You deserve everything and more!
The three grand dames cast their eyes over the crowd as they watched Eliza move between groups... Lavinia, Alexandra and Susan had just decided how they would deal with Lady Heart, Lady Grace and Eliza Parker.
Now that Mary and the children were safe the embargo on the Parkers had been removed... Eliza Parker was now going to be dealt with!
"I really don't like this type of woman... when will they learn that that is not the way to be liked?" Lavinia shaking her head... she had had a 'Eliza Parker' in her life.
"Hmmm... I think all of us have had such a woman in our life... mine was called 'Scarlet Kent'" Alexandra shared.
"Cordelia Grange" spoke Susan. It was a name she had not spoken aloud in 20 years...
The women looking at each other with understanding. They had all conquered the loss of their first love and found happiness in their lives. They had established themselves in the highest levels and rose above those horrible women. They had been thankful back then to have found an older woman who had taken them under their wing. It was now their turn to protect their loved ones. Alexandra looking at her daughters and Victoria... Susan and Lavinia watching Charlotte, Alison, Victoria.
Susan passed a note to the footman. They watched as it was delivered to Lady Grace and Lady Heart... the women taking on frightened looks when reading the message.
"Let us begin..." simply stated Susan
Eliza was having a successful ball and felt she was finally going to achieve her dream... it had taken her over 10 years but it was finally coming together. The only problem she had faced was Charlotte Crowe and the Heywood girls. They seemed to outshine her in every way...without any effort they had risen to the highest of society.
She had complained once to Sidney and without warning was told never to speak disrespectful about those women again. She never understood her husband who was moody and uncommunicative. He was in a mood tonight and just seemed to follow his brother Tom around. She was a little annoyed to have only discovered through a friend that Mary Parker had left her husband. It appeared she was now under the shelter of the Crowe/Heywood family. She had seen Mary seated in the area designated for the royal family and was jealous. She was annoyed her sister-in-law had risen and had not taken her with her.
It started after the dinner break but a series of women she knew has been required to visit the royal area. Eliza hoped she would be included as she noticed her friends Lady Heart and Lady Grace entering the exclusive section... maybe they were being introduced to the Prince Regent ... they looked shocked from the experience.
She watched and prayed she would be called up... and when she thought it was not going to happen she received an invitation!
"Let me me do this one?" Susan commented to her friends who nodded
"Good evening Mrs Parker... please sit down" Susan directed Eliza who sat down looking forward to starting a conversation with these grad ladies.
"Mrs Parker... what are your thoughts about Charlotte Crowe, Alison Heywood and Victoria Heywood?" Susan asked
"They are lovely ladies ... they seem to be liked by many people and have connected themselves with good families" Eliza answered making sure she had a smile on her face.
"Hmmm... we have heard rumours that some ladies have been spreading nasty pieces of gossip about these lovely women" Alexandra commented and couldn't hide her anger.
"I am sorry to hear that... I have the highest respect for these women" humbly faked Eliza
"Hmmm... pray tell me... why...if you hold these women in the highest respect but the one spreading these vicious rumours?" asked Susan
"Please... you are mistaken..." before she could continued she realised why her friends had been asked to visit this area... they had been interviewed... they would have given her up... she would have.
At that point Esther walked into the room and was asked to sit amongst the ladies.
"Esther dear I understand you attended a dinner party where some of these lies were being told" Lavinia spoke for the first time
"Yes... this woman was informing everyone Charlotte was a country breeder and it was the only reason the Viscount had married her" Esther stared at Eliza and gave her a wicked smiled... 'you are going to get everything you deserve" she thought
"Thank you dear... why don't you go and joint he others... I believe they have gone to the card room" Lavinia, Alexandra and Susan both giving her a kiss on the cheek. They waited until she had left before continuing.
"Mrs Parker... your deceit will not be tolerated..."
The Prince Regent walking in the room with his daughter ... cast his eye on Eliza Parker.
"Who is this my love?"
"This is no one!"
The Prince Regent leaving with a smilie on his face... he had heard about Eliza Parker and knew about her nasty behaviour... she was being rewarded with social exclusion.
Once in the card room he settled himself next to John Heywood and Henry Crowe... he wanted to win some money and they were the best players. He looked over and saw his daughter and nieces happily playing cards with the Crowe/Heywood/ Eastbourne women.
Finding true friends was difficult in this fickle society!
He looked over at his brother and nodded... he had come to a final decision about the Heywood's...
