An hour and a half later the long tedious dinner was finally over, and Lady Matlock invited the ladies into the music room while the gentlemen went to the library to smoke and drink brandy.
Mrs. Barton and Eleonor immediately went over to chat with Elizabeth as they noticed that Elizabeth seemed uncomfortable and upset during dinner.
On the other hand, Lady Matlock conversed exclusively with Lady Sophia, her mother, Lady Jane, and Lady Anne - Lady Maria's mother - and completely ignored Eleanor, Elizabeth, and Mrs. Barton. They were talking loudly, probably so that Elizabeth and Eleonor could overhear the conversation.
"...she deserves it for being a social climber. Those women are so predictable, but fortunately, Lord Carrington is a smart man and he's not going to marry her."
"Is it true that he attacked her?" asked Lady Sophia.
"I don't believe that gossip at all. She said it because she was upset because he won't marry her. Besides, who is she? She's just a merchant's daughter, and Lord Carrington is an earl. Obviously, she is lying." Concluded Lady Jane
"I agree with you, Jane. Lord Cartington can have any mistress he wants and he doesn't need to 'impose' on a woman... That woman thought that with a child she could trap him, but she didn't take into account that he already has at least two illegitimate children." Concluded emphatically Lady Matlock
"Unfortunately, we have to tolerate such women, because there is always a fool who marries them. Do you remember that hateful woman, the merchant's daughter who married Sir Thomas?" asked Lady Jane.
The other three nodded and she added, "She wanted to be admitted to Almack's. " She laughed contemptuously, "Everyone in London knows that Sir Thomas has already spent her dowry to cover the debts of his estate and others' debts of honor; besides, he can't stand her and hasn't lived with her practically since they were married."
"I feel sorry for her; if Sir Thomas dies, she's going to be left with nothing because she can't inherit his estate." Commented Lady Jane.
"I don't feel sorry for that woman. She's one of the worst social climbers I've ever met. Besides, they both won in their marriage. He won her dowry and she is a "Lady"."
Lady Jane nodded, "Yes, what you say is true, but rumor has it that Sir Thomas is sick with the pox and won't live much longer."
"I am not too surprised, Sir Thomas is a ladies' man and he is not known for taking precautions," said Lady Matlock, looking at Lady Anne.
"Is his wife sick?" asked Lady Sophia.
"I don't know, nor do I care. I prefer not to deal with that woman…"
The four women continued to talk cruelly of other ladies less fortunate than themselves until the clock struck 9:30 and they joined the gentlemen.
General Holmes, noticed that his daughter and his two friends seemed disturbed, and decided it was time to leave. The ladies gladly accepted.
Richard was not happy with the party either; his brother's comments about Elizabeth had been mean-spirited. In addition, he had suspicions that his brother was sick with the pox since one of his lovers was infected. Fortunately, his wedding was less than a week away, but he regretted that he had agreed to his mother's request to have the wedding breakfast at her house. He was going to consult Eleonor…, and if she wanted they would have the wedding breakfast elsewhere.