“I mentioned to you she was experiencing difficulties with her inheritance. It seems her father-in-lawisattempting to steal the funds.”
Lord Matlock’s hands slapped on his thighs, “Blast! It is good you came to me with this. I told you we cannot have our fighters afraid for their loved ones once they leave for the front lines.” His frown was fierce. “Stealing from widows and orphans. Bah! It just is not done.”
It would seem even Lord Matlock had lines he did not cross.Darcy chastised himself.That is unkind. My uncle may be a politician with tunnel vision, but he is still a good man at heart.
“I thank you, Uncle.” Darcy stood and offered a brief bow, placing the documents on the desk before him. “It will be a great service to her and her very young son to get this rightly resolved.”
Lord Matlock waved a hand, “Leave it with me, my b- Darcy. We shall have this settled in no time.”
Chapter 16
Georgiana arrived at the Gardiner’s at half past ten, bright eyed and excited. She was met in the foyer by Elizabeth and Jane, who were busy putting on their outerwear.
“Elizabeth, is Alex awake? I was hoping to see him before we went out this morning.”
“Alas, he is not, and you saw him just last night, Georgiana.” Elizabeth’s and Jane’s soft, feminine laughter filled the large entryway.
At the sight of Georgiana’s lower lip pushed out in a pout, Elizabeth and Jane’s laughter subsided. They shared a soft glance in commiseration. How similar to Lydia had Georgiana appeared just then. It was an expression their deceased sister sported many times, particularly when she did not get her wish.
Mrs Gardiner bustled in smiling widely, already dressed in her pelisse and bonnet. “Come, ladies. There is shopping to be done.” She ushered the young ladies out the door.
The high feminine tones of chatter accompanied them out onto the street and into the Darcy carriage, assisted by one of the footmen.
As Elizabeth settled on the backward facing seat she looked out the window, and the sight of a man standing across the streetcaught her attention. He seemed to be staring directly at them. A jerk of the horses moving forward and talk of dress styles and fashions removed the strange scene from her sight and mind.
Mrs Gardiner was telling Georgiana the list of dresses she wanted to order for Jane. “And Elizabeth needs one or two as well. Perhaps one in black and one in a grey colour?” Mrs Gardiner saw her niece was about to object. “Yes, my dear, I believe you require one nice dress in case it is needed.”
“Lizzy,” Jane clasped Elizabeth’s hand, “your full mourning is nearly over, and you will require half mourning gowns before you know it.” She squeezed her sister’s hand before letting go.
Elizabeth nodded to her aunt and let the rest of the ladies’ discussion of fashion wash over her until they arrived at Mr Gardiner’s warehouses.
A clerk met them when they arrived and ushered them to the area containing the fabrics. One Darcy footman trailed behind whilst the second remained with the carriage.
Georgiana gasped when she saw the array of fabrics lined up along walls and stocked high upon shelves. “Oh, my. One could spend hours here.” When she recollected her companions, she blushed becomingly at the women smiling at her.
“Indeed, one can, but not today. Come along. I know exactly what we are looking for.” Like chicks, the three young ladies followed Mrs Gardiner down the aisles. She pointed at a selection each time a specific material caught her eye and the clerk attending them would set it aside.
In short order specific fabrics, both muslin and satin, embroidered nettings and lace were piled up. All were in shades to compliment Jane’s colouring.
“Miss Darcy, as your colouring is so similar to Jane’s, some of these may suit you, as well.” Mrs Gardiner turned to Lizzy, “I think one dress in black in a crepe. The days are growing warmer, and I think you will be more comfortable. For your half mourning, to start we shall choose a dove grey for an evening dress, I think. Perhaps with, Hmmm… dark purple trimmings? It will go with your brown eyes. Any objections?”
Seeing there were none she clapped her hands together. “Good. Let us get started.” She waved the clerk over and smiled at him. “Matthew, we are ready to begin.”
A mere hour later, mounds of folded fabric were being stored in the Darcy equipage and four ladies together with their hoard were on their way to Mrs Bean, a seamstress the Gardiners have worked with for many years.
When they exited the equipage again, Elizabeth took Mrs Gardiner aside. “Aunt, I will not be able to stay too much longer. Alex will be getting hungry.”
Mrs Gardiner reassured her, “I know, dear. Mrs Bean will measure you first and discuss cut and style. Then you are free to return to the house. You have money for the hackney?” Seeing her niece nod, she further inquired, “Do you trust me to design dresses for you?”
“You have never disappointed me in the past.” Placing a quick kiss on her aunt’s cheek, Elizabeth hooked her arm through the older woman’s and followed Jane and Georgiana inside.
~ / ~
Elizabeth exited and breathed a sigh of relief, grateful she only had two gowns to worry about.Poor Jane. They will be there for hours yet. Although, neither Jane nor Georgiana seemed to mind.
She waited on the street for a couple of minutes before an empty hackney drove in her direction. She hailed it and climbed up, giving the Gracechurch Street address. As they pulled away into the stream of traffic, the sight of a familiar man caught her eye. He was standing across the street leaning against one of the buildings, but he was staring right at her. Her heart started thumping in her chest.
Is that the same man who watched us board the Darcy carriage in front of my uncle’s home? The clothing seems similar, but I did not get a good look at his face. I shall have to let Mr Darcy know what I saw, in case someone is targeting Georgiana. He is such a protective brother. Mr Darcy would move heaven and earth to safeguard his sister.
