Page 24 of Miss Bingley’s Return

“Lizzy,” said Aunt Gardiner, her tone chiding, “Jane is not a child, and she knows that something is not as Miss Bingley wishes. Do not suppose that Jane cannot endure this news—we know nothing of what it means, after all.”

“I suppose you are correct,” said Elizabeth, though not pleased at all with the situation.

To Elizabeth’s distinct lack of surprise, her sister refused to offer any interpretation of what they had seen.

“As you said yourself, Lizzy,” said she, “you know nothing of this woman other than what you have seen.”

“That is true, Jane,” replied Elizabeth. “Yet it is suggestive, is it not? Mr. Bingley is not what he was at Netherfield, and perhaps now we are learning why that is so.”

“Perhaps we are,” said Jane. “Yet I believe we need more than this before we can draw any conclusions.”

“With that, we are in agreement,” said Elizabeth. “Do you mean to ask Mr. Bingley about it?”

Jane thought on it for a moment, then she shook her head. “No, I do not think it is the time yet. Should the occasion present itself, I may ask him, but I shall not do so unless there is an obvious opportunity.”

“Very well.”

Though Elizabeth knew that Jane’s stance was sensible, she could not help but suppose they were starting to receive some answers. Where those answers led was as yet uncertain, but seeing Mr. Bingley that day had clarified matters, if only a little.

Louisa Hurst was not blind. Though her sister often looked on her as the quiet sister, the follower, nothing she did escaped Louisa’s notice. It was a benefit—or curse, depending on how one looked at it—of being in Caroline’s confidence.

The fact was that Louisa agreed with Caroline in a broad sense. Though she had professed close friendship for Jane in Hertfordshire, Louisa knew Caroline had not been entirely truthful, though she thought her sister did have some affection for the eldest Bennet. Jane Bennet was a gentle, worthy sort of girl, but she could not do much for the Bingley family in society.

Louisa’s personal feelings for her were more complicated. While she esteemed Miss Bennet in a general sense, her feelings of friendship were rudimentary at best. It would be much better if Charles found some heiress and married her—Miss Darcy would have been perfect had Mr. Darcy not stepped in and made it clear that his sister would not be part of their dynastic ambitions.

In the current situation, Louisa agreed in a broad sense that it was better for Charles to marry Miss Bennet than the alternative. That was not at issue. What was at issue was Caroline’s predilection for dictating and expecting everyone else to fall in with her designs. Louisa did not want Charles marrying someone unsuitable, but at the same time he was an adult and could choose for himself.

“You know your sister’s machinations are doomed to failure.”

It was not a question, and Louisa did not treat it as such. Though Caroline often dismissed Gerald Hurst as a drunkard or a buffoon, Louisa knew there was little that escaped her husband’s notice.

“Bingley is not forceful, but he is not in the habit of acting against his conscience,” rumbled Gerald. “When it does not matter, he does not object, but when it means something to him, I cannot recall a single instance where he has allowed Caroline to have her way. He has always tended to return to what suits him best, regardless of what anyone else says.”

For several moments, Louisa considered this, then she sighed. “Then there is no hope?”

“Come now, Louisa, it is not that bad. He will do nothing to shame you.”

“Shame is not what I fear.”

“And that is the problem,” said Gerald. “You fear when you should be happy for your brother if he finds contentment. He has no ambitions where society is concerned—not like Caroline and, to a lesser extent, you.”

“That much appears to be incontrovertible,” muttered Louisa.

Gerald gave her a long look. “Unless I am mistaken, you have little more patience for your sister’s excesses in this matter than your brother.”

“You are not mistaken,” replied Louisa, though she did not wish to confess it. “Miss Bennet would be a poor choice for Charles, though better than the alternative. But trying to direct Charles against his obvious wishes does not sit right.”

“Then withdraw, allow Bingley to do what he wishes.”

Louisa sighed. “Perhaps you have not noticed, but I have not given Caroline my support.”

“She assumes it, nonetheless.”

“Aye, that she does,” agreed Louisa.

“I cannot think you need do anything. Let your brother decide for himself. If he yields to Caroline’s influence, he will reap what he sows, though I do not suppose he will be unhappy with a woman like Miss Bennet for a wife. If he does not . . .”

“Then he will go his own way,” said Louisa for him.