As soon as Lady Matlock heard the name Bingley, she immediately suspected which rumour her friend had heard. That warning was enough for her to school her features while she was thinking furiously.
She decided that a version of the truth would probably best serve the purpose. ‘Perhaps your sources have their facts slightly muddled. I had heard that my nephew was planning to join his friend several weeks after Mr Bingley taking the lease. Now we all know the personality of Miss Bingley…’ She paused significantly, causing Lady Sefton to smile at last as Lady Matlock finished the sentence, ‘can be difficult to understand by those not used to her ways.’
Seeing the smile, Lady Matlock continued. ‘Now, I have no wish to cast unfounded aspersions, but I think it is much more likely that, if the Bingleys were evicted due to some abrasive personalities, and I am not certain of that fact, my nephew likely arrived just in time to be included in the process without any realising who he was.’
The tension went out of Lady Sefton’s shoulders. ‘Ah, yes. That is a much more likely scenario. But you understand that I wanted to alert you to the fact that this rumour has started to circulate. It would be just like that woman to include your nephew in the story to make it sound more important than it is… and to shift the focus from herself.’
‘I am glad that you think so too,’ Lady Matlock purred. Hoping to have sown the seed to counteract the rumour, the ladies briefly chatted about less controversial topics before Lady Sefton had to take her leave.
After her departure, Colonel Fitzwilliam would have blushed if he had heard the imprecations muttered by Lady Matlock.
~T~
Miss Bingley had spent time considering the intelligence regarding Miss Bennet. Having slept on it, she came to a decision… she was going to inform her brother, even if she had to invade his rooms.
She came down to the dining room ready for a hearty meal to fortify herself in preparation for tackling her brother. Her astonishment was great as she entered the room to find Bingley washing down the last bite of his breakfast with a mouthful of coffee.
‘Good morning, Caroline. How are you on this lovely morning?’
‘Good morning, Charles. Why are you in such a good mood? It is quite a change from your sulks in recent weeks.’
‘I have come to a decision which has improved my temper.’
‘At last. You have decided to forget about that mercenary country nobody,’ said Caroline with a delighted smile.
‘Quite the contrary. I have decided to write to her father and ask him to send her to London so that I may court her. Apart from that, stop calling her mercenary. Miss Bennet has been the only lady whom I have met who has not thrown herself at me.’
‘Well, you can save yourself the letter because she has followed you to town.’
‘How do you know that she is in town?’
‘Because I have seen her.’
‘Were you ever going to tell me about it?’
‘I saw her yesterday afternoon. This is the first time I have seen you since.’
Bingley gave his sister a contrite look before he asked, ‘Do you remember the address of her uncle in Cheapside which you mentioned? I am sure that is where she must be staying. Was it not Gracechurch Street? I must go and see her immediately.’
‘I doubt very much that you would find her in Gracechurch Street. I saw her going into a house at a much more fashionable address with a gentleman but without a chaperone, and they seemed to be very… cosy.’
‘You cannot be implying…’
‘That the little strumpet has found herself a… protector. Is that not the polite euphemism employed for a man who keeps a mistress?’
‘You are making this up. Miss Bennet would never behave in such a way,’ cried Bingley. ‘I am certain there must be some other explanation. Who is to say that the man with whom you saw her is not a relative. I am convinced that he must be Mrs Bennet’s brother.’
‘Mrs Bennet’s brother is near her age, and she has grown up daughters as you well know. The man I saw was handsome, well-built and if he was a day over five and thirty, I will eat my new bonnet.’
Bingley looked a little uncertain as Caroline vehemently argued her case. Could it be? Surely not. But if the lady had felt abandoned by him and something had happened to her father… after all, their estate was entailed, and she might be in dire straits.
No. He would not believe it until he saw it for himself.
Instead, he would go to Gracechurch Street and find Miss Bennet.
~T~
Darcy was grateful to arrive at Gracechurch Street. He had fidgeted all the way wondering about his reception. He hoped that Mr Bennet’s note would smooth the way.
