Page 60 of The Wager
“Lizzy, no reasonable woman, who wishes to make a decent living, would want anyone from thebeau mondeto know she created such a monstrosity.”
“Maybe her modiste is a visionary and is happy to let women, who have no taste in fashion and too much money to spend, know she will make anything they desire… for a price.”
“True. What is someone’s nightmare might well be someone else’s dream.” Jane slightly turned to face Elizabeth. “She is coming our way. Shall we pretend we have not seen her?”
“Too late. Her signature scent precedes her and I calculate she will reach us in…”
“MydearMiss Hamilton and Miss Eliza. Who would have thought you would receive an invitation to such a prestigious event.”
“I cannot imagine why you should be so surprised.Youwere on the guest list,” Elizabeth quipped back.
Miss Bingley’s eyes narrowed at the implied insult. She then paused and assessed Elizabeth’s deep red velvet gown.
“It appears that you and your sister are quite industrious with a needle and thread, which given your unfortunate circumstances is a required talent. One would almost think your gown is a Madame Etienne's original.”
About to give Miss Bingley a setdown, Elizabeth stayed her tongue as Trenton had come alongside. Miss Bingley straightened her posture, pushing her bosom up and if Elizabeth were a person who laid wagers, she'd place a penny on the idea Miss Bingley was doing everything in her power not to lift onto her toes in excitement.
“Lord Tiverton, I am flattered you sought my company. Had you not departed my brother’s residence so abruptly this evening, we could have entered the ballroom together,” Miss Bingley said, playfully tapping his arm with her fan and giving him a coquettish smile. Her gaze then shifted to Elizabeth, sparkling with false friendliness. “Oh, how absent-minded of me, Miss Eliza. I must apologize for assuming you were acquainted with the Earl of Tiverton.”
Miss Bingley then batted her lashes as if feigning surprise at this realization and did not see Trenton’s raised brow at her two egregious errors. The first not calling his sister Lady Elizabeth, the second of shortening her name to Eliza. A favor granted only to Charlotte Lucas and her family. Miss Bingley, busy scanning the room for anyone who might have witnessed her conversing with an earl, failed to notice the sly exchange of looks between the twins.
During this conversation, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, along with a younger man Elizabeth correctly assumed was Mr. Gilbert Hurst, joined them.
“Tiverton, may I ask for introductions to these ladies?” Bertie asked.
“Of course.” Trenton smiled at Jane. “Mr. Gilbert Hurst, may I present to you—”
“Why in the world are you presenting Miss Hamilton to Bertie?" Blithely unaware of her pending social demise, Miss Bingley interrupted and spoke over Trenton. "As a landed gentleman’s son, he takes precedence over an orphaned rector’s daughters.”
Amused that Miss Bingley had not allowed her brother to complete the introduction, Elizabeth gave Jane a soft nudge with her elbow and said, “Please continue, Lord Tiverton. ‘Tis plain Miss Bingley is anxious for us to learn where we belong in society.”
“I warned you back in Hertfordshire not to abandon your sphere,” Caroline remarked haughtily, raising her nose in a superior manner. “I am astonished that you have the unmitigated gall to show your faces at one of London’s most prestigious balls. Did you even receive an invitation, or did you slip in through a side entrance with the added staff for the evening?”
At this unprovoked, venomous attack, Trenton straightened to his full height and glared down at Miss Bingley, who only raised her chin higher in defense. Without removing his hardened gaze from the doomed tradesman’s daughter, he said, “Bertie, may I finish making the introductions?”
“Please do, I have been waiting for this for almost a full week.”
A small crowd gathered behind Miss Bingley. Among them were Mr. Darcy, Viscount Ashton, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, and Mr. Bingley.
“Mr. Gilbert Hurst, I present to you my sisters, Lady Jane Hamilton and Lady Elizabeth Hamilton.”
Miss Bingley gasped, then her mouth snapped shut and she sneered.
“I do not know how you embroiled the earl in this parody of manners, but it was badly done.”
“Lord Courtland,” someone called from the crowd, sounding very much like Mr. Hurst. “Would you please enlighten this harridan as to whom she is addressing?”
Miss Bingley emitted a tiny gasp, perhaps noticing for the first time that behind the Hamilton siblings stood Lord and Lady Courtland, and their children, Lady Sophia Kendrick and her brother, Lord Harold Kendrick, the Earl of Shelton.
The marquess glared at Miss Bingley, who raised a tremoring hand to lightly touch the edge of her gown’s bodice. It was at this exact moment Elizabeth felt a touch of pity for the woman who had dug a very deep hole that would take many years to crawl out of. However, there was nothing she could do about it. No one forced her to be rude and spiteful to those she perceived as below her station.
“Miss Bingley, before you are my nieces Lady Jane Hamilton and Lady Elizabeth Hamilton. With them is their brother and our nephew, the Earl of Tiverton, Lord Trenton Hamilton.” Miss Bingley paled and appeared ready to flee, however, Lord Courtland was not finished. “Henceforth, Miss Bingley, you will desist in calling my niece, Miss Eliza. It was rude when you thought of her simply as Miss Elizabeth Hamilton, it is abhorrent now that you know her true rank. Am I understood in this matter?”
“Yes, sir.” A long stretch of silence passed before Miss Bingley spoke again. “My apologies, Miss… Lady Elizabeth.”
From within the crowd, they heard Mr. Bingley exclaim, “Jane Hamilton is an earl’s daughter? Why was I not told?”
Upon that, Mr. Hurst guffawed out loud and grabbed his wife’s arm.
