P&P The Untold Stories: An Invitation to Netherfield

Caroline Invites Jane to Netherfield

November 11, 1811

Caroline Bingley marched with strident steps back and forth, her arms folded tightly in front of her. She was perturbed that Charles had accepted an invitation to dine with some officers in Meryton. She was perturbed not so much that he was going, but that Mr. Darcy agreed to accompany him, commenting that he hoped to find intelligent conversation amongst them. She shook her head and let out a huff. What would it take for the man to realize he could readily find that with her? And so much more?

When it was settled that the two gentlemen and Mr. Hurst would go, Charles approached his sister with a suggestion.

“Caroline, since we will be away, this would be a perfect opportunity to invite Miss Bennet to tea so you and Louisa can further your acquaintance with her.” He smiled eagerly, waiting for her to respond in hearty agreement.

Her mouth opened, but she could not formulate words to express what she truly thought of his suggestion. She could have readily explained to him how little she wished to do this, that she thought Miss Bennet a sweet girl, but certainly not the right one for him. However, Caroline was determined to display nothing but polite acquiescence to him, especially with Mr. Darcy seated nearby. She returned a smile and told him she thought that was a splendid idea. She reluctantly sent an invitation to Miss Bennet to join her and Louisa at Netherfield.

A dreary chill invaded the county that morning, very much like what Caroline felt, despite the warmth inside Netherfield. Thick clouds settled over Meryton, and Caroline was certain a storm was imminent. She wondered whether Miss Bennet might be forced to abandon the plan if it began to rain. In truth, she ardently hoped she would!

Caroline was determined to make some good out of this situation, and when Mr. Darcy joined her in the sitting room as he waited for the other two men, she summoned the housekeeper.

In a rather loud voice she said, “Mrs. Lewis, I want to make sure everything is ready for our guest later today. She is to be received with the utmost hospitality, and I will spare nothing for her comfort.”

The housekeeper nodded. “Yes, Miss Bingley. We have everything prepared for her visit as you requested.”

“Good! I am so glad to hear that!” She stole a glance at Mr. Darcy, hoping he had overheard and would be impressed with how well she performed her duties as Mistress of Netherfield. For her greatest wish was to be Mistress of Pemberley!

As the men prepared to leave, Caroline watched Mr. Darcy don his heavy overcoat. Such a fine specimen of a man! She let out a soft sigh as she considered that not many of Charles’s friends were much of a benefit to him, let alone to her. Mr. Darcy certainly had changed all that.

When the men took their leave, Louisa and Caroline sat in front of the blazing fire in the sitting room. As they waited for Miss Bennet, each silently hoped that the time spent with her would pass quickly. Caroline gazed out the window, noticing how dark it had become, and soon after, they heard the sound of rain pelting the windows.

“Oh, Louisa! It is a torrent out there. Miss Bennet will most likely not venture out in this! I would imagine we will spend our afternoon by ourselves!” She settled back comfortably into her chair and let out a long, drawn-out sigh, followed by a satisfied smile.

“Such a pity!” laughed Louisa.

“Yes,” Caroline said softly. Then turning to Louisa, she added, “For Charles!”

At the sound of the bell a short while later, the two ladies looked at each other in surprise. Neither said a word, but it was apparent they were both thinking the same thing. Certainly, it could not be Miss Bennet!

When Mrs. Lewis appeared at the door and announced Miss Bennet, Caroline could do little to conceal a gasp. Their guest was soaking wet, water was dripping onto the floor, and her appearance was completely deplorable.

“My dear Miss Bennet!” Caroline exclaimed, forcing herself to rise to her feet. “Whatever has happened? You are positively drenched from head to toe!”

Louisa and Caroline quickly attended to Miss Bennet as she explained that she had ridden over on a horse in the hopes of escaping the storm, but it had begun to rain much earlier than she had anticipated. Dry clothes were ordered for her, and they had their lady’s maid escort her upstairs to assist her in changing into them.

When she left the room, they could not hold their tongues about the foolishness she had exhibited in riding from Longbourn to Netherfield on horseback instead of taking a carriage. In a rainstorm! She should not have ventured out at all!

“Upon my word, Louisa! I can hardly believe it! Such reckless actions!”

“I agree, Caroline. What could she have been thinking?”

“It shows an ill-bred thoughtlessness, if you ask me.”

The two ladies agreed that someone established in good society would never have exhibited such behavior.

While Miss Bennet was still upstairs, Caroline tugged at her sister’s sleeve. “Louisa, I am becoming more and more convinced of Miss Bennet’s unsuitability. While she is here today, we shall have the perfect opportunity to determine exactly what her family connections are.”

Louisa gave her a quizzical look. “Do you have any doubt they shall prove to be deficient, Caroline?”

Caroline let out a cackle. “Of course not, but it shall be fun prying the information out of her!” The two ladies laughed in conspiratorial accord.

When Miss Bennet returned, she expressed her gratitude to the ladies, and they repaired to the dining room.

Caroline and Louisa questioned Miss Bennet politely about her family, her accomplishments, and a variety of other carefully picked subjects. She was most forthright in her answers, but it was her admission that she had an uncle in trade in Cheapside that prompted Louisa and Caroline to exchange pointed glances with each other. This was abominable!

At first, Miss Bennet acquitted herself reasonably well to the interrogation. However, Caroline soon began to notice that her face was ashen, and she did not have the usual serene countenance that she normally displayed. At length it became apparent that she was feeling quite ill, and they thought it best to adjourn to the sitting room where she could be settled in front of the warm fire.

As the rain continued to pour down in torrents throughout the rest of the afternoon, Caroline and Louisa became resigned to the fact that Miss Bennet would be forced to remain with them at Netherfield. It would be uncivil to send her home in this tempest when she was feeling so poorly.

As Caroline attempted to make Miss Bennet comfortable, she inwardly hoped the gentlemen would return directly or that the rain would let up. Unfortunately, her hopes were in vain; Miss Bennet continued to exhibit increasing distress, the men were absent the whole of the afternoon, and the rain continued without intermission.

Caroline and Louisa saw to it that Miss Bennet was taken to a room and settled comfortably in bed, and then Caroline sent a missive to Longbourn informing her parents of her illness.

The two ladies returned to the sitting room and Caroline heaved a sigh as she sat down in a plush chair. “This has certainly been an interesting day, Louisa. I did not think anything could surpass Miss Bennet’s grand arrival, but then to hear her talk about her uncle in trade…”

“In Cheapside, no less!” added Louisa with an air of disgust. “And she volunteered that information so readily! It appears she feels no shame in admitting it!”

“I daresay she does not.” Caroline slowly clasped her hands together.

“We would never mention our…”

“No, we would not!” Caroline cut her off directly.

Louisa cast a side glance at her sister. “Will Charles feel the same repugnance we feel in this matter?”

“Oh, Louisa, I fear our brother may not.” Caroline’s voice trailed off.

A sly smile appeared as she thought of something—Mr. Darcy! He would have influence over her brother and would certainly show him how inferior Miss Bennet is… if he does not realize it on his own.

And having Miss Bennet here for her to care for would allow Mr. Darcy to see just how compassionate she could be toward someone in ill health. She nodded her head slowly and a devious gleam appeared in her eyes. Yes, she would go out of her way to ensure Miss Bennet’s comfort and see to her every need. Mr. Darcy would have every reason to be impressed!

She settled back into her chair and began to hum.

“You seem quite content, Caroline,” Louisa said. “Whatever are you plotting?”

“Plotting? Me?” She waved a hand at her sister. “I am merely thinking that things may work out much better than what I ever expected.”

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