Chapter 20
Jane and Mr. Yates left the next morning, after breakfasting with her family, to travel out to the tenants and implement their plan.
They took her new phaeton and ponies with John on horseback for propriety.
They stopped first at the Whitney’s to check that the new windows were working well, which they were.
Both were shocked and grateful when they were informed that their rents were reduced, and thanked Jane profusely for allowing them the opportunity to put aside funds for a rainy day.
Jane was gracious in her acknowledgment and promised to do her best once again before they bid them farewell.
Jane was all anticipation of their visit to the Wards, pleased to be able to inform Sally that their farm was ready for them as soon as they married.
She had also brought a beautiful bolt of fabric from London, which she had bought but never used, thinking that the girl might make a wedding dress from it, or if she wished, use it for curtains and such in her new house.
The girl was so pleased that she forgot herself and threw her arms about Jane’s neck.
Jane laughed happily and explained to the parents that she was halving their rents as well, in gratitude of their work and loyalty to Ivy Well.
The family was all smiles when the pair took their leave.
At the Adams home, a well-rested Mrs. Adams greeted them with pleasure and immediately expressed her gratitude for not only the maid, but two workers as well, while they were doing the planting.
When Jane told her of the discount, the woman burst into tears of gratitude, explaining that her father had had some health concerns that week and they had worried how they would pay for his continuing care.
Jane assured her of Ivy Well’s support and asked to be kept informed if he needed further assistance beyond their capabilities to provide, as she did not wish for their kindness in supporting their aging father to put too much stress upon the family.
Their last stop was to the Rickses where they found the farmer convalescing in the sitting room.
Jane urged him back to his seat when he attempted to rise and greet them.
“I am very displeased with you, sir!” Jane cried, arms akimbo.
“When last I visited it was obvious that all was not well with you and your family said not a peep. Badly done, sir. My whole purpose is to support you all as you labor for the estate. If I am kept in the dark, how am I to do accomplish my tasks?”
“He is an ornery old goat,” his wife declared, mirroring Jane’s stance. “He attempted to send off the workers you sent to assist with the planting as well. He would have thrown himself into his own grave to salvage his pride.”
Jane smiled understandingly at the abashed man. “We all have our pride, but the estate only flourishes when we all do our part.”
“I was a bit worried at the timing was all,” he admitted gruffly. “New owners and me unable to pull my weight, thought you might toss us out.”
“That is understandable, sir, but completely erroneous. Especially with such loyalty as you have shown as the estate began to deteriorate. I wished to show my own gratitude for each of my longstanding tenants by halving the rents for the quarter. You are free to speak to the rest of your neighbors, you are the last that I have informed and it had nothing to do with your injury, so I shall not hear any complaints.”
“That is right good of you, Ma’am,” he replied, color creeping up his cheeks.
“Not at all,” she replied briskly, kindly ignoring his discomfort.
“I intend to work with you, each of you, for many years to come, and hope that my sweet daughter might work with your children, and our grandchildren after them. We are building a legacy, and I cannot do it without my tenants. So, in the future, when you are on death’s door, please do not hesitate to send for aid, for it is nothing less than you deserve as such an integral part of our combined legacy. ”
The man’s back straitened and his eyes shown with pride. “Yes, ma’am. The Rickses will not fail you, of that you can be sure.”
Jane thanked him earnestly and bid the family farewell before accepting Mr. Yates’ assistance to climb back into the phaeton.
They traveled silently for a time until Mr. Yates turned and gave her an admiring look.
“Mrs. Bingley, your way with people is a pleasure to behold. Your tenants are lucky to have you supporting and encouraging them without even a hint of condescension. It is a talent indeed to handle the issues which arise with such compassion and grace.”
Jane blushed deeply and dropped her eyes feeling unable to reply with equanimity. He faced the horses once more and they drove the rest of the way in silence, though it was not an uncomfortable one.
When they arrived at the entry, Jane accepted his hand and stepped down to the graveled drive.
She turned to face him, forcing herself to meet his eye.
“I do not handle compliments well, as I am sure you noticed, but I wished to thank you for your words. It means much to me to have your support, and I can only hope that I will live up to your elevated opinion of me.”
“You shall have to take Miss Darcy’s advice and practice,” he teased softly. “You are an estimable woman and it is unlikely that such complimentary opinions will cease being voiced to discompose you.”
Jane chuckled softly, as he had meant her to, and she led him in, bidding farewell to him as he headed to his study, deeper in the house.
Peace seemed to settle over the estate as they got into the new rhythm of their days. Elizabeth and Darcy and their family stayed for another fortnight before returning to Pemberley to take up their own lives once more.
To Jane’s surprise, her weekly at home grew in attendance with each passing week, until the one that morning had seen six women pass through her doors.
It was even more unexpected as Elizabeth had left the day before, and her departure was well known in the neighborhood.
Mary had been her stalwart support, despite her lack of enjoyment of such gatherings.
Lady Greenleigh’s acceptance had obviously made the rounds of the gossips, and the neighborhood had decided to imitate.
It was difficult to return the calls with all of her responsibilities, but she found, as she grew more confident, that the hour or so spent visiting each day enervated her for the sometimes-monotonous work she had taken on.
As she left the sitting room after the last of her visitors had gone, Mrs. Toole approached her looking grave. “May I speak with you, Mrs. Bingley?”
“Of course, join me in the study.” Jane offered her a seat before the desk and settled into her own. “You are obviously discomposed. How may I assist you?”
“It is Millie, ma’am.”
“The upstairs maid?” Jane clarified. “I have noticed nothing amiss, but I have been quite busy. Is she well?”
“She was caught stealing a small trinket from one of the unused rooms. When her things were checked, several other items were found. Nothing truly expensive, but stealing is stealing and we cannot tolerate it.”
“No, we cannot,” Jane agreed with a dejected frown. “I thought we had finally settled.”
They sent for Millie to join them and the girl entered with the brash confidence of youth, not realizing she had been caught. When they confronted her with the facts, the girl immediately dissolved into tears.
“Please do not send me away!” she cried, pitifully. “My mama has been so very ill and the apothecary wants nearly a pound for all her medicines! I know I was wrong, but I did not know what else to do!”
“You were there when we discovered what those dishonest Wickhams had done, and you chose to follow their example?” Mrs. Toole barked.
“You remember what Mr. Walters said do you not? They could have been hanged and were lucky to be marked for life instead! Do you imagine you would ever find work again if you were branded a thief?”
She began wailing hysterically, begging for mercy between gulping sobs.
Jane too paled as she recalled the brutal punishment her baby sister had received.
“Please! You cannot be so cruel!” Millie wailed.
Jane felt faint, closing her eyes to settle her nerves, leaving the housekeeper to take charge. “Go pack your things, Millie. No matter what we decide to do, you will no longer be employed at Ivy Well. Nor will you receive a letter of character.”
“You have killed my mother!” she lashed out as she ran from the room.
“You cannot mean to turn the child over to the magistrate. It would ruin her life,” Jane sniffed back her welling tears.
“It is up to you, Ma’am, but keep in mind the reason that the Wickhams dared to be so brazen. They had never suffered any consequences for their actions when they first started down their path.”
“You are correct,” Jane sighed in surrender. “My mother always excused Lydia’s thefts growing up and when we did complain that she had taken something of ours, rather than correct her, she would force us to relinquish whatever it was that she wanted.”
“No matter what you decide, it would be foolish to allow the girl to remain in a position to easily be tempted to continue with her petty theft.”
Jane sighed heavily once more, “I must agree. I believe a branding to be too much, but she must learn her lesson and having lost her position without a character will be a severe impediment to her future.”
“Hopefully it will solidify the lesson in her mind,” Mrs. Toole harrumphed in agreement.
“If you will see to her removal and ensure that she is paid any arrears I would appreciate it,” Jane declared, rising from her chair and escorting the woman to the hall. Mrs. Toole agreed and bustled away, leaving Jane to brood over the poor girl’s likely future.