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

but saw neither breeding nor sense.
    Rosemary set aside her teacup and crossed her hands in her lap. "It is true, Mrs. Newton. I am nothing more than your daughter's companion and ought not offer my opinions so openly." She met Caroline's eyes and added, "Accurate though they may be."
    "But--" Mrs. Newton said, apparently on the verge of pursuing this line of conversation. Caroline was uninterested.
    "But is there truth to these rumors?" Caroline demanded of her mother instead.
    Both women looked abruptly at her.
    "About Mr. Charlton. Has he been proven unworthy?"
    "That I cannot say for certain," Mrs. Newton said slowly and then smiled. "I am pleased, however, to find that your time in London has not persuaded you to accept such behavior."
    Caroline winced a bit. She wished to blend thoroughly with London society and accept the behavior they found suitable, but she could not deny her innate abhorrence for the practice of keeping mistresses or conducting affairs, accepted though they may be. She, who prided herself on being erudite and sophisticated, had never been able to shed her country upbringing so wholly as to approve of such affairs between gentlemen and women who were not their wives. But if that is what polite society demanded of her, then she would strive to alter her judgment.
    Rather than opining on her own conflicting views of fornication, she chose to focus on the opinions of another. "Lord Charlton must be displeased, for the barony has always maintained the highest of reputations."
    Mrs. Newton nodded. "Indeed, Lord Charlton must be quite concerned, for he has arranged for Lavinia to see to her brother's well-being. Lord Charlton has already departed for Town, I believe, though Parliament will not open until March. Lavinia runs the household now."
    "I wonder that Lavinia's husband could spare her," Caroline said, setting aside her plate and focusing only on the conversation at hand.
    "From what I hear, it is fortunate for the entire Charlton household that he could." Her mother paused a moment to sip her tea and continued, "Her six months of mourning for her brother have just ended, and certainly, she will call on you as soon as she hears you have come."
    "I do not doubt that she will call, for Lavinia and I were fast friends at the seminary," Caroline said with more confidence than she felt.
    Then she stood for no other reason than to expel some of the nervous energy that now coursed through her. She crossed to the buffet but did not look at its contents. Her mind was already at Oak Park, for within its walls lay her opportunity.
    An association with Lavinia Winton could very much ease the damage of having been excluded from Charles and Mr. Darcy's company. To be connected with the family of a baron, though less wealthy than Mr. Darcy, would be a coup indeed!
    Yes, Lavinia must come!
    Caroline attempted to modulate her tone, which she knew must hold more than a hint of excitement. "Have you already shared the news of my return with Kendal society, Mama?"
    Mrs. Newton nodded. "Why, yes, indeed I did, for I could hardly conceal my anticipation from my acquaintances, could I?"
    Caroline smiled, pleased that her mother's easy manners for once had benefitted her. Word of her arrival would soon spread, and surely Lavinia would do her duty and call on her old friend.
    She stood for a time at the buffet and imagined Charles's surprise at the turn in her circumstances. He would expect to find her contrite after her banishment, but she would greet him from a higher vantage point.
    Her heart seized a bit with regret at the course of her thoughts. She did not relish the idea of Charles as her enemy and had no wish to consider their relationship as a struggle for power. She simply longed to be with him, to have his companionship once again. She wished he had never sent her away, but he had.
    He had forced this disjointedness to enter their relationship, and she must deal with it as she saw fit, and she did not see fit to