Chapter 10

Mr Bennet had remembered the letter when he returned home from the theatre. He poured himself a glass of wine picked up the letter and retired to his bedroom. His valet had lit the lamps and turned the bed down and waited to undress his employer. Once undressed and in bed he savoured the wine. He broke the seal on the letter

Dear Sir,

I hope this letter finds you and our girls well. As requested this is to inform you that Mr Collins did arrive at the house two days after you had left. He was very angry that we would not let him in to take inventory and also none of your daughters were in residence either. I informed him that you had been called to London suddenly. He wasn't inclined to believe me and said he would contact his patroness on what to do next. He has left the area as nobody was willing to give your direction in London. Further-more we are all doing very well as are all at home farm.

Our best wishes

Mr and Mrs Hill

Mr Bennet chuckled to himself, human nature it always amused him. He also ruminated on what Matlock had suggested he would suggest that to the big man. He had sent a letter earlier requesting their best forger. He had their new coding ready that was meant to be intercepted. New codewords and ways of writing certain things and typical slang words would help throw people off the scent of what they were up to. It had been a major headache for him and his team to sort out in the time frame that they had been given. He sat for a while savouring his wine going over a mental checklist of all that they had accomplished and still yet to do. He had told Wellesley himself about Elizabeth cracking the code. The great man had been very impressed. They had sat for a half hour together and Bennet had sung his daughters praises on the other times she had helped him. Wellesley had smiled and asked if Elizabeth would appreciate a chess set too. Bennet laughed with him "I have no doubt that she will Sir"

####################

Richard and several men followed Jem and Colin through the back street of the slum. Eventually they drew near on a most disreputable inn. No doubt this is all he can afford Richard thought grimly. He sent Jem and three men around the back just in case and entered the main door with the rest. It took a moment or two for their eyes to adjust. Several patrons were puffing on their clay pipes and the scent of cheap tobacco hung on the air. The floor was covered with old sawdust and there were several large clumps where ale had been dropped on it. Richard looked around and saw George Wickham sitting alone in a corner nursing a tankard. His dishevelled appearance gave testimony to the state he was in. Richard signalled to the men that their target was in sight. They moved closer George didn't see it coming the blow Richard aimed at his head found its mark with a satisfying crunch as a bone was broken. "That's for Anne"

George fell to the ground and the men picked him up Richard sent another blow to the mans nose and more crunches signalled a broken nose "That is for your scuppered plans for Georgiana" The man in front of him blood flowing freely. The other men had joined them now. "Take him to the docks there is a troupe ship leaving for The America's tomorrow they will need another hand. Or any other ship leaving for any far flung place that could get some work out of this scum" Richard spat. The men nodded and hauled a protesting George Wickham away. Richard dusted his hands in satisfaction, George Wickham had tried to compromise his cousin Anne and she was still nervous of any men that came in the vicinity of Rosing's. Jem and Collin happily chatted as they led the Colonel out of the backstreets. Darcy had told them of his plans for Pemberly and Jem almost wished he was going too but he loved London too much also being messenger boy to Mr Darcy prospects were open here to him. Mr Darcy's valet was teaching him to read and write and he loved the mathematics and problem solving he was given. Yes life was good for Jem.

#####################

Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley had called on the ladies in the afternoon the day was glorious and they had an open carriage to request their ladies go on a drive through the park. Jane and Elizabeth got their spencer's and parasols and left. It was still early in the day for the promenade where people wanted to be seen and look at others and if there were tidbits of gossip all the better. The gentleman happily sat next to their ladies. The sun dappled pleasantly through the trees. Upon entering the park Darcy suggested they walk for a while. The ladies agreed to this and soon they had found a path to their liking and set out. There was soon enough of a gap to warrant some privacy for their conversation. Darcy looked at Elizabeth "Miss Elizabeth, I have a confession to make" she looked at him "will it endanger anyone I love?" he looked down at her and smiled "no, its about me, I have shown a side of me not often seen. Richard made a bet with me when he knew I was coming to Hertfordshire with Bingley, he bet that I couldn't talk to people or dance with people beyond my own party. I proved him wrong and consequently won his hunter now at stud at Pemberly"

Elizabeth smiled at him "Well I was very grateful to you rescuing me when we first met and I am glad to have got to know you.

Darcy sighed in relief he didn't want any secrets from her "I have not always enjoyed balls and have been avoiding them when I could, My aunt Catherine had been pushing me to marry her daughter Anne. I love her as a cousin and family member but she is sickly and weak. A childhood friend tried to compromise her and she is now nervous of men, even her cousins. My father made me promise to marry for love as he did." He looked at her "I think I have found it, Miss Elizabeth I am not one for great romantic gestures and long flowery speeches, but would you make me the happiest of men by becoming my wife"

Elizabeth took hold of both his hands "Yes Mr Darcy, I would love you to be my husband"

They smiled at each other, Darcy looked around him seeing nobody in sight except Bingley and Jane ahead of them and they seemed to be deep in conversation he lifted Elizabeth's chin and kissed her.

"To seal the deal" he smiled down at her. Then reaching into his pocket he brought out a small box "would you do me the honour of wearing this ring, it has been handed down for Darcy brides to wear for an engagement"

Elizabeth opened the box to see the most beautiful diamond ring in the shape of a flower. The clusters of gold that held the diamond looked like petals. "I would be honoured to wear this" she said to him.

"In private would you call me Fitzwilliam, or just William"

"I think just William is perfect"

"I will speak to your father when we return" Darcy said as taking her arm again he placed her hand on his arm and they moved forward to meet up with the others

"I think that was the courtship in history" she smiled at him

"When you know, you know and I wanted to secure you before the hordes descend on us." He smiled down on her Georgiana would be so pleased with him. He said as much to Elizabeth.

She smiled at him "I do like your sister, I hope she will not mind gaining so many more"

"She will enjoy it very much"

###################

Mary and Kitty had found some very unusual and pretty flowers to draw. There was a handy bench for them to sit on. The warmth of the enormous glass house and the scents that lingered on the air was very heady. Mary looked at the rich creamy texture of the gardenia she was drawing she would have loved to fill a garden with them. The orchids too, so many colours a veritable palette full.

"Miss Mary, Miss Kitty, how good to see you again" Mr Warner walked along the path towards them leading an older lady. "May I introduce my mother Lady Castlemaine, Mother this is Miss Mary and Miss Kitty Bennet"

The young ladies rose and curtsied in greeting. They made pleasantries to the Lady and Gentleman

"Are you in town long" the Lady enquired of them

"I think we are staying for the Season" Mary said "My father has business with the war office" All of the sisters were very proud of their father.

"He is not in trade is he" The Lady was affronted

"No, Ma'am he is working with The iron Duke" said Kitty

The Lady was mollified with this information. I will need your direction to send you an invitation to the ball I am holding next week.

"We already have an invite" said Mary "you included myself and my two older sisters when our ,

Lady Castlemaine smiled genuinely for the first time, "I went to finishing school with your aunts" her eyes took on a faraway look "we had the best of times together" she looked at Kitty. "will you be joining us"

Kitty smiled "No ma'am I am not out"

"Reginald, we must have the youngsters to tea"

Mr Warner smiled at Kitty "indeed we should"

Mr Warmer turned to Mary "I hope you do come to the ball and if you do could I claim the first dance"

"You may" Mary said, she felt butterflies in her tummy. He truly was very handsome and his love of plants and other subjects that they had talked about intrigued her.

"We have to leave now as Mother has some calls to make" he truly was sorry to be leaving Miss Mary was everything lovely and like him a little shy. "Will you be here tomorrow?"

Mary looked at Kitty who shrugged "If my family have no need of me we shall be here. I want to add to the gardenia's"

The girls curtseyed again and Mother and son left. When they were out of earshot his mother said to him "I like her very well, she doesn't fawn or push herself forward yes I like her very well indeed"

Kitty looked at her sister and smirked "I promise not to say anything to Jane and Lizzie" she laughed as Mary made a face at her.

#####################

Mr Bennet didn't have time for Darcy when he brought Elizabeth back to the house. She allowed him another kiss on the doorstep and with a spring in his step together with Bingley they entered the carriage to ride back to Darcy House. When they went into the house the footman informed him that Miss Bingley was in the Parlour with Miss Darcy and Mrs Younge. He couldn't in all good conscience leave his sister. Bingley and Darcy looked at each other in dismay. Darcy told the footman to bring them some wine. They headed for the parlour and it seemed very quiet. Georgiana was pleased to see her brother and his friend. She offered to order more tea but Darcy told her that the footman was bringing them some wine. Miss Bingley asked her brother about the evening at the theatre and he told her he had really enjoyed himself. Miss Bingley had been trying to ferret out the information from Miss Darcy but she had only told her of Lady Chalmers and Lady Lewis and their sons and Richard. Miss Bingley didn't like Richard. Georgiana had started to tell her of the ball that Lady Matlock was organising. Now that she had her brother in her grasp Miss Bingley asked if he had received an invitation to the Matlock ball. He told her that it had only been decided between the three ladies and Mrs Gardiner.

"and who is Mrs Gardiner" Miss Bingley asked

"Madeline Gardiner and her husband Edward are very good friend of the Earl and his Lady" said Bingley.

The footman entered then with the decanter of wine and brandy and two glasses which he set down near Darcy. Darcy thanked him and he bowed and left the room Miss Bingley sniffed at the courtesy shown to a servant, she would never do such a thing. Darcy indicated the two decanters and Bingley requested the wine. Darcy smiled "I am going to have to send a cart for more"

Bingley looked shocked and Darcy shrugged "its excellent wine so worth the trouble"

Richard came into the room then "I am shattered, Bennet has done everything he can, he apologised for not being able to see you today but things were happening and he wanted to finish as quickly as they could"

Darcy nodded "I will call on him tomorrow"