Caroline's Ball
Chapter 01
Music filled the assembly room as the dance-couples took their positions in the set. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy had the honour of opening the ball. Caroline was aware of the jealous stares she was receiving from the women in the room, as she proudly took her position in front of her husband, the handsome owner of Pemberley, Fitzwilliam Darcy.
She saw her brother farther down, standing up with his wife, the former Miss Bennet. It used to annoy Caroline that her brother had married the unconnected and impoverished Jane Bennet, but after her own marriage to Mr. Darcy, little things like these did not bother her anymore.
Caroline had come to the ball in the handsomest carriage in town. She herself was dressed in an elegant, fashionable costume from the best designer in London. Her neck and wrists were bedecked with the Darcy family jewels. As Mrs. Darcy, she was opening the ball. Louisa's marriage was nothing to hers.
To crown it all, she saw Elizabeth Bennet sitting down in want of a partner. Caroline snickered to herself, "So, Eliza Bennet is without a partner? Serves her right! To think that she once dared to set herself to be Mrs. Darcy, with her impertinent words and batting eyelashes! Fine eyes, indeed!"
Caroline moved gracefully down the dance floor, smiling, and nodding her head at the curtseying men she passed. They finished the dance, and Caroline joined her sister, Louisa Hurst.
"Louisa! Your hair is done better than Lady Matlock's (1). And did you see the gown Mrs. Grantley was wearing?"
"Yes, looks as if she got it from Cheapside."
The two sisters laughed heartily.
"Did you see her?" asked Caroline of her sister, "Sitting down with that pert look on her face!"
"Her dress looks handsome though. Jane must have procured it for her. Her father cannot afford to get her such expensive apparel!"
"Yes, I wish Jane would stop wasting Charles' money on her!" bewailed Caroline.
"Well, it is his own doing and he must suffer from it! Caroline, look, is not that Mr. Darcy with Elizabeth Bennet? It seems as if he is asking her to dance!"
"No! That cannot be," hissed Caroline, "Not after all my tirades that he is to give her no consequence!"
When the music started playing again, Caroline found that Mr. Darcy was indeed leading Eliza Bennet to the dance floor. She had no time to vent her anger, as she was herself claimed by Lord Ebrington for the dance. As she moved around the dance floor, her eyes kept turning in the direction of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. They seemed to be talking and smiling too much. This ought not be allowed to continue! -- she would fake indisposition; that would bring Mr. Darcy running to her side!
She was just preparing to swoon gracefully into the arms of her partner, when the door opened, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh, accompanied by her daughter Anne, entered the room. Lady Catherine was moving fast towards Mr. Darcy. Anne de Bourgh, though, seemed to be coming straight at her. Caroline unconsciously straightened her posture. Maybe she wanted to pay her compliments to Mrs. Darcy- she looked so sour, though!
"You ruined my life!" said Anne to Caroline, loud enough to be heard by at least ten people near her.
"Darcy, you foolish nephew! After all that I warned you about, you have thrown yourself into the arms of that scheming Bingley woman--" Lady Catherine yelled at Mr. Darcy.
This time the whole room heard the words, and the dancing stopped.
"This cannot be happening to me!" thought Caroline, desperately. The ball was turning into a nightmare!
"You have thrown yourself down from the higher circles by marrying that upstart, whose father was in trade! I refuse to acknowledge her as part of our family," Lady Catherine continued.
Caroline started to move towards Mr. Darcy, only to be restrained by Anne de Bourgh. She screamed as she felt one of Anne's fingernails dig through her arms. Caroline, in her turn, raised her free hand, and shoving Anne out of the way, ran towards Mr. Darcy.
"But, Lady Catherine," Darcy was saying, "I am married to Elizabeth, not to Miss Bingley!"
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At this point, Caroline Bingley fell off the sofa in the Pemberley morning room, where she had inadvertently fallen asleep.
"Miss Bingley!" she heard Georgiana say, "Are you alright?"
"Yes, of course--what were we speaking of? Ah! Yes, the Ball!" Soon after Caroline Bingley had recovered her bearings, Mr. Darcy entered the room.
"Mr. Darcy!" gushed Caroline Bingley, "How thoughtful of you to throw a ball for your sister! Her accomplishments deserve such encouragement. Georgiana is very fortunate in having you as a brother!"
"Georgiana always deserves the best," said he, "But, the ball is for another accomplished lady."
Caroline Bingley's eyes sparkled. Who, within 30 miles of Pemberley, was more accomplished than she was! She would be so appropriate in her role as patroness of the Pemberley ballroom. She pictured herself on Darcy's arm, smiling graciously at admiring young men, as she walked down to lead the set. She would wear her pearl--
"It is in honour of my wife's return to Pemberley," said Mr. Darcy.
"Eliza Benn--I mean, Mrs. Darcy arrives this week?" a disappointed Caroline stuttered.
"Yes, Lizzy and Jane are to be here before Friday, and we are to have the ball Saturday," explained Georgiana, "How pleased dear Lizzy will be, William, when she finds out!"
"Oh! It is to be a surprise. Well, if they arrive in time, I suppose so," said Caroline ungraciously and walked out of the room, with a slight "Excuse me!"
Brother and sister smiled at each other. Jane and Lizzy were at Longbourn on a month-long visit. Mary Bennet's marriage to Mr. Smith, their Uncle Philips' clerk was fixed soon after Lady Day (2). The sisters had gone to congratulate Mary in person, and help with the shopping and other wedding arrangements. Bingley had been called on urgent business to London the previous week. Caroline, then her brother's guest at his recently procured estate near Derbyshire (3), was invited to stay with Georgiana until the ball.
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(1) - Lady Matlock (Colonel Fitzwilliam's mother) named according to the tradition of archived BoI stories.
(2) - The first of the four "Quarter days" (Lady Day, Midsummer Day, Michaelmas, Christmas) in a year. Lady Day fell on March 25.
(3) - I am following the Chapman Calendar of Pride & Prejudice for the timeline of my story. Darcy & Elizabeth would be married end 1812. It is a little more than a year after their marriage.
Chapter 02
I am writing to you in haste. Mr. Darcy is throwing a ball at Pemberley this week Saturday, and I do not have an appropriate gown for it! I pray that you procure an evening gown for me immediately and send it to Pemberley. I will reimburse you for the expense when we meet next. I hear teal is quite the thing now, and short sleeves. I am sorry for imposing on you in such a manner, but you will understand when I tell you that Mr. Darcy is inviting a large party of guests including the Lord Ebrington, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and I dare say, other interesting gentlemen. The Colonel arrives a day before the ball, and you will remember how agreeable he always is to me... no more of that now. Mr. Darcy is also inviting Westham. I wish he hadn't- that man bores me to death!
Georgiana sends you her regards. She has invited her friend, Miss Grantley, and her brother, to the ball. I do not like the Grantleys at all-their family estate in Northamptonshire is not very vast, and Mr. Grantley seems to be paying undue attention to Georgiana. I must warn Mr. Darcy about this.
I hear Jane and Eliza are in London now. Did you have to go to Gracechurch Street to visit them? I wish Jane would stop staying with the Gardiners, now that she is married into our family!
I will stop now, as I am eager to get this to you at the earliest. Awaiting your reply.
CAROLINE BINGLEYDear Louisa,
Yours affectionately,
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I received your letter. I have purchased a costume for you in dark teal. I think you will be pleased, though you may need to make a few adjustments for a perfect fit. It took some 'persuading' to get it done at such short notice. I am sending it to you by express today.
When the Colonel arrives, takes every opportunity to engage his attentions. However, I do not need to remind you that there are going to be guests 'worthier' than the Colonel at the ball. Mr. Westham seems to like you, and though his fortune is only moderate, the man (like my husband) has excellent connections.
Thankfully, I did not have to go to Gracechurch Street. I had all of them over for dinner on Monday, and there ended the matter! I believe they are busy with shopping for Mary Bennet's marriage. The other sister, what's-her-name, was with them too, and is to accompany them to Pemberley. She is the only one of the Bennet girls not married or on the verge-of-marriage yet. With the family's propensity of marrying above their sphere, I think she may be well worth a lookout at the ball.
I do not think it is a good idea for you to talk about the Grantleys to Mr. Darcy-he approves of them, and may not take your interference too kindly. Charles sends you his love. He is to accompany the party to Pemberley. I end my letter here; Mr. Hurst is awake, and wants breakfast. Write to me as soon as you get the dress and my letter.
LOUISA HURSTDear Caroline,
Yours sincerely,
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I apologise for the delay in replying. I was busy instructing Fanny in making a few alterations to the dress you had sent me. I must say that you have chosen well, indeed! The dark teal sets off my pearl necklace wonderfully... I hope the Colonel likes it. He arrived yesterday. I dare say he will ask me to dance the first set with him at the ball tonight. I try to engage him in conversation as often as I can, but strangely, he always seems to be leaving the room when I am entering it.
'Mrs. Darcy' arrived this morning with Charles, Jane and their sister, Kitty. (You joke about Kitty Bennet-she, a rival for me!). They were to have reached here by nightfall yesterday, but a sick horse and bad roads delayed their arrival. I wish they had been stuck until after the ball was over, though Mr. Darcy was bent on canceling it if his 'dear wife' did not arrive in time for it! Imagine canceling a ball, and for her! What would all the guests think! I tried to make Mr. Darcy see reason, but he was determined. The way he goes on about her, one would think they were married only yesterday... At any rate, they are here, and the ball takes place as planned. I have to stop now- it begins in two hours, and I am yet to start my toilette!
CAROLINE BINGLEYDear Louisa,
Yours affectionately,
Chapter 03
Caroline's Ball did not begin well.
Upon entering the ballroom, Caroline perceived at least three other women wearing teal. Apparently, she was not the only one who kept up with the latest fashions in town! She might have coped better, had not the Mistress of Pemberley been one of them...
Caroline walked about the room, dexterously avoiding Mr. Westham- if confronted; she could not very well refuse to dance with him!
The line was forming into a respectable length on the floor, as the guests were getting ready for the first dance of the evening at the much-awaited Pemberley Ball. Caroline saw Mr. Darcy, in rapt attention, leading his wife Elizabeth to head the set. Mentally scoffing at them, she moved towards the punch bowl, where Colonel Fitzwilliam was standing.
"Miss Bingley! You look well this evening," complimented the Colonel, curtsying.
"Thank you, Colonel!" said Caroline with a bow, trying to look demure, but failing completely.
"Why aren't you dancing Miss Bingley?"
"Umm... I haven't been asked yet. And, why are you not dancing, Colonel? Surely you don't have a partner either?"
"Oh...actually I do. I have the honour of dancing with Lady Clare. I am getting her a glass of punch first," said the Colonel. He continued after a slight pause, "I would be honoured if you consented to dance the next set with me."
Caroline assented with alacrity.
The Colonel moved away, and as Caroline turned from the punch bowl, she saw Mr. Westham in front of her. Caroline knew that she was trapped. They curtseyed.
"Miss Bingley, if you are not otherwise engaged, would you do me the honour of dancing the first set with me?" The dance had already begun, and Caroline decided that it would be better to dance with even Mr. Westham, than not at all!
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Westham," said she.
Mr. Westham led her to the set. Caroline swayed around the ballroom in tune to the music. Her thoughts ran, 'What a tiresome man... talks constantly!' The words title and honour floated into her ears. She mechanically assented to whatever her partner was saying, her mind busy elsewhere.
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Caroline was not in a very good humour when she sat down to dinner in the adjoining room, beside Georgiana Darcy. After Mr. Westham, she had danced in that order, with Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Darcy, and another gentleman. The Colonel had talked only of Lady Clare, and Mr. Darcy, as was his wont, had been chiefly silent (though he always seemed to be able to talk to his wife constantly!).
While biting into a succulent piece of shrimp amidst her ruminations, Caroline almost choked- she had just spied the Lord Erbington talking to her brother Charles, Mr. Darcy, and a few other gentlemen on the other side of the door, in the ballroom. An old friend of Mr. Darcy's and at the prime of his life, the young lord was clearly the most eligible bachelor in the room! Caroline had had him pointed out to her once before, at a crowded London Ball, but was not acquainted with him herself.
Caroline finished her meal, and drawing Georgiana with her, entered the ballroom and positioned herself strategically near the small circle of friends, whose attention she hoped to catch. Mr. Grantley looked eager to approach them, but Caroline's cold looks kept him at bay.
Presently, Caroline heard a deep voice emanating from the direction of the gentlemen. "Charles, who is the delightful creature sitting by the pillar? I wish to dance with her! Darcy!" said he, turning to his host, "You must introduce me to her."
"Whom do you mean, Edward?"
Lord Erbington pointed out his special choice.
Charles Bingley replied, half-laughing, "My dear Edward, that is my sister! I won't have you trifling with her."
"But my dear man, how wonderful! And, I am not such a trifler as you think!" said Lord Erbington with a snort!
Darcy laughed, and said, "Come along Bingley, let us indulge him. I'm sure he won't try any of his funny tricks at Pemberley!"
Rising, the three gentlemen walked towards the place where Caroline and Georgiana were standing. Caroline, glowing, was trying hard to look unconcerned. The gentlemen greeted them with a bow.
"Ladies, the Lord Erbington. Lord Erbington, Miss Bingley, Miss Bennet, and you know my sister," said Mr. Darcy.
They curtseyed. Caroline was surprised to find Kitty Bennet in their group. She had not noticed.
Lord Erbington turned to Kitty, "I wish to have the honour of this dance, if you are not already engaged for it!"
Before the evidently pleased Kitty could open her mouth in acceptance, Caroline's voice burst forth, "But Charles, you said...oh!" She suddenly realized whom all in the room besides her, was 'sister' to Charles!
"What is it, Caroline?"
"Nothing, just... erm... don't you know that Miss Bennet would rather dance with red-coats! Indeed, at Hertfordshire, she and her sister Lydia- Mrs. Wickham, I mean- would dance with no other!"
Kitty flushed with embarrassment, and her eyes glistened with tears. She excused herself incoherently from the company and left the room, followed by Georgiana.
Bingley looked shocked at Caroline, but did not say anything, and led the astonished-looking young lord, who did not trouble curtsying to Caroline, away. Only Darcy remained.
"Miss Bingley, I hope that when at Pemberley in the future, you will direct your witticisms in a different direction, rather than at my sisters and guests!" said he and walked away.
Chapter 04
It was the morning after the ball. Caroline held a letter from her sister Louisa in her hand. She had a curious disinclination to opening it. She felt confounded and irate.
After the aforementioned incident of the previous night, her brother had hardly spoken to her. Georgiana had not left Kitty Bennet's side (Kitty having been persuaded back into the ballroom by her friend's solicitude and kind entreaties) for the reminder of the ball, except at nearly the end of the evening, to dance with Mr. Grantley. Mrs. Darcy and Mrs. Bingley had joined them then. Upon seeing Kitty sufficiently recovered as to be laughing with her companions, Lord Erbington had returned to claim Kitty Bennet for the final dance!
Caroline comforted herself with the thought that in the very least, she had resisted (though not too civilly), the indefatigable Mr. Westham's attempts to get her to dance with him again!
At last, the final dance had been danced, the guests safely deposited in their respective rooms or carriages, and poor Caroline left to spend the rest of the night in delightful slumber and forgetfulness, or in irritation and wakefulness.
Recollecting herself to the present, Caroline languidly opened the letter. It read-
Grosvenor Street: Saturday (February 5, 1814)
Hope you are in good health and spirits. By the time my letter reaches you, I presume The Ball would have been over. I hope you enjoyed it! Did you like the gown I had sent you? Did you dance with the Colonel much? You must send me a detailed account of all the people you danced with in the course of the evening.
By the bye, I hope you indulged Westham. I believe he has come into the large fortune and title of his lately deceased great-uncle, a Baronet of some standing in Suffolk.
Everything is as usual here. We dined with the Morrisons on Friday and we are having the Watsons over for Tea after church tomorrow. Do write to me as soon as you get to our brother's house. When you get bored of being too long in the country, you are welcome to come over to London.
Affectionately,
LOUISA HURSTMy dear Caroline,
Caroline finished reading the epistle. She then crumpled her beloved sister's letter, and threw it into the fireplace, which was still glowing with the embers from last-night's fire.
Epilogue
A few months later, while Mr. Darcy was touring the Lake country with his wife Elizabeth, he received a letter from his friend Charles Bingley. It informed the Darcys of his sister, Caroline Bingley's engagement to Sir Albert Westham, of Wood Hall, Suffolk. The wedding was to be held in September.
"Well, well!" said Elizabeth to her husband after he had read the letter out loud to her, (she could not quite make out what it said by herself!), "Let us hope that the future Lady Westham will be so busy with her Suffolk duties that she will leave us in peace at Pemberley at last."
And she did leave them in peace.
Caroline's Ball had been useful, after all...
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the end
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