Chapter 7

Darcy's carriage pulled up in front of his townhouse and both men alighted. His valet Davis directed the unloading "The wine to the study Sir?"

"Yes, thank you" he replied

Entering the house there was a swirl of muslin and blonde hair as his sister threw herself into his arms "Oh brother you are home at last" Georgiana sighed dramatically

Darcy laughed at her "It has only been a couple of weeks"

Georgiana seeing Mr Bingley curtsied and bade him welcome. Mrs Younge Georgiana's companion entered the parlour and greeted the gentlemen. Georgiana requested tea from the housekeeper Mrs Mills. When they were settled and drinking their tea Georgiana bubbled with conversation she looked at Mr Bingley and said "Miss Bingley tried to visit last week, but we were out at Kew so were not at home to her, and while we were at Kew we met George, he said he hadn't seen you in an age and he would surely call on you"

Darcy who had been contemplating his teacup whilst his sister chatted looked up to see a very sour look on Mrs Younge's face that was interesting he thought "Yes, it has been a while" he could feel Mrs Younge looking at him for a reaction but he wasn't going to give her the satisfaction. "Little one, I need to sort my mail so I will see you later for a lovely long chat"

His sister drooped a little at that but she had him back now so knew they would spend more time together. "Yes, she said I look forward to it" she gave her brightest smile and he kissed her cheek.

"Bingley you can join me while I sort you can pour" Darcy strode quickly to his study with Bingley following in his wake.

"George, she doesn't mean Wickham does she" Bingley's hand was already reaching for the decanter.

"Yes, she does" Darcy's whole body nearly shook with anger. He reached for the bell and tugged moments later a footman stepped in "ah Bob is Jem around"

The footman thought for a moment "He should be in the kitchen, shall I fetch him?"

"If you would, please" Darcy picked up his pen and started to write.

A knock at the door heralded Jem's arrival. "Yes Sir"

Darcy looked up at him a former street urchin able to hide in plain sight. "Jem how many of your friends can you gather in short notice?"

Jem thought for a moment "oh about ten I should say"

"Excellent, I need you to shadow Mrs Younge whenever she leaves the house. Mix it up a bit with your friends they will be well compensated" Darcy smiled but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "I also need you to take this round to my Solicitor"

Jem took the letter and popped it into his pocket "I will speak to my friends after this delivery" he caught the pouch of coins Darcy tossed to him and that disappeared into another pocket

"It helps to watch on a full stomach, get them some pies" Darcy said

Jem made a short bow and skipped out of the room. Darcy watched him go. Bingley handed him a glass of wine and they touched glasses. His eyes opened wide, "that's the elderberry" his face split into a wide grin. "I think I might be buying up as much of the stock as they can possibly make"

Bingley laughed "and if I am lucky enough to win Miss Bennet's hand I will live just three miles away from the source and have the luxury to try out all their experiments"

"It is good that Hurst will be in Devon being a Father" Darcy smiled

The knocker sounded loudly at the not quite shut door and moments later Richard strode in. Heading straight for the decanter he poured himself almost a full glass he sat and groaned then took a good swallow of the wine. His eyes shot open "someone has been to Longbourn" he smiled his appreciation.

"So, what can you actually tell us in strictest confidence of course" Bingley enquired

Richard took another pull of his wine and set the glass down. "hmmmm, ok, um I have been the liaison officer between Bennet and the war office nearly from the start when I was a mere Captain. He was roped in due to his knowledge of languages which include Russian and French and excellent German. Wellesley has had a lot of contact with him especially when the first missives started to be intercepted." Richard took up his glass again and emptied it.

Darcy stood and collected the decanter and poured each of them a fuller glass. That Mr Bennet was an intelligent man he already knew having spent time with him but this, oh my word

"Prinnie, has been waiting to bestow an earldom on him, he has already refused a knighthood" Richard said

Both Bingley and Darcy said "what!" at the same time

"Yes, said he isn't interested in a title just that his family are happy" Richard took a smaller sip of his wine "he was also a part of the team that set up our coding, they still haven't been able to crack that" he said with satisfaction.

Mr Bennet looked around his new study. He sat in a very comfortable chair behind the biggest desk he had ever seen. Several more chairs dotted around the room and writing equipment in the main draw which was also lockable he had also been shown a hidden compartment in both desk and room. Richard had been very thorough. Next door was his bedroom, the girls had explored the house and everyone was happy except him. He was tired it had been a long war for him. His nephew Adam Lewis was still as far as he knew in Portugal in a field hospital. He had been informed that he would receive several of his colleague's the next morning. They had given him a couple of days to recover from the journey, he had been bed bound unable to move the first day and now thankfully the pain had eased and he was able to get around at his usual speed. He knew of the plans to elevate him and he knew he would refuse. He had never wanted a title all he wanted was his family to be happy and his books. He had finished his Plato and now it was time for something else maybe something whimsical his eyes fell onto a copy of A Midsummer Nights Dream yes perfect. He poured himself a glass of mead and settled down to read.

The sisters were visiting their Gardiner relatives, enjoying the children Lydia and Kitty were excited to be visiting the modiste in the morning and they had been over to their uncle's warehouse to choose the materials to be used. It had been a wonderful experience for the younger girls including Mary. Jane and Elizabeth had been there several times over the years. Tomorrow all the aunts would descend with them on Madam Clarisse and her staff. She was foremost a business woman and had taken her business to the name most spoken about Mr Gardiner. He had helped her find a good property and the outfitting of said property including the small flat above that she could live in. He made sure she had the best material to work with and from his contacts the staffing. Her styles were immediately accepted by the Bon Ton and the ladies flocked to her. Both Jane and Elizabeth had had dresses made by her and were looking forward to seeing her fashion plates again.

"I think for the time you are here at least six ballgowns, five and ten day dresses and three theatre dresses, and a new riding dress each" Madeline Gardiner looked very satisfied as she finished the list for the older girls. Both Lizzie and Jane looked shocked.

"so many" Lizzie didn't mind being fitted for two or three but oh my so many.

A tap on the door and the maid entered "Lady Matlock ma'am"

Lady Matlock entered the room smiling at her friend Madeline. Madeline rose and went forward both hands held out "Jessie, it is so good to see you again you know Jane and Elizabeth and this is Mary, Kitty and Lydia" the girls properly curtsied. More tea was called for and an invitation to join them on the morrow for the visit to the modiste. Lady Jessica Matlock was very happy to finally meet all the Bennet's. She had a message from her husband for Mr Bennet so turning to Elizabeth she said "Matlock wants your fathers head on a plate"

Lizzie grinned at her, "Yes Richard informed him when he arrived in Hertfordshire, Father just laughed. He is looking forward to seeing you both and is intending to ask you all to dine with us as soon as he knows what's going on"

Jessica nodded in understanding, "Well the season hasn't started yet so we are pretty much free, I do want to invite you all to the theatre though next week they are showing Pirates of Penzance" the younger girls nearly squealed in their excitement.

"Madam Clarisse will have her work cut out getting five evening dresses made up it is good that she can get her hands on extra seamstresses at short notice we can sort out everything tomorrow" Madeline said.

"Miss Bennet" The nasally voice of Caroline Bingley interrupted the ladies as they were about to enter the salon. The footman had already entered with all the bolts of fabric from Mr Gardiners latest shipment.

Jane turned to Miss Bingley and greeted her. Lady Matlock, Lady Lewis and Lady Chalmers had already seen who had called out and knowing who and what she was had not even bothered to stay in her company. Mrs Gardiner moved closer to Jane. "Oh good day Miss Bingley, its good to see you again, I hope you are enjoying town"

"Yes, I have been so very busy, I didn't know you were coming to town" Miss Bingley was very put out at not having this information even though she had only spent one evening in her company.

"And Miss Eliza too" This was even more unwelcome. She had seen Darcy dancing and conversing with this upstart in a way he had never talked to her.

"Good day Miss Bingley, we cannot wait around Madam Clarisse is waiting for us" said Elizabeth and not even bothering to introduce her younger sisters they entered the salon. Jane said her goodbye and followed her sister.

Miss Bingley huffed at not being able to follow. She had not been accepted as a client of this modiste.