Chapter 17
Elizabeth gazed out of the window the next morning after her early morning tea. The snow-covered peaks glittered in the winter sunlight, and her spirits rose. She would make a success of being Mrs Darcy, she would.
She would ensure the household ran smoothly; she would ensure the tenants understood that the mistress of the house would do all in her power to help them; and she would ensure the staff were content and happy to work here.
As for being a good wife to Mr Darcy — the reply from her aunt would assist her greatly in this; Elizabeth was utterly lost as to how to respond to this wounded man and later to his usual self.
She knew he had married only to protect his sister and himself, and she had only consented to protect her family.
It was not an auspicious start. But it was where she was, and she must work to make a success of this marriage as well as everything else. He must want that too, surely?
She turned from the window and allowed Emily to assist her to dress and pin up her hair. She smiled slightly; she was used to doing all this for herself, except for the buttons. But Emily was young and eager to please. Later, Elizabeth might be glad of the assistance.
After breakfast, Elizabeth met the steward in the estate office, surrounded by shelves full of an intimidating quantity of files, ledgers and folders.
Mr Reed was a stolid, reliable-looking man in his forties, and Elizabeth was reassured by his steady, accepting gaze.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Darcy, and I am especially happy to do so while the master is unwell.” He frowned slightly, and Elizabeth knew he wished to ask what had happened, and why they had been wed without notice.
But he was far too polite to attempt such liberties, and she would leave her husband to impart such information as he wished to.
“Thank you for meeting me, Mr Reed. I was brought up on a rather smaller estate, although I am familiar with the duties of the mistress.” She met his gaze.
“My main concern this morning is to find out how the management of such a large estate differs from what I am used to, how we should deal with the busy period over Christmas and, most importantly, if there is any immediate need among the tenants that I can assist with, especially the children.”
“I understand, madam. Would you like me to first explain how the estate is managed and then move on to the more detailed requirements?”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth nodded at him, and prepared to listen attentively.
“Mrs Reynolds and Mrs Kerr have been managing as much of the mistress’s duties as they can since the loss of Lady Anne Darcy fourteen years ago.
But I am glad you are here now, Mrs Darcy.
An estate always seems to be improved with the presence of a mistress, especially one who is concerned for the estate beyond the house.
” She saw an approving look in his eyes.
“Pemberley is a very large estate, but its management need not overwhelm you. The house and home farm are directly under my eye, and the estate itself is divided into four districts. Each has its own under-steward, a responsible man who knows every tenant and field in his charge. Most matters are handled at that level before they reach my desk.”
Elizabeth smiled in relief. “I am glad I am not expected to know all sixty farms at once.”
“Not at all, ma’am.” Mr Reed smiled at her. “It would be far too much, considering all your other duties and obligations.”
Elizabeth frowned slightly. “I do consider knowing the tenants to be more important than visiting other families of the gentry.” She sighed and indicated the ledgers.
“I think the best that I can do at present is assist Mrs Kerr with finishing the tenant boxes, which I understand you are used to distributing if Mr Darcy is absent — although in future years I will wish to be present for as many of those visits as possible. However, I would like you to introduce me to the wives of the under-stewards as soon as we may arrange it. I believe they will be invaluable in informing me of any needs and news I need to know if my visit to that particular family is not due for a while.”
“They are all very good at assisting the families under their purview, Mrs Darcy, and if I may say so, it is the perfect way for you to stay aware of all that is necessary.”
“Good.” Elizabeth rose to her feet. “I believe I will look at the household accounts over the next few days, but I would appreciate it if you could arrange those visits soon, and also to any elderly people living alone. Christmas can be a sad time for those who have lost loved ones.”
“Mrs Darcy, I am very glad you have joined us at Pemberley and I will do as much as I am able to assist you to settle here.” There seemed to be respect in his expression and Elizabeth was relieved to have an ally alongside Mrs Kerr, who seemed to be helpful.
She frowned. She really needed to find out what ailed Mrs Reynolds, who ought to be dealing with the mistress even though Mrs Kerr seemed to be an excellent woman. There was something amiss. Something she needed to know.
She would spend the afternoon checking the tenant boxes with Mrs Kerr and perhaps it would also give her the opportunity to meet Mrs Reynolds and determine for herself the situation.
On Tuesday morning, Elizabeth woke very early to see one of the maids lighting her fire — she had been too tired to wake on her previous mornings — and she snuggled back down to await the room being warmer.
After an early tea tray and bath, she descended the stairs with a second missive to her aunt for the post tray — she did hope her aunt could find the time to read them, she would not have the same empty hours that Elizabeth did — and then went to the breakfast parlour, looking slightly askance at the usual array of breads, eggs, and cold meats set out on the sideboard.
There was quite enough for the Bennet family of seven.
She only hoped that what she left would be part of the servants’ meal and not go to the pigs.
She helped herself to a plate and smiled at the footman who filled her teacup. “What is your name?”
He looked slightly startled. “Stephen Conran, Mrs Darcy.”
“Then, thank you, Conran.”
Elizabeth turned to her plate. There were certainly no deficiencies in the kitchen that she had discerned, but she would have to be careful to eat rather less than she did at home until she was able to take some long walks. She smiled at the thought; the only thing lacking here was company.
A few minutes later, she corrected that thought to congenial company, having looked up at a sound in the hall and seen her husband enter the room, scowling.
He held an envelope which looked very much like the one she had placed on the tray this morning.
Her heart froze within her as she rose to curtsy.
“Good morning, Mr Darcy.”
He nodded curtly, then turned to the footmen. “Coffee, then leave us.”
There was silence while he waited for the man to place the cup at the head of the table.
Goodness, were they going to have to shout across it to have any sort of conversation?
But looking at her husband, she was glad his place was closest to the fire, and she ought to make the effort to ease his way.
Once they were alone, she drew a calming breath. “If you permit me to fetch you a plate, sir, you may take your seat.”
He grunted and nodded reluctantly, holding the back of the nearest chair as he walked past it slowly to his seat, placing the envelope beside his coffee.
Elizabeth wished he would get to the reason why he held it, but she supposed she would have to sit through his breakfast before she found out what would undoubtedly be a grim confrontation.
How had she ever thought company was lacking? She would gladly sit alone rather than be here with him. Her appetite had deserted her and she sat, pushing food around her plate while he ate a few mouthfuls, his forbidding expression showing his anger.
Elizabeth remembered the colonel’s comments before he tendered his cousin’s offer. He had said that Mr Darcy was mortified that he could not control his outbursts, but it seemed to her that he was tightly controlled, determined to eat before speaking of the letter.
Perhaps she should be encouraged that it meant he would recover from his uncertain temper. And go back to his old, cold, prideful self. I suppose I will be safer that way. But not happy.
Finally, he pushed away his plate, and looked at her, his face darkening. He glanced at the door to check it was still shut, and her heart began to race. He could do to her whatever he liked, and she would have no recourse.
She took a moment to wish she had had any other choice but this, and then steeled herself to listen to him as he rose to his feet and came closer to her, one hand on the nearest chair back.
Elizabeth stood up and lifted her chin. She would not allow him to loom over her. And she would not be intimidated.
Mr Darcy lifted the letter. The direction to her aunt was uppermost. “Please explain the meaning of this.”
If she teased him it would fray his temper more. “I have written to my aunt, sir.”
“Cheapside,” he spat. “Have you no sense of decorum in front of the servants?”
Elizabeth could not help but take a step back. “That is where my aunt lives, sir. But if you would prefer, I could ask Jane to send letters on …”
He took a step towards her and winced. “Have you sent any other letters in the days since you have been here?”
“I have sent one to my aunt and one to my sister.”