Chapter Nineteen
Pemberley
Denny,
I will be there with my lists of crop yields and ledgers tomorrow at noon as planned, but my sister and some local ladies wonder if they ought not pay a few calls upon your bride, inconvenient as it may be for your family.
The ladies worry that since Mrs Denny will not know her neighbours before she loses her father-in-law, that she will be unable to accept them as callers when she is in full mourning.
The local ladies would not wish to see your young bride isolated for so long just because she had not received introductions before her bereavement.
If it is acceptable to you, my sister, her companion, and two local ladies will ride in the carriage and leave after an appropriate visit has passed. I will escort the carriage there on horseback and ride home when yours and my business is conducted.
Hopefully this will help your wife to make some friends of our neighbours as she settles in.
Even though none of them are of an age with her, they are kind women who will advise her well.
I know Mrs Denny enjoyed a full social circle in Meryton, and my sister feels it would be a shame if she had no visitors for months because of ill luck and the poor timing of fate.
Return your answer with the groom.
Darcy
Friday 3 April 1812
Hawthorne Vale
Darcy,
Your sister’s concern is very kind, and Kitty appreciates her thoughtfulness.
She had not considered that soon she might end up isolated at home with no one but Lizzy and sometimes Mary for company when my father dies.
He does not deserve to be mourned by us, least of all by my good wife, but the county will expect it, and judge her if she does not.
Even though her full mourning would be only three months, I would not see her without visitors for the duration.
Please inform Miss Darcy that I am certain of my wife and Lizzy’s abilities, but to be prepared that our housekeeper has left us, and the house is at sixes and sevens. Poor Mrs Denny is plagued with anxiety over the matter.
With my thanks,
Denny
“See, Kitty? Your fears may be laid to rest. You have planned a lovely course of refreshments for your guests.” Elizabeth adjusted a tiny sandwich on a platter in the kitchen, then surveyed an appetizing plate filled with scones, and the jams and tea service arranged on the cart.
“I believe I can hold my head up just by the presentation.” Kitty smiled at the footman who was nearby in the kitchen. “Thank you for your work on the silver, James. You did a marvelous job.”
“Thank you, madam.” James and Kitty had reached a tentative truce, James having learned that the mistress wished to be kind, but would not hesitate to turn sharp or stern if necessary.
Mrs Chalton had remained in her room the night of her megrim and disappeared the following morning before dawn.
When Matthew learned that the housekeeper had squandered the second chance his wife had given her, and on top of it, stolen a half-sovereign from her, he was enraged, but Kitty persuaded him not to call the magistrate.
“It is far less than we would have given her if she gave notice and took her proper wages with her. Lizzy and I found incorrect entries in the ledgers yesterday, she is likely fleeing consequences. And she has left with no reference. I believe Mrs Chalton will find that she has only harmed herself.” Kitty was practical about the matter.
“What matters most now is that I had better replace her sooner rather than later, but I do not even know the tenants or anyone hereabouts.”
“Perhaps our callers today might know a woman,” Elizabeth suggested as they finished their breakfast.
Now, down in the kitchen, Elizabeth waited while Kitty ensured that James knew his instructions when her guests arrived. A maid entered the kitchen.
“There’s a Mrs ‘awes at the back door asking if she might speak to ye about the ‘ousekeeper position, ma’am.”
“Mrs Hawes. Does anyone know Mrs Hawes?” Kitty inquired of the servants in the kitchen.
The cook, who was not from the area, but had worked at Hawthorne Vale more than long enough to know of the locals by name, spoke up.
“That’d be Miss Abigail Sydney, as was. She was the daughter of a modest gentleman.
Entailed the place was, perhaps two or three thousand a year.
Married an officer, and he lost her dowry somehow.
She came back a year ago, widowed, to take care of her widowed mother, but now Mrs Sydney is dead these three months.
Mrs Hawes has no claim to the dower cottage, and the new owner is heartless, or so I heard.
The poor woman must be powerful desperate for a position. ”
“Do you know anything sordid or unpleasant about her before Mrs Denny offers her a position in the house, even a temporary one?” Elizabeth asked seriously.
“We hear quite a bit downstairs, but not all, Miss Bennet, not all.” The cook peered into the pot she was stirring.
“Never heard anything bad about the lady. From what I hear of your backgrounds, if you don’t mind my saying so, she probably came up like you both did.
She’s no Miss Darcy, but a gentleman’s daughter, still.
She lived as a gentleman’s daughter long enough to serve as sometimes ladies maid to Mrs Denny, and she would know as much or perhaps a bit more of running a house as both of you do.
She’s older than you both, though. Perhaps thirty-five.
Not forty, I don’t think, miss. Not forty. ”
“I cannot ask for a fairer character reference, thank you Mrs Philpot,” Kitty thanked the cook, then addressed the maid. “Show her into the housekeeper’s office in ten minutes, Agnes. Mrs Philpot, please send in tea.”
“That was a fine history of her background, Kitty, but you simply must have additional references. Perhaps the ladies who visit today will know something of her, and you must certainly write to the wife of her husband’s commanding officer, or another high ranking man from his regiment.
And possibly the chaplain of the regiment.
” Elizabeth advised as they made their way to the housekeeper’s office.
“Of course you are right, and as much as I would like some experience in a housekeeper, that would cost more. I am of the hope that someone with ties to the area and who is willing to work hard to attain security for the estate and themselves will be an asset.” Kitty shared with her sister.
“That is not a terrible hope, let us see how you like her.” Elizabeth did all she could to encourage Kitty’s instincts on what was right, for once her sister had learned from her first mistakes, she regarded everything more shrewdly and made intelligent choices.
Elizabeth had to admit that she liked Mrs Hawes.
As the cook informed them, she was between thirty-five and forty, but had a sharp air of no nonsense about her.
Kitty and Elizabeth spent a half hour asking her about her skills, and hypothetical questions regarding how she would react to certain situations in the household.
Elizabeth and Kitty both felt that the lady was honest and willing to be hard working, and considering the difficulties at Hawthorne Vale, deserved the opportunity to prove herself with the rest of them.
“My cook has given me a small amount of information about your background,” Kitty said from behind the desk as Elizabeth occupied a chair nearby.
“But my husband and I are facing the impending loss of his father, the departure of the previous housekeeper, who was not honest, and a host of estate troubles that will take some time to sort out. We cannot possibly take a chance on someone whose references are not thoroughly examined. If you could provide me with the name and direction of the wife of your husband’s commanding officer, as well as the chaplain of his regiment, I will send you my answer as soon as I am decided. ”
“Of course, I will give you those directions, Mrs Denny, but I must confess to you that I am quite desperate for work, and I will be glad to work for twelve pounds a year until you have accustomed yourself to running your estate and your difficulties are managed.” Mrs Hawes wrote the information on a scrap of paper that Kitty handed her. “I am very keen to work.”
“Do you anticipate either of these references saying anything unpleasant?” Kitty asked.
“No, I am certain they will have nothing to say that would hurt my chances,” Mrs Hawes answered.
“Then I am certain that all will be well. As long as they reply promptly, we should have their replies in less than a week.” Kitty looked them over. “I will write to them both later today. Mrs Hawes, do you have secure lodgings for that long?”
“I must leave my mother’s cottage by the end of the month.”
“You will have your answer long before then,” Kitty promised.
“And you will not work for twelve pounds a year, that is a footman’s wage, and I could never countenance it.
I will not lie and say we are not planning for fewer maids for a time, and possibly fewer footmen.
I am certain we could make do with two footmen, at least until we begin entertaining.
And we had but two maids and one manservant besides the housekeeper at Longbourn for far more people.
My sister and I are accustomed to helping one another and making our own beds.
We can do it for a little longer, though I am waiting until matters settle after my father-in-law leaves us before I give anyone notice.
It might mean more labour than a housekeeper usually expects, but I insist that you take eighteen pounds a year, and if I am pleased by you when things are running as they ought, I will ensure that you have the raise that you would be entitled to as a proper housekeeper of this house. ”