Elizabeth sucked in a breath and turned from the plush leather chair by the hearth, her fingers still trailing along the smooth surface. “Mrs Reynolds,” she smiled. “What can I do for you?”
Mrs Reynolds approached, her hands knotted together and her eyes misty as they swept the room. “I came to ask that of you, Miss Bennet. Did you find your room comfortable enough?”
“I have not yet gone up,” Elizabeth confessed.
Mrs Reynolds’ brows peaked upward. “Did no one show you? I do apologise, Miss Bennet, I shall have the matter set straight at once! I will send for Mary—”
“Oh, no!” Elizabeth stopped that good lady’s quest for justice. “It was by my own choosing, Mrs Reynolds. I was to meet my uncle here later, and I wished to reacquaint myself with the way.”
The housekeeper’s face melted to a more sympathetic expression. “Aye ma’am, but it has been near half an hour since you arrived. Did you not wish to refresh yourself?”
“Half an hour! Yes, I suppose I must. I had no notion I had stayed so long.” Elizabeth cast longing eyes about the room, lingering in temporary farewell on the richly laden shelves, the soft chair that whispered out in welcome.
Mrs Reynolds turned with her and sighed nostalgically. “’Tis not decent just now, Miss Bennet. We tried to put it all back the way it was, but the Master had his way, and none knew it quite so well as he.”
Elizabeth tilted her head. “I beg your pardon?”
Mrs Reynolds permitted a small frown. “Well, miss, as Colonel Fitzwilliam wrote that you would be a friend and adviser to Miss Darcy, I do not think I exceed my privilege when I tell you this. Lady Catherine de Bourgh, do you see—she wished everything to be rearranged. It took over a week for us to set it all the way she desired! After Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh departed, we tried to put it all to rights again, but none knew the way it ought to go. We thought it best to instead wait for Miss Darcy or the Colonel to decide how it should all be.”
Elizabeth scrutinised the shelves a little more closely. “Why… they are all arranged by size and colour! Oh, that cannot have been how Mr Darcy would have organised them. What of that wall there? It is nearly empty.”
“That accounts for all the books Lady Catherine ordered discarded. Anything purchased in the last ten years, that was her wish.”
“What! Discarded!” Elizabeth cried. “Surely you would not have done so, Mrs Reynolds!”
“No, of course not, Miss,” Mrs Reynolds smiled. “They are safely packed away. As soon as Miss Darcy gives the direction, I shall have them brought up to be organised, but I had expected this might be the last concern on the poor child’s mind just now.”
Elizabeth turned once more, taking in the whole of the room. “I remember hearing Mr Darcy speak fondly of his library. It was very dear to him, was it not?”
“Aye,” Mrs Reynolds sighed. “He was always one for a good book, even as a boy. ‘T’would break his heart to see his haven in such shambles. Poor Miss Darcy was in such distress when she heard what her aunt had ordered, but I think the dear child knew not what to do, so she gave her permission for her aunt to proceed as she liked. We did not like it, Miss, not one bit,” the housekeeper declared stoutly, “but we’d no proper justification to do other than Lady Catherine desired.”
Elizabeth set her teeth. “I understand, Mrs Reynolds. We shall begin tomorrow to put it all to rights. If it troubles Miss Darcy to lend her aid, then I shall come to offer what direction I may—perhaps during those hours when she has retired, so that I may still attend her during the day. I hope I do not overstep my bounds, Mrs Reynolds, but it would be my wish to restore some semblance of her brother’s treasured sanctuary for her.”
Mrs Reynolds fairly beamed her pleasure. “Of course, Miss Bennet. I shall have some of the staff at your disposal. Would you like to see your room for now?”
“Indeed, thank you, Mrs Reynolds.” Elizabeth followed the housekeeper toward the doors, but the matronly lady stopped and turned once more.
“Miss Bennet, I know this to be a matter of some delicacy, so I thought it might be best to speak of it in privacy. Mrs Wickham… is there anything the young lady requires for her comfort or… well-being?”
“By which,” Elizabeth smiled slowly, “you mean to inquire whether her husband has any knowledge of her whereabouts? No, he does not, and I intend for it to remain that way if possible. I would not have him here to distress Miss Darcy, either.”
Mrs Reynolds nodded in satisfaction. “We’ve a midwife about the estate,” she politely continued as if Elizabeth had not spoken. “If Mrs Wickham should require any care, Mrs Nelson is a clever hand, and Mrs Annesley also birthed four children—but they’ve all gone now, the poor things.”
“I had nearly forgotten about Mrs Annesley! Yes, certainly her advice will be welcome. I remember how wise and attentive she was to Miss Darcy.”
Mrs Reynolds’ cheek flinched. “Of course, Miss Bennet.” Her brow clouded for only an instant, then she smiled once more. “I must say, Miss Bennet, we were all delighted when the Colonel wrote that you would be returning as Miss Darcy’s guest. You will do the poor child much good. Now, if you please, let us see to your own comfort!” The housekeeper turned away and marched with all dignity from the room. There was nothing for Elizabeth to do but to follow.
Chapter twenty-three
At Sea
“Senhor?Youarewell?”
Darcy spun toward the voice behind him. It was one of the ubiquitous ship boys, swab in hand, pausing about his duties because Darcy stood in his path. He stepped back to allow the boy to pass. “Quite well, thank you.”
The lad paused to glance up to the foreign traveler. It was not his place to speak to any of the passengers, but this was not the first night of the voyage when he had encountered this same man, in the same attitude, leaning out over the bowsprit. One quiet evening, the boy had even caught Darcy lying down to rest behind the rope netting that was laid out at the fore of the ship, for the safety of the sailors. He moved along his duties, but then turned back. “Something is amiss with your bunk, senhor?”
Darcy glanced down at the lad. “I prefer the open air.”
