Chapter 3.14
The sunshine resting on her face through the half-open curtains made Elizabeth open her eyes, glancing around for her husband.
He was not in her bed, nor in the room, and she listened carefully for any sign of him.
But there was none. Puzzled, she sat up against the pillows, calling for him.
No answer came, so she put on her robe and searched in his chambers.
His bed was undisturbed, and his robe was slung over the chair.
It was the first time she had woken up alone since their marriage, and she felt slightly worried. She rang for Sarah, who arrived shortly with the news that the master was out and would return for breakfast.
Elizabeth dressed and went to the library, trying to employ her time with a book. Without Darcy she felt restless, so she called for Mrs. Taylor and invited her to have a cup of tea together.
An hour passed before Darcy returned and Elizabeth looked at him for an indication of some problem. Mrs. Taylor left, and once alone, he took her hands and kissed them.
"Is anything wrong?" she asked, recognising the shadow of distress on his face.
"No… Nothing particularly. I paid a visit to Madame Claudette…"
The unexpected answer stunned Elizabeth.
"Madame Claudette?"
"Yes. I told her that you were concerned about the little girl and asked for more details about her mother. I enquired about the woman's whereabouts, but she claims to be ignorant of her location."
Elizabeth sat, overwhelmed by the news.
"I also told Madame Claudette that you might discuss with her the possibility of taking the girl under your protection until the mother returns for her. I requested she consider the conditions for accepting such an arrangement."
"Oh dear … Fitzwilliam, this is… I have no words to express my gratitude for your kindness and generosity! This is …"
She was so emotional that Darcy's heart warmed with tenderness and he kissed her hands again. She was thanking him for allowing her to protect an orphan… And she claimed he was kind and generous.
"Mrs. Darcy, you have nothing to thank me for; surely you know that!
You may do what you consider is right, at anytime!
I have only spoken to Madame Claudette to avoid any misunderstandings, as you are not well enough acquainted.
But I expect you to discuss this with her and with the girl and to settle this matter to your liking!
You are the mistress of all this, Mrs. Darcy.
"But … do you think Madame Claudette will accept it?"
Darcy hesitated briefly. "She is a woman inclined to business. She should be pleased to be freed from what she called a burden. The little help the girl can provide in the shop could be easily covered by hiring another servant of mature age. I am sure we can reach a mutual agreement.”
Overwhelmed by love, admiration and respect, Elizabeth looked at her husband, her eyes filled with tears, then she took their joined hands to her heart. No more words were needed.
∞∞∞
"So what should we do now?" Elizabeth enquired. "How do you suggest we proceed?"
"If you are prepared, we will return to Madame Claudette’s now. I see no reason to delay."
"I am prepared. I see no reason to leave that child there any longer."
Another hour later, they were sitting in a large office at the back of the shop, waiting for Madame Claudette, who had announced to them that she had a previously fixed engagement.
Darcy had quickly lost his patience and was pacing from the door to the chair and back, while Elizabeth tried to calm him with a smile. Eventually, the woman arrived.
"I apologise, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy. As you well know, I have fixed engagements throughout the day. I did not expect such a meeting to interfere with my schedule."
"We understand and will not keep you long from your duties. Please be so kind as to let us know what you have decided," Darcy requested, already irritated by the woman's superior tone.
"May I ask, Mrs. Darcy, what the nature of your interest is in that child?" the modiste asked.
"The nature of my interest is my belief that a young child, no matter how unfortunate the circumstances of her life have been, should have a little bit of childhood.
That a girl of eight should not be made to carry packages in the middle of a storm alongside men, nor should be asked to bear heavy loads of wood.
And that a child who claims to be ill, should not be rebuked for that, but taken care of.
" Elizabeth's ire had grown too, and it became obvious in her voice.
Her head was held high, her eyes and lips narrowed, and her eyebrow rose in challenge.
Her overall demeanour allowed no room for argument.
Madame Claudette paled slightly. "I have done my best. I am a woman who has to work for a living."
"We are aware of that," Elizabeth continued, more gently. "Raising a child requires time and effort. I have three younger sisters and two young cousins, and I am well accustomed to children. That is why we are confident that the girl would fare better under my care."
"Well, I must say that Mr. Darcy's proposition was astonishing. I have given it quite a lot of consideration…"
"Have you informed the girl yet? What is her name?"
"No, Mrs. Darcy. I thought we should settle the matter before involving the child. Emily is her name."
"I see. I would like to speak to Emily, please."
"Madame, here is my suggestion," Darcy stepped in.
"Mrs. Darcy should talk to the girl, while we settle the matter to our mutual satisfaction.
Since for you, raising the girl is a difficult task and we are willing to take it off of your shoulders, I am sure we will quickly reach a suitable resolution. "
The woman hesitated a moment, then she rang for a maid and gave some instructions.
"I must tell you this is breaking my heart; I have grown much attached to the little one."
"I am sure of that, ma'am," Elizabeth replied sternly.
"If you have any knowledge of the girl's mother, we would appreciate you sharing it with us.
It would be our greatest joy if the girl were to be happily returned to her mother one day.
Also, please feel free to inform whoever you consider appropriate that the girl will be residing in our house, hoping the news will reach her mother somehow. "
"So … you do not wish to keep the girl?" Madame Claudette enquired, puzzled.
"She will have shelter and protection in our home for as long as it is needed. But if her mother returns for her, we would be happy to see them reunited, as I already mentioned. A girl is not property to keep or sell, is she?" Elizabeth replied more sharply.
"No … Of course not … I am just surprised as your request is rather peculiar, Mrs. Darcy."
"In what way peculiar?"
"To be honest, no other lady who has entered my shop has ever noticed the girl at all."
"Yes, I would imagine that," Darcy said.
The door opened and the maid returned, inviting Elizabeth to follow her, while Darcy remained with Madame Claudette. When the door closed behind the women, the remaining occupants of the room looked at each other coldly.
"Ma'am, let us set this matter straight. Please let me know what sum you have in mind to compensate you for your trouble."
"Mr. Darcy, as I said, I am a woman who must work for a living. And I do work, day and night. I need help, which I pay for. Each servant I keep needs room, food, candles, firewood, and so on."
"I understand. I imagine the young girl created even more expenses for you. So let me know what amount would cover your loss."
"Mr. Darcy, I do not wish to sound disrespectful. We are happy to have your wife and aunts among our customers. What I meant is I need some payment for the girl …"
"Madame Claudette, there will be no payment for the girl!
As Mrs. Darcy mentioned, the girl is not merchandise to be purchased and owned!
The payment would be for your trouble and expenses, considering you might not receive the compensation you expected from the girl's mother. Would one thousand pounds be enough?"
The woman's eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, she remained speechless. She gulped a few times, then nodded hastily.
"Indeed sir, that would cover everything quite generously. I am glad you understand the difficulties of such an endeavour…"
"Very well, then. My solicitor will visit you this afternoon, with the sum and a settlement, reporting that you allowed the child to be taken into our care until her mother returns."
"Excellent, sir! Now, if you will excuse me, I shall ring and see how Mrs. Darcy is doing. I hope the girl has not done anything to upset Mrs. Darcy and change her mind."
Darcy rolled his eyes, barely keeping his composure. He wished nothing more but to end the hideous conversation and leave the premises.
∞∞∞
When Elizabeth entered the room, the girl was standing, her eyes down, her hands entwined in front of her, her blond, curled hair escaping from her bonnet.
"Emily, this Mrs. Darcy," the maid called to her. "Look at her."
The girl dared a glance; from a closer distance, her paleness and empty eyes frightened Elizabeth. She sat on a settee and stretched her hand out to the girl.
"Emily, please come and sit with me, my dear."
The girl moved closer, still standing. Elizabeth did not insist.
"Emily, do you know why you are here?"
The girl shook her head.
"I called for you because I saw you yesterday and I liked you very much. And I am inviting you to come and live in my house."
The girl finally looked at her in disbelief. "Inviting me?" she whispered.
"Yes… If you wish to come…"
"You like me?" the girl whispered again.
Elizabeth smiled warmly, almost tearful at the girl's fearful astonishment.
"But I cannot work… I am useless," the girl said, apologising.
Elizabeth took her little hand in hers. "My dear, you will not have to work… we are not taking you with us to work…"
"But why?"
"Why? To live with us. As a friend."
The girl's eyes widened even more. "A friend?"
"Yes, my dear."
"You have a kind voice," the girl murmured. Elizabeth caressed her hand.
"But I cannot leave," Emily said, suddenly panicked.
"Why not?"
"I have to stay here and work until Mama returns to pay Madame Claudette. I must pay for my expenses," she said in a low voice, as if sharing a secret.
"My dear, you must not worry about that anymore. If you agree, you will come with me today. We will leave word for your mother that she can find you in our house, whenever she returns."
"But … Madame Claudette?" the girl asked, tearfully.
"My husband, Mr. Darcy is speaking to her now. She will allow you to leave, if only you wish to."
Emily's face paled, then coloured, her lower lip trembled. "Why are you kind to me?" she asked, and Elizabeth's eyes moistened.
"Because I like you, Emily," she replied. "I promise I will take care of you. Will you come with me?"
"You have good eyes," the girl whispered. "Kind eyes."
"I am glad you believe that. You have pretty eyes, too, my darling. You are so pretty and clever. Do you have any things you want to bring with you?"
"My clothes… And my necklace …from Mama. Madame Claudette keeps it for me."
"Very well, dear. Please go and fetch your things. I will wait here. And I will get the necklace from Madame Claudette."
As the girl ran off obediently, Elizabeth wiped a tear, under the puzzled gaze of the maid. She returned to the modiste's office and entered without even knocking. She felt grieved and angry.
"Mrs. Darcy! Is everything well?"
"It is as I expected. Could we leave?" Elizabeth addressed her husband.
"Yes."
"Good. Ma'am, please hand me Emily's necklace," Elizabeth demanded, with a severity that surprised even Darcy.
The woman was surprised, and somehow disconcerted for a moment. Elizabeth's eyes were now throwing fire and she was struggling with her manners.
Eventually, the modiste opened a drawer, containing a small box, and pulled out a gold necklace with a sparkling little cross.
Elizabeth put it in her reticule. "Is there anything else you need from me, Madame Claudette?"
"No, Mrs. Darcy. I hope everything has been settled to your satisfaction."
"Everything has been settled for Emily's well-being. Please excuse me now; I will take her home. Good day, ma'am."
Minutes later, in a most astonishing turn of events. Mrs. Darcy took the little servant girl - who everybody had seen for years but nobody noticed – to her carriage, followed by the curious eyes of the clients who happened to be in the main hall.
The carriage departed, but the rumours remained and speculation soon filled the shop and then London. The most frequent question was why Mr. Darcy would allow his wife to take a strange orphan, unless he might have been somehow connected with the girl's mother.