“Uncle Edward, who are you calling on?” Elizabeth asked inquisitively. “I have never heard you mention a Mr Hillman, unless he is connected to your business.”
After looking at Maddie, who gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head, Gardiner silently agreed that for now he would not say anything to his nieces other than he was calling on their neighbour, as that was, in fact, true.
As much as she wanted to know more, Elizabeth held herpeace.
Ten minutes later, Gardiner donned his gloves, hat, and light coat and made the short walk to Windermere View House next door.
The door was opened by the butler, who said that Mr Hillman was expecting his caller. Once the butler had stowed the gentleman’s outerwear, he showed him to the sitting room where the master was waiting.
When Gardiner entered the room, his eyebrows shot up as soon as he recognised one of his clients. He did not miss the pleading look on the man’s face. It was obvious, for his own reasons, that the staff and servants at this house were not aware of the true identity of the man who was their temporary master. He nodded to let Hillman know he would keep his secret. He did not miss how the younger man relaxed.
The butler was dismissed with instructions that there were to be no interruptions until further notice. The man confirmed his understanding and left, pulling the door closed behind him.
“I have good reason for the subterfuge. My parents support my decision,” Hillman explained when they were alone.
“Colin?” Gardiner queried.
“My second familiar name, which none other than, very occasionally, my mother uses, as it was her father’s name.”
“Do you want to tell me why you feel the need to hide your true identity, or is that not something to which you feel I should be privy? Please remember, anything you tell me will be shared with my wife and no one else. My nieces will not be told anything, but I will reveal the truth if I feel that it is in their best interests for me to do so.”
“I swear on my honour andmy life I am not looking to try and ‘sow my wild oats.’ In fact, it is quite the opposite.” Hillman paused as he took a deep breath while he cogitated about how much to reveal. Knowing that Gardiner was completely trustworthy, he knew he could be candid. “You have heard me say how I feel like a prize stag being hunted by theTon, have you not?”
“More than once. Your father and others have said the same about the huntresses who chase you.”
“Before I retired from society, I was the victim of no less than three attempted compromises. Like others I know, I will not gratify an entrapment. I refuse to reward one who would stoop so low with the very thing she and her helpers planned to get. That being said, it is very unpleasant to be seen as no more than wealth, connections, and a title. I am hoping to finally find a lady who is interested in my character. One whose interest is in me as a man, not connections or material gain. It is why I am not using my parents’ home in the area. It was with purpose that I sought out a much more moderate home.”
“Does not your carriage bear the arms tied to your title?”
“It does, which is why I am using an older, smaller conveyance with no coat of arms on the doors, and the lone footman is not wearing his livery. In addition to that, I am using a pair of two unmatched horses.”
“As long as you do not raise expectations you do not intend to fulfil, I will keep your secret. If by any chance you and one of my nieces, who are daughters of a gentleman, become close, I expect you to reveal the truth. I will not allow either of my nieces to be played for a fool.”
“That is something I would never do,” Hillman vowed. “When I first saw you, I debated moving to one of the towns farther away, but I must admit that your nieces fascinated me because…” Hillman told of his observations of the two ladies.
“One thing you must know about my nieces is thatwealth, connections, or even a title are the very last things which they would consider when choosing a husband. They have pledged to marry men they love and respect, who return those sentiments in full measure.”
“They are very singular, but in a very good way. Will you tell me about them?”
“They are my sister’s two eldest daughters, Miss Jane Bennet, who is four and twenty, and Miss Elizabeth, who recently reached her majority…” Gardiner trailed off when he saw a wide grin on Hillman’s face.
“Is Miss Elizabeth…” Hillman asked some questions which Gardiner answered. “In that case, even if I were attracted to her, I would not act on it. I assume Miss Bennet is the one that that puppy Bingley abandoned?” He saw Gardiner nod it was so. “Then, I will further swear to you that unless I am sure that there is a good possibility there can be something between us, I will not attempt to court Miss Bennet’s good opinion. And yes, if I reach the point where I ask her permission for me to call on her, or court her, I will first reveal all to her so she does not feel like she has accepted me, if she does, under a falsity.”
“You understand that if either my wife or I see anything in your interactions of which we do not approve, we will stop all contact between our nieces and you.” Gardiner held up his hand to stem the forming protest. “I am not now, nor have I ever questioned your honour; however, just in case it is needed, I want there to be no doubt what actions will be taken. Even though Jane is much stronger than she was when Mr Bingley raised her expectations and never fulfilled them, if it is in our power to prevent it, we will not allow her to suffer like she did before.”
“That is clear. I assure you, Gardiner, I will not do anything which will give you pause regarding my behaviour.” Hillman paused. “Do not forget Iam yet to meet your nieces, and there is no guarantee Miss Bennet and I will ever be more than passing acquaintances. I promise you that after all I have experienced, I will not be precipitate, and not only that, but if I feel I would like to get to know Miss Bennet better, I will make sure to inform you before I speak to her about it.”
“Then we are in accord.” Gardiner stood and extended his hand.
Hillman took it; the men shook hands. “I will not give you reason to doubt me.”
“You had better not. I have men in my employ who would have you trussed up and on a ship to the former colonies in a heartbeat if I asked it. However, I doubt it will ever come to that.” With that Gardiner took his leave.
There was no doubt in Hillman’s mind Gardiner was only half jesting.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
When she felt cramps towards the end of June, Lydia could have danced a jig, and if she had not restrained herself, she would have run about the convent to announce the signs that her courses were coming.
