Page 39 of Mr. Darcy's Christmas Letters
She withdrew the letter, almost falling apart now. “Charles, it is a very private letter, but I shall allow you to see the date, its address to me, and the signature. I have had it since April.”
“It is the truth, Bingley,” Mr. Darcy said. “I did write a letter to Miss Bennet, and the letter in her hand is the one I referenced in this one.” He held it up. “I have never written one to Miss Bingley.”
Elizabeth watched Charles carefully, but he did not reach for the letter she held, merely shook his head. “I am shocked. I knew that Darcy had a tendre for you, Lizzy, though I admit his studied avoidance temporarily confused me until I realized it was Caroline from whom he was hiding and not you.”
Miss Bingley protested, but no one paid her any mind.
“Still, I had no idea you two were so far advanced in your courtship. Why did neither of you inform me?”
Elizabeth blinked.
Mr. Darcy’s brows pinched together.
“You knew?” they asked at the same time.
“Then why . . .”
“How . . .”
Charles sighed. He motioned at the letter that was now held by Mr. Darcy. “Caroline, this letter makes mention of the one in Lizzy’s possession. Unless you can produce another letter in Darcy’s hand, you must desist.”
“I would like to know how Miss Bingley came into possession of my property,” Mr. Darcy said in a low, menacing voice.
“Darcy recalled that his letter was in the pocket of his greatcoat,” Charles said. “I know not how it came into your hands, Caroline, but it refers to things Lizzy has that you do not and conversations you have had no opportunity to be a part of.” He lifted his eyebrows. “From what Darcy has only now told me of his meeting with Elizabeth in Kent, this letter only makes sense if it was written for her.”
“Charles,” Miss Bingley said, scandalized, “how could you possibly think that I would lie?”
“Sadly, sister, I find it is not at all difficult.”
Miss Bingley wept more noisily, as if an increase in sound could change her brother’s mind.
Jane placed both hands on her hips and glared, actually glared, at Miss Bingley. Elizabeth had only seen that look once before, when she had taken two-year-old Kitty to the mews to see the horses though she had been warned it was dangerous. Elizabeth had been extraordinarily careful to never be on the receiving end of that expression again. She bit her bottom lip and took a silent step back.
“That letter was in the pocket of Mr. Darcy’s greatcoat? The greatcoat that Mr. Carstairs was folding over his arm as we passed him in the hall yesterday?” Jane drew closer to Miss Bingley. “Is that why you lagged behind us, Caroline? Did you see the letter fall from Mr. Darcy’s pocket and pick it up? And once having retrieved it, rather than returning it to Mr. Carstairs so he could see it safely back to Mr. Darcy’s room, you kept it overnight andreadit?”
“She used it, too,” Charles added helpfully.
Jane’s gaze did not waver from Miss Bingley. “I have made every attempt to accommodate you, Caroline,” she said evenly. “I have not protested your presence here despite your disdain for your brother’s marriage and my sister’s presence, to say nothing of your general unpleasantness. As I am a lady, I shall not have you tossed out, no matter how sorely I am tempted. But you will steer clear of me while you remain in this house, and the instant the coaching inns are open again, you will be on your way.”
“Charles . . .” Miss Bingley said, as shocked as the rest of them that Jane was sending her away, “you cannot allow your wife to speak to me this way.”
“It is her house, Caroline. She may speak as she finds.” He smiled proudly. “In fact, I am rather enjoying this.”
“But where do you expect me to go?”
Mr. Darcy’s expression spoke his answer to that, and it was not to heaven. Elizabeth cleared her throat very quietly to interrupt any impolite sound of mirth. In truth, her relief was so profound that she might not be able to stop.
“To Scarborough,” Charles replied. “Louisa and Hurst are still there, and if they will not admit you to their family circle again, you may stay with Aunt Penelope. Poor Mrs. Matthias has already inquired whether she might return to her own family, so she will again serve as your companion, and I will pay her handsomely for the journey. But Caroline, do not think I shall be covering any of your personal expenses henceforth. You have enough money to purchase everything you need and most of what you want. I have other responsibilities now.”
“Charles!” Miss Bingley’s countenance was ashen. “How will I purchase new clothing for the season?”
“Do not importune my husband, Miss Bingley,” Jane said steadily. “We cannot shelter a woman who would willingly injure two good people for nothing but her own selfish gain. Please do not bother to join us for meals. You may take them in your rooms.” She turned to Mr. Darcy. “You, however, should dine with us. No more hiding in your chamber.”
Mr. Darcy inclined his head slowly in assent. Perhaps he was afraid to move too quickly for fear that Jane might lambaste him. Elizabeth did not utter a sound. She did not want to draw Jane’s ire down on her head, either.
Charles rang the bell for Carstairs, who appeared so quickly that he must have been standing nearly at the door. Whether he had been preventing eavesdropping by the other servants, or doing so himself, she did not know.
“Carstairs, have a maid escort Miss Bingley to her rooms,” Jane said politely. “And please follow her to make certain she does not walk anywhere else first.”
