title: Lady Carpathian and the Bennets
author: Langley, Perpetua
description: Lady Carpathian, childhood friend of Mr. Bennet’s and stuff of legends at Longbourn, is about to swoop down upon the Bennet family. The lady has a plan to take Elizabeth and Jane to London for a season and will brook no arguments against it. Lady Carpathian’s set includes a number of single gentlemen and she is doubtful how long they may remain so. Elizabeth, very suddenly finding herself ensconced in Berkeley Square, is introduced to the society that Lady Carpathian keeps. Dashing Lord Hampton proves to be an intelligent and amusing man. The ever-smiling Mr. Bingley proves to have no eyes for anyone but Jane. The infuriating Mr. Darcy manages to insult her at every turn. Coldly elegant Miss Caroline Bingley appears to have no other wish than to rid herself of the company of the Bennets. Elizabeth, ever confident in her understanding, has sized up Lady Carpathian’s set and duly passed judgment. When Lady Carpathian falls ill to a fever, the season is cut short. The lady will return to Hertfordshire with Elizabeth and Jane to convalesce. Returned to Longbourn, when it seems it must be too late, Elizabeth begins to suspect that she had got it all wrong when it comes to the infuriating Mr. Darcy.