Mr. Darcy's Daughter Page 6

  He seemed genuinely relieved and then, to his surprise, Dr Gardiner said,"My son tells me you are looking to purchase a property in Derbyshire. Is this correct?"

  "Yes indeed, sir, I most certainly am, but I know little of buying and selling property, especially in England. I just know I love the countryside in these parts and, since my grandmother was originally from around here, before she married my grandfather and returned to Ireland with him, I would very much like to buy in the area."

  "Would a small mixed farm interest you? One with a horse stud?" Richard asked, casually. Mr Carr's eyes lit up."A farm with a horse stud! Is there such a property here? And is it on the market?" he asked excitedly.

  Richard nodded."There is—at Rushmore, over towards Lambton, and not far from my parents' property. The owner, Will Camden, is looking for a suitable buyer; he and his family are emigrating to Australia to start a farm in New South Wales. They have had several offers for the stud; it's an excellent investment, but Will refuses to break up the property.

  "He will only sell it together with the home farm because of his concern for his tenants. He does not wish to leave them at the mercy of some land-grabbing developer, who will turn them out and enclose their farms or subdivide and sell the land from under them. This has meant that he has not yet been able to close a sale. Now, if you are genuinely interested, I could introduce you. I must warn you, however, since he is soon to leave the country, he will insist on a cash settlement."

  Mr Carr looked ready to dance, so pleased was he with this news.

  "I would appreciate that very much, sir, and there would be no problem about a cash settlement; my intention is to use the money left to me by my uncle. It is in my bank already. When do you think I might see the property?"

  Richard smiled at his enthusiasm. He was very American, he thought, impulsive, enthusiastic, throwing caution to the winds…

  "Well, I usually visit my parents every afternoon. If you and Darcy would meet me at the inn at Lambton, I could take you to meet Will Camden. It is a very short distance from the inn. I shall have to send a message to advise him of your interest, of course. If he is agreeable, you could inspect the property, and if you are still keen, you could meet later to negotiate terms," he explained.

  They had almost reached the end of the long drive to the house when Darcy Gardiner and his two sisters came out to meet them; they were obviously keen to show Mr Carr around the grounds. Richard, leaving his guest in their care, handed his horse to the groom and went upstairs to change.

  Cassy had seen them arrive together; she was eager for information. Yet she knew from the smile on his face that her husband would tease her before he would reveal anything. Which he did. She plied him with questions about Mr Carr's interest in the Rushmore property, but he revealed little. When he was dressed and ready to go to breakfast, he stopped in front of her and put his arms around her. She was rather flustered, not at all like her usual amenable self.

  "Please, Richard, do stop teasing. I am not matchmaking, I promise; our Lizzie is far too young and anyway, girls are not as eager to rush into marriage these days."

  He kissed her then and said,"Of course, my dear; I am sorry. I did not mean to provoke you, but I know how much you want to help our guest secure a good property in Derbyshire and I thought you would like to know that, this afternoon, I am to introduce him to Will Camden."

  Cassy almost exploded at having been kept in the dark this long and it took all his loving charm to calm her down.

  "Hush, dearest; they may be back, and we would not want him to think we are a noisy, quarrelling family, would we?" he argued.

  This was the last straw and Dr Gardiner was only saved from dire retribution by Laura Ann, who put her head round the door and begged them to come down to breakfast, because she was very hungry.

  Her father escaped, taking his daughter with him, while Cassy followed, still flushed with impatience. She was unwilling to admit, even to herself, that Mr Carr had seemed to her like the first truly eligible gentleman they had seen in these parts in quite a while, and though she had no desire to be making a match for Lizzie, she thought her daughter deserved to see a little more of him.

  It would do her good to be aware of eligible young men, she thought.

  If things turned out well and he did purchase the Rushmore property, they would all have an opportunity to get to know Mr Carr a little better. She made a little resolution to mention the matter to her mother when they met. Elizabeth was sure to have some useful ideas about the situation and would not tease her like her husband did.

  After breakfast, Richard made his peace with his loving wife and left for the hospital, promising to tell her everything when he returned that evening.

  "You will know it all, my love, I promise," he vowed. Appeased by his pledge, she forgave him for vexing her that morning and let him go, but not before she had urged him to recommend Mr Carr to Will Camden as a prospective buyer.

  A lighthearted riposte was on the tip of his tongue, but seeing her face and knowing how much love there was between them, he had not the heart to say another aggravating word. Even as he turned to wave to them before driving away, he saw Darcy standing with his mother at the top of the steps, while Mr Carr and the two girls had set out for a walk around the park, which they had promised their guest at breakfast.

  Richard could not help smiling; he had glanced at his wife across the table when they were arranging it between them and, to his surprise, she appeared not to be listening. Doubtless, she was untroubled by it; yet twenty-four hours ago Mr Carr, apart from being Darcy's friend, had been a complete stranger.

  As they drove on towards Matlock, Richard recalled the hilarious tales his mother used to tell of Mrs Bennet's relentless efforts at matchmaking for her five daughters, when they lived at Longbourn.

  It had been her sole preoccupation, except for the dire condition of her nerves, for several years, during which time every eligible man who visited the district had been viewed and pursued as a possible marriage prospect for one of her girls.

  Both Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley had been objects of her interest, until the former fell out of favour, temporarily, to be replaced by an officer in the regiment of the militia that was encamped nearby. He, alas, had turned out to be a bounder who had eloped with her youngest daughter, Lydia, whom he had to be bribed into marrying!

  However, Mrs Gardiner had admitted that Mrs Bennet had been proved right about Bingley and Jane, who had fallen in love almost at first sight, while Elizabeth's romance with Mr Darcy had developed in spite of her mother's efforts. It was such a pity, Richard thought, that his dear wife Cassy had never known her infamous grandmother. It might have made for some interesting conversations.

  * * *

  Around four o'clock in the afternoon, Dr Gardiner drove to the inn at Lambton to wait for Mr Carr and Darcy. He had already sent a message to Will Camden that he was bringing along a friend of Darcy's who had expressed an interest in the Rushmore property and had received an enthusiastic response. The Camdens, who were committed to emigrating to New South Wales, were keen to sell.

  The landlord at the inn was well known to the Gardiners; the family had lived in the area for many years, and by his marriage to the daughter of the Master of Pemberley, Richard Gardiner had consolidated his position as a local. In addition, his reputation as a skilled and thoughtful physician had secured him a special place in the community. All of which probably contributed to the very cordial welcome he received when he arrived at the inn that afternoon.

  The same did not apply to the two rather raffishly dressed young men, who sauntered in shortly afterwards and ordered food and drink.

  Richard, who had retired to an alcove from which he could see an approaching vehicle, overheard them questioning the landlord. They had arrived in the area last night from Birmingham and taken rooms at the inn, with a view to inspecting a couple of properties in the district, they said. The mention of property alerted Richard, who listened whil
e pretending to read his newspaper.

  It seemed, they were interested in an old run-down place outside Cromford and had also driven out to Rushmore Farm to look at the Camden horse stud. Both men were enthusiastic about the stud, with its collection of fine horses, but neither was keen on the farm that went with it.

  "It is only a small place, no more than a hundred acres, with no prospect of expansion or development, unless one were to get rid of the tenants, who seem to have been there forever," said one, and the landlord agreed that the families had lived and worked the farm at Rushmore for many generations.

  "You'll not get them out easily," he warned.

  The other man was more optimistic."I'd enclose the place and turn them out. The law lets you do it; it would be the only way to make the property profitable," he declared, adding that he would want to keep the trout stream as part of his portion.

  "Apart from the stud, it's the only part of the property I would want to keep. The house is old and needs knocking down."

  Richard realised that these men were the type of buyers Will Camden had already rejected, but time was running out and soon he would be forced to accept one of their offers, however reluctantly. It would be an absolute tragedy if Rushmore Farm and Stud were to fall into the hands of men like these or others of their ilk. The two men were still in the dining room when Darcy and Michael Carr arrived in the curricle. One of the men rose and went to the window to look at the new arrivals and then walked over to the landlord to ask if he knew who they were. Meanwhile, Richard had gone out to caution Darcy and Mr Carr that they had better be discreet in the presence of the competition. They decided not to go in and, as they prepared to drive to Rushmore Farm, he told them what he had heard.

  Mr Carr looked very concerned, but Darcy seemed untroubled."I do not believe that Mr Camden will sell to these type of men," he said confidently. His father was more circumspect.

  "He may not have an alternative—time is short and he will need to sell fairly soon," he said, and they set off up the road. Mr Carr joined Richard in the carriage, while Darcy followed in the curricle.

  Michael Carr was concerned; he had spent most of the morning talking to the Gardiners' steward, he said, and he had heard nothing but good reports of the Rushmore stud and the farm.

  "Your man thinks it's an excellent property; he believes Mr Camden is foolish to sell," he said, and Richard laughed."Thomas grew up on the Camden farm; it was his childhood home. Little wonder he doesn't like to see it up for sale," he explained and added thoughtfully,"Many of the folk who live and work around here have ties with the Camden Estates as they do with Pemberley. Some were born there, and the prosperity of their villages depends upon the good management of those two estates. They may be fearful that another round of enclosures and indiscriminate development will destroy their livelihood."

  Mr Carr was impressed by the level of concern shown by both Dr Gardiner and his son; clearly the Gardiners had the interests of their community at heart, he thought. When he spoke, he hoped to reassure them of his own motives.

  "I have certainly no interest in enclosing or subdividing any property I purchase. My intention is not to make a profit, but to purchase a place where I can enjoy the kind of life I wish to lead. My business interests in transport and trade are in New York and London; here, I would want mainly to enjoy the countryside and all it offers.

  "Now, if the horse stud is as good as Thomas says it is, that would surely be an added attraction and a valuable investment, but my chief aim is the acquisition of a pleasing and convenient country residence."

  "But what about the farm?" asked Richard."Those men at the inn were right about the farm—it is not large enough to allow the use of mechanised farming methods. There is little scope for expansion unless you intend to fell the woods, and there are long-term tenants."

  He did not wish to raise Mr Carr's expectations too high.

  "If the stud is good value and the house is solid enough, I do not think the size of the farm would present a problem," said Carr. He fell silent as the horses strained a little to take them over the last rise in the road before it ran out in a wide sweeping meadow, cradled in a deep bend in the river and overlooked by an arc of rugged hills, rising high above the property. It was both picturesque and secure, allowing only one way in, with the foothills of the Peak District forming one natural boundary and the River Wye another. They stopped and climbed out to survey the prospect.

  Both Darcy and Richard could sense that Carr was impressed. He said nothing, but while his silence implied that he was at a loss for words, his countenance proclaimed that he was well pleased with what he saw.

  The land was both fair and productive, the fields well tended, the river banks thick with flowers. The house, an old but solid early Georgian building, stood on rising land backed by its own woods, and beyond the orchard lay the paddocks and stables of the Rushmore stud.

  Will Camden had ridden down to meet them at the farm gate. When Richard introduced them, it was easy to see that the two men were keen to assess one another, but as Mr Carr held out his hand and said,"Mr Camden, I am astonished that any man who has spent his life in this place would be willing to part with it," it was clear that Will Camden was already won over.

  An hour and a half later, after they had walked over much of the grounds and inspected the stud and the house, it was clear Mr Carr's intentions were fixed. He could find nothing to say that was not good and nowhere to look which he did not admire. So determined was he to secure the place that he insisted they talk business immediately rather than wait to meet another day. Richard left Darcy with them, as they negotiated their way through the transaction, and made for home.

  When Cassy met him at the foot of the stairs, he embraced her fondly and said,"Well, my dear, you have your wish and Mr Carr has his property, I think," and seeing the look of astonishment upon her face as she stood before him, a hand to her open mouth, her eyes wide like a child's, he added,"Unless something goes very wrong with the negotiations, it seems that Will Camden has a buyer for Rushmore Farm and Stud."

  "But so soon? Did he not want to see any other properties?" she asked, almost disbelieving it had all happened so quickly.

  "Not after he saw the property, walked around the house, inspected the stud, and patted the horses. He claimed it was just what he wanted, and if I am not mistaken, he will pay an excellent price for it, too. So, my darling, you were quite right; it is a happy transaction that satisfies everyone, and I think I deserve a reward for my part in it," he said as he took her upstairs, presumably to make good his claim.

  * * *

  Meanwhile, Lizzie and Laura Ann had gone down to the village with Laura's governess, Miss Fenton, and on their way back were happily overtaken by Darcy and Mr Carr in the curricle. Miss Fenton had broken the heel of her shoe and was walking awkwardly and, because there was no room for all of them in the vehicle, Mr Carr gallantly leapt out and helped her in. He then lifted little Laura in, too, claiming they were both small enough to fit into his place and, as they drove on, offered his arm to Lizzie. She took it gratefully, for the road had been steep and she was tired from supporting Miss Fenton.

  When they reached the house, they found that everyone had disappeared upstairs. Mr Carr went into the parlour and Lizzie, doing her duty as hostess, asked if he would like some tea.

  "I would indeed," he replied and as she went to order it, he stoked up the fire. By the time she returned with the maid bringing tea and muffins, he had got a good blaze going. Lizzie dispensed the tea and toasted muffins unselfconsciously, totally at ease in her own home. Mr Carr was so completely satisfied with his day's work, he seemed to want little more than to relax in silence, while Lizzie sat watching the pictures in the fire. So they remained until the servants came in to light the lamps.

  "Good heavens, it's almost dinnertime," Lizzie exclaimed and, jumping to her feet, excused herself and ran upstairs, leaving Mr Carr amidst the remains of a very pleasant afternoon tea, conscious o
nly of feeling completely contented. He had no recollection of feeling this way ever before.

  At dinner, to which everyone including the host and hostess was late, for some unaccountable reason, it was revealed, by young Darcy first and then confirmed by Mr Carr, that Will Camden and he had agreed upon a price and they were to have their lawyers meet to draw up the documents.

  "If there are no legal problems affecting the sale, there should be no further delay," said Mr Carr.

  Darcy chuckled."I don't think I have ever heard of a deal done as speedily as this one. Mr Camden must be pleased."

  His friend smiled."There was no reason to delay; I was so certain it was what I wanted and Camden was happy with my offer, so I had to secure it as quickly as I could. As I said, if there are no legal obstacles to the sale, I can see no reason to wait any longer."

  "And do you intend to live on the property, Mr Carr?" asked Cassy.

  Carr was thoughtful, but answered unequivocally,"I certainly hope to spend some time there, quite a lot of time, in fact, since I have no other residence in England. But I do have business interests in London and Europe, which would probably take me away for a few days at a time, several times a year. Once the property is mine, I hope I may ask your advice, Dr Gardiner, on the appointment of a suitable manager. Mr Camden's steward has retired and he has not appointed anyone in his place—a sensible move since he was selling, but it does leave me with an important position to fill and I have no local knowledge at all."

  Richard looked a little concerned.

  "I am not the best person to advise you, Mr Carr; I rely entirely on Thomas to make appointments here. I would suggest that you consult Will Camden's uncle, Sir Thomas Camden, or better still, my father-in-law, MrDarcy. They are the owners of the largest estates in the district and will give you sound advice on such matters."

  Mr Carr was grateful for the suggestion but wondered how he might meet these two distinguished gentlemen.