Part 1

Posted on Tuesday, 25 June 2002

I know you've played at love and lost,
And sorrow's turned your heart to frost,
I will melt your heart again!

"Caroline!" exclaimed Louisa, pushing her sister's hand in the air. "You should be ashamed of yourself! At the very least, bid our brother goodbye!"

Halfheartedly, Caroline waved and watched the carriages roll out of sight. The slight tug at her elbow from her sister moved her toward her own carriage.

What would she possibly do now? She thought and as she did the tears came again. They rolled down her cheeks as she quickened her steps. What a fool, Mr. Darcy was! Her heart had been shattered and he had not even cared. He had betrayed her.

He had falsely accepted all the devotion and attention she had showered him with over the years and shamelessly, he had married that country girl. All her hopes and dreams were now vanished. What a fool she was!

Reaching the carriage, the footman opened the door and Caroline rushed in. "Close the door, Lewis!"

"Sister, please!" cried Louisa, attempting to board.

"Oh! Sorry..." she replied. "I forgot about you."

"Thank you." Louisa answered, sarcastically.

Caroline flopped down on the seat and wiped her eyes. "I did not mean it that way. You don't understand!"

"I do understand, sister, but you must pull yourself together. Do you wish the Bennets to see you in this condition?" said Louisa.

"I do not care..." muttered Caroline, as the carriage lurched forward.

"Of course, you do!" inserted Louisa. "You do not want to give them the satisfaction of knowing that you are still yearning for Mr. Darcy, do you?"

"I am not yearning for him!!" She snapped.

"Then what are you doing?"

"Nothing..." Caroline trailed off, wiped her eyes and sat in silence.

"Nothing!?" asked Louisa, disbelieving. "Does nothing make you daub at your eyes with a handkerchief? Does nothing make you gaze stonefaced at a departing carriage? Does nothing make you so bitter as to not even give a newly-married brother the courtesy of a goodbye! Nay! I say that it is far from nothing!"

Carolina refused to answer. Louisa had struck a nerve and she struggled to maintain her composure. She turned her back to Louisa, so that she looked only out the window. The carriage rolled in silence toward Netherfield.

For a moment, Louisa was nauseated. She had hated to speak to Caroline in such a way but something had to be said and if she had not, who knows what Caroline would have been headed for. It was time that she faced up to this situation.

After a short while, Louisa spoke again. "So, what are we to do now?"

Caroline turned slightly toward her and smiled weakly. "Well, we attend the wedding breakfast like the good sisters that we are and as soon as the happy couples are away, so are we. The sooner I can leave the better."

Louisa shook her head slowly. "I know. We are for Brighton, and I almost look forward to going."

Caroline looked puzzled. "Is that not where the militia is?"

"No, it is where the gambling hall is. The militia will be long gone when we get there." sighed Louisa. "I am told that this is better for our health because, as Marshall claims, it is warmer on the coast and therefore more hospitable to our natures, but I know differently."

Caroline's demeanor had returned and she chuckled slightly. "How can the climate so affect someone, who hardly ever leaves the house, except to go to the club?"

"Exactly my point." Louisa glanced out the window, and then turned back to her sister. "Do you know where our brother goes?"

"Oh yes! He told me this morning. They depart today and will stay a week in Ramsgate, from there they sail for France." replied Caroline, then adding in a sarcastic tone, "his beloved Jane has always wanted to see Paris."

"I see." Louisa replied, leaning closer. "And what know you of the Darcys?"

Caroline shook her head in disgust and mocked. "They will be traveling back to Derbyshire for Eliza wants to go to her new home first, then it will be off to revisit the Lakes, for there is where she first realized that she loved Mr. Darcy."

"Oh, how sickening!" exclaimed Louisa. "I shall be so glad when we reach Brighton, for then we shall not be subjected to this at every turn."

"We? I'm not going to Brighton." stated Caroline.

"You're not?" asked Louisa, puzzled. "Oh. I ... uh ... just assumed that you would go with us."

"No. I shall return home to London." She replied.

"Surely not all alone?" inquired Louisa. "Come with us to Brighton!"

"No, I shall be all right and besides," Caroline paused, as the carriage slowed to a stop. The Bennets had already arrived and so had Mrs. Bennet's voice. Caroline looked at her sister. "...the quiet will be a welcome change."

"Are you quite sure you will be fine?" questioned Louisa that afternoon. "You are still welcome to go with us."

Caroline watched Mr. Hurst assist his wife into the carriage. "I know, but I am certain. You go and visit Brighton and do not worry about me. I shall see you soon I daresay. Besides I shall not lack for company. The season is in full swing, so there will be many things to engage my time. Perhaps I shall invite Judith to join stay with me."

"That is a very good idea." smiled Louisa, with relief. "I would feel much better were you not alone."

"Then it is done." replied Caroline, waving. "Goodbye!"

London
Monday Afternoon

Dearest Caroline,

What joy it was to hear from you! I had no idea of you returning to London so soon. I had thought you to stay in the country all winter. But I am glad to know that you are back.

I have such news to tell that we must meet. You see, I marry in a fortnight and because of this, I must regretfully decline your invitation. I must abide here at Stoneford House until the wedding.

A letter can not do justice to all I have to tell, so please join me at the house at three o'clock on Thursday for tea and I will bear my soul to you.

I remain your faithful friend,
Judith Smallwood

P.S. I do hope you will consider being a bridesmaid.

Caroline angrily flung the letter across the room and stomped past the maid as she scurried to retrieve it.

"Even Judith!" She bellowed, racing up the stairs. "When will it stop?"

"Miss Caroline Bingley." The footman announced.

Judith rushed to greet her friend. "Oh Caroline! I have missed you so!"

"Not too much, I suppose!" answered Caroline, a slight anger in her voice. "For you have gone and gotten yourself engaged. Why did you not write?"

Judith led her friend to the sitting room and on to the divan by the fire, where tea things were already placed.

"Oh my!" began Judith, handing a cup to Caroline. "It has all happened so fast. It was but a month ago that I last talked to you and the very day you left, I met him."

"Him?" questioned Caroline, stirring her tea.

Judith clasped her hands together against her chest. "Yes! You will remember that we were invited to Penelope Taddlington's for tea, which you missed due to your brother's wedding,"

Caroline nodded, impatiently. "Yes! And?"

"Well, I arrive at Penelope's and " began Judith, leaning toward Caroline. "I was shown into the parlor, and you know that Penelope has always envisioned me married to Joseph, but there in the parlor, talking to Joseph," she paused and sighed deeply, "was the most exquisite man I had ever seen. As I stood staring, Joseph brought him over and introduced him and by the end of the week, he was at Stoneford House asking Papa if he could call on me. Well, one thing lead to another and before I could turn around, we were engaged!"

"Sounds as though you hardly know him." replied Caroline. "How can you be certain he is the one? What has he? Fortune or land? Who is his family?"

"Oh Caroline! Can you not believe it to be love at first sight?"

"No, I can not." She replied. "I have had enough experience in matters of the heart to know when it is right or when you are being played for a fool. Tell me, what do you know of him?"

Judith sipped her tea. "I know that his parents have already passed and left him master of their estate in Northern England. He has no brothers or sisters and what remaining family he has, is small, nothing other than cousins. In fact, he has a cousin here in London, who he is staying with during the season."

"During the season?" asked Caroline. "He was on the marriage market?"

"Well, of course he was, Caroline." Judith rolled her eyes. "A single man with a large fortune? Of course, he is in want of a wife."

"So, what is your beau's name?"

"His name is Daniel Roxsford." She smiled, dreamily. "Do you know him?"

"No, not at all." answered Caroline. "Where is he staying?"

"As I said, he living with his cousin on Stravenford Lane. After we are married, we will journey back to Fieldstone Lodge, which is his home."

Caroline shook her head, trying to absorb it all. "I do not understand you, Judith. I was only gone for a month. How can you fall in love so quickly?"

"It is a mystery to me as well, but I know what I feel and it is love. I know that he loves me, Caroline. You must give me some credit. If I let this pass me by, what will become of me? I can not spend the rest of my life waiting on a Mr. Darcy. And what if this is my only chance? If I let it pass me by, then I shall be the same as ...." Judith looked away.

Caroline lowered her eyes. "The same as me, you mean."

"Oh, no! That is not what I meant." answered Judith, quickly. "But, I must be honest. I am not going to pass up a man who loves me."

"So, you are determined?"

"Yes, Caroline, very much." smiled Judith. "Please say that you will support me in this decision? It will make me very happy!"

"I cannot yet say that I support this decision, but I will not disappoint you at this time in your life." She replied. "I shall be beside you all the way."

"Oh, thank you! You are truly my very best friend." Judith exclaimed. "My father will be hosting an engagement party for me this Saturday and I would be most pleased if you attend."

"I am most eager to meet your intended. You may depend on me." Replied Caroline, standing.