Miss Bingley Requests Page 3

  He was half a head taller than her, not quite as tall as Mr Darcy, but it was still very agreeable to look up and see the warmth in his eyes as he gazed down at her. His arm brushed very near hers and there was warmth there, too, moving from his body to hers. A blush rose to her cheeks at this daring thought, and she hoped that he thought her colour came from excitement as she turned to the next painting she passed and exclaimed, ‘Oh, I always so enjoy this particular work.’

  ‘Do you indeed,’ Lady Amesbury, who’d been walking just behind Caroline, with Charles and Louisa, exclaimed. ‘How fascinating.’

  Caroline, looking at the painting for the first time, noted it was a portrait of a family. The father stood behind his wife who was seated, the two children on either side of her. She’d never witnessed such a poorly executed portrait in all her born days. ‘Observe, if you please,’ she said, attempting to put a glow of enthusiasm on her countenance. The father looks as if he suffers from dyspepsia and gout. ‘The father with his hand resting protectively on his wife’s shoulder.’ The mother appears to be in agony from such close proximity to her offspring and the children look as if their clothing itches terribly and at any moment they will tear off the restrictive garments. ‘Every detail of the children’s clothing is clearly portrayed.’ The father resembled a toad and the mother a pig. Surely such people were not permitted to breed. ‘And the angelic expressions on the little ones’ faces; the emotions the family shares almost leap off the canvas to touch the viewer.’

  ‘Indeed.’ Lady Amesbury stood still, her eyes making Caroline feel as if they saw right inside her head. She held her breath, wondering if she had just ruined any chance she might have had of moving up in multi-tiered London society, when the lady added, ‘I do so enjoy meeting a person of discerning taste. You must attend one of my little dinners some time. I am sure you would find the conversation most stimulating.’ She glanced at Mr Tryphon, then, and Caroline was unable to read the look that passed between them. It didn’t matter, though. She was to be invited to one of Lady Amesbury’s dinners, among the most sought-out invitations in town.

  Savouring her triumph she examined the next painting with renewed interest. Louisa and Charles came to stand beside her. ‘Oh, well done,’ Louisa said after glancing about to see Lady Amesbury and Mr Tryphon were on the other side of the gallery. ‘I have never seen such a hideous painting.’

  ‘Oh,’ said Caroline, trying to stifle her laughter. ‘I never imagined I could find anything positive to say about it. I declare, if such a work of art hung in my home, I’d never be able to enter the room without suffering from indigestion!’

  The two sisters put their heads together and laughed, as Charles said, his voice bewildered, ‘I thought it was a very fine artistic attempt, and that your remarks, Caroline, were very apt.’

  Caroline and Louisa looked at each other and laughed even harder. Two other patrons of the museum, who stood at a little distance, turned disapproving faces their way. Quickly stifling her mirth, Caroline stepped back and gazed intently at the nearest painting. She lifted her chin and looked down her nose at the disapproving patrons, indicating her belief that it was they, and not she, who had transgressed. But although she returned her gaze to the painting, she saw nothing of it. Instead, inside her head, visions of herself and Mr Darcy becoming regular attendees at Lady Amesbury’s home glowed, more detailed and colourful than any work of art this museum contained.

  During the carriage ride home, Caroline delighted herself imagining how pleased Mr Darcy would be to learn she had gained him entry into Lady Amesbury’s set.

  Chapter Two

  Caroline sailed into Lady Amesbury’s apartments on Mr Darcy’s arm. She knew she looked her best, in her gold gown with just the correct amount of décolletage. The ruffles about her hips flowed into a liquid stream of satin and lace streaming behind that showed off her tall, slim figure. No insipidity for Caroline Bingley, no, here was an accomplished woman. The emeralds she wore brought out the green flecks in her hazel eyes; emeralds were threaded through her hair, too, which was swept up to the crown of her head, accentuating her long neck and perfect posture.

  She turned her head slightly to look about, as her party was announced, and to set her emeralds sparkling. The room glowed from the light of what must be over one hundred candles on the enormous, but infinitely tasteful, chandelier that hung over the centre of the spacious room. Furniture was set out so that there were several smaller areas around the room’s perimeter, two or three chairs, a settee or even a loveseat all facing one another, providing a place for an intimate chat with one’s acquaintances. Opportunity to make new acquaintances had not been forgotten as, in an open space in the centre of the room, Lady Amesbury moved graciously from person to person, making certain that everyone had someone interesting to speak to, and was introduced to everyone else.

  Earlier that day it had appeared that Caroline and Mr Darcy would be the only members of their party who had chosen to attend. Louisa and Mr Hurst were fatigued after a carriage ride in the park, and Charles had a previous engagement to play cards at his club. Mr Darcy had seemed reluctant to accompany Caroline, but she knew this was simply because he was overcome at having received an invitation from Lady Amesbury. Fortunately, when he realised that Caroline would be unable to attend without an escort, his consideration for her had overcome his hesitation. And after his decision, Louisa and Mr Hurst had decided they would attend, after all, after which Charles decided he could play cards another evening.

  Music seeped into the room, but Caroline had no opportunity to see how many musicians Lady Amesbury thought appropriate for her soirées, for the lady herself spied Caroline, still standing with Mr Darcy and, both hands held out before her, came to greet her newest guests.

  ‘How lovely to see you,’ Lady Amesbury said, taking Caroline’s free hand in hers. She wore sky blue, looking like an angel surrounded by heaven’s vault, with a shockingly low bodice.

  Caroline heard Darcy sniff and glanced up to see him quickly move his gaze away from their hostess and fasten it on the chandelier overhead. Glancing back at Lady Amesbury, she caught a smile and a sidelong look at Caroline as the lady flicked the wisp of lace she wore in her décolletage, somehow managing to lower it even further. Isn’t life a wonderful joke? The lady seemed to be saying, One that only women of true understanding, such as you and I, can share.

  That bodice, Caroline decided, sliding her arm out of Darcy’s as he moved aside so Louisa and Mr Hurst could properly greet their hostess, is perfect, even at her age. A woman of such beauty and allure can take any fashion and make it appropriate for herself, and when wearing the absolute latest fashion, as Lady Amesbury of course was, the result could only be perfection.

  Mr Darcy was looking about the room, and Caroline was happy he was now showing interest in who was here. Even for him, with his wealth and grand estate, there were people above his station in attendance tonight. He had ambitions, he must have, and there were people here who could help.

  With Caroline at his side, once they were married, nothing could stand in his way. Politics was the obvious path for a man such as Mr Darcy. If he needed a little coaxing to achieve his full potential, Caroline was there to help. Just as she’d opened the door to his attending a party at the house of the pre-eminent hostess in town, she would open doors to everything she knew was right for Mr and Mrs Darcy of Pemberley.

  Louisa took her arm and drew her to one side. ‘Mr Darcy,’ Caroline exclaimed, ‘must be overwhelmed at finally finding himself included in such an august gathering.’

  ‘Do you think so?’ Louisa glanced over to where Darcy stood, making his bow to a cabinet minister. Caroline had no idea what the man’s actual position was but that was of no account; here was Darcy, conversing with someone in power.

  Louisa raised one slim eyebrow. ‘I thought, when you first told us about this invitation, that he seemed reluctant …’

  ‘Nonsense.’ Caroline watched as he made a bow to a
lady wearing a hideous pink gown and enough diamonds to outshine the chandelier. ‘Look at him. He’s smiling.’

  Louisa studied the object of their attention for a moment. ‘Perhaps you are correct. Perhaps he was simply wondering if he should insert himself into our family party.’

  ‘He is always so thoughtful,’ Caroline said. ‘Modesty is rare in a man of such standing in society.’

  ‘And yet, here he is, speaking to Lord T—. Perhaps he has been considering going into politics.’

  Caroline gripped her sister’s hand. ‘Louisa, we think alike. Just think, perhaps it will be this invitation and the people he meets here that will set the course of his future life!’

  Louisa’s fingers squeezed back. ‘And who will he be grateful to, when he looks back on how his dazzling career came to be?’

  Both sisters laughed. ‘Who indeed?’ said Caroline, and imagined how he would show his gratitude.

  ‘What is so funny?’ Their brother moved closer, his open face hopeful. ‘I do need a good laugh, for I have never seen such dreary company.’

  ‘Dreary, Charles?’ Caroline’s jaw would have fallen, had she not taught herself through hours of practice in front of a mirror not to make facial expressions that might expose her to ridicule. ‘I have never been in such exalted company in all my life.’

  He shrugged. ‘Exalted, maybe. Everyone wants something, though. Look at them. All speaking to one person while their eyes search the room for someone else, someone who can offer a greater benefit for the time spent.’

  Caroline’s jaw did fall on hearing this speech from her brother, but she quickly corrected it, and placed her face back into its accustomed polite interest.

  ‘I rather agree,’ said another male voice, and everyone turned to see Mr Tryphon, smiling as he made his bow to Caroline. She curtseyed automatically and then, catching the laughter in his eyes, exclaimed, ‘Mr Tryphon, why do you say such things? You can’t possibly mean such a thing, you, a man so recently arrived in London. Are you not pleased to be part of such a gathering?’

  ‘I am pleased to be part of any gathering that includes the Bingleys.’ He bowed again, but kept his face half-turned towards her, so she could see the mischief in his smile.

  Louisa raised her eyebrow for the second time that evening, and Caroline knew that Mr Tryphon’s attitude towards her was perhaps a bit forward, but suddenly she didn’t care. Darcy had glanced over at her earlier, no doubt drawn by the sound of her laughter, and nothing mattered other than enjoyment and the attention of two such men as Mr Darcy and Mr Tryphon. Mr Darcy was the only one who mattered, of course, but if Mr Tryphon’s attention assisted Mr Darcy in realising Caroline’s true worth, then he was most welcome, too.

  Lady Amesbury approached the little group. ‘My two favourite people,’ she exclaimed, slipping one arm through Caroline’s, the other through Mr Tryphon’s.

  ‘You say that to every man,’ he complained, laughing, ‘although since you are addressing Miss Bingley, I am sure there is some truth in your utterance.’

  ‘Foolish man.’ Lady Amesbury drew the two of them into one of the more secluded seating areas. ‘You know I always mean what I say.’

  ‘For that moment at least,’ he said, sitting down on a settee. Lady Amesbury sat Caroline down beside him and took a chair across from them.

  ‘How well you know me,’ Lady Amesbury said. ‘Cannot a woman retain at least a small piece of mystery?’ She raised a hand, and instantly a footman appeared. ‘Something to drink,’ she told him, her gaze never leaving Caroline and Mr Tryphon. The footman bowed and disappeared.

  ‘My dear,’ Mr Tryphon said, ‘you will always be a mystery to me.’ Their eyes locked and Caroline, wanting to take part in this conversation that was unlike any other in her experience, moved forward on her seat.

  ‘And to me. All the most fascinating ladies of my acquaintance are mysterious.’ The other two turned to her. ‘Great ladies are like onions,’ Caroline said, and then paused for a moment when Lady Amesbury looked puzzled. ‘So many layers,’ she hastily added, wondering why she’d spoken at all and when she could stop. ‘Hidden beauty deep inside, to be discovered only by the greatest persistence.’

  ‘Stephen,’ Lady Amesbury smiled at Caroline, ‘didn’t I inform you Miss Bingley is a woman of the greatest intellect? She sees the world in ways usually invisible to the common mind.’ She took one of Caroline’s hands in hers. ‘I’ve never thought of myself as an onion before, and to tell you the truth, I wouldn’t have considered it the most flattering image. But you, my dear, have made me see the beauty that can exist in such a common object. An onion indeed!’

  She and Mr Tryphon shared another look, and Caroline wasn’t sure what it meant, but breathed a deep sigh of relief that what she’d said had apparently resulted in Lady Amesbury’s approval.

  Don’t speak without thinking, Caroline reminded herself. A lady’s place is to enhance the company in which she finds herself. Lady Amesbury might not adhere to this rule, but she is a person who stands alone, so far above the rest of us mere mortals. A warm glow rose in her stomach at the thought of how such a personage favoured her, Miss Bingley, soon to be Miss Bingley of Netherfield Park. Why, perhaps Lady Amesbury would enjoy a stay in the country. Before she could voice the invitation though, the footman reappeared, and set silver goblets in front of each of them.

  ‘No, you oaf,’ Lady Amesbury hissed at him. ‘Not those goblets. These are my special friends. Bring the crystal, and be quick about it if you value your position here.’

  The footman’s face betrayed no expression as he gathered the offending vessels. ‘Of course, my lady. I apologise, my lady.’

  ‘I declare,’ Lady Amesbury said. ‘Good help is simply impossible to find.’

  Here was something Caroline knew about, and it gave her an opportunity to introduce the subject of Netherfield. Mr Tryphon spoke first though, telling Caroline about the house he had taken in town.

  ‘Small, but perfectly darling,’ Lady Amesbury added.

  ‘I,’ Caroline said, as the footman reappeared, ‘am currently endeavouring to staff our country estate, Netherfield Park.’ Lady Amesbury apparently approved of the crystal the footman set out, for she ignored him, her eyes resting on Caroline. ‘I am having the greatest of difficulties,’ Caroline continued, ‘in filling even the least position with someone who inspires even the smallest amount of confidence.’

  ‘You poor thing,’ said Lady Amesbury. ‘I know well how difficult it can be, needing to hire a full staff for one’s latest home. Especially if that home is in the country. It appears that servants all believe they should be allowed to live in the city, if they so choose, without thinking at all about where their service is required. Please, I hope you will allow me to offer you any small assistance I can provide.’

  ‘I am overwhelmed,’ Caroline said, ‘and immensely grateful. I am certain that any guidance you might provide will be of the utmost assistance.’

  ‘Nonsense.’ Lady Amesbury rapped Caroline on the arm with her fan. ‘I am always delighted when I can offer any of my friends a good turn.’

  ‘No doubt,’ Mr Tryphon said dryly, ‘so that they will owe you a good turn in time.’

  She narrowed her eyes at him and then laughed. ‘My dear Stephen. So cynical at such a young age.’

  ‘How can I be other than thus,’ he said, spreading out his hands before him, ‘when I am exposed to such beauty and know it remains outside of my grasp?’

  Lady Amesbury’s eyes went to his, and Caroline was certain she saw surprise and perhaps a touch of pain, but then they both then they turned to her, and there was only laughter on their faces.

  ‘Do we women truly offer such torture to men?’ the lady asked Caroline.

  Feeling suddenly daring, Caroline replied, ‘As much as we can!’

  Mr Tryphon groaned. ‘I knew it. There exists a conspiracy among women.’

  ‘Some conspiracies, certainly,’ Lady Amesbury said. ‘And here i
s one of mine approaching fruition.’

  Caroline turned to follow her gaze, and saw two women standing stiffly as a man, who was clearly uncomfortable, introduced them.

  ‘Let us draw a little closer.’ Lady Amesbury rose to her feet and the other two followed her. Standing by a table that held a selection of dainties, the lady paused, apparently to peruse the flowers arranged in a bowl beside the platter of petit fours.

  ‘Miss Allen,’ the unhappy man was saying, ‘may I have the honour of presenting my wife, the Countess of Fairbanks?’ The two women curtseyed, each dipping the minimum amount they could without being rude.

  ‘How lovely to meet you at last,’ the younger one, Miss Allen, said. ‘I have heard so much about you.’ Her face, when she stressed the word ‘so’, contained what Caroline was certain was malice. But why would a young woman be so rude to a noblewoman, and at a party such as this? ‘Surely,’ she whispered to Lady Amesbury, ‘this young woman must be different from what she appears, to have gained a place on your guest list.’

  Lady Amesbury had given up all pretence of not listening and was gazing full on at the trio. She licked her lips and ignored Caroline. Mr Tryphon, though, was watching Caroline, a look of unease on his countenance. Caroline turned back to the tableau.

  ‘How odd,’ the countess was saying to Miss Allen, while her husband stood at her elbow, looking as if he wished he were anywhere other than here. ‘I have heard nothing about you.’ She turned to the man, her eyebrows raised. He quickly looked down at his boots.