Caroline Bingley: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Read Online Free PDF Page B

perhaps best that he and her mother remained tucked away so far north. Here, he could not cause as much of a scene, for there were few people of polite society to take offense.
    He released Caroline's hand and smiled openly at Rosemary. "And who is your friend?"
    Mr. Newton and Mrs. Pickersgill acknowledge each other with bow and curtsey as the presentations were made.
    "Mrs. Pickersgill," he said with a broad smile, "you are very welcome to the Lake District and, indeed, to our home as well. And now, let us be off to Newton House, for you must both be exhausted."
    "Yes, my dears," Mrs. Newton said with a sweep of her arm, "do allow Mr. Newton to see to your belongings and come along to our carriage."
    Caroline trudged behind her mother across the inn yard to the waiting conveyance, all the while taking care to keep her skirts lifted away from the mud. She did not relish yet another ride, but this trip would be mercifully brief.
    The ladies settled themselves within the carriage, and Caroline watched with annoyance as Mr. Newton helped the postboys remove the trunks and boxes from the basket at the rear of the post chaise and carried them to the corresponding basket on the Newton's coach.
    Caroline shook her head as her mother's husband heaved a large trunk across the inn yard. She had not approved of her mother's marriage to Mr. Newton for just this reason. Her own excellent father, though born to no social graces, had made certain that he fit into any society. Unfortunately, he had succumbed to fever before he could feel its full benefits. Mr. Newton's philosophy, however, dictated that he would practice only those manners that made others comfortable and not those that were designed to demonstrate his true position in society as a now-wealthy landowner.
    What good was such a position if one did not take hold of all the benefits the status afforded? To Caroline, it was unfathomable. And worse, it kept her mother removed from most good society as well. They would be welcomed in no homes of worth in London.
    "Oh Mama," Caroline said when she could bear it no longer, "can you not encourage Mr. Newton to behave himself?"
    Mrs. Newton looked quickly to her husband. "Has he done something amiss?"
    "Only look at how he carries his burden like a common plow horse. Why must he insist on undertaking such labors when there are servants about?"
    Mrs. Newton turned back to her daughter with a vague look of disappointment on her face. That expression discomfited Caroline greatly, for she did not like to draw her mother's displeasure.
    Mrs. Newton's lips drew into a cheerless smile as she said, "You must forgive Mr. Newton, my dear. He prefers being useful, and we must make certain allowances for those we love."
    This had long been a point of contention. Her mother was always willing to make excuses whereas Caroline saw the world for what it was--a harsh and fearsome place--and endeavored to protect those she loved from its criticisms. Caroline sighed and said, "Can you and Charles not understand that reputations--and indeed marriages--are built on more than just feelings?" Her words had barely broken from her lips when regret impelled her to snatch them back. She had not meant to disagree with her mother so overtly, but could she not see that the fates of entire families rested on each action in society and on each matrimonial decision? That entire reputations could be destroyed so easily?
    Mrs. Newton took both Caroline's hands in hers once more. "Oh, Caro, let us not begin with such a dismal subject. I am too pleased to have you back with us to spare a thought on a little difference of opinion."
    Caroline answered her with only a tight smile and a heart full of regret.
    • • •

    After three quarters of an hour on a lovely stretch of undulating terrain, Caroline had heard her fill of Mr. Newton's narrative on every winter-brown pasture, rock wall, and quaint cottage in sight and was relieved when they arrived at Newton