Page 26

Sunday breakfast and morning service came and went much too fast for Bingley’s liking. During breakfast, he tried once more to convince Jane to stay at least one more day to be sure she would not have a relapse. When that failed, he prayed during morning service that the overcast skies would open up with a torrent of rain and prevent her from leaving. To his disappointment, both failed to stop the Bennet sisters from departing.

The only high point of their departure was that his sisters had nothing but pleasant comments towards both of them. Caroline’s change in attitude towards Elizabeth surprised him the most. Spending time in each other’s company appeared to have done wonders for their relationship. While disappointed that his angel had gone, he went back into the house whistling a happy tune.

Bingley winced when he heard the scream from Caroline upstairs. His quiet afternoon daydreaming about Jane Bennet ruined in the instant. He wondered what her lady’s maid had done wrong this time to elicit such a sound. It was the scream reserved for when she was truly upset. If only he had taken a little more time on his ride. He would have missed the screech of anger, and Louisa would have had time to calm her down before he had to deal with whatever the problem turned out to be.

It was not long before Caroline was loudly calling his name as she made her way from the upper floor to the lower to find him. Why she must yell out his name at the top of her lungs in that manner was beyond his comprehension. As a child, it had been to get their parents’ attention.

She burst into the room, her face contorted in anger. He was sure her face under that makeup must be as red as her hair. He wanted to laugh at the thought but knew from experience that it would only enrage her more.

“Charles, you must dismiss them.” She demanded, pointing her finger out into the empty hallway.

“Dismiss whom?”

“The chamber maids, the scullery maids, all the locally hired servants.”

“All of them! Good lord, for what reason?” he asked in amusement, thinking she was being over dramatic.

“They are spreading scandalous rumors. Vile rumors.”

“What are they saying about you this time?” He asked, thinking it was most likely about her ill moods in the mourning.

“Not about me. About Mr Darcy and the Bennet girl.”

The amusement left Bingley immediately as he sat up straight. “Jane Bennet?”

“No! The other one,” she practically growled back in frustration. “Why would it be about her?”

Bingley was relieved to hear that but got up and crossed the room to the door.

“First off, Caroline. Whatever these rumors might be, going through the house screaming as you did only adds fuel to the fire. You probably have our two young guests worried as well.”

“I don’t care. I want them gone before dinner. All of them!”

“Surly they have not done what you think. What exactly is it anyway?” He asked, unable to resist teasing her.

“Stop playing. This is not a trifling matter. You need to take it seriously,” she snapped.

Bingley took a deep breath before grasping his sister by the elbow and directing her to a chair.

“I suggest you take a few moments to compose yourself so we can have a rational discussion about what you are going on about. If I were to dismiss the servants post haste, there would be no dinner. What servants we brought would not be able to handle all that is needed.”

“This is not a situation to joke about or to make light of Charles.”

“Then take the time to settle yourself and tell me calmly and rationally what this is all about.” She was about to say something when he raised his hand to stop her. “And in a level of voice that does not carry past these four walls.”

“They are saying they spent the night together,” she hissed at him.

“Good lord, who did?”

“The Earl and that country chit,” she said between clenched teeth.

Bingley folded his arms. “I hardly believe that, and I will not tell you again about calling him that.”

“It does not have to be true for people to believe it. Think of the scandal this will bring to us.”

“If what you are saying is true, we will nip it in the bud. Although I am unsure how it will affect us?”

“You are so obtuse sometimes, Charles. It happened in your house.”

Bingley got to his feet. “I still cannot see what that has to do with me. I will go see Darcy. He has more experience handling this sort of thing.”

“You cannot,” she screeched.

“Why not?”

“Then he will know,” she said with a panicked look.

“That is the point. He will also know it is untrue and how to handle it. Always go to the source if it is available.”

“But Charles.”

He held up his finger. “This concerns him, and it is with him that I shall speak.” Without waiting for a reply, he turned on his heel and exited the room.

Caroline wanted to scream but looked around the room for something to throw. Seeing a decanter on a nearby cart, she grabbed it. Before she was about to heave it into the fireplace, some reasoning returned to her. Grabbing a glass, she poured herself a generous portion, curious about the taste.

Bingley knew where to find his friend, and as he made his way to the library, he began to consider the rumor he had at first dismissed out of hand. Darcy had spent more time with Miss Elizabeth at various dinners and parties. More than he had ever seen him do with any woman. Darcy came to him with Miss Elizabeth in tow to ask his permission for her to stay. In her time at Netherfield, they had spent time together, some of it alone. He was sure this was enough to convince a maid with a dull life of drudgery to make up this fanciful tale.