“Your family?” As far as Bingley knew he had never met any besides Mrs. Gardiner and the four Gardiner children.
“You hold the lease on Netherfield Park, do you not?”
“I do…wait are you the uncle in Cheapside my sister has been using as an example of the Bennets’ poor connections?”
“That I am, except we both know, this is not Cheapside and only my first warehouse isnearthat neighbourhood. My nieces do not like to boast so they still say I live here rather than sharing we live on Portman Square. Truth be told, had we not outgrown this house, Maddie and I would have been happy to remain here. It is the reason I had it converted into my offices, we did not want to sell the house; it has too much sentimental value for us.”
“Wait a moment, did you not tell me you had purchased an estate as an investment in the neighbourhood you grew up in…am I your tenant?”
“You are! I intended to share that today as it is the first time we are speaking since you took up residence. My brother Philips is used to keeping the name of the landlord to himself, and I had not told him to alter that. He is married to…” Gardiner told Bingley of his family in the Meryton area and how it was Philips who had taken over his late father’s law practice after Gardiner had chosen a different path from his father’s profession. “Jane and Elizabeth are our favourite nieces and the former may have mentionedonce or twiceher tender feelings for a certain tenant of my estate.”
“Even when my sisters tried to wheedle information from Jane…Miss Bennet, she never mentioned Netherfield Park was yours.” Bingley shook his head. “Neither Mrs. Bennet nor Mrs. Philips breathed a word of who the owner was.”
“That is for the simple reason they do not know.” Gardiner paused. “Jane?”
“As I am assured of your discretion, at the ball Friday past, I proposed to your niece and she accepted me. Bennet gave his blessing.”
“Well in that case,” Gardiner sprung from his chair and came around his desk, his hand extended, “welcome to the family. You will not only be my nephew but we will continue in business together as well. I had heard not a word from Longbourn. With one of her daughters engaged, I would have thought to hear Fanny’s effusions from here.”
Bingley explained Jane’s request and the material changes he had noted in Mrs. Bennet. “I think you will find your sister a changed woman. On Thursday, the notice will appear in the papers. I will return to Netherfield Park on Wednesday.”
“As I am sure you know I keep no secrets from my Maddie, but until we see the announcement, I will not speak of the news to anyone else,” Gardiner assured his nephew-to-be.
Mugs of steaming coffee and some biscuits were delivered. Thereafter the two men discussed the business they needed to canvass before Bingley made his way back to Curzon Street and the coming confrontation.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Darcy arrived at Matlock House at the time he knew his family would be breaking their fasts. The butler informed him upon enquiry that his cousin had departed before first light with a group of men as he had planned.
Overnight he had all but decided to pursue Miss Elizabeth, if she was amenable to such, but he was determined to canvass Giana’s opinion first. He had an epiphany of sorts last night before he allowed Morpheus to claim him. Any man who rejected his sister because of Darcy’s wife being too low did not deserve his sister in the first place. That realisation made his need to speak to his sister more urgent.
“William, it is good to see you so soon after dinner yesternight,” Lady Matlock welcomed her nephew.
“Thank you, Aunt Elaine, and a good morning to all of you,” Darcy intoned cheerily.
“Who are you and what have you done with my taciturn cousin?” Tiffany teased.
“After making a series of decisions that may impact my future significantly, I feel much lighter than I have since before Mother was taken from us,” Darcy announced.
Before anyone could respond to his cryptic statement, he went to the sideboard and filled his plate with poached eggs, bacon, and some sausages. He buttered two slices of toast and added them to his plate. With his food in hand, Darcy took a seat next to his sister who was looking at him quizzically, as were the Fitzwilliams present at the table. He indicated coffee to a footman who filled a mug and delivered it to him.
“William, will you not share what these decisions are?” Lord Matlock boomed.
“Once we have sated ourselves with this delicious meal, I will talk to my sister—in private—first. The results of that conversation will determine what I report to the rest of you,” Darcy said before he put a forkful mixed with a piece of egg and toast into his mouth. It was followed by a small piece of sausage.
Knowing how hard it was—impossible actually—to wheedle information from William when he chose not to share, the rest of the meal passed with no further questions to him.
While he sipped his coffee, Darcy waited until his sister pushed her knife and fork together on the plate and drained her cup of hot chocolate. He stood and pulled his sister’s chair back for her. He offered her his arm and then looked at his aunt and uncle.
The Earl and Countess looked at one another communicating wordlessly as those who had been married well over thirty years were able to do. “Use my study,” Lord Matlock offered gruffly.
He led his sister to the named room. First, he made sure she was comfortably seated in an armchair, then Darcy turned and closed the door firmly. He knew his aunt’s and uncle’s servants, like his own, would not spread gossip they overheard, but to be safe, he made sure the door to the servants’ hall was securely closed as well. Once all was done, he sat in a chair facing his sister.
“Sweetling, you have already divined my fascination with Miss Elizabeth Bennet due to my unconsciously mentioning her in—it seems—almost all of my letters. I have decided to try to court her…” He held up his hand to stem the excited effusions he saw building in his sister. “There is a reason I needed to speak with you. She is the daughter of a gentleman, so in that we are equal. However, she has no fortune to bring to the marriage and connections to those in trade. You must know this could affect your prospects, hence my desire to speak to you. I could not be selfish.”
“William, as much as I appreciate your consideration, I have one question for you, do you love her?”
“Yes, I do, I most certainly do. Lord knows I have tried to fight it, but I will no longer.”
