“And Freddie requires no greater distinction than something that may be shaken vigorously and chewed with equal enthusiasm.”
Elizabeth smiled and turned toward another shelf. A doll stood there in a neat muslin gown, her painted eyes fixed solemnly ahead.
“Grace would love this little lady,” she said, lifting it carefully. “She looks as though she could be trusted with every secret a girl of eight might have.”
Mrs. Gardiner nodded her approval and moved farther along the display. After a moment she returned with a sketchbook tucked beneath one arm, a painted ball balanced against it, and a box of dominoes.
“Margaret, Frederick, and George.”
“Decided already?”
“I am a mother. Practice has made me efficient.”
When the parcels had been wrapped and set aside, they crossed to the draper's.Mrs. Gardiner selected a length of fine cambric for Amelia and several household linens for Mrs. Pembroke.
“My mother never remembers to buy such things for herself,” she said.
By the time they returned to the cottage, even Mrs. Gardiner was obliged to admit that they had made rather more purchases than they originally intended. Toward evening they dressed for dinner and awaited Mr. Gardiner's return. The lamps were lit, and the maid had laid a simple but elegant table. Yet the hour grew later, and still no sound of carriage wheels was heard. Mrs. Gardiner bore it with composure, but Elizabeth felt a little anxious. She had never before known her uncle absent without punctual explanation.
At last the door opened, and he came in, his expression weary but cheerful. He kissed his wife's cheek, bowed to Elizabeth, and declared himself half famished.
“Forgive me, my dears. The day proved longer than I expected. Hargrave detained me with his enthusiasm, Mountjoy with his plans, and Mr. Darcy with his questions. I believe I have been examined more thoroughly than any merchant deserves.”
They sat down at table, and once his hunger had been a little appeased he gave them a fuller account.
“Hargrave is firm. He may contribute but five per cent, yet he will keep his word. Sir Thomas, however, is lost. He declined my invitation for tomorrow and disguised it as prudence. Mountjoy offered ten per cent and very nearly volunteered to command the ship himself.”
Mrs. Gardiner laughed. “That sounds like Captain Mountjoy.”
“It does indeed.” Mr. Gardiner smiled. “Mr. Darcy was different. He remembered the proposal but not me. His questions were keen, and he would not be hurried into an answer. In the end I invited him to dine with us tomorrow, along with Hargrave and Mountjoy. Sir Thomas excused himself.”
“Not remember you, Uncle? That seems unpardonably neglectful.”
“Hush, Lizzy,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “Mr. Darcy was little more than a boy when we last met.”
Mr. Gardiner nodded, “I took no offence. He listened carefully and missed very little. That is recommendation enough for me.”
“That is exactly as I remember him,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “Even as a boy he considered everything twice before deciding.”
Elizabeth coloured slightly, “Then I was too hasty.”
“You were loyal,” said her uncle, patting her hand. “There is a difference.”
Chapter Seven
He left her upon the sand, with the recovered bonnet lying in her hand, and walked on toward the path that climbed the bluff. The wind freshened at his back; it carried the salt and a faint sweetness from the cliff grass. He had not trusted himself to remain another moment. There was nothing improper in what had passed; a gentleman had returned an article to a lady and taken his leave. Yet the look that followed him had unsettled his composure more than any crowded drawing room could do.
Darcy walked directly to the house he had taken in Brinmouth, where his valet awaited him with the papers laid out for review. While he dressed for the town, exchanging the informal attire of the shore for a coat more suitable to business, he reviewed the memoranda he had prepared the night before and considered again the particulars of Mr. Gardiner's proposal.
Sir Thomas Ellison was with Mr. Gardiner when Darcy arrived. The door stood a little open; a servant withdrew at the sound of footsteps and made a low bow as he slipped past. Darcy paused only an instant, yet it sufficed to observe the close of a negotiation. Sir Thomas wore an air of courtesy that had been too carefully arranged. His smile engaged the mouth rather than the eyes; his expressions altered a shade too slowly to be entirely natural. He professed himself eager, prudent, and fully at leisure to decide; in the next breath he hinted at delays that did not proceed from him, and obligations that could not be hastened by any mortal means. Darcy took his measure at once. Mr. Gardiner, for his part, neither pressed nor flattered. He gavefacts without ornament, accepted what was offered, declined what was unreasonable, and saw the baronet out with a civility that wasted no time.
When the room was empty, Mr. Gardiner turned to Darcy with unaffected welcome. There was no flourish in his manner; he seemed a man who had learned that steadiness is its own recommendation.
“Mr. Darcy. I am obliged to you for the call. Pray be seated.”
Darcy presented his card and accepted a chair at the table. In a few moments the ledgers were brought, the prospectus laid open, and the clerk dismissed. They spoke of the pier, the harbour depth at different tides, the state of the roads that served the town, and the neighbouring markets. Mr. Gardiner produced letters from Bristol and Liverpool; he named the men who had written them, and Darcy had heard those names before in contexts that inspired confidence. The terms of charter were set down with care; the insurance had been negotiated with reputable underwriters; the crews were to have their shares plainly stated. Captain Montjoy’s experience was sufficient to satisfy a strict examiner; his eagerness would be checked, Darcy thought, by Mr. Gardiner’s discretion.
Darcy asked what he always asked. What would be the first cargoes; how the warehouse rents were calculated; how the risk was distributed among the partners; what sum was already pledged; and under what circumstances further calls might be made. To each point Mr. Gardiner returned a clear answer. If he did not know, he said so and produced a letter that promised the answer within a stated time. He offered no parade of figures to dazzle and no prophecy that the sea itself would submit to their convenience.
