“He will get used to the idea.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Then I shall leave this in your hands, Mr. Milner. But I should like to offer the church a donation towards this laudable endeavour. Even a little something to add to Mr. Oliver’s pension for the additional work of teaching two beginners.”
Mr. Milner smiled. “The church is not in a position to refuse such a generous offer, Miss Bennet.”
“I shall see to it this week, sir. To you I leave the work of convincing the boys that they are needed here.”
“I do have some experience in this area, Miss Bennet. Boys, no matter how well-off their parents, are always in search of another meal. The trick will be in explaining to Mr. Oliver why we need the help at all.”
“Nothing so easy,” said Mrs. Milner cheerfully, her knitting needles clicking at a steady pace. “Appeal to his vanity. Tell him the boys will take over when he decides to retire, and we want them to learn the proper way in which things are to be done. They are young enough that he will not feel we are in a hurry to replace him.”
Mr. Milner smiled at his wife. “Do you see why I married her, Miss Bennet?”
“You are brilliant, Mrs. Milner,” Elizabeth declared.
“Nice to hearsomeonesay it.” Mrs. Milner’s lips curled upward.
Her husband smiled affectionately at her.
“Well, if you are both interested, I do stand ready to assist, anonymously.” Elizabeth smiled. “And now, I have taken up enough of your time. Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Milner. Mrs. Milner.”
“We might make candles, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth turned to Mrs. Milner. “I beg your pardon?”
“Candles are an excellent gift for the festive season, when the days are so short.”
“Please let me know when I can be of assistance,” Elizabeth replied.
“I shall. Good day, dear,” Mrs. Milner said, setting aside her knitting to stand.
Her husband stood as well. “A pleasure, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth collected Thatcher at the door, and they strolled back to the carriage.
Overall, a day well spent. “Shall we visit the market one more time, Thatcher? I would like to have another look around.” She might not need anything, but perhaps there was someone who needed her to purchase something.
Chapter Six
Darcy had forgotten it was market day in Lambton. Mrs. Reynolds had intended to send a footman into town for this errand, but he had unexpectedly found himself without anything pressing to do and fancied a bit of a ride. He hoped to stop at Hollydale on the way back. It was not directly in his way, but only a mile or two out of it, and he wished to see how Mr. Bennet was getting on with the library. At least, that would be his excuse.
“Ey up, Mr. Darcy,” he heard, more than once. He returned the greetings until a woman of fifty years said in a raised voice, “’Ee’s the magistrate, ain’t ‘e?”
His heart sank. He was one of three magistrates in the area, but the only one currently standing before them. He knew what that meant. A few curious onlookers stopped what they were doing and approached, drawn, no doubt, by the unusual sight of a magistrate on the green.
The woman who had called out—a Mrs. Higgins, he believed—shuffled over, her face pinched with annoyance. She was closelyfollowed by a short, thin man he recognised as Mr. Jacobson. Soon, Darcy was surrounded by a small crowd of townspeople who began voicing their complaints, stirring one another’s agitation until they were arguing with one another.
He cleared his throat, and they all turned to face him. “One at a time, please.”
“Mr. Darcy!” Mrs. Higgins cried as she elbowed the man next to her for pressing too close. “My silver ladle is gone, snatched right off my table here not an hour past. How am I to serve my Christmas punch without it?”
Darcy had seen the ladle in the past, Mrs. Higgins’s prize possession, more than likely not silver at all and the handle bent with ill-use. He wished to say that in the month and more remaining until Christmas, she would certainly find it or be able to arrange for a different ladle. Instead, he chose diplomacy. “I assure you, Mrs. Higgins, we shall do our best to recover such an essential utensil. You say it was taken here at the fair?”
“Indeed it were, and no one about seen who done it!”
Darcy nodded. “Have you visited the pawn shop?”
“’Ere now!” a male voice shouted from the back of the crowd. “I don’t take no stolen goods!”
