Hi All! I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays! I know I did. Sorry for being away, but I was busy writing a steamy P&P variation. (I may have found out my ex husband got engaged on Christmas and felt it necessary to imagine Mr. Darcy as the husband I didn't get but should have) I hope you enjoy insights into Mr. Darcy's life with this chapter. :)
Mr. Darcy arrived at twelve Grosvenor Street in London at ten thirty in the morning. Famished and tired, he slept very little the night before.
Seeing Miss Bennet again at dinner tossed his mind in a sea of doubt. What if there was no path to reconciliation? He could not blame her, he too would not find him an appealing candidate based on his boorish behavior.
He spoke up to bring Anne to London thinking of Miss Bennet, wasted to stay in Hertfordshire County as some provincial wife. Women like Anne and Miss Bennet should be out finding an excellent match for themselves amongst society's elite, not kept away in the rural corners of the world.
Anne and Richard thought it possible he could change her feelings towards him, but he could scarcely hope. He adopted a more pragmatic approach. He trusted her words that she would not accept him, ever. Even still, he would assist in bringing Miss Jane Bennet and Mr. Charles Bingley back together. If through that connection he earned Elizabeth's favor, then all the better. If he failed at his venture, he hoped at least to see Elizabeth settled with someone who would take care of her the way she deserves, better than how he treated her.
As he dismounted his horse, his butler, Arthur Weston came out to meet him. Mr. Weston acted as valet to a young Darcy. Fifteen years his senior, Mr. Weston provided the young Darcy with gentle instruction, becoming a confidant of the boy. When the old butler for the London house retired, Mr. Darcy offered the position to his trusted servant, someone who knew his tastes well.
Darcy was handing his tired horse off to the groomer and pointing out a leg that might be hurt when he noticed his old friend.
"Mr. Weston, were you able to ascertain the information I wrote to you about?" a weary Mr. Darcy said, handing off his few belongings he brought with him.
"Yes sir. I received your message yesterday afternoon. Our boy John went straight away like a good lad. Seems there is a warehouse down near where the Quakers have taken up on Grace street. Called Gardiner's Warehouse of Finery, owned by Mr. Edward Gardiner. I think he is our man." Mr. Weston said walking into the house.
"Well done. At least that is known. Write the address down for I intend to see them after the Hursts."
"Shall I have a fresh horse readied for you sir?" Weston said.
"Yes, but first I need to write a note. I will be in my study, tell Agnes bring me something to eat, something small. I expect Miss Anne to arrive Monday with the rest of the party. See to it that things are prepared. Georgiana will be joining us too, I want all the shops that are appropriate to make ready for new orders." Darcy said taking a warmed cloth from a servant to wipe his face and hands.
"Right away sir. Your room is also prepared for you. Would you perhaps like a change of clothes or to rest awhile? " Mr. Weston said, starting to walk away.
"Just a new pair of breeches and boots. I can rest after the Hursts. My valet will be here tomorrow. I will be relying on you till he arrives with the rest of the party." Darcy answered, stomping off to his study.
Darcy's study was home to a fine collection of books thanks to his late mother. A voracious reader, she pestered her husband for a new book whenever he went on a trip. Darcy continued this tradition. He made it a habit to bring Georgiana a book whenever he returned to Pemberley, sometimes an entire series. Their library in Pemberley as a result was stuffed! They brought the excess books to the house in London. Darcy made sure some books that his father had gifted his mother made it to twelve Grosvenor. When Darcy was missing his family, he would pull a book from that collection and read the lover's inscription in his fathers handwriting.
Sitting down at his writing desk, surrounded by his collection of books, Mr. Darcy gave in to a sigh of relief. He had so much to do, to plan, to explain. No longer moving, he felt the fatigue of travel catch up to him.
Come now, she could leave at any day. Get it together man, or else you will always wonder what could have been... he thought, slapping his cheeks gently.
He finished his simple note, stretching long in his chair with arms above his head. His hands felt much heavier, dropping to his sides. Just as he leaned back to allow slumber to overtake him, Ms. Agnes came with a small plate of cheese and bread and some black tea.
Mr. Weston came in shortly after with a full set of clothing.
It is not enough to do all that your employer requires, a good gentleman's gentleman anticipates. Darcy did not fight a full change in attire, but nearly sniffed in acknowledgment as the door was locked. Dressed in a brown coat and high cravat, Mr. Darcy was transformed from a tired, weary traveler to a sharp man about town.
He left on a new mare not more than an hour after arriving, heading straight to Davies street where the Hurst's resided. While in London, Charles Bingley and his sister Caroline were living with their sister and brother-in-law, the Hurst's.
Charles may be at the club instead, but this is closer and I shall leave a note if he is not in, thought Mr. Darcy.
The footman who answered the door did not know the whereabouts of Charles.
"Well is the Madam of the house at home?" Darcy asked, not wanting to make another trip.
"No sir, they went away for the weekend. Would you like me to give them a message for you?" The footman asked, face earnest in his desire to be helpful.
"That is not necessary. This letter is for Mr. Bingley. If I give this to you, can you see to it that he receives it when he gets in?" Darcy asked, holding out two pence and the note.
"Yes sir, I can do that. Mr. Bingley might be with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst now that I think on it. Should be back in a few days. You can count on me!" the man said, greedily taking the coins.
"That's a good lad. You have my gratitude," Darcy said, turning to leave.
Mr. Darcy thought he spied Caroline in the front window, but she did not seem to see him.
Odd that she would stay behind when everyone else has gone away...
Mr. Darcy headed to the address on Gracechurch street given to him by Mr. Weston. It was a sizable venture, the first floor dedicated to unfinished lady wear and textiles. The place hummed with muddled conversations from customers comparing the gowns and fabrics.
The women of the shop all whispered as Mr. Darcy walked about looking for who he imagined was the proprietor. One such young lady dropped a ribbon in front of him as she crossed his path. Gallantly, he picked up the ribbon and handed it to her with a tip of his hat. Mr. Darcy's long strides easily out paced her attempts at conversation, much to her party's amusement.
Mr. Darcy approached a young man pulling out a box of buttons for two ladies.
"Pardon, but I am looking for Mr. Gardiner. I believe he owns this warehouse?" Darcy said, stepping in front of the ladies.
The youth's face colored with emotion, embarrassed to be interrupted while helping a customer. That is, until he saw how nicely dressed the gentleman looked. Darcy's style did not come from the store, that was plain to see. With a quick glance of encouragement from the ladies he was helping, the boy put the box of buttons away, apologizing for the wait.
"Yes sir, he is round the back, If you just wait a moment I shall fetch him for you." The boy said, already retreating further into the store.
Once alone, Mr. Darcy felt regretful as the ladies stared at him expectedly. They would gladly exchange an expedited trip for buttons if it meant they had a chance encounter with a tall gentleman of means. They prodded him for conversation on trivial matters, like if he often came to the shop and what he thought about the new fashion. It seemed they both had daughters that were accomplished great beauties.
Mr. Darcy was at his limit. Darcy's instinct to reprove the women for endorsing their relatives to a stranger did not outweigh his desire to make a good impression. He was here to make friends, not drive off customers.
Why did I not rest before coming out? repeated over in his mind as he looked about, willing the proprietor to appear.
The youth appeared from the door he had disappeared behind, with a man trailing him. The man that followed looked to be about in his late thirties, short, with tidy facial hair. He had a smile on his face. The smile reminded Darcy of Miss Elizabeth. This certainly was the man he was looking for, the dimples were the same.
Mr. Darcy bade the ladies' goodbye as he walked off to intercept Mr. Gardiner. Really he just did not want to spend another moment dealing with the officious women.
"Hello sir, I understand you were looking for the owner of this establishment?" Mr. Gardiner said in a grisly voice as he motioned to a less trafficked area of the store.
"Yes, I am looking for a Mr. Gardiner who I believe is a relation to a family I am acquainted with, the Bennets. They reside in Hertfordshire county. Would you happen to be that man?" Mr. Darcy said, following the shopkeeper's lead.
The shopkeeper scrutinized Mr. Darcy up and down, his smile slipping to a serious expression. "I do indeed have a sister who resides in Hertfordshire. What business do you have with them?" A look of acknowledgement danced across his face, "Are you perhaps Mr. Bingley? I understand you are a friend to our Jane?" He said with a smile returning.
"I apologize, I am not him. I do have a close connection with the Mr. Bingley you are speaking of, my name is Fitzwilliam Darcy. I am here because of that connection with Bingley, and because with Miss. Bennet." He said, fighting the urge to rub sleepiness out of his eye. "It seems this is a busy time for you, but I would like to speak more on the subject. Are you available tomorrow? I know your other niece Miss. Elizabeth Bennet will be arriving soon."
Mr. Gardiner crossed his arms across his rounded chest. He squared his shoulders and leaned back into his heels, taking a more defensive posture.
"And just how would you know about my cricket coming into town? Mr. Darcy I do not know who you are but it is a curious thing for a gentleman to be visiting me asking about my nieces. I wonder why they have not mentioned you before?" He asked without mirth.
Dash it all, I am not saying this right. Calm down, Darcy thought, wiping the sweat of his palms on his breeches. Lack of proper rest made everything so much harder for him.
"Please allow me to explain my connection and what I am intending to accomplish. I hope we will find ourselves as allies." Darcy said.
Mr. Gardiner made a show of patience with a nod for him to go on.
"You see, last summer, a large party that included myself and Mr. Bingley visited Hertfordshire staying in Netherfield Park. After we quit Netherfield, I went on to visit my aunt, Lady Catherine De Bourgh of Rosings Park in Kent. Mr. Bennet has a nephew that is involved with the parish there, a Mr. Collins." He said, looking uncomfortable speaking about himself in the open. Mr. Gardener stared at him, his face hardening more at the mention of Mr. Collins.
Mr. Darcy continued, speaking a bit faster, afraid to be seen out before finishing his explanation, "Miss. Elizabeth Bennet was there visiting and I had the pleasure to renew the acquaintance. It has come to my attention that Miss Jane Bennet has been here in London for a time with your family, unbeknownst to those of us that stayed in Hertfordshire. I am here to ask for your help in remedying that." Darcy said.
"Ah! I see, so you have come to assist in the great matter of Jane." Mr. Gardiner said with a wink and nod.
Thank goodness the man is more like his sister than he is Mr. Bennet, thought Darcy with a sigh of relief.
"Mr. Darcy, you may just be the answer to my poor wife's prayers. Come to my back office, we can speak freely there." He said, leading Darcy to the back door.
"I think you and I have aligned interests. I don't have long for indeed I am to go pick up Elizabeth and Miss. Lucas this afternoon. Right through here sir." he insisted, opening the door.
Some fifteen minutes later Mr. Darcy was seen out by Mr. Gardiner. They shook hands as they said goodbye. Outside Mr. Darcy gathered the reins of the old mare to walk back instead of riding. He did not trust himself to ride. Whatever mental acuity he came to the shop with was spent in conversation with Mr. Gardiner.
He really is similar to Mrs. Bennet, Darcy thought, looking forward to the bed waiting for him.