Lady Somercote

Lady Somercote is a high-nosed lady of fashion who visits Lady Bridlington, a woman who she has only been on civil terms with previously, for an hour when she hears rumour of Arabella Tallant's supposed wealth. She has five expensive sons, and the Somercote estates are heavily mortgaged. Her husband takes to Arabella in one of his fancies. Lady Somercote invites Lady Bridlington and Arabella to a party, and she in turn attends Lady Bridlington's party for Arabella with two of her sons.

After the Bridlington evening-party she wishes to drive her diamond pin through Robert Beaumaris's ribs, not so doting a mother as to believe that her sons could be more attractive than the Nonpareil.

One of her sons is named Alfred, and he becomes one of Arabella's suitors.

It is unknown what her husband's rank is. Because her son Alfred is addressed as Mr Alfred Somercote, the patriarch could only be an earl, a viscount, a baron, a baronet, or a knight.