Page 11 of Miss Gardiner
Mrs Banks arrived at that moment and spent several minutes talking with Miss Gardiner. After she left to procure a tray of refreshments, Miss Gardiner spoke with Mr Darcy, and then her uncle provided Miss Gardiner with more information concerning her coming task.
“…after five years without payments, the bankers have demanded payments, and the Darcy estate is the only source of reliable funds. Mr Darcy has a cache of goods in the house that can be sold for ready money but before we can begin, we need an accurate inventory.”
Miss Gardiner asked, “What kinds of items are stored here?”
Darcy grimaced slightly and explained, “My mother, Lady Anne Darcy, was renowned in the first circles of society for her extravagant purchases. She bought entire shops of clothing, rooms of furniture, chests of spices, rugs, and artwork. For many years, these purchases were lugged up three flights of stairs by footmen and carelessly stored in a haphazard manner in the ballroom.”
Glancing at her uncle, Miss Gardiner asked, “Are you planning to move everything to one warehouse? Delancey Street is empty if my memory is correct.”
Gardiner nodded and added, “That warehouse may be the primary centre of operations when we begin sales.”
Miss Gardiner narrowed her eyes but did not ask more questions at that moment.
Mr Gardiner continued, “Before we finalize our plans, we must have an inventory the items for sale. And we need someone to oversee shipping items to the warehouse without drawing attention to the Darcy family.”
“Who will you have at the warehouse to take delivery?” Miss Gardiner asked. “We must reconcile each day’s shipments to ensure nothing slips away from us.”
Fitzwilliam Darcy remained silent as Miss Gardiner made a favourable impression.
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In the first week, Miss Georgiana Darcy grew curious about the young woman who appeared in her home and disappeared up the stairs to the third floor each day. Workmen appeared and began carrying trunks, barrels and boxes down the stairs and then out through the kitchen late in the afternoon. Her tall, dark-haired brother said nothing except that it was time to clear out the ballroom.
On the fourth day, Georgiana wandered up the stairs from her rooms on the second floor to the third floor. There were only three workmen, and the woman present in the ballroom and Miss Darcy noticed immediately that the men took direction from the young woman without question.
When she noticed her standing just inside the door, the woman greeted the girl saying, “Good morning, miss.”
“Are you going to order me back below stairs?” Georgiana asked.
“Has Mr Darcy told you not to come above stairs?” was the question asked in reply.
“My brother has not said anything about you and your workmen,” complained the girl.
“But has he told you not to come upstairs?”
“No, but he will be cross with me if I ask too many questions.”
With a small curtsey, the young woman introduced herself saying, “Perhaps I can answer your questions then, though I am certain you must speak with your brother. I am Miss Beth Gardiner. My uncle is the merchant helping your brother dispose of these items. I am here to create an inventory of the items in the ballroom.”
Staring for a moment at the woman, the girl did not return the curtsey or provide her name. She did however wrinkle her nose as though some offensive odour had just appeared. However, unlike girls in the shops who blushed when reminded of their ‘place’, Miss Gardiner actually smiled. Her courage failing, Miss Darcy turned and fled the room.
One of the workmen commented, “Careful there Miss Gardiner. Swells don’t like us teasing their young lads and ladies.”
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When a footman and chambermaid arrived with luncheon, Miss Gardiner ate quickly and returned to work. She allowed the workmen fifteen minutes of rest and then set them to staging the boxes and barrels that would be removed today.
“The wagons will bring empty boxes to carry above stairs today. We shall pack the bolts of cloth better before they are moved,” she reminded the workmen.
From the doorway, a voice called, “Miss Gardiner, I would have a word with you.”
Turning, she found the master of the house standing there with his sister just behind him, a smirk appearing on the girl’s face each time she caught MissGardiner’s eye.
“Of course, Mr Darcy,” Miss Gardiner said as she approached the doorway. Before the gentleman could say anything, she asked, “And is this your sister? The young lady did not identify herself earlier this morning when she came into the ballroom.”
“My sister has a complaint…she said you were rude to her,” Mr Darcy stated. “I believe an apology is required.”
Miss Gardiner paused only a moment before she turned to the girl and said, “Miss…”
