Caroline Bingley: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (18 page)

"How odd," Rosemary said again. She had been standing silently next to Caroline at the window. "How very odd."

"You repeat yourself," Caroline replied without looking at her. "Why?"

Rosemary had been holding back one of the drapes to improve her view of the gentleman's departure, and she let it slip through her fingers. The fabric swayed in front of Caroline, briefly blocking her view of the drive.

"Do you not find it strange, Miss Bingley, that only this morning you went to Oak Park to solicit Mrs. Winton's aid in winning Mr. Charlton, and now they cannot leave Kendal quickly enough?"

Caroline's face jerked toward her companion's. "You were eavesdropping on our conversation, were you?" she demanded.

Caroline's sharp tone did not appear to unnerve Rosemary, who only said quietly, "You were speaking loudly enough to be heard in Bath."

Caroline could not deny that their conversation had grown in volume as it continued, but she had greatly hoped Rosemary had not overheard. She looked out the window and let the implications of her companion's words wash over her. Caroline's plan was no longer secret. Lavinia knew her desires, as did this woman, her paid companion.

"I am not your enemy, Miss Bingley," Rosemary said, as if she read her thoughts. "But I fear Mrs. Winton is."

Slowly, Caroline turned to look again at Rosemary. Her thoughts seemed to move so quickly that they blurred within her head.

What was this woman implying?

Lavinia was her friend, her dearest acquaintance.

"You mean...?" Caroline began, but she could not allow herself to name her fear.

"That Mrs. Winton objects to the idea of your marrying Mr. Charlton? Yes," Rosemary finished. "I am sorry to say it so plainly, but I fear it is so."

Caroline walked from the window and fell into a chair. She stared at the lace trim on her sleeve, willing the pattern to assemble itself into some sort of comprehensible structure, for like her thoughts, it blurred before her eyes.

No, it could not be possible.

Could it? Could Lavinia object to her marriage to Mr. Charlton?

No, it was a ridiculous thought indeed. They were friends, and Caroline said as much to Rosemary.

"Are you certain?" Rosemary asked in a gentle voice as she sat in a chair beside her mistress.

"Yes, I am certain," she said, though questions raced through her mind.

She did not relish being forced to doubt her situation.

"I speak only as a friend, Miss Bingley. I do not want to see you injured."

Caroline suddenly felt an emotion: anger. It coursed from her feet, through her body, to her face, and she could not contain herself as she spat, "You? A friend? No, you are a servant. Lavinia is my friend, my dearest friend, and she would never treat me in such a fashion."

What Caroline did not add was that she would never allow herself to be treated as she herself had treated Miss Jane Bennet. She would never play the role of innocent victim, to have her object removed from her. No, she would never permit herself to be so fooled.

Rosemary remained silent and composed as Caroline fumed and then began to pace the room, but the older woman's calm did nothing to soothe the younger, for her ire only rose, leaving her capable of speaking only in short sentences. "You have no grounds for such statements. Your observations are flawed, and you have misunderstood everyone! You are a mere servant in this household. You are no lady of status, even if every person here pretends you to be otherwise. You are certainly not my friend."

"Indeed, I am a servant, as you have twice reminded me," Rosemary affirmed with such irritating rationality that Caroline was tempted to shout at her. "I have contracted myself to your brother's employ, not yours, and I have promised to see to your care. As such, I shall have no compunction at proving Mrs. Winton's guilt to you."

"Ha! She is guilty of nothing," Caroline protested.

"As you have said, Miss Bingley," Rosemary said, "but mark me: after this is over, you will see Mrs. Winton for what she is, and you will realize that a mere servant is the best friend you could ever hope to have."

Caroline snorted and paced the room with added animation as she began to formulate a plan. "We shall see, Mrs. Pickersgill, who is my friend and who is not, for I shall devise a method for getting us to London and back into Mr. Charlton's company. Then," she said as she whirled on her companion, "we will know who is right!"

Fourteen

As it turns out, the formulation of a plan was ever so much easier than actually seeing it to completion.

Desperate as she was, Caroline could not bring herself to disappoint her mother by simply declaring her intentions to leave Kendal. No, she must engineer a method for departing for London without injuring Mrs. Newton, and that would be a difficult task indeed.

First, Caroline contemplated proposing a family voyage to Town under the pretense of enjoying the gaiety of the season, but she immediately discounted that as a possibility. Mrs. Newton despised travel and would not be induced to leave Kendal for something as superficial as balls and society. Why, she could not even be convinced to attend her son's wedding in Hertfordshire, so it was rather a useless attempt to woo her mother with tales of far-flung locales.

Second, Caroline considered the prospect of utter fibs. She could claim that Rosemary had received word from her relations that her presence was required in Town immediately and that she would accompany her companion to provide support during a difficult time. Upon reflection, Caroline realized that no one would believe such a tale. It was preposterous. No one would believe that Rosemary was important enough to be needed in Town or that Caroline would accompany a servant anywhere of her own will.

Third, and oh so very briefly, Caroline mulled over the idea of claiming desperation to see her brother. Instead of taking up residence again with Charles, which he would not accept until she made proper amends, she might stay in a reputable inn until Mr. Charlton's proposal could be secured. This, however, would not do either, for Charles would never allow it. One letter from Mama and Charles would ferret out Caroline, drag her back to Kendal, and reveal her misdeeds to her mother.

That would not do at all.

Caroline quite despaired of ever contriving a reason for following Mr. Charlton to Town, and she spent her days moping about Newton House under the watchful eye of Rosemary, who must suspect that Caroline had not lost her drive to chase Mr. Charlton and might do something rash if she were not careful.

A fortnight passed before opportunity found Caroline, and this sudden chance derived from the most unlikely avenue: Mr. Newton himself.

One morning at breakfast, he declared, "I fear, my dear Mrs. Newton, that it is time for Mr. Rushton and I to be away to London to see to the commencement of the Fairmont Bridge's construction."

Mrs. Newton immediately dropped the piece of toast onto which she had been applying a liberal amount of preserves and said, "Oh no! Already? It seems as though you just returned from your last journey."

Caroline too dropped her toast, but for an altogether different reason. She picked it up quickly and dipped her spoon in the preserves as she looked around to see if anyone had noticed her slip.

Curse it, they had!

Mr. Rushton and Rosemary were watching her much too closely.

Caroline met their eyes steadily, one at a time, as she listened to her mother try to talk Mr. Newton into remaining at home just a while longer.

"I fear, my dear," Mr. Newton replied, "that we must go to London, and we must leave before the month is out, for I have had it in a letter that construction is soon to begin, and you know that I cannot bear to sit alongside while other men have the fun of working with stone and mortar."

While Caroline managed to restrain her snort of derision, Mrs. Newton picked up her toast once again, but rather than spreading condiments upon it or consuming it, she began using it as a conversational aid. She pointed the toast at Mr. Rushton and asked, "And you must be away too?"

"I fear I must, madam, though I am grateful for your hospitality. I quite agree with Mr. Newton that a designer must be present for the production of that which he has created."

"But our household will be lost without you!" she cried, flinging the toast about as she gestured.

Mr. Newton reached across the table and rescued the crumbling bread. "My dear," he said as he patted her hand in consolation, "you are most welcome to accompany me, for it would make my time in London so much pleasanter." He looked at the whole company who sat around the table, and his sideburns widened as he smiled. "You are all most welcome to join us. We would, of course, not impose upon Mr. Rushton as I often do while in Town. We could take some rooms at a hotel or perhaps lease our own home for a time."

Mrs. Newton's face fell, and Caroline knew what was forthcoming. Her mother despised travel and would not leave Kendal without great inducement.

"But it seems as if Caroline has only just arrived," Mrs. Newton said. "I could not possibly leave her or demand that she embark on another voyage so soon."

Caroline used great restraint as she said, "I would not object to a trip to Town, Mama. You know I adore it so, and I could show you all its glories."

"You would undertake another coach ride so soon?" Mrs. Newton asked.

"Yes, indeed, Mama." Mrs. Newton appeared skeptical, so Caroline added, "As much as I despise bumping along in a coach, I have always found that the discomfort is quickly forgotten once the destination is reached."

"Does my daughter speak true, Mr. Rushton?" Mrs. Newton asked.

"She is mostly accurate," he conceded, "but there is no need to pass an uncomfortable journey. We may take just as much time as you please and view the sights as we go."

Mrs. Newton turned to her husband. "Is that so, my dear?"

"Why of course, Mrs. Newton. Why do you think so many people undertake such monstrous trips? It is enjoyable and quite a delight to see new places and meet new people."

Mrs. Newton began to look pensive, and Caroline was heartened, for a conversation of travel rarely reached this point with her.

Caroline added, "Besides, the occupants of Oak Park have been in London these two weeks, so our arrival would be more like a homecoming than a trip to a strange land. We would be reunited with friends."

Caroline glanced at Rosemary as she spoke the word "friends." Rosemary rolled her eyes but added, "For my part, I shall do as I am willed, but I must say that I have no objections to such a journey."

Caroline stared. No objections? Rosemary claimed to want to protect Caroline from Lavinia, but now she had no objections to going to Town, where they would again be in Lavina's sphere? What new game was this?

"Well," Mrs. Newton said, drawing out the word, "I suppose it is rather illogical for me to confine myself always to Kendal."

Her mother's voice sounded quite uncertain, so Caroline said, "Oh yes, Mama. You must travel or else you shall miss so much of the world."

Mr. Rushton cleared his throat. "But only if you are willing, Mrs. Newton."

"Yes, indeed," Mr. Newton added. "We shall see to your utmost comfort, shall we not?" He glanced around the table to see the affirmation in everyone's eyes.

"You already know my preference for a journey of moderate pace. It is easier on the horses," Mr. Rushton said.

Caroline scarcely stopped herself from rolling her eyes at him. Who gave a fig about horses? But she would say nothing to damage the look of acquiescence in her mother's eyes.

"We shall travel quite at our leisure," Mr. Newton said as he rounded the table and knelt before his wife. He took her hand in his and gave her a pleading look. "We shall see all the best views and rest only in the most comfortable inns."

Here, Mr. Rushton interjected, "And you are cordially invited to stay at my home while in London. I would not have you at a hotel when you can rest more comfortably with me."

Mr. Newton nodded his thanks and then returned his attention to his wife. From his position on the floor, he looked up, eyes imploring, and said, "Allow me to show you the world, my dear."

"Well," Mrs. Newton said again with a look around the table. The hopeful expressions of all gathered there must have solidified her tenuous decision, for she said, "I shall be very pleased to see the world if you will all be with me!"

And so Caroline got her wish. She was going to London.

• • •

Another fortnight passed before Mrs. Newton had managed to pack her necessities, and this only occurred under Caroline's constant reminder that the journey was indeed a splendid idea. After practicing continual persuasion for so many days, Caroline was quite shocked when at dawn on the day of their planned departure, it was Mrs. Newton who arrived first at the coach.

"Oh, I am so pleased that you have talked me into this voyage," she cried as the groggy travelers filed within: Mr. and Mrs. Newton on one bench and Rosemary and Caroline on the other. Mr. Rushton was astride his grey mare.

"I thought I would feel uneasy at the start of our trip," Mrs. Newton continued, "but I find myself ever so eager to be off now that the decision has been made!"

Caroline smiled at her mother, adjusting her position on the bench as the coach lurched to a start. "I too am pleased, Mama. Our journey will be full of beauty, and the weather will only warm as we head south."

"I cannot wait to feel the sun on my skin." Mrs. Newton grinned. "I am now most pleased to be traveling to London, for I have written to your brother to meet us there if he possibly can."

Caroline forced a smile. "Oh?" she asked. "I did not know you had contacted Charles. Has he responded?" She glanced quickly at Rosemary, who also appeared curious, and then looked deliberately out the coach window as her mother spoke so that no one might see her reaction.

"No, but I told him where we were to stay, and I am certain the letter will find him in his travels and he will come to see his mother."

Caroline nearly sighed in relief. The letter might take weeks to reach Charles, and then, it might take yet more weeks for him to travel to London. By then, Caroline would most certainly have won Mr. Charlton, for he seemed almost near to proposing on at least one occasion already, and now she had Lavinia's aid, despite Rosemary's contrary opinion.

Outside the coach, the sun slowly melted the dew from the grass, and Mr. Rushton rode beside them, looking very much pleased with himself. Caroline scowled as he tipped his hat to her in greeting.

"Why does he insist on riding horseback when there is a perfectly good coach?" Caroline asked.

Mr. Newton laughed. "He is a young fellow and ever in want of exercise and sun. He will join us inside only in the event of foul weather."

Under her breath, Caroline added, "Then I shall hope the sun remains for the duration of our trip."

• • •

This hope, of course, proved fruitless, for after nearly a week of blessedly dry weather, the Newtons' coach encountered precipitation: a soft spring rain accompanied by a moderation of temperature.

The rain began after their noontime stop for victuals and fresh horses, and Mrs. Newton become quite anxious for Mr. Rushton's health. She leaned out the carriage window and waved at him as he rode alongside.

"Mr. Rushton!" she called. "Do join us in the coach, for I fear you shall catch your death of cold out there in all that moisture."

Caroline watched as Mr. Rushton turned to respond. Though the rain appeared to be but a mist, he seemed quite damp indeed. His coat adhered closely to his upper body, revealing his outline in alarming detail. Caroline forced herself to look away from his broad chest and instead followed the line of his body to his head, discovering that even his hair was flattened to his forehead, and his hat appeared limp.

Mr. Rushton's face glistened with rainwater, but his eyes danced brightly.

"There is no need for fear, Mrs. Newton," he insisted. "I am quite well."

Mrs. Newton leaned back in the coach to appeal to Mr. Newton. "Do make him come inside! That rain is cold, and I would much rather have him snuggled inside with us."