Chapter 28 #2
While Bennet sat and enjoyed his tea, he munched on one of three of Cook’s delectable shortbread biscuits from a plate next to him.
He looked around the room. Even though he would have preferred it to be some years in the future, he was ready to see Lizzy and Darcy in close conversation, one with the other.
However, he noticed that Bingley was paying Mary a reasonable amount of attention, and that was new.
The attention was not exclusive to Mary, but Bingley always returned to her after a short while.
His middle daughter was only nineteen. He told himself to relax; it was early days yet.
Tisha waited until Lizzy had drunk her tea before she approached her and requested a story.
With an apologetic look to William, Elizabeth allowed Tisha to sit between them and began to tell her a short story she had made up about a fairy queen and her court of fairies.
Seeing how good Elizabeth was with Tisha, enhanced her in Darcy’s eyes.
Once her guests had enjoyed their tea and treats, Fanny rang the bell, and Mrs Hill came and supervised the removal of the tea service. When Mrs Hill and the maids left the room, Fanny turned to Leticia. “Has Sir William mentioned the autumn assembly to anyone at Netherfield Park?” Fanny asked.
Leticia looked to her son, who shrugged his shoulders. “Charles, are you aware there is an assembly in Meryton on Friday?” she enquired. She had to smile at the way his head snapped up when he was addressed, as he had been paying attention to something Mary had been saying.
“Pardon me, Mrs Hurst, I did not hear what you said,” an embarrassed Bingley, the tips of his ears red, responded.
“Aunt Leticia asked if you know there is an assembly in Meryton on Friday,” Mary related.
“I was not aware, but we will attend, will we not?” Bingley enquired excitedly.
“It will be a pleasure to dance at the public ball,” Darcy said, all the while looking into his beloved’s fascinating emerald-green eyes.
“I have some urgent business in London, and I hope I will return by Friday,” Hurst stated. When his wife looked at him questioningly, he gave her a look telling her he would share all when they were in private. He saw Louisa nod her acceptance that they would talk when they could.
“Is the assembly open to all? Or do we need tickets?” Bingley queried.
“Residents of the estates in the neighbourhood do not need to purchase tickets,” Bennet responded. “Each estate pays a certain amount towards the costs of the assemblies—there are four each year—so only those who do not reside at an estate need a ticket.”
“In that case, will you grant me the first and supper set?” Darcy requested of Elizabeth.
“We do not have supper, so no supper set,” Elizabeth responded.
“In that case, may I engage you to dance the first and final sets with me?” Darcy amended.
“Yes, William, I would be more than pleased to dance those sets with you,” Elizabeth granted. “However, I once heard that you are not a man who enjoys the art of dancing.”
“That was before William met you,” Georgiana interjected smilingly.
“Not only did you help Gigi leave her shyness behind, but she seems to have learnt to be impertinent from you,” Darcy said in a jesting fashion.
He much preferred the outgoing person Gigi had become as her friendship, first with Elizabeth, and then with all the Bennet sisters, had deepened.
He turned to look at the woman he was courting.
“How can I not enjoy dancing when I am partnered with you?”
Elizabeth felt the compliment keenly and blushed deeply. She turned her attention back to a patient Tisha to complete the story.
“Miss Mary, may I presume to reserve the first set with you?” Bingley solicited. He held his breath while she made her decision.
“I would be pleased to open the assembly with you, Mr Bingley,” Mary agreed.
Bingley was trying to pluck up the courage to request a second set with Miss Mary when he looked over and saw Mr Bennet watching him intently.
As if he had divined Bingley’s thoughts, Mr Bennet shook his head, and Bingley understood that he was not to request more than one.
Instead, he asked for Miss Bennet’s second set, while Darcy reserved Miss Mary’s second one.
When Hurst noted that the hour was almost midday, he cleared his throat to get his brother-in-law’s attention. When he had it, he cocked his head towards the clock on the mantel.
Understanding the message, Bingley stood, as did the rest of the Netherfield Park Party, even if the two older Hurst children were reticent to leave.
Farewell greetings were conveyed, and Darcy promised to ride back later that afternoon, something greatly anticipated and appreciated by Elizabeth.
While the rest of their party were saying what they needed to and retrieving their outerwear, Louisa and Hurst slipped out and stood near the coach while Biggs and Johns ensured they had their privacy.
It took no time at all to inform Louisa why he had to go to London and what he was hoping to achieve. By the time the others had exited the manor house, Louisa had wholeheartedly endorsed her husband’s plan.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
St Claire was well pleased that Wickham was a faithful correspondent.
He needed the dupe to get close to Colonel Forster.
From the intelligence he had developed, this Forster had good connections, and some of those were other Colonels and one or two officers who were Generals, all of whom were in the regulars.
He was certain there would be some titbits about British movements and plans.
It was unconscionable that they dared to oppose the emperor.
He did not feel bad that he had turned his back on the country which had welcomed him and his late mother when they escaped France during the great terror.
His father had met his end on the guillotine.
At some point, he had been contacted by an agent of the emperor who had made him an offer he felt he could not refuse.
In return for working for France, all of his ancestral lands in Brittany would be restored to him.
There was nothing he would not do to regain his birthright.
His reverie was snapped when the butler brought him a new letter from Wickham. As he was also working for the glory of France, he did not need to be deaf like other men who worked in St Claire’s house.
As much as he wanted to speak in their mother tongue of French between them, St Claire dismissed the butler and was soon reading Wickham’s report.
2 October 1811
Bedford
Bedfordshire
St Claire:
I will soon be in a position to keep a close eye on Colonel Forster.
As you like details, let me tell you all.
You will remember that I told you I befriended Lieutenant James Denny, a 2nd son from a small estate near the town of Lambton in Derbyshire.
My aim in getting close to him was that he acts as an assistant to the colonel, more like a private secretary, opening and sorting the colonel’s post or anything else which crosses his desk.
Denny had been whinging that it was not the kind of work he wanted to be doing, but he could not complain, as he had been specifically chosen for the role by the colonel.
You told me that the best tales are the ones with truth at their heart. Remembering that, I told Denny how I had been a clerk in a law office and missed the kind of work he was decrying. At first, he was sceptical, but he soon began to believe me.
Like you told me to do, I have made myself agreeable to the colonel.
Hence, when Denny mentioned I was far more qualified to assist the colonel than he was, Colonel Forster permitted Denny to teach me what I needed to know.
As soon as I can show the colonel I am familiar with what he needs, then Denny will be released.
It will take me a sennight at the most before I am alone in assisting the colonel. As soon as that occurs, I will be able to send you information which will assist you in proving that Colonel Forster is not following orders.
Other than that, there is nothing more to report at this time.
Wickham
This was the best news. Thanks to the promise of a financial reward, Wickham was proving to be a much better asset than St Claire, or the man in charge of French agents in England, had ever thought he would be.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Wickham was frustrated. What he was doing for St Claire was proceeding anon.
In another day or two, he would be the only one looking at the colonel’s correspondence.
On the other hand, his plans to take the four hundred pounds he had not needed to purchase his commission and multiply it with his good luck at the tables had come to nought.
He had lost it all and had very much wanted to carry on to win it back and sign for debts of honour if need be, but the possible loss of fifteen thousand pounds stayed his hand.
How was it that his luck was so bad? So much for his luck turning!
He hoped that as soon as St Claire had the proof he needed to have Forster court-martialled, Wickham would be released and on his way with his fortune. That day could not come soon enough.