Sarah Villiers, one of the wealthiest women in Regency England, was the majority shareholder of Child & Co, a cornerstone of British banking. Known today as NatWest, it now ranks as the world's 40th largest bank. Sarah married into one of England's foundational aristocratic families, the Villiers, establishing herself as a prominent figure in society and a patroness of Almack’s, London’s most prestigious social club.

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Her residence, known as the last "country house in London," can be seen as the city's answer to Pemberley. Today, under the management of the National Trust, it is open daily to visitors and offers a stunning Pemberley-inspired backdrop for wedding photographs at £300.

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Sarah’s influential role in Regency society ensured her life and activities were closely followed by the media. Austen, undoubtedly familiar with society gossip, would have known of Sarah’s prominence.