“I am sorry, I do not know,” Miss Bingley replied, seeming a little abashed.
That was something, at least. She had seemed almost gleeful to report that the Gardiners had lost their home, but at least the reminder of how deadly a fire could be did not leave her entirely untouched.
“Oh, Fitz, we must find out what has happened, and help them if we can,” Georgiana exclaimed. “Can we not do something?”
Darcy took her hand, squeezing it firmly in reassurance. “We can, and we will.” He turned to his friend. “The Gardiners and Miss Bennet are our particular friends. Please forgive me, Bingley, but we must leave immediately.”
Bingley nodded. “Any friend of yours is a friend of mine, Darcy. Let me know if I can do anything to help.”
“Thank you, Bingley. I will keep that in mind. I am sorry that our last visit is cut so short.”
Bingley shook his head, understanding and good-natured as ever. “Think nothing of it.”
Miss Bingley stood abruptly. “You are truly leaving so soon?”
“We must.”
With hardly a word more exchanged, they left the house. Though Georgiana begged to go to Gracechurch Street with him, Darcy would hear none of it.
“No, Georgiana, and that is final. I would be no fit guardian if I let you do such a thing. It may be dangerous.”
“But —”
“Listen, Georgiana. It would not benefit Miss Bennet and the Gardiners to take you with me. I will take you home and go on horseback. The speed may be of considerable advantage.”
“Very well,” Georgiana said, her voice little more than a whisper. She looked almost faint with worry.
Darcy hugged her lightly about the shoulders. “Do not fear for them, Georgiana, not yet. I will bring you news as soon as I can.”
No sooner had he seen her safely home and in the care of Mrs Annesley than Darcy went on to Gracechurch Street to begin his search. Perhaps there was a neighbour who could tell him what had happened. Upon arriving at what remained of the house, Darcy was nearly sick. It was little more than a charred skeletal structure, still smoking in places from the intense heat that had devoured it. A light rain began to fall as he exited the carriage and walked up the front steps that now ended in a sheer drop-off into a pile of rubble.
“Looking for someone, sir?” A young boy came up to him, standing at the bottom of the steps.
Darcy came down and joined him on the cobbled street. “Yes, I am. I am a friend of the Gardiners. Do you know where they have gone?”
“Me, I’ve a terrible memory, sir,” he answered. He held out his hand and rubbed his finger and thumb together. “But it might get better if you were to help it along with a coin or two.”
Darcy raised a brow. “Very well,” he said and pulled a sixpence out of his pocket. He handed it to the boy, rather regretting it when he saw the greedy look in his eyes. “Well, then?” he asked impatiently.
“You come along with me, sir, and I’ll show you where they be.”
Darcy nodded and mounted back up, following the boy to a nearby lodging house that bore a rather faded sign of a lion. Though the boy ran away as soon as they arrived, Darcy went to inquire inside. Unreliable as his messenger might be, it would not do to leave without checking to see whether he had spoken true.
To his mingled surprise and relief, the boy had not misled him. When he called at the front desk of the run-down establishment, Mr Gardiner was on the register. A quick conversation with the landlord established that they were not then present, but had gone out to purchase things they would need as they set up temporary lodgings.
Darcy returned home as quickly as the crowded London streets would permit. If he knew his sister, she would have no rest until she knew she need not fear for her friend.
No sooner was he inside the front door than Georgiana came rushing up to him. “Tell me,” she pleaded.
“Everyone is unharmed, as far as the innkeeper could tell me. There were no casualties taken in the fire, thank the Lord. But they have a very uncomfortable time ahead of them. Rebuilding will be a considerable project. I first went to Gracechurch Street and saw that they would first have to clear the building space. Then, they will have to repair the foundation before they rebuild. The prospect of staying in hired lodgings for so long is not a pleasant one.”
“And you saw where they were living at the lodging house?” Georgiana asked eagerly.
“No, for they were not in. But from what I could see, they must be very cramped. The family alone numbers seven, and they must arrange something for their servants as well. I do not think they could have rented above four rooms.”
“I cannot imagine being in such cramped accommodations for so long. It may take them months to rebuild, or even a year!” Georgiana exclaimed.
“It may not take that long. It all depends on the builders Mr Gardiner can hire.”
