Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Asurveyor with some report occupied their host as soon as Darcy entered the house, and since Jane was happy to be alone with Bingley, Elizabeth climbed the stairs to retire to her own room.
A new bride wanted a female companion during her early married days, but Elizabeth felt Jane no longer needed her.
When Elizabeth was near the top of the stairs, someone with swift steps ascended, and in a moment it gave Mr Utterson to her view.
“I am afraid I alarmed you by running up those stairs,” he apologised. “This is the nearest way from the stables to my apartment, and I do not typically see anyone using them this time of day.”
“You have had a fine day for your ride.”
“Yes, no post today so I rode all over. No field sports yet, either, and Hurst is dull company. I cannot play billiards with him all day and then tolerate his company in the evening as well.”
Mr Utterson could be harsh in what he said and how he slighted others. Although she agreed about Mr Hurst, all Elizabeth could politely do in reply was smile.
“Had you a pleasant time looking at wells?” he asked.
She readily agreed and might have said more, but Mr Utterson shrugged and said, “I am not often in the country unless visiting friends. Rural festivities hold little interest to me. I prefer town society and amusements, on the whole.”
“You are chiefly in town, then? Is that how you met Mr Darcy?”
“I first met Balfour a few years ago, and through him have slowly come to know Darcy better.”
When he added nothing further, Elizabeth said, “You mentioned studying the law.”
They stood near the room that had been old Mr Darcy’s favourite as they talked. “I am. Twelve terms qualify me to be called to the bar. I am preparing to be examined for my proficiency.”
“Are you near to completing your study?”
“I have one year left.” Mr Utterson huffed.
“My brother shall inherit the baronetcy and has no profession to plan for. He was plucked from the lists at Queen’s College for failing his examinations.
He could not even handle Euclid, but he shall have the Hall and the title.
For my lot, however, I must attend court, study, read in barrister’s chambers, and do so on a pittance doled out by my father. ”
Recognising that he could be an ungracious man or say a severe thing without even realising it, Elizabeth felt she could best tolerate Mr Utterson in a large party, or only after he had aired his grievances to someone else.
“I suspect your father fears London life would draw a young man into expensive pursuits, and wishes you to secure a profession so you will be well-provided for.”
Mr Utterson looked chagrined. “I am not ungrateful, nor resentful. Sometimes I am more jealous than I have right to lay claim to. It shall all end well enough.”
Elizabeth nodded and, not knowing what to say, looked into the room where she had found Miss Darcy yesterday.
“Were there not two candlesticks there?” she said, pointing to the table.
“Likely not. Darcy said it was his father’s room, so I presume he cannot bring himself to alter it.
” Mr Utterson’s naturally severe countenance softened.
“Darcy was very attached to him, I understand from Balfour. The room is probably just as it was in his father’s day.
” He then checked his watch. “I must go and dress, although there is no theatre, no parties to prepare for. At Pemberley, a quarter of an hour is enough time.”
He bowed and left her, and Elizabeth went to her own room to dress for dinner.
She had chosen a gown for the evening, going so far as to lay it on the bed, but when Carew strode in after seeing to Miss Darcy, Elizabeth learnt her opinion did not matter.
The maid’s deep blue eyes widened, and she gave a shake of her head before putting the green gown back and selecting a yellow one in its stead.
“Your hair is dishevelled, ma’am, and your gown in such disorder,” she said as she went through her skilled but rough process of removing Elizabeth’s day gown and putting her into an evening one.
With every motion, Carew’s ring grazed her skin.
“I do not know how that is possible since you did, I presume, wear your bonnet and pelisse to Bakewell. I shall have to brush your purple pelisse. It looks as dusty as one of Miss Darcy’s riding habits after a long day. ”
Elizabeth looked to the long-sleeved, full-length, fitted coat, trimmed on the collar, cuffs, and hem with fur. She supposed it did look the worse for wear.
“You need not waste your time. I or one of the upper housemaids can—”
“Certainly not, ma’am. Miss Darcy and the master have put you in my charge whilst you are at Pemberley.”
Carew was curiously, charmingly outspoken.
Miss Darcy was not the sort to assert her rank, and she did not have much confidence yet, but Carew’s authoritative but caring attitude might do Miss Darcy well.
It was likely good for Miss Darcy to have the aid of so honest and loyal a creature.
Elizabeth found she had grown fond of Carew’s manner.
At least whilst she brushes my hair, she is not likely to scrape my skin with her ring.
“Wool does not stand up to frequent washing, you know,” Carew was saying as she firmly ran the brush through Elizabeth’s hair, tugging her head with every pull.
“You are lucky the hem does not touch the ground. I shall brush it best I can with fuller’s earth.
You likely did not expect to wear it on August walks.
I should like to have something so warm when I walk to visit my father. ”
“If you intend to go to the trouble of cleaning it, you may wear it next.” The hairbrush clattered on the ground.
When Carew rose with it, Elizabeth saw her shaking her head in the glass’s reflection.
“I insist. When you next walk to Lambton to visit your father on a cold day, I shall lend it to you.”
“Thank you, ma’am, but no.”
“I shall tell Miss Darcy to insist that you borrow it. And, if she cannot do that,” Elizabeth added, “I shall next take it up with Mr Darcy, and we all know how cross he will be to be put to any trouble. He might dismiss you without character reference if you refuse.” She tried to keep her expression stern, but was smiling before she finished.
Carew pursed her lips. “I agree only to save you from troubling Mr Darcy, although he would never act that way. He is a good master and has been civil to me since we were friends as children.”
I was completely wrong about Darcy. “Please, borrow it when you visit your father. He is very proud of you, I am sure.”
The maid’s prim lips now turned into a smile. “Miss Darcy always tells me to take a flower from one of her bonnets to put on my own when I go to see him.”
“Then you shall appear lovely when you see him next.” Carew’s reflection in the mirror showed pink cheeks, and Elizabeth said, to distract her from her embarrassment, “How did Miss Darcy pass her day?”
“She lasted half an hour with Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley before she rode through the park. And then Mrs Annesley decided that she needed to practise the harp, without an audience. I then needed my mistress to provide me detailed instructions on how to care for her silk gown, so she spent the rest of the afternoon in her apartments.”
“I am glad Miss Darcy has good friends who truly care for her happiness. I want to know her better. I think I shall also try to know Mrs Lanyon better.”
“Miss Darcy is only shy, but best of luck with Mrs Lanyon, ma’am.
She is reserved.” Carew bid her to stand to give her a final inspection before sending her to the dining room.
“Some of the servants think her good enough for Mr Darcy, but now I wonder if a reticent woman would be attractive to the master. It might be more prudent that a man like him marry someone who might give him a little more liveliness.”
Carew curtseyed and was gone before Elizabeth recovered enough to thank her for her help.
After dinner, where the topic of well dressing was discussed with energy, Elizabeth helped Miss Darcy prepare the tea and coffee.
They fell into a chat about where best to walk in the park and where to visit in Derbyshire.
Although shy, Miss Darcy answered Elizabeth’s questions readily, and Elizabeth felt that after a few more conversations, preferably whilst not in a large party, Darcy’s sister might be completely comfortable around her.
“I wish her gown had left more to the imagination, and less to the eye,” Louisa said quietly as she took her teacup, with Caroline following behind her. “Mrs Lanyon forgets she is a widow.”
“Nor is her Titus hair a flattering coiffure,” said Caroline, with a look towards Mrs Lanyon. “But, if one has too wide a forehead or crooked eyebrows, one must do what one can to attempt to remedy the defect.”
Elizabeth saw Miss Darcy’s reddened face.
Just like Mrs Lanyon, she also wore her hair cropped, with it crimped prettily around the forehead and temples.
Caroline and Louisa quickly realised their error and did their best to repair the damage, complimenting Miss Darcy’s fine and regular features and how the short style suited her particularly well.
Between her embarrassment and their fawning, now Miss Darcy might not speak for the rest of the evening.
“You had to spend the day with Mrs Lanyon, Eliza,” Caroline said after Miss Darcy had been flattered into mortified silence. “How did you tolerate it?”
Caroline liked nothing more than to speak unkindly about whomever was not present and whomever she feared might form an attachment with Darcy.
“I must have been too subtle before when I tried to make it clear how little I like your rude manner of talking about Mrs Lanyon.” Elizabeth walked away, and then turned back.
“I actually spent the entire day with Mr Darcy, and I tolerated that very well, thank you.”