Chapter 4
Time flew at Pemberley and mid-June arrived in no time. Although Doctor Linfield’s presence was required on three different occasions, Mrs. Reynolds felt better and her health was steadily improving.
In less than a fortnight, Elizabeth had become accustomed to her duties and to the staff.
Her friendly nature and unassuming manners, mixed with her brightness and wit, helped her to gain people’s trust and respect, as well as their friendship.
With the same quickness that she made decisions for the entire household, she did not hesitate to actually work together with the maids when needed or to help the butler—Mr. Farrell—arrange and dust the books in the library.
She began to know the servants well enough and showed interest in their personal lives—or as much as they cared to share with her. She accepted no rumours or gossip, but readily encouraged them to speak to her whenever they wished to.
A peculiar situation surrounded the two young unmarried mothers.
One of them—Peggy—was two and twenty and she had a son of almost six years old.
The other one—Harriet—was one and twenty and her daughter Amy had just turned five years old.
Both of them had been born before the late Mr. Darcy passed away.
At first, Elizabeth believed the two children were siblings, as there was something similar in their appearance, although their mothers looked quite different.
But then, she found it was a mere coincidence, as there was no other connection except friendship and their willingness to please the new and younger ‘Mrs. Reynolds’, who was so kind to them.
Kindness was one quality that everyone noticed in Elizabeth, but that did not diminish her determination and her severity when it was required. However, there were no complaints, as fairness was another universally acknowledged quality of hers.
Elizabeth’s relationship was equally friendly with the people in Lambton.
Due to her cousins Henry and Leah, she became acquainted with everyone in the small village.
Consequently, she found several youngsters whom she persuaded to apply for the vacant jobs at Pemberley.
If the notion of being under the scrutiny of Mr. Darcy was frightening for many, being questioned and tested by Miss Elizabeth was a much more appealing option.
With Darcy, Elizabeth had very few interactions.
He would meet both her and Mrs. Reynolds every other day for several minutes’ discussion, he always asked her if she needed anything, and then he would kindly dismiss them.
She was never alone with him, not even briefly.
He would usually have breakfast and dinner in his apartment, while Elizabeth shared all her meals with Mrs. Reynolds and the rest of the staff.
While Elizabeth was a little concerned that the master might be somehow displeased with her work, Mrs. Reynolds assured her that it was his usual way: when he found someone trustworthy for a certain engagement, he would allow that person the liberty to accomplish their duties.
Furthermore, the housekeeper told her that, except for that challenging period, he had never interfered in household business, unless he was displeased with something, which had occurred only twice in the last five years.
Either from consideration or mere coincidence, Elizabeth received her payment as soon as the month ended.
Mrs. Reynolds informed her that it was at the master’s instruction and while expressing her gratitude, Elizabeth blushed.
Surely he was an intelligent enough man to imagine her father’s financial struggles and he likely wished to give her the chance to send home some money as soon as possible.
But, writing to her father, they decided otherwise, in order to keep the secret of her whereabouts.
Darcy’s offer of free use of the library was taken to heart and Elizabeth went there as often as she could—always careful that the master would be away.
Despite her caution, he did find her there a few times.
Whilst he was always amiable, asking her about her choice of books and at times even discussing them, Elizabeth always felt uncomfortable and distressed—more so than with any other man she had ever met.
He did not look much at ease in her presence either, but that was understandable to her—surely he had never had a paid employee wandering around in his library.
Although the master himself only made a rare appearance, Elizabeth met and interacted every day with his trusted men, both named Peter—Wentley, his personal valet and Farrell—his butler.
And several times a day she was delighted with the presence of Hunter—Mr. Darcy’s dog—a beautiful English setter.
One morning, Elizabeth was with Mrs. Reynolds in a room that was said to be the late Mr. Darcy’s favourite.
She had taken on the responsibility of dusting the room herself, pleased to see and touch a glimpse of the Darcys’ past and to listen to Mrs. Reynolds, who related to her details about every object in the room.
Elizabeth’s eyes were caught by several miniatures suspended over the mantelpiece.
“I recognise the master, Miss Darcy and Lady Anne. But who are the others?” she enquired.
The housekeeper came forward and peered at them.
“Oh, this is the late master’s niece, Miss Anne de Bourgh, and these two are his nephews, Colonel Fitzwilliam and his elder brother, the Viscount of Buxton. And this is Mr. Darcy’s best friend, Lord Crawford.”
“And this young gentleman here?” Elizabeth asked, looking at a portrait of a handsome young man with a handsome figure and a smile that looked charming even in that small drawing.
“Oh, that is George Wickham. He is the son of the late master’s steward, who was brought up by him at his own expense. The old master was his godfather and very fond of him, but sadly George was more talk and smiles than character.”
“Really? I am sorry to hear that. Mr. Darcy must have been very disappointed in his godson.”
“Fortunately, he did not have to suffer such pain, as George behaved in a good and loving way until he passed away. In truth, he behaved well with all of us. He used to call me ‘dear Reynolds’ all the time. It was the young master who had to bear George’s faulty character later on.
We know little of their dealings—mostly from what he has revealed.
The master does not speak of private matters. ”
Elizabeth glanced at the picture again. To be placed among the family was clear proof of old Mr. Darcy’s affection for the young man and the fact that the young master had not removed it was evidence of his consideration for his deceased father.
“There is such an appearance of goodness in his expression,” Elizabeth said.
“Yes, but only the appearance—and it is such a pity! He could have grown up to be a true gentleman. My master would have supported him in any career. The late Mr. Darcy wished to leave him a living, hoping the church would be his profession. But he applied to my master and asked to be compensated for the living so he could pursue a career in the law instead.”
“The law is not a bad choice for a young man,” Elizabeth offered.
“Of course not, if he had taken it. But the rumour is that he wasted the money in a most dishonourable way. I am not certain how he lives now, but I am afraid he has turned out very wild.”
“Such a waste, if it is true. A great pity indeed,” Elizabeth admitted.
As they spoke, the door was suddenly pushed open and with happy barking, Hunter entered and immediately stopped at Elizabeth’s feet.
She laughed and leant down to pat him, and the dog’s tail wagged happily.
She knelt and the dog licked her face, making her laugh again.
So preoccupied was she, and Mrs. Reynolds so busy watching her with amusement, that they did not notice Mr. Darcy himself in the doorway, staring at the little scene intently.
Still, the dog was the first to sense his master’s presence and he turned to him. Only then did the two women observe him and Elizabeth struggled to rise to her feet, brushing her hands over her gown, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Mrs. Reynolds, however, addressed him light-heartedly.
“We are cleaning the old master’s room,” she said, and Darcy stepped forward. He glanced at Elizabeth with a small frown between his eyebrows.
“May I ask why a maid or Farrell was not fetched for this task? Cleaning and dusting are not among Miss Elizabeth’s responsibilities and we cannot force her to do more than she agreed to when she accepted this position.”
He addressed Mrs. Reynolds, so she replied.
“The maids are busy this morning and Mr. Farrell is talking to two young boys who have applied for a job. Miss Elizabeth and I already have approved of them but it must be decided which of them is better suited to working in the stables and which in the gardens. And Miss Elizabeth chose to clean the room herself.”
“Indeed, sir,” Elizabeth interjected. “I thank you for your concern, but there is no need for it. Whilst I clearly know what my responsibilities are, I go beyond them with pleasure. And being in Mr. Darcy’s favourite room is more an honour than a duty.”
She spoke from her heart, which was even clearer in her gaze than in her words. Darcy’s eyes met hers and held them for a brief moment.
“As you wish; I trust your judgment and your decision, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“We were talking about George Wickham. Miss Elizabeth asked me about his portrait,” Mrs. Reynolds explained.
Darcy’s countenance darkened instantly.
“Speaking of George Wickham is a waste of time; I would advise Miss Elizabeth to better employ her time with a good book or a more pleasant conversation.”
His voice was cold and severe, and both women seemed uncomfortable. He immediately noticed it and softened his tone as he continued.