Caroline Bingley: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Read Online Free
Author: Jennifer Becton
will always be...." He hesitated again. "You will always be the person cast aside."
Caroline sucked in a breath at the harshness of her brother's tone. He could not mean it. He simply could not cast her aside. But as she pondered his words, she realized their truth.
Jane and Elizabeth Bennet were close, and they would often keep company together.
Jane, of course, was easily swayed, and Caroline had thought to turn this to her advantage, but Jane was more influenced by her sister, and that had to be taken into consideration. If Elizabeth never accepted Caroline, then neither would Jane.
And if Jane never accepted Caroline, then Charles would not be free to make her a member of his household once again.
Mr. Darcy, of course, would not invite her to Pemberley if Elizabeth were against her.
And this was intolerable, for an invitation to Pemberley and social intercourse with her brother and the Darcy family were crucial to her status in society.
Alas, Miss Elizabeth Bennet was the key to Caroline's return to society.
Caroline studied Charles. What was to be said that might alter the course of his discussion? Could anything accomplish such a task? It was easy for Caroline--for anyone really--to believe that her agreeably inclined brother might be managed in every circumstance, but it was simply not true.
Why, she only had to recall his treatment of her when every Bennet in Hertfordshire had arrived at Netherfield to check on Miss Jane Bennet, who had remained there to nurse her little cold. Yes, his countenance had clearly told her that she had better remain polite. The expression on her brother's face then--when he required Caroline to be civil to the girls' dimwitted mother--bore a great resemblance to the one he currently wore.
Only now, his expression was even more resolute. This was the result of his romance with Miss Jane Bennet.
He had allowed his family and friends to influence him more than his own heart, and he had suffered greatly. Realizing the error he had committed in being overly agreeable, he had clearly become determined that he should never again let anyone influence him.
He was exercising that decision as he handed down judgment on Caroline.
But Caroline was in no mood to accept his decision so easily. "My letter was kindly meant, even if you believe it to have been so poorly written. I do hope you can find it within your heart to offer me your forgiveness."
At this, he turned away, leaving Caroline to look at the hands clasped resolutely behind his back and to face the following words: "I forgive you, for you are my sister, and I cannot believe that you would purposely attempt to ruin my future happiness."
Hoping he had softened toward her, Caroline stood and placed a hand on his shoulder. "No indeed, brother. I only wanted to save you from an unequal marriage."
He turned his head so that he could meet her eyes fully. His expression held a sincerity that surprised Caroline as he said, "But a marriage is not unequal where there is an equality of love."
Caroline could not conceal her disdain. "Can you name any unequal marriages that did not end in misery for one or the other?"
"Those were marriages of unequal minds."
"Unequal fortunes must have the same effect," Caroline reasoned, "for does not money provide the opportunity for the improvement of the mind? I can hardly believe that Miss Bennet is your equal if she spent her youth without the benefit of a governess. Why, she can probably barely embroider a cushion, much less play the pianoforte!"
A muscle worked in Charles's jaw, and Caroline feared an outburst of anger, but then he sighed. "And this is precisely why I must take bold action. You refuse to see the truth before you. I love Miss Bennet, no matter how much money she has, who her relations may be, or how talented she is with needle and thread. She will be my wife, and I am unwilling to begin my marriage by inviting one who harbors such unrepentant disapproval to share our home. I
Caroline sucked in a breath at the harshness of her brother's tone. He could not mean it. He simply could not cast her aside. But as she pondered his words, she realized their truth.
Jane and Elizabeth Bennet were close, and they would often keep company together.
Jane, of course, was easily swayed, and Caroline had thought to turn this to her advantage, but Jane was more influenced by her sister, and that had to be taken into consideration. If Elizabeth never accepted Caroline, then neither would Jane.
And if Jane never accepted Caroline, then Charles would not be free to make her a member of his household once again.
Mr. Darcy, of course, would not invite her to Pemberley if Elizabeth were against her.
And this was intolerable, for an invitation to Pemberley and social intercourse with her brother and the Darcy family were crucial to her status in society.
Alas, Miss Elizabeth Bennet was the key to Caroline's return to society.
Caroline studied Charles. What was to be said that might alter the course of his discussion? Could anything accomplish such a task? It was easy for Caroline--for anyone really--to believe that her agreeably inclined brother might be managed in every circumstance, but it was simply not true.
Why, she only had to recall his treatment of her when every Bennet in Hertfordshire had arrived at Netherfield to check on Miss Jane Bennet, who had remained there to nurse her little cold. Yes, his countenance had clearly told her that she had better remain polite. The expression on her brother's face then--when he required Caroline to be civil to the girls' dimwitted mother--bore a great resemblance to the one he currently wore.
Only now, his expression was even more resolute. This was the result of his romance with Miss Jane Bennet.
He had allowed his family and friends to influence him more than his own heart, and he had suffered greatly. Realizing the error he had committed in being overly agreeable, he had clearly become determined that he should never again let anyone influence him.
He was exercising that decision as he handed down judgment on Caroline.
But Caroline was in no mood to accept his decision so easily. "My letter was kindly meant, even if you believe it to have been so poorly written. I do hope you can find it within your heart to offer me your forgiveness."
At this, he turned away, leaving Caroline to look at the hands clasped resolutely behind his back and to face the following words: "I forgive you, for you are my sister, and I cannot believe that you would purposely attempt to ruin my future happiness."
Hoping he had softened toward her, Caroline stood and placed a hand on his shoulder. "No indeed, brother. I only wanted to save you from an unequal marriage."
He turned his head so that he could meet her eyes fully. His expression held a sincerity that surprised Caroline as he said, "But a marriage is not unequal where there is an equality of love."
Caroline could not conceal her disdain. "Can you name any unequal marriages that did not end in misery for one or the other?"
"Those were marriages of unequal minds."
"Unequal fortunes must have the same effect," Caroline reasoned, "for does not money provide the opportunity for the improvement of the mind? I can hardly believe that Miss Bennet is your equal if she spent her youth without the benefit of a governess. Why, she can probably barely embroider a cushion, much less play the pianoforte!"
A muscle worked in Charles's jaw, and Caroline feared an outburst of anger, but then he sighed. "And this is precisely why I must take bold action. You refuse to see the truth before you. I love Miss Bennet, no matter how much money she has, who her relations may be, or how talented she is with needle and thread. She will be my wife, and I am unwilling to begin my marriage by inviting one who harbors such unrepentant disapproval to share our home. I
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