Better Than She Deserved

  Better Than She Deserved

  A Pride and Prejudice Novelette

  Leenie Brown

  Leenie B Books

  Halifax

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews, without written permission from its publisher and author.

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, events, and places are a product of this author’s imagination. If any name, event and/or place did exist, it is purely by coincidence that it appears in this book.

  Better Than She Deserved © Leenie Brown. All Rights Reserved, except where otherwise noted.

  Contents

  Dedication

  Prelude

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Epilogue

  Before You Go

  Acknowledgements

  Leenie B Books

  About the Author

  Connect with Leenie Brown

  Dedication

  To the many readers on my blog and at darcyandlizzy.com

  who wished to know what happened to Caroline after she left Pemberley

  and

  to Julie and Patty

  whose suggestions on a blog post resulted in a name for our hero

  Prelude

  Dear Readers,

  Below is an excerpt from At All Cost, which is book 4 in my Willow Hall Romance Series of Pride and Prejudice Variations. If you have not had the opportunity to read this novel yet, you may find the following passage beneficial since the rumours started here as Caroline strolls around Pemberley’s garden with Captain Harris are referenced several times in Better Than She Deserved.

  Happy Reading,

  Leenie B.

  ~*~*~

  Caroline accepted the arm of Captain Harris when he offered to escort her on a stroll.

  “I have heard your name mentioned,” said Harris as they began their walk, “and I am most happy to now have made your acquaintance. The militia has kept me away, you see.”

  “You said your father lives near here?” Caroline asked as she studied his features. Captain Harris was nearly a head taller than she was, and his shoulders were wide while his waist was narrow. The arm on which her hand rested was firm, and she guessed him to be very strong. His hair fell around his ears in wisps of golden brown, and his face was angular but not harshly so. Overall, he was quite attractive, but looks were not the salient point when judging a gentleman. No matter the perfection of the physical specimen, it was his accounts and holdings that truly defined his worth to Caroline.

  “He does. Not six miles from Aldwood Abbey. Mr. Dobney is my uncle — my mother’s sister was his wife.” He glanced down at Caroline. “Have you been to Aldwood Abbey?”

  “Yes, once.”

  “Well, then, I shall compare my father’s estate with it since you might remember how large Aldwood Abbey is?”

  “Oh, I remember every estate I visit. I am very good at that sort of thing. I admire architecture and finishings, you see. The way they lead the eye and present themselves is of great interest to me. So much can be said of a man and his character just by the state of his garden.” She hoped from the smile he favoured her with that he understood her meaning. She would not even consider a man without a proper estate that was well-tended. There were areas where appearances were important, and the impressing of callers, the care of a garden, the right drapery and paintings, and a proper placement of furniture must all be considered as necessities.

  “I quite agree, and should you ever visit my father’s home, you would find gardens as fine as these,” he waved his hand toward the garden, “they lack only size in comparison. My mother has a fine eye, and father dotes on her — though not to extravagance.” He shook his head. “Oh, no, Father is far from extravagant.”

  “So your father’s estate is well-tended?”

  Harris nodded. “Yes, quite. But, we digress. I was to describe to you the size of the estate.”

  Caroline looked at him eagerly. He seemed to possess a proper understanding of the importance of appearances and holdings. In fact, he seemed to be a man who would use his money wisely to increase his standing, and she found this fact to be almost as attractive as his face — and the longer she looked at him, the more she had to admit that his face was handsome.

  “The lands attached to my father’s estate are equal to those of Aldwood Abbey, but we have a greater number of fields, and an attached farm to the west that is let out…but land holdings are not what most ladies find of interest about the estate.” He again smiled down at her. “As I said the gardens are magnificent, but the house — ah, there is the true beauty of the estate. The house shines like a jewel surrounded by its gardens and backed by the stand of woods. The drive is not so long as the one here, but there is ample time when a carriage is spotted at the turn for tea to be ordered before the guests arrive at the door. And then, well — my mother’s eye is as good at interiors as it is at exteriors. The rooms, and there are only two fewer– we have no chapel or chapel anteroom — are so well furnished in a traditional classical style. If you were to be visiting longer, I would insist that you come visit. I am certain you would not be disappointed.”

  “I dare say you are correct! You have described such a place as I would find every pleasure in seeing. Tell me, what were the impressions of the Bennets on seeing it?”

  “Oh, I could not say. I have yet to persuade them to visit.”

  There was a distinct note of disappointment in his tone that did not evade Caroline’s notice. Perhaps, Captain Harris might prove handy in creating a trying environment for Miss Eliza to be entering. “Do not tell me,” Caroline cried, “that Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth limit themselves to Pemberley when there are estates such as your father’s to visit!”

  “No, no. They divide their time between here, the Abbey, and Kympton.”

  Caroline’s brows rose. Was Jane attempting to ensnare Marcus? “They visit Aldwood Abbey?”

  Harris nodded. “Their sister is to marry my cousin Marcus, so it is only natural that they would.”

  “Miss Bennet is to marry Mr. Marcus Dobney?” she asked in surprise.

  Harris laughed. “No, Miss Lydia is to marry Marcus.”

  “Miss Lydia?” Caroline’s eyes grew wide, and her brows rose.

  Harris chuckled again. “It is quite the story how it came to be.”

  “Indeed?”

  Harris’s lips curled upward slyly as he nodded.

  “Do tell,” Caroline encouraged.

  And he did.

  Caroline could not believe what she was hearing. Such tales that could be shared! Oh, the pleasure of tickling Louisa’s ears in the carriage! The thought was nearly enough for her to wish to leave that moment, but one must not ignore an opportunity to add to succulent secrets. “I should say I am surprised, I suppose,” Caroline peeked up at him with a coquettish smile and flutter of lashes, “but I am not. The way the Bennets present themselves in public!” She gasped and shook her head. “Oh, the eldest girls present themselves quite well, but the mother and the younger girls — it is quite embarrassing.”

  “I have no doubt,” said Harris. “Miss Lydia was the most determined flirt in Brighton. I heard rumors that she was not ungenerous with her charms.”

  Oh, this was the opening that Caroline had longed for! A place where she might be able to see Jane and Elizabeth lowered as they should be. And so, she leaned closer and whispered, “I should not say this since he is my brother, but you seem the sort of person who can be trusted.” She looked at Harris and waited for the agreement that was
not long in coming. “Miss Bennet and Miss Eliza stayed at Netherfield, the estate my brother leased in Hertfordshire, for several days. I cannot say for certain, but there were whispers amongst the staff that not everything was proper.”

  “Do you mean, Miss Bennet or Miss Elizabeth was not proper?” He asked in surprise.

  “I know it is shocking,” Caroline agreed. “I cannot say it was one or the other — some things are best left unsaid. However, I can tell you that Miss Bennet was whisked away to her aunt’s home only a little more than a month thereafter, and, well, Mr. Darcy is excessively enamoured with Miss Elizabeth, so…” she let the story end there as Harris’s eyes grew wide.

  “But your brother is not engaged to Miss Bennet. Is his honor not injured by not offering for her?”

  Caroline shrugged. “I do not know that my brother did not offer and was rejected. Nor do I know if he found her — hmmm,” she tapped her lips with her finger, “untouched. Miss Bennet smiles very easily at all the men she meets.”

  They walked along in silence for a few strides. “I fear I have fallen prey to her smiles,” Harris finally admitted, “but she seemed so decorous.”

  “That she does,” Caroline said sadly. “I, of course, broke off my friendship with her as soon as I knew.”

  “As you should!” declared Harris, “And as I will.”

  “You will not say anything about what I have shared, will you? She is a woman in need of a good home at some point. Her father is not well to do.”

  Harris looked toward the house that was now just before them. “I shall not whisper a word,” he assured her.

  Caroline thanked him but knew that this secret would not stay hidden. How could it? It was tantalizing. Miss Bennet would not succeed with any gentleman in Derbyshire, and Charles? She shrugged mentally. It was possible that his reputation might come into question, but he was a man and as such, indiscretions were forgivable. However, she thought as a smile curled her lips, if it did hurt him, it was no more than he deserved for first, ruining her chances with Darcy and then, turning her away from Pemberley to sleep at an inn.

  Chapter 1

  Caroline Bingley stared at her sister’s husband. He could not be serious! Choose a husband at this house party?

  “If you are unsuccessful here, your brother says you may have a season to secure a match, but after that, you will either set up your own establishment or go to live with your aunt in Manchester.” Fredrick Hurst lowered the letter he had been reading and glared at Caroline. “I told you we should not have gone to Pemberley. But would you listen?”

  He rose from the chair in the library at Burton Hall which he had commandeered for this meeting with his wife’s trying younger sister. “You have always wanted to have your way. You think nothing of anyone else. How many times did Charles tell you that Darcy would not have you? But did you listen?”

  Caroline cowered slightly in her chair. Hurst was never so vocal about his displeasure. Normally, he would scowl and mutter, but rarely did he raise his voice.

  “Have you no words to rebuff me?” Hurst stood above her. “Or will you spread rumours about me as well? Perhaps you could share with one and all that your sister has not yet had a child because…” He scratched his chin and pursed his lips as he thought of a plausible and scandalous reason. “Oh, I know. It is because I spend all my nights with a mistress instead of my wife which is no less true than what you have said about others.”

  Caroline’s eyes grew wide as he leaned toward her. “I should never –”

  “No,” Hurst cut her off. “You will not speak until I am well and truly through with you. I have put up with your antics for your sister’s sake for these three years, but I will not do so any longer. ”

  He waved the letter he held in his hand an inch from her face. “Your brother? You would accuse your brother of such ungentlemanly behaviour as seducing and leaving Miss Bennet, who, I might add, you claimed as a friend! Not to mention what you have said about Darcy and Miss Elizabeth!”

  He turned from Caroline in disgust and shook his head as he gave an exasperated sigh. “No, you will marry before the season begins if I have to affect a compromise to guarantee it.”

  He turned back toward her. “I do not wish to host you for a season.” He flicked the letter with his finger. “Charles is too good. I would have sent you off to your aunt in Manchester without a farthing of your money for what you did.”

  Again Caroline cowered under his glower. She had heard stories from Hurst’s friends that he was not a man with whom to trifle, but she had never seen it until now.

  “You will go to your room and remain there until it is time to gather for dinner. And then, you will appear and be as sweet to everyone as you are when you are pretending to care about Darcy or his sister.”

  He studied her for a moment. His anger with Caroline was only slightly cooled, and he was determined to impress upon her just how grievous her actions had been. He shrugged. Perhaps it might be beneficial if she were to be treated in a similar fashion to those she ridiculed.

  “You are not without your charms, I suppose. Your complexion is good. Your teeth fine. Your eyes are acceptable, though unremarkable, and your nose is perfectly straight. Your maid is clearly adept at styling your hair to best suit your features, and the modiste, though she listens to your preference for colors — which are only marginally flattering — does know how to drape your assets to best advantage.” He bit back a smile at her horrified expression.

  “And if all that is not effective, you do have twenty thousand pounds. I am certain there is at least one man here who would welcome such a sum.” Hurst shrugged again. “I would not be averse to throwing in a few extra quid if need be.” He waved to the door. “To your room,” he instructed. “And do come to dinner ready to win a man’s admiration.”

  Caroline opened her mouth to speak.

  “No,” he answered before she could utter a sound. “I have changed my mind. Even though I am through with you for the moment, I find I do not wish to hear what you have to say. There is no way you can explain away what you have done.”

  Caroline snapped her mouth shut, and her eyes narrowed.

  “Do not even contemplate retaliation, dear sister,” Hurst warned. “For if you do, I assure you, I will see you on the first coach bound for Manchester. ” He waved once more toward the door, and Caroline, having no other recourse, did as instructed and rose to retire to her room.

  ~*~*~

  Mr. Franklin Rhett slipped down the hall and away from the over-zealous matrons in the drawing room. Even though he lacked an estate and his fortune was acquired from both his father, who was a manufacturer, and an uncle on his mother’s side, who was in trade, he was not being ignored as he had expected he would be. He chuckled to himself. No, the ladies and their chaperones were far from ignoring him. It was quite the opposite. He had been interviewed — or as the ladies would phrase it, engaged in conversation — by at least three chaperones before he had made his escape. There were two others, who, while talking to some of the other gentlemen in the room, had been eying him as if he were a platter of sweets.

  However, Rhett was more interested in finding his friend and having a discussion of some importance with him instead of entertaining the marriage-hungry mob in the drawing room. If he knew Hurst — and he knew him quite well — Hurst would likely be in the library with a glass of brandy or port. If there was one thing that man knew how to do, other than making money, it was finding a place that would provide a fortifying beverage and a safe haven from females.

  Rhett could feel the tension of the last several minutes melting from his shoulders as the voices from the other room faded with each step he took toward the library. He heaved a great sigh of relief as he neared his destination and was just reaching for the knob of the door through which lay his escape to solitude and manly machinations when it opened, and he was presented with a delightful surprise. He smiled and made no move to make way for the ball of fury that was pr
opelling her way through the door.

  Caroline was so infuriated with her brother-in-law’s high-handedness and so determined to close the door behind her in such a way as to signal her displeasure that she did not bother to look where she was going. And, so, having pulled the door to with a resounding bang, she turned and bumped straight into a very solid masculine figure. “Oh,” she gasped as she stumbled backward.

  “Are you well?” Rhett asked as he caught Caroline by the elbow, helping her keep her footing.

  “Yes, yes, I am well. Thank you,” Caroline muttered. She was well as far has her person went, but where her happiness was concerned, she was far from well. She had failed at securing the position of mistress of Pemberley, and now, her funds were being cut to an alarmingly low level, and her sister’s husband, who was supposed to be easily swayed, was giving her two weeks to find a husband. Two weeks! She huffed at the thought. It was only a bit of gossip. She smoothed her sleeves and checked her gown. Well, it was perhaps rather scandalous gossip.

  “I am glad you are unscathed, Miss Bingley.” Rhett’s lips remained curled into a pleased smile. This was the lady he had hoped to find at this house party. In fact, it was only because Hurst had mentioned being forced to escort his wife’s sister to this party that Rhett had retrieved his own discarded invitation and accepted against his first inclination.

  Caroline’s brows furrowed as she studied the face of the man in front of her. He looked familiar, but she could not place his name. He was a friend of Hurst, she believed, or at least, he was a gentleman who sought Hurst’s advice about investments. Of course, that meant he was not the sort of man to whom she would have paid attention as she rarely spared a thought about friends of Hurst. It also indicated that this gentleman was likely no better off in his societal standing than she was. And if a gentleman was not the smallest step above Caroline in social standing, she had no time for him — even if he was as handsome as the one standing in front of her.