Page 65 of I Thee Wed
With that, he turned his horse toward Rosings, his purpose fixed. The first steps of his campaign had begun. He had learned enough to justify a ride to London and a formal request for aregiment of dragoons. He would ride there from Romney Marsh. With the brandy now stored upon the Blackwood estate, the military could not deny the scale of the trade moving through this part of Kent. Richard was dependent on the cooperation of the local landowners, and he needed handpicked men to scout the county and fight the smugglers. If he could gain the interest of the war office to dispatch a regiment of dragoons to cleanse the district of smugglers, Rosings would once again be a safe place to raise a family.
Chapter 46: Return to Longbourn
Mary received a letter from Jane at the end of the week, in which her sister welcomed the Warwicks at Netherfield. Jane said she would write to the housekeeper to open the house, and the Bingleys expected to be in Hertfordshire by the following week.
Kitty and Elizabeth traveled with the Warwicks to Meryton. Mr. Warwick rode his horse alongside the carriage, but he went on ahead to secure a table when they neared Redbourn, the first important coaching stop along the way. He located a quiet inn where they could eat and refresh themselves in cleanliness and safety.
When they descended from the carriage, Elizabeth offered her arm to Mrs. Warwick, who was tiring from the long journey. The inn provided a collation of cold meats, bread, and cheese. Elizabeth liked the fare and said, “Mr. Warwick, is this a special inn where you always stop when traveling north?”
He shook his head. “No, Miss Elizabeth, I merely happened upon it today at the recommendation of a groom of the large hostelry we passed.”
She continued, “The roast beef is delicious. The cook has a way with seasoning.”
After they ate, they walked along the street to stretch their legs before beginning the next stage of their journey.
Late that afternoon, they arrived at Gracechurch Street and dined with the Gardiners. Mr. Warwick had been in business in the West Indies for several years, and he and Mr. Gardiner found they had much in common, spending the entire evening in talkof trade and imports. Mrs. Gardiner took Mrs. Warwick upstairs to her bed immediately after dinner, at the lady’s own request.
Elizabeth was in the drawing room with Kitty and her aunt when the gentlemen joined them. She looked up and saw that Sir Lawrence was among them.
“Miss Elizabeth, I am so pleased to see you again.” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles.
Elizabeth looked at him. “Sir Lawrence, how came you to join us this evening?”
He grinned. “I had an arrangement with your uncle. He was to send word at once if you came for a visit.” He looked intently at her. “Gardiner tells me you sing, and I am to ask that you favor us with your love songs.”
Elizabeth was touched. “Sir, since you went to so much effort to be with me this evening, I will oblige you with my most tragic ballad. It is a love song filled with all the pathos of love and parting you could possibly wish for.”
He grinned, and she smiled as she moved to the pianoforte. Her voice filled the room withBonnie Annie. When the last notes faded, Sir Lawrence asked for another, and she sangThe Three Ravens, her clear soprano carrying the music with haunting beauty.
When she finished, Sir Lawrence rose and came to stand beside her. “Gardiner gave me particular instruction,” he said with a smile. “I am to requestThe Elfin KnightandSweet William’s Ghost.”
Elizabeth smiled back at the man who was grinning at her. “Very well, Sir Lawrence. I see that you have a penchant for sorrow and thwarted love, and I will not disappoint.”
He sat on the bench beside her while she sang. When the last notes faded, Elizabeth turned to him, laughing quietly. “There. Your request was granted, Sir. I trust you have had enough of sorrow and loss. Are you satiated?”
“I am, but I must also confess that my admiration for a certain gifted minstrel has grown.”
Elizabeth looked down at her hands. Sir Lawrence stood and held out his hand. “Come. I am told that you play chess and are a worthy opponent. Will you play with me, ma’am?”
Elizabeth stood. “Gladly. I have not played for several weeks, and I long for a challenge.”
The evening was a pleasant one. At ten o’clock, Sir Lawrence took Elizabeth’s hand and raised it to his lips. “I have enjoyed myself tonight with you. If I spent my life in your company, I know I would be vastly contented.”
Elizabeth flushed and looked to the floor.
He continued to gaze at her intently. “I will stop teasing you, Miss Elizabeth. I hope to see you again soon.”
The next morning, they left London at eleven o’clock and expected to reach Meryton within two hours.
The carriage stopped at the front entrance of Longbourn at one o’clock, and both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet walked out to greet the Warwicks. Kitty performed the introductions, and then Mrs. Bennet took Mrs. Warwick’s arm and helped her into the house. Elizabeth watched her mother closely and then glanced at her father, who grinned and winked. Mrs. Bennet was a pattern card of propriety, and she did not falter. Elizabeth relaxed and drank her tea without fear of embarrassment.
The two men retreated to the study. Warwick asked, “Mr. Bennet, is the settlement acceptable to you?”
“Yes, it is very generous.”
Mr. Warwick said, “I hold a common license, and I hope to marry next week. My mother’s health is delicate, and I fear the strain of travel will weaken her.”
Bennet agreed. “I see no reason to wait. Kitty will not have time to purchase a trousseau, but if that is not a concern of yours, we will not delay the ceremony. We will join you at Netherfield this evening for dinner. I shall read the settlement in the meantime and bring the signed copies with me tonight.”
