Caroline Bingley: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Becton Read Free Book Online Page A

have heard." Mrs. Newton set her cup and saucer on the side table and reached for Caroline's arm and gave it a soft pat. "Her brother Harold has died."
    At first, Caroline could only look at her mother to seek further confirmation, and then her mind began to process the information. "This is shocking news indeed," she said. A death in the family must certainly warrant a word or two from her friend on the subject. "Lavinia said nothing of this tragedy either."
    "I am grieved to hear of the loss," Rosemary offered politely with a glance at Caroline, seemingly to gauge her reaction. "Was he a close acquaintance of your family?"
    "How kind of you to offer condolences, my dear," Mrs. Newton said, "but our families were only a little acquainted, mostly due to Caroline's friendship with Lavinia. Mr. Harold Charlton was the eldest son and heir to the barony, so we associated little with him, but occasionally we were invited to Oak Park. Customs of rank are not so strictly adhered to in the country, you know."
    "How did he die?" Caroline asked.
    "Consumption," Mrs. Newton said with a shake of her head. "It happened last summer."
    Caroline could not stifle her curiosity and asked, "Was he married? Did he leave an heir?"
    "No, unfortunately, Mr. Charlton never married, and that leaves William to inherit the title."
    "Oh, that is an interesting development." Caroline's eyebrows raised at the thought of William Charlton, the younger son, holding the barony. She recalled him as a pleasant but indulged young man. Beyond that, as a younger son, he was often forgotten, even by his own relations. "I admit I cannot imagine William Charlton sitting in Parliament. How has he taken to being trained for the title and its resulting duties?"
    "Not well, I fear. I expect he planned to retain his carefree ways." Mrs. Newton leaned forward and whispered, "Mrs. Halstead told me in the strictest confidence of a conversation she had lately with Lord Charlton on this very subject. Young Mr. Charlton, it seems, has shown the greatest reluctance to rise to the peerage and run the estate."
    "I cannot imagine any rational gentleman being so disinclined to ascend in society." Caroline shook her head. "I confess that I do not comprehend it."
    Rosemary surprised Caroline by responding, "I have found, Miss Bingley, that not all people are so inclined to grasp for rank, though some will do anything to attain it."
    "How very..."--Caroline considered her words again--"obvious a statement to make."
    Mrs. Newton took a sip of tea and then resumed her conspiratorial posture. "You know, my dear, that I do not care to indulge in idle gossip, and I pride myself on only sharing news of a factual, verified nature. But," she said with a swirl of her teaspoon, "I must tell you that Mr. Charlton has developed an infamous reputation since you have been away, and unlike the gossip surrounding Mr. Rushton, I find I must believe it, for he has been linked quite reliably with a servant in his household."
    Caroline leaned back to consider her mother's news. "I do recall," she said, "that as a child Mr. Charlton was fond of creating mischief, but to dally with a maid so openly? That is something one often sees in London, but in the country, it seems likely to be nothing more than tittle-tattle."
    "You must take into account his circumstances. He is a member of the titled class and a younger son after all. If his reputation is based on truth, it should not surprise you," Mrs. Newton said with a glance at Rosemary. "Is that not so, Mrs. Pickersgill? Are not many of the titled classes, wherever their domicile, engaged in such behavior?"
    "It is quite often so, I have found, Mrs. Newton."
    Caroline shook her head at Rosemary's response. What did the opinion of a servant matter? "Come, Mrs. Pickersgill is hardly qualified to offer any wisdom on this subject."
    "Caro! One must only glance at Mrs. Pickersgill to see that she is a woman of breeding and good sense."
    Caroline glanced at Rosemary