As Aunt Catherine had warned them, the de Bourgh townhouse was not in the most fashionable part of town. However, she had been equally accurate in describing the area as respectable. The houses on the block all looked well-kept and the street was generally clear of beggars or vagrants. In fact, it was not very far from the Gardiner's home, although it was not safe for Lizzy to walk between the two because of the less respectable neighborhoods on the way.
Mary's open carriage and ponies had been left at Rosings in favor of a larger, closed carriage that would easily carry all four of them when needed. Will had ridden alongside on the trip mainly so he would have his horse available for errands or other solo travel during the two weeks they intended to stay in town. The house itself did not have an attached stable area, but around the corner on the next block were the mews where the de Bourghs owned a space for their horses and vehicles. Will had no doubt the manager of the mews had probably made a little extra by renting out that space on the sly over the years, but Aunt Catherine had given the household enough notice of their arrival that it had been cleared and prepared for them when they arrived, which was all that mattered.
Compared to Rosings Park, the townhouse was small and cramped, but that was an unfair comparison. It was smaller than Darcy House, certainly, but it had enough rooms to house the four of them comfortably with space for a few guests without crowding. The rooms were reasonably sized for the house – larger than the rooms Will had occupied as a tutor at Hazelmere, but smaller than those he and Lizzy had shared at Netherfield. Throughout the house, the decorations and fixtures were of an older style, not having been refreshed since before Will was born, but they were still in good condition and looked newer than they were.
George Darcy's latest letter expressed frustration that the group intended to stay there instead of accepting his invitation to Darcy House. Will's explanation to his father that part of the purpose for their trip was to evaluate and make decisions regarding the fate of the townhouse had not been false, even if it was something of an excuse to stay away and avoid close quarters with a man who still felt like he was manipulating circumstances to force them all together. Aunt Catherine had no desire or need to sell but there was the potential to lease the townhouse out. That could best be determined by staying there. They would also be judging the effectiveness of the staff and their care of the house over the long-term absence of the owners.
Either Sir Lewis had chosen his staff very well or the staff was aware their caretaking skills were being judged. Will and the others had not been in residence a full day before he found himself strongly inclined to the former explanation, although he was also certain a little extra polish had recently been applied throughout the rooms. The townhouse had the feel of a place that had consistently been looked after with care, not one that had recently undergone a complete overhaul. Whatever the explanation, the rooms were clean and fresh, with everything appearing in good repair.
"Why did you come here so rarely over the years?" Lizzy asked Aunt Catherine as they all sat together after a tasty dinner the first evening of the visit.
"Lewis and I just never seemed to take the time," Aunt Catherine replied. "London can be so unpleasant in the heat of summer, so we did not visit then unless my husband had unavoidable business here. In the spring and autumn there was the planting and the harvest to look after at the estate. We sometimes talked about visiting in the winter, but either the weather made travel precarious or we were already planning visits to Matlock, Ashby Hall or Pemberley. Then, too, I was often in a delicate condition in the early years of our marriage and did not feel like coming to London even if the travel was easy and we were only half a day away. After Anne was born it seemed much safer just to keep her at home in Kent than risk her health in London."
"If I am presented next year, we will need to spend at least several weeks here, both preparing and attending events of the season afterward." Mary warned. "Are you certain it is really that important?"
"I am certain. I want you to have the best possible chance to marry well," Aunt Catherine explained. "You are an heiress now, Mary, with connections by marriage to the nobility. That places you in a different sphere than just being the daughter of a country gentleman, in much the same way as Lizzy is now in a higher sphere as the wife of a major landowner with those same noble connections. Being presented to the queen is a responsibility of that sphere and a mark of distinction, as is attending the social events of the Season. I am not suggesting we attend every party and visit Almacks repeatedly. I do not have the stamina or desire for that and none of us would enjoy it. We will only attend a limited number of strategically significant events, unless you want to do more. I have been pushing for the Season in the coming year because soon Will and Lizzy may be starting a family and that will make it more difficult to be involved in and enjoy the events."
"I suppose thinking of it as a responsibility instead of just a set of social events helps," Mary said. "My concern is that I know the primary point of the Season is entering into the marriage mart and I am not ready to be married any time soon."
Lizzy added, "As you know, Aunt Catherine, our mother lectured us for years on the need to make a match as soon as possible. Once we were out, she pushed us relentlessly. Consequently, Mary and I both look on social events with more dread than pleasure."
"Oh, Mary, child! I am not trying to push you away. I would keep you with me for the rest of my life if it were not such a selfish desire. As I have told you before, I simply want to be sure you have the right credentials and the broadest exposure possible. That way when you are ready, you stand the best chance of making a happy and respectable match. I honestly never cared much for the Season myself and felt very fortunate when Lewis and I met during the second year I was out."
"I understand and appreciate your motives, Aunt Catherine, and I will do my part. I am just having trouble mustering very much enthusiasm for it," Mary replied.
"I wish I could gain a little of that extra exposure for my friend, Charlotte Lucas," Lizzy said thoughtfully. "She is nearing twenty-five and is starting to worry that she will never marry. She hates the idea of becoming a burden on her family if she cannot find a respectable home of her own. There are just so few eligible men in the area around Meryton and even fewer willing to marry a woman with a fairly small dowry, even if her father is a knight."
"If you wish, and she agrees, you may invite her to stay with us next spring. As a member of our party she can attend many of the events we will go to," Aunt Catherine offered. "She will not get as much attention as a younger woman with a good dowry would, but perhaps she may meet someone who is suited to her and willing to overlook her financial situation."
"Thank you, Aunt Catherine," Lizzy said gratefully. "I would like that."
"Miss Lucas seemed a very pleasant woman," Will put in. "I know Sir William would love for her to have better opportunities than he has been able to offer."
Lizzy and Mary both laughed and Lizzy said, "Yes, in his own way he is as fervent a matchmaker as Mama was, although he is far more pleasant about it. I would be surprised if he had not considered matching you with Charlotte the first time you met."
Will grinned. "Actually, we did discuss my marital prospects and I had to let him know that I was not feeling wealthy enough to marry at the time. He was still planning on introducing me to Miss Lucas for a dance that night at the ball. Before he could, we both decided Mary might need a partner more for the second set. Fortunately, that put both Mary and me on the dance floor and close enough to help when your mother struck that night."
"That was a difficult night even with your help. Had you not been there or not offered to marry me, I probably would have had to request the aid of Sir William and Lady Lucas to shelter me that night or get me to my aunt and uncle Phillips."
"Would your father really have allowed your mother to throw you from your home that night?" Aunt Catherine asked. Will suspected she had been wondering that since she first heard the details of the confrontation at the ball.
Lizzy considered for a moment. "While I would like to think he would not, it seems likely Mama would have carried her point. I doubt she would have let me in the carriage to return home with her that evening or allowed me into the house if I found another way back. By the time Papa even found out about the situation, it would have progressed to the point that it would have been easier for him to simply let me go than to stand up to her."
"He always was more willing to treat our mother as a joke than to take steps to protect any of us," Mary added.
"Well, I am also glad Will was there and chose to marry you and keep Mary safe as well. After so many years alone, I feel like his actions have saved me as well," Aunt Catherine said very solemnly. There really was nothing more for any of them to say except to agree with this assessment, and soon the conversation turned to other things, including the dinner they would be having with the immediate family at Parkside House the next evening.
~o~
"Charlotte! What are you doing here?" Lizzy's greeting surprised Will as they entered the sitting room at Parkside House. He followed Lizzy's gaze and spotted Miss Lucas sitting with Jane to one side of the room.
"Jane and her husband brought me to town with them. The elder Mr. Bingley has several social engagements planned for their visit and they thought I might benefit from attending as well," Miss Lucas answered as she rose to greet her friend.
"I am so glad!" Lizzy replied. "We were actually talking about inviting you to join us at some time and here you are. Why did you not tell me you were coming?"
"Jane and I wished to surprise you," Miss Lucas said with a smile before she turned to the others. "Good evening, Mary. Good evening, Mr. Alexander. Mr. Darcy, I mean." She corrected herself quickly, but not before Will and Lizzy both began to chuckle over the mistake.
Aunt Catherine nudged Lizzy's arm slightly and nodded. Lizzy took the hint and introduced Charlotte, who made a deep curtsy in response to the older woman's greeting.
"My nieces have good things to say of you, Miss Lucas," Aunt Catherine was saying as Will bowed to the ladies before he headed across the room to greet Charles and the three men he was speaking with. "I hope to learn a little more about you during this visit. Good evening, Jane. It is good to see you again."
Charles and Mr. Bingley turned away from their conversation with Alex and Mr. Gardiner, so they could all welcome Will into their corner of the room. This evening was simply a small dinner for family and close friends - a break from the many large social events Alex and his betrothed had been attending as the Season wound down and their wedding neared. While the connection to the Bingleys and Gardiners was not fashionable, they were considered family now and were welcomed as such for a gathering of this kind.
After a round of handshakes and some friendly comments, the men returned to their conversation about the effects of the war on the import/export business. They discussed the dangers of shipping along the normal trade routes along with some of the legal alternatives Gardiner's men were hoping to make successful.
"I know smuggling has traditionally been the most lucrative option in times like these," Mr. Gardiner told them, "but, aside from being illegal and a bad risk for that reason, there are already so many strong groups controlling the most lucrative routes that it would be foolhardy to take up the option as a way to grow capital. Many of the gangs that flourish along the coasts are just as likely to destroy any potential competition as they are to destroy the government agents attempting to stop them."
"How do you continue trading in such a climate?" Will asked.
"We choose our routes carefully, attempt to identify safer markets and pray. Bingley and I have been lucky with all three options."
"Well, you have certainly brought in good returns for our family," Alex said. "I am glad I was able to persuade Grandfather to enter into the arrangement."
"I am pleased you were willing to bring me in as well," Will added. "Lizzy and I may have all we need, but it is nice to have extra funds that can be set aside for children or used to help Lizzy's sisters."
The discussion was interrupted by Lady Ashby, who notified the group it was time to go in to dinner. The gentlemen dispersed to escort the ladies into the dining room. Will quickly moved to claim Lizzy, who was speaking with Georgiana at one side of the room. Because it was a family event, his sister had been allowed to join them in the sitting room before dinner, although she was now required to return to her rooms with her governess.
"Will," Lizzy said quietly as he came up to them to greet his sister with a hug. "Georgiana has received a letter from your father that troubles her."
"What did he write?" Will asked.
"He was very insistent that I should spend the few days he plans to be in London at Darcy House with him, and he wanted me to persuade you both to join him there as well for that time."
"Have you responded?" Will asked.
"Not yet. I wanted to ask what you thought first. Uncle Alexander and Aunt Susan told me I do not have to go if I do not want to do so, but do you think we should?"
"Did he say why he wants us all there?"
"He said he thought it would be a good time for us all to be together as a family. I might have believed that could happen once, but I am not certain of it now. I do not want to go if you and Lizzy are not there as well. Mostly, I am afraid he might decide to take me back to Pemberley with him if I am there under his control. I am looking forward to the visit with Kitty and Lydia next month and would not want to miss it, especially when he said before that it was my choice whether I stayed with him or not."
"I told her that you had also received an invitation from him and he was not pleased when you explained we would be staying at the de Bourgh townhouse," Lizzy added.
"Yes, it seems he now wishes to manipulate us through Georgiana," Will said. He turned to his sister. "Father expressed great disappointment that Lizzy and I did not intend to spend at least part of our visit at Darcy House. If you do not want to join him there I will support you, as will all our relatives. I expect we will spend some time with him, perhaps go for tea once while he is here, but that is all."
"When you go, will you take me?" Georgiana asked a little nervously. "I would rather not visit him alone just now."
"Of course," Will assured her. "Going together will be easier for all of us. Now, it looks like your governess is coming to collect you, and Lizzy and I need to go in to dinner. We will talk to you soon."
Georgiana hugged her brother again and then hugged Lizzy as well. As she stepped away to join her governess, Will offered Lizzy his arm. Together they walked swiftly towards the dining room to join the rest of the company there.
