Mr. Darcy's Gentleman's club ~ 9 am sharp! (Chapter 4)
Wickham yawned silently and lazily drew his pocket watch off the bed stand. Noting it was almost eight in the morning Wickham quickly straightened up in the armchair he had fallen asleep in. He glanced at the rabble of curls poking above the blankets bunched up on the bed. He quietly sucked in his breath and reached for his jacket that lay crumpled on the floor. He shook it out, again careful to be as quiet as possible. As much as he did not desire to be late for his appointment with Darcy and that wretched uncle of Lydia's he preferred not to awaken the wrench. He had enough of her caterwauling and throwing of slippers last night when he returned from his card game on - street. If only Darcy had advanced him at least a little money, he could have bought the silly girl a bonnet or something yesterday and he would not have needed to avoid her the rest of the day in hopes of evading her inevitable tongue lashing about not having proper wedding clothes and never eating out, never being seen in the right places!
"La" he mimicked sarcastically and grimaced. Boots in hand, his coat over his shoulder Wickham silently slid out the door and gently pulled it to, leaving it just slightly ajar to avoid the click of the handle. He glanced quickly to the left and then right. His eyes gleamed. The door to Mrs. Jansen's door was partly opened. "The lady must enjoy an early breakfast he thought unless she is just trying to create a cross breeze with the door?" he wondered to himself. Swiftly he crossed the hall and peaked in the room, lightly knocking on it with the plan of asking if she would like company in the dining room below… The door swung open showing the room to be empty and Wickham quickly slid inside and was surprised to see her bed was already made. "My, my" he muttered to himself – "you are indeed an early riser Mrs. Jansen." Without another thought, his hand swept across the dressing table and slid a pair of diamond ear rings along with a delicate gold chain into the boots he had clutched in his right hand. Unable to believe his good luck Wickham turned on his heel and left the room not even bothering to close the door behind. He resisted the urge to dance a little jig and hurried down the stairs in his stocking feet. He swept into the boarders parlour and sat down in the chair behind the parlour door. He upended one of his tall leather boots and chuckled to himself as he felt the pleasant weight of the precious jewels land in his hand. Slipping both the earrings and necklace into his waistcoat pocket, his smile widened perceptibly. Quickly he pulled his boots then drew on his jacket. Satisfied with what he saw in the mirror beside the door he bounded out the front door and down the steps. He made his way quickly to the corner when he was in luck and caught a hackney coach as it was passing. Before the half hour was up he was alighting in front of Darcy's Gentleman's club. It had been a while since he had been admitted there. He wondered if Darcy would be waiting inside or if he might have to use a little of last night's winnings to convince the doorman that he was actually expected.
Hearing carriage wheels rolling up the street, he turned and saw Mr. Gardiner arriving in a postchaise. Nervously swallowing his relief at not having to deal alone with the doorman Wickham patiently waited for Mr. Gardiner to descend from his carriage. Mr. Gardiner tipped his hat lightly towards Wickham who nodded his head and the two ascended the deep gray stoned stairs to the entrance of this elegant and not unprestigious club. As they entered together it was obvious that Mr. Gardiner was awaited for as the doorman discreetly signaled them to follow him to one of the private rooms where Darcy was waiting for them both.
Darcy arose from the table he was seated behind upon which lay a pen with its nib freshly cut, a pot of black ink and a neat pile of papers. Wickham's stomach grumbled slightly in response to the pungent aroma of the fresh coffee that rose from a nearby urn of coffee. His eyes searched out the coffee and then strayed to the plate of hot sweet rolls sitting on the walnut hued buffet against the wall. he licked his lips almost imperceptibly. Despite his hunger – his eyes roamed back to the stack of papers – most of them awaiting his signature. Unconsciously, his fingers strayed to the very slight but pleasantly heavy bulge of his jacket pocket. They rested there for only a second before he offered his hand to Darcy and nodded to him with a grin of satisfaction on his face.
He glanced at the pile of papers and smiled at Darcy; "Is everything in place so that my bride to be and I may get to the nuptials soon – our boarding rooms are, how shall I say it – slightly cramped. I am looking forward to better lodgings soon. "
Darcy swallowed his irritation with the man and nodded curtly. After the briefest of handshakes possible he indicated that Wickham should be seated. He turned to his other guest and shook his hand firmly while asking: "How is Mrs. Gardiner – she is well, I trust?" Mr. Gardiner affirmed this adding. "She will rest easier once we have her niece better situated in our home so that we may reassure my brother and sister, that their daughter is safe and will be married within the week.
Darcy nodded his agreement and they both sat. Darcy signaled the manservant to serve them the rolls and coffee and the three of them began the business of signing Lydia's dowry and future away into the hands of Mr. Wickham.