“Oh, this is my normal wear, Mr. Darcy.” Caroline Bingley blushed. “I am surprised you even noticed this old dress.”
William was puzzled to her statement, as she was dressed as if to visit royalty. He thought perhaps she was attempting to flatter him and smiled. “You look very well, Miss Bingley. I understand you are a good friend to Miss Grantley. I have recently met her parents and they are a very pleasant couple.”
Caroline’s jealousy quickly erupted, knowing that Eleanor Grantley had beauty and a large dowry like herself, but that her friend was the daughter of a gentleman and had connections to families of the first circles. “She is a dear friend, but it is rather unfortunate that her family had suffered a disgrace. I have heard rumours about her elder sister who...”
“Mr. Darcy!” Mr. Bingley the elder walked in through the door. “How wonderful to see you again. I had the most pleasant meeting with your father this morning and I have decided to take a short trip to Kent after Caroline’s ball tomorrow. Has Charles told you about it?” He smiled at his son.
“No, father,” Charles replied. “Caroline was speaking of the ball and Miss Grantley and I did not have a chance yet.” He turned to his friend. “We are to see Rosings Park and father has promised to allow me to drive the carriage once we are in the country. Is that not exciting?!”
William chuckled to see his young friend in high spirits. “It is very exciting, Charles. And father told me that he has invited all of you for dinner tonight. As Charles is to be included, our houseguests will also join us. We have several children in the house and all are girls, ranging from seven to fifteen.” He smiled. “They are like sisters to me and I know you enjoyed meeting Georgiana so it shall be quite pleasant.” He looked at Charles who was beaming in agreement and missed Caroline’s crinkled face.
Caroline quickly put on a smile, “I shall be delighted to meet them all. The fifteen-year-old girl, she is not yet out? I have heard mothers are eager to put their young daughters out in society at an early age, to give them a chance to capture a husband quickly. At least those from the countryside, I have been told.”
William was curious to her statement but answered truthfully, “Jane is not out but she is very graceful and pretty sort of a girl. She is often mistaken for being older than she appears but she still dresses appropriately for her age. My mother has taken a personal interest during this trip into town to change her mode of dress a little but she is a very genteel young lady. She has a younger sister...”
Caroline interrupted, “Not out yet, either, sir?”
“No,” William smiled, “Lizzy is not out yet and is likely to nev...” He stopped himself. “She is not out, Miss Bingley. She is a wonderful girl and will turn thirteen in two days.”
Caroline visibly relaxed with the information. “I am looking very much forward to meeting them.” She stood up to serve more tea for the gentlemen.
“Why are you limping again, child? I thought you were all better!” Her father noted. “We cannot have you strain yourself since you might not be able to dance tomorrow evening. Shall I excuse you from dinner tonight?”
“NO!” Caroline exclaimed then softened her voice. “It is all better, father.” She looked sheepishly at William. “Mr. Darcy had inquired of it and although it bothers me a little right now, I shall be fully mended by this evening.” She sat down again. “I will rest as much as possible for the remainder of the day.”
Caroline was relieved from the attention on herself when her sister walked in. “Mr. Darcy, this is my sister Louisa. Louisa,” she winked discreetly, “this is Mr. Darcy of Pemberley.”
Louisa Bingley curtseyed and sat next to her sister. After a quarter hour of his call, William stood to take his leave. “I shall see you all tonight at my home. I look forward to a pleasant evening with excellent conversations.”
He bowed and departed with a broad smile.
“I will see to some businesses in my study, girls. Charles, join me so you can see some of the ledgers that I look after. It will be your responsibility someday. Caroline, go and rest your ankle. If it is still bothering you this evening, I will make your excuses and the Darcys will understand. We must have you fully well by tomorrow’s ball.”
Mr. Bingley and Charles departed and Louisa asked, “Your ankle? What is wrong with your ankle now? You said you did not get hurt and you were pretending for Mr. Darcy’s attention.”
“It is fine, Louisa!” Caroline replied. “Mr. Darcy had asked about it and because I made a big deal of it when I was at Darcy House, he thought I was still helpless and I wanted to have an excuse to lean on his arm again. I shall have a miraculous recovery by tomorrow. I might pretend it still bothers me tonight so I can have his sympathy and a reason to be on his arm. It sounds as if there is one girl of marriageable age at Darcy House and I intend to make sure his eyes are on me the entire evening. Eleanor Grantley might be after him also but Mr. Darcy will be mine. I cannot imagine a more handsome or wealthier a man to court me and fall madly in love with me.”
Louisa cackled next to her sister, “He is very handsome. If I were not an engaged woman, I would be chasing him with you, Caroline. I cannot complain about Mr. Hurst, though. He pays a lot of attention to me and gifts me lovely jewellery. Take a look at what he gave me today.” She flashed her new
