Chapter 18
Northampton House was a beehive of activity over the following week.
Mrs. Juliana Trimmer had moved into a spacious suite in the staff quarters.
The Bennet-Fitzstuart ladies were extremely curious to find out how this soft-spoken, matronly gentlewoman would transform them into aristocratic ladies.
Their lessons had not yet started because they were fully occupied with remaking their entire wardrobes.
Four modistes, the best of the ton, brought fabrics and fashion plates daily for the ladies to view and choose.
Mr. Darcy came every day and locked himself behind closed doors with the Duke and both Whig and Tory luminaries of the Court and Parliament. The urgent topic of the day was the passing of the bill making the Prince of Wales the Regent, as all hope of the King regaining his senses had been dashed.
Georgiana regularly accompanied her aunt, Lady Charlotte Fitzwilliam, to confer with the ducal ladies about fashion.
When Mary wrapped a bold-colored fabric about herself, Lydia gasped loudly, which turned the gaze of the other young ladies toward her.
They looked at the fabric, then at one another and burst out laughing, confounding Mary, who was self-conscious about her lack of taste in fashion.
“Mary, that is hideous! Put it down!” yelled Lydia unceremoniously.
Elizabeth, being more tactful, said soothingly to her bewildered sister, “The colors do not suit you. How about this blue silk? It is a pleasing color, and it complements your complexion.”
Mary felt that if she were not to wear brown and gray, she ought to make a fashion statement with bright colors. Her face showed her skepticism about the pale blue silk.
Georgiana suggested, “Mary, this colorful fabric is all the rage in Paris. Some ladies like to be vanguards of fashion to turn other people’s heads.
If you do not desire attention, perhaps you can use the bright fabric to trim a bodice or hat?
” Everyone, including Lydia, was impressed by the sense and wisdom of the quiet girl.
“Oh, what a wonderful idea!” exclaimed Mary enthusiastically, pleased that she had picked out something special. “Thank you, Georgiana! You are as talented at designing dresses as you are at playing the pianoforte!”
“Oh…” Georgiana lowered her head, embarrassed at smiling so widely in public.
By the end of the week, Georgiana felt fully integrated into the society of the Bennet-Fitzstuart ladies.
One afternoon a few weeks after their family’s elevation, Elizabeth walked toward a niche by the window to read a new book that was taking the town by storm.
The first printing sold out within three days, but Mrs. Trimmer was able to obtain a copy for her.
Her sisters were busy looking over petticoats and such, but she had had enough of clothes and shopping.
As if a poem set in Albania, Spain, and Portugal was not enticing enough, the poet was the young and dashing Lord Byron.
She could not wait to be drawn into the lyrical adventure.
She stopped short, surprised to see a harried-looking Mr. Darcy pacing near the staff entrance close to her niche and could not help marveling at the young man’s sculptured profile.
Then Mr. Darcy turned her way and saw her.
Both blushed, unprepared to be alone so soon after the revelations each had experienced.
After a moment’s silence, they spoke at the same time.
“Mr. Darcy…”
“Lady Elizabeth…”
Mr. Darcy gestured to Elizabeth to speak first.
“Mr. Darcy, I am surprised to see you out of the study at this time of the day. My father could not possibly have finished exploiting your kind offer to help. Did you escape?”
Mr. Darcy could not help relaxing his countenance at such a sweet, sportive inquiry from an artless young woman.
The memory of the sultry look and subsequent proposition from Lady Caroline during a similar encounter at his uncle’s country house flashed through his mind and confirmed that his disgust toward his childhood crush was justified.
Mr. Darcy looked at his wrists and playfully said,” No signs of bondage. His Grace was merciful to let me leave without a struggle.”
Elizabeth could not help smiling brilliantly, her cheeks rosy, further enchanting the gentleman.
“You must treasure your brief spell of freedom, sir. Before you know it, my father will regret letting you out of his sight. You are solving all of his problems without his having to lift so much as a finger.”
Mr. Darcy’s heart was lifted to a height he seldom experienced—such tribute from the one he treasured.
“I am simply helping where I can. Many others are also lending a hand. It is complicated business being thrust into a situation as your family is experiencing. Are you well, m’lady, in this whirlwind of change?”
“I am well, Mr. Darcy. Thank you.” Elizabeth then remembered she wanted to know why Mr. Darcy appeared purposeful and pensive. “Are you waiting for Georgiana? She is busy giving fashion advice to my sisters. We did not expect her to be such a connoisseur of elegant attire!”
“Georgiana accompanies my aunt to modistes regularly. I suppose she cannot help but pick up some knowledge of what ladies admire and what they do not.” Mr. Darcy smiled indulgently.
Oh, dimples! Why did I not see them before?
Elizabeth could not help staring at his handsome face, made more alluring by his care and love for his sister.
Then she remembered herself and continued.
“And she is very generous in sharing her expertise with us country misses.” Mr. Darcy raised his palm to object to her self-deprecating quip, but Elizabeth did not let him.
“My sisters are unlikely to let her go easily, even if you have summoned her.”
“If Georgiana has made herself useful to their ladyships, she should stay as long as she is needed. I am waiting to see Jenny Taylor on pressing business.”
“Oh! Is her family at Pemberley well? I would like to be of service to her if her family is in need,” said Elizabeth anxiously. Usually ‘pressing business,’ especially the kind that made the master of the estate pace the hall with knitted brows, did not bode well.
Mr. Darcy’s solemn countenance returned.
“Lady Elizabeth, may I be frank with you since Jenny has told you about her betrothed, Jeremiah Smith?”
Elizabeth frowned initially, but realized Mr. Darcy was referring to Jem, the only name Jenny ever used when talking about her young man.
“What has happened to Jem?” Elizabeth asked with curiosity.
Just then, Jenny emerged from the servants’ stairs. Before she could ask anything, Mr. Darcy said, “Now that you are here, I can tell you and your mistress the reason I need to speak to you without delay.”
Jenny looked startled, but did not interrupt.
“I received an express from Mrs. Reynolds early this morning, which contained a letter from Jeremiah’s parents.
He was arrested for destroying looms at several factories in Derby.
The assizes will be in session next week.
Unfortunately, the punishment for Luddites can be extremely harsh.
If found guilty, he could be transported…
or worse. I need to prove that he was not involved in the violence. This is all I know at the moment.”
Jenny got paler and paler during his narration, and Elizabeth’s face turned ashen as well.
Elizabeth recovered herself somewhat and placed a comforting hand on Jenny’s arm while Mr. Darcy said gently, “There is still hope. I am going to Derby tomorrow to find out more. The circuit judge is a friend of the Darcys and the Fitzwilliams. More importantly, I shall provide Jeremiah with the best legal representation, as well as the best investigators to gather evidence proving he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He told his father that he had not taken part in the riot and was simply a bystander.”
Jenny’s face turned hopeful. She clasped her hands together and placed them at her chin as in supplication. She thanked her master while crying copious tears. “Mr. Darcy, how can I thank you enough? Jem will be well. I am certain of it.”
Mr. Darcy patted Jenny’s elbow and said, “I thank you for your faith in me. Let us pray to heaven that Jeremiah will be spared, but we must prepare for the worst. If he were to be transported, would you be willing to go with him to Botany Bay, which is practically on the other side of the world?”
“Yes! Yes! I will go where he goes!” Jenny then looked at Elizabeth and said meekly, “Forgive me, m’lady. I should have asked you first. Will you give me permission to leave your employ if it comes to that?”
Elizabeth grabbed Jenny’s hands. “Of course! However, I am certain Mr. Darcy will work hard to make it unnecessary for you to be banished from your home.”
Elizabeth looked at Mr. Darcy and pleaded with her eyes.
Between that look and her implicit trust in him, his heart just about melted.
A woman who cared so much for her maid was worthy of being the mistress of Pemberley.
For her, he would do everything within his power, even journeying to the depths of Hades.
“I shall leave for Pemberley tomorrow at first light with a few Bow Street Runners in my employ. Mrs. Reynolds has already sent men to Derby to investigate the arrest and see to Jeremiah’s well-being.
Try not to be too troubled about what will happen but be ready to leave for Plymouth at a moment’s notice. ”
He turned to Elizabeth and said solemnly, “M’lady, I thank you for your generous help to Jenny and Jeremiah. Jenny is fortunate to have you as her mistress.”
“Oh, I have done nothing. I am unworthy of any thanks from you or Jenny. Instead, I am in your debt. You allowed Jenny to come work for me, and now you are exerting yourself above and beyond your duty as master to assure the wellbeing of Jenny and her betrothed.”
Mr. Darcy was taken aback. This was high praise indeed. He hesitated for a moment and said, “Everyone at Pemberley is under my care. I am simply fulfilling my responsibility.”
Elizabeth did not argue. In her heart, she knew the man standing before her was a man of honor and justice of the highest caliber. This thought made her glad.
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth looked at each other intently until Jenny felt it necessary to break the spell.
“M’lady, everyone at Pemberley knows we have the best master in the world. Sir, shall I see my family again if I am to go far away?”
Mr. Darcy tore his eyes from Elizabeth and started pacing.
“If the voyage must be made, I shall have your parents brought to you before you depart. But I hope that will not come to pass.”
“Jenny, you can count on me and my father to be on your side,” said Elizabeth impetuously.
After Mr. Darcy had taken his leave, Elizabeth asked Jenny a question to which she already knew the answer.
“Does Mr. Darcy go to such great lengths every time someone at Pemberley is in trouble?”
Jenny’s answer completely vanquished any remaining belief that Mr. Wickham’s words about Mr. Darcy could have even a trace of truth. Elizabeth was now certain that Mr. Darcy’s marriage of convenience must have stemmed from an honor-bound obligation.