Chapter 1.14 #2
Darcy was reading in the library when Elizabeth entered and greeted him.
“Forgive me. Am I disturbing you? I thought I would keep you company before breakfast.”
“You never disturb me. I am happy to see you. May I offer you some tea or coffee?”
“I would like that very much. Do not interrupt your business. I shall order a tray,” she said.
Very shortly, a maid brought the order then left. Elizabeth filled his cup with coffee and hers with tea. Darcy watched her with a smile, pleased to notice her increasing familiarity and easiness in accommodating to the house—and to him.
“So—are you working on something important?”
“I was just looking over the expenses of the Newcastle estate.”
“You have an estate in Newcastle? Besides Pemberley?”
“There are several more. I shall tell you about them one day when you have time and desire to discuss boring business details,” he said in jest.
“I should like to hear anything you would like to share with me. I feel it is part of my duty to know about your responsibilities and to help you with anything I can.”
“It pleases me to hear that, Elizabeth. And I certainly feel I can share anything with you.”
He turned his chair to face her and spoke with equal warmth and seriousness.
“Let me briefly describe the history of my family, as well as the estates I inherited. My mother had two siblings: Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Lord Matlock. Her father—my grandfather Fitzwilliam—was an earl, and my grandmother was an earl’s daughter too.
From my mother, I was left this house in London.
My grandfather Darcy was the younger son of an earl, and he had two sons: my father and James’s father.
From my father, I was left Pemberley—the estate where we lived all my life—and three much smaller properties: one in Newcastle, one in Box Hill and another in Oxford. ”
“That is quite impressive,” said Elizabeth, stunned. “And you manage all these by yourself? Now I understand why you are not inclined to either dance or speak much in large gatherings. I imagine you take any possible opportunity to rest peacefully.”
He laughed loudly. “I appreciate that you find an excuse for my occasional rudeness. The properties are well organised and most of the tenants are excellent people, so my effort is not significant. There are also two estates which belong to James: one in Derbyshire and one in Newmarket that are also under my supervision for another year and a half until he turns twenty-five.”
“You take care of six estates? For how long have you done that?”
“My excellent father passed away five years ago, but he mostly retired to Pemberley a year before. I took over James’s estates four years ago when my uncle died.”
“But you were almost James’s age when this happened. How did you handle everything? Are you a sort guardian for James until he is twenty-five?”
“No quite. Robert and I are Georgiana’s guardians by my father’s will.
When she turns one and twenty or at her marriage—if it occurs before—she will inherit 20,000 pounds from my father, 30,000 from my mother, and a house in Town.
In James’s case…” He hesitated again, watching her with a trace of discomfort.
“James is my only relative from my father’s side.
He is younger than I am, and he was always a pleasant and happy child.
His mother passed away from fever when he was twelve, and afterwards his father rarely refused him anything.
Unfortunately, this made him take things very easily and persist in many errors during the last few years.
That is why my uncle named me to manage his estates until he grows wise enough to be his own master. ”
“Will you decide whether he is wise enough to take over his estates?”
He did not miss the meaning of her words, and his expression tensed while his eyes locked with hers. “No, it will simply happen when he turns twenty-five. I can only hope that he will not waste his family legacy.”
A paused followed, and she began to feel uncomfortable under his scrutiny. Both were well aware that they were also considering Mr Wickham’s situation.
“Elizabeth, I am not an unfair or cruel man; at least I try not to be. I do not take easily decisions which affect other peoples’ lives.
You accused me of always wanting to have my way.
It might be so, but I never did an injustice to anyone only to have my way.
And I know there are things I need to change in myself, but I trust justice is not one of them. ”
Without much thought, her right palm caressed his cheek and lingered on it a moment.
“I do not accuse you of anything; I only try to sketch your character. I know you are not unfair or cruel, and I know you are honest in your estimation of other people or situations. However, sometimes your judgment is too harsh, and your expectations might be too high for others to reach; therefore, they consider you to be cold and inconsiderate or even unjust. If there are things you should change, it would be to soften your manners a little.”
He covered the back of her hand with his own then placed a warm, lingering kiss on her palm. She shivered, her eyes fixed on him. His lips departed from her skin a heartbeat then opened slightly and pressed again, tenderly.
“If you truly believe that I only need to soften my manners, I feel happy and relieved. I expected you to see more faults in me.”
“Oh, there are certainly more, but we must preserve a few. It would be impossible for me to live with a husband at whom I could not criticise or laugh.”
She teased him to conceal the shivers that his brief kiss sent from her palm along her body. He was still holding her hand, and his thumb stroked inside her palm, arousing the strangest feelings within her.
She startled, and he withdrew from her when knocks on the door interrupted them.
Mrs Thomason entered, and Darcy resumed his seat at the desk. With the corner of her eyes, Elizabeth observed her husband and noticed the smile twisting his lips. She thought that, if Mrs Thomason had been a few minutes later, he might have…
“Mrs Thomason, good morning. Please tell me whether you have news about Janey and her daughter.” Elizabeth struggled to sound casual.
“Dr. Philips was here very early in the morning. The child is reasonably well. Janey is trying to give her some tea and a little soup.”
“I planned to visit them, but I thought they might still be asleep.”
“They have been awake for some time, ma’am. That is why I dared to trouble you so early in the morning. The elder children asked me to give them something to do in the house to repay your kindness. I would like to ask you what tasks you suggest for them.”
“What a lovely idea! But there is truly no need for them to do anything. They are eight and nine, are they not? Children should not work at such a young age.”
Mrs Thomason hesitated a moment and attempted to exit then returned hesitantly.
“I beg your forgiveness, madam. I do not wish to disobey your request, but the children seem very mature for their age. I believe they would feel better if they were given some duties…some things to accomplish around the house. Forgive me; it is just my suggestion.”
Elizabeth was somehow disconcerted by the unexpected contradiction and was ready to insist on her previous resolution when she was interrupted by her husband.
“Mrs Thomason, Mrs Darcy and I will discuss what the best solution is. Please be so kind as to bring the children here in a quarter of an hour.”
The housekeeper curtseyed and left. Elizabeth looked at her husband, puzzled.
“I agree that such young children should not work, Elizabeth. However, their request is a proof of the fair education Janey gave them. They are accustomed to working for what they get and might feel uncomfortable being offered something out of pity.”
“I understand your point. But what kind of duties could they perform at their age, William?”
“I am not certain yet. Let us speak to them and decide afterwards.”
Shortly, Georgiana entered with Lucky and Titan, who ran towards them, demanding attention. Georgiana was offered a cup of tea and the invitation to keep them company.
A gentle knock on the door announced the return of Mrs Thomason.
Near her, a girl and a boy with shabby yet clean clothes, their eyes mostly to the ground, stepped in hesitantly.
Darcy asked them to approach. The girl curtseyed clumsily, and the boy bowed gravely.
They were thin and pale, and it was difficult to say which of them was older.
“What is your name?” Darcy inquired, and Elizabeth smiled at them, encouragingly.
“My name is Peter, sir. She is my sister Libby.”
“I am pleased to meet you, Peter and Libby. I am Mr Darcy. You already met Mrs and Miss Darcy last night.”
The children bowed to him but seemed to find it difficult to reply.
“So, Mrs Thomason told me that you asked to be given something to do in the house. Do you think you are old and strong enough to bear responsibilities?”
“I am very strong, sir, and I am already nine. I will be ten soon! My sister is younger, but she can work, too. And I will help her if she can’t,” the boy replied in an instant.
“I like your determination, young man. Now we must decide what duties suit you best.” Darcy rose from his seat and moved closer. His height and severe countenance immobilised the children. “Have you been to school? Do you know how to read and calculate?”