Richard approved heartily of his decision and helped Gardiner place the men in positions where it would not be obvious they were guards. With an insane woman on the loose and his ward one of the residents of the house, Richard had a more than passing interest in the security of Netherfield Park.
When Elizabeth met her two new personal footmen, she could not stop a chortle escaping when the men stood up as she entered her father’s study. She was a petite woman, and next to the mountainous men she looked like a little doll.
“Biggs and Johns, this is my eldest daughter, Miss Elizabeth Gardiner. She is more than likely the probable target of the unbalanced woman about whom I told you. Lizzy, Biggs and Johns will be your personal guards,” Gardiner said, making the introductions.
Stifling her laughter, Elizabeth smiled, thinking her father could not have found bigger men. Aloud, she greeted the two men and thanked them for being willing to protect her.
“Until such time as my sister is recaptured, you will not exit the house without these two men accompanying you. Richard tells me they are very good at what they do and it is at their own peril if anyone thinks they are not very fleet of foot.”
Richard explained the men’s background to Elizabeth and assured her they were more than qualified for their positions. “I promised before, and I repeat that promise now—I will obey all of the strictures you put in place for my, and all of our, security,” Elizabeth vowed. “I know it is being done for our own protection. I am sure that woman will not be happy if she notes Mary and Kitty are living here. Will that be all, Father?”
Gardiner nodded, excusing Elizabeth. He then summoned his butler and introduced him to all the new footmen-guards. Eight of the men were sent to the stablemaster; they would work as grooms and assistant coachmen.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Darcy dreaded hearing about Miss Elizabeth’s marriage to the buffoon who was his aunt’s parson, but he was interested in meeting the Gardiners who would be hosting him when he attended Richard’s wedding—and Miss Gardiner, as well.
He could not understand why his sister, Tiffany, his Aunt Elaine, and Richard all hinted in their letters that he wouldloveto meet Miss Gardiner. Suddenly a memory stirred, but then he told himself it could not be the same people.
Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst had mentioned the name Gardiner. What was it they said? Ah yes, there was a man named Gardiner, Mrs. Bennet’s brother, who was a tradesman in London, in Cheapside. He cared not if the man was in trade, but considering he was Mrs. Bennet’s brother, Darcy assumed the brother was a male version of his sister.
It could not be the same family, as this Gardiner family was landed gentry. As he thought of his source of the information, Miss Bingley, Darcy was more than pleased the woman was on her way to the Americas, never to return. Even though he would never have taken her as his wife, it would be good to be in Bingley’s company without worrying about the cloying woman. One thing confused Darcy. In Bingley’s letter informing him about his sister’s departure from the Kingdom, he had referenced another letter Darcy could not remember receiving.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Darcy met with his steward, Mr. Chalmers. Between them, they had determined there was nothing else for the master to do. The spring planting was fully planned, the Black’s new cottage was almost built, and there had been no further disasters to necessitate his remaining at Pemberley.
Darcy knew Richard was at Netherfield Park as a guest of the Gardiners, so he wrote to him with a request to arrive earlier than planned as he felt he could not write to one to whom he had not yet been introduced.
After he completed his letter he sent it via his personal courier, with instructions to wait for an answer before returning to Pemberley. Five days after his man departed, he returned and handed his master a reply.
21 January 1811
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire
Mr. Darcy,
My husband and I invite you to arrive when convenient for you. We are fully moved in and ready to host additional guests.
As Richard, Tiffany, and Giana have been made honorary members of the family, it seems that extends to you as well.
We are all looking forward to welcoming you.
Yours etc,
Mrs. Madeline Gardiner
Darcy knew it would be difficult to cool his heels and not head directly for Hertfordshire, but he wrote back, informing his hostess he would depart his estate the final Wednesday in January and arrive on the first Friday in February.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
After almost three weeks of keeping herself hidden in the old dower house, early one morning Fanny made her way to a stand of trees just inside Netherfield Park’s boundary. An hour later she was rewarded, as she saw the object of her hate riding with a large group—far too many for Fanny to do what she wanted to.
Then she saw two of her younger daughters, Mary and Kitty, were part of the riding party. How dare that succubus Elizabeth take two more of her daughters? Fanny had to repress her emotions before she launched herself towards the laughing Miss Lizzy.
Soon! It would be soon! She would end the demon’s life.
Chapter 23
