Chapter 1.14 #3
“Yes, master—a little. We went to school one year, but now we stay home to help Mama.”
“I see…” Darcy finally resumed his seat.
Titan and Lucky approached the children, sniffing and licking their hands. They made efforts to keep a serious posture, but their eyes lit as they gazed at the animals. Darcy looked at Elizabeth, and they smiled at each other.
“Peter, could I trust you with something that is very important to Mrs Darcy and me?”
The boy’s back straightened instantly. “Anything, master!”
“Very well then—look carefully at these dogs. They are very dear to us, and we would like to have someone in charge of them: to feed them, walk them in the back lawn, play with them, and so on. Do you think you could do that? It is a difficult task, I warn you.”
The boy watched the master with the utmost attention.
“I can do it, master. You must not worry. I will take very good care of them!”
“Excellent. Stevens will instruct you on every detail, and you must pay close attention. He might also need you to assist him in some other activities. But there is another important thing that I absolutely demand from you both.”
The children looked at him in complete silence, eyes and mouths wide open.
“You must improve your reading and calculating skills. Part of your daily responsibilities will be to spend at least two hours studying. We shall check your progress weekly. Do you think it would be too difficult?” His tone was severe and challenging.
The girl only shook her head in silence while the boy responded in earnest.
“It’s not difficult, master. I can do anything you ask me.”
“Good! Now, Libby”—he moved towards the girl, who turned pale—“Mrs and Miss Darcy will explain to you what task they require of you.”
“Libby, there are a many things with which you might help us,” Elizabeth intervened in a friendly voice. “You can start tomorrow by helping Molly to arrange some of my gowns.
“Yes, I would need that too,” said Georgiana. “And sometimes I will need help when I practice at the piano. Someone must turn the pages for me.”
“Can I start with the dogs today?” Peter asked anxiously, and Darcy smiled to his wife.
“You may. Stevens will explain your duties as soon as we all have breakfast.”
The children left, holding hands and whispering to each other, followed by Mrs Thomason.
Elizabeth laughed to her husband. “Indeed, sir, I am astonished at how creative you can be in defining tasks and responsibilities.”
“Children who are born in poor families have no other chance to surpass their situation except by gaining knowledge. I am not certain whether these children will show any inclination for learning, but I like to know that I provided them the opportunity. Peter seemed to discover his passion with Titan and Lucky. I am sure the dogs will love him.”
“I still have some books in my apartment—from when I was studying. I may supervise Peter and Libby and perhaps help them learn,” Georgiana said animatedly.
“Excellent, my dear. Now, shall we all go to breakfast? Mrs Annesley surely waits for us.”
Breakfast was spent in warm conversation.
Elizabeth felt her husband’s gaze on her and held it a few times.
Warmth and shivers tantalised her skin, and the icy hole in her stomach seemed not to trouble her quite as much as in the previous days.
The sense of peace and joy dissipated a small part of the longing for her family and for her childhood household.
And once again, she told herself that, for the time being, she was happy to be Mrs Darcy.
Around noon, Elizabeth, together with Georgiana and Mrs Annesley, left in the direction of the modiste.
Darcy glanced through the window, pleased to see his wife on such close terms with his sister.
Then he returned to a more unpleasant yet necessary task: the response to Lady Catherine’s letter, which he had received the day before.
He was relieved that Elizabeth had not read this letter, as she had been the recipient of Lady Catherine’s unreasonable rage.
Keeping his feelings under control, he started with his regret for his aunt’s distress.
Then he underlined that the marriage was entirely his choice—and an excellent one as Elizabeth already proved herself worthy of her present position.
He expressed his hope that Lady Catherine would soon come to accept his decision since he had often indicated no intention of binding himself to Anne, despite his genuine affection for his cousin.
He ended by assuring Lady Catherine of his consideration and wished them both all the best.
Darcy was reasonably content with the letter, so he asked that it be delivered immediately. A stressful task was done. One more remained, but it had to wait a little longer.
He heard voices in the back yard and glanced outside. There was Peter, playing with Lucky and Titan under the strict supervision of Stevens. That seemed a good match, indeed. And even more, Elizabeth had been very pleased with his way of solving the problem.