Chapter 7 #3
"John, Laura, yesterday I bought two kites at the market. What do you say we go to the park tomorrow and fly them? I have never flown a kite before, and I should very much like to learn," Elizabeth said with a laugh.
"You are fortunate, Cousin Lizzy. I am an excellent kite flyer, and I can teach you everything you need to know," John replied enthusiastically.
"I am very good at it too, Lizzy," Laura added with a smile.
"So I shall have not one but two excellent instructors to teach me how to fly a kite. I shall do my best to be a diligent pupil," Elizabeth replied, making the whole family laugh.
The cheerful conversation continued until it was time for Elizabeth to leave. Before saying their goodbyes, they agreed that the following day Jane, Laura, and John would come to Lady Campbell's house, and from there they would all walk together to the nearby park.
◆◆◆
Eleanor was in the parlour reading letters that had arrived from friends in Canada.
A few days earlier, she had risen very early to review several business matters with Elizabeth's assistance.
Her clever niece delighted in learning and proved even more adept than Eleanor herself at checking figures and accounts.
As she thought back to what had happened four days earlier, she could not help smiling.
‘Aunt Eleanor, you seem to know everything about your late husband's business,’ Elizabeth had remarked with curiosity.
‘Yes. I helped him with every aspect of it. He was unlike most men. In our marriage, we were equals.’
Eleanor had spoken of Daniel with Elizabeth for nearly an hour.
‘Your husband truly was an extraordinary man, Aunt.’
Elizabeth had been fascinated by everything she learned about Lord Campbell. It was evident that her aunt admired him deeply, yet the affection with which she spoke of him sounded less like that of a widow remembering her husband than of someone recalling her dearest friend.
After that conversation, Eleanor continued explaining the operations of the shipping company. As they carefully reviewed the accounts together, they discovered several irregularities.
That very afternoon, Eleanor dismissed her solicitor and the entire law firm that represented her.
They had assumed she would never notice that they were charging commissions far exceeding those stipulated in the contracts, simply because she was a woman who had only recently returned to England.
When she threatened to involve her brother-in-law, Lord Rockwell, and pursue legal action, they offered to return every penny.
Eleanor, however, instructed them to donate the entire sum to an orphanage.
She had always felt a particular tenderness towards children without parents.
They reminded her too much of her own tragic past. From the day she had left England, she had never again allowed herself to dwell on the memory of her little daughter.
She had locked that part of her life away, determined never to let it touch either her mind or her heart again.
Yet, since spending so much time with her three nieces—especially Elizabeth—she found herself thinking constantly of the little girl she had held for only a few precious minutes.
If she had lived, her daughter would now have been the same age as Elizabeth.
Determined not to surrender to sorrow, Eleanor turned her thoughts to happier matters.
Elizabeth had told her about Jane's disappointment, and Eleanor had decided to give Mr Bingley one final opportunity.
She was arranging a dinner for a small gathering of acquaintances, business associates, and members of her family.
Among the invitations was one for Mr Bingley, ostensibly to thank him for his hospitality in Hertfordshire.
In truth, Eleanor hoped the evening would bring him and Jane together once more and reveal whether there was still any future for their attachment.
"Excuse me, Lady Campbell," Mr Taylor, her secretary, announced. "Mr Matthew Andrews wishes to speak with you."
"Mr Taylor, I do not believe I have ever met a Mr Andrews," Lady Campbell replied, somewhat puzzled.
"My lady, he is your new solicitor."
"Of course. Now I remember."
Eleanor asked her friend Eddie Gardiner to recommend a new solicitor.
He spoke highly of Mr James Andrews, an honest and hardworking gentleman who represented many of the city's leading merchants.
The son of a successful merchant, Mr Andrews had always possessed a passion for learning, which had led him to pursue a career in the law.
His law firm was the most famous among merchants and influential people in business.
Even gentlemen from the first circles tried for years to get his services and advice.
Mr Gardiner had been one of his first clients, and now they were good friends.
That is why his law firm had agreed to help Lady Campbell.
Now they had offices in all the important cities and several employees.
Mr Andrews was a wealthy and well-respected gentleman and one of the most knowledgeable in commercial laws in all of England.
"Taylor, please tell Mr Andrews I will be happy to receive him," Eleanor said.
In less than a minute, a young man of no more than thirty appeared before her. He was tall with brown hair and brown eyes. He was very handsome, and his appearance reminded her of a Spanish friend she had met in Canada.
"Good morning, madam, I am Matthew Andrews de la Garza. Mr Gardiner told us about your interest in our firm handling your business. I am here to tell you about our work and to answer any questions you may have."
Eleanor was pleasantly surprised. It was clear that this young solicitor must be the son of Eddie's friend. "Thank you for coming, Mr Andrews del Garda," Eleanor replied.
"De la Garza," Matthew corrected, smiling in perfect Spanish.
"But do not worry, you can just call me Mr Andrews.
My late mother was Spanish, and in our culture, we use our father's and mother's surnames to honor both families.
It was very important for her that I use my full name when I introduce myself, and I keep doing it as a way to honor her. "
"It is a very beautiful tradition, and your mother must be proud to know that you maintain it."
"Thank you, my Lady."
“Please, sit down,” Eleanor said.
Matthew continued telling Lady Campbell about things that differed from his father's and mother's cultures, and how he had always felt a bit in the middle of both.
"Do not worry, Mr Andrews de la Garza. I lived in Canada for twenty years, and there, the majority of people have a mixture of many backgrounds."
Eleanor was so entertained speaking to the handsome young solicitor that she did not realize it was not a social call but a business one.
She invited him into her office, and they, along with Mr Taylor, went over the documents Matthew had brought.
After almost two hours, they had reached an agreement, and in two more days, Matthew promised to have all the contracts ready for Eleanor to sign.
"Mr Andrew, I am planning a dinner for next week. I would like you and your father to come. My other business partners will attend, and I want them to know who is representing me now."
Matthew hesitated a bit but accepted. "Thank you, Lady Campbell. Of course, we gladly accept your invitation. Now, I think it is time for me to go back to my office."
He said farewell and was happy with the meeting. They did not need more clients, but the lady was fascinating, and he was pleased to have had the opportunity to meet her.
Matthew was walking to his carriage when he found himself almost face-to-face with the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
He froze, staring at her without being able to move.
He finally realized that he was acting like a fool and continued walking.
From his carriage, he saw the beautiful young woman entering Lady Campbell's house.
He thought that perhaps he would find out who she was at the following week's dinner.
'?Quién eres, hermosa senorita?' Matthew asked himself.
*Who are you, beautiful lady?'
◆◆◆
Jane and the Gardiners' children stayed for luncheon at Lady Campbell's house. Afterwards, Jane remained indoors conversing with her aunt, Mary attended her first piano lesson, and Kitty had an art lesson. Thus, only Elizabeth and her cousins set off for the park to fly their kites.
"Lizzy, I swear that gentleman nearly forgot to breathe while staring at Cousin Jane," John said with a laugh.
"He was the handsomest gentleman I have ever seen," Laura admitted, blushing.
"Well, it is hardly the first time that has happened. That is one of the burdens of being as beautiful as Jane," Elizabeth replied with a smile.