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

herself was an accomplice.
    "But Mr. Hurst and I do not go to London, Caroline," Louisa said, "or else you should be most welcome, certainly."
    Shocked at the lack of regret in her sister's tone, Caroline demanded, "Do not go to London? Whatever can you mean? Where do you go?"
    "Mr. Hurst has engaged us for a large house party in Devonshire."
    "In Devonshire?"
    "Indeed," Louisa replied airily.
    "But," Caroline protested, "Mr. Hurst may find just as much amusement in London, may he not?"
    Louisa set aside the letter she had been composing and turned her attention to her younger sister. "Caroline, do not be obtuse. His schoolfellow has invited a house full, and we are to spend several months at cards and fine foods. It was the only inducement he could want."
    "Cards and food are not exclusive to Devonshire," Caroline said as she slowly walked closer to her sister and slid her fingertips along the top of the escritoire. "Why must you stay with his friends?"
    Louisa rolled her eyes. "Why, for the simple reason that we were invited. Can you not comprehend that?"
    There must be a method of convincing her sister to alter her plans. Caroline thought for a moment and then said, "You have never before desired to be in the company of Mr. Hurst's friends. I recall you saying that they were a group of bloated fools, in fact."
    Indeed, she could hardly imagine her sister willingly placing herself in such company. Mr. Hurst was a gentleman of fashion and fortune, but he was not known for good sense or impressive companions.
    "I desire to socialize with them now." Louisa's expression clearly meant to convey more than her words made obvious. "And that is all that matters."
    Caroline deliberately misunderstood.
    "Then, though the company does not sound particularly educated or interesting, I shall be happy to attend."
    Louisa looked up at her with surprise, and then her expression hardened. Her next words were spoken in the manipulative tone Caroline knew well. "Why, I believed you to be on your way to Cumbria to visit Mama. Charles has arranged it all, including a traveling companion, I believe. He said Mama's disappointment at missing his wedding could only be assuaged by his promise to deliver you to her door."
    Caroline was affronted. Charles had arranged everything. He had consulted their mother and Louisa, and everyone, it seemed, was in agreement but her.
    She chose to speak plainly. "So I am to be sent away."
    Louisa blinked with feigned innocence. She was fully acquainted with Caroline's actions in London, and she was also privy to the workings of her heart where Mr. Darcy was concerned, so it surprised Caroline that not even the slightest expression of pity stole across her features.
    She could pretend to misunderstand Louisa's intentions no longer. The simple fact was that her sister was removing herself entirely from the altercation. She, who had been of like mind when it came to Jane Bennet, was now more interested in staying out of matters than in supporting her own blood kin.
    But Caroline's vexation and grief over her sister went far deeper.
    She had divulged the full truth of her feelings to Louisa. To her, she had confessed her deepest longings. Louisa knew of her desire to marry Mr. Darcy and to gain her own home, to become mistress of Pemberley. Louisa had even offered her advice on how to influence a gentleman, and yet, when all her tactics had failed and Mr. Darcy had proposed to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, her sister had abandoned her.
    "I am sorry for you, my dear sister," Louisa said, though she did not sound sorry at all. "But I cannot say I am surprised."
    Caroline found herself overcome by shock at her sister's words. "Can you not?"
    "No, for your intentions with Mr. Darcy were far too overt. It was, at times, painful to watch your interactions with him. You must learn, Caro, to employ a bit of artfulness if you should like to ensnare a gentleman such as my Mr. Hurst."
    A feeling of betrayal settled upon Caroline at that