Chapter 21

“I am afraid it is a day for a long walk, I have much thinking to do.”

Elizabeth’s words to Claire and Robert produced a theatrical groan, which just made them all laugh.

“At least it will just be the flat paths of Hyde Park, no hills to be climbed.”

Soon they were through the gate of the park and striding out. They walked all the way to the west end of the park, close to the bounds of Kensington Palace, before Elizabeth spoke.

“We should do this more often, on days when it is not raining or snowing.”

Her face was flushed but she was smiling, her eyes sparkling.

“Did you solve what was troubling you?”

Elizabeth nodded slowly.

“I have a plan that I am going to discuss with my uncle. I will send a note when we return to Hanover Square and request for him to send his coach.”

She said nothing further and so Claire did not pry.

“What are your impressions of the last month? In fact, it is not even a month, barely three weeks past.”

Robert stepped forward so that he was on the outside of his wife, not the normal position for a footman but there were no others out so early on a cold February morning.

“You wish us to be candid as normal?”

“Of course.”

“Lady Maria is a matchmaking mama, just more subtle than the rest. And I know she is not your mama but that minor matter is of no concern to her.”

“Why?”

“More difficult to discern. Part of it is that she likes you. You have spoken of how Miss Bingley took an immediate dislike to you, it was something within her. I think that Lady Maria is the exact opposite of that. She was always predisposed to think well of you given that you rescued her niece but how she treats you is several stages beyond that. I cannot answer as to whether she sees her younger self in you but I would not be surprised.”

“Robert?”

Robert Smith was a watcher of the world, much envied by fellow footmen whenever their paths crossed. To have been allowed to marry so young was a constant conversation starter when talking to other servants. Elizabeth did not know it but she was known to many servants of the Ton, and most thought well of her.

“There are rumblings around town, centred on your friendship with the Duke.”

He lowered his head.

“I will not dignify them by repeating them here but you can imagine what is being speculated.”

“Even although I am staying at the house of his cousin?”

“Jealousy Miss Elizabeth.”

The first deep sigh of the morning.

“Anything else?”

Robert looked sheepish.

“I miss the children.”

Claire and Elizabeth failed to stifle a giggle. It was such an unexpected comment from the imposing man beside them.

“That was unexpected!”

“I know. But at Gracechurch Street there was a liveliness to the house. There were three children and although they were well-behaved there was still an energy to the house. You were always on the go, we had the daily trip down to the offices, notes to be delivered, but at the heart of it there was a bustle to our lives. When I explain it, I guess I am using the children as a way to explain our former daily routine.”

“It is an astute observation Robert. It all circles back to my own doubts about my life going forward, my place in this society. I have allowed Lady Maria to guide me this season but truthfully it is a way to pass the time until my majority. Come the summer I will be 21 years of age but still confused as to what lies ahead.”

They walked back to Lady Maria’s house in silence.

--

“I have an idea, which has grown in scope and scale the more I have thought about it.”

As an opening line, it captured the attention of Elizabeth’s uncle. Two hours later Elizabeth bent and gently hugged her uncle.

“You will send me a note when you have spoken to the appropriate General?”

“I will write a note requesting the meeting this very morning. Once I have his agreement then you may approach Mr. Angelo. And I will provide half the brandy. No Elizabeth, do not argue. It will be my name that is attached to this and it is the least I can do.”

It was just two days later that Elizabeth received the note from her uncle. She was surprised at how soon he had been able to meet with the General. Having a title clearly opened doors. Angelo’s School of Arms was known for admitting women and she was able to meet with the owner the next day. He was excited at the idea and stood ready to assist as soon as he was needed.

Elizabeth had a smile for the rest of the week, although she refused to be drawn on the matter when questioned by Lady Maria.

--

Lady Maria Leonard was feeling trapped. The Countess of Matlock, her friend Lady Susan Fitzwilliam, had arrived the previous day and surprised her. Lady Maria had been a fixture of the ton for 30 years and she knew the code. The words were not explicitly said but Lady Susan made it known that she and the Earl found Miss Bennet to be a suitable match for their second son. Normally this would be excellent news, but she had seen and heard the Colonel unwittingly patronise Miss Bennet. She was almost certain this was an action from which there was no coming back.

Elizabeth Bennet had mellowed and changed since arriving to stay with her. Then there had been an unforgiving anger to her, a dismissiveness of those who upset or annoyed her. After many weeks of talking every day she had seen the change in Elizabeth. What triggered it was Elizabeth’s ever clearer assumption that she would not marry. It was the source of her charm, a carefree attitude to society. Lady Maria saw it most clearly with her own cousin. The young Duke was probably the most eligible bachelor in the country, yet Elizabeth seemed unaffected by that status. She was polite and not overly familiar with him, yet treated him as merely a gentleman. He in turn saw she did not have him on a pedestal and so he too could relax his guard.

Where Elizabeth had changed was in dealing with the inevitable dismissal of the worth of a woman, other than as a mother and society wife. Her cousin had been clear in his agreement with this orthodoxy yet Elizabeth had not made a fuss, either consciously or subconsciously. Lady Maria saw Elizabeth start to develop putative friendships with gentlemen rather than instantly dismiss them. She had been rather blunt herself in asking Elizabeth if she was only maintaining the relationship due to the status of the gentleman.

“It is an interesting point. I would hope that it is my continued maturing but there may be some truth in what you ask. I will not know for sure until I am back living with my uncle.”

Lady Maria still had hope that such an occasion would not come to pass. Which just brought her back to her friend and the Colonel, and how to deal with the situation. They had been friends for too long, she would have to have the awkward conversation.

“Thank you for allowing me to visit, and on such short notice. I have a difficult conversation to have with you.”

She talked Lady Susan through what had occurred at the ball between Miss Bennet and the Colonel, but also imparted the crucial information regarding her wanting respect, rather than being patronised.

“You mean to tell me that she would refuse the offer of courtship from Richard over this?”

Lady Maria nodded slowly.

“And it has nothing to do with the Colonel personally. She told me the next morning that he was a fine gentleman and a brave and courageous officer. She would be delighted to be partnered with him again at a ball.”

“The attitude Richard evidenced is universal among men within society.”

“I believe Elizabeth knows that, and that she is attending events through friendship with me rather than any personal belief she will find a husband. I think it is the key to her charm. She is polite, demure even, and is happy to dance with anyone who asks her. But she makes no effort to be anything but herself; open, carefree and intelligent. She expects every man to disappoint her, some may take longer than others but they all will do so eventually. What I have seen change with her is that she is making the effort to remain friends with some of them, including your son and my cousin.”

“Is she playing the long game? The Viscount is now calling on someone in her third season.”

“I do not believe so. What was interesting to watch was when she was introduced to some ‘ladies of letters’ and she discovered that most of them were married, as were most of the renowned members of the Blue Stocking Society. My impression is that she thought they were all like myself, unmarried but with the freedom to do as we pleased. At least as much as woman are allowed within society. That many of the ladies were or are married has caused her to rethink that.”

“Should I say anything to Richard?”

“No, I am inclined to leave things as they are and see what happens. Elizabeth knows her own mind. She may come to regret dismissing a gentleman but she needs to come to that realisation herself.”

“Is she here this morning?”

Lady Maria shook her head, a rueful smile appearing.

“No, she is off organising some scheme to reward and recognise the bravery of the officers during the war against Napoleon. Inspired by your son.”

“Inspired by Richard?”

“Yes. Like I said, she has nothing but the highest admiration for his bravery and courage. She wants it to be known and recognised amongst more of the population.”

Lady Susan accepted this news with pride, what mother would not, but as she was driven home later she still was struggling to understand Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

--

“May I ask what are these bottles, Miss Bennet?”

Colonel Fitzwilliam was sitting in the drawing room of Lady Maria’s home. The lady herself had greeted the Colonel before moving to the end of the room to sit at her escritoire. She was not needed to chaperone but was still present, even if she was dealing with her correspondence. The Colonel had indicated the table with 12 bottles of ‘blood brandy’, one of them very rare, renowned as an exquisite vintage.

“Those Colonel, are the prizes for the tournament at Angelo’s School of Arms.”

Elizabeth made it sound as if this was an annual thing.

“Er, what tournament Miss Bennet?”

She smiled at the Colonel and he fought to retain his composure.

“I will stop teasing, much though I am tempted to continue. We have spoken over the last few weeks about the victory at Cuidad Rodrigo, under the leadership of the now Earl of Wellington. I made a suggestion to my uncle, he agreed although improved upon it and sent me back here to ask if you will assist in the organisation. His injuries prevent him from taking a more active role.”

“If I am at all able, of course I will assist.”

“Thank you, Colonel. First of all, my uncle visited General Arbuthnot and outlined his plan. He received the General’s permission to proceed. This is not going to be an event run by the military, even although all the participants will be officers. It is a social event which is why it is under the auspices of Angelo’s. My uncle made the following suggestion. This is not an absolute decree but rather the guiding spirit of the tournament. He will leave it you and Mr. Angelo to create the final format. He suggests a tournament limited to 64 officers. Each officer is not only fighting for himself but also his regiment. The winner receives this bottle, which I have been told is a very good vintage, as well as two other bottles. He also wins six bottles for his regimental officers’ mess. Did I say that correctly?”

“Yes, Miss Bennet, that is the correct name.”

“The final three bottles are to be shared between the 64 participants. He suggested a toast to those who took part at Cuidad Rodrigo. Again, you will know the appropriate wording.”

Miss Bennet led the Colonel back over to the seats. Lady Maria turned from her task and watched as he rather inelegantly dropped into his seat, his mind clearly thinking about the tournament already. The Colonel came out of his revere and apologised to the ladies.

“Miss Bennet, that is a brilliant idea. It has the right level of competitiveness to it, without the threat of serious injury. And the prize? Well that is magnificent. Every officer with even a modicum of skill with the blade will enter. I will take the 12 bottles to Mr. Angelo this very afternoon. He is the oldest son of the original proprietor, and will recognise the opportunity this will present. The tournament will be the talk of the town. When did your uncle propose to hold the tournament?”

“It struck him at first it would be inappropriate to hold it during Lent. But the event is to commemorate sacrifice so perhaps it is appropriate after all. Personally, I think the Tuesday after Easter is best. If, as you say, there is the need to reduce the numbers to 64 then that can be covered under normal military training. I leave that to you.”

“The impatient schoolboy in me would prefer this as soon as possible but your suggestion seems the best. It allows time to organise the final 64 properly and does not infringe upon those who follow Lent strictly.”

“There is one final thing Colonel. Although it is nothing more than a rumour I would like you to start. The officers who choose the Army, or indeed the Navy, are second sons and those even lower. They are the brave men who lead our troops into battle. My uncle himself is descended from a fifth son. It would be most satisfying if the winner was a second son, such as yourself. But it is to be nothing but a rumour, even if assiduously promoted around town.”

“Having spent my life as ‘the spare’, it will be nice, for once, to take part in a tournament where that is a blessing. Thank you.”

He stood and bowed.

“You may rely upon me to promote the rumour most diligently. As it spreads I will not be alone. Most of the officer corps is composed of people in the exact circumstances you outlined.”

The brandy was carefully packed away, placed within cradles of straw and boxed up before the Colonel left with a flourish.

“If the word ever gets out that this is entirely your idea, and from your own stocks of brandy, you will have a guard of honour wherever you go.”

“We both know I am safe from that. I confessed to having the idea but the Colonel accepted that it was all the doing of my uncle. He is a gentleman but he still underestimates women.”

Lady Maria could not refute that observation.

“You have acknowledged having a stock of ‘blood brandy’, am I too nosy if I ask you how much?”

Elizabeth smiled at her friend and mentor.

“You do have a certain curiosity but I will not tease you. I received 25 cases of brandy, and I have gifted one and a half cases of it, including six of the bottles today.”

“That is a substantial amount, larger than most cellars.”

“So I have been led to understand. But I do not want to fritter it away. There is unlikely to be another bounty such as the original shipment. The French are protecting their supply trains with more troops. There are fewer than 200 cases in the warehouse at A Coruna.”

Elizabeth stood in preparation to leave.

“I should return home and tell my uncle what I have done. It would not do for him to be ignorant that the news of the tournament is about to spread since it will be in his name.”

--

It was only three days later and Elizabeth was with the Gardiners at Gracechurch Street. It was just her uncle and aunt; Edward was at the offices and the three youngest were with their governess.

“Lizzie, my brilliant niece, you have created the event of the season.”

Elizabeth watched her uncle, waiting for more.

“Do not tease me Uncle Sir Edward. What do you mean?”

Her aunt and uncle chuckled.

“That is you told Edward. Lizzie has not called you that in weeks.”

“Yes, I did deserve that. Lizzie, this tournament is being talked about throughout the Ton. It has been received very well, almost too well.”

“Too well?”

“There are several things at play here, not least human nature. There can be only one first son, this is self-evident. So there is an heir. The common phrase is an heir and a spare. Whereas in fact there are many families were there is a third son, often even more than that. So there are a lot of gentlemen who are not heirs. Regardless of where they fall within the family line, they have proud parents, and often proud older brothers. Then there is the issue of the perception of some members of the ton. Too many so-called gentlemen are nothing but rakes and wastrels. This is an opportunity for the more dutiful to shine. Finally, there is the fact that nearly all families have someone serving in either the Army or the Navy. Therefore it has a universal appeal. What all of this means is that the tournament is the talk of the Ton.”

Elizabeth allowed herself to briefly feel the warm glow of pride at being the originator of the idea.

“Has it helped your business?”

Sir Edward observed his niece, proud that her first instinct was to ask about his business as a result of the tournament, yet also sad that it was her first instinct. The three of them in his study knew that this was Elizabeth’s idea. And yet it would never be acknowledged.

“It has in the sense that everyone knows that the tournament is my idea. Sir Edward Gardiner and Gardiner Import/Export are being talked of daily. It is too soon to see a business or financial impact but it was surprising how quickly I was received at Horseguards. There will be opportunities that will arise as a result of this tournament.”

He reached over and squeezed her hand.

“I am sorry that your role will not be known. I feel as if I am stealing your glory.”

“Do not worry about that uncle. In this instance, I am much less concerned. The idea came about from talking to a Colonel who I met at two balls. He had been wounded twice and it got me to thinking. You had that officer from the King’s German Legion to dinner and he too had been wounded, it was why he was back in the country. I was not able to do anything at that time whereas with your elevation, and our supply of brandy, there was a chance. I compared their stories to those of the heirs, the first born, or the financially independent that I had met at the same balls. I thought it needed to be more explicitly recognised. Thus the tournament.”

“Well the latest news means that you should get the chance to observe the duels.”

“Really? How?”

“The amount of interest in the tournament far exceeds Angelo’s capacity. There is talk of creating several salles in the grounds of Royal Hospital at Chelsea. There would be seating for spectators to allow as many people as possible to see the individual duels at the tournament, culminating in the final. There is some concern about inclement weather but as long as it does not rain then it should be acceptable.”

“They will allow ladies to attend?”

“That is the plan. The participants want to show off, display their martial prowess, to impress the ladies present. What it will do is provide an easy topic of conversation for the rest of the season.”

“Anything will be better than talking about the winter weather!”