‘Heisa tradesman… a very successful one.’ Mrs Bennet beamed at her guest. If there was just a hint of maliciousness in her smile, she felt that no one could fault her.
~T~
10Audley Street
The coach pulled up in front of Gardiner House. Mr Gardiner who had been waiting for the arrival of his nieces, exited the house to assist them to disembark while Mrs Milford remained in the coach to be conveyed to her own home.
The sisters who had expected to be taken to Gracechurch Street were somewhat confused by the different destination and awestruck at the size of the mansion, which was even larger than the other house, particularly Jane when she saw the plaque declaring their new residence to beGardiner House.
‘Gardiner House?’ she exclaimed. ‘Did you buy this house?’
Mr Gardiner smiled as he said, ‘I will explain later. This is not the time and place for such a discussion.’
As the sisters entered the foyer they were amazed and delighted by the understated elegance of their temporary home.
Mr Gardiner introduced Mr and Mrs Hobson, the butler and housekeeper.
Mary noticed that the couple were giving her a peculiar look and asked, ‘Do I have a smudge on my face?’
‘No, Miss. It is just that you look so much like your aunt, it took us quite by surprise,’ Mrs Hobson answered for both of them.
‘I did not think that I looked much like Aunt Phillips?’ Mary mused aloud and wondered how Mrs Hobson could think that.
‘Pardon me, I suppose that I should have said your great-aunt, Mrs Carleton.’
‘You knew our great-aunt Mary?’
‘I should hope so. We were happy to serve her and Mr Carleton in this house for nigh on thirty years. But pardon me. I had not meant tokeep blathering on and keep you from freshening up after your journey. Please allow me to show you to your rooms.’
~T~
An hour later the sisters joined Mr Gardiner in the family parlour where a tea service had just been delivered.
‘Is Aunt Madeline not joining us?’ Elizabeth asked their uncle while Jane served the tea.
‘Not right now. She is upstairs spending time with the children to give me an opportunity to explain the situation.’ Mr Gardiner took a careful sip of the hot beverage before settling back in his chair.
‘As you have probably guessed, this house used to belong to your great-aunt Mary.’
The sisters nodded and Elizabeth asked, ‘Are you living here now? What about your house in Gracechurch Street?’
‘Your aunt and I still live in our own house, but Aunt Mary suggested that this house should be made available to you if you wanted to spend a season in town. Since it would be improper for you to be here on your own and your parents are needed at Longbourn –‘
‘You mean that papa does not wish to come to town and mama would not be the best person to introduce us since she does not know anyone here,’ Mary interjected. While she was quieter than her sisters, she had observed the family and had no illusions about their suitability to introduce their daughters into society, although she still tempered her comment.
Mr Gardiner raised an eyebrow at the interruption but merely shrugged and sighed. ‘Just so, but if you all would kindly allow me to explain in my own way, all will be made clear.’
He took another sip of tea before continuing. ‘As I was trying to tell you, Uncle Henry used to live at Gracechurch Street until he took this house. When he made me a partner, he gave his former house to me. Your aunt and I have been very happy to live there.’
Gardiner paused for a moment in case one of his nieces wanted to ask a question. When none was forthcoming, he said, ‘After Uncle Henry’s death, this house belonged to your aunt and since her deathhas been held in trust by your Uncle Phillips and myself. Since you expressed an interest in spending some time in town, your aunt and I thought it best to open this house as it is a little larger than our own and in a more convenient location.’
As the gentleman took another sip of tea, Elizabeth took the opportunity to ask, ‘Where exactly is this more convenient location?’
Mr Gardiner pointed out the window towards the right. ‘Just beyond that corner is Grosvenor Square. Perhaps you have heard of it?’
The eyes of all three sisters widened and their jaws dropped in shock, causing their uncle to chuckle. ‘I gather youhaveheard of it.’
‘Aunt Mary used to live in one of the most fashionable parts of town?’ gasped Elizabeth before she started to laugh. ‘Forgive me. I just remembered how Miss Bingley denigrated our relatives in trade and crowed about the horror of being forced to live in Cheapside, while she was situated in a more fashionable part of town.’
