The ride to London was easy enough. The snowfall remained very light, just tiny flakes dancing in the air. The main road was a bit slushy but not enough to be truly dangerous. He kept his horse to a pace appropriate to the conditions and watched for hazards ahead even as he mulled over his plans for the following day.
First, he decided, he wanted to speak with Gardiner. Although Darcy had only been in company with the man over the space of one long afternoon, he had gained a hearty respect for Gardiner's intelligence and business acumen. Elizabeth's uncle could give him a different perspective on the business at hand and tell him if he was over-reacting or not taking the right issues into consideration.
Once he had talked the business over with Gardiner, Darcy intended to meet with Mr. Hampton about the business partnership. Depending on what he learned, he would either insist on changes or let go of the partnership altogether.
He also wanted to talk with his housekeeper, Mrs. Carson, to make sure any changes needed to make Elizabeth comfortable at Darcy house would be completed over the next month. He planned to stay at the dower house at least until Twelfth Night so Elizabeth could share the entire holiday season with her family. After that they might spend a week or two in town just for a change of pace.
He made good time on the journey, even at the easy pace he had kept Stormchaser to because of the weather. It was still an hour before sunset when he arrived at Darcy house and surprised his household staff. After going up and changing out of his wet riding clothes into one of the outfits he kept at the house, Darcy went down to his study and wrote a note to Gardiner. He explained the situation with Mr. Hampton and the investment. He asked if Gardiner would be willing to visit with him that evening and provide advice. He sent the note off to Gracechurch street with one of the footmen. He wrote another to Mr. Hampton requesting a meeting the following morning, sent that off, then sat down in his favorite chair with a hot drink to relax and warm up.
Both footmen returned quickly with replies. Mr. Hampton would be available the next morning at 11:00. Gardiner's response asked Darcy to join his family for dinner and to bring the relevant paperwork so they could discuss the situation. Darcy gathered the paperwork together and headed off to the Gardiner home.
Darcy quickly understood why Elizabeth so enjoyed her visits with the Gardiners. From outside the house looked like every other house in the row. Once inside, though, he found himself in an atmosphere of comfort and warmth. The entry was clean and decorated pleasantly and the other rooms he entered were much the same. It was a house meant to be lived in, not merely displayed to impress visitors.
It was clear that here the mistress set a welcoming tone. When Darcy was introduced to Mrs. Gardiner he fully understood what a role model she had been to Elizabeth. He was greeted with sincere kindness and goodwill. In her manners, carriage and speech Elizabeth's aunt showed herself to be an elegant, well-educated lady. When she told him that she had lived for time in Lambton and spoke well of his mother, who she had met several times, Darcy was completely captivated and knew he now had a favorite aunt. Lady Catherine had never been in the running. Darcy knew that even were Richard's mother, a lovely lady he had adored, still alive, Mrs. Gardiner would still be his favorite aunt.
He met the Gardiner children before dinner and found them a lively yet well-behaved trio. The eldest, Edward Jr., at age 8 already showed an inquisitive mind. Mr. Gardiner said he brought his son to his office regularly to show him how the business worked and the boy had readily picked up on the concepts to which he was exposed. The younger son, 7 year old Franklin, had already shown an unusual aptitude for numbers and calculation. "He may one day keep the books for his brother or he might end up somewhere entirely different," said Gardiner. "I intend to encourage him wherever his interest lies." Their youngest child was a daughter, Bethany, age 4. She was a sweet pretty girl who put him in mind of her cousin, Jane Bennet, although it was Elizabeth who was the girl's godmother.
After the children were sent up to the nursery, Darcy joined Gardiner and his wife in an informal dinner. He had already expected the meal to be tasty, well-prepared and well-served and was not disappointed. The conversation was pleasant. They mainly discussed happenings at Longbourn and Mrs. Bennet's plans for the double wedding. He told them about the inventory party and Bingley's engagement to Jane.
"I would wager my brother had quite the time teasing Mr. Bingley," said Gardiner.
Darcy told Bennet's side of the conversation. "I have not yet talked with Bingley to get his side of the story. He may have just been playing along, although he did look rather dazed when he rejoined the company after the discussion in Bennet's study."
The men adjourned to the study after dinner. Gardiner's study contrasted with Bennet's mainly in how well-organized it appeared. There were still plenty of books, a desk and some comfortable chairs, but what struck Darcy most was a feeling that here was a place to do business, not just to sit and read.
It took little time to outline the history of Darcy's investment with Mr. Hampton. He explained the reversals that had occurred just before Darcy came to Hertfordshire and the excuses he had been given at the time. He showed Gardiner the relevant documentation and the most recent letter which had prompted this trip.
Gardiner listened carefully, asked questions for clarification, and carefully read the documents provided. Finally he said, "I must admit that I already know of Mr. Hampton. He once had a good reputation in the realm of trade, but of late his reputation has been slipping due to issues like the ones you describe. As soon as I got your note I sent off one of my own to a colleague who has done business directly with Mr. Hampton. I received his reply shortly before you arrived.
Gardiner handed the note of response to Darcy. In it Gardiner's contact wrote of his increasing problems with Mr. Hampton. He included his suspicion that the business failures might be covering a scheme to rake off funds covering the theft with the excuse of losses. Darcy nodded as he finished reading.
"I was beginning to have similar suspicions but did not want to make assumptions without more knowledge," he told Gardiner.
"I applaud your caution. My advice is to cut your losses and get out of partnership with Mr. Hampton by paying the forfeit described in your contract. There is not enough evidence to prove he is stealing or covering up a theft, but if you are in partnership your name is tied to his. You would be best served to step away now while the losses are still small. I believe you can afford the forfeit better than any stain to your family name."
"I agree. What would you say is the best way to approach him?"
"Do not accuse. Do not let yourself become angry. Come prepared with the forfeit and simply tell him you have decided not to invest further given the history of losses and wish to immediately pay out the contract and end all association with him. If you remain calm and firm and provide him with no further information beyond the basics you should be able to leave without any further negative ramifications. You have money and status enough that he will probably not challenge you as long as you stick to the simple facts and avoid saying anything actionable. I think you can pull it off."
"I hope so. I appreciate your advice and will do my best to follow it."
"I know you will want to leave as soon as possible after your interview with Mr. Hampton, but if you could see your way clear to sending a short note over to tell me how it went I would appreciate that. I would not wish to wait until I arrive at Longbourn next Friday to find out what happened."
Darcy smiled. "I will be sure to send a note over before I leave."
Darcy headed back to his townhouse happy with the way his evening had gone. With him he carried letters from Gardiner and his wife for various members of the Bennet family. If all went well on the morrow he would be back to the dower house in time for dinner with Georgie and Mary.
