Actually till you mentioned this, I hadn't realized in the early chapters JA conveys to readers Caroline Bingley may entertain hopes of being Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy. :) She certainly takes every opportunity to promote her accomplishments, particularly music and 'witty' conversation. Caroline is superficial and pretentious. She fails to perceive Darcy likes women to be accomplished yet he prefers essence of charecter to style-his comment about 'extensive reading to improve the mind' is lost on her. She senses Darcy's interest in Lizzy and cannot understand it. I doubt Caroline has affection for Darcy. She may admire, even like him for his Pemberley. Yet it would suit her pride and ego if she could win Darcy's approval and friendship. Possibly she thinks naturally as Charles and Darcy are best friends, he should esteem her as well- she's soo accomplished! Can she be such a nitwit not to realize Darcy dislikes her so? I think she practises self-deception. Her vanity and ego won't allow her to believe Darcy could be blind to her eligibility.