“It seems I have been laughing at my family and others,” Bennet said. looking pointedly at Sir William, “rather than doing my duty as the head of my household and protector of my womenfolk. I must do better.”
“I am sure that a man as intelligent as you will succeed if he puts his mind to it,” Sir William opined. He knew Bennet did not apologise in so many words for making sport of him in the past, but Sir William understood it was implied. That was enough. “Eliza does not say how she came by this information. However, her sending it to me has saved more than one merchant in Meryton from ruin.”
“Where she gained this intelligence is my question too,” Bennet stated. “May I keep the epistle?” He saw Sir William nod his permission. “I am for Phillips’s office.” He stood and shook his friend’s hand and took his leave.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Now I understand why Hattie was almost biting her lip to stop herself telling me this. Thank goodness for Sir William,” Phillips stated as he shook his head.
“It was at the instigation of another,” Bennet revealed cryptically. He slid Lizzy’s letter across to Phillips. He watched as his brother-in-law’s face went from surprise to incredulity.
“I wonder,” Phillips mused. “Mr King left Meryton with haste, dragging his niece with him. It is said that on Monday, the wretch was told the courtship was over and he was never to call at King’s house again. It was the same morning that Sir William began to investigate the debts and look for despoiled girls. You do not think Lizzy wrote to Mr King as well, do you?”
“Until I speak to her, I will not know,” Bennet replied. “The reason I am here is to have you read the entail document and see if there is any way to stop Collins getting his hands on Longbourn. His wife is intelligent, but I have no doubt thatbuffoon will run my estate into the ground.”
“Let me read the documents. As soon as I have analysed them, I will send you a note. I hope it will be by Friday,” Phillips agreed.
“I am sure I need not say this, but not even Hattie can know who wrote the letter to Sir William,” Bennet stated. “The bastard is under lock and key. That being said, I do not want to leave Lizzy’s safety to chance.”
Phillips agreed, and Bennet took his leave.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
It was past midday on Wednesday when Darcy’s travelling coach rolled under theporte cochère andinto the internal courtyard at Pemberley.
Normally, all the stress he had been feeling prior to his arrival would flow out of him as soon as he was on Pemberley’s land. This time, that did not happen.
His mind was still full of Miss Elizabeth Bennet and how his love for her had not dimmed, regardless of the way she had rejected his offer of marriage. Add to that, after seeing Anna before departing London, he remained very concerned that she was still melancholy. Then, of course, there was the break with Bingley. He had so few good friends; losing one, even temporarily, was a blow.
All he could hope was that throwing himself into his work at his estate would clear his head and allow him to think about what, if anything, he needed to change about his character.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
By Wednesday, word was everywhere in Town that Miss Caroline Bingley waspersona non gratain London society. Word had come from Ladies Matlock and Holder and was amplified by a princess patroness of Almack's, duchesses,countesses, and any number of lesser-titled ladies. With all of those who were arrayed against Miss Bingley, compliance with the countess’ wishes was ensured. No one was willing to risk her own social standing to support the very unpopular Miss Bingley.
That morning Miss Bingley decided to break her fast well after eleven, ignoring both her sister and brother-in-law. In her mind, her brother’s petulance had not occurred; she had not been kicked out of Holder House, she had not been told never to return to Darcy House, and everything was as it should be in her world.
There was a note written in an elegant hand that Miss Bingley did not recognise resting against her teacup when she sat. She leaned forward and lifted it. Even though it was pressed and scented paper, the seal was unrecognisable. Miss Bingley broke the seal and smoothed the page.
Miss Caroline Bingley:
Madam, be warned. If you attempt to go out in society, you will not enjoy the results.
The nonsense was unsigned. Miss Bingley angrily tore the note into the smallest pieces she was able to. What lies! She was welcome in society. In fact, others had sought her company.
She stood and deposited the torn paper into the grate, where a low fire was burning to take the spring morning’s chill away.
“What was that, Caroline?” Mrs Hurst enquired.
“Nothing of consequence,” Miss Bingley dissembled. “As soon as calling hours begin, we will call on Miss Grantley.”
“I am meeting with my housekeeper about the changes to the menus and such, so I will have to miss the call. Perhaps Iwill be available to join you another day.”
“The quality of the food in this house has deteriorated,” Miss Bingley criticised.
Knowing that using facts would not change her sister’s mind once Caroline got an idea in her head, Mrs Hurst said nothing of the reason for this and other changes which were necessary due to retrenching.
To arrive at the Grantley’s house at the start of calling hours, dressed in one of her new gowns and bejewelled, Miss Bingley ordered the Hurst coachman to depart about fifteen minutes before the hour. She walked up to the door at Grantley House just before one and used the knocker.
