Page 22 of New World Tea Company
For a moment, Caroline imagined being the hostess for the Earl and Countess of Matlock at the Darcy home in Mayfair.
“What about your aunt in Kent?” asked Charles. “Does she rate the best linens when she comes to call?”
Making a sour face, Darcy said, “Lady Catherine knows not to call at my home in London, and the last time she arrived uninvited at Pemberley, she was forced to spend her nights in a local tavern.”
“You did not give your aunt houseroom?” asked Louisa Hurst, surprised by their guest’s story.
“I was not in residence, and there are standing orders that no one is allowed to appear at the door and invite themselves to stay at Pemberley,” Darcy explained.
He looked aside and added, “During a visit the summer after my father died, a great deal of porcelain vanished into her many trunks. As a consequence, she has been barred from my door since.”
“If you wish to remain at Netherfield on Thursday, I shall allow it,” Charles told Caroline. He looked at his sister, brother-in-law, and guest before adding, “And we shall leave on time.”
“Charles, quality folk arrive when the time is appropriate for them,” Caroline said, dismissing her brother’s words.
Bingley kept his face blank as he continued, “My carriage will leave at six of the clock for Lucas Lodge tomorrow. I believe the distance is four miles.”
~~~
That same afternoon, Lucas Lodge was busy with Lady Lucas, Charlotte, and Maria involved with baking bread and biscuits to serve at the supper with the neighbours in two nights. True to his promise to his wife, Sir William allowed her to invite their friends for supper and hired the cook from the Running Pig to cook on Thursday. The Lucas ladies would not be exhausted or overheated from standing over the fire the whole day before the guests arrived.
The meal included meats, potatoes, legumes of several kinds, ale, beer, and tea. There would be biscuits and cakes for pudding. The couple debated hotly offering wine to their guests, but Sir William decried that expense –wines had to be imported from Italy or Spain. Because of the Berlin Decree by Bonaparte, the merchants in those countries now resorted to smuggling wine to Tripoli and Algiers on the African coast to sell to British merchants. The prices for wine had risen to heights that denied the beverage to everyone but the very richest persons.
~~~
Chapter 9. A Chance Meeting
On the street between the livery stable and the local tavern named the Running Pig; Fitzwilliam Darcy came face to face with George Wickham. Darcy had not seen the other man since the week following his father’s funeral seven years earlier. The years had been kind to both men, and they bowed politely to one another.
“Darcy,” George called in greeting. “How fortuitous to meet you in Hertfordshire after all these years.”
“Fate and happenstance, Wickham,” Darcy said. He looked George over and found his garments sturdy and appropriate for a man of business. Recognising the look, George hid any offence and did not return the same look so obviously.
“What brings you to Meryton?” they asked simultaneously.
George grinned while Darcy smirked and spoke first, “I have come to help my friend Charles Bingley settle into his role as the leaseholder for an estate hereabout.”
“A friend brought you to Meryton? I can say the same; I have two friends who are officers in the militia who recently bivouacked here in Hertfordshire. They say Meryton was picked because it provides easy access to London with plentiful food for the quartermaster to purchase.”
Darcy looked interested and asked, “Easy access to London? Are they to provide defence if Bonaparte comes calling?”
George Wickham looked confused and asked, “Has Colonel Fitzwilliam told you anything contrary to what the newspapers report?”
“No. The emperor of France issued a decree that forbade anyone in his empire from trading with Britain. He hopes to strangle us financially since he cannot win on the battlefield. Butoccasionally, someone spreads a rumour of invasion that spurs riots,” Darcy explained. “In those instances, the army must restore order in the streets of London.”
“And how will Parliament respond to Emperor Bonaparte?” asked George, watching several townspeople walking along and overhearing parts of the conversation.
Darcy did not answer the question. “We shall have to wait and see.”
“Will you linger long in Hertfordshire?”
“Just until Christmas,” replied Darcy. “And you?”
“I am in Meryton for one night more, and then I return to the city,” George replied. “Business matters.”
Darcy inclined his head politely and wished Wickham well. The men parted, with Wickham walking toward the tavern and Darcy walking toward the livery stable. He was to meet his coachman at the location after the local blacksmith examined the shoes on the team of horses.
As he walked, Fitzwilliam Darcy remembered George Wickham’s true character and past schemes. Beginning during their time at university, George had dallied with any woman he could induce into a private interview, stole money by hook or crook, and refused to work. Darcy did not change his stride when he realised,‘George meeting me on the street was staged. There is nothing along this street but the livery. I wonder how long he lingered, waiting for me to appear instead of walking back to the tavern where he could have spoken to me in front of others?’
