Miss Bingley Requests by Judy McCrosky

Author:Judy McCrosky
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Chapter Eight

As the days passed, Caroline spent much of her time with Eleanor and Mr Tryphon. True to his word, Mr Tryphon was a perfect gentleman, saying nothing that could not be said in polite company. They dined at Eleanor’s home and at Mr Hurst’s, attended the theatre, a piano concert, and many parties. The only way he showed his continuing emotions was in the heat of his glance sometimes, when Caroline caught him looking at her when he thought her attention elsewhere, and his usual kissing of her hand when bidding her goodbye. Every time, his lips burned against her skin, even when she wore gloves, and his eyes looked up at her, revealing his heart.

Upon receiving Jane’s letter professing her hope that her friends would return to Netherfield after Christmas, Caroline thought it best to end all such hopes. She began by stating, as bluntly as propriety would allow, that the family was well settled in London for the entire winter, softening the tone only by adding her brother’s regret that he had left Hertfordshire too precipitously to pay his respects to all his friends there.

She continued by singing the praises of Miss Darcy, and mentioned how happy Charles was to be staying in Mr Darcy’s house. ‘I, too, am happy to be here, as I so enjoy the company of both Darcys, brother and sister, but my contentment is nothing compared to Charles’. He enjoys listening to Miss Darcy play the piano, and if I might be excused a sister’s fond bias, I think she is becoming partial to him, also. She often chooses to sit by him when we are all together in the evenings; even if she spends the time reading without conversing, his proximity appears to give her much contentment.’

Deciding that she had made her point, and that it would be cruel to continue along these lines, she noted that she had not yet filled a page, and so wrote about her admiration of Mr Darcy’s good taste, as demonstrated by some furniture he was considering purchasing for one of the sitting rooms. Closing with many professions of affection for her dear friend, Caroline sealed the letter and sent it off, at last able to put Hertfordshire and all of its Bennets out of her mind.

After a fortnight, Caroline moved to Grosvenor Street, for Louisa claimed that with only her husband for company, her days were very dull. Even once Charles was the only Bingley to stay on in Mr Darcy’s home, most evenings were spent at one or the other residence, for the entire company enjoyed the entertainments possible with a larger complement of people.

Christmas was a truly joyous season that year, for Charles and Georgiana appeared, to Caroline’s fond eyes, to be forming a stronger attachment. Georgiana, like her brother, had a more serious nature, but Charles could get her laughing as he told stories about her brother during his university days.

One evening, spent at Mr Hurst’s home even though he and Louisa had been invited out after dinner, the others remained in the comfortable sitting room.

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