As far as your choices for mourning go in this area, no one will say a word about how brief your mourning period is. As your late husband was universally despised, the only question you will hear is, ‘Why did you mourn him at all?’
I have not heard anyone celebrate his shuffling off the mortal coil, but I have not found one in the parish who repines his passing.
As much as I hope your reply will be in the affirmative, I will understand if it is not to be.
If it is yes, please send the reply with my courier, and I will send a de Bourgh coach to collect you on the date and at the time you tell me you will be ready to depart your parents’ home to join me. Even if it is not the one I would prefer, my courier is still available to carry your reply.
Please pass my felicitations to Sir William, Lady Lucas, and Miss Lucas. To you, my friend, my warmest regards. Your good friend,
Anne
As the only concern Charlotte would have had was to suffer the censure of those she used to serve in the parish for not mourning a full year, she could see no reason not to reply in the affirmative. Even though she did not need theirpermission, Charlotte would inform her parents of the letter and ask their opinion of her decision.
When she spoke to them, neither her mother nor her father objected to her going to Kent. With that decided, Charlotte scribed her reply and handed it to Anne’s courier.
In it, she told her friend that she would be ready to depart Lucas Lodge as soon as the de Bourgh carriage arrived.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Hillman was somewhat nervous when he saw who his neighbour was. It was just his luck that it was Gardiner who knew him well and knew exactly who he was.
The only option was to speak to Gardiner and explain the reason he had not used his true name and rank. To that end, he sent a footman with a note to Gardiner, hoping the man would come to see him, even though he would not recognise the name he was using.
Gardiner, his wife, and two nieces were seated in the drawing room planning the next few days’ activities when the butler entered and cleared his throat. The man proffered Gardiner his salver, upon which was an unsealed note.
“The footman who delivered this is waiting for a reply, Sir,” the butler intoned.
“As soon as I have a reply, I will send for you,” Gardiner stated as he removed the folded piece of paper from the salver.
The butler bowed and withdrew from the room.
“Edward, who would send you a message here where we are unknown?” Maddie queried.
“Allow me to read it, my love, and I will be able to answer that for you,” Gardiner stated. He unfolded the note and read it quickly. The space between his eyebrows closed as he frowned. “Maddie, what do you make ofthis?” He handed the paper to his wife.
Maddie read the missive.
24 June 1812
Windermere View House
Gardiner,
I address you as such because I know you, but you will not recognise my name.
Please indulge me with your company, and I will explain all. I only ask that if you see me in public, you address me as Mr Hillman for the time being.
The house I am leasing is the smaller one next to yours, the one closest to Lakeshore House.
In anticipation of seeing you,
Mr Colin Hillman
“What can be lost by going to see MrHillman?” Maddie asked.
Gardiner agreed. He summoned the butler. “Sinclair, please tell Mr Hillman’s footman I will call on his master within the next half hour.”
The butler bowed and made his way to pass on the message.
