Page 18 of Miss Gardiner
“I am not to draw attention to myself,” Elizabeth reminded her aunt. “We have avoided all mention of mysterious barrels and boxes being removed from the Darcy household in the newspapers. Uncle and Mr Darcy are both pleased.”
“And the mysterious Mr Darcy?
“Aunt, you have been reading the gossip page again!”
Madeline nodded her head and admitted, “I scan the columns every day for names we know. And I keep the old papers for two weeks to be able to inform your uncle of any developments of earlier rumours that prove to be true.
“You are a spy for certain, Aunt! Do you work for Bonaparte himself? Is that why you wish to improve your French?” teased Elizabeth who managed to not mention anything about Mr Darcy to her aunt.
In the afternoon, Lizzy sat quietly in the nursery with the children as they napped, enjoying the change from her busy week at the Darcy house in Mayfair. The workmen laboured industriously every day, and the inventory grew longer each week. The conversations with Miss Darcy were fun and provided Elizabeth–Miss Gardiner–with female companionship close to her own age. And the occasional interaction with Mr Darcy left her flushed and thinking about his handsome face entirely too often.
++++
Fitzwilliam Darcy stepped from his carriage-and-four onto the wet street in front of his club; a strict membership committee kept the club limited to ‘gentlemen’ of acceptable social circles and provided a place where business and politics were conducted without public scrutiny. Darcy enjoyed the privacy the club offered for physical exercise such as fencing and the occasional boxing match. While in London, walking or riding his horses in the park, were the only other sources of exercise. The club’s steward who managed the servants kept a very heavy hand over the men working there and the only women allowed inside were the maids who cleaned the rooms each morning under the strict supervision of the steward and his wife.
This afternoon, Darcy climbed the steps and entered the doors to seek out William Pitt, the former Prime Minister. Two years before Mr Pitt resigned as Prime Minister but the difficulties assailing the current minister, Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, threatened to bring down the government. Everyone feared the renewed war with the French and now Bonaparte threatened to invade England. Darcy believed there had to be a stable government with the confidence of the king, the other members of parliament, and the people. In their conversation, Pitt confided in Darcy that he expected to hear from His Majesty shortly about forming a new government when Addington stepped down.
“And the war?” asked Darcy.
Pitt replied, “The admirals will put the fleet to use, and the generals know what to do on the ground. Politicians should stay out of tactics in time of war.”
Stepping into the barroom, Darcy found his friends Charles Bingley and Geoffrey Hurst at a table enjoying their cups. Waving Darcy to join them, the two gentlemen shared news of plans to attend the theatre the next evening.
“Caroline insisted that I invite you to join us, Darcy,” Charles announced. “I told her I would and now I have found you. Will you go with us to the theatre?”
“Thank you, no,” Darcy replied. “I have plans for the evening.”
Geoffrey Hurst grinned and asked, “Planning to count your account books or checking for dust under the guest beds in your house.”
Darcy caught Hurst’s eye, flashed a smile and nodded his head.
“What do you mean?” asked Charles, who had drunk a little too much ale in the middle of the afternoon.
“I am busy, Charles. Thank you for the invitation but I cannot break away from my schedule.”
“My sister bemoans the loss of your company,”Charles continued.
++++
Chapter 5.Miss Bingley’s Misfortune
Before the passage of a fortnight, Caroline Bingley was distraught; the invitation to casual family dinners at the Darcy house in Mayfair was rescinded. Charles did not understand his sister’s agitation and addressed her one evening while seated in the parlour with Mr and Mrs Hurst.
“Caroline, I see Darcy at our club in afternoons, and we conduct our business there where only other gentlemen can hear us. I thought you would be pleased to not have to listen to business matters,” Charles explained.
“Then invite Mr Darcy for dinner here at the Hurst home!” Caroline insisted. Louisa knew without looking at her husband that he would not issue any such invitation. Geoffrey Hurst tolerated Caroline on her good days and refused to redecorate the house as his sister-in-law continued to insist.
Caroline turned and asked, “Louisa, can we invite Mr Darcy?”
“I do not believe that would be prudent,” Louisa replied. “You complain about Cook, her meals, the cutlery, and the porcelain every time we sit at table.”
“If Caroline wishes to pay for new cutlery and dishes, I might be willing to issue an invitation,” Geoffrey Hurst replied. “I see in the paper where Gentry’s Mercantile has several new sets of fine porcelain available.”
Angry to be thwarted by her family, Caroline stormed from the room while Charles chuckled.
++++
The next morning, Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst attempted to call on Miss Darcy at the imposing house in Mayfair. They stood at the door for almost two minutes while knocking every few seconds. When the door finally opened to the ‘ground’ floor, the imposing butler blocked entry into the house.
