11. Chapter 11
T he next morning, Elizabeth got up and did her morning routine.
From her window she could see leaves and branches everywhere.
No doubt, there were more strewn about the grounds.
Both the house and the servants' cottage would need to be assessed for damage.
Mr. Anderson would probably assess the stables first thing.
She would need to check on the tenants as well.
Elizabeth thought over all these details as she made her way downstairs.
When she entered the dining room, she found Mr. Darcy there alone.
He was standing at the window, looking outside and drinking a cup of coffee.
“Good morning, Mr. Darcy.”
He turned from the window at her greeting. “Good morning, Miss Elizabeth.”
“I hope you slept well,” Elizabeth said as she walked to another window.
“I did, thank you.”
“My goodness!” she exclaimed at the sight of all the debris outside.
“Indeed.”
She looked at him and asked, “Do you have the time?”
He reached for his pocket watch. “It is a quarter to eight,” he said, looking at her.
“Thank you,” she said, looking back out the window.
“Is everything well?”
She turned to him with a smile. “Yes, it is. There is just so much to do. I confess I am rather anxious to just get on with it, but I do not want to offend you and your sister, or Mr. Bingley, by eating early and dashing off.”
“May I ask what these tasks are?”
“Well, I would like to assess the house for any damage. The same should be done for the servants' cottage and—”
“Good morning!” Mr. Bingley called cheerfully as he entered the room.
“Good morning, Bingley,” Mr. Darcy said.
“Good morning, Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth said, smiling. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, very well, thank you!” Mr. Bingley replied as he approached them.
“Please continue, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy said, looking at her.
“Oh, I uh . . . yes, I was saying I would like to assess their cottage as well. But I would also like to check on the tenants as soon as possible. I realize there may be debris and felled trees that could pose a challenge. What do you think?” she asked Mr. Darcy.
“I believe you are correct. Another thing you may encounter is flooding. Any of these things could cause some tenant homes to not be accessible by carriage. Do you ride?”
Elizabeth smirked and said, “When I must.”
Both gentlemen grinned at her.
“She does not sound very enthusiastic to me, Darcy!” Mr. Bingley said, still grinning at Elizabeth.
“I prefer to walk when possible, that is all,” she said, smiling.
They grinned and nodded in response.
“I would be happy to assist you with these tasks if you will allow me,” Mr. Darcy said.
“Thank you. I would appreciate it,” she said.
“May I make some suggestions?” Mr. Darcy asked.
“Of course.”
“If you have some men ride out and assess the situation of the roads and routes leading to your tenant homes, you can then determine which tenants you will visit and when. You could also divide up the tenants with the men so that you do not personally have to see each one. Since the priority right now is to confirm they are well and to assess their needs, dividing the tenants up with the men will help us accomplish this more quickly.”
“Those are very good suggestions. Thank you,” Elizabeth said.
She then summoned a servant to fetch Mr. Anderson.
“Miss Elizabeth?” Mr. Darcy addressed her.
“Yes?”
“Please, go ahead and have breakfast. Bingley and I will join you. I assure you, my sister will not be offended that you have eaten early in order to attend to pressing concerns. Indeed, Bingley will be leaving soon himself to check on Netherfield Park’s tenants.”
She nodded. “I shall take your advice then.”
Elizabeth walked to the sideboard and filled her plate. The gentlemen did likewise. She had taken only a few bites when a servant notified her that Mr. Anderson was awaiting her in the entrance hall. She excused herself and went to meet him.
Elizabeth was happy to learn the stables required only minor repairs. She told Mr. Anderson of the suggestions Mr. Darcy made and asked him to see to them. She also informed him that she would like Matthew to accompany her and Mr. Darcy to visit the tenants.
“Very good, ma’am. I will inform Matthew of your plans,” Mr. Anderson said.
“Once you have received information from the men, please bring Matthew with you to report the findings. I will get out the maps, and we will all discuss the best strategy together."
He nodded and smiled. “Yes, Miss Lizzy.”
The gentlemen stood when she returned to the dining room. Elizabeth was just about to sit when she realized her plate was missing.
“Where—”
“Here you are, Miss Lizzy. I added some warmer eggs to your plate,” the servant said.
“Oh! Thank you, Myra.” Elizabeth smiled at her, then took her seat. The gentlemen sat as well.
Myra poured the gentlemen more coffee, then left the room with empty serving dishes in her hands.
“I believe you have the unswerving devotion of your servants, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Bingley said.
“They are very good to us,” she said with a smile, taking a bite of her breakfast.
When they finished eating, Mr. Bingley took his leave with the plan of returning for luncheon.
“Mr. Darcy, if you are ready to begin, I am as well.”
“I am at your disposal, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Very well, let me just grab my father’s spyglass in case we need it.”
She and Mr. Darcy went outside and carefully circled the house.
They used the spyglass several times, and he pointed out different things to look for.
Everything seemed to be as it should be on the exterior.
They moved inside and began to check ceilings, windows, and windowsills.
Eventually, Jane and Mary assisted as well, and they were able to complete the inspection of both the house and the servants' cottage.
All was in order except for some cracks they found in two windows in the attic that Elizabeth would report to her father.
Darcy followed Miss Elizabeth to her father's bookroom. She had been notified that the stable master was ready to meet with her. Darcy walked to the shelves lined with books and browsed through them. He could feel her eyes on him as he did so.
When he glanced back at her, she said, “Mr. Darcy, I am remiss. Here I am in this masculine sanctuary of my father’s, and I have not offered you a drink. Do not men offer each other brandy and port at all hours of the day?” She looked at him with a playful smile and humor in her eyes.
He chuckled. “You are correct, Miss Elizabeth. I thank you, but I shall decline. Perhaps later this evening.”
She smiled, then nodded regally. “As you like.”
Darcy smirked and shook his head in amusement.
Mr. Hill appeared in the doorway. “Mr. Anderson and Matthew to see you, Miss Lizzy.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hill.”
The men entered the bookroom and bowed. Miss Elizabeth nodded at them, then said, “Mr. Darcy, I believe you are acquainted with Mr. Anderson. This is Matthew. He assists Mr. Anderson in running the stables. Matthew also accompanies my sisters and me when we ride.”
Darcy exchanged polite nods with the men.
“Please tell us what you have learned, Mr. Anderson,” Miss Elizabeth said.
“It appears the storm blew through the northwest part of the estate.”
“Northwest . . . just a moment, please,” Miss Elizabeth said.
Darcy watched as she walked to a cabinet and pulled open a wide, shallow drawer.
She stood there, paging through several large sheets of paper which Darcy assumed to be maps.
He was in awe of this young woman. Miss Elizabeth was so knowledgeable in the running of her father’s estate that when a situation on the estate was brought to her attention, she knew exactly which map she needed to put her hands on and where to find it.
Evidently locating the one she was looking for, Miss Elizabeth withdrew it from the drawer and carried it to the desk.
She quickly glanced up at the three men and gestured with her hands. “Do gather around.” Looking at the stable master, she said, “Mr. Anderson, please continue.”
Mr. Anderson stood to her left. Placing his finger on the map, he pointed to various landmarks as he gave her his report.
“It seems the storm kept to this side of the river. They were able to follow the damage a half mile past the McTierney’s, but not beyond.
They did not travel more than another half mile, though.
There could be more damage further north.
Tenants further west than Bates or Quimby did not seem to have been touched by the storm at all.
The same for the farms south of Glendale. ”
“And how are the roads and paths that lead to the tenant farms?” Darcy asked.
“They are littered with quite a bit of debris, but you can get around it on horseback,” Mr. Anderson replied.
“Is it safe to take Jacko Bridge or must we go the way past the old well?” Miss Elizabeth inquired.
“They did not mention a problem with the bridge, and I am sure it is the route they took because it is the quickest. The Camdens and the McTierneys both have some flooding at their farms because of the large amount of rain that fell over the span of only several hours. The rain overwhelmed the creek that runs between the two farms, but the flooding is confined to the portion of the land that is low-lying. The river has not swelled much so the bridges should be fine.”
“Good,” she said, nodding. Miss Elizabeth furrowed her brow in concentration. She was quiet for a minute, then she said, “Mr. Darcy, I know it must be around eleven o’clock and not long until luncheon, but I feel compelled to get on my way as soon as possible to check on these families.”
“Of course,” he said.
“I shall ask Cook to put together some food for you, Matthew, and me that we can take with us.”
Darcy nodded. “That should do nicely.”
“Matthew, will you go ready the horses?” she requested.
“Yes, Miss Lizzy,” Matthew said, and went away directly.
“Mr. Anderson, if I understand you correctly, the only tenant farmers of concern are Bates, McTierney, Quimby, Camden, and Glendale. Is that right?”
“Yes, miss, just those five,” Mr. Anderson confirmed.
“Very well, we will visit Glendale, Camden, and Quimby. Can you please have a man check on McTierney and Bates please? Have him ascertain each family’s needs, both urgent and non-urgent.
Have him also assure them of our concern and that dinner will be brought to them this evening.
You may have him report to me when I return. ”
“Very good, Miss Lizzy. I will get a man right on it,” Mr. Anderson said, then left the room.
Miss Elizabeth picked the map up and walked back to the cabinet. She opened the drawer where it was kept and carefully slid the map back inside. She closed the drawer and turned to Darcy.
“Miss Elizabeth, I shall go prepare and meet you in the entrance hall,” Darcy said.
“Very well. I must go speak with Cook and inform my sisters. After that, I will get ready as quickly as I can,” Miss Elizabeth said.
He gave her a nod, and they both left the room.
As Darcy walked to his bedchamber, he thought about how, from the moment Miss Elizabeth had come downstairs that morning, she had been busy giving attention to the needs of the estate.
What young woman of his acquaintance would show half as much dedication to her estate and to her tenants?
He did not know of any. Darcy knew that Miss Elizabeth was unique in that her father had taught her a great deal about estate management.
Indeed, she was a paragon of intelligence and competence for the female sex, and it was on full display as she cared for the needs of the estate in her father’s absence.
However, simply showing care and concern for tenant farmers and their families was within the purview of any woman.
Special training was not necessary. Still, many women of the ton did only the bare minimum required for the tenants of their fathers or husbands.
To have a wife who would be a true partner in the running of Pemberley as his mother was for his father, that was something Darcy really wanted, but feared he would not find.
Yet . . . he had found it, had he not? Only, it was not where he was supposed to find it.
He had not found it amongst the ton—the crop from which he was supposed to pick.
No, he had found it under cultivation in a corner of Hertfordshire. He had found it in Elizabeth Bennet.