Chapter 15 #2
At first, when Bennet read what Lizzy wrote about why she had contacted Sir William and not himself, he wanted to be angry at his daughter’s disrespect, but then he had to admit she was right.
If he would have even opened it the day it was received, he would have thought it a good joke and done nothing.
While he was the one supposed to save the family, it was Lizzy who had done so by posting her epistle to the right person.
He could not bear her any ill will for being justified in the advice she and Jane had given him, which, considering the event her letter stopped, showed some greatness of mind.
The question was, where did his daughter gain the knowledge which she had shared?
There was mention of the Earl of Matlock for verification but no mention of the source. Surely it was not that Darcy fellow?
“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 that buffoon 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 the porte cochère and into 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 was persona non grata in 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 I will 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.
The butler began to open the door and, as soon as he saw who was calling, said, “No one is home to you.” Then he closed and locked the door.
In anger, Miss Bingley beat on the door with her parasol.
It was opened once more by the butler. “You are not welcome here. Do not return, or you will be arrested for trespassing.” The door was shut again.
Miss Bingley could not understand what was happening, as she refused to believe the note she had received was genuine. She called at the homes of four more friends, and she was sent away from each one and told never to return.
Ignoring what her brother said about closing her accounts, Miss Bingley ordered the coachman to take her to Madame Dupris’s modiste shop on Bond Street.
She had so much wanted to be accepted as a client of Madame Chambourg, who was the chosen modiste of many members of the Ton; however, she had never been accepted.
As she approached the door, Miss Bingley ignored the looks aimed at her from members of society. She opened the door, and Madame was blocking her way. “You are not welcome ‘ere,” she said in a thick French accent.
“I spend thousands of pounds here; step aside!” Miss Bingley insisted.
“Your account is closed, and you are not welcome. Now go, or I ‘ave my men throw you out.” Madame stood with her arms akimbo.
When she turned to leave, she saw a crowd of members of the first circles watching the goings on. She would use that to ruin the damned modiste. “You see how a lady is…” Miss Bingley was cut off.
“You are no lady.” One of the men said, and each person turned their backs on her and gave Miss Bingley the cut direct.
She scampered into her carriage. She needed to go to Darcy House for help; failing that, she would make for Holder House. How dare people cut her? She was Caroline Maleficent Bingley! She ignored the fact she had already been told not to return to either of the abodes she intended to call at.
After, again, being told not to return to Darcy House and receiving the same reception at Holder House, Miss Bingley returned to Hurst House to lick her wounds.