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

and your family are well, I hope," she said.
    "Yes, my family is in good health, Miss Bingley. Thank you for inquiring. I shall not make the same inquiry of you, for I can see that your nearest relations are all well, and your mother has assured me that your siblings do well too." He looked at Rosemary. "And will you do me the honor of introducing your friend?"
    Caroline gaped at him as he crossed to stand before Rosemary. Why did everyone persist in describing this horrid servant as her friend? Could they not tell that Rosemary Pickersgill was an old widow who was not of her social class and thus not suitable for an association--much less a friendship--with Caroline?
    Mrs. Newton spoke for her, saying, "Mr. Rushton, allow me to present Mrs. Pickersgill, Caroline's companion from London. We are ever so pleased to have her in our home this winter."
    He gave her a polite bow, they exchanged a few civil words, and then he turned to Mr. Newton, who had been lingering with some impatience at the chamber door. "Well, Newton, shall we see to those bridges?"
    With a nod at the assembled ladies, Mr. Rushton picked up his plate and departed.
     

 
    Four
     
    Once the door was closed and the men's voices receded, Caroline turned to the buffet, wondering idly if Mr. Rushton had left any victuals for their intended recipients. Finding that there was a sufficient supply, she began to fill a plate.
    "Mrs. Pickersgill, do join Caro in taking some nourishment, if Mr. Rushton has left anything. That young man certainly has an appetite."
    Caroline restrained a laugh at Mr. Rushton's being called young, for he was quite a few years older than she was. "What does Mr. Rushton do here at Newton House, Mama?"
    "Why, he is Mr. Newton's business partner."
    "Business partner?" Caroline forgot the piece of ham she had been transporting to her plate, holding it aloft, and frowned at the question. "Why should Mr. Newton require a partner in throwing a few logs across a river?"
    "Indeed, Caroline, I believe the construction of bridges is more complicated than that," Mrs. Newton said as she crossed to the buffet. "Poor Mr. Rushton is always welcome in our home, and you must not taunt him, for he has had quite a difficult time of late."
    "Has he?" Caroline asked, not truly caring whether or not he had suffered. She suddenly had no taste for ham and dropped it back to the tray, taking a large piece of bread instead.
    "Oh yes! If you apply to anyone in town, you will find that he has developed the unjust reputation of a confirmed fortune hunter." Mrs. Newton turned to Rosemary to explain. "His poor father lost a great deal of money, my dear, and their estate is only now recovering. He was to be married to a wealthy young heiress, but there was a dreadful split just before the union was to take place."
    "Oh dear," Rosemary said, her eyes wide. "That must have been quite a scandal. A broken engagement always brings disgrace to one party or other."
    "And so it did to Mr. Rushton. No one knows the full story--for Mr. Rushton has never volunteered his perspective--but everyone says that the lady jilted him when she discovered his true circumstances."
    "I could well believe him a fortune hunter, Mama, and I do not like to see him in your household," Caroline said, truly concerned.
    Mrs. Newton only laughed and said, "Oh, do not believe a word of it, my dear. I have always been an excellent judge of a person's true character, and so you must believe me when I say that he is no fortune hunter."
    "How can you be certain?" Caroline asked, for though she had only become acquainted with the story a few moments ago, she was now greatly afraid that her mother had been duped by a cad. "You have just confessed that Mr. Rushton has not denied his part in the dissolution of his engagement."
    "What reason can he have to deny anything? No one would believe him now. Besides, it is simply not in Mr. Rushton's nature to worry over such matters or to take the easy course. Why, after