Chapter 2.16
Life below stairs returned to its usual routine.
Ten days after the tragic burial of her unborn child, Maud had regained her strength enough to rise from her bed and visit her son’s grave.
She was still not allowed to do any work, but her life was no longer in danger.
However, her pallor, the weight she lost, her drooping shoulders, and her eyes looking mostly at the floor or staring at the wall showed clearly that her recovery was not complete.
The involvement of the Matlock family remained unknown to everyone except Elizabeth and Darcy. Not even Georgiana, Jane, or Mrs Gardiner was informed about the story behind Maud’s accident.
Two days later, Elizabeth went to talk to Maud privately. She was embarrassed by the subject she was about to bring up, while the young woman looked frightened by the mistress’s presence in her room and the request for a private conversation.
Maud expressed her gratitude one more time and declared that not even ten lives would be enough to repay the master and mistress’s kindness.
“Please do not worry about that, Maud. There is something important and delicate that I must talk to you about.”
“With me, ma’am? What could possibly be so important for you to take the trouble of coming downstairs? Please just ring for me, Mrs Darcy, and I would come in no time.”
“The thing I am about to tell you will shatter you, I am afraid. You will not have to do anything for the time being, only to know what to expect and to think of a possible solution for the future.”
“For the future? Oh…am I dismissed, ma’am?”
“No—no, not at all. What I wish to tell you is that, about a week ago, the viscount—Lord Buxton—came to inquire after you.”
The young woman released a cry and fell to the edge of the bed, struggling to avoid Elizabeth’s eyes.
“How…I do not understand? Why…I never told everyone…I would never…”
“Maud, calm yourself. I know it is very distressing news, but you have nothing to fear. Let us speak calmly. We found the truth by mere coincidence. Are you aware that the viscount is Mr Darcy’s cousin?”
“No…I did not know. Does the master know too? Dear Lord, what a shame! I beg your forgiveness. I never imagined that—”
“Maud, please stop for a moment and hear me. Yes, Mr Darcy knows and so do the viscount’s brother and his parents—but nobody else.”
The maid was pale, her hands clasped together in her lap, her lips trembling as she fought tears.
“Mrs Darcy, I shall leave at once. I am sorry that I repaid your kindness with even more trouble…”
“Oh, hush, girl,” Elizabeth scolded her in a light voice, trying to put her at ease.
“I ask you to stop and let me finish. We do not want you to leave. We were quite pleased with your work in the house, and Mrs Hamilton was impressed by your talent as a seamstress. We will surely need your help in the future if you decide to stay.”
“Ma’am, I would never want to leave if you allow me to stay.”
“Yes, but…the viscount has asked to talk to you. He seemed very interested in your fate. He wished to take care of you, he said. We told him everything that you suffered, and he took the blame for what occurred.”
“He did? Is this possible?” The woman’s astonishment coloured her cheeks, and her lips and hands trembled even more.
“In fact, he intended to take you with him immediately, but you were in such a state that we feared for your life, so I could not allow you to be disturbed. But I promised him I would inform you when you were healthy enough—so you could decide whether you wish to talk to him or not.”
“Oh…Mrs Darcy, I never imagined that…”
Before Elizabeth had time to react, the girl knelt and humbly kissed Elizabeth’s hand.
She pulled it away gently but decidedly.
“Maud, you must rest now. Just consider things properly, and when the moment comes, you can tell me whether you wish to talk to him. Just keep in mind that you do have the choice to remain in our house. You already know the entire household and are familiar with Mrs Hamilton’s requirements.
We expect your loyalty and diligent work, and we will offer you in exchange a suitable payment and fair treatment for a long-time commitment.
If you decide, however, to follow another path, nobody will hold it against you. ”
“Thank you, ma’am. Thank you. Please forgive me and…thank you.”
Later on, Elizabeth shared with her husband the brief yet painful conversation with the young maid. As happened before, Elizabeth empathised with Maud’s obvious affection for her former employer and worried about the possible conclusion to her unfortunate story.
Darcy attempted to ponder her emotions and insisted there was nothing more that she could—or had the right to—do.
Neither of them was certain that the viscount was steady in his decision regarding Maud: What might he propose?
How would she judge the entire prospect?
What would she decide for her future well-being?
“My dear, you must promise me that you will distance yourself enough to remain untouched, no matter what Maud does. It is not unlikely that she will choose the comfort of a house where she will be served and have the company of a gentleman she is fond of instead of remaining to serve others for an income that, no matter how fair, would be likely insufficient to support her entire family.”
“I understand your reasoning, and I can easily understand her temptation, especially if she holds the viscount in high esteem. But what if, in a year or two or five, he loses his interest in her?”
“Sadly, this is the risk that any woman in a similar position accepts in exchange for the benefit of a luxurious yet illicit life.”
“Yes…I am aware that you are right. And I must follow your advice and detach myself from this now that Maud’s life is no longer threatened. Would you please walk with me? I think your company is the incentive I need.”
“Your wish is always my command, my dear wife. And everything you need I am happy to offer—now and forever.”
She smiled at his impetuous confession, confident that his affection and interest would remain unchanged. Now and forever.
∞∞∞
The following morning, Lord Buxton arrived before breakfast, alone, asking for a private conference with Darcy. He requested to speak with Maud, and the young woman, pale and overwhelmed by emotion, agreed.
The meeting took place in the library, and Darcy remained present, but he took a book and diligently read it in the opposite corner of the large room. He tried not to hear anything. What he did notice was the young earl speaking most of the time while his partner barely voiced a few words.
The discussion lasted about half an hour. Afterwards, Maud silently returned to her duties while Lord Buxton addressed Darcy in an apparent state of distress.
“I thank you for your considerate support, Cousin. It is likely that I shall remove Maud from here in a couple of days.”
“She chose to take your offer, I understand?”
“She has not given me a definite answer yet, but I suspect she was ashamed by your presence. I have no reason to doubt her decision. Surely, she can see how generous and convenient my arrangement is for her.”
“I am sure she does,” Darcy answered sternly.
After a glass of brandy, the viscount left, and Darcy went in search of his wife. He found her in the drawing room, looking through the window. They exchanged a glance before he put his arms around her and she leant her back against him.
He kissed her cheeks just near her earlobe and said, “It seems he made her a very advantageous offer—he said—and it is likely she will accept it.”
She entwined her hands with his. “As you said: the decision belongs to her. Let us go and search for Georgiana; she must be waiting for us.”
∞∞∞
The following morning after breakfast, the three Darcys were in the library when Molly discreetly entered and whispered to her mistress that Maud was waiting outside and asked for a few minutes of their time.
“Please send her in,” Elizabeth said, slightly uneasy at the prospect of having the conversation in the presence of Georgiana.
The young woman stepped in hesitantly, stopping at a respectful distance from them, keeping her eyes down and her hands clenched in front of her. She looked even thinner than before, her unusual paleness showing her distress and lack of sleep.
“I beg your forgiveness for disturbing you. I wished to thank you again for your kindness and to tell you that I have decided to leave. I cannot say how grateful I am; I will pray for you all my entire life.”
“You want to leave?” Georgiana asked in complete surprise. “But why?”
“Georgiana, we knew that Maud might make this decision; we respect it and wish her all the best,” Elizabeth answered gently. “Maud, when do you expect to move? I will make arrangements to have your services repaid.”
“Oh no, ma’am—you need not pay me; I am already in debt to you and the master.”
“But Maud, did you find another situation? Where will you go? You are barely recovered,” Georgiana asked with genuine concern.
“I did not, Miss Darcy; I will return home to my mother—in Oxfordshire.”
Elizabeth and Darcy glanced at each other in disbelief then stared at the young woman.
“You return to your village?” Elizabeth could not refrain from inquiring. “We were under the impression that— Oh, please forgive me, I did not mean to intrude.”
“I believe it is best, ma’am. I do not want to cause any more trouble to you or to your family. I would like to stay and repay you for your kindness with all my power if things were different. But as it is, I am afraid nothing good would come from my staying.”
“Oh…this is entirely unexpected—very surprising,” Elizabeth continued, and her husband’s countenance showed he was of the same opinion.