What A Young Man Ought To Be
A Pleasant Shock!
February 14th 1812
Even though there was a month and a half till spring, the promise of it hung in the air. The sun was out and the sky was crystal clear. It was the perfect day for a walk in the park for young gentlemen and ladies. There was the verdant green grass peeking through little patches of snow that had once bedecked the land the day before. Purple crocuses peered shyly through the underbrush. Everything was all that was right in the world.
Except for Mr Charles Aubrey Bingley, it may as well have been gloomy, dull and colourless. For where there was no Miss Jane Bennet there existed nothingness. Food lost its flavour, music its cadence, and dancing its joy. There was little of the promise of Spring without Miss Jane Bennet.
It was with this heavy heart that he went to Gardiners Imports and Exports to discuss investing in their company.
"Mr Bingley," Edward Gardiner shook the man's hand heartily, the smile though did not quite reach Edward's eyes, nor, Edward noticed - did Charles'. "I must admit I was shocked to hear your interest in my company."
"I understand from a mutual acquaintance in Mr Dalrymple that you were accepting investors. I wrote to your address and here we are."
"I must say I take the measure of a man by how he dines," Edward said, for he had his reasons for doing so. So this was the young man who has broken my poor niece's heart with his callous disinterest. "In fact, that is the reason for this late call to my office. My house is just around the corner," he said, "would you be prepared to dine and then we can talk business over port afterwards."
"Thank you I should be delighted," Charles responded although there was a despondent air to the man, Edward noticed his slow step and wavering gait as he let Mr Gardiner lead him out of the warehouses and onto the street. "I say you keep things well stocked and, from what I observe, quite fine things too."
Edward nodded, "Only the best for Gardiner's Imports and Exports," said Edward with truthful sincerity and a hint of pride colouring his tone, "I am honest in all my dealings, Mr Bingley, I believe in honesty always being the best policy - I only invest in those who have honest intentions."
"Sound advice," Bingley replied. "I hope to always be honest in mine," he said with much vehemence.
He was about to discover just how dishonest some people had been to him.
They were on the street now and fell in step with each other. Edward Gardiner was a man of fashion and sense, he was in his late thirties but still quite handsome, and he was of a mind to tell the young man exactly what he thought of him. Well-mannered and polite in all his dealings. Yet was as cunning as a serpent in his investments. He also believed that you reaped what you sowed.
For no one could be more surprised than he when he received a letter from the swain who had used his beloved niece ill. Once he read the letter he and his wonderful wife Martha came up with the idea of a late business meeting that would lead to a dinner invitation which he could not refuse if he was serious in his intentions of investing in the company. Edward was given to understand not to let a hint of Miss Jane Bennet pass his lips until he saw her, and not a word was spoken to Miss Jane Bennet in case their plan went awry. So it was that within five minutes they were at the Gardiner's front door, and once the door opened a manservant appeared efficient and ready to take coats and other accoutrements known to winter from his master and his master's guest.
"The ladies are waiting in the parlour sir," the manservant said.
"Thank you Timmons," Edward said.
"Ladies?" Bingley questioned. If this was an attempt at a match he would soon leave, for there was only one lady his heart beat for.
"My wife and my niece," said Edward enigmatically as he opened the door. "Would you wish to meet her?"
"Your wife, yes but I am not up to meeting…" he stopped short as he strode up to the man who had stood aside so his guest could enter the parlour, "Miss Bennet!" he exclaimed.
For there, sat in wide-eyed shock was Miss Jane Bennet in a heavenly cornflour blue gown with silvery leaves along the lace bringing out the deep blue of her angelic eyes.
"Mr Bingley?"
"What, how… where?" he was discombobulated.
The last person he expected to dine with was the same person he would dine with every night for the rest of his life. Once again, the promise of spring entered Mr Bingley's soul.