Caroline Bingley was a mindful maiden on mission; at least she believed herself to be mindful. She skipped down the halls of Netherfield Park, slowly making her way to Mr. Darcy's room. His was five down from her brother's room and at the furthest possible placement from her own, she knew not why. She turned the gold encased knob and nothing! Blast! She made her way to her own room to avoid suspicion from any servants who may be working in the wing. As she opened her door, she noticed a maid slip out a servant passage in her own room. Then ideas began to flow through her.

When Netherfield was built, the original owners wished to keep their servants separate from the household. To do this, passageways were forged in and out of each room which connected to the servant staircase. Caroline Bingley ad a plan and by the end of the night she will be engaged to none other than Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy himself! Oh how she wished to have access to the funds from Pemberley immediately. If all ended well tonight, perhaps she would be married by week's end. Looking through her wardrobe she changed into her simplest gown and most showing chemise. Pulling her hair into a simple twist in the back which was held together by only a few pins, to disguise herself and also appear more alluring by the time he arrived.

Finding her ensemble satisfactory, she made her way out the servant's door in her own room. Candle in hand she entered a darkened hallway she followed the shallow corridor in the direction which she believed to be the staircase she seeked then entered another door leading to the opposite side of the hallway. She began counting doors, when she reached the correct one, she opened the door ever so lightly. Looking through the ajar opening, she noticed a small velise sitting by the wardrobe. She entered the room and opened the wardrobe in totality and found it to be empty. She hurried and took off her dress and brought it into the wardrobe with her and there she remained until the man of her desire entered. As she waited she pulled her hair from the pins within and blew out the candle.

Downstairs at Netherfield two gentlemen became increasingly uncomfortable. After Miss Bingley left, both suspected what she intended to do. Neither wanted the events which would inevitably follow to take place. Darcy began thinking up ideas when Mrs. Bingley had chosen to retire and Bingley said he would return shortly. Darcy knew he must forge a plan to counter Miss Bingley's machinations, if there were any, which he greatly suspected there were.

Several minutes had passed when Bingley returned. The two friends returned once more to the master's study when Bingley himself spoke. "As I was walking through the wing of the family rooms, Caroline's maid greeted me in the hallway asking when she would be retiring. I said that she already did and the maid responded that she had not come to bed yet. I fear that she may be lurking somewhere prepared to compromise you. As I am aware, you have no wish to marry my sister. I do not blame you there Darcy, for who wants a wife by intended compromise? I have not a single idea as to how to prevent her from trapping you this evening. If you stay the night at an inn, talk will inevitably follow. I fear you do not know anyone else in the area well enough and we haven't prepared any other rooms; the only liveable ones are in use. I am sorry old friend." Bingley sighed and plopped onto the chaise lounge, drink in hand.

Darcy's mind began to cloud in frustration, but as he saw his friend's movement an idea occurred to him. "Bingley, what say you to my sleeping in here this evening. Before you object there is a chaise lounge, I can lock the door from the inside, Miss Bingley will not be able to compromise me this evening that way."

As the plot's genius sunk in, Bingley began to nod. "But will you be comfortable Darcy? I should hate for my guest to be confined to my study for sleep because of my sister and her ill formed plan. I apologize, most ardently. Her behavior has been deplorable of recent. I believe I shall send her to live with our aunt for time. Perhaps she may learn some manners after all."

"My own safe reputation shall be comfort enough." Darcy archly replied.

"I can tell that you are dodging the question, but if this is where you should like to sleep for the evening I have no other objections."

"Thank you Bingley. I will take an early breakfast and set off for Derbyshire in the morning, you may not see me until after my business is complete."

"It has been a pleasure to host you Darcy, as it always is. I hope your journey is comfortable and safe my friend. Is there anything else I can assist with?"

"I should like my valet's presence in a moment."

"Of course I'll send a servant to fetch him." Bingley left the room and requested Mr. Darcy's valet to assist him in the study.

A few minutes later a knock sounded from the opposite side of the door.

"Enter Timothy."

Shutting the door behind him, the valet spoke. "How may I assist you sir?"

"I shall be sleeping here this evening, I will ask that you assist my changing and find a servant to bring a blanket. Please be quiet and inconspicuous."

"Yes Mr. Darcy." After helping his man, Timothy found a discreet maid to bring the required necessities to his master. Wool blanket and pillow in hand, Timothy returned quickly to the study. "Mr. Darcy, would you like me to sit with you this evening or shall you be well sir?"

"Timothy, I shall be fine with the door locked, but I must ask something of you. If I were to do this myself, I would be risking my own reputation, but as Miss Bingley has not set her cap on you, you shall be quite alright."

Nervous, but trusting in his master nevertheless Timothy asked, "What would you have me do sir?"

"I shall have you go into the room made for me. Make sure the door is left open. If Miss Bingley is in the room, dismiss her from it. I do not want the servants talking, nor do I intend to sleep in a room which was locked, yet she managed to get in." With a nod and bow, Timothy left to follow through on his orders. As he made his way to his master's room, he worried how many ways this plan could go horribly wrong.

Opening the door, Timothy allowed the light from the corridor to flood in. As he walked further into the room, one of the wardrobe doors moved to be slightly ajar. A dark haired figure emerged and approached him. He quickly realized she was only in a shift and turned away.

"Fitzwilliam dearest, why must you look away from me?" He could imagine her lip pouting like a petulant child.

"Miss Bingley" Timothy began before being abruptly cut off.

"You are notーWhere is Mr. Darcy?" She hissed with narrowed eyes. Her qualities, which she prided herself as the most important, had finally transformed her into a venomous, unfeeling and cunning snake.

"As I said Miss Bingley, my master asks that you leave his room the way in which you left and never attempt a scheme such as this again." A variety of colorful and likewise offensive words spurred into his mind. He chose not to use such language in front of a gentlewoman, however undeserving she may be.

The woman returned to the wardrobe and quickly threw her dress back on. Finding the servant entrance once more, she ran through the hall so quickly she looked not where she was going and ran into a servant carrying a tub of water...cold, used water. As she hit the backside of the servant, the brute force pushed her to the ground followed by frigid water, which splashed against her person and the floor. Her body seized as the freezing temperatures chilled her to the bone. She looked to the male servant yelling, "You incompetent fool! You are dismissed from this household without reference! Leave the premises immediately!" Her face turned from blue to red in an instant.

"Pardon me, who are you to tell me that I am dismissed." All the servant saw was a half dressed woman, sobbing wet in the servants hallway. He had no idea that it was indeed the sister to the master.

"I am Caroline Bingley, now get out of my sight!" Rushing to her room, she pushed passed the imbecile. Upon entering, she began to weep. Her heart mourned the loss of the only suitor who had ever shown interest. She grieved the loss of Pemberley, of wealth, of consequence. Her present situation was of her own doing, and she ought to feel the effects of it, but indeed she did not. Instead, she cursed the Darcy name, her simpleton brother, Mr. Darcy's staunch servant, this blasted county filled with inconsequent unintelligent nobodies and most of all, the servant who drenched her in filthy cold water.

Her maid was waiting for her arrival, but was not expecting her to enter through the servant's entrance, nor was she expecting her lady to be drenched. Immediately she got to work and Miss Bingley was put into a fresh set of dry clothing and put to bed.

The next morning, Mr. Darcy set off on his journey northward as soon as the sun made for safe traveling. After sleeping in a chaise, he hoped to get to his own bed at Pemberley sooner. The three day journey could be trimmed down by a half day when the days started sooner and ended later. After the events of the previous night, he wished to be as far away from Caroline Bingley as possible. Unfortunately, that meant furthering himself from his sister and Mrs. Collins until Bingley took his sister in hand.

While in the carriage, he replayed the events of the night in his mind as he knew them. While he understood her motivation, he could not understand why she would stoop to a compromise. Her reputation would forever be tainted for the way in which a marriage came about from that. And surely, she would know that he would never allow her to be mistress at Pemberley. Had events unfolded differently she would have been Mrs. Darcy in name only. He was grateful for his loyal valet and his willingness to assist given the situation. He decided Timothy was deserving of a pay increase. It seemed only fair.

Turning his thoughts to more pleasant matters, he dwelled upon his conversation with Bingley from the night before and the hope which he felt for the future. He prayed that Elizabeth would be amiable to his advances once society would deem her "mourning" period over. With this, he dozed off to the soothing swaying of the carriage dreaming of fine dark eyes.

When Charles Bingley awoke to find his friend gone from the estate, he was not surprised. He was however, shocked to find note addressed to him in a very familiar elegant script

Bingley,

I write this missive to you as it relates to a matter of great importance. Our worst fears came to pass last evening. Miss Bingley intended to compromise myself in my bedroom. Luckily, we had the forethought to prevent such an event from occurring. My valet relayed to me several bits of information: Miss Bingley has dressed in a rather simple dress, used the servant corridor, opened the back entrance to my own room and entered my wardrobe. When my valet entered, she tried to get him into bed with her, but was unsuccessful as he sent her away on my orders. At some point on her way back to her room, she became drenched in bath water. I apologize profusely, I fear your sister is beyond the place of amendment. Bingley, as much as this friendship means to me, I will not sacrifice my safety or the safety of my family for Miss Bingley's company. Should Miss Bingley remain under your care, I should unfortunately regret to be a guest at Netherfield. God bless.

Darcy

Charles Bingley read the letter several times over. His sister was lost to all common sense and propriety that he began to lose friends over it. As the son of a tradesman, he grew up aware of his placement in society. At school, he never quite fit in among his classmates until Darcy stuck up for him. The two were nearly inseparable since, only during times of business of family emergency were they not in company with another. As it would be until Caroline was made to see reason, it would be a grievous time indeed.

Mr. Bingley found his wife and sister sitting enjoying a cup of tea when he stormed in letter in hand. "Caroline, pray join me in my study." His no nonsense tone demanded her presence immediately. As she shut the door behind her, he bellowed.

"Caroline Bingley," he stated "this was the last straw. You are now banned from my properties and my checkbook. After the years of escapades, I have come to see reason. I should have stopped your behavior years ago, but I am doing so now. You will leave my property immediately. Your clothes will be sent to you once your lodgings are in order. Looking at the situation, I see you as a fallen, ruined woman. I will not have you here. Should you wish to take your dowry for your own benefit, you may visit my solicitor in London. He is aware of the circumstances now and will make sure you see your dowry, but not a farthing more. Am I rightly understood?"

With tear filled eyes she asked, "Where am I to go brother?"

"I care not. You are no longer a sister of mine. You endanger my family and friends. Perhaps you can put that education of yours to use. I wish you luck." Caroline Bingley ran from the room. Thick tears pooled in her charcoal coated eyelashes. She had found that by layering charcoal on her lashes, they appeared fuller which made her eyes looked much more striking, now she paid the price of her actions as the charcoal burned through her tears.

Running up the stairs, her feet nearly tripped on several of them. She ran to her room and packed a few items which she would require promptly. One of which being her sketching book. Other items as her brother said would be sent at a later time. She found among her possessions a small amount of coin, in case of emergency along her journey. She knew not where her destination would lead, but hoped she would at least be safe.

Leaving her brother's home for the last time brought a mixture of both unwelcome and welcome emotions. She would never again be subjected to such country backwater as this, but would no longer bear the fruit of her brother's fortune. As she entered the carriage for the last time she pondered on her actions from the past eight years since she entered society. Her deplorable, callous actions formed her into a cold, unfeeling, rude and improper person. She wished to blame the seminary which she attended, but only found fault within herself.

While she attended this school, she became a play thing for the girls from title and nobility. Her situation and the situation of her family was one to be laughed at by others. Instead of showing her emotion, Caroline Bingley learned to hide away all pain which was caused by those classmates of hers. She dedicated her time to becoming the perfect lady of the ton. Unfortunately, by emulating herself in the image of the same girls who tortured her, Caroline became the very monster she herself feared. Even her good natured brother, kind and amiable as he was, could not bear the sight of her anymore.

As the carriage rolled into Meryton, it slowed and came to a stop as it reached the coaching inn. The door to the carriage opened as a footman looked to her confused face, saying, "Miss Bingley, this is where we leave you." He assisted her from the carriage and he bid her good day. She entered the inn only to find the next carriage would not be for several hours and was rather expensive. The coin she brought with her would only cover the cost to sit up top the stagecoach. Much to her dismay, she was not able to ride inside.

The bumpy ride caused her much pain indeed, but she wanted to make a life for herself. In order to do this, she had to be smart with her money. When she arrived in London, she made her way to the Hurst townhome where she was greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Hurst.

"Louisa" she began, "I am in need of some assistance for a time. Charles has removed me from his homes. Until I can make my way in the world, may I stay here?"

"Caroline, what has happened?"

"I have made great mistakes; too many I fear. If you could house me for a time it would be greatly appreciated." Louisa Hurst, who had just read a letter written by their brother led her sister inside. She kept her sister in ignorance of the fact as Caroline disclosed the events of the previous night.

"Caroline my dear. What is your plan going forward? What shall you do?"

"I admit at first I considered becoming a governess, but soon realized that the ton knows me as a mercenary. I would never receive well paying work. I know that our brother looks to me as a fallen woman, so that opens up more opportunities for work." Caroline sat down and took up her sketching book and began to create an idea for the most beautiful ballgown imaginable. Instead of lace, ribbons and feathers covering the silk made fabric, the elegant olive toned color was designed to enhance the beauty of the woman wearing the gown. She hadn't even realized who she was designing the gown for until much later.

Looking to her sister's work an idea occurred to Louisa, "Caroline, that is rather beautiful. I know this sounds rather abrupt, but why not open your own dressmaker shop. You could hire on a few women to take the measurements and assist with customers, while you designed and helped sew the gowns. And if a time came when you felt as though you wished to enter society again, you could without serious taint to your name."

Caroline was much amazed by this concept and the thought hadn't even been one she previously thought of. "Louisa, I like this idea very much. I believe after I meet with our brother's solicitor I shall begin looking at shops open for lease."

The next day after receiving her dowry of twenty thousand pounds, Caroline Bingley began looking at properties. After she found one she was in agreement with in Marylebone she set out to find women in need of work. Coming across a group of women, she learned of their tragic stories. One of which had been mistreated by her husband for a number of years before his death, one who had been a governess until her employer misused her and a third who had been raised on the streets of London eating mere scraps. Caroline took these ladies in, saw to their comfort in the house above the shop and made sure they felt safe in their new establishment. Two of these ladies had previously learned to sew and measure, while the third learned quickly.

The Hursts invested in Caroline's business in the earliest stages and were eager to reap the benefits of such an investment as it soon became very popular as many women from the ton were in awe of the newest designs from Célia, the designer from France. When Caroline wished to have a greater access of fabrics in her shop, she turned to the uncle of her sister-in-law, Mr. Edward Gardiner. Mr. Gardiner had warehouses stocked with luxurious fabrics from around the world. With the connection Miss Bingley had to the Gardiners she approached the man with her business in mind. A plan was drawn up and by the end of their first meeting Caroline Bingley had access to a number of fabrics and a business partner who was well aware of the market.

Caroline moved into the house as well, there the four women worked and provided for themselves until a day in early November when a note arrived from Hertfordshire.

Author's Note: Hey guys! A lot happened in this chapter. I'd love to hear what you think of Caroline and Bingley. As always, have a great day!

-Camille