Page 89 of The Crown’s Gift

Caroline looked at her sharply. Jane's serenity had always tempted people to believe she could not see cruelty unless it shouted.

"You concealed my presence in London," Jane continued. "You wrote that your brother might marry Miss Darcy though you knew he loved me. You insulted my family in our former home. If I marry Charles without speaking of it, resentment will enter with me."

"You have won. Is that not enough?"

"There was no contest until you made one."

Caroline's fan snapped shut. "You cannot understand. You were born to an estate. Then your father gained another. You were presented at Court and praised for beauty before you spoke. My father earned every pound, and society reminded us that earning it was inferior to inheriting less. I learned that connection meant safety. Charles risked attaching himself to people who might always see him as the tradesman's son renting their house."

"Did I ever treat him so?"

Caroline looked away.

"Did Papa?"

"No."

"Then you punished us for what others did to you."

The words landed. Caroline sat.

"Darcy was supposed to choose me," she said, the confession thin with humiliation. "Not by promise. By sense. I knew his household, his sister, his habits. I made myself useful."

Jane sat beside her, leaving space. "And he did not see what you intended."

"He saw and ignored it."

"That was unkind, though perhaps not knowingly."

Caroline gave a bitter laugh. "You defend him too?"

"No. I understand you. That is not the same as agreeing."

Jane folded her hands. "You are Charles's sister. I will never ask him to abandon you. But you cannot enter our home and undermine our marriage. If you treat me with civility, I will offer the same. If affection grows, I shall welcome it. If it does not, we may still behave with dignity."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then Charles will decide which doors remain open. I do not wish that. Neither does he."

Caroline's eyes filled, anger resisting tears. "You make everything sound simple."

"It is not simple. It is only clear."

They returned after half an hour. Bingley rose so quickly his chair struck the carpet.

Caroline looked at him. "I owe Miss Bennet an apology."

"Jane," Jane said quietly. "If we are to become sisters."

Caroline swallowed. "Jane. I concealed your letter and encouraged Charles to remain away. I was wrong."

Bingley's face reflected relief, grief, and the beginning of forgiveness. "Thank you."

Caroline turned to Elizabeth. "I congratulate you, Miss Eliza. Mr Darcy has chosen a woman capable of answering him."

The words carried little warmth, yet their sincerity was unmistakable.

"Thank you."