"I think it is best that she will not come out for another season. It would be best for her if everyone forgot Fitzwilliam has a sister for the time being. This scandal can only tarnish her by association. One must feel sorry for Dorothea coming out at such a time, but then her chances of a superior match were never good anyway considering her lack of fortune."
"I still do not think anyone will believe this newest gossip. It is too ridiculous."
Mrs. Vane gave Rebecca a look that said such naivete was what was actually too ridiculous. "They will believe the worst whatever it is. No matter whom it harms. Bored cows—wretched gossips," she added muttering vehemently to herself.
Rebecca patted her hand comfortingly. In honor of their newly formed alliance Mrs. Vane did not cringe at the gesture. Not noticeably at least.
The gossip to which they refer—the reason behind this sudden dinner party—is fromLady Whisperton's Society Papers. I once again have the honor of being mentioned there. Just two little lines at the end of a long list of inconsequential detritus about who made what faux pas and whose husband winked at which widow. Saving the most devastating for last I suppose was Lady Whisperton's intention. The pertinent lines read:Many were shocked, I know, to see how the new Mrs. D. flirted so shamelessly with a certain young man of questionable reputation at Lady T.'s dinner party.How appalled will they be when they learn she met with that same gentleman in the shades of Hyde Park thatverymorning?
That I met with Sir Sebastian Seymour in Hyde Park is of course true, but what is implied by Lady Whisperton—what everyone will assume—is so terrible and unfair I start seething at the thought of it.
The gossip sheet, which was distributed just this morning, is the reason behind this meeting. Mrs. Vane believes the gossip will be best mitigated by me throwing some sort of party. Her logic behind this belief I do not understand and I find it especially surprising considering her response to the malicious gossip in her own life was to go into hiding.
But it would seem Rebecca and Lady Catherine agree with her. And thus this planning meeting. Rebecca, I believe, Mrs. Vane invited. Lady Catherine just showed up. I think she had not had enough time to properly insult me yesterday so she came back hoping to find Darcy out and me unprotected. What she discovered upon arrival must have been a great delight to her. Not only was Darcy out, but Rebecca and Mrs. Vane were in the midst of discussing the gossip sheet, and seeing no way to hide it from her (and there was really no point anyway as it will be all over town within the day) they revealed the horrible tripe. To have her opinion of me so quickly vindicated was enough to make her smile but to have the added joy of of planning a party sent her into raptures.
Well, at least someone is happy.
Really Rebecca and Mrs. Vane seem quite pleased too. So I suppose it is just me who is unhappy. And probably Darcy once he hears the gossip. I wonder where he is. At Mr. Bingley's probably. Does he have other friends? Or perhaps he is at his club. Which club? Boodle's surely. Or is his blood blue enough for White's? And what sort of wife am I that I still do not even know? Oh, yes, the accidental sort.
These are not the most pertinent questions anyway. What I should be trying to discern is who told this Lady Whisperton I met with Sir Sebastian in the park. Not Mr. Farthingham. He does not seem the sort to gossip. Or talk to anyone about anything other than birds. Ifonly it were insects Dora might find him more interesting.
Perhaps Sir Sebastian mentioned it to someone else. But why? Did he not realize how such information might be construed? Perhaps he did not care. According to Darcy he has already been responsible for sullying the reputation of one married lady.
Oh, no. Lady Catherine and Mrs. Vane are arguing again. Or rather Lady Catherine is arguing. Mrs. Vane will not indulge her in an argument so she just goes on a defensive monologue as if someone were arguing with her whilst Mrs. Vane smirks. It is all very masterful on Mrs. Vane's part if she is trying to make Lady Catherine look like an insane person, but we all must still unfortunately listen to Lady Catherine rant. Or perhaps not listen, rather we must go through the effort of tuning out her incessant droning.
I am so glad Lady Catherine is not staying with us. She has her own house in town, though she rarely stays in it. For which I am certain all the occupants of town are deeply grateful. I hope the servants in her London house have been lax and there is dust . . . and spiders. I usually do not wish spiders on anyone but she deserves them.
"—though I think it is ludicrous to believe a mere dinner will solve anything. An error of this proportion . . . .What Darcy could have been thinking I will never know—"
Big ones.
"One only has to look at her to see the evidence of her low breeding. No, no I do not think anything can be done, as sad as I am for my nephew, I think we must face facts—she needs to be hidden away not brought out into good society."
Giant spiders that crawl in her mouth while she sleeps.
I could silence her quite easily. I could have her thrown from the house. Darcy did tell her only yesterday I was not to be insulted. I do not think he would mind terribly if I behaved rudely to her given the provocation, however it is almost enjoyable to watch her become flustered. Especially when Rebecca and Mrs. Vane continue their conversation as if she has not spoken at all.
"If we are going to do centerpieces at all they should be short. There is nothing worse than those absurdly large flower arrangements. One cannot even see the person opposite them at the table," said Rebecca.
Mrs. Vane replied scathingly, "Guests are not meant to talk across the table."
"Of course not, but one likes tosee. Besides servants knock centerpieces over while serving."
"Not my servants," said Mrs. Vane, apparently forgetting the fact that these are myservants we are discussing. My servants who admittedly are terrified of Mrs. Vane and probably would not knock over centerpieces no matter how absurdly large they were.
"—and Lady Anne agrees with me," Lady Catherine said finishing her speech grandly as if she had an audience.
I forgot to mention that Darcy's mother is here as well. Like the typical dreaded mother-in-law she hates me. Unlike the typical dreaded mother-in-law her presence is incorporeal. She is sitting next to me. In spirit. Or at least I think she is because Lady Catherine keeps referring to her sister as if she were present and then glancing at the empty chair beside me. So Lady Anne is there. Or Lady Catherine is mad. Either one.
"Elizabeth, what is your opinion?"
Rebecca is so adorable. She thinks I get an opinion.
"I do not think a dinner party will be enough to make people forget my villainy. I think we need a ball. A grand one," I said facetiously.
Rebecca squealed delightedly. "I love a ball. Oh, do lets have a ball, please," she begged turning to Mrs. Vane.
Mrs. Vane pretended to consider. I say pretended because I know she will not consent. Alliance or no, crushing Rebecca's hopes will be too tempting to her. Also a ball is a terrible idea.
