Pride and Prejudice
Fan Fiction
NOTE: for anyone else asking...All I know is 'Caleb' wants to ask the Duke, but wants to do it when they are alone. I promise a time comes when that happens.
Cracking the Mask
Previously:
"Yes, I agree." Paul was delighted to soon find himself with a pole in hand, standing on the edge of a pond with Mr. Caddick and Mr. Gardiner, discussing anything Caleb wished to, as the doctor had suggested. He was also pleased that Mr. Caddick had accepted their invitation to bring his family to London to visit the Gardiners, as well as to Longbourn and Netherfield.
London's Visit
Ch. 17
The Caddicks' coach was a large and elegant vehicle, drawn by four chestnut horses. It had a dark green body, adorned with gold trimmings and the crest of the Marquess of Kendal. Lewis, who was now just as bedridden as his father, had insisted on giving them his father's old coach, which Roger had not wanted.
"When father passes on, you can take the crest off. For now, please leave it on. It warms his heart that his daughter is not having to leave the estate. And to be able to use his carriage is icing on the cake," had been her brother's exact words.
The coachman and the footmen wore liveries of the same color, with hats and gloves. The coach rolled smoothly along the paved streets of London, attracting the attention of the passers-by. It stopped in front of a handsome townhouse, where Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner lived. The footmen quickly descended from their seats and opened the door of the coach. Out stepped Lady Arwen, followed by Mr. Caddick and his two children. They were greeted warmly by Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, who had been waiting for them at the entrance. Their coach was then driven to the back of the house, where the horses and the luggage were taken care of.
"I think you just gave our neighbors food for their tongues to wag," Mrs. Gardiner's chest shook with amusement.
"I am sorry, I do not mean to go around giving false impressions," Mr. Caddick said, allowing his wife and children to go in first. He also waited for Mrs. Gardiner to go in, as he was taking in the view of the outside of their home.
It was a two-story home, three if you counted the servants' quarters. To him, it looked just like any other London townhouse. However, he had to give Mrs. Gardiner credit, her multi-colored flowers brightened up her home. Her small iron fence surrounding the home felt like men on guard. It did not feel like a place Mr. Caddick would desire to live, but this was not his home. Hence, he could visit with no issues.
Once inside, Mr. Gardiner apologized for the mess. "My wife got it into her head to remodel. About the only thing that has stayed the same is our wedding picture over the fireplace."
A new yellow paint was in the process of being put on the wall, and pale white furniture was covered up in the main parlor. "We have a small drawing room. Let us go there." Mr. Gardiner led Mr. Caddick into the drawing room, where the rest of Caleb's family were already visiting with Edward's wife.
Mrs. Gardiner was sitting in a cozy cushioned chair next to an empty fireplace. Dylan sat in his chair between her and the sofa, where his mother and sister were comfortably seated. Caleb joined his wife on the sofa, and Mr. Gardiner sat in another cushioned chair on the other side.
Two windows, on either side of the fireplace, had their curtains drawn back, which allowed natural light into the room. Along with a third window that had been placed near a corner of the room, they created a bright and airy atmosphere. More than one set of drawers displayed wash basins, tea sets, and other items. A large Persian rug covered the wood floor, adding warmth and color to the room.
"Who painted your pictures?" Mr. Caddick asked, looking at Mrs. Gardiner's portrait that hung over the fireplace and another lady above the couch. The second one felt oddly familiar to him, but Caleb found himself having no desire to ask who it was for a feeling of nag, nag came along with the picture.
"My sister, she passed away three years ago." Mrs. Gardiner said, with a hint of sadness in her voice. She did not offer Francine's name, as much as it was in her heart to do so. No, what took more priority was Thomas' mental health and the doctor's orders had been clear; Thomas was to remember on his own-nothing was to come from them.
"I am sorry to hear that. She did an excellent job." Mr. Caddick said, politely then ventured to ask, since they were alone in the man's own home. "Have we met before?" He sensed a meeting, but not how.
"Yes, we have." Mr. Gardiner smiled and dared answer for the doctor said they could answer any questions as long as they did not elaborate; how he hoped 'Caleb' would ask for more details; and he did, sort of.
"Were we partners?"
"No, my good man, we were not."
"What a relief, I mean, what a relief I did not live in London." He was horrified how that must have come across at first and quickly apologized; Mr. Gardiner brushed it off saying he had easily figured out what the gentleman had meant. Unfortunately, for Edward though, Caleb asked no more questions.
"We were serious about that trip down to visit our relatives. I warn you, though, if Mrs. Philips ever gets a hold of you, well, that tongue of hers flaps more than any wind. Lately, I have been trying my best to avoid her home. You would be best to avoid the lady whenever possible and trust a third of what Mrs. Philip says."
"Mr. Gardiner, what a thing to say." Mrs. Gardiner then admitted her husband was correct. "I just hate talking bad about her; dear sister does have her good points, sadly, her loose lips are not among those attributes."
"We appreciate the warning."
However, the Duke is going through the process of acquiring Netherfield and is agreeing to still rent a part of the house to a young couple by the name of Charles and Jane Bingley. They are the sweetest couple you could meet. Mrs. Bingley is my niece. She is the eldest of my deceased sister. Her mouth does not flap. Good heavens, half the time, one does not even know the lady is there, for she is so quiet."
"Is that your only relation down in that area?" Mrs. Caddick asked, hoping asking casual, non-threatening questions to the Gardiners would not harm Caleb's mind.
"I have two more nieces in that area. One is Mrs. Mary Wadsworth. She lives in Meryton. Her sister Catherine, whom we all simply call Kitty, lives at home at Longbourn." Mr. Gardiner answered a few other questions and shook his head when it came to Collins.
"I do not care for William Collins; the man is too full of himself. And, personally, I think he is a little too eager for his cousin, Miss Kitty to marry." Mr. Gardiner was going to say more as to the question Mrs. Caddick had, tactfully asked in attempts to help her spouse, only the gentleman did not dare mention Longbourn again. Nor was he crazy enough to mention Collins' name again as Mr. Caddick's hand had twitched ever so slightly at William's and Longbourn's names. It was the one sign that the doctor had ordered him to watch for.
'If his hand starts twitching, change subjects without hesitation.'
"I am feeling hungry, my dear…" Mr. Gardiner turned to his wife. "Please, be a dear and go see if the cook has our noonday meal ready for us."
"Yes, of course." Mrs. Gardiner had seen the same thing and knew of the orders. Hence, her willingness to do as asked.
Soon after, they were all sitting at the dining room table, enjoying various cuts of cold meat that had been arranged on a platter, along with sandwiches filled with cheese, cucumber, or egg. Fresh fruit was also served on a plate, and a couple of different choices for beverages, including milk, were offered.
"I was thinking, if you do not mind…" Mr. Gardiner said, in a relaxed and friendly tone, "We could all travel to Netherfield in my carriage. I would love to see my nieces and, well, truth be told, that sister of mine. If she gets wind of a carriage with the crest of a marquess on it, well, you, my poor man, would get no peace, nor would your new family." Staying at Longbourn, for now, Mr. Gardiner was not convinced was a good idea.
"I thank you for thinking of us. If Mrs. Caddick does not mind, I see no reason why we should not travel together."
"I see no reason why not." Lady Arwen loved the idea of having Mrs. Gardiner as company.