Chapter 3 #3
After a few drinks, all was in perspective.
The fact was that he would not make any money from Darcy’s numerous holdings.
Pemberley was always the prize; however, he chose to give it no more thought.
After all, the manor house was worthless owing to his own scheming.
Instead, he chose to set his sights on what was left of the fortune he had stolen: he would get top dollar for the jewels, and they would give him the funds to start a new life anywhere he chose.
He rubbed his hand over his face. It would have to be enough.
Should he remain in town after he sold all the jewels?
London was so exciting. Invitations to parties and balls abounded, as well as untold occasions to seduce young heiresses and the added opportunity to steal their valuable baubles.
Yet the many merchants to whom he owed a great deal of money from his days as a poor rake remained problematic.
The many angry fathers of the girls he had ruined further dissuaded him from remaining in town.
Perhaps he ought to settle down somewhere no one knew of his past misdeeds, where he could start over with his rather large nest egg.
* * *
Lambton
One week after Elizabeth’s arrival, Mrs. Hopkins returned from her marketing and greeted her guest with a big smile.
“I have the best news. On my way home, I stopped to call on my neighbour, Mrs. Murray. She was incapacitated after a carriage accident several months ago. She has no children and has been a widow for several years. Her regular helper is going away to visit her family, and Mrs. Murray needs a temporary companion in her stead. Is that not perfect? You can work for Mrs. Murray for a month or two, establish yourself as a trustworthy, competent aide, and easily get another situation when this one ends. That is, if you wish to pursue the opportunity.”
Elizabeth did not know what to say. After leaving the Gardiners’ home, her plan had been to go into service, but the reality of accepting a position gave her pause.
She hesitated. She had not been raised with the idea of ever having to find work.
“Of course, Mrs. Hopkins, that sounds like just the thing. Shall I go and see Mrs. Murray today?”
“My dear girl, I can hear the uncertainty in your voice. You are a gentleman’s daughter and were brought up to be a lady.
You never imagined you would be forced into service, but sadly, that is now the reality of your life.
You can think about it tonight, so you need not see her until tomorrow.
Her companion, Betsy Richards, does not plan to leave for Cornwall for several more days.
She can introduce you to Mrs. Murray and, if you are hired, show you around the house and instruct you as to Mrs. Murray’s daily routine.
There are two maids and a cook, so your only responsibilities are helping her eat, reading to her, and so on.
Her home is nearby, and I hope you know you are welcome to stay with me while you work there. I have come to enjoy your company.”
“Mrs. Hopkins, I would be delighted to stay, and I cannot thank you enough for your generous hospitality. I would not have been able to find a position so soon on my own.”
That night, the ache in her heart precluded Elizabeth from getting any sleep.
She tossed and turned and sobbed. While she had no choice but to work, the plan upset her.
How did she end up here? As sunlight began to peek through her window, she succumbed to her fatigue and slept fitfully for a few hours.
The following day found Elizabeth in the home of Mrs. Clarice Murray.
Her potential employer as well as Betsy Richards enlightened her about what would be expected of her during her time there.
The interview went well, and the wages she was offered seemed fair even though she had no idea what Longbourn’s servants were paid.
They decided she would begin working five days hence.
Mrs. Murray went for a rest, and Betsy took Elizabeth aside.
“She cannot yet manage the stairs and has converted a small parlour on this floor into a bedchamber. Her maid helps her dress, and when cook brings her breakfast, I cut everything into small pieces and feed her. She rests after eating, and in the early afternoon, we do her exercises, and then she reads. We have dinner, and then she retires for the night.” Thank goodness her duties would not include the need for her to perform any tasks that would make her new life even more undignified than her position as a companion!
* * *
Again, she could not sleep knowing her life would never be the same after she started her life in service the following morning.
Elizabeth never imagined herself as a companion other than for her sisters’ children.
Papa, you loved your books more than your family and have done us all a dreadful disservice.
* * *
The first morning of her new job, Elizabeth observed Mrs. Murray’s weakness when she tried to move on her own.
The older woman spoke with intelligence and enjoyed her conversation with Elizabeth.
Recalling what Mrs. Hopkins said about her friend’s condition, she asked, “Did the apothecary suggest you do anything specific to help you regain your strength?”
“Oh yes, dear, now that I think about it, I believe Mr. Barton told me that moving my weak muscles would help my recovery. You see, after the accident, I was confined to bed for many months. My arms and legs were broken, and when I was allowed to stand, I found myself too weak to walk or even feed myself.”
“Are the exercises from the apothecary written down anywhere?”
“Betsy keeps the papers in that drawer over there in the desk.”
Elizabeth found the list. “Are you practising these movements every day?”
“No dear, usually once a week. Betsy worries that I might overtax myself and worsen my condition.”
This information made her somewhat disappointed in Betsy Richards.
The regular companion seemed to be doing as little as possible to help her employer.
In Elizabeth’s opinion, she was only interested in keeping her position for as long as possible.
If Mrs. Murray regained her strength, Betsy would be out of a job.
Elizabeth promised herself to do everything she could to assist her employer.
They reviewed the instructions and decided what they should focus upon first. “I am grateful I can now walk from my temporary chambers to the drawing room with help, but there is so much more I wish to do for myself. I should like to be able to feed myself and walk without help. I dream that one day I can once again climb the stairs to my chambers.”
“Then that is what we shall aim towards. Let us begin with a short period of exercise every morning and then again in the afternoon if you feel capable.”
Beginning that first morning, Elizabeth and Mrs. Murray went through various movements to strengthen her arms and legs. Over the course of the next few weeks, her employer gained the ability to walk on her own using a cane and had more strength in her arms and hands.
“You are making fine progress, ma’am.”
“You are a remarkable young woman, Elizabeth. You will find a good man to marry you when you meet someone wise enough to overlook your birthmark and see all the good inside of you. When Betsy returns, I shall miss you reading to me every day as well as our spirited debates.”
“Thank you. I am grateful for the opportunity to be of help to you.”
* * *
Six weeks later
While Elizabeth and Mrs. Murray were discussing a book they had been reading, they received an unexpected visitor.
Betsy Richards had returned. “It is so good to see you again, Mrs. Murray. I hope Miss Bennet has done a good job while I have been gone.” Elizabeth was eager to demonstrate how much she had accomplished in her time with Mrs. Murray. Betsy would be impressed!
“Yes, Betsy, more than satisfactory. I shall show you some of the progress I have made.” Elizabeth helped Mrs. Murray stand and handed her a cane. Betsy looked on with what appeared to be an insincere grin on her face. “I can walk with a cane and feed myself if the food is cut.”
When Mrs. Murray excused herself from the room, Betsy’s smile turned into a scowl at Elizabeth, and she crossed her arms. What could have caused such a change?
Perhaps she was not as delighted at her charge’s progress as it seemed, and never expected her replacement to accomplish so much more than she had in such a short period of time.
Elizabeth supposed that young woman’s position, she would fear she would soon be out of a job and be uncertain of what she would do next. It would be best to be wary of Betsy.
When Elizabeth was ready to leave the house, Mrs. Murray called her into the drawing room. “Betsy is upstairs unpacking. I wanted to give you this.” She handed Elizabeth a small cloth purse.
After a peek at the contents, Elizabeth was astonished at the money inside. “I cannot accept this. You already paid me for my time here.”