Chapter 4
Lambton
Once again, Elizabeth had no job and was concerned about her future. Her brows drew together as she considered her situation.
Mrs. Hopkins lived modestly, and as her guest, Elizabeth had given her part of her wages to help defray the cost of feeding and housing her.
Even though it was not a lot of money, it was money Elizabeth no longer had, and even if she told herself it would be fine, she must find another position.
Her aunt Gardiner’s cousin was the only person of her acquaintance who could possibly hear of any job prospects in the area.
She needed to work and found herself fretting about how much longer Mrs. Hopkins would be willing to host her without compensation.
What should she do now? Most of her earnings were gone and wherever she found a job, she would strive to save as much of her money as possible in the event it became necessary to find her own place to live.
If she did not find a position soon, where could she go if forced to leave Lambton?
She was left with no choice—if she could not find a position as a companion or governess, she might be forced to work as a maid.
It was difficult for her to accept her new status in the world.
Like it or not, she would live her life in servitude.
Would that she could close her eyes and wake up back in her bed at Longbourn!
* * *
After several weeks passed with no potential opportunities, she was ill at ease due to her dependence upon her hostess’s generosity.
No positions for a companion or governess were in the offing.
Her heart continuously raced and she paced the floor, unable to get the thought of being turned out with no place to go out of her mind.
Elizabeth had no other option! While Mrs. Hopkins was out one afternoon, she walked a short distance to seek a job at the Rose and Crown.
She clenched and unclenched her hands while waiting to meet with the proprietor.
Before he arrived, she overheard two men in the bar conversing and moved closer to hear them better.
“No one be wantin’ to work at Pembrook Cottage. Me sister Patsy only lasted two days thar and you know what a thick ’ide she ’as. She an’ some o’ the other girls who left thar ’ave gone off to Chesterfield to work.”
“What be the problem? I ’eard more than ten girls got ’ired and left soon after.”
“’Tis Mr. Darcy. Since the fire, ’e is no’ ’isself. ’E was always a fair and gen’rous master and now ’e yells and throws things at anyone near ’im. Patsy say ’is face is scarred somethin’ awful and ’e can barely walk. ’E’s in his cups day an’ night ragin’ about all kinds of things.”
“No surprize no one lasts long workin’ thar.”
Elizabeth approached the men showing them her left side. “Pardon me. I could not help but overhear your conversation about a job at Pembrook Cottage. I am seeking work and believe I could last longer than the others.”
“Why’s a pretty girl like you needin’ to work as a maid?”
She turned to show them the right side of her face. They stared at her and did not speak. “Who should I speak to about the job?”
The men scrambled to find the right words after seeing her birthmark.
One of them found his voice. “That be Mrs. Reynolds, miss. She come into the village ’most every mornin’ to buy food for the master.
She ’as dark ’air and bright blue eyes. If you see ’er, she will speak to you. No airs from Mrs. Reynolds.”
“I thank you both and hope to meet her in the morning.” Elizabeth curtsied.
Before she left the inn, she overheard one of the men say, “She might do well at the cottage after all. She not be dressed like a maid but with ’er scars and Mr. Darcy with ’is, they could get along right fine. You never know what might ’appen.”
Her lot in life would be easier if the man’s words were prophetic. Could this be the opportunity she had been hoping for?
* * *
The next morning
Awaiting the meeting that could determine her future, Elizabeth shifted from one foot to the other.
“Good morning, Mrs. Reynolds.”
“Good morning.”
“Allow me to introduce my cousin, Elizabeth Bennet, who is staying with me.”
“How do you do, Miss Bennet? May I help you?”
Mrs. Hopkins made her excuses and left the women to speak in private.
“I am looking for work and heard you might need another maid at Pembrook Cottage.”
“You are too well dressed to be a maid. Are you certain you wish to seek employment?”
“Yes ma’am. Sadly, my story is a familiar one. I am the daughter of a landed gentleman who died suddenly leaving nothing to support his wife and daughters. The estate was entailed to a distant cousin, and we were evicted from our home. I have no choice but to find work.”
“I understand your dilemma. If you are related to Alice Hopkins, I shall give you a chance. At this point I am desperate. I warn you now, Mr. Darcy is not himself and is very difficult to be around. That said, he is a good man who has suffered an unspeakable tragedy: he lost his home and was seriously injured. When can you begin?”
“Is tomorrow too soon?”
“I shall send a carriage to Mrs. Hopkins’s home in the morning.”
“Thank you for the opportunity, ma’am.”
“I wish you luck, young lady. You will need it.”
* * *
When Elizabeth returned home, she confirmed she would start work at Pembrook Cottage in the morning. Mrs. Hopkins smiled and asked her to sit beside her. “I am very pleased for you, but now that you will have a position there, you should know there are many stories about that old place.”
Had she made the wrong decision? “What kind of stories? I hope no one thinks the cottage is haunted!”
“Quite the opposite. Many say the cottage is enchanted.”
Elizabeth scoffed. “Enchanted? Do you really believe that?”
“I only know what I have heard. The next time you write to your aunt Gardiner, ask her about the cottage, and I am certain she will confirm the rumours. They say enchantment is the oldest form of medicine, and perhaps it will help Mr. Darcy’s recovery.”
After the unfortunate events of the recent months, any positive experiences within her new home, enchanted or not, would be welcome.
* * *
The following morning
A carriage came to Mrs. Hopkins’ house to bring Elizabeth and her trunk to Pembrook Cottage.
Her aunt Gardiner’s vivid descriptions of the manor house and grounds came to mind.
She had spoken in detail about Pemberley’s beautiful stone facade which was reflected in the lake fronting the home.
Mrs. Gardiner’s favourite part of the summer tours were the massive flower gardens with blooms bursting in every colour.
Her aunt was correct. The trees, the stream, the blue sky and the lake created a picturesque natural setting.
However, Elizabeth gasped in shock at the sight of what was left of the manor house and grounds.
The stone walls were thick with soot and the air was redolent with smoke.
The Lodge House was quite imposing, so how massive had Pemberley been?
All that remained were the charred stones and bricks used to build the structure.
In many places, even those had collapsed.
She would be sad to tell her aunt of this, as she would be distressed to learn the once beautiful gardens were now charred and lifeless.
To think, that pristine lake had once reflected the beauty of the manor house.
When she arrived at her destination, she found the cottage utterly charming.
The stucco walls were recently whitewashed, the roof had been repaired, a row of hedges surrounding the building was neatly trimmed and newly planted bushes lined the path leading to the cottage.
Flowers had been planted on either side of a stone bench near the front door and the bright colours enhanced the cottage’s appeal and made her feel welcome.
Mrs. Reynolds greeted her and showed her to her small bedchamber near the kitchen, which was snug and perfect for her needs.
“I shall not introduce you to Mr. Darcy quite yet. He has not been civil to your predecessors but try to be understanding if he sees you and treats you thus. Keep in mind he was badly injured and has lost his home. Prior to the fire at the manor house, you could not meet a kinder, more generous man.”
“Yes, ma’am, I promise to be patient. Where shall I begin?”
* * *
Over the next few weeks, Elizabeth caught glimpses of Mr. Darcy but stayed as far away from him as possible.
The decision was an easy one, and she bit her lip thinking about how he treated the others.
Mr. Darcy shouted at anyone near him and threw anything within his reach—she found his behaviour appalling.
Never before had she encountered anyone so unpleasant and disagreeable—with the possible exception of Mr. Collins.
He was much younger than she had expected and must have been quite handsome before the fire caused the wounds that covered half his face.
It would have been in her nature to feel sorry for him since the gentleman had difficulty walking even while using a cane.
Was his leg also injured by the blaze? Whenever the time came for them to meet, she would endeavour to be sympathetic and remember all he had been through.
But she still would take care to avoid him!
* * *
One morning, Elizabeth was sent up to Mr. Darcy’s room with fresh linens.
With a positive view, she skipped up the steps, knowing that despite having never before made a bed, it could not be that difficult to figure out.
To ensure Mr. Darcy would expect her, she knocked before entering his chambers.
What a foul smell! Juggling the linens, she grasped to squeeze her fingers on her nose.
Lucky for her, Mr. Darcy was still asleep in his bed.
She retreated and gently closed the door.