Pride and Prejudice FF

Unbreakable Bonds

Previously:

"I am sure Mrs. Rhy is involved in the road closure somehow," Mr. Bennet said to himself, giving the reins a slight flick as the horses slowed down too much. He tried to focus on what he could do rather than on a daughter whom he could not bring home at the moment.

Questions Begin

Ch. 20

The bell above the door loudly rang as another customer entered Richard's well-regarded shop, nestled in the heart of Bath's bustling districts of shops full of goods from faraway places- a few as far as Japan. The walls were lined with shelves that cradled a myriad of artifacts, each with its own tale painted, or etched, into their surfaces. The air was thick with the scent of aged wood and varnish.

Richard was meticulously examining a newly acquired portrait when he heard the murmur of voices rising from the front of the store. He placed the portrait gently on the velvet-lined counter and made his way towards the gathering.

A small group which had formed around a display of ancient coins and jewelry wore looks of high skepticism as their foreheads crinkled while looking at three items.

Richard approached; his own brow furrowed in curiosity. "Good day," he greeted them with a courteous nod. "Is there something I can assist you with?"

One of the customers, a regular with an eye as discerning as Richard's, held up a coin, the light catching its surface in a way that seemed just a touch too brilliant. "We were just admiring your collection here, but there seems to be a bit of a concern," the customer began, his tone respectful yet firmer than he normally used when visiting Mr. Rhy's shop.

Richard took the coin, his fingers tracing the edges as he brought it closer to his eyes. "What seems to be the matter?" he inquired, his voice steady. "I see nothing wrong with this piece."

"It is about the authenticity of a few other pieces," another customer interjected, gesturing towards the display. "We have been comparing notes, and there are inconsistencies that are rather troubling."

Richard's eye widened in shock. He had checked the items the night before. Everything should have been fine. The very foundation of his reputation was the integrity of his collection. He had taken great pains to make sure the authenticity of his artifacts were genuine. So, any suggestion of counterfeit items within his shop put a serious blemish upon his honor. He assured the customers, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly. Point out any of the problems to me, I do not wish to miss any of them. Your trust in my establishment is of the utmost importance to me."

As the customers nodded in agreement, Richard's gaze swept across his place of business. The shop, usually a place of wonder and discovery, now felt like a stage for a mystery that Richard was determined to solve. He would need to scrutinize every item, retrace every acquisition, and ensure that the legacy of his shop remained untarnished.

"I will help you." Mr. Bradly, the second gentleman who had spoken up, "I have the extra time."

So, Richard closed the shop up early and the men began to -painstakingly - go through the items. Coins, jewelry, vases, books and even a few portraits. There was not a single item that was not gone over. It was in the end half a dozen items that were found to be fake.

"How did they get in here? I swear I go over everything with a fine-tooth comb." Mr. Rhy's reaction was too honest to be faked, Mr. Bradly could tell.

"Do you lock up night?" Mr. Bradly knew - at times- Mr. Rhy was a little too trusting.

"I could have sworn I did." Mr. Rhy ran everything through his mind and then groaned. "No, I did not. My wife came in and was pressing me something fierce about being late to some stupid party. I finally consented to go to it and left early; I forgot to lock up."

"I suggest next time someone comes in, related or not, wanting you to go anywhere..." The man patted Mr. Rhy's shoulder and gave a sympathetic smile. "Lock up, even if they are in a hurry." The gentleman then excused himself and made his departure.

Mr. Rhy, after ensuring that all the questionable items were placed in a bin marked 'free', took extra precautions he had never deemed necessary before. He locked the back doors and secured the top bolts firmly. He went about locking the windows and even found pieces of wood to reinforce them shut. It was only when he heard the front door opening did he step back out to the front of the shop.

"Why the sudden interest in coming down to the shop now, Mrs. Rhy?" Richard's words came out sharper than he intended, and he realized he had snapped only after the fact. There was no taking it back now.

"Your mother sent me to fetch you but said we could eat our lunch first," Mrs. Rhy replied, her tone as pristine as her white gloves, which she made no move to remove. "Is there a crime in that?"

"No, you have delivered the message. Now you may leave," Richard said, his voice firm.

Patricia would normally have retorted, but the stern look in her husband's eyes gave her pause, so she simply informed him of their lunch invitation at the Royal Inn. "I will meet you there, or you can accompany me?"

"I will see you there shortly," Richard replied.

Once Mrs. Rhy had left, Richard turned his attention to a more covert task. He positioned an exquisite piece of jewelry—a piece tempting enough to catch a thief's eye—on top of a shelf that was visible from the only unsecured entryway. If there was a thief, and they took the bait, Richard expected they would replace the genuine article with a fake, revealing their deceit. With the trap set, he locked the front door behind him and headed to the Royal Inn, leaving the shop seemingly vulnerable, yet under his subtle surveillance.

The royal inn was not so royal, not in Richard's opinion. It was had plenty of light, nine windows at the end of the room, The skylight aided the windows and allowed even more sunshine in. Light blue paint cheered up the room. The food may not have been the best; however, it was not right down horrible. So, that was not the really the problem; it was the company he had to keep.

Mr. Rhy's wife harping over his lack of allowing Mr. Tyler to go into business with him was. So, in spite of what he had claimed to Mr. Bennet, Richard - to a degree- did have a backbone to him. That is, when it came to his place of work he did.

"Mrs. Rhy..." Richard glared at his wife. "I already told you... Mr. Tyler might be a successful businessman from London; he may own multiple shops over in York, and surrounding towns, I am not interested in being partners with him."

Patricia, not discouraged by her husband's firm opinion, gathered her composure and presented a counterargument which she hoped would sway his decision. "My dearest Richard," The lady began, honestly believing what she had read about Mr. Tyler's proposition, "consider the advantages of expanding the areas your business could reach. Mr. Tyler's success in London and York is not simply by mere chance." She sat straight and spread a napkin onto her lap. "It is the result of shrewd business deals and creating a network that could be beneficial to us."

Mrs. Rhy leaned in closer, her expression taking on a more earnest look in the hopes of winning him over to her way of thought. "Think of the stability it could bring to our estate; we could have the same amount a year your brother has. Aligning ourselves with Mr. Tyler could secure our future, especially in these unpredictable times. And let us not forget though time is running out, I still may bear you a child. What then? Should we not do all we can to secure him, or her, a future they would not have otherwise?" She held his gaze, hoping her argument had given him cause to reconsider.

"They would have enough as it is." Richard stood up. "You can finish the meal alone. I am finished...especially seeing as how any company that invited us have had no decency to show up." The gentleman walked out the door in spite of the protests of his 'poor wife'.