Page 12 of An Interrupted Proposal
“True,” Miss Bennet replied as she placed a finger under his chin to lift his countenance, “but you remembered when I called you, which was very good.”
Darcy held out his hand, and the boy took it with a ready smile. “Shall we lead the way?”
“On the horse?” Thomas asked excitedly.
“Would you not rather walk?” Miss Bennet asked. “There is much you cannot see from so high a height, such as those flowers,” she pointed to a few spring flowers growing low to the ground, “or the squirrels which run from the horses.” This time she indicated a creature peeking out from behind a tree.
The boy’s eyes grew large, and he spent the short walk to Gracechurch Street pointing out everything he saw to Darcy.
Upon entering the Gardiners’ home, Miss Bennet instructed the children to tell their mother they had visitors. Once they were away, she turned a warm smile upon Darcy. “Thank you,sir, for your attention to my cousin. He can be high-spirited at times but seems to be quite taken with you.”
“Master Gardiner is an engaging child. I look forward to meeting with him in the future.”
When the threesome entered the parlour, Mrs. Gardiner was standing with a child on either side of her.
“See, Mamma,” Thomas cried. “This is Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley.” He leaned closer and whispered as only a child can, “He won’t make our Janie cry again. Mr. Darcy said so.”
“Gentlemen,” Miss Bennet quickly stated, “my aunt, Mrs. Margaret Gardiner.”
Bingley and Darcy bowed and greeted the lady who curtseyed and responded in kind then sent the children off to their studies. Before scurrying from the room, the lad stopped at Darcy’s side and looked up with hopeful eyes.
“You’ll return when our Lizzy comes?”
“I shall. A gentleman always keeps his promise, Master Gardiner.”
With a giggle, the boy raced after his sister.
Darcy watched him go with a smile, turning back to find the others watching him. “You have a delightful son, Mrs. Gardiner.”
“Thank you, sir. Will you have a seat? My son says you have something for me.”
Darcy took the chair nearest their hostess; Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet having settled on a sofa, were already deep in conversation. “I had the pleasure of seeing Miss Elizabeth during my time in Kent, and she asked me to deliver these letters for her.” He withdrew the missives from his pocket, removed the one addressed to Mr. Gardiner, and presented the others to her. “She also hoped I could meet your husband in order to enlist his assistance in a personal matter.”
Mrs. Gardiner’s eyes widened. “My husband has already left for his warehouses, but if it is an urgent matter, I am certain he would see you there.”
“Your niece would like the matter seen to as soon as possible.”
She glanced at the couple who had forgotten their presence before meeting his gaze. “I shall order refreshments and summon a footman to escort you to my husband.”
Darcy nodded and looked about the room while waiting for her return. It was fashionably decorated with handsome, comfortable, well-made furniture. Everything held an appearance of understated wealth. The Gardiners were not what Darcy had expected.
“Mr. Darcy.”
He lifted his eyes to find his hostess had returned with a young man.
“Henrich will escort you to Mr. Gardiner’s office. I would offer you refreshments, but I am certain he will do the same, and you said it was of some urgency.”
After bowing to her and thanking her for her assistance, he followed the footman from the room, anxious to speak with Elizabeth’s uncle.
CHAPTER FOUR
A plan Develops
The Gardiner warehouses were an easy walking distance from the man’s home, and Darcy was again pleasantly surprised by the obvious care and wealth displayed. He had originally believed Elizabeth’s uncle would resemble her mother and aunt who lived in Meryton––behaving somewhat foolishly, loud, and uncouth––but now he began to suspect that was not the case.
The footman led him up a flight of stairs to a row of offices, passing the first two and stopping at the last and obviously largest. An affable voice responded to the knock, and the servant explained his mission before stepping aside for Darcy to enter.
“Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Gardiner said as he rose from behind his desk. “This is a surprise. What can I do for you, sir?”
