Read Memory: Volume 3, How Far We Have Come, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) for Free Online Page A

feather.  How did your niece manage such a capture?”  Mr. Gardiner’s brows rose.  “Yes, yes, I know that Mrs. Darcy is a gentleman’s daughter but even so, such a small estate, and the goings on around Darcy House this past year!  The more I dug, the more amazed I was!”  His face flushed.  “You know, you have an annoying habit of not answering questions.”
    “You have yet to ask one worthy of my answer.  I am simply amazed with your audacity.” 
    “Have you time for a drink?” 
    “No.”
    “Gardiner, I am not going to pry . . . Bingley, what do you know of Mr. Bingley?”
    “Bingley?”  Gardiner stood up straight.  “What do you want with him?”
    “Good heaven’s man, I am not gunning for him!  My daughter likes him and I . . . I rather put my foot in it.  The man stopped in my door, he is a supplier of mine, did you know?  I have known him since he was a boy!  He is a good and decent man, I know.”  Seeing Mr. Gardiner nodding, he relaxed with relief of that confirmation.  “My daughter met him at Pemberley, she liked him, he seemed to like her, I repeated something that I misunderstood, he was offended, they had a bit of a spat, and now, and now he will likely never do anything again.  I would like to approach him and apologize.”
    “Bingley would not hold a grudge against you or your daughter.  He is very quick to forgive offenses against him.”  Mr. Gardiner studied the man, “If he is embarrassed though, he will avoid you.  Leave him be.  I will mention it to him the next time we meet, but I will not seek him out.  Nor should you.”
    “Come now, Gardiner, my daughter is hurt, I promised her I would make this right!”
    “By your own admission, you are the reason that things are not right.  Tell me, did Bingley express any admiration for Miss Martin?”
    “As a matter of fact, he did.”  Martin smiled with satisfaction.
    “And obviously Miss Martin expressed admiration of Mr. Bingley.”  Mr. Gardiner mused.  “And what was the mistake?”
    “Something only a female could comprehend.”  Martin threw his hands in the air.  “Lord knows I don’t.  All I know is that my little girl was ashamed of me, and that Bingley is a very worthy suitor.”  He sighed and looked Mr. Gardiner in the eye.  “Will you help me?”
    “As I said, I will mention it to him when next we meet.”  Mr. Gardiner held up his hand.  “No, I have no idea when that will be, and no I will not give you his address.  And,” he sighed, “Bingley has proven himself capable of walking away from a relationship with a lady if he feels it is not right, so if the man is doubtful, do not expect him to come around.”  Martin’s face fell.  “I am sorry, but Bingley is an outstanding and very good man.  He will not entertain anything less than a happy marriage with a woman he can love.”
    “Love?”  Mr. Martin stared and shook his head.  “This younger generation.  Love.  What is the world coming to?  Abbey said something of that sort when she was talking of him.”  Mr. Gardiner’s brow rose but he said nothing.  “Very well, I settle for your terms, and I will not hang my hat on it.”  Martin held out his hand.  “Thank you.”
    “Delighted, Martin.”  Mr. Gardiner shook his hand and watched the disappointed father hurry away with his characteristic speed.    “I wonder what all that is about.”
     
    “WAIT, WAIT!”  De Bourgh cried and took yet another wrong step.  Mary laughed and grabbed his hands, making him stop. 
    “You are hopeless!” Her eyes lit up and her face revealed her unguarded happiness.
    Drinking it in, de Bourgh steadied himself and found his resolve to remain a gentleman.  He shook his head and gave her a pleading look.  “What was I thinking, agreeing to this foolishness? I cannot possibly appear in public.  Please Mary, set me free from this obligation.”
     
    “Miss Mary, if you please, sir!”  Georgiana giggled from