Chapter 24. Re in a Tea Shop
Mrs Gardiner and her nieces rested in a tea shop after viewing the goods in three more establishments as well as a visit to the booksellers.
Jane and Elizabeth were great walkers and thus far in London, their aunt had not worn them out with shopping for lace, shoes and gowns.
However, she managed to surprise them today with the two guests who joined them for refreshment–William and Georgiana Darcy entered the team shop and quickly joined them at their table.
Elizabeth grinned with delight to have two of her favourite people in company this afternoon.
Georgiana was still dressed in grey, and her brother wore a black band around his upper arm, signalling that they were in mourning.
“May we expect you back at Netherfield before too long?” Elizabeth asked. “The harvest of grain is complete but there are still many tasks to accomplish this summer on both estates.”
“And the tasks of trade, government and war make demands on my time,” Mr Darcy explained. “The Prime Minister requested my presence in town for at least another fortnight to help with bills before Parliament.”
Elizabeth asked, “Does the minister require your presence to persuade others to support the bill? I understand your four MPs will vote as you direct so the minister must need you to be seen showing support.”
Madeline Gardner smiled around the rim of her teacup watching the powerful Mr Darcy’s face light up with realization that this ‘girl’ understood the requirements of politics in London.
“Exactly Miss Elizabeth, I must be seen in the gallery and at dinners. I shall entertain at least three evenings with supper, entertainments and cigars.”
“And I must hide above stairs when the politicians gather,” Georgiana explained. “They are loud and often drink too much.”
“My sister remembers when our father held some dinners at our home here in town but there’ll be none this season with such drinking.”
Jane placed one hand on Georgiana’s arm and asked, “Perhaps you and Mrs Annesley would prefer to spend those evenings with us at Gracechurch Street?”
“Oh yes! Brother, please say I may stay with the Gardners when you entertain,” Georgiana asked. She turned back to Jane and continued, “Mrs Annesley has gone to visit her daughter for a few weeks while we are in town, and I am alone at night.”
Mr Darcy admonished his sister lightly, “Georgie, let us see if Mrs Gardner can fit another young lady into her bedrooms before planning your escape from cigar smoke and politicians.”
Smiling fondly at the young lady, Mrs Gardner said, “Mr Darcy, Miss Darcy is a ‘niece’ in our home already. Her presence will always be welcome. My own children see her as a cousin the same as Jane and Lizzy.”
“And what will be on the dinner menu when you ‘entertain’, Mr Darcy?” asked Elizabeth with all seriousness. “There are several turkeys in our poultry house that I am certain my mother will send to aid your efforts.”
Once she was reassured that the menus were in hand, Elizabeth led the conversation to a discussion of one of the new books found earlier in the day.
**++**
When the shop door opened and the two sisters from the dressmaker’s shop entered, the younger sister directed her sister away from the faces she recognized, not paying attention to the young man seated at the table.
“Charles is late,” Caroline announced after viewing the room and not finding their brother waiting for them.
“Surely not,” Louisa replied. “It is not three yet.”
“I am certain those people are in trade,” Caroline whispered, motioning toward the party from the dressmakers. “It will not do if we are recognized in this place near them.”
Mrs Gardiner finally noticed the two sisters and a small smile graced her face. Jane asked for the cause of her aunt’s amusement, so Mrs Gardner explained, “That young lady fears contamination I am certain.”
Once the story from the dress shop earlier in the day was explained in full, Mr Darcy said, “I do not understand the prejudices of people who upon their rise in society do not think anyone else their equal. New wealth can hide many flaws, but the lavish display often reveals the humble origins they wish to hide.”
“Is there no enjoyment in your wealth, Mr Darcy?” asked Mrs Gardiner, speaking softly so that only their table could hear the conversation.
Smiling Mr Darcy replied, “Indeed, there is great enjoyment in helping others Mrs Gardiner and in the finer things such as riding a beautiful horse, purchasing a new pianoforte for my sister, and the undiscovered knowledge of a diverse library.”
He paused for a moment and then continued, “I am glad to help build a stronger Britain. But it is a great deal of work to manage and grow this wealth; my stewards, secretaries and factors work every day and seek my opinion as often as they can.”
Nodding her head, Mrs Gardiner added, “Mr Gardiner’s business does prosper and with each year comes more responsibilities and demands on his time.”
**++**
The door of the tea shop opened, and Charles Bingley entered, looking for his sisters. Before he reached their table, he noticed his friend from university, Fitzwilliam Darcy seated at a table with four lovely ladies. He stopped to greet his friend and be introduced to the ladies.
“Darcy! It is good to see you,” Charles said. “I was very sorry to hear of your father’s passing.”
“I received your note, thank you,” William replied. “We are still in mourning and not receiving friends at the house.”
Charles nodded his head to acknowledge his friend’s ‘half-mourning’.
“Can I look forward to seeing you at the club then?”
“Yes,” Darcy replied. “I shall need your support in cajoling Stevens and McMillan to support a bill in Parliament.”
“And I am good at ‘cajoling’ then?” Charles asked to Darcy’s smile and nod. “Then I am at your service.”
Darcy turned toward the table. “May I present my sister and friends?”
“Please,” replied Charles.
“Georgiana, you remember Charles Bingley from visits here in town I believe,” William said as Charles bowed to the seated Miss Darcy.
She bowed her head in return and said, “I do remember meeting Mr Bingley at our home on two separate occasions brother.”
William motioned next to the eldest lady, “This is Mrs Edward Gardner, wife of a close business associate, and her nieces who are our neighbours in Hertfordshire, Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Each of the ladies smiled and bowed their heads from the table.
“It is a pleasure to meet you Mrs Gardner, Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth,” replied Charles with a handsome smile on his face for the eldest Miss Bennet who returned the smile.
“I believe Mr Gardner has invited me to dinner this evening to discuss some matters of trade. I hope it will not be an imposition.”
“My husband brings many gentlemen to our dinner table, Mr Bingley. You will be most welcome.”
Turning to Jane and Elizabeth, he asked, “Are you ladies visiting in town?”
“Indeed, they are, sir,” Mrs Gardner replied. “My nieces, Jane and Elizabeth visit with us as they wait to be presented to Her Majesty in the next week.”
“Congratulations,” Mr Bingley said. “And are you to attend any of the balls this week?”
Jane spoke out, “On Friday, we shall attend the Musgrove’s ball.”
“I shall be in attendance at the ball as well,” Charles said.
“We should be pleased to see you there,” Jane said and shocked her sister and aunt with her forwardness.
If possible, the grin on the face of Charles Bingley grew even larger to be noticed by such a lovely lady. “I look forward to seeing you then.”
“I must attend to my sisters now,” Charles said. “But I look forward to dining with you this evening. Good day, Miss Darcy, Mrs Gardner, Miss Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth.”
Mr Bingley strode to the table where the two ladies from the dress shop were seated, and an animated conversation ensued. At the Darcy table, Mr Darcy had a peculiar look on his face as he returned to his chair and Georgiana inquired, “Brother, what is the matter?”
“Charles hardly ever remembers everyone’s names,” he explained.
“Perhaps he was captivated by Jane’s lovely blue eyes,” teased Georgiana.
“Oh, I am not certain of that...” Jane replied.
Mrs Gardner smiled at her eldest niece and turned to Mr Darcy, “Would you and Miss Georgiana care to join us for supper tonight, Mr Darcy. It will give Jane and Elizabeth the chance to show Miss Georgie their gowns for the presentation tomorrow night.”
“Oh yes, please brother. I promise to be all that is proper,” Georgiana said.
William smiled indulgently. “There is nothing improper with us attending a private family dinner with well-known friends tonight. Our period of mourning ends next week when I have to entertain the MPs at the house in any case.”
**++**
“Charles, where have you been? Why were you talking to ‘those’ people?” Caroline asked as she launched into a diatribe against her brother.
“Hello Louisa,” Charles said ignoring his younger sister for a moment. “Has your wedding dress been completed? Is all in readiness for the big day next week?”
“Yes, thank you Charles,” Louisa replied. “Mr Hurst returns with his family on Saturday, and we will marry on Monday.”
“They will honeymoon in Bath and Ireland,” Caroline replied smoothly though no one doubted her distain for the locations mentioned.
“There is war raging on the continent Caroline,” Charles reminded his sister.
“The only Englishmen travelling around Europe today are spies and ambassadors. Mr Hurst is wise not to take our sister to France or to Italy. Armies marching back and forth across the landscape would hardly make for a suitable honeymoon.”
“Napoleon is so boring,” Caroline replied. “And who were those people you stopped to speak with?”
“That is my good friend Mr Darcy...”
“Mr Darcy!” exclaimed Caroline aloud as every head in the shop turned her way.
**++**
Elizabeth fought unsuccessfully to keep the smile from her face as she had her heart’s desire seated beside her.
She poured and fixed his tea just as he liked it, made certain the plate of biscuits was placed just right before him and Georgie who chatted about dresses, letters and music.
Fitzwilliam Darcy had walked into the tea shop, tall and handsome, caring for his sister as always; Elizabeth’s breath had failed her for a moment at seeing him for the first time in many months.
She had read his letters to her father and kept each postscript written to her in a memory box in her room.
She knew Georgie shared each of her letters with her brother and their second-hand correspondence had become very important to her.
Seated beside her at the table, he had asked for details on the turkeys she mentioned–it was fashionable to serve turkey at political dinners this season and to save the goose for the holidays.
Perhaps it was a little too ‘familiar’ for them to discuss poultry, but it was a conversation possible after their friendship of many years.
“How fare the turkeys in Hertfordshire this spring, Miss Elizabeth?”
“They are well,” she replied. “The hens hatched out an even dozen in May and then another brood in June. We keep them penned to grow and fatten.”
“That is well but what of my political dinners next week? My cook cannot serve poults at the table,” Darcy lamented sorrowfully.
Rolling her eyes with great drama, Elizabeth explained, “We have three tom turkeys that would have been sent to Netherfield last year for Christmas and I am certain Mama will send them to London for your table. Mr Hill can catch them and send them to your kitchen door here in town.”
Grinning to have successfully teased Miss Elizabeth so, Darcy asked, “Would you be so good as to write to your mother and ask for the turkeys then? I know for a fact that the prime minister is fond of the bird at the dinner table.”
“They will be delivered to your London house by Saturday sir,” she replied.
“A trio of turkeys is a pittance against what we owe the Prime Minister. The man deals with fools and politicians all day as my father, and you have often said. If he wishes to dine on foolish birds at night, it is the least we can do for him.”
William grinned and said, “I have missed your wit, Miss Elizabeth. Georgiana and I shall return to Netherfield in a few weeks, and I am determined not to travel out of the county for many months thereafter!”
“I have enjoyed my visit in town, but I also look forward to returning to Longbourn next week,” Elizabeth agreed.
“Are you excited about the presentation to Her Majesty and the ball?”
“Of course,” she said and then sighed. “There are so many wonderful things happening in my life that I do not have time to think!”
“I am certain your presentation will go well,” Darcy told her. “And I wanted to ask I might have the pleasure of the first set on Friday night?”
“Oh yes!” Elizabeth replied as her eyes sparkled with pleasure.
“And Miss Bennet, perhaps you would give me the second set?”
“Thank you, sir, I shall,” Jane replied. “My uncle has asked for my first set and the second with Elizabeth.”
“Mr Gardner and I discussed your dances,” Darcy explained.
“Were you worried we would not be asked to dance?” asked Elizabeth pretending to be affronted.
“No, we wanted to make certain we were able to dance with you before the young men of the ton descended upon the lovely ladies from Hertfordshire,” Darcy replied as Georgiana giggled and the Bennet sisters blushed.
At just that moment, the blonde headed woman at Mr Bingley’s table screeched out ‘Mr Darcy!’ and Elizabeth saw the man beside her cringe as the heads all turned in the direction of that table.
**++**
“Charles, you must introduce me to him!” demanded Caroline.
“In a tea shop Caroline?” asked Charles. “That is hardly what I would expect of you. Would you not prefer to be introduced for the first time at the ball on Friday night?”
“Introduce me now so I may secure a dance set with him,” she insisted.
“I think you should wait...”
“Bring him over here now!”
“Caroline, he is just below a lord,” Charles explained. “You must approach him.”
“Almost a lord? Mr Darcy is exactly what I need then.” She focused on Charles for a moment, “Why have we not seen him in town this season then?”
“I am certain I have told you that his father passed last fall. He and his sister are still in mourning as the ton dictates.”
“How much longer does his mourning last, I wonder? Can you invite him to supper?”
“He is not familiar with our family. It would not be proper while he is still in mourning, especially with our house filled with the preparations for Louisa’s wedding on Monday next,” Charles replied. “You will have to wait until Lady Musgrove’s Ball on Friday night.”
**++**