William put his body in front of Elizabeth, which only seemed to provoke the insane woman more. As her arm reached its apex, Biggs arrived just ahead of two of the royal guards who had been dancing nearby and caught Miss Bingley’s wrist in his enormously powerful grip, causing the knife to fall to the floor.
“Unhand me, you damned brute,” Miss Bingley unleashed a most unladylike invective. The other two guards reached Miss Bingley; one stood behind her and the other grabbed her left arm—none too gently.
“Why did you stop me? She is the one who is importuning my Marquess!” Miss Bingley screeched maniacally.
“Do you know who I am, Miss Bingley?” Elizabeth asked evenly.
“Your Royal Highness, please excuse my sister, she obviously belongs in Bedlam,” Bingley bowed low. “She was not supposed to be here at all.” Bingley looked at his sister with distaste.
“I belong in Bedlam? Here you are addressing this country hoyden thusly, that is rich,” Miss Bingley cackled.
“Do you know the penalty for attacking my daughter, you shrewish harpy?” The Prince stepped forward with a thunderous visage.
“If I had been allowed to dispatch one so low, I would have been rewarded,” Miss Bingley allowed her delusion full reign.
“As I am the granddaughter of the King and Queen, somehow I doubt that, Miss Bingley,” Elizabeth stepped forward. For the first time Miss Bingley really looked at the woman she had wanted to dispatch. Her clothing was far finer than anything Miss Bingley owned, and her jewels were flawless gems and the pieces they fit in were far finer than those Miss Bingley had even dreamed about.
As reality began to set in, Miss Bingley’s expression changed to one of absolute horror. She did not fail to notice that the man her brother called ‘Your Royal Highness’ was looking at Elizabeth to ascertain if she was well. Neither Elizabeth nor those watching missed the moment realisation of the truth hit her.
“When I asked if you knew who I was, you did not answer, so allow me to oblige you now,” Elizabeth stated assertively, in absolute control of the moment. “I am her Royal Highness Elizabeth Priscilla Francine Bennet, Princess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This gentleman you insulted so recently is my birthfather, Prince Frederick, second son of his Majesty King George III, the Duke of York and Albany, Earl of Ulster. My late birthmother was Princess Priscilla.”
By now, Miss Bingley, stricken with fear, would have collapsed were it not for Biggs and a second guard holding her up by her arms. As she looked from one face to the next, all she saw was disgust and she knew none would speak in favour of clemency for her.
“Your Royal Highness, I know what she attempted was treason, but she is insane. If you allow it, we will have her admitted to a secure facility where she will remain under guard for the rest of her natural days,” Bingley beseeched the Prince.
The Prince looked to his daughter, as she was, after all, the one the woman had attempted to murder. Elizabeth gave a curt nod of agreement. “We shall see, Mr. Bingley. I want to question your sister first.” It was not a request.
“Of course, your Royal Highness,” Bingley backed away a little.
“Miss Bingley, why did you become so frightened when you realised who my daughter is?” the Prince asked easily.
“She was supposed to be a nobody, not a Princess,” Miss Bingley explained.
“Were you not warned, Caroline? I told you but you refused to hear me,” Bingley interjected. “By disobeying me and not staying at Longbourn, you have ruined your life and ours along with you.”
“Why did you ignore your family when they tried to warn you of my and my daughter’s presence here?” the Prince followed up.
“I thought they were lying to me,” was her short explanation.
“One more thing—why did you, the daughter of a tradesman, think Mr. Darcy, the Marquess of Derby, would look at you with an eye to matrimony?” the Prince demanded.
Miss Bingley did not answer, she just dropped her head and closed her eyes. “Caroline, do you know what the penalty for treason is if his Royal Highness does not recommend the King grant my request?” Bingley asked, and Miss Bingley just shook her head. “It is death by beheading! That is what you are facing, Sister. Either way, your days in society are over. It is either an asylum for life or you will have a date with the executioner at the tower.”
“She will have a minimum of six months in Bedlam, and then—only then—will you be allowed to move her to a facility of your choice,” the Prince decreed. “Know, however, that there will be a contingent of guards there at all times. If she attempts to escape and survives the attempt, she will be taken to the tower.”
“We will withdraw from society, as we are now tainted by the actions of my sister,” Bingley stated sadly.
The Prince nodded and Miss Bingley was led away, followed by her family. Before Bingley and the Hursts could exit the hall, Elizabeth walked up to them. “My father, my birthfather, my family, and I do not hold you responsible for your sister’s actions, and I will be pleased to get to know you once this unpleasant business is completed. We will be happy to receive you for tea at Netherfield Park.”
Bingley and the Hurts departed, greatly relieved their reputations had been rescued by Princess Elizabeth, in spite of Caroline’s actions. Thankfully, the rest of the assembly passed without drama. By the end of the evening, the insane attack was forgotten—almost.
Chapter 32
The following day, there was a meeting in Bennets’ study among Mr. Bennet, Fanny, the Prince, and the new Duke. “Yesterday highlighted a problem Lizzy will experience in society,” the Prince stated. “I do not believe there will be another insane attack such as we witnessed last night; however, word that she is fabulously wealthy has been spread abroad.”
“You are concerned our girl will be the target of compromises by unscrupulous fortune hunters?” Fanny asked worriedly.
“As you requested this meeting, obviously you have a solution to propose, York,” the Duke surmised.
