Page 11 of The Scarred Duchess
“It is my pleasure to meet you, Miss Gardiner. I am sorry I have arrived unannounced. Forgive me if I am interrupting.”
“Think nothing of it, Mr Bennet.”
Mr Gardiner addressed his daughter, saying, “Shall we entice Mr Bennet to dine with us this week?”
Miss Gardiner turned back to him. “We would be very pleased if you would join us to dine two nights from today.” A wide smile displayed her perfect white teeth.
Bennet accepted with alacrity. “Thank you.”
Mr Gardiner nodded at him, then turned to his daughter. “Excuse us, Franny. Mr Bennet has a rather busy week ahead of him. We might as well begin now.”
Bennet stepped to the large office window. As he watched the young lady walk down the street, he recalled his commander’s final order before he removed his regimentals for the last time.
“Colonel Bennet, as my last command to you, I order you to take your armourer and your batman from service andemploy them at your estate. Find a good woman, have children, and make your family your mission.”
Mayhap I will fulfil General Foote’s instruction sooner rather than I imagined.
Mr Gardiner pulled him from his reverie. “You have some questions for me, Mr Bennet?”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Hill assisted Bennet in completing his wardrobe for dinner at Haye-Park. His clothing was sombre, denoting his current state of mourning.
“Need we observe the proprieties, Hill? I have been absent fifteen years. What say you?”
Hill looked up to the ceiling for a few moments. “We can easily explain to those who question propriety that the estate requires a mistress. None shall challenge your actions.” Hill’s left eyebrow lifted. “Need they, Colonel?”
Bennet huffed. “No, I daresay they will not. Rather, I shall become the target of every local unmarried young lady seeking a match.”
Hill chuckled. “I shall ask Mrs Hill to detail the existing dangers by name.”
Bennet smiled. “Let us be vigilant. Did not Cervantes write, ‘Forewarned is forearmed’?”
“Indeed, he did, sir.”
Bennet followed the Haye-Park butler into the parlour, where several couples spoke in small groupings. His hostess approached. “How good of you to come, Mr Bennet.”
“Thank you, Mrs Goulding. I have looked forward to this invitation. How efficient of you to combine it with introductions.”
“Come, let me announce you. New friendships are to be had.”
Bennet met Lord Haversham, the Baron of St Albans, and the Harringtons from the Great House at Stoke.
When dinner was announced, Miss Gardiner appeared at Bennet’s side. She smiled and cocked one very elegant eyebrow. Bennet immediately offered his arm and escorted her into the dining room, discovering that, to his pleasure, he had been seated on Miss Gardiner’s left; to his left was Mrs Goulding. He tried not to ignore his hostess, but he was admittedly entranced by Miss Gardiner. Her easy laugh continued to draw his attention, as did her witty banter. A foot kicked him under the table. He then noticed others staring at him.
“Pardon my wool-gathering,” he admitted.
“How fares Longbourn?” asked Mr Goulding.
“Very well. Fortunately, a few of my cohorts have joined me to ease my transition to that of a landed gentleman.”
“Mr Bennet, it must be the landed portion of the transition, as I am sure the officer was already a gentleman,” teased Miss Gardiner.
Her father guffawed. Mrs Harrington sniffed. “For so young a person, you presume much to sketch one’s character after so shortan acquaintance.”
“Miss Gardiner is merely separating the wheat from the chaff,” Mrs Goulding retorted.
A trait unique to her, thought Bennet.
