[Pride and Prejudice] The leisurely life of Miss Bentley

The days are ticking by, the long days of winter are upon us and it won't be long until London's social season begins.This year's social season is especially important because Caroline has received an invitation to the upcoming socialite's coming-of-age ball.The coming-of-age ball for socialites is extremely important to the unmarried ladies of the upper class families, especially the noble ladies. If they are lucky enough to be favored by the queen at the ball, then finding a favorite husband-in-law is not a problem at all.This is the first time that Caroline has officially appeared on a social occasion, and she must be sure that nothing goes wrong.

I have clearly spoken to Caroline against Charles' pursuit of Miss Bennet.As I said to Caroline, Miss Bennet is a beauty, but only a beauty.It's hard to imagine how such a young lady would face her life after becoming Mrs. Bingley. Is she really qualified for such a role?

Before I could think about how to talk to Charles about Miss Bennet, someone persuaded Charles to go back to London before I did.

When Mr. Darcy and Charles came back from outside that day, anyone with a discerning eye could tell that something unpleasant must have happened.Charles shut himself in the room after greeting us hastily, and Mr. Darcy said nothing, though he never offered to say much.

When it was time for dinner, Charles was still at home, and I had to ask the servant to bring the dinner to his room.Mr. Darcy can be regarded as the closest person to Charles other than his relatives. If there is anything that makes them unable to agree, it may be the matter of Miss Bennet.

Henry and I looked at each other and probably understood the reason.Caroline looked bewildered, looking at the absent Mr. Darcy with concern.In order to ease the atmosphere, Henry and I chatted one after another, but the effect was not obvious, and the atmosphere at the dinner table was still very awkward.

After dinner, I wanted to go upstairs to chat with Charles, but Henry persuaded me that since Darcy had already spoken to Charles about Miss Bennet, and Charles reacted like this, we don’t need to add fuel to the fire. It's oily, let Mr. Darcy and Charles solve it by themselves.

After thinking about it, I followed Henry's suggestion and went for a walk with him in the undergrowth. If Mr. Darcy can persuade Charles, there is really no need for us to do more.Henry is a loyal, honest and good person, but that doesn't mean he is a fool. On the contrary, perhaps because of being a bystander, he always has a more thorough view of things than others.Thanks to having him by my side, he can remind me of some things from time to time.

Sure enough, when we got back from our walk, Charles had agreed to go back to London with us.Although Caroline revealed to us afterwards that Mr. Darcy asked her for help, the most important thing is the result. As for the twists and turns, Henry and I don't think it's important.

So, a group of us rushed back to London before the social season started.The palace ball is a life-long event, it may not be brilliant, it may not be eye-catching, but there must be no mistakes.

The court ball is held in the evening like the big and small banquets and dances in the social season, but I dragged Caroline up early in the morning to get up and dress up, and I was busy until the evening before I could take care of it.

Charles and Mr. Darcy were already waiting for us downstairs.From the eyes of both of them, I can see how successful my masterpiece is.

After discussion, Caroline finally chose a white satin sleeveless long dress with complicated lace but not cumbersome, very layered, plus a shawl of the same color, it was perfect.Caroline's hair was tied into a cloud bun, and her complexion looked fair and bright against the backdrop of the long dress, making her look indescribably charming.

It took a while for Mr. Darcy to come back to his senses, and he only heard him say "Let's go, or you won't be in time", and I saw him step up to help Caroline's hand and go out first, leaving behind Charles and After that, I got into the carriage together and headed towards Buckingham Palace.

The palace ball was as lively as ever. Of course, after the Queen and Prince Albert entered the arena, the whispering among the ladies and gentlemen stopped.After the queen delivered a brief speech, the musicians played the first dance of the night.

But tonight's protagonist is not the queen, nor the gentlemen, nor us married ladies, but the flower-like girls who have just appeared in public.

I'm very pleased to see Caroline being one of the most popular girls at the ball tonight.Even if some suitors are not so ideal, to some extent, the ladies who are pursued by more gentlemen will have more advantages in future marriages.This is both the luck and the misfortune of the ladies of the upper class.Fortunately, at the ball, even a lady with less favorable conditions will often double her worth if she can win the favor of nobles or gentlemen.Unfortunately, ladies can only look for marriage through balls. In the eyes of others, no matter how noble ladies are, they can't help but feel like they're up for grabs, but the price is higher. .Court balls were, in essence, no different from country balls like Meryton.But this is the trend of the current society, or the code of conduct, which people resist but have to follow.

Due to her amazing performance at the ball, Caroline received many invitations after the ball, including some invitations from friends she met at the Villa Pierre Verde College.Mr. Darcy and Charles went north to Manchester according to the original plan.

The luck of Charles and Mr. Darcy was really bad. As soon as they arrived in Manchester, they happened to meet a huge demonstration.According to news from the north, this epidemic has paralyzed the textile business in Manchester, and the roads have been blocked. No wonder there has been no letter from Charles or Mr. Darcy for a long time.

However, London is calm and peaceful, and Caroline has been busy with various invitations since the socialite's coming-of-age dance, and her life is naturally very fulfilling.Henry and I went to dances and operas and had a good time.The only thing that seemed a bit discordant was the letter from the Bennet family.When the letter from Sister Bennet arrived, Caroline happened to be out to attend the salon again, and this letter was delivered to me.

I know that before returning to London, Caroline sent a letter to Longbourne Manor, which probably said that our group will return to London from Netherfield Gardens.I had expected that the Miss Bennets would have tactfully understood what we meant.Unexpectedly, I received a letter from Miss Bennet who wanted to visit her.

This is really uneducated!If it were a truly polite person, they would not send such a letter when everyone has already arrived in London.If we refuse a visit, isn't it going to be said that we, the Bentleys and Hearsts, are not nice enough?

However, it was beyond my expectation that the Bennet sisters actually had the courage to chase after them to London. Are they really going to take advantage of Charles, the cash cow?How can I tolerate this kind of thing happening to my younger brother, but it's good to come to the door, just close the door and solve this terrible thing at once, so as not to be entangled.

So according to the agreed time, I waited at home for the two sisters of the Bennet family to visit.

When the two Bennet sisters were seated in the living room, I did not beat around the bush, but went straight to what happened to Charles and Mr. Darcy in Manchester.The Bennet sisters reacted as I expected, surprised and bewildered.

With a sigh in my heart, I straight to the point and expressed my disapproval to the two Miss Bennetts in Charles's proposal to marry the eldest lady of the Bennet family.Miss Jane Bennet did not question or fight except for her sadness and pain. Even her younger sister who confronted me angrily was much better than she is now.Of course, the final result is my victory. Whether you say I am biased or harsh, if Miss Jane Bennet behaves like her sister, maybe I will look up to her.But even for Miss Elizabeth Bennet, with her humble background and lack of knowledge and tolerance cultivated by being in the upper class, even if I accepted the Bennet family as the in-laws of the Bingley family, it would be very difficult for me. Imagine how Miss Bennet would cope with life after becoming Mrs. Bingley.

After such a remark, I think I have spoken clearly and straightforwardly. If the Miss Bennets still have some self-knowledge, they will naturally retreat in spite of difficulties.The reason why it is said to be a complete victory is that I have educated Caroline by the way.

When I invited the two Miss Bennets to visit, I asked Caroline to go to the darkroom behind the living room to see the whole process clearly.Judging from Caroline's confused and doubtful expression, she finally listened to my words, but she still needs some time to figure it out.

Soon after Miss Bennet's visit, the riots in Manchester were brought under control, and Charles and Mr. Darcy rushed back to Grosvenor Street immediately.

When I explained the visit of the Bennet sisters to the two gentlemen, Charles was unexpectedly very calm, and seemed to be a little bit out of his mind?But it was a welcome gesture, and I was afraid that Charles would be displeased with my treatment of the Bennet sisters.

The change of another gentleman who came back from Manchester City is a bit intriguing.Mr. Darcy has been an invaluable contributor to Charles and Miss Jane Bennet, and without him my plans would not have been so successful.It's just that this gentleman seems to have a different meaning for Caroline?

I originally thought that Mr. Darcy was indeed a good friend, but he was a bit serious and difficult to get along with.However, according to Mr. Darcy's conditions, he has the capital of pride, no matter where he looks at, he is the perfect candidate for a husband.From this point of view, if Caroline can marry Mr. Darcy, it is indeed a good relationship.It's just that Caroline probably hasn't discovered Mr. Darcy's intentions yet, right?

But, the lady of the Bingley family was so easy to marry, it would be too cheap to get what she wanted without putting in a little effort.I didn't create any obstacles to get out. Mr. Darcy is really good, and I can't bear my sister to miss it.Besides, if Mr. Darcy can't stand it even then, the marriage is out of consideration.

Therefore, when Mr. Kester borrowed the hand of Miss Kester to invite Caroline to go to the Royal Opera House to watch the opera, I did not stop Caroline from traveling.Mr. Kester is the brother of Miss Kester, Caroline's good friend. Ever since Caroline reached out to save his sister, he has always been courteous to Caroline.His intention for Caroline is not just as simple as repaying his favor, he must have other ideas.Only Caroline, with a smart face and a stupid heart, would feel that Mr. Kester took special care of her only because of Miss Kester.

However, based on Mr. Kester's conditions, even if it wasn't Caroline, even other unmarried ladies would not choose to marry a widower like him if they were not desperate.Not to mention the stepmother, just looking at the only son left by Mr. Kester's previous wife is enough to make people daunting.According to the current law, the family's property is given priority to the eldest son, and later wives will not be able to obtain the property that they might have obtained even if they have children.I don't think there is a smart lady who volunteers to be a stepmother.

Mr. Kester's presence obviously aroused Mr. Darcy's sense of crisis.Hearing that Caroline had gone to the Royal Opera House with the Kester brothers and sisters, Mr. Darcy turned around and went in the direction of the Royal Opera House.With him, of course, was my silly brother Charles, who wanted to see Darcy.

I don't know what happened at the Opera House, but when they returned to the Grovener Street mansion, Caroline still looked out of the situation, and Charles still looked like he was enjoying the show. It seems that Darcy Mr. has not had time to express his heart to Caroline.

It must have been a long time coming. Mr. Darcy barely greeted us, and a letter from Rosings Manor was sent outside the porter.Perhaps Mrs. Catherine wrote something important in the letter. After reading it, Mr. Darcy said goodbye to us in a hurry and headed towards Rosings Manor.

During the time Mr. Darcy was gone many things happened.First, an uninvited guest, Miss Cavendish, came to Grovener Street.The recent family upheaval in the Cavendish family is nothing new.Previously, Miss Cavendish had a feud with Caroline because of Miss Kester at Villa Pierrefert College, so this time, she probably came to make peace.After all, the Cavendish family is now in the limelight, and one more friend is better than one more enemy.Moreover, this young lady is probably befriending Caroline with the idea of ​​getting married, so I don't know which gentleman she is thinking of.

Furthermore, after Mr. Kester invited Caroline to travel several times in the name of his sister, he finally couldn't help but propose to Caroline.Although I was not there, I believe that Caroline will not be carried away by the gentleman's sweet words and many courtesies.

While Henry and I were drinking black tea and chatting in the living room, Mr. Darcy hurried back from Rosings to Grovener Street.Hearing that Caroline had gone to Kester's mansion, Mr. Darcy was not as calm and self-possessed as usual, and actually chased him to Kester's mansion.

When Mr. Darcy came back from the Kester House with Caroline, he calmly faced the teasing smiles and eyes of Henry, Charles and me, and invited us to visit Pemberley Manor.Looking at Mr. Darcy's appearance, apart from the fact that Caroline is still in condition, we know that he is serious. Could it be that he is a fan of the authorities?As for this marriage, it can be said that our family is very happy to see it come true, and it is very natural to be invited to Pemberley Manor.

Among us, only Charles has visited Pemberley Manor. It was not until we were in the charming Pemberley Manor that we really realized why Charles was full of praise for it and moved the idea of ​​​​purchasing real estate near Derbyshire.

Mrs. Reynolds, Pemberley's housekeeper, had been expecting us at the door early in the morning.This lady is not an ordinary servant, she is the right-hand man of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy when they were alive, and she watched Mr. and Miss Darcy grow up all the way.But it can be seen that Mrs. Reynolds likes Caroline very much and is very attentive.

On the day we arrived at Pemberley, Charles, Henry and Mr. Darcy went fishing in the small lake in front of the manor, while Caroline and I visited the furnishings of the Pemberley manor following the introduction of Mrs. Reynolds.At dinnertime Miss Georgiana Darcy hurried back to Pemberley to dine with us.It was a pleasure, not only to Mr. Darcy, but to Charles, Henry, and myself, to see Caroline and Georgiana get along so well.I seem to have foreseen Caroline's life here as Mistress of Pemberley Hall.

Sure enough, Mr. Darcy did not disappoint me.The next day, after Mr. Darcy and Caroline came back from going out, one was obviously out of his mind, while the other was a little complacent, and he knew what good things had happened without thinking about it.And, it hasn't been long since the newlyweds have returned to Pemberley House that rumors of their engagement have been quietly swirling.

It's just that I always feel that something is wrong with Caroline, but it's not urgent.From what I knew of Caroline, it was probably just a matter of setting up refreshments in the living room and waiting for her to come and find me.

As I expected, the next morning, Caroline came down from upstairs and told me about Mr. Darcy's proposal of marriage to her yesterday.This girl really got into a dead end, why worry that she only has a good impression of Mr. Darcy, but it is not enough to love, if it is another lady, she can't wait to agree.If you have time to worry about what you have, why don't you try to experience it and repay him with your heart?

Caroline seemed to be touched by my words of hating iron for steel.Seeing her like this, my heart softened again, my own children are always reluctant to scold her more.

Just as I was trying to let Caroline figure it out slowly, Mrs. Darcy's aunt, Mrs. Catherine, killed Pemberley Manor.Mrs. Catherine came to ask questions, but she didn't want to become the catalyst for Caroline to figure it out. It's such a surprising effect.For the sake of the surprise she brought, let Caroline face her, and I won't bother with her.

After Mrs. Catherine walked back to Rosings, something happened to Georgiana.The matter concerned Mr. Wickham, the son of the old butler of Pemberley.We had also heard of the gentleman's elopement with the youngest daughter of the Bennet family, but it had nothing to do with the Darcys, and we did not want to get involved.But Wickham should not have threatened to blackmail Mr. Darcy with the fact that he had seduced Georgiana to elope with him a long time ago, which touched Mr. Darcy's backlash.

When Sister Bennet helped up Pemberley, we were on our way back to Grovener Street.I don't want to deal with these two sisters anymore, but Charles still has a heart of compassion and promises that they will send a letter to Longbourn to inform them when they get the news, which is considered to have dismissed the two sisters.

After Mr. Darcy and Caroline dealt with Wickham, the Bennet family came to thank them.But at that time, Henry and I happened to be out.As for the affairs of this family, if there is an opportunity, we really don't want to deal with it at all.

After attending the wedding of Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Cavendish, Mr. Darcy and Caroline also decided to start preparing for the wedding.Therefore, in the following time, all the top and bottom of Pemberley Manor were preparing for the upcoming wedding.During this period, Caroline's good friend Miss Kester also married a businessman.It seems that in about the same time, the ladies around me who are as old as Caroline have their own destinations.

Time flies, and in a blink of an eye, my little sister is getting married too.Seeing Caroline in a white wedding dress, together with Mr. Darcy, swear an oath in front of the kind pastor and complete the sacred and solemn ceremony, I seem to have a feeling of "a girl in my family has grown up".She and Mr. Darcy should go through the future together, just like me who married Henry back then, supporting and relying on each other until the end of life.