The Pemberley Vampire Hunters by Huw Thomas

Author:Huw Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Velluminous Press
Published: 2016-10-22T16:00:00+00:00

VIII

Caroline Bingley had never seen her brother so incandescent with rage.

“How could you do such a thing?” he demanded. “How could you disgrace yourself so? How could you shame your family and the memory of our father — before our closest friends? What must Mr Hurst think of you? What must Mr Darcy think?”

Mr Darcy remained studiously silent.

“I am truly sorry.” Caroline could think of nothing else to say. Her feelings of shame arose not only from her actions downstairs in the study, but also from what had befallen her sister outside. She could not have explained how the dog’s attack on Louisa could be her fault, but in her present state of mind she felt no doubt that it must surely be so.

Worse even than the thought of injured Louisa was Mr Darcy’s silence and his impassive face. She had known him for many weeks now, but it was only at this moment that she realised how much she valued his good opinion. She felt her cheeks burning and longed to be somewhere else … but that would not do either, for she was most painfully aware that somehow, eventually, she must explain herself to the others and seek their understanding.

Mr Hurst entered the drawing room and Caroline could see from his demeanour that he brought good news.

“I am glad to say that Miss Bingley’s injury is much less grave than I feared,” he announced. “The great artery was not opened. I have administered a draught of laudanum and she is sleeping peacefully.” He hesitated, glancing at Caroline, then continued in a determined tone: “Mr Bingley, I wonder if you might be so kind as to indulge me with a moment of your time?”

Charles nodded readily enough, but his expression remained grim as he rose from his chair. Caroline watched the two men leave the room, thinking it very likely that they were off to some private corner to discuss what should be done with her. She stole a look at Mr Darcy and found that he was regarding her impassively.

“We should be grateful for your sister’s sake that Mr Hurst is such a competent physician.” He favoured her with a keen glance. “It is also most fortunate— if rather unexpected in a young lady such as yourself — that you have been instructed in the mysteries of flint and black powder. Your knowledge of firearms is your father’s doing, I suppose.”

Caroline nodded.

“I knew Mr Bingley for too short a time, but it was long enough to discern that he was not only a gentleman of consequence but also an unusually devoted parent — an opinion that is most agreeably confirmed on closer acquaintance with his children.”

She looked at him with bewilderment. “I had expected you to berate me, Mr Darcy. I deserve no less.”

He shrugged. “The superior mind does not absolve itself by placing the blame on another, even if a suitable scapegoat presents herself. Tell me if you would, what compelled you to explore Mr Hurst’s study?”

Caroline

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