Caroline Bingley: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Becton Page B

Caroline attempted to conceal her distaste. "I was unaware that the product was still being mined."
    "Not mined, Miss Bingley. Milled."
    "I see," she said, although she did not really know or care to know the difference.
    "My father imports raw graphite from France and processes it so that it can be formed into proper English pencils."
    "He sounds a very industrious man, though"--Caroline lowered her voice--"I would caution you, Miss Brodrick, not to make your family's dealings in trade so very public."
    Miss Brodrick looked at her with pale blue eyes full of questions. "Why ever not?"
    "Darling, have you learned nothing in Queen's Square?"
    "I learned a great many things, Miss Bingley, among which was to value the livelihood that allowed me to be sent there."
    "You may be grateful, but not quite so vocally, certainly."
    "I shall not dissemble, Miss Bingley," said the pale creature. "I feel no shame; neither shall I pretend to."
    "Then it shall be to your detriment," Caroline warned. "For you must realize how lowly the better classes regard such a history."
    Miss Brodrick did not appear to give adequate weight to Caroline's words before she said with quiet confidence, "Then I suppose I shall just have to risk being seen as an oddity. It does not bother me, and neither should it trouble you."
    "I assure you it does not. It was advice kindly meant."
    "And it is kindly rejected, Miss Bingley, but I trust it will not damage our acquaintance."
    Caroline smiled. Silly girl. They had no such acquaintance.
    But she said, "Certainly not."
    The conversation lulled, and Caroline turned to discover that Lavinia had begun the subtle organization of guests that preceded their entry into the dining area. The Dowager Lady Kentworth was already on Mr. Charlton's arm, and they were proceeding out of the drawing room. The rest of the assembly followed suit.
    Caroline looked around as a feeling of panic descended over her. Everyone, it seemed, had found their escort--all except her and Miss Brodrick.
    In a party composed of an uneven number of ladies and gentlemen, it was vital to secure a male dining companion early, but now it was almost too late. Caroline found herself in the company of a female and quite at the back of the party.
    If she did not act quickly indeed, she would be doomed to dine in the company of Miss Brodrick.
    Disaster!
    She had hoped to wrangle the arm of an unattached gentleman and then select a seat as near to Mr. Charlton as possible. She would then ensure that she was well within his line of sight as she charmed her dinner partner, whomever he should be, with elegant conversation and wit.
    Mr. Charlton would see what a desirable partner she was and seek her out for conversation after dinner.
    A marriage proposal would be the next logical step, of course.
    But now, her plan was spoiled, and she must reverse the damage if she possibly could. And quickly.
    First, her eyes sought her mother and Mr. Newton. Perhaps they had been chatting with a gentleman on whose arm she could enter. She caught sight of their backs as they left the drawing room. She was already too late.
    Next, she searched out Lavinia. Perhaps her friend had thought to hold aside a gentleman for her. Lavinia would prove a strong ally, certainly.
    No, as Caroline looked about the chamber, she could not locate Lavinia. Likely, she was already in the dining room to see everyone comfortably settled.
    Last, she looked, and not without a certain amount of desperation, for Rosemary and Mr. Rushton. Perhaps they had managed to enter a conversation with a gentleman with whom she might dine. Or, at the very least, perhaps she could enter on Mr. Rushton's arm.
    If she must.
    She spotted them sauntering along as if they had all the time in the world while the room emptied as guests were lured toward the scents of the meal that had been tempting them. Caroline hurried across the large drawing room toward the stragglers.
    She had traversed half of the cavernous chamber