Chapter 41 #2
Her ladyship grudgingly conceded, and even seemed to approve of Mrs Lovell at first, for the housekeeper gave a good account of herself.
Elizabeth did not take this as any sort of victory, for it was unlikely anyone would object to the servant they themselves had contrived to install.
She was more hopeful of success when Mrs Lovell was able to give favourable answers to her initial enquiries.
Yes, the distribution of Pemberley’s latest charitable donations had been made and gratefully received.
Yes, the other senior servants had accepted the proposed alteration to the household expenses. After that, her luck ran out.
“Tell me, Mrs Lovell,” Lady Catherine said. “What was it that caused the furore I overheard in the orangery when I arrived earlier? Something to do with flowers, I understand.”
Mrs Lovell glanced uneasily at Elizabeth.
“Do not look to your mistress for assistance. It was she who invited me to join this meeting. Answer my question.”
Elizabeth indicated with a nod that Mrs Lovell should do as her ladyship asked, though she was unreasonably gratified when the housekeeper addressed the explanation to her instead of Lady Catherine.
“Martha instructed one of the younger maids to gather some fresh flowers to be arranged in preparation for your return, Mrs Darcy. The instructions were not clear enough, I fear, for Sarah apparently cut the flowers herself rather than ask one of the gardeners to do it. Mr Howes was unhappy that some of his plants had been damaged.”
“Oh dear, that is unfortunate,” Elizabeth replied. “I assume you have dealt with the matter?”
“I have, ma’am. It will not happen again.”
Lady Catherine made a little noise in her throat that might have been a laugh or a bark of triumph. “Are there any other problems brewing amongst your ranks, Mrs Lovell?”
“No, ma’am.”
Elizabeth thought it pitiable that her ladyship should look so disappointed to hear it. She poured a solitary cup of tea, not caring that it was likely not steeped properly, pushed it across the table towards Lady Catherine, and stood up.
“The work on the east wing is regrettably disruptive. I shall have a room made up for you as far from the noise as possible.”
“I can tolerate noise perfectly well. You will not scare me away by that method.”
“I did not think for a moment that I would. But there is no profit in allowing you to be deprived of sleep, for it would only put you in a worse humour than you already are. Pray remain here and enjoy your tea while the room is readied. Mrs Lovell, the Mahogany Bedroom, I think.” With a gesture for the housekeeper to follow, Elizabeth left the saloon and her husband’s vexatious aunt behind.
Outside the room, she stopped walking and turned to face Mrs Lovell. “I apologise. That was…unpleasant. Now tell me, was Mr Howes very cross?”
“Livid, I am afraid.”
“Oh Lord. I shall ask Mr Darcy to speak to him.”
“There is something else,” Mrs Lovell said. “It seems William told Edna that you did not enjoy dinner on your first night here, and Edna has been taunting Chef with the information.”
“Has she now? She is sailing perilously close to the wind, is she not? Thank you for telling me. Pray tell Monsieur Dubois to pay her no mind.”
“You must not concern yourself on that score, Mrs Darcy. I am fast learning that Chef is an inveterate gossip. Edna’s petty tittle-tattle will not trouble him.”
“It ought not to be troubling Mrs Darcy, either.”
Both women jumped at the sound of Darcy’s voice—unexpectedly close and unusually cold. Elizabeth turned to greet him but faltered when she saw his expression, unsure what was wrong. It soon became clear.
“This incessant pestering of my wife must stop, Mrs Lovell,” he said icily.
“You are paid to manage this household. If you are determined to run to Mrs Darcy for assistance every time you encounter a difficulty, I see no reason for us to employ you at all. My wife has had an exceedingly trying day. Pray leave her alone and get on with the work you are being paid to do.”
Elizabeth was so stunned by this outburst that the housekeeper retreated before she had the opportunity to defend her. Her shock ignited into burning hot anger when Darcy began to apologise for Mrs Lovell’s behaviour.
“Elizabeth, I am sorry you had to deal with that as well as—”
“Upon my life!” she interrupted. She was attempting to keep her voice at a level that Lady Catherine would not hear, but her pique was such that it made her sound as though she was growling.
“Mrs Lovell was only here at my request! She has just saved me the brunt of your aunt’s derision.
And I asked her to keep me informed of Edna’s conduct!
If you have just cost us the best thing that has happened to Pemberley since we got married, you may find the replacement yourself.
I am done with the whole business!” She strode away at a pace.
“Where are you going?”
Darcy sounded utterly bemused and a little panicked, and Elizabeth almost stopped to reassure him, but the danger of encountering Lady Catherine again if she lingered too long decided her against it.
“For a walk!” she answered without stopping. And since nobody had given her the time to so much as change out of her travelling clothes since she arrived home, it was the easiest thing for her to march directly out of the front door and away into the park.