elizabeth. “My very shy husband is rather awful with people, but my friend Miss Bingley here will be good enough to introduce me.” She grinned at Caroline.

Who was tongue-tied in the presence of such people, who was appalled at Elizabeth’s cheek. This was not done. This was not the way introductions were conducted.

“Yes, as she says,” Elizabeth continued, “I am Mrs. Darcy.”

“Yes,” said another of the countesses coldly. “We have heard about you.”

“Truly?” said Elizabeth squaring her shoulders. “Well, that is gratifying, I must say.”

The countess smirked at her. “We’ve heard all manner of things about you.”

“You’ve been talking about little old me when you haven’t even been introduced to me?” Elizabeth let out a trill of delighted laughter. “Well, tell me, am I everything you hoped for?”

“Honestly,” spoke up the baronetess, “I thought you’d be prettier.”

“Why is that?” said Elizabeth, all innocence. “Because you thought I must have some charms to have entrapped my husband when our match is as unbalanced as it appears?”

Caroline practically choked. Elizabeth could not say things like that. What was she doing? This was not going to do anything to ingratiate them into society or to help Caroline find a husband. This was disastrous.

“Well,” Elizabeth continued, “you must wonder what it is that I do have, then, if I am actually quite a bit plain?”

“You’re not,” said the baronet, smiling at her as he took a drink of his lemonade, as if he and Elizabeth were sharing a good joke. “Plain, that is. And you mustn’t mind my wife. She told me she’s quite intrigued by your reticule there.”

“Oh, this?” Elizabeth pointed to the place where her reticule was buttoned to her dress. “Do you like it? I was thinking to myself, why don’t we have someplace sensible to keep our belongings, and I had this made.”

None of the women said anything. They all glared at her.

Elizabeth beamed. “Your dresses, of course, are quite lovely.”

Here, Caroline could echo her. “Oh, yes, very lovely indeed.”

“We heard,” said one of the countesses in a nasty voice, “ you grew up wild with four sisters, no governess, and that none of you even speak French.”

“True,” said Elizabeth, giggling. “Also, do not sit me down at a piano-forte, unless you want me to quite murder the instrument.”

The women drew back, looking her up and down.

“I’m not very good at the piano either,” offered the first countess with a little shrug. “I prefer to sing, really.”

“And why should we not see to things we enjoy instead of being forced to do things we dislike?” said Elizabeth. “After all, are we not likely to excel where we find pleasure?”

“Perhaps,” said Caroline, “but then no one would play an instrument, because it is much easier to sing than it is to learn piano.”

Elizabeth considered. “Possibly true, yes.” A pause. “Of course, there are certain people who really enjoy a challenge. A thing is worth so much more if it requires effort.”

“That is quite true, Mrs. Darcy,” said the baronetess, cocking her head to one side, taking her in. “You’re a very interesting person, you realize that?”

Elizabeth only laughed. “The interesting one, I must say, is my friend Miss Bingley. I have been so happy in matrimony, you see, I would see her settled as well. Please, if you know of any one who is in want of a wife, do recommend him to us.”

Silence.

“Well, think about it,” said Elizabeth. “And I would so love to have callers, of course. I daresay you all know where my house is in town. If you think of someone to recommend, do drop by.”

“All right,” said one of the countesses.

“We are off to see positively everything,” said Elizabeth. “Excuse us, if you will.” She pulled Caroline away and they moved across the room.

Caroline was reeling.

What had just happened? Had she just watched Elizabeth walk into a situation in which everyone disliked her and somehow get them to agree that they would call upon her?

“How did you do that?” she murmured.

“Do what?” said Elizabeth, her voice also quiet.

“It was some kind of witchcraft, I think,” said Caroline. “You made them like you.”

“Oh, no,” said Elizabeth. “They don’t like me yet. But they are intrigued by me. I told you, the strategy is to be what they suspect me to be, but to make it look fun and desirable.”

Caroline furrowed her brow. Such a simple idea, really, and yet so effective. “How do you think of these things?”

“I don’t know,” said Elizabeth. “And anyway, I need you to help me pick the next group better. I was too nervous and I chose a group at random. We need to speak to people who are very well connected. Find us some duchesses, if you please.”