Page 14 of The Marriage Game
It occurred to Jane that she, too, could host a tea party. “Caroline, I thought we might host a tea party. Lizzy’s was very nice, was it not?”
“It was, but I had understood you had no acquaintances in Town, Jane.”
“Well, my aunt and uncle…”
Caroline was unable to suppress her shudder.
Jane pretended not to notice. “But, in any case, Caroline, I thought you had friends here from school.”
“I do not know if they are in Town,” Caroline said, uncomfortably.
“Perhaps it is worth trying. And I shall not invite the Gardiners, as I know that would make you uncomfortable.”
Not half an hour later, Caroline was sitting at her writing desk, her quill motionless in her hand. Who should she invite? Lady Emmeline, who had been the self-appointed leader of Miss Gravely’s School for Young Ladies? Lady Emmeline was the daughter of the Duke of Manchester; her birth alone made her the leader of the other girls. She was tall, had blond ringlets, perfect skin, and was a talented harpist. She was perfect in every way, and her behaviour showed that she knew it. Everyone at school could do naught but agree with her opinion. It would be wonderful indeed if Lady Emmeline would come to Bingley House!
Lady Katherine was the daughter of the Marquess of Bute. She was short, brunette, and had very little musical or artistic talent. She was also quite dreadfully dull, with very little to say other than ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to Lady Emmeline. But that had been enough to earn her a high place in the pecking order at Miss Gravely’s Seminary. Caroline had no desire at all to see Lady Katherine again, but she was the daughter of a Marquess, so she must be invited.
Lady Alicia was the daughter of the Earl of Lindsey. She had not a kind bone in her body, and nothing delighted her so much as teasing the younger girls to the point of tears. It had been a point of pride for Caroline that she herself had never cried in front of any of the other girls. Perhaps Lady Alicia would lower herself to come to tea. She would not be a pleasant guest, but it would be a social coup to have her come.
Lady Beatrice was the daughter of the Earl of Guilford. This title was a relatively new creation, so she was not considered to be as worthy an acquaintance as the other daughters of Earls, but nonetheless, she was known in Society.
There were others, of course, but they were nobodies – no titles and no fortunes. The nobodies would not be invited to Bingley House.
Taking a deep breath, she straightened her spine, dipped her quill into the ink, and began.
***
Much to Caroline’s surprise, she received acceptances from Lady Beatrice, Lady Katherine, and – heavens! – from Lady Emmeline herself! Only Lady Alicia had declined. Caroline was beside herself with excitement as she showed the messages to Jane.
But Jane frowned doubtfully. “Are these truly friends of yours, Caroline? I have never heard you mention them.”
“Of course they are friends, Jane! Why else would they accept my invitation to tea?” And particularly to a place as unknown as Bingley House, Caroline thought.
“Very well; I shall invite Elizabeth and Georgiana. We shall be a small, intimate gathering, perfect for rekindling friendships.”
***
When the appointed day arrived, Caroline dressed in her very best gown. She ignored the frowns of her maid and Jane’s raised eyebrows. She knew that her guests would be dressed in the first stare of fashion, and she was determined not to be outdone.
But she had miscalculated, and badly at that. Her former schoolmates were dressed exactly as Mrs. Annesley had specified; in colours that suited their hair and complexions, with very little jewelry. Their slippers were ordinary (unlike Caroline’s slippers, which glittered with paste diamonds) and their coiffures were simple chignons with ribbons (unlike Caroline’s bandeau and six ostrich feathers). Georgiana and Elizabeth were also dressed in gowns that were simple, but made of expensive materials and perfectly tailored to their figures.
Caroline wanted to sink into the carpet, but there was nothing to do but to pretend nothing was wrong as she performed the introductions.
Lady Emmeline opened the conversation. “Well, Miss Bingley, I have to say that your invitation was rather a surprise!”
“Was it, Lady Emmeline? But why? Were we not all great friends at school?” Caroline tried to keep the desperation out of her voice.
“I do not recall us being great friends. Do you, Katherine?”
Lady Katherine immediately supported her idol. “No, indeed, Emmeline. Beatrice, what about you?”
Lady Beatrice chimed in with, “No, of course not. Miss Bingley, I do not recall you having any friends at school at all, now that I think on it. But we were certainly curious to see you, and perhaps learn why it is that you are in Town this Season.”
Caroline immediately retorted, “I do not recall any of you giving me so much as a friendly glance at school, now that you mention it!”
“You were not worthy of a friendly glance,” Lady Emmeline said. “Though you certainly were desperate for one!” Her tone was mocking.
Georgiana was trembling with discomfort; she threw a desperate glance at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth had been listening to these ladies speak and her face was the very picture of distaste. She said, “Caroline speaks of you ladies very highly; Mr. Darcy and I have always commented on how kindly she mentions her former classmates.”
Lady Emmeline turned at once to Elizabeth. “Well, no one speaks kindly of her! But let us not discuss Caroline any further. I have long wanted to meet you, Mrs. Darcy!”
“Have you indeed?” Elizabeth asked, coolly.
“Yes, of course; your husband was considered one of the greatest catches of the Season for many years.”
“I imagine so,” Elizabeth replied, with a shrug.
“We were all very surprised to learn that Mr. Darcy had married someone not part of Society,” Lady Emmeline continued. “Many of us have been eager to meet you and discover the reason for his unexpected choice.”
Jane said, quickly, “Anyone who sees them together knows that theirs was a love match.”
Elizabeth said, “Mr. Darcy was weary of being pursued, Lady Emmeline. I did not pursue him; in fact, he pursued me. But the fact is that he and I have a good deal in common.”
“Such as?” Lady Katherine asked, skepticism in her voice.
Surprisingly, it was Caroline who answered. “They are both great readers; they discuss books and disagree as often as not, but they enjoy the disagreement. They both like the outdoors, so Pemberley suits them both very well. It took me some time to understand it as well, Lady Katherine, but I see now how very well suited they are for one another. But tell me of Lady Alicia; I was hoping that she could join us today, but she sent her regrets.”
The three of them laughed heartily. “You will not see Lady Alicia at all this Season,” Lady Emmeline said.
“But why? I do hope she is not ill,” Caroline said.
“Ill? Oh, no; not unless you call making a huge error in judgement being ill! She tried to elope with a Navy lieutenant; her father discovered the plot in time and stopped it. As a result, she is no longer invited anywhere by anyone of importance. The poor dear is in complete disgrace.” Lady Emmeline sounded quite pleased about it.
“How can you know of this? Surely the family does not discuss it!” Jane cried in distress.
“The servant’s grapevine,” Elizabeth said, quietly.
“Precisely,” Lady Emmeline said, her eyes glittering. “Her maid is sister to my maid, and I knew of it immediately after it occurred.”
“And you told the story to others?” Elizabeth asked, her distaste clear.
“Of course!” Lady Emmeline replied. “I could not, in good conscience, allow my friends to associate with someone like that.”
White-faced, Georgiana turned to Elizabeth and whispered, “I must go home, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth understood immediately that the mention of a failed elopement, in addition to the terrible manners on display, was the cause of Georgiana’s distress. “Not yet,” Elizabeth whispered back. “Be strong!”
This whispered conversation brought Georgiana to Lady Emmeline’s attention. “Miss Darcy, I hear that you are a veritable virtuoso on the pianoforte,” Lady Katherine said. “Might we hear you play today?”
Caroline rose and led Georgiana to the instrument. Caroline whispered, “I am sorry for my friends’ behaviour, Miss Darcy.”
“They are not your friends, Miss Bingley,” Georgiana whispered back, as she sat down on the piano bench and began.
When she was done, the ladies all applauded. Jane asked if anyone else wished to exhibit, but it was clear that no one wished to follow such a remarkable performance.
Elizabeth, hoping to introduce a safe topic, asked, “Tell us of your suitors; I am certain the three of you are beleaguered on every side by hopeful gentlemen.”
This was as good a conversation starter as anyone might have hoped for. The three of them held forth for some time on the various gentlemen who called on them, how many proposals they had already turned down, who the great catches of the Season were (Lord Fane’s name was mentioned), and so on. Caroline remained silent throughout.
Finally, it was over. Lady Emmeline, Lady Katherine and Lady Beatrice walked together to the entryway; Lady Beatrice could be heard saying, “Caroline Bingley’s taste has not changed at all; it is as dreadful as ever.”
Lady Katherine contributed, “She still dresses as if she were the Queen, rather than the daughter of an insignificant tradesman.”
And Lady Emmeline added, “And she thought we were her friends! What a joke!”
The laughter of the three of them was the last that Jane, Elizabeth, Caroline and Georgiana heard. The four of them sat in silence for some time.
Finally, Caroline said, “You were right, Georgiana. They are not my friends.” Her voice was flat.
Georgiana said, “More than that, they are not true ladies! The way they spoke about Lady Alicia and about you, Miss Bingley, shows that they have not mastered the rules of the Marriage Game. We must be better than they are.”