Chapter 17. Mr Darcy’s Christmas Plans
In his warehouse, Mr Gardiner looked up from his account books as one of his journeymen entered his office with a card in his hand.
“Mr Darcy wishes to speak to you sir,” the young man said.
Mr Gardiner rose to his feet. “Show him in please and ask Mr Carter to bring tea, will you?”
“Very good sir,” the journeyman replied as he hurried from the office.
Very shortly, the door opened again, and the visitor entered.
“Good morning, Darcy,” Mr Gardiner greeted his business partner and now friend.
“Gardiner, good morning,” the tall, quiet man replied as he bowed.
“I thought we should discuss our plans for the factory in Derby. My sister and I travel north in a few days, and I do not plan to return to London until spring. I can meet with my stewards and secretaries in the north this winter to move our plans forward.”
“Excellent! We shall want to build beside the river to use the water to...”
The two men discussed plans almost an hour and Mr Darcy made an extensive list of questions to ask his steward in Derby. As they completed their plans, Mr Gardiner asked, “Would you care to come to supper this evening? I am certain my niece would be pleased to see you.”
“Thank you but I must decline,” Mr Darcy replied. “I have a family obligation tonight. My sister and I attend my uncle and aunt for supper with my cousin before he receives his deployment orders.”
Mr Gardiner nodded. “We leave for Hertfordshire tomorrow–Tuesday–to spend Christmas with my brother Bennet and his family.”
“Hertfordshire is only three hours from London with a good horse,” Mr Darcy observed.
“Indeed,” Mr Gardiner replied. “When do you travel north for Christmas?”
“My sister and I shall travel north Friday week, once I complete the last of my business in town. We must be home for Christmas and the New Year; my uncle, the Earl of Matlock, likes to grandly summon all his kith and kin to his estate for Twelfth Night.”
“I am certain Elizabeth will miss her friends from Darcy House.”
Mr Darcy smiled and nodded his head, “I heard my sister and Miss Bennet express such sentiments at the close of their visit.”
Mr Gardiner smirked and watched the younger man blush but then Mr Darcy continued, “Sir, I wonder if we might impose on your brother and stop for tea on our way north on Friday next?” The young man continued in a nervous manner, “I know it is unusual to request an invitation to tea but...but I believe my sister’s spirits will be lifted if she could surprise Miss Bennet and visit one last time before Christmas. ”
Mr Gardiner smiled broadly. “A visit to Longbourn will be most welcome I am certain. My sister provides an excellent tea. Shall we say noon on Friday next?”
“Noon will be excellent. We shall visit for a time and then travel on to Buckinghamshire before night.”
“Very well, I am certain that my niece will be pleased to introduce you and your sister to her family.”
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