Page 124 of A Life Diverted
“Then you will remain at the estate as I instructed.” Miss Bingley looked away from her brother but nodded her head.
“Do you not understand that we will be lower than anyone there? Regardless of your delusions, the offspring of tradesmen are not, nor will they ever be, above a landed gentleman.” If Bingley had told his sister the same once, he had done it a hundred times.
As she always did when reminded of her antecedents, Caroline looked away in fury.
Even after the confrontation with his sister, the Longbourn party arrived at the assembly hall in time for the first dance. Bingley requested the older Long niece’s hand for the first set and was granted it.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Miss Bingley, already fuming after her brother took her to task before he departed and stood by his refusal to take her, realised the Hills were keeping an eye on her. After a little while she left the drawing room and made a show of climbing the stairs.
She first made sure the pillows she had placed under the covers on her bed were still there, and then slammed her bedchamber door—not an uncommon occurrence in the house.
Then she donned her outerwear and waited in the hall above the stairs for ten minutes.
She had considered climbing down the trellises outside her window but rejected that idea as too much even for her.
When she heard no more noise from below stairs, she carefully descended the stairs, making sure none of them creaked under her weight.
Not seeing anyone about, she slipped out the front door and closed it without a sound. She was sure her brother and sister would never suspect she would walk the mile to the assembly, as they knew how much she detested walking like a commoner—or the hated Eliza Bennet.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
After arriving at the assembly hall, she stood in a corner near some huge brute so her family would not see her.
Not one person, not even these country mushrooms, had noted her arrival.
She sneered at those who snickered giggled when they caught sight of her fashionable outfit.
She should have remained unobtrusive, but she could not help herself.
Her plan was simple; as soon as she had an opportunity, she would compromise the Marquess. She was sure her brother was wrong. In front of all of Meryton, there was only one option he would have, to marry her.
She did not see the way the huge man next to her was looking at her or that he seemed to signal others to make them aware of her presence. It was mere minutes before all of the guards were aware of her. Not long after, the Prince and Lord Thomas were informed as well.
To rub salt in the wound of having to walk, her Marquess was dancing with that Eliza Bennet chit. She conveniently forgot the older sister was a Viscountess and the parents were titled. They were Bennets; therefore they were beneath her notice.
When the set ended, Miss Bingley positioned herself where she could watch her prey. Once her Marquess returned Miss Eliza to her family, Miss Bingley, still hidden in the corner, made as if she was talking to someone though no one was close by.
“I agree, she is tolerable I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt any man. I wonder what the harridan did to cause the Marquess to give consequence to a young lady who should be slighted by all men. I am sure it could only be pity, and she will be the wallflower she deserves to be the rest of the night.” Miss Bingley smiled to herself; sure she had degraded the woman in the eyes of the Marquess.
Now she just had to make her move towards the Marquess.
Each time she tried to approach him, someone seemed to be in her way.
Across the hall, Bingley was sure he had heard his younger sister’s cutting voice but could not see her.
He prayed she was not so far gone that she would have disobey him thusly.
Miss Bingley did not notice the quick shake of the Prince’s head—not that she knew who the man was—when two of the guards in regular clothing gave him a questioning look to see if they should remove the objectionable woman.
Not one man requested her hand for a set as she waited for her chance to approach the Marquess, even though many men waited for the next dance, and the one after.
It was evident to her that she was the only lady present who no one would ask to dance.
Miss Bingley attempted to approach the Marquess between sets, but he always seemed to be surrounded by other men who looked at her pointedly but did not ask her to dance.
The pressure reached the point of no return when she saw the Marquess lead the hated Bennet chit out for a second set.
She found a knife on the refreshment table that had been used to cut cakes and hid it within the folds of her orange monstrosity.
She noted which way the line was moving, then started towards her mortal enemy purposefully.
If possible, Elizabeth and Darcy were enjoying their second set together even more than the first. If it were a private ball, the set they were dancing would have been the supper set, but there was no supper at local assemblies.
William and Elizabeth saw the woman in the orange gown—who they believed would not be at the assembly—approach them.
She was hard to miss given her outrageously flamboyant garment, and neither missed the malevolent look on her countenance.
As she approached, time seemed to slow as they watched her reach into her gown and withdraw a knife.
As she drew her hand back, many things happened at the same time.
William put his body in front of Elizabeth, which only seemed to provoke the insane woman more.
As her arm reached its apex, Biggs arrived just ahead of two of the royal guards who had been dancing nearby and caught Miss Bingley’s wrist in his enormously powerful grip, causing the knife to fall to the floor.
“Unhand me, you damned brute,” Miss Bingley unleashed a most unladylike invective. The other two guards reached Miss Bingley; one stood behind her and the other grabbed her left arm—none too gently.
“Why did you stop me? She is the one who is importuning my Marquess!” Miss Bingley screeched maniacally.
“Do you know who I am, Miss Bingley?” Elizabeth asked evenly.
“Your Royal Highness, please excuse my sister, she obviously belongs in Bedlam,” Bingley bowed low. “She was not supposed to be here at all.” Bingley looked at his sister with distaste.
“I belong in Bedlam? Here you are addressing this country hoyden thusly, that is rich,” Miss Bingley cackled.
“Do you know the penalty for attacking my daughter, you shrewish harpy?” The Prince stepped forward with a thunderous visage.
“If I had been allowed to dispatch one so low, I would have been rewarded,” Miss Bingley allowed her delusion full reign.
“As I am the granddaughter of the King and Queen, somehow I doubt that, Miss Bingley,” Elizabeth stepped forward.
For the first time Miss Bingley really looked at the woman she had wanted to dispatch.
Her clothing was far finer than anything Miss Bingley owned, and her jewels were flawless gems and the pieces they fit in were far finer than those Miss Bingley had even dreamed about.
As reality began to set in, Miss Bingley’s expression changed to one of absolute horror.
She did not fail to notice that the man her brother called ‘Your Royal Highness’ was looking at Elizabeth to ascertain if she was well.
Neither Elizabeth nor those watching missed the moment realisation of the truth hit her.
“When I asked if you knew who I was, you did not answer, so allow me to oblige you now,” Elizabeth stated assertively, in absolute control of the moment.
“I am her Royal Highness Elizabeth Priscilla Francine Bennet, Princess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This gentleman you insulted so recently is my birthfather, Prince Frederick, second son of his Majesty King George III, the Duke of York and Albany, Earl of Ulster. My late birthmother was Princess Priscilla.”
By now, Miss Bingley, stricken with fear, would have collapsed were it not for Biggs and a second guard holding her up by her arms. As she looked from one face to the next, all she saw was disgust and she knew none would speak in favour of clemency for her.
“Your Royal Highness, I know what she attempted was treason, but she is insane. If you allow it, we will have her admitted to a secure facility where she will remain under guard for the rest of her natural days,” Bingley beseeched the Prince.
The Prince looked to his daughter, as she was, after all, the one the woman had attempted to murder. Elizabeth gave a curt nod of agreement. “We shall see, Mr. Bingley. I want to question your sister first.” It was not a request.
“Of course, your Royal Highness,” Bingley backed away a little.
“Miss Bingley, why did you become so frightened when you realised who my daughter is?” the Prince asked easily.
“She was supposed to be a nobody, not a Princess,” Miss Bingley explained.
“Were you not warned, Caroline? I told you but you refused to hear me,” Bingley interjected. “By disobeying me and not staying at Longbourn, you have ruined your life and ours along with you.”
“Why did you ignore your family when they tried to warn you of my and my daughter’s presence here?” the Prince followed up.
“I thought they were lying to me,” was her short explanation.
“One more thing—why did you, the daughter of a tradesman, think Mr. Darcy, the Marquess of Derby, would look at you with an eye to matrimony?” the Prince demanded.
Miss Bingley did not answer, she just dropped her head and closed her eyes.
“Caroline, do you know what the penalty for treason is if his Royal Highness does not recommend the King grant my request?” Bingley asked, and Miss Bingley just shook her head.
“It is death by beheading! That is what you are facing, Sister. Either way, your days in society are over. It is either an asylum for life or you will have a date with the executioner at the tower.”
“She will have a minimum of six months in Bedlam, and then—only then—will you be allowed to move her to a facility of your choice,” the Prince decreed.
“Know, however, that there will be a contingent of guards there at all times. If she attempts to escape and survives the attempt, she will be taken to the tower.”
“We will withdraw from society, as we are now tainted by the actions of my sister,” Bingley stated sadly.
The Prince nodded and Miss Bingley was led away, followed by her family.
Before Bingley and the Hursts could exit the hall, Elizabeth walked up to them.
“My father, my birthfather, my family, and I do not hold you responsible for your sister’s actions, and I will be pleased to get to know you once this unpleasant business is completed.
We will be happy to receive you for tea at Netherfield Park. ”
Bingley and the Hurts departed, greatly relieved their reputations had been rescued by Princess Elizabeth, in spite of Caroline’s actions. Thankfully, the rest of the assembly passed without drama. By the end of the evening, the insane attack was forgotten—almost.