Page 32 of Miss Gardiner
Elizabeth turned her attention to a wardrobe for Jane, and she remade two of Aunt Madeline’s old gowns to fit Jane. Aunt Madeline spoke plainly to both young women about the changes Jane would experience in her body in the coming months as the babe grew. Elizabeth used some of her funds to purchase material for warm nightgowns and wraps. Madeline sent the footman to buy thick woollen stockings, telling Jane, “The floors are cold in winter, but I always hated wearing shoes when I was with heavy with child.”
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Christmas was merry at Gracechurch Street with the four children and there were several guests that came to dinner. Each time, Elizabeth ate with her uncle and aunt as they entertained company while Jane entertained the children in their nursery with Nanny. Just after the old year ended, Elizabeth found a tearful Jane seated on an old sofa in their bedroom while wrapped in blankets.
“What is wrong? Do you need…”
Jane shook her head and explained, “Lizzy, I was reading the letters that Charles gave me.”
Elizabeth saw a dozen sheets of fine paper that she had noticed in the small bag Jane carried with her that day on the road from Longbourn. The only things that Jane had managed to bring with her were a few handkerchiefs, a brush, and the letters Charles Bingley had written during their courtship.
“I love him still,” Jane confessed. “Despite everything, I still love Charles Bingley.”
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As the winter progressed with the occasional snow and constant cold temperatures, the Bennet sisters remained close and found ways to make the most of being sequestered away from the world in the middle of London. One day while Uncle Edward was absent from the house, Aunt Madeline received a familiar guest; the midwife who delivered her four children. Taking the woman into her confidence, Madeline hired her to care for her eldest niece and then introduced the midwife to Jane and Elizabeth.
The midwife asked Jane many questions that would have been inappropriate in any other company orcircumstance, but Aunt Madeline assured her nieces the midwife needed to know the last time of Jane’s courses, the first time Jane had been sick, and if thebabe stirred inside Jane’s womb as of yet.
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Chapter 9.Mr Darcy’s Visits
Life outside Gracechurch Street continued at a slower pace. In February, the social season began for the rich and powerful in London with plays, dinners and a few balls. The newspapers reported the names and obituaries of notables who died over the winter, the attendees of every social event, their dress, the food served, and every hint of scandal. Fitzwilliam Darcy remained in London over the holidays and new year. His sister remained in the north in the company of his aunt, Lady Matlock, but Georgiana’s many letters assured him of her contentment with the arrangement for the winter.
During these dinners and meetings with his social peers, Mr Darcy found himself continually comparing the young ladies thrown in his path with Miss Beth Gardiner. They failed to rise to her standards without fail. He also knew that the Gardiners would not be invited to any dinners, but they could appear at various balls and assemblies during the season.
‘Miss Gardiner is of suitable age to court,’he reminded himself. Suddenly he felt a jolt of fear when another stray thought crossed his mind,‘What if some other man is already courting her?’
He sat motionless in his chair for a moment and wondered if he truly wanted to court the daughter of some unknown gentleman and the niece of a man in trade. After another moment’s consideration, Darcy decided,‘Yes. Most assuredly yes.’
It was late afternoon when Fitzwilliam Darcy made this decision, but good sense made him wait until the next morning to call at Mr Gardiner’s warehouses. Once there, he was surprized when a foreman gave him direction to a specific house on Gracechurch Street.
“Is Mr Gardiner at home today?”
“Yes and no,” the foreman replied. “Mr Gardiner has an office directly beside his residence. He says it lets him spend more time with his children and wife.”
Approving of Mr Gardiner’s wish to spend time with his family, Darcy returned to his carriage and found the trip of just four blocks passed quickly. Stepping down from the carriage again, Darcy found himself in front of a door like every other on the street. Once he knocked, the door was opened by a young man dressed in good, clean clothes as would be worn by a secretary or clerk in an office.
“Fitzwilliam Darcy for Mr Edward Gardiner,” Darcy replied when asked his business.
The young man’s eyes grew wide, but he stepped back and allowed Darcy to enter the office where the clerk worked. The atmosphere inside smelled of new plaster and fresh paint. A wall that enclosed a space where the staircase most likely stood, appeared new, as did a door with a shiny lock. The clerk ushered Darcy to a waiting area of two smartly upholstered chairs before disappearing through a doorway. Rather than sit, he remained standing to survey the environment closer; there were no paintings or prints hung on the walls as of yet. It was only a moment before Mr Gardiner appeared, thanking his clerk and sending the young man back to work at a desk where large amounts of paper, quills and ink waited for him.
“Good morning, Mr Darcy,” Gardiner said offering his hand. “How can I help you this morning?”
“Good morning, Mr Gardiner. I wish to have a word in private; may we speak in your office?” Darcy asked.
“Certainly sir,” Gardiner said and led the man through the door into an office with chairs, table, desk and bookcases. With the door closed, Gardiner motioned toward another pair of comfortable chairs rather than taking his chair behind the desk.
“I have come on a personal matter this morning,” Darcy said. “I wanted to inquire if Miss Gardiner… if Miss Gardiner was at home and if she…if she would receive callers.”
“Callers?” Mr Gardiner asked.
“My sister…I thought to bring my sister to visit with Miss Gardiner,” Darcy stammered.
Gardiner’s face reflected surprise, but he replied saying, “I believe that my niece is home but only for invited guests.”
“Oh.”
