Page 8 of An Interrupted Proposal (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

A plan Develops

The Gardiner warehouses were an easy walking distance from the man’s home, and Darcy was again pleasantly surprised by the obvious care and wealth displayed.

He had originally believed Elizabeth’s uncle would resemble her mother and aunt who lived in Meryton––behaving somewhat foolishly, loud, and uncouth––but now he began to suspect that was not the case.

The footman led him up a flight of stairs to a row of offices, passing the first two and stopping at the last and obviously largest. An affable voice responded to the knock, and the servant explained his mission before stepping aside for Darcy to enter.

“Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Gardiner said as he rose from behind his desk. “This is a surprise. What can I do for you, sir?”

Darcy bowed his head in greeting. “Mr. Gardiner, I have come at your niece’s request. Miss Elizabeth Bennet has some concerns which she believed you might address with her father in a manner which would be . . . given more urgency than if she were to address him herself.”

A crease formed between the gentleman’s brows, and he motioned to the chairs before his desk. “Please have a seat, sir. May I offer you refreshments?”

Having smelled the aroma upon his arrival, Darcy asked, “Have you coffee?” as he took a seat.

A smile spread across the man’s face. “My niece has obviously told you little about me.” He proceeded to a table where he poured two cups of coffee. “Tell me what you think of this blend.”

Darcy inhaled the fragrant aroma before sipping the steaming brew. Instead of a bitter concoction demanding sugar and cream, the strong flavour was naturally sweetened and held a hint of chocolate. Darcy’s eyes widened, and he sampled it a second time. “This is delicious!”

“I import it from Colombia in South America. It is one of my most in demand products, but I always have some on hand. Would you like me to send a bag to your home?”

“Most assuredly. I believe I shall be opening an account with you, sir.” Darcy smiled but allowed it to fade. “Perhaps after you read Miss Bennet’s letter and we discuss what can be done there, we can speak more of what products you carry.”

The older gentleman nodded and held out his hand for the missive. “You are correct, of course. I am always enthusiastic to share one of my favourite beverages, but let us attend to the business at hand.”

He settled behind the desk and broke the seal.

After reading the letter through once, he returned to the beginning and read it through a second time before setting it on his desk.

“Lizzy fears her youngest sisters might be targeted by Mr. Wickham. I will be honest with you, Mr. Darcy. My wife and I feared Lizzy may be in some danger from the man when we met him in December.”

Darcy was forced to clear his throat. “Yes, I . . . If you do not mind my asking, Mr. Gardiner, what precisely did Miss Elizabeth say in the letter?”

“She indicated that you felt responsible for the man paying particular attention to the Bennets.”

“Did she say why I felt so?”

“No, but I believe I understand.” He leant forwards, his hands folded on the desk before him.

“It was clear Mr. Wickham disliked you. My wife spent some time in Lambton when she was younger, so she is familiar with your family though not yourself. She doubted the veracity of Mr. Wickham’s tale.

” He took a sip of his drink before meeting Darcy’s gaze directly.

“We suspected some partiality on your part might have directed Mr. Wickham to my brother’s family. ”

Warmth rose from his chest, creeping up his neck, and Darcy found it difficult to speak.

He nodded before taking another swallow of coffee.

“I was made aware of Mr. Wickham’s presence in Meryton when I stopped to speak to Miss Elizabeth.

I am certain he noted my purpose. It was not my intent to put Mr. Bennet’s daughters in danger from the man. ”

“May I ask what your intent was?”

“At the time, it was to leave Hertfordshire and forget I had ever met your niece, but that was easier said than done.”

The man chuckled. “Lizzy has a unique way about her.” He met Darcy’s gaze again. “She did not have a favourable opinion of you in December.”

“No, sir,” Darcy said with a wince, “she did not. I believe I might have improved her impression of me recently, but I can only hope. Before any more can be done on that field, I must ensure her family is safe from any plans Mr. Wickham might have.”

Mr. Gardiner nodded. “Lizzy fears her father will not listen to you, her, Jane, or Mr. Bingley on this matter, and I believe I must agree with her. It would require my brother to take action and he rarely does so.” He shook his head.

“Bennet was not always so, you must understand. Years of living with my sister, her nerves, and her demands have worn the man down. If they had had a son, perhaps it would not have been so, but Fannie never was a rational creature. I’ve been told both my sisters are much like their mother, my father’s first wife.

My mother, his second wife, has little patience for them and was pleased when they married young. ”

The man rose and walked about the office.

“No, Bennet is not the man for this. Neither is my brother Phillips, though his wife may be of assistance. My eldest sister is the greatest gossip in Meryton, having her house on one of the main streets and able to see all from her parlour window.” He rubbed his chin.

“No, the man you need to speak to is Sir William Lucas.”

“Sir William?” Darcy asked, certain he had heard incorrectly.

“Yes. The man was once mayor of Meryton and is still well respected.” Mr. Gardiner smiled. “And he is nearly as great a gossip as my sisters. He has the merchants’ ears.”

“I feared restricting Wickham’s credit might force him to act sooner rather than later.”

“I believe Jane mentioned Mr. Wickham was recently engaged. Perhaps his plans have changed, and he is no longer interested in my nieces.”

Darcy nodded. “When I collected the letters from Miss Elizabeth, she told me of the engagement. Apparently, a local girl has inherited ten thousand pounds. Though less than Wickham may desire, it is a sum that would tempt him. I had planned to speak to the lady’s uncle but feared a similar reception as what Mr. Bennet might provide. ”

Mr. Gardiner nodded as he paced the length of the room.

“Which leads us back to Sir William.” He lifted his head and smiled.

“And you already have the advantage there, Mr. Darcy. Sir William is impressed by rank and wealth, though he is not blinded by it. He understands there is evil in the world; he simply does not acknowledge it unless it is necessary. More importantly, he feels a responsibility for the people of Meryton and will act to protect them.”

“Then I must speak to Sir William.” Darcy finished his coffee and rose from his seat. “I thank you for your time, sir.”

A smile flashed across Mr. Gardiner’s countenance. “So focused on your mission, we must set a future date to discuss delivery of your coffee?”

Darcy chuckled. “Indeed, it had slipped my mind.”

“I have your card, Mr. Darcy.” The tradesman motioned towards his desk. “I will have it delivered and we can discuss more when you return to visit my niece.”

A laugh escaped Darcy as he bowed. “I have promised your son that I will return at that time, so I would look forward to speaking with you then.”

Mr. Gardiner’s eyes widened. “My son? Thomas or Alexander?”

“I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Master Alexander. Mr. Bingley and I encountered Miss Bennet on her way to the park with Master Thomas and Miss Rose Gardiner.”

“Mr. Bingley?” The man’s countenance was not quite as welcoming.

“I ask you not to judge my friend too harshly, sir. His greatest sin has been an overdependence on his friend’s opinion.” Darcy blushed. “A friend who was not as impartial as he believed himself to be.”

Mr. Gardiner studied him, but eventually nodded. “I assume his friend has learnt his lesson regarding advising others on matters of the heart?”

“I have, sir.”

“Well then, may my wife and I expect you and your friend for dinner on Saturday?” Mr. Gardiner held out his hand and Darcy readily accepted it.

“If that is not too soon after Miss Elizabeth’s return. Is she not arriving that day?”

The man nodded as his eyes lit up. “She is, she is, but I believe she will enjoy seeing her sister and Mr. Bingley reconciled. Perhaps she will be as anxious to see you as young Tom no doubt will be.”

Darcy’s heart lurched in his chest, and he was unable to suppress the grin which spread across his lips. “One can only hope.”

With that, Darcy repeated his thanks to Mr. Gardiner for his assistance and left to collect his friend. The couple had not become engaged prior to his return to the Gardiners’ home, but their lack of attention to anyone else boded well for such an occurrence in the near future.

***********

Darcy and Philip slowed their steeds as they approached a crossroads a short distance from Meryton.

“Lucas Lodge, the home of Sir William Lucas, lays a mile down this road to the right and Meryton is directly ahead. Will you accompany me or seek out Colonel Forster?” Darcy asked his cousin.

The colonel stroked his chin. “Perchance I will stop in the tavern and see if I stumble across our old friend.”

“My only request is that you do not cause him to act in desperation.” Darcy held him in a firm gaze. “We do not want him to cause any further harm.”

“Agreed,” Philip responded with a nod. “Are there any urchins about that might maintain an eye upon him?”

Darcy frowned. “I fear I do not know. Certainly, there are children in every town who might enjoy earning a coin or two, but I had no need to notice during my previous stay in the area.”

“Which speaks well of the town. There are no beggars on the main street, so the poor must be well cared for.”