Vol 2, Chapter 9 #3
“It was hard to miss, Jane,” Elizabeth laughed, “and my eyes were as punished this time as they had been every other time we were forced to endure her company!”
“The woman has the temerity to think she can advise me! I would sooner call her a wit.” Both sisters laughed so brightly even the Madam smiled at them.
“While you change, I will go speak to our aunts,” Elizabeth stated, and Jane nodded her agreement as two of the assistants assisted her out of her wedding gown.
“Gigi,” Elizabeth sat next to the younger girl, “did you notice what is prowling outside the store, no doubt to bump into us by chance?” Elizabeth asked, as she nodded her head in the direction of the objectionable woman.
“Yes, I am aware of—well, whatever it is. William has told me to give her the cut direct if she approaches me in public and he is not with me. I am sorry if…” Before Georgiana could complete her statement, Elizabeth took her hand and squeezed gently as she softly shushed her friend from saying anything further, to help her manage her distress.
“As we will do the same, there is no need to apologise. She must be the most obtuse woman in the world,” Elizabeth observed with a huff of frustration at their need to deal with the woman again.
“I agree,” Georgiana giggled. “William and I have given her many not-so-subtle hints, yet she has never taken them.”
“It seems,” Jane stated as she re-joined the rest, “money cannot buy intelligence.”
“That, dearest niece,” Lady Marie said with a brilliant smile, “is the most unforgiving speech I have heard you make. Brava! And a most fitting notation for that social climber. Are we ready to make an end of this?” Everyone in the party nodded.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Miss Bingley, if I may, it seems like the shopping party means to board their coaches and depart. You may upset them by trying to detain them,” Mrs. Younge said, trying to avoid being in close proximity to Miss Darcy.
She had always liked the girl who was such an easy charge, but when George had offered her five thousand of the dowry for her help, she had made the wrong decision.
It was something Mrs. Younge regretted every day, and more often when she considered how she had been used.
If the Darcys would allow it, she would give anything to make amends.
“Be quiet unless you want to be dismissed,” Miss Bingley snapped at her as she saw the shop’s door open.
It was the perfect setting, as several influential members of the Ton were present to see her triumph, trying to hide that they too were hoping to see those who had arrived in the coaches which now waited for those in the shop few could enter.
She was expressly pleased to see that one or two were her erstwhile friends who had not responded to her overtures.
She was convinced they would soon be eating humble pie.
Ladies Jane and Eliza followed the Marchioness and Viscountess out of the modiste’s shop.
One of the huge footmen was close to them while another brought up the rear behind the three younger girls.
“Why Lady Jane, what a providence of chance to run into my friend here,” Miss Bingley spoke loudly as she gave a perfunctory curtsy.
“Miss Bingley, what in our past, what in the tone of my voice, address, or expressions would ever give you reason to think you are counted as my friend?” Jane demanded; her eyes fixed on the now shocked woman as watching members of the Ton tittered behind their hands.
Jane had never intended to do more than cut the shrew, but as soon as the woman had spoken, she knew she needed to leave no doubt about the esteem, or lack thereof, in which Miss Bingley was held.
“As to your letter, my sister,” Jane inclined her head to a smirking Elizabeth, “and I consigned it to the fire. Since when is the daughter of a tradesman qualified to guide the daughter of a Duke? Are you so delusional? It is no wonder your siblings left the country to get away from you!”
With a nod of her head, all seven woman turned their backs on Miss Bingley and gave her the cut direct.
The members of the Ton who were privileged to watch the set down, clearly understood it was folly to anger Lady Jane Bennet.
The seven ladies, after Lady Marie and her sister-in-law greeted some of their friends, climbed back into the same coaches in which they arrived and were soon away, leaving a gobsmacked Miss Bingley sputtering on the pavement, her torn reputation now completely in tatters.
Mrs. Younge could not forget the look of anger on Miss Darcy’s face.
She had said not a word, just stared at her, turned, and left.
Miss Bingley said nothing on the ride back to their lodgings, but the furious woman had obviously turned to vengeance, and she was wearing a look Mrs. Younge had often seen when George Wickham had spoken of Mr. Darcy.
She had no doubt that Miss Bingley intended to get even!
Her reputation was destroyed, so what else did she have to lose?