“As she has been known to do fromtime to time, Miss Bingley lied to you. I have it from Miss Darcy that her brother has cut all ties with Miss Bingley. How do you suppose she is able to secure an introduction for you?” Elizabeth asked nonchalantly. Behind her Giana and Tiffany barely supressed their giggles.
“How would one such as you know Miss Darcy and why are those two laughing at their betters,” Miss Hampton-Downs demanded. While the rude woman was speaking, Madeline Gardiner and Lady Matlock positioned themselves behind her.
“How dare you, Miss Hampton-Downs, speak to my daughter, my niece, and their particular friend in such a way?” Lady Matlock demanded.
The harpy spun around ready to berate the woman who spoke to her in that manner and found herself face to face with the Countess of Matlock. She stood there slack-jawed as the enormity of herfaux pasdawned on her. “I…er…I mean,” the woman spluttered.
“No wonder you are the only friend of that social climbing fortune hunter, Miss Bingley. Miss Gardiner spoke the truth. Next to her are my daughter, Lady Tiffany, and my niece, Miss Darcy. You can let Miss Bingley know, as it seems my nephew cutting all ties to her was not enough, I will make sure she willneverbe received in polite society again,” Lady Matlock stated stridently. “And you, Miss Hampton Downs?let me hear one word spread about Miss Gardiner, her friend Miss Bennet, my daughter, or my niece and I will make sure you will never gain entry to society again.”
The lady, who looked as if she was about to be sick, gave a wobbly curtsy and turned to leave the site of her total humiliation when she was arrested by the Countess’s voice.
“If I were you, I would find friends who do not lie to you.” Lady Matlock admonished. Miss Hampton-Downs fled the shop.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Miss Bingley had not heard back from her friend yet, so she decided to take matters into her own hands and wrote a letter to Mr. Darcy. She read over her handiwork; certain it would attain the results she intended.
24 November 1810
Thistlewait House, Scarborough, Yorkshire
My dear Mr. Darcy,
I cannot in good conscience keep from you information about your soon-to-be former favourite which I have recently learned.
Miss Eliza Bennet refused to marry her cousin even after her parents ordered her to do so. What a disobedient hoyden she is! She was banished from the Bennets’ so-called estate and now resides with Mr. Gardiner and his family, her tradesman uncle in Cheapside.
The best part is that Eliza and her fine eyes are now working as a shopgirl at her uncle’s store, Gardiner Emporium. If you doubt the veracity of my word, I urge you to go thither and see for yourself how far she has fallen.
As this information vindicates me, I would be most appreciative if you will convince Charles to stop this nonsense and recall me to London.
Yours in anything you require or desire,
Caroline Bingley
Very happy with her letter, Miss Bingley sealed it and then posted it to Darcy House on Grosvenor Square. She was sure the man would be back in London by now. She tittered to herself when she thought of the disgust Mr. Darcy would feel when he saw Eliza working in a common store.
She was desperate to escape back to Town as Aunt Hildebrand was not at all malleable and Charles had refused to provide her any funds in excess of her allowance. The woman forced her, seminary educated and a member of high society, to do chores!
At first Miss Bingley had refused until she went three days confined to her bedchamber, with nothing but bread and water. In addition, her aunt had threated to withhold half a year’s allowance.
The Monday after she posted her letter to Mr. Darcy, she received the long-anticipated letter from Lavinia Hampton-Downs. She broke open the seal with relish.
23 November 1810
Hampton-Downs House, London
Miss Bingley,
NEVERattempt to approach me in the future, and for that matter, do not show yourlyingTRADESMAN’Sdaughter’s facein society ever again! How could you lie to me about your roots?
You also lied about Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She does not work at Gardiner Emporium and because of your lie, I looked the fool in front of the Countess of Matlock, Lady Tiffany Fitzwilliam, Miss Darcy, and their particular friend Miss Gardiner.
Lady Matlock told me to tell you that you are nowpersona non gratain society and if you dare show your face in London again, you will be shunned. You have been warned.
You lying harpy!
MissHampton-Downs
