Chapter 16 #2
She ate a lonely lunch in the small family dining parlour, resolving to bring a book down with her in future, and wondered when Mr Darcy would be well enough to eat downstairs in her company.
After lunch, she rejoined Mrs Kerr and they toured the bedchambers and family suites. Her lips tightened when she explored the mistress’s chambers, seeing the faded wallpaper and hangings, and the over-ornate furniture. As they left the apartment, her guide indicated the next door.
“That door is to the master’s chambers.”
When they sat down in her sitting room to take afternoon tea, she began a new topic.
“You are correct, Mrs Kerr, about the mistress’s chambers.
I will not move to them until they have been refurbished, there is no call to do so.
However, I am very aware of the need to prepare for Christmas, so that task must be deferred until the festive season is over.
Pray tell me how the house supports the tenants, and the boxes.
Then I will move onto discussing the staff with you. ”
It took several hours to discuss the boxes, and it relieved Elizabeth’s mind that everything seemed to be in hand: the contents were as she would have wished them to be.
If she had any free time during the next year, she would prepare some baby garments to add to those sewed by the maids in any spare moment.
She smiled; she could take the time to embroider them, while the maids would be chided if they did such frivolous things with their time.
Elizabeth was rather daunted by the number of farms and tenants there were. How would she ever get to know them all?
“I think that while Mr Darcy is indisposed, I ought to have a conference with the steward. I need to find out how the boxes will be distributed to the tenants, and also how I can be introduced to the tenants on a day when there is time for me to speak to them without the rush to reach them all on Saint Stephen’s Day. ”
“Yes, Mrs Darcy. I will arrange for Mr Reed to see you as soon as is convenient for you. He will tell you that the master has four under-stewards, each responsible for a fourth of the tenants, and Mr Reed has oversight of them all. But I expect Mr Darcy has already explained the situation to you. He is a very responsible estate owner.”
Elizabeth made a noise which might have been agreement.
“Very well, I will be pleased to see him. Perhaps tomorrow.” She smiled tightly.
“I am sorry to have taken up so much of your time on a Sunday. I will go up and enquire if there is anything I can do for Mr Darcy, and then rest until dinner. Next week I hope he will be well enough to introduce me to the neighbours at church.” She changed the subject.
“Does the family always use the small dining room unless they are entertaining?”
“No, madam. The master always uses the main dining room for the evening meal, although he often takes luncheon in his study when there is no other member of the family in residence.”
Elizabeth stifled a sigh. “Then we will keep to the same routine.”
She knocked quietly on the door to the master’s suite, having memorised its location when she had viewed the mistress’s suite.
She very much hoped her knock was both loud enough to bring Mr Maunder and quiet enough not to disturb Mr Darcy.
Her husband! She could still hardly believe it, and after his expressions and sharp comments during the journey, rather dreaded meeting him again.
She was fortunate. His valet came to the door, and on seeing her, came out into the corridor, pulling the door closed behind him.
“Mrs Darcy. I hope you have been made comfortable and treated well.”
“Thank you for enquiring, Mr Maunder. Yes, I have been attended to well.” Very well indeed, considering the staff might have heard of the scandal and blamed me. “I am enquiring after my husband. Is he recovering after the setback he must have had from the journey?”
“He is slightly better, but not yet back to what he was before we began to travel. I think he realises now that it was a mistake to return here so precipitately. However, he has relaxed considerably since he arrived — he always prefers Pemberley to anywhere else.” The valet smiled faintly.
“I can procure anything he wishes for and I believe the fresh air and view of the hills will assist him to recover.”
“I am glad to hear it, but I presume from what you have said that he will require a tray upstairs for meals rather than go down to dine.”
Was that sympathy in the man’s eyes? “Yes, Mrs Darcy. I am afraid it will be better that he remains in his chamber this evening and almost certainly tomorrow as well.”
“Very well. I will enquire again tomorrow. In the meantime do not hesitate to call if there is anything I may do for his comfort.”
Elizabeth returned to her sitting room. She had time to write to Aunt Gardiner.
She would relish the opportunity to tell someone who loved her exactly what had happened since her hasty wedding and her fears for the future.
If only she could have the opportunity to speak to her, feel her reassuring presence and hear her answers at once!
However, letters were the next best thing, and she settled down to write, feeling as close to her aunt as was possible.
It would likely be at least a week and probably more, given the likelihood of winter weather, before she would hear back, but a short letter each day would be wonderful to write. Aunt would not begrudge the cost.
Elizabeth hoped the household routinely paid the cost of letters received; she was not certain what pin money she would have. Everything had been so rushed, Papa had mentioned the settlement was generous, even though she had had to marry which meant her father had no bargaining power.
Her heart sank, but perhaps Mr Darcy would not abide by the settlement.
After all, she had no rights of her own any longer; she could not take him to court and Papa could no longer act for her.
Maybe she would have no access to any pin money at all.
She would need to rely on begging her husband for money for new clothes and sundries.
Her ire rose, not only against Mr Darcy but also against Papa.
He could have told her. Perhaps she ought to write to him and beg him for money to make him feel guilty.
She would certainly never ask her husband.
But that was not important at this moment.
She would write to Aunt. That would restore her equilibrium better than anything else available to her here, in this strange house, surrounded by strangers, with many new and varied duties to overwhelm her.
She selected a sheet of fine-pressed, headed notepaper, and a pen. She had always been a prolific correspondent, and this opportunity calmed her.
When she had finished, Elizabeth took great comfort from placing her letter on the small tray by the butler’s pantry, where the outgoing post was collected.
Now she could hope it would not be too long before she had her reply.
She climbed the stairs to change for her solitary dinner. What a formal life would now be hers!