"Ruined!", Mrs. John Dashwood shrieked, "Ruined, ruined Ruined! Hope is over!"

"Oh my poor, poor Fan", Lady Suzan Vernon purred, quickly whisking away the smirks that had been playing over her features in exchange for a look of the greatest solicitude, "My dear, come near the fire you must be perishing from cold!"

"And well I might be", Fanny snarled, "That vulgar upstart, Sir Basil with his pert pretentions and underbred finery, practically turned me out of the house!"

"No! He never would!"

"Indeed he did; and he calls himself a Gentleman!", Fanny snapped, "I and my maid Sally have been wet through, just look at me!"

"Oh dear", Lady Suzan purred her commiseration, "Surely he didn't turn you out in the wet my soul!"

"In a flooding downpour I tell you!", Fanny shrieked, "And he actually had the cheek to say: That none of his carriages could be spared for our journey as he was giving a grand and glorious party that evening and must go to Fords to buy a new waistcoat!", she hissed in a mocking sing song of Sir Basil's sleepy tone, "And her Ladyship must have some new muslin for hers had been torn."

"For shame my dear. An_er_how did you travel?"

"In a horse cart!", Fanny snarled, "A horse cart. The daughter of Mrs. Henrietta Ferrars Extraordinaire conveyed to London in a horse cart!"

"Oh, how shocking."

"Shocking indeed", Fanny hissed, "When he hears from my Solicitor Mr. Kenge he'll rue the day. Mark my words."

"Oh", Lady Suzan said, the smirk that had been overspreading her features the more of the story she heard now converted itself into a slight frown, "And_what of Mr. Tulkinghorn my pet? Will you not avail yourself of his services once more? I'm sure you'd have only the most excellent results."

"Forgive me for saying my dear but your Mr. Tulkinghorn wouldn't know results if they walked up and bit him.", Fanny said rather acridly, "I know he's your Solicitor and that you have the highest regard for him; but it seems to me that he's done little more than coin one excuse after another perhaps to go along with all the delaying and continuances he's countenanced these last weeks in those wretched Chancery Courts."

"Well, but you must be patient my soul these things take time. I'll shall write to Mr. Tulkinghorn directly_."

"But_."

"But come my dear, you're overtired and must rest yourself.", Lady Suzan purred soothingly not allowing her to continue, "Come Daisey, you must show Mrs. John Dashwood to her chambers directly.

"Yes Milady", Daisey said meekly, dropping a curtsey, "And_well, Milady, shall I show her to_."

"The White Attic.", Her Ladyship cut in with a smile of honeyed venom discernable only to Ms. Daisey. The young house Maid was too well acquainted with its deadly nature to do other than as she had been told. Dropping another curtsey she said rather tremulously:

"This way if you please Ma'am."

15, June 1709

Lady Suzan Vernon

Portland Square

Exeter St., London

Mr. Felix Tulkinghorn Lincoln's Inn Fields

£22, London

My Dear Sir,

I write to congratulate you upon your splendid work in stretching out the case of the Entailment of Norland Park. How clever of you to harrass any and all Witnesses that might dare to speak in my dear friend's behalf, bribing the Lord Chief Justice, and ambushing that so called Expert Witness on the Case and reducing him to a gibbering idiot.

I declare my faith in our Justice System has been thoroughly restored_ I can scarce recollect the last time I've experienced such delicious amusement.

Most excellently done Sir!

However, we must still be active.

My dear friend appears to be growing impatient with the delays and continuances that you have had the goodness to facillitate. You must write to her and assure her that you are doing everything in your power to smash the entail, to remove any and every doubt she might have. Court her, romance her man, make love to her if you have to; but silence all her fears.

Now, in reference to the 400lbs per anum that she is due to receive shortly: Where she to recieve it as per the Entail I declare she would quit London with her Purse pretty well lined_too well lined if you ask me. Is there a way to thwart or at least delay it_legally? Or illegally? I'm sure you'll think of something my dear creature. But think or no whenever my angel sets out for whereever she might be going I want her virtually penniless.

I've been endeavoring to make some arrangements should she decide to remain in London, for I simply cannot have her here lest she get wind of my schemes for her_felicity_yes, that's right, felicity. To that end I've made some inquiries about Radcliffe and Folley Ditch.

I haven't quite made up my mind as to which she might be settled in; but I very nearly settled upon a charming little set of rooms at Wolseley St the other day, that should do very well for her. Indeed, I had thought of Tom-All-Alone's but_well, that might be rather too severe_well, for the present.

I shall think more upon the matter and give you my decision in a few days. In the meantime we shall be united together in the cause of right.

Sincerely,

Lady S. Vernon