Chapter Two
“Mamie, you’ve told me stories about England, since you grew up there, but do you think I’ll fit in alright? Will people look down on me, or hate me for being born in America?”
“My dear, the upper crust of England looks down on everyone not from their own circle. You’re a dear, sweet girl, and will make friends wherever you go.
Will you need to learn to be a bit more circumspect and hold your tongue?
Quite likely, but do not let them change you.
Be yourself, and you will always find your own people. ”
Elizabeth gave a haughty sniff, “So you’re saying I talk too much and am brash in my speech? Very well. I will try not to batter them with my wit and clever banter…at first.”
“That is all anyone can ask, my dear child.” was said with a smirk.
Mamie Annabelle Russell, Elizabeth’s governess and now companion was one to talk.
Her Christian name literally meant obstinate or rebellious.
She was exactly what Elizabeth’s parents had looked for.
Ethan and Elizabeth had been a handful as children.
Mamie and her husband had emigrated to America at about the same time as the Darcys, but while one family had gone north, the other had gone south.
It wasn’t until Mamie’s husband had died in an accident that she advertised herself as a governess.
The Darcys felt their luck in finding her advertisement.
She was well bred, educated, had impeccable manners, could draw, paint, and play the pianoforte.
She also had a backbone of steel and was kind.
She became an integral part of the family in no time.
“What about my clothing? I’ll just be entering half mourning when we arrive in England. Should we leave early and buy a few dresses. Norfolk has several good dress makers.”
“My dear, anything you buy here will be several years behind London fashion. I suggest we dye your nicer dresses black and purchase a new wardrobe when we arrive. It will not hurt for you to look like a crow when we first dock.”
“I realize we are not poor, but an entire new wardrobe?” Elizabeth couldn’t hep it, she felt a bit of excitement about that.
“You will need to be in fashion so as not to embarrass your family. I know nothing of the Bennets, but everyone who was anyone knew who the Darcys are. Your father’s family is an old and well thought of Norman family, who came over with the conqueror, like my husband’s did.
You will be expected to present yourself a certain way.
We will discuss it, at length, on our journey.
I will tutor John on some finer points also.
At least I do not have to worry about him forgetting anything! ”
The ladies tittered. John Smith was the son of their steward.
He was the same age as Ethan, and they had played as boys.
They were still the best of friends. While Ethan was off at school, John was learning everything about estate management from his father.
Ethan would bring him his college books when he came home for holidays, and John would have them memorized before Ethan went back to school.
John had perfect recall. Anything he read, heard, or saw stayed in his memory forever.
John was a quiet man, but also quite huge.
He stood six foot five inches tall and was very broad of shoulder.
When Elizabeth was thirteen, she had a bit of a crush on John.
He disabused her of that thought when he said, “You’re like a little sister to me Bethy.
I always wanted a sister, growing up, but all I got was Jake.
The little devil.” Jake was seven years younger than Elizabeth, and a constant trial to his mother and father.
Everyone loved the little imp though who was not so little anymore.
Mr. Smith would now train Jake up in land management, with John gone for who knew how long.
“John will need new clothing too then. Won’t he?”
“John will need a new wardrobe also. He will play several roles while we are in England. While we travel, he will be your brother.” Elizabeth looked to interrupt.
“No, no my dear! It is much safer that way! When we meet your families, he will play the role of your footman and bodyguard maybe. Servants are nearly invisible in England. It is not like here. He will be able to listen and pass on any information to us. He will sometimes play the role of ‘man of business’ if we need to make any large purchases, like a coach and horses.”
“A man of John’s size is not exactly forgettable. Will having him play different roles not seem…fraudulent? I mean…won’t we look like charlatans?”
“If things go well, you may tell your families who he is, but why would we care what strangers think? They may see him one day dressed as a businessman, and a few days later dressed as a servant, and think, ‘My, that big man looks rather like another man I saw a few days ago.’ And then go on with their life. It is not like we will pass him off as a prince or a lordling.”
“True. Does he know what roles he will play?”
“Yes, of course. Your brother has spoken of it to him already. Since he is so big, the local tailor is making him a new suit here, in black, so he can be in mourning with his ‘sister’ when we sail out of Norfolk. He will buy a new wardrobe in London also. We all need to see how everyone is dressing before we set out to meet the family.”
“How will you need to dress?” There, in Virginia, Mamie dressed just like everyone else. Elizabeth’s mother insisted upon it. ‘We are not in England. I will not have you dressing the drab.’ She used to say.
“I will dress however companions are dressing these days. Generally demure, with lesser fabrics, and colors that do not stand out too much.”
“Should you not dress like me? You have family in England too. What if you run into some of your husband’s family? Didn’t you tell me they were high up in the ton?”
Mamie sighed, “They are, but it has been thirty years. No one will recognize me. My own parents have passed. A cousin has our estate. My sister and I have had no contact at all. I do not expect to see anyone who would know who I am.”
“Well, we will still dress you like a favored aunt, not a servant. As my mother said, ‘I will not have you dressing the drab!’ Haha!”
Mamie smiled at her charge fondly, “Very well my dear. I will dress as your favored aunt.”