The Netherfield Murder by Melanie Schertz

Author:Melanie Schertz [Schertz, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Not in Amazon Library, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Goodreads: 75480846
Publisher: Melanie Schertz
Published: 2023-03-07T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

After an hour had passed, Bingley made his way to Caroline’s chambers. There was no response when he knocked on the door of her bedchambers, so he tried to open the door, only to find it to be locked. The gentleman knocked louder on the door, calling out to his sister to open it immediately.

Still there was no response. Miss Bingley’s maid, Alice, came from the servant’s hall and was surprised to see her employer in such an ill temper.

“Mr Bingley, is there something I can do for you?”

“Where is my sister? Have her trunks been packed? The carriage is ready to leave.”

The maid was confused. “Miss Bingley said nothing of packing her trunks. I was not aware she was leaving Netherfield.”

“Unlock this door so I may speak with my sister.” Bingley was livid. Then he realized that the maid had no control over Caroline’s behavior. “Please, Alice, if you would be kind enough to unlock the door.”

“Miss Bingley is not there. She said that she was to meet someone in Meryton. I thought it was odd, but is not mine to question what my mistress says.”

“Did she state who the person was?” Fear was fast replacing anger as Bingley realized what his sister likely doing.

“She did not, though I believe it has something to do with Mr Darcy. Your sister has stated that they are to wed after you all return to London.”

Bingley knew where his sister had gone. She would be at Longbourn, attempting to cause some sort of compromise so that she could claim Darcy as a husband. He hurried downstairs, calling out for someone to quickly fetch his horse.

Hearing Charles in the hall, Hurst and Louisa decided to join him. “You ordered the carriage be ready to take Caroline to Scarborough. What is happening? Shall we accompany you to wherever you are going?”

“Longbourn. Caroline is not in the house, having told her maid that she was meeting someone in Meryton. Most likely, our sister has gone to Longbourn to attempt to secure Darcy for herself.”

Louisa gasped. “Oh, that foolish, foolish sister of ours. Mr Darcy would never offer for her.”

“Exactly. Now is the time for the nonsense to end.”

The trio entered the carriage and were soon at Longbourn.

Mrs Bennet was pleased to see the gentleman, as she was certain that he would only come to visit them again so soon for the purpose of proposing to Jane. “Allow me to have Jane come down. She is sitting with Lizzy at the moment, while Mr Darcy is in the back parlor, speaking with Miss Bingley. I insisted on the door remain open and a maid is in the hall outside the room.”

“We are unfortunately not here to speak with Miss Bennet, but with my sister.”

There was a loud crashing noise and louder shouting coming from the rear area of the house. Bingley and the Hursts stepped into the hall in time to see Darcy backing out of a room near the end of the hall, his hands held up in defense, as Caroline leapt at her prey.

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