Chapter 19. Problems with Maids and Mrs Murray
It was almost four of the clock before Mr Darcy visited his sister. Upon his arrival in her sitting room, a maid arrived from the kitchens with fresh tea, biscuits and cake.
“I shall grow fat with these biscuits and no time to ride,” William told his sister and Mrs Annesley. “Mrs Reynolds keeps a sharp kitchen.”
“Brother, I am ready to return to Netherfield,” Georgiana told her brother. “I was most displeased with the maids this morning and sent one girl below stairs.”
Surprised at the tone of his sister’s voice, Darcy glanced at Mrs Annesley for the companion’s reaction but asked his sister, “Tell me what happened?”
“The girl spoke out of turn Mr Darcy,” Mrs Annesley reported. “She told of your ejection of Mrs Murray from the house and the woman’s tales in the village of mistreatment.”
“Georgiana, I am sorry you had to hear such as this,” William told his sister. “I wanted the woman removed before you arrived with Mr Bennet and Miss Elizabeth.”
“I understand more than you think brother. I am not grown but I am not an infant. When I was confused after one of father’s visits to Netherfield–you and he argued about funding a trust for a ‘natural child’–I asked Elizabeth for an explanation.
She was confused as to what to say but she took me to her mother and Mrs Bennet explained that Father had a mistress with a natural child. ”
William sat back in his chair. “There were two mistresses and three children.”
“We have three siblings?” Georgiana asked with surprise while Mrs Annesley looked away; she had dealt with a family and ‘natural children’ previously with the Earl of Coleridge.
“They are Father’s natural children and his will provided for their education and a trust.”
“Who will direct this education? Will they receive a proper upbringing?”
“It is not something you must worry about, dear.”
To William’s surprize, Georgiana shook her head.
“The maid reminded me of the stories about my birth. She said that everyone knows I am not...” Georgiana tried to say as tears formed.
William moved instantly to his sister and pulled her into his arms.
“You are my sister–Georgiana Darcy–never allow any doubt to enter your mind!” he insisted. “Nothing and no one will ever make you any less than my sister.”
Georgiana laid her head on her brother’s chest and felt safe in his embrace.
“We must see to the care of our brothers after we settle Pemberley,” she said with finality. Then she straightened up and accepted his handkerchief to dry her eyes.
“I see you still carry Elizabeth’s embroidery work everywhere you go William,” she teased when she looked at the worn handkerchief.
“Miss Elizabeth is my seamstress,” William responded. “It has been three years now since any other handkerchiefs have been in my pocket.”
“I miss the Bennets and Netherfield,” Georgiana said. “How long do we remain in Derbyshire?”
“Our visit will last for several months. We are in mourning for a year and should not travel a great distance. And there is much to settle and politicians to placate here about.”
“Then I shall endeavour to make it feel more like home. Mrs Bennet promised to correspond with answers to any questions I have, and Mrs Reynolds is most agreeable.”
“I shall see you at supper,” William said as he rose once again and left the room. Behind him he heard Mrs Annesley begin a conversation regarding how to plan meals with the housekeeper.
**++**
Mr Darcy returned to his office and sent a footman to find Mrs Reynolds and bring her to him. Seated behind his desk, he dismissed the secretary and the solicitor for the moment.
“You wished to see me Mr Darcy?” asked Mrs Reynolds as she entered the room several minutes later.
“Yes. My sister was... Earlier today, the maid serving my sister was very unkind to Georgiana, making remarks regarding Mrs Murray and my sister’s parentage.”
Mrs Reynolds was white with fury within moments of Darcy’s words.
“I have spoken to my sister who was better informed than I had imaged.”
“Sir, I am so very sorry. I shall speak to the girl...”
“Who is her family?”
“She is a girl from Kympton sir. Her sister is one of...”
“And so, she does not have kind feelings toward the Darcy family.”
He considered his options and shook his head before saying, “I should like to speak to her in the next fifteen minutes with your attendance of course.”
Very quickly, the maid was found and brought to the study. The girl–barely fourteen years and resentful–stood on the carpet before the new master. Mrs Reynolds stood behind her and William wondered if the girl was scared of him or of the housekeeper.
“What is your name?”
“Lily Marsden, sir.”
“And Lily, you were serving as a chambermaid for my sister this morning?”
“Yes sir.”
“And you told my sister stories of Mrs Murray?”
“Yes sir.”
“And you made comments about my sister as well.”
“Yes sir.” Lily’s hands were picking nervously at her dress by this time.
“Is it true that your family has suffered a misfortune at the hands of Mr Wickham?”
“Yes sir. My sister Anne was turned out by me father when she begun to show, and Mr Wickham wouldn’t marry ‘er.”
William frowned. “I believe that my father found her a husband, gave her dowry of fifty pounds and paid for her marriage within the church.”
As she grew agitated, Lily’s tenant farm dialect appeared. “Yes sir, ‘er ‘usband can’t sell ‘er at the fair like a cow or none such.”
“I am sorry that your sister suffered but Mr Wickham has been removed from Kympton and shortly...”
“But ‘e was ‘ere this mornin’! I seen ‘im walkin’ proud and ‘e ‘ad a purse...”
“Hush girl!” Mrs Reynolds scolded.
“Mr Wickham was here but I have dismissed him and sent him from here to never return,” Mr Darcy told her. “He leaves Lambton on the coach today.”
“No sir. ‘e says ‘e had to call on Mrs Murray quick like!”
Darcy was surprised only for a moment by the revelation, and he closed his eyes as he struggled to restrain his anger. When he looked up again, the girl and Mrs Reynolds both were silent and frightened.
“Lily, you are not dismissed from service at Pemberley, but you may not work with any of the family or any guests again. Mrs Reynolds will assign you work befitting your skills. If I ever hear of you speaking against me or my sister, I shall dismiss you and your father will be turned off his farm.”
Lily waited until she reached the hallway before she burst into tears, but Mrs Reynolds cuffed her ear and said, “Silence! The master could have dismissed you without references. ‘e was exceedingly kind to you!”
“But what would ‘appen to m’ family if ‘e turns ‘em out?”
“Keep your tongue in your ‘ead and they won’t be on th’ road,” Mrs Reynolds fussed as her emotions overwhelmed and her own origins slipped into her speech.
**++**
With the secretary and solicitor in tow, Mr Darcy left Pemberley for Lambton.
The coachman assured his employer that he knew the house where Mrs Murray was in residence and in under an hour, the carriage pulled to a stop.
Darcy followed by the two men made his way to the door and knocked.
When the housekeeper opened the door, Darcy pushed his way inside.
“Where is Mrs Murray?”
“Madam has a guest in the back-parlour sir, but...”
Darcy slipped around the woman and hurried down the hall to a door that he opened without knocking. He found George Wickham and Mrs Murray in close conversation while seated on a sofa.
“Darcy!” exclaimed Wickham. “What are you doing here?”
“This is my house Mr Darcy! I shall ask you to remove yourself at once!” Mrs Murray exclaimed.
Without regard to the woman, Darcy said, “Mrs Murray, I came immediately upon hearing that Mr Wickham came to pay a call.”
“Mr Wickham came to share my grief over losing your father,” the woman said, blotting at an imaged tear as Darcy glanced at the uncovered mirror on the wall and the bright blue dress the ‘grieving’ mistress wore.
“The depth of your feelings is clear to anyone Mrs Murray,” he said as he bowed his head. The woman blushed but did not say more.
“Why are you here Darcy?” asked Wickham.
“I came to encourage Mrs Murray to remove to Kent. Mayflower House is available for her use.” Darcy stopped and looked around at the current house. “I image this house will be let to another before many days–I have no need of it.”
“My son is not to be treated thus!” Mrs Murray argued hotly.
“Your son’s expenses come from my pocket madam. It will take at least two years to fund his trust and until that time, any monies you receive outside of your rents come from me. And it is some time until Michaelmas when rents will be collected.”
Wickham attempted to solicit some sympathy by saying, “Darcy, Mrs Murray is mourning your father.”
“Yes, she is. And you are here to see if you can get your hands on her income.” Darcy turned to the woman and explained, “This afternoon, George read my father’s will, and I am certain he noted your life estate in the house and rents at Mayflower.”
Now he turned to Wickham, “But George, did you notice the section where I am to provide Mrs Murray with the rents in amounts I deem fitting? If she marries, her husband has no say in how I disperse her quarterly income.”
“And you will be as miserly with her as you were with me today!” George complained. “Five pounds for the trip to London!”
“Two pounds will pay for the seat and food the entire way to London. I knew you would drink at least another pound away.”
“Why would you ask me for money if Master William provided you with five pounds?” asked Mrs Murray.
“A gentleman always needs to be flush,” George replied.
“Mr Wickham, I feel fatigued. You must forgive me,” Mrs Murray said in dismissal of the man.
Wickham rose and Darcy stepped in front of the man. “And the other information you saw in the will concerning my sister, I advise you to forget it quickly. If I protect my father’s mistress from you, can you imagine what I would do if you attempted to approach my sister in the future?”