Chapter 7. Mr Bingley’s Betrayal
Among the letters that arrived at Gracechurch Street the next day, was one with an unexpected request; Mr Darcy was in residence at his Mayfair house again and requested Mr Gardiner to call that afternoon to discuss another business opportunity.
“When did Mr Darcy return to London?” Elizabeth asked after her uncle shared the letter with her. “Georgiana wrote that her brother was to remain in Hertfordshire until after the new year. In Jane’s letter she wrote the morning after the ball, she named Mr Darcy as a guest in attendance.”
“Perhaps he will explain his miraculous appearance this afternoon,” teased Uncle Edward. He glanced at the letter again and added, “There is no prohibition against ‘Miss Gardiner’ joining me at the meeting. Do you care to venture into Mayfair with me?”
“Thank you, but no,” Elizabeth replied though she was tempted to visit just to spend time with Mr Darcy. “Miss Darcy is gone to Matlock in the north for Christmas with her noble relatives and I would not have any part of the conversation.”
Edward Gardiner laughed aloud to hear his niece say such. While her uncle was absent from the house, Elizabeth spent the afternoon with Aunt Madeline and her children, playing tunes on the pianoforte and teaching her young cousins to sing simple songs.
Upon his return, Mr Gardiner was quiet and waited until after the children were fed and put to bed before he sought out his wife and niece in the parlour at the front of the house.
“My dears, I brought a mystery home from Mayfair to share this evening.”
Setting aside her book, Lizzy gave Uncle Edward her undivided attention while Aunt Madeline continuing mending her son’s pants; the boy managed to split a seam every other day.
“Mr Darcy wanted to meet with me to discuss a similar sale of goods and furniture from his estate in Derbyshire. His mother filled several rooms in their great house with chests of treasures… and he believes there are many excellent crates of wine in the cellar that can be sold at great profit.”
“Does Mr Darcy need to find more money?” asked Aunt Madeline.
Elizabeth’s eyes flashed with momentary interest in the challenge and the chance to spend more time with Mr Darcy, but then she remembered the length of time since she had seen Jane.
Derbyshire was a great distance in the north, and she dreaded being that distance from Hertfordshire.
This summer and fall, the ‘adventure’ in Mayfair had challenged her, but now she would choose differently.
“I spoke at length with Mr Darcy, but we had not completed any plans when we were interrupted. His friend, Mr Bingley, appeared at his door and invited himself into Darcy’s office.”
After Edward said these words, Madelyn sat aside her mending and turned her full attention to her husband while Elizabeth’s face displayed confusion.
“My surprizes continued when Mr Bingley asked if Mr Darcy’s theatre box was available on Saturday night.”
Elizabeth’s thoughts were confused, ‘Mr Bingley? Jane’s Mr Bingley is in London? And he plans to remain through Sunday? Today was Wednesday…’
Uncle Edward continued describing the scene, “Mr Darcy was very surprized to see Mr Bingley. Darcy asked his friend, ‘I thought you had an important task to complete in Hertfordshire this week?’ And Bingley replied, ‘My sisters have convinced me to reconsider the matter from here in London.’ Then Bingley sat in a chair without being invited to do so.”
Uncle Edward continued, “Mr Darcy frowned but he was unable to speak freely with my presence, and I made my excuses to leave. But before I could walk across the room, the office door opened once again and this time it was a woman who charged into the room.”
“Mr Darcy attempted to make the introduction but Mr Bingley’s sister…
I believe her name is Carolina, castigated Mr Darcy for having a ‘tradesman’ in his home at that time of day,” Uncle Gardiner explained while shaking his head with disappointment.
“Mr Bingley did not correct her behaviour, and I bade Mr Darcy farewell and departed.”
“Caroline… her name is Caroline Bingley and the whole of London knows she has a dowry of twenty thousand and she intends to marry Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth said.
Aunt Madeline asked, “Are they engaged?”
“Who do you mean?” asked Elizabeth aghast at the notion.
“Mr Darcy and Miss Bingley; why would she invite herself into a gentleman’s office in the late afternoon if they are not engaged to be married?”
Elizabeth shook her head and explained, “They are not engaged, but Miss Darcy confided to me that Miss Bingley desires the union. Last spring, whenever Mr Bingley called on Mr Darcy, Miss Bingley came with her brother, and she would follow the man from room to room in his home. She spoke plainly with Miss Darcy and said she would make Mr Darcy an excellent wife.”
“The lady aspires to joining the first circles even though her brother is the first ‘gentleman’ in the family,” scoffed Aunt Madeline. “The Bingley family has been in trade and manufacture in Scarborough for many generations.”
“I must write Jane,” Elizabeth declared.
Uncle Edward shook his head and said, “I do not think that is wise. If you reveal that we know Mr Bingley is here in London, Jane may write him and mention your letter.”
“Miss Gardiner has become a millstone around my neck!” declared Elizabeth with a frown as Madeline and Edward exchanged glances.
“May I return to Longbourn? I know we planned for me to remain until we all went for Christmas, but I want to be with Jane.”
“We shall arrange for your return the day after tomorrow,” Uncle Edward promised. “Tomorrow, we must attend Mr Darcy at his home to collect payment.”
“Do you wish me to accompany you?” asked Elizabeth.
“Of course, my dear,” Mr Gardiner replied. “I wish for you to witness our moment of reward. You have laboured much more than I in this endeavour.”
++++
In Mr Darcy’s office the next morning, the gentleman was surprized to see Miss Gardiner with her uncle. Mr Clemmons and an attorney were present to act as witnesses and sign documents that proved Mr Gardiner was paid in full.
“Miss Gardiner, I had not thought to see you again…” Mr Darcy said. “But your presence is welcome. I am glad you came today.”
“Thank you, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth replied. “I have been made welcome in your home and have been glad to aid my uncle’s efforts to assist you.”
“Do you remember the jewellery chest you found in the ballroom?”
Elizabeth replied, “Yes sir, of course.”
“The housekeeper at Pemberley held the key and we opened the chest to find several Darcy heirlooms we feared to be lost. There were diamond necklaces, ruby earrings…a fortune was recovered that day.”
Smiling, Elizabeth merely curtsied as Mr Darcy bowed before her.
“Now, Mr Gardiner, your commission for all the work and sales is five hundred pounds,” Mr Darcy said as he handed over a bank draft, and then a large purse. “And as a bonus for your workmen, distribute these funds equally among the men who laboured here at the house each day.”
“Thank you, Mr Darcy,” Uncle Edward replied. “They will be most appreciative.”
“May I offer refreshments?” Darcy asked as Mr Clemmons and the attorney left the room to file papers. “My secretary and attorney are to visit Crown Prince Bank this morning and pay off the debt that my aunt forced upon me.”
In a small parlour, Mr Banks supervised the delivery of trays bearing a tea service, biscuits, tarts and small cakes.
“Miss Gardiner, if you would play hostess, I would be obliged,” Mr Darcy said. Elizabeth quickly fixed and served tea to the two men before fixing her own cup and then selecting a plate with treats.
“Have you heard from Miss Darcy?” she asked when the two gentlemen appeared to have little left to say. As Mr Darcy shared the news from his sister who was visiting with their aunt at the Matlock estate in Derbyshire, Mr Banks was called from the room but quickly returned.
“Mr Bingley and Miss Bingley,” the butler announced from the door as Charles Bingley led his sister into the Darcy parlour.
Elizabeth noted the gentlemen was dressed appropriately for morning call, but the lady was dressed in silks with feathers in her bonnet, an outfit that the magazines described as ‘suitable for an elegant dinner with the nobility’.
“Good morning, Darcy,” Bingley greeted. “We were thinking of attending the exhibition at the museum and hoped you were free to join us.”
“Yes, Mr Darcy, there are reportedly several new statues of Roman origin on display,” Miss Bingley added. “Your superior knowledge of such things would make you an excellent addition to our excursion.”
Elizabeth managed not to laugh as Miss Bingley batted her eyes at their host.
“Ah, tea,” she exclaimed. “Allow me to serve you a cup, sir.”
“I already have…”
“Nonsense, what man knows how to fix a cup of tea?”
Mr Bingley noticed the guests in the room at that time and so while Caroline fussed over the teacups, Mr Darcy made the introductions.
“Mr Edward Gardiner, do you remember Mr Charles Bingley? I introduced him yesterday afternoon.”
“Yes, I remember,” Bingley said congenially.
“And the young lady is his niece, Miss Beth Gardiner,” Darcy said.
“Miss Gardiner,” Bingley said with a cheerful smile and a bow.
“Mr Bingley,” Elizabeth replied with a curtsey.
“And this is Mr Bingley’s sister, Miss Caroline Bingley,” Darcy said but as he turned, Miss Bingley thrust a cup of tea at Mr Darcy and his elbow knocked the cup from her hand, spilling the contents along the length of his forearm.
The hot liquid made Mr Darcy quickly shed his coat while Miss Bingley sputtered apologies.
“Excuse me,” Darcy said as he quickly left the room, handing his coat to a footman while Mr Banks pulled the door closed.
Mr Gardiner and his niece faced the Bingley siblings, and it took less than a minute for Miss Bingley to ask, “And who exactly are you?”