William stood to look around the drawing room. There were several tables with trinkets spread out all over them and every surface had some type of shiny object on them. He lifted a few to look at them and commented, “I do not understand the point of these items here. They are all gold-plated or crystals and look expensive but why so many? Why everywhere?”
Richard chuckled as he replied, “Because it shows off wealth and opulence. It is common practice amongst the newly minted class, where they feel they must exhibit their fortune with as many objects as possible and flaunt what they lack in taste by sheer number. I have seen homes with objects like this but of course, this is more than the usual. Not surprising since this is Caroline Bingley, after all.” He laughed.
William smiled, “I only just noticed your coat, Richard. It looks very similar to the one that I wore the other day, with the same black striping on green. What good taste you have!” He laughed to see his cousin grin broadly. “Oh, bloody hell!” William cursed, as he turned around and his hand knocked over a golden bowl, with dozens of shiny orbs inside which landed on the floor.
Richard stood up to look behind the couch where William was crouched on the ground on all fours to pick up the globes to replace it back into the bowl, when the door burst opened widely and Caroline Bingley ran into the room. She rushed to embrace Richard from behind, having mistaken him for William because of the nearly identical coat.
“Oh, my dear sir,” Caroline cried out, “I am so glad you have come. You are here to save me again when I am in desperate need. Please, I know you have found me attractive and you cannot be serious about marrying that hoyden of a girl and you must choose me! I am beautiful and perfect to be your wife, and I have £20,000 that you can use as you wish and you will have everything at your fingertips.”
William jumped up from the floor with his eyes broad and mouth agape in shock. He could see Richard holding in his amusement and grinning while the woman’s hands were wrapped around the waist. He nodded his consent for his heroic cousin to do his worst.
Richard smirked before tenderly rubbing Caroline Bingley’s hands on his abdomen. “Oh, but the wedding is in ten days, madam, and my betrothed already comes with £20,000. I do not know where you have heard that she is a hoyden, but she will be the perfect mistress at Rosings Park.” He turned to face her, embracing her and wrapping his arms around her shoulders. “But since you did attempt to compromise me, I am certain arrangements can be made... to have you shipped off to a faraway place to bury your head in shame.”
Caroline gasped and quickly pulled her body away from the man whose voice did not belong to Fitzwilliam Darcy. She nearly fainted when she saw William standing behind the couch and the man that she had been holding had been Mr. Fitzwilliam instead.
“I... I... it was all innocent...” She stammered, “I did not mean...”
“You attempted to compromise Mr. Fitzwilliam now?!” Charles Bingley shrieked from the door, as he had seen his sister’s arms around the gentleman and stepping back from the former colonel. “Have you learned nothing from your last disgrace with Darcy?!”
Caroline paled and replied, “But I was not trying to compromise Mr. Fitzwilliam! I was trying to...”
“Compromise me again.” William declared, with disdain on his face. He took a deep breath and calmly stated, “Miss Bingley, you do not seem to understand that I choose that hoyden because she is the most wonderful woman I know. You seem to believe that your dowry is your greatest asset but I will tell you, once and for all, that Elizabeth Bennet has more worth than you will ever see in your lifetime and is a priceless treasure. She is better than a hundred of you and you will never compare to my betrothed.” He turned to Bingley, “Let us go over your father’s will. I am curious what he indicated for your sister’s future, especially when she is throwing herself at two unwilling participants. At least we are friends of yours that we will not make this a public disgrace.”
Caroline paled and attempted to run from the room again but her brother grabbed her arm to stop her. “I will make the choices that father would have made for you and you will suffer, Caroline. Father passed only hours ago and yet you are already ruining our family name. I hope to marry you off to the first tradesman that comes along.” He released her and she ran off in tears.
The three gentlemen sat down to look over the will and made the decisions that would serve best for Caroline Bingley. Charles Bingley was pleased to see that his father had been diligent with his holdings and promised to invest a percentage of it with Gardiner Enterprises. He shared that he would be proposing to Jane Bennet as soon as he turned one and twenty and that he was determined to marry her, even though he knew he was very young.
William and Richard returned to Netherfield after seeing that Mr. Bingley’s funeral arrangements were made by Lady Anne, Mrs. Bennet, and Lady Lucas, and the gentlemen were most eager to share with their betrothed of the incident with Caroline Bingley and her foolishness.
Chapter 19
Funeral arrangements for Mr. Bingley were as smooth as expected with the leading matrons taking charge.
Lizzy stayed away from Purvis Lodge, not only to avoid becoming angry with Caroline Bingley but also to give that woman a chance to grieve for her father’s death and for Louisa and Charles to take measures to discipline their shrewish sister.
After Mr. Bingley was laid to rest, Caroline Bingley was carted off to a
