Page 14 of Reputation, an Easy Thing to Lose (Reputation Verse #1)

Chapter 13

Questions and Answers

Gracechurch Street, Cheapside, Lo ndon

30 April 1813

E dward Gardiner sat in his study with a terrible headache. Andrew Tannerbaugh had been to call on his wife and nieces nearly every day since his introduction to the Bennet sisters at Jane’s dinner party the prior week. The young man’s goal was to catch a day where Elizabeth was visiting with the family. This morning was likely to be the day for that unpleasant occurrence.

Elizabeth had sent word early to Madeline and Jane that she was free for the morning, since Georgiana would be visiting with her good friend Lady Miranda. Elizabeth would see Georgiana to the Stanley townhouse then come to the Gardiner residence for a nice long visit. Little did she know that Tannerbaugh was likely to intrude on her precious family time.

After the dinner party last week, as soon as the door had closed on their last dinner guest, Madeline and Jane had turned on Edward, demanding to know what was going on with Elizabeth and Darcy. Apparently, Elizabeth’s lack of cooperation in meeting any of the eligible men and the obvious familiarity between them did not go unnoticed. It was all Edward could do to dissemble about their relationship and insist that he had seen no evidence of impropr iety.

Seeing the evening through the eyes of his wife and niece, it was easy to guess at the true affection Elizabeth and Darcy felt for each other. However, that open affection in their situation as employee and employer would ruin Eliza beth.

Edward had sent a warning letter to the Darcys early the next morning, detailing both the schemes and concerns swirling around the Gardiner residence. A reply had been sent with their thanks and a plan by Elizabeth to only come on mornings that were not Madeline’s calling day to minimize the possibility that she would meet any would -b e suitors. Unfortunately, Madeline and Jane could not be stopped, and Tannerbaugh was focused on having his chance with Elizabeth. One could only pray that the situation did not devolve into a deb acle.

At the sound of the heavy front door knocker, Edward rose from his desk and proceeded into the parlour. If he could not stop the uncomfortable situation, he would at least be present to mitigate the da mage.

Darcy House, Mayfair, Lo ndon

The Darcys’ London house staff were in a state near panic. They had not witnessed such a scene as what took place this morning since the day, nearly two years ago, that had brought news of an alarming nature concerning Georgiana and a Mr. Wickham. Having long ago relieved themselves of that particular worry, and spending the last six months receiving letters from Pemberley detailing, then seeing for themselves, the marked joy in all three Darcys since their master’s wedding, many had forgotten how incredibly fierce Darcy could be when prov oked.

And Caroline Bingley had certainly provoked D arcy.

“Connor! Have my horse saddled, and bring my riding coat and hat!”

The provocation had come in an innocent enough package, just a small, folded invitation delivered shortly after ten a.m. by one of the Hurst footmen. It was an invitation to a dinner party that night at the Hurst townhouse in Kensington. It was even addressed in Mrs. Louisa Hurst’s hand instead of Caroline’s. But the inside revealed Caroline’s overly ornate script. More in the style of a letter than an invitation, Caroline ruminated on how wonderful it would be to have one last, quiet family dinner before Georgiana’s court presentation in the morning. If it had stopped there, perhaps Darcy would have rolled his eyes at her stressing of the word ‘family,’ since the Darcys were not family to either the Bingleys or the Hursts. But the final line made Darcy’s blood boil.

Elizabeth was not inv ited.

Not only was she not listed on the front of the invitation, either by name or by position as would be expected for a social companion, she was, in fact, specifically called out in the body of the note as unexpected. Even though Caroline used some flowery language about giving ‘Miss Eliza’ a night off to dine with her ‘Cheapside relations’ before her duties consumed her waking hours, the message was clear. No lowly servants allowed. The Hursts were expecting only two Darcys to di nner.

Additionally, Lady Sefton was expected, along with Hurst’s older brother and sister - i n -l aw . It would be rude to bring an unexpected guest. Darcy did not want to insult the most influential patroness of Almack’s the very week he was expecting his sister’s application for membership to be reviewed. His first reaction had been to decline outright, but Bingley knew he did not have dinner plans for the night, which meant that Caroline likely knew. And if he refused an invitation from such close friends when he had no other obligation, he again risked insulting the Bingleys and the Hursts, including Lady Sefton, by association. No, he would have to go to dinner at the Hursts, without his wife, and probably endure the not - s o -t hin barbs to Elizabeth’s person from their de facto hostess. Perhaps he could orchestrate an early departure, since they must be formally dressed and in the palace presentation hall early the next mor ning.

But, despite his forced pleasantries that evening, he still planned to express his fury with Caroline to Bin gley.

Darcy still had not quite forgiven his friend for the intervention at the Gardiner’s dinner party last week. Even if Darcy could understand Jane and Bingley’s intentions, he still did not like having other men look at his wife with an appraising eye. Elizabeth had taken the whole event with her usual aplomb, though she had admitted later that night in their bed that she had been uncomfortable all evening, knowing about the schemes being advanced by her own family. The mothers and sisters of the eligible men present had not been subtle during the ladies’ social time, asking Elizabeth and Mary many personal questions. The only saving grace was knowing that Edward would never let anything get out of hand in his home.

Now, the Bingleys were once again getting in the middle of the Darcys’ affairs, and Darcy was not going to take it quietly! Intellectually, he knew that Bingley had nothing to do with the invitation to dinner tonight nor Caroline’s direct snub to his wife, but he had allowed his sister to chase after the Darcy fortune for long en ough.

“Your outer things, sir.” Connor appeared with Darcy’s riding app arel.

“Yes, thank you. One moment please.” Darcy hastily scribbled an acceptance for the Hursts and thrust the note into the hands of one of his footmen. “Make sure this gets back to the Hurst townhouse as soon as poss ible.”

The young footman nearly tripped trying to get the note from the master’s hand and take it to Kensin gton.

“Mr. Simpson, I need you to inform my sister and wife of the evening’s plans as soon as they arrive home. Miss Darcy and I will be going to the Hursts for dinner. Unfortunately, Mrs. Darcy will not be joining us, and I expect the staff to take every care of her in my abs ence.”

Simpson, the long -t ime butler for the Darcy family, bowed low. “Of course, sir. Mrs. Darcy shall be in want of nothing all eve ning.”

“Good. Please also have Mrs. Simpson direct Cook to prepare some lemon biscuits. They are her favou rite.”

“Absolutely, sir.”

Darcy glanced at the clock in the entry. It was now nearly eleven a.m. Wanting to leave before the calling hour, he turned and walked out of the back door to the mews. With a flurry, Incitatus was taking the first strides away from the Darcy stables as the grandfather clock in the vestibule began to chime the hour and Caroline rapped on the front door kno cker.

Connor was standing on the landing of the stairs leading to the family wing when Simpson opened the front door.

“Good morning, Miss. May I help you.”

Caroline turned up her nose at the Darcys’ butler. She did not like the man’s officious manner. “I would like to call upon Mr. and Miss D arcy.”

“I am sorry, Miss, none of the family is home. If you would please leave your card, I will inform the family of your visit when they re turn.”

Caroline’s expression turned sour, and then the lady actually stamped her foot. “That cannot be true! I know for certain that he intended to be home today. You know who I am! I expect you to let me in the door this minute and tell your master that I have come to call. He will certainly see me, even if he is declining general visitors. I am not just any caller but one of his closest friends!” Caroline was practically yelling by the end of her tan trum.

“I am sorry, Miss, as I said, none of the family is home. Mr. Darcy left for his club, and the ladies of the house are out this morning, visiting. But if you would leave your card, I will place it on the silver tray for when the family ret urns.”

Several servants abandoned the pretence of doing their duties to blatantly stare at the confrontation in the doorway when Caroline began outright shouting at the stone -f aced butler. “What do you mean, he’s left for White’s? How can he have decided to change his plans and leave in under an hour? I do not believe you. Let me in this mi nute!”

“Madam, I assure you that the master has left and is not at this moment in this house. I cannot speak to his change of plans, as Mr. Darcy comes and goes as he pleases. It is my job as his butler to accommodate every whim he chooses to entertain in an efficient manner. Now, it is not the practice of the Darcys to allow guests during their absence. If you would please leave your card, I will gladly let the family know of your visit when they arrive home.” Simpson stood like a statue in the doorway, giving the annoying woman no room to look into the house or push past him into the f oyer.

“You had better start thinking about your situation and asking for introductions to gentry in need of a butler, for when I am mistress of this house, you will not spend one more day in its residence!” Caroline’s face now sported a very unattractive shade of red that clashed with the colour of her hair. Connor bit his knuckles to keep from laughing out loud.

Simpson was in no way intimidated by this display. Secure in the knowledge that Elizabeth would, God willing, be mistress of Darcy house for a long time after the elderly butler departed this life, he replied evenly, “Should you ever become mistress of this house, I will gladly walk out its front door and follow the Darcys to wherever they have chosen to relocate, for you cannot seriously believe my master would ever marry you. Good day, madam.” And with that, Simpson closed the door with a loud thud, turned the heavy lock so that it would be audible from the outside, and strode off towards the servants’ quarters for a much -n eeded glass of br andy.

Connor decided it was time to take a trip to Belgravia. Despite the general rule that what happed inside the Darcys’ residence stayed there, he was certain his brother and Bingley needed to know about this confrontation. Besides, even though Simpson had told Caroline that Darcy was at White’s, in truth he was on his way to the Bingley townhouse. It would not do for Caroline to go home and find her brother and Darcy having words. If he took a fast horse and kept to the alleys, avoiding the crowded fashionable streets of Hyde Park, he could arrive before Darcy and convince Bingley to head to White’s. Then they would both be out of reach of the red -h eaded shrew before her carriage could make it back to Wilton Row.

Dashing out of the back door, Connor found that his father, Darcy House’s stable master, already had a horse saddled and waiting for him.

Gracechurch Street, Cheapside, Lo ndon

Andrew Tannerbaugh was the first to arrive at the Gardiner residence promptly as the great clock in the foyer struck eleven a.m. He knew from Madeline’s note that Elizabeth, or Miss Lizzy as her family called her, would be calling sometime just after eleven. Upon confirming that only Madeline, Jane, and Mary were seated in the parlour, Tannerbaugh decided to take the opportunity to speak with Edward privately. Even though Elizabeth was of age, it was a good idea to speak to her uncle before coming to an understanding in his home.

“Mr. Gardiner, thank you again for allowing me to grace your home. I was hoping to speak to you for a moment before joining the la dies.”

Edward was surprised at the young man’s request, but he saw this as an opportunity to head off the coming confrontation before it began. “Mr. Tannerbaugh, I would be happy to entertain you in my study. Please, come this way.”

Tannerbaugh mistook Edward’s inviting demeanour as confirmation of his acceptance as a suitor for Elizabeth and began speaking before the door to the study was fully closed. “Mr. Gardiner, you can make no mistake as to my purpose today. I know your wife and niece have encouraged my intentions, and the only thing left is to come to a formal understanding. As a man of twenty -s ix , I have waited for a while to find a woman worthy of my affections. While I have not known Miss Lizzy for long, I am convinced that we would make a wonderful match. She is beautiful and poised with a lively spirit. Her status as a gentlewoman would ease my introduction into society, and our sons would be the grandsons of a gentleman. I have a generous inheritance coming to me when my father passes and I intend to purchase an estate in Kent as soon as an agreement can be made with the seller. In fact, marriage to a gentlewoman may expedite those negotiations. So, sir, I ask for your blessing to speak with Miss Lizzy privately, today, with the intention of proposing marr iage.”

Edward took a moment to gather his thoughts while he poured two glasses of scotch from the decanter. “Mr. Tannerbaugh, I have many things to say about your purpose here today, and none of them are what you likely wish to hear. First, I would refrain from addressing my niece so informally. She would take offense to someone outside her intimate circle calling her any variation of Lizzy, and she most definitely hates to be called Eliza, so do not try that either. Second, while I am aware of my wife and Jane’s desires for Elizabeth, I do not share them. My niece is perfectly happy with her situation, and I happen to know that she is not looking to alter her position at this time.”

Edward took a fortifying sip of his scotch before continuing. “Finally, my niece is a passionate young woman and has often said that only the deepest of love could induce her to matrimony. You speak of a marriage of convenience, mostly your own convenience, which offers her only wealth and an upscale London neighbourhood address. While many women of her station might jump at such an offer, Elizabeth will not. Since you have only been introduced to the lady once at a crowded dinner party, I do not believe that Elizabeth will be receptive to your suit. I cannot give you my blessing to ask for her hand, and I would advise you not to make such an o ffer.”

Tannerbaugh was at a loss. “I understand your concern about your niece’s feelings. Perhaps I should change my offer to one of formal courtship, so that we may become better acquainted before we become engaged. You are right that the last week has not afforded me the opportunity to keep company with Miss Elizabeth that I would have wished. I must admit that I am a bit surprised that you would not welcome a suitor for one of your orphaned nieces. Their care must be costing you a great deal with the loss of revenue from their father’s es tate.”

“I assure you, young man, I am more than able to care for all of my family. The expense is not a burden on me at all.” Edward swirled his drink in his glass then met the younger man’s eye.

Tannerbaugh huffed and set aside his tumbler of scotch. “Then why would you allow Miss Elizabeth to take a position with the Darcys and risk losing her status as a gentlew oman?”

Edward was not in the mood to have his decisions questioned by this young social climber. “My niece was determined to find a position and was two weeks from her twenty -f irst birthday when Mr. Darcy and I signed her employment contract. If I had not agreed, she would have left on her birthday and taken the first position offered to her.” Edward set his glass down and put his hand on the doorknob. “Now, I believe that we have exhausted this topic. I suggest that we join the la dies.”

But Tannerbaugh was not going to let Edward have the last word. He stood and faced the older man with hands on his hips. “As you have rightly pointed out, Miss Elizabeth is of age. She no longer needs anyone’s permission to marry and can entertain any suitor she wishes. If she was so determined to take a position, then she might be more inclined than you believe to be securely married and mistress of her own home. I regret that you are so dismissive of your niece’s welfare, but I shall not be deterred. My purpose stands. We shall see what Miss Lizzy thinks of my offer.” With that, Tannerbaugh picked up his glass, drained the remaining scotch in one gulp, then left the study, slamming the door behind him.

Edward picked up his glass and also drained the last drops. Oh, lord, he thought, help us all survive Lizzy’s reaction to this.

White’s Gentleman’s Club, St. James Street, Lo ndon

Darcy strode into the front parlour of White’s with a determined look on his face. He had been turned away at the Bingley residence by the butler, saying Bingley had left for White’s to meet another gentleman acquaintance for a few hands at the gaming tables. Before turning back to his horse, Darcy caught a glimpse of who he thought was Connor in the back hall talking to his older brother. Connor had definitely been at home when Darcy left over thirty minutes ago. Surely there was no way his valet could have beaten him here. The streets of London had been an absolute mess given the hour and the fact that much of the ton had finally arrived in town with the official start of the season tomorrow. Darcy had been forced to speak to several acquaintances strolling along Rotten Row before finally making his way to the south entrance of the park.

Oh well. It did not really matter what his valet was doing since his services were not needed for several hours. Turning from the house, Darcy quickly headed off towards St. James Street. Bingley was indeed in the front parlour, where non -m ember visitors were admitted to wait for their party to arrive. He had given Darcy’s name as the member upon whom he was waiting, since he was truly not meeting anyone else, and the staff was accustomed to seeing him in Darcy’s presence. But he at least feigned surprise at Darcy’s arrival, mere seconds after he had taken a seat in one of the great wingback ch airs.

“Darcy, what a pleasant surprise. Care to join Bristol and me for cards and luncheon?” Bingley reasoned that it did not matter whose name he threw out, since Darcy was likely to demand a private audience in one of the smoking r ooms.

“No Charles, I do not plan to entertain the tables today, and I must insist that you disappoint our good friend as well. I have some important, private, business to discuss with you.”

“All right. I am sure I will not be much missed, as there was going to be a group playing. If anyone asks after me, the staff will surely tell them that we’ve gone upstairs to discuss business in private.” Bingley nodded at the footman in the room, who gave a curt bow in acceptance of the message that would never be deliv ered.

As soon as a waiter set two tumblers of scotch down on the table in a private parlour between the two men, Darcy rounded on his long -t ime friend and began to vent his frustrations. “Charles, what is the meaning of your sister excluding Elizabeth from the dinner party tonight? It is completely ridiculous and extremely rude! Georgiana will be most uncomfortable all night, knowing that her best friend and companion is not at her side, besides being embarrassed at the snub directed at a lovely young woman who has every right to be recognized by our friends and family. It is not to be born!”

Bingley had only met Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, once, but the experience had been memorable. He was suddenly struck with the family resemblance. “Darcy, do you not think that a night off to see her family might be nice for Miss Elizabeth? She cannot live her life at your beck and call all the time.”

“She is not at my beck and call! She is a valued member of my household and treated with respect. If she wants to visit her family, she is always welcome to take the carriage, and Georgiana enjoys visiting with the Gardiners as well. We would never demand so much from Elizabeth that she should feel the need for a night off.” Darcy was so infuriated from the events of the last week that he was beginning to forget him self.

Bingley had always been suspicious of Darcy’s admiration of Elizabeth. Perhaps it was time someone blatantly asked him about his intentions. “Darcy, do you love Miss Elizabeth? Will you ever marry her, given that much of the ton will assume she was your mistress before becoming your wife?”

Darcy stopped short and all the fight drained out of him. Trying for a nonchalance he did not feel, he replied, “Why would you ask such a t hing?”

“Come off it man, you have been in love with Miss Elizabeth since we all danced at Netherfield. If you had done something about that a year ago, perhaps the Bennets would not be in such a poor position now. Or if I had not listened to you and Caroline at the time, I would have been in a position to help their family after Mr. Bennet’s death. You cannot tell me today, after spending all evening mooning over her at the Gardiners in full company last week, that you do not love her. The question I have for you is what are you going to do abou t it?”

Darcy sat and stared at his best friend, second to only his cousin Richard. It was easy to forget that Bingley was such a bright and observant person because he played the flippant fop so well. Now what should I say? Darcy wanted nothing more than to run to Elizabeth’s side so that she could tell him what to do. This was a decision they really should make together, but he did not have that luxury. Bingley was waiting. Since it was unlikely that he was going to completely fool his friend, he decided something of the truth was the best op tion.

“Yes Charles, I love her. I have never wanted to deny it, but think what Lord Matlock would say if I married the sister of a woman ruined by George Wickham. And I know what Lady Catherine would say. She still holds the delusion that I will marry my cousin, Anne. Until Georgiana is well settled, I cannot risk the Darcy name. After my sister is happy with a good man, I shall turn to my own happi ness.”

“And will Miss Elizabeth wait until such time as Miss Darcy is settled? How many years must she wait while her reputation becomes more tenuous? Today, she is the daughter of a deceased gentleman. She can use her upbringing to attract a man of at least modest wealth who wants an introduction into the gentry. In a few years, she will be nothing but a gently bred servant, unsuitable for marriage by any man in the ton and most of the wealthy merchant class. If you will not, or cannot, marry her, what will she do?” Bingley’s words were pointed, but his tone was soft.

Darcy looked up from his glass, directly into Bingley’s eyes and spoke with passion. “I will marry her. Elizabeth Darcy will be my wife and I will be truly happy for the first time since my mother died. Until the day I can make this known to the world, I shall provide her a home and the respectability that comes from the protection of the Darcy name. I will never look at another woman or offer for another. Georgiana and I treat her as a member of our family and already show her the respect due as my wife. I understand how this may look to the members of our social sphere, but I cannot find the desire to apolo gize.”

“Have you spoken of this to Miss Eliza beth?”

“Yes, and her uncle Edward.” Darcy nodded his head and stared into his scotch. “We have kept out intentions from the rest of her family to protect her other sisters. Additionally, Elizabeth fears her mother’s demands if our understanding were to become known. I have been supplying Edward with money, Elizabeth’s ‘salary,’ for the purpose of establishing a new home for Mrs. Bennet and some dowry for Miss Bennet, Miss Mary and Miss K itty.”

“What possible excuse can you provide for keeping all this from Jane, especially after learning of her fears for her favourite si ster?”

Darcy shifted in his chair and cleared his throat. “Elizabeth did not want to ask her gentle and good sister to keep such information from their mother. Perhaps you are right and given the new revelation of Jane’s fears for Elizabeth’s future, we should reconsider that deci sion.”

Bingley blinked several times and shifted in his seat. After a long moment there was only one response he could make. “I see. Very well.”