Caroline Bingley: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (8 page)

In short course, a maid arrived with a tray, poured the visitors' tea, and then crossed the room to deliver the beverage to her mistress. The maid was of diminutive stature, and her small steps made the trip from sofa to sofa seem as though it were a journey of a thousand miles.

"Will there be anything else, madam?" the maid asked.

Clearly annoyed, Lavinia looked to her servant, saying, "No, you may go."

The maid offered a slight curtsey and made the trip from the sitting area to the door with admirable endurance.

Caroline picked up her teacup and saucer. The china was so fine that it was nearly translucent, and the aroma of the tea was so heartening that she almost sighed.

"This tea is lovely, Lavinia."

"I am so glad it pleases you," Lavinia said. "And now tell me; is your family in good health?"

And though Caroline despised repeating these bothersome social conventions she reminded herself that this was the most important call they had paid since her arrival in Kendal, and went to the trouble of responding to each inquiry and of asking the proper questions in return. When the requisite dialogue was complete, she searched for a subtle way to steer the discussion in a direction that would result ultimately in an invitation to continue their acquaintance now that they were living within so easy a distance of each other.

Perhaps, Caroline thought, it would be best to remind Lavinia of their former association, their many hours of girlish chitchat while at the seminary, or of their--admittedly sparse--written correspondence over the past years. Such memories might incite feelings of nostalgia, which naturally would lead to a renewal of their friendship.

And this was essential, for Caroline would not allow herself to languish in her exiled state.

Yes, nostalgia was the proper tool.

Caroline lifted her chin and had just resolved to speak of their shared history when the door to the chamber jerked open and in strode William Charlton.

The ladies all rose with alacrity, and Lavinia, with a hand to her breast, said, "Oh! William, you startled me!"

The Honorable Mr. William Charlton, the second son of Lord Charlton and now his heir, appeared equally surprised to have discovered the room to be occupied, and he bowed awkwardly to the gathered ladies. "I do apologize, Lavinia, but I did not realize morning calls were still taking place."

Lavinia's brow furrowed. "It is yet morning, as you see by the position of the sun through the window."

As the rest of the party turned to observe the sun's placement in the sky, Caroline studied Mr. Charlton. She had not seen him in the past few years, but time had been beneficial to him. He had filled out in both height and breadth, but he was still rather thin, and Caroline could not complain about his choice of clothing or coiffure. Yes, he had gone from having all appearances of youth and irresponsibility to improving in manliness, though perhaps not in responsibility.

Or so she had heard.

Mr. Charlton turned away from the window and adjusted the sleeves of his coat, his dark head angled down in concentration. "Yes, yes, apologies again. I have been at the accounts for so long I assumed it must be nearly sunset! But that is neither here nor there, for no matter the hour, I must not neglect our guests." He lifted his eyes and surveyed the women, his gaze stopping briefly at each one. "Mrs. Newton, a pleasure to see you. And will you not introduce me to your companions?"

"This, sir," Mrs. Newton began as she gestured to Caroline, "is my youngest daughter Caroline. Surely, you must remember her from your youth."

"Ah!" he said with a bow. Caroline curtseyed deeply and then raised her eyes with practiced allure to find that his expression had brightened considerably. "I do remember you. Did you not attend the seminary with Lavinia?"

"Indeed, I was most fortunate to spend a great deal of time with your excellent sister while we were both in London as girls."

Mr. Charlton smiled at her, and his polished air and appearance struck Caroline. He certainly had changed.

"And this," continued Mrs. Newton, "is Caroline's companion, Mrs. Pickersgill."

Bow and curtsey were exchanged, and then the ladies returned to their seats. Mr. Charlton took one of the high-backed chairs for himself and smiled broadly at Caroline, saying, "I am very pleased to see you back in the Lake District, Miss Bingley. I do hope you and Mrs. Pickersgill intend a long visit, though I myself would much rather be in Town for the season."

"I could not be in better agreement, Mr. Charlton. I have the greatest fondness for Town and will be very pleased to return there as soon as my visit here is through."

"I do not know, my dear," Mrs. Newton said. A small frown tugged at the corners of her mouth. "I have always had a certain fondness for the countryside. I hope you will not rush back to your brother and his friends in London before regaining some appreciation for the county in which you were born."

"Indeed, Mama, I do not mean any insult to Kendal. I only wanted to convey my preference for a different sort of life, one that contains more variety than may be found in a less populated region. Do not you agree, Lavinia?"

Lavinia seemed momentarily at odds with herself, and Caroline found that rather surprising. But perhaps she had imagined the confusion, for her friend's next words were rather definite. "I prefer Town. The company here is unvaried and tedious, but I will remain as long as I am required, for it is my duty to our family."

Mr. Charlton smiled, tight-lipped and rueful. "I do so wish that such duty had fallen upon neither of us. When Harold departed this mortal coil, he left us quite ensnared. He was so much better suited to the barony, its seat in Parliament, and the overseeing of this estate than I shall ever hope to be. I regret every facet of the situation."

Caroline could not believe that he was foolish enough to value his title so cheaply. "While I certainly feel deep sorrow at your brother's untimely death, I cannot imagine viewing the inheritance of a barony as a thing to be regretted."

"Can you not, Miss Bingley?" asked Mr. Charlton.

"My brother has always been perfectly at ease with his station as second son," Lavinia added.

"I do not deny it! I have no wish to."

Caroline nearly followed her impulse to snort at Mr. Charlton's naivete and then corrected herself. Less than a month in the country and she was already losing the polish of Town. When she spoke, she made certain that she did so with the highly cultured tone she had affected over the years. "Your beloved brother was a gentleman of the highest order, respected by all who knew him. But it is human nature to improve one's mind and position, is it not?"

Brother and sister remained silent, and sensing a dark turn in their countenances, Caroline struggled to speak, but Rosemary's cultured voice next filled the room. "My friends tell me, Mr. Charlton, that you will be adequate to the title once it becomes yours."

He smiled. "It is clear that Mrs. Newton and Miss Bingley are much too generous in their opinion of me, for I intend to make at best a mediocre member of Parliament. It is only through my sister's good graces that Oak Park remains running at all, for given to my control, it would surely have disintegrated by now."

Caroline nodded. "Mrs. Winton is well suited to running a large household."

Mrs. Newton's large brown eyes studied Lavinia, but she smiled as she said, "It was kind of Mr. Winton to spare you, but it must be difficult for you to endure the separation. I do not like being parted from Mr. Newton when he is required to travel."

"I bear the distance as best I can, Mrs. Newton." Lavinia looked pointedly at her brother before continuing. "And indeed, Mr. Winton has been very generous in sparing me."

Conversation paused as brother and sister exchanged another look, and then Mr. Charlton said brightly, "Shall we all not walk about? I would greatly love an excuse not to return to my papers."

He stood and offered Lavinia his arm, which she ignored. "I believe I shall stay here if Miss Bingley will remain with me," she said, glancing now at Caroline. "I would cherish time to hear what she has been doing these past years."

"I would be honored," Mr. Charlton said as he transferred the offer of his arm to Caroline's mother, "if you would join me, Mrs. Newton. Do give me an excuse not to be about my labors."

Mrs. Newton looked between Lavinia and Caroline before nodding her assent and taking his arm. "I would not wish to hamper your business, Mr. Charlton, but I do hope my daughter will be able to rekindle her friendship with Mrs. Winton, and so I cannot deny you."

"I do so appreciate a woman who cannot deny me," he said with an innocent smile. "And you, Mrs. Pickersgill, can you deny me?"

Mrs. Pickersgill stood. "I am certain I could deny you under the correct circumstances, sir, but I find this is not one of them. I will walk with you and Mrs. Newton."

With that, they disappeared from the room, leaving Lavinia and Caroline to stare at each other across the vast physical distance that separated them.

Caroline had the oddest impression that the divide was composed of more than mere space, but she could not say why she thought that. It must be a fleeting feeling brought on by the sudden silence in the room.

"Do take the seat beside me, my dear, so we can speak more freely." Lavinia gestured toward the space beside her.

Gratefully, Caroline covered the distance, keeping in mind to move without haste, and lowered herself onto the stiff cushions. She gestured about the chamber. "I can see very well that you are suited to keeping your father's household, though I am certain you dislike being away from Mr. Winton so long."

"Yes, Mr. Winton...." Lavinia tapered off and then studied the room as though she were looking for the minutest imperfection in her decor. "I quite fancy myself the queen of the castle here. I take great pride in the daily running of the household, planning meals and such for my brother, but I had much rather not have had reason to come. I dearly miss Harold."

"I have no doubt that you still grieve his loss."

A shadow crossed Lavinia's face, and then the weather seemed to clear. "Harold is very much missed by us all. It was such a disappointment to lose him just when he had come into his own. William, especially, feels the loss, for he must face the prospect of the barony without adequate preparation. Harold would have been a credit to the title."

Caroline recognized what was unspoken. William, of course, was not a credit. He was more like a debt that would never be paid.

"It is a shame, then," she said, "that your eldest brother did not leave an heir."

Lavinia's eyebrows knit together briefly. "Indeed, that was a great loss, but at the very least, the barony is in no danger of being displaced by entail."

"Oh, that is good news indeed. But who is to inherit it? I believed your younger brother to be unwed." A bit of errant disappointment crept into Caroline at the thought of an eligible gentleman of title being taken from the marriage mart.

Why, she had never thought of the younger Mr. Charlton as anyone of significance, but now that he was to be a baron, he was ever so much more attractive.

"Good heavens, no, William is not married," Lavinia said on a laugh, and then she sobered. "Do not misunderstand. I have no intention of speaking ill of my dear brother, but he has a bit of a rakish tendency. He has shown no inclination to marry."

Caroline wondered how true Lavinia's words were. Was there any inducement that might cause Mr. Charlton to marry?

"It is of little consequence, for the title is safe," Lavinia continued. "My own son Samuel is already being groomed for the position. He is set to inherit the title and land, so, you see, it has all fallen to me. I must preserve the house and land and see to providing an heir. The only thing I may not do is sit in Parliament."

She laughed, but it sounded hollow to Caroline's ears.