Page 92 of To Go Against Her Heart
She stood bewildered, not knowing how she had slept for so many hours, and finally she became resonant with her worst fear, a possibility of something she had dreamt of never occurring in real life.
Did Lady Matlock confront Elizabeth? How did I sleep for so many hours? And that dream seemed so real.
Suddenly, the vast room seemed to close in on her and spin, casting her into a frenzy. Miss Bingley was on the verge of collapse from the torment and headache when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
She turned around and stared at the face of her sister.
“Louisa!” she exclaimed, struggling to steady herself.
“Come with me,” Mrs. Hurst said and led her out of the ballroom.
“I do not understand. What happened at the party? Where is everyone?” she cried, and Mrs. Hurst ignored her questions and walked her to the library.
“Louisa, for heaven’s sake, tell me what happened in the past hours; I do not know why I fell asleep for so long, and…” She halted upon entering the room, finding Lady Matlock seated precisely as before, her attention fixed upon a book.
Miss Bingley was visibly shocked, unable to comprehend the situation.
“Lady Matlock, what happened? Did you question her? Did you break their engagement?” Miss Bingley asked with impatience.
“Whatever for, Miss Bingley?” Lady Matlock asked, still engrossed in her book.
“What? You promised me that you would expose Elizabeth Bennet, and you said you would shame her in front of everyone and expose her filthy…” She stopped as Lady Matlock rose.
“I suggest you guard your words. You are speaking of the future Mrs. Darcy, and she is the most respectable and honorable woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.”
“But…But last night…”
“I did promise you that I would expose the person who dared to deceive me. I never once mentioned Elizabeth’s name. Whatever I said, and the sentiments born of my rage, were directed at the one who thought she could so easily escape after injuring my family—you”.
Miss Bingley started shaking.
“Yes, you, Miss Bingley—your character is indeed filthy, heartless enough to wound all around you because of your greed for wealth and status. I warn you never to utter Elizabeth’s name. You have taken a grave risk in trifling with my family, and for your own good, I wish you had not drawn me into your schemes—for I would dearly love to finish the game you began.”
Miss Bingley turned around and looked at her sister, whose face was filled with disgust.
“Trust me, the moment my nephew read the letter, he knew it was your doing. Our immediate thought was to summon the authorities and have you arrested. Yet we had no wish to destroy the happiness of two couples, nor that of their families, who eagerly anticipated tonight’s celebration. We knew you would attempt some mischief to ruin their joy, which is why I met you last night—to grant you the last taste of satisfaction you would ever know, and to let you believe we credited every falsehood you so artfully planted in those letters,” she continued, “Let me assure you, the engagement party went exceedingly well; nothing but pure happiness and good cheer prevailed throughout the evening. Elizabeth and her sister were, without doubt, the happiest of all.”
“What? I would never have allowed it—had I been there, I would have ruined their evening! You have deceived me, and I cannot fathom the lengths to which you have gone—a woman of such status stooping to such a level of treachery. How could I have fallen asleep? Something is not right, and I cannot imagine how you dared act so under my own roof,” she cried with rage.
At the exact moment, the door opened and in walked Darcy, along with Mr. Bingley, Lord Matlock, and Richard.
“Miss Bingley, you do not have much time left. I will allow you the last chance to speak with your siblings,” Lord Matlock addressed her.
“Why? What have I done?” she cried with anguish.
“You very well know what you have done. Do you truly believe you can walk away unscathed?” Darcy screamed.
“Charles, do not believe them, I did nothing but state the truth to save Mr. Darcy, she is characterless...”
“Enough! Not a word more about her from your poisoned mouth!” Darcy yelled, and Mr. Bingley, who was silent all along, spoke up.
“Caroline, I have no words to convey the torment I feel at this moment.If I am to express my rage at your immoral actions, I must first direct it towards myself; for, being your brother, even after witnessing how you chose to ruin my happiness, I still believed you. You deceived me with false promises of change, and now I stand in shame before all. If you had ever thought of your family, you would have never had the courage to commit this horrendous act, and yes, this is the last you will see of me and Louisa.”
“What are you going to do, punish me? If you ever plan to send me to prison, trust me, I will slander her in court; you cannot afford that, can you?” she said, looking at Lady Matlock with confidence.
“We are well aware of your intentions, and the only reason we have not called the authorities is because we do not wish to give you the chance to do so,” Lady Matlock replied calmly.
“You will not see another morning in Hertfordshire; you are to leave this very instant,” Mr. Bingley cried with rage.
