Caroline Bingley: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Becton Page A
Authors: Jennifer Becton
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Bingley?"
Caroline could not but agree as Lavinia wrapped her silk-clad arm around Caroline's and led her gently from the center of the room, where she had purposefully positioned herself to be seen to the best advantage, toward the doorway through which she had originally entered.
"Certainly, I will perform any service you require of me." Caroline was pleased to assist her friend, for it spoke of their close relationship and would make her appear indispensible.
"William has insisted that I invite several guests of the lower social orders," Lavinia said softly so that her brother could not hear, and she looked around the room as if seeking out each lower-class offender. "And I do have some concern regarding their behavior tonight."
Caroline nodded and also looked about the room. "That is an understandable fear."
"If you, my dear, would be so kind as to occupy Miss Brodrick until dinner?"
"Which is Miss Brodrick?"
Lavinia pointed out a pale, slight creature who was sitting alone at the back of the room.
"Come, I shall introduce you."
The trio crossed the room to the young lady in question, and when they had drawn close enough, Lavinia said, "Miss Brodrick, I have the greatest desire to introduce you to our dear Miss Bingley."
Lavinia made the introductions, the ladies curtseyed to one another, and as she straightened again, Caroline took her first notice of the young lady.
Miss Brodrick appeared to be of no more than seventeen years, and she was everything that was fragile and slight. Even her face seemed small and was composed of delicate features and porcelain skin. Her hair was of the finest blonde coloration and decorated with a small white feathered ornament.
"Miss Bingley, it is an honor," said Miss Brodrick in a soft voice, and Caroline had to lean closer to hear her properly.
"It is equally my honor, I assure you," Caroline lied. She could not have cared less to have made her acquaintance, but it had proved her value to Lavinia, and that was all that was necessary to make her amenable.
"Miss Brodrick is recently returned from one of our old haunts, Miss Bingley," Mrs. Winton said.
"Oh?" Caroline asked, though she was quite uninterested.
"She was also a student at ladies' Eton."
"Ah, yes? Such a beneficial education for a young lady to receive," Caroline said with a glance at Mr. Charlton. "And you have certainly been admitted to society that will only serve to improve upon it."
"Yes," Miss Brodrick said in her whispered voice, "Mr. Charlton and Mrs. Winton have been very gracious in inviting me to attend."
"I do hope you will continue to think me gracious after I steal my brother away for a few moments," Lavinia said as she transferred her arm from Caroline's to her brother's. "A host's duties are never complete, it seems."
"Oh dear," Mr. Charlton said, "I must be away."
"Yes, the Dowager Lady Kentworth requires your presence." He rolled his eyes, and Lavinia sighed. "Do not be difficult, William."
Mr. Charlton bowed first to Miss Bingley and then to Miss Brodrick. "You will excuse me. It seems I must see to my duty, but you, Miss Brodrick, are in excellent care. Miss Bingley will ensure that you are not without amusing conversation."
"Excellent," Lavinia said as she held to her brother's arm and walked with him through the crowd toward the far end of the room, which held the entrance to the dining room.
Though she had the impression that he would like to slink away like a chastised child, Caroline watched as Mr. Charlton straightened his back and walked with dignity toward the opposite end of the room.
Caroline turned to Miss Brodrick. "Indeed, we shall enjoy becoming further acquainted, shall we not, Miss Brodrick?" Despite her disappointment in Mr. Charlton's departure, her pleasure in his kind words made her more able to bear it. "And so, tell me, who is your family?"
Miss Brodrick stepped back slightly, but responded with little hesitation. "My father owns a graphite mill."
"Graphite?"
Caroline could not but agree as Lavinia wrapped her silk-clad arm around Caroline's and led her gently from the center of the room, where she had purposefully positioned herself to be seen to the best advantage, toward the doorway through which she had originally entered.
"Certainly, I will perform any service you require of me." Caroline was pleased to assist her friend, for it spoke of their close relationship and would make her appear indispensible.
"William has insisted that I invite several guests of the lower social orders," Lavinia said softly so that her brother could not hear, and she looked around the room as if seeking out each lower-class offender. "And I do have some concern regarding their behavior tonight."
Caroline nodded and also looked about the room. "That is an understandable fear."
"If you, my dear, would be so kind as to occupy Miss Brodrick until dinner?"
"Which is Miss Brodrick?"
Lavinia pointed out a pale, slight creature who was sitting alone at the back of the room.
"Come, I shall introduce you."
The trio crossed the room to the young lady in question, and when they had drawn close enough, Lavinia said, "Miss Brodrick, I have the greatest desire to introduce you to our dear Miss Bingley."
Lavinia made the introductions, the ladies curtseyed to one another, and as she straightened again, Caroline took her first notice of the young lady.
Miss Brodrick appeared to be of no more than seventeen years, and she was everything that was fragile and slight. Even her face seemed small and was composed of delicate features and porcelain skin. Her hair was of the finest blonde coloration and decorated with a small white feathered ornament.
"Miss Bingley, it is an honor," said Miss Brodrick in a soft voice, and Caroline had to lean closer to hear her properly.
"It is equally my honor, I assure you," Caroline lied. She could not have cared less to have made her acquaintance, but it had proved her value to Lavinia, and that was all that was necessary to make her amenable.
"Miss Brodrick is recently returned from one of our old haunts, Miss Bingley," Mrs. Winton said.
"Oh?" Caroline asked, though she was quite uninterested.
"She was also a student at ladies' Eton."
"Ah, yes? Such a beneficial education for a young lady to receive," Caroline said with a glance at Mr. Charlton. "And you have certainly been admitted to society that will only serve to improve upon it."
"Yes," Miss Brodrick said in her whispered voice, "Mr. Charlton and Mrs. Winton have been very gracious in inviting me to attend."
"I do hope you will continue to think me gracious after I steal my brother away for a few moments," Lavinia said as she transferred her arm from Caroline's to her brother's. "A host's duties are never complete, it seems."
"Oh dear," Mr. Charlton said, "I must be away."
"Yes, the Dowager Lady Kentworth requires your presence." He rolled his eyes, and Lavinia sighed. "Do not be difficult, William."
Mr. Charlton bowed first to Miss Bingley and then to Miss Brodrick. "You will excuse me. It seems I must see to my duty, but you, Miss Brodrick, are in excellent care. Miss Bingley will ensure that you are not without amusing conversation."
"Excellent," Lavinia said as she held to her brother's arm and walked with him through the crowd toward the far end of the room, which held the entrance to the dining room.
Though she had the impression that he would like to slink away like a chastised child, Caroline watched as Mr. Charlton straightened his back and walked with dignity toward the opposite end of the room.
Caroline turned to Miss Brodrick. "Indeed, we shall enjoy becoming further acquainted, shall we not, Miss Brodrick?" Despite her disappointment in Mr. Charlton's departure, her pleasure in his kind words made her more able to bear it. "And so, tell me, who is your family?"
Miss Brodrick stepped back slightly, but responded with little hesitation. "My father owns a graphite mill."
"Graphite?"
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