“Fitzwilliam, why is it that Mr. Johnson is writing to me about a decision you made to purchase two dairy cows without speaking to me? Longbourn is supposed to be my concern, but he claims you have answered the last two letters written to me,” Elizabeth began angrily, not caring who else might be present in her husband’s study when she arrived.
With a glance at his steward, who quickly departed the room, Darcy approached her with a conciliatory tone. “Elizabeth, I answered Johnson’s last letter because it was simply easier to order it done. I did not have time to seek you out and ask you about what needed to be done.”
“Longbourn does not have the fields for two new cows, nor are most of our tenants accustomed to dealing with such large animals. Most of our tenants keep goats for milk and cheese, and only the home farm has cattle. You agreed you would advise, but allow me to continue running the estate,” Elizabeth insisted.
“I apologise, Elizabeth, but as I said, it was a simple matter,” he replied.
Elizabeth snatched up a letter from his desk, another one from Johnson that spoke of a tenant concern. “And what did you advise in this case?” she asked.
Darcy sighed. “I had not yet responded, but was going to after I met with Fraser. I thought he might have a suggestion to help answer the question.”
“And did you not consider that I might help, seeing as I have known the family for years and have often been the one to deal with their concerns in the past? Had you asked, I would have told you that this is a recurring complaint, made every year. Mr. Johnson already knows what to do, but was merely informing me about it as a matter of course. We roll our eyes together every year. How many other letters have you received for me and not said anything?” Her eyes were flashing now in anger, and it reminded Darcy of the anger he had seen in his dreams of her back in December.
He took a long breath before exhaling it slowly, contemplating what he ought to say.
“I should have spoken to you, my dear, and not tried to resolve this on my own. My intention was to see what concerns he might have, so I opened the first letter from Johnson instead of bringing it directly to you. I know you must meet with Mrs. Reynolds each morning about household concerns, but perhaps we should reserve an hour or two each day to speak of Longbourn. Or at least once or twice a week.”
Elizabeth felt her ire cool at his reasonable suggestion. “I would like to talk these matters over with you. Perhaps we might even speak of Pemberley’s concerns. The house runs so smoothly that there is little for me to do, and my duties, while we do not have guests, occupy little of my time.”
Darcy eyed his wife. “You have considerable experience running an estate. I would be a fool not to take advantage of that. I admit, Elizabeth, other than Fraser, I am unused to talking about therunning of my estate with anyone. And with Fraser, he might offer an opinion, but the decision is ultimately mine. I have been on my own so long I forget what a treasure I have found in you. Would you gently remind me when I forget again?”
She raised her brow, asking, “You intend to forget again?”
He chuckled. “I do not intend to forget, but five years of practice is hard to erase overnight. A nudge or two might be necessary. I think we have found that I am not always the easiest person to convince.”
“I do not know about that. I have found you most agreeable to many of my suggestions,” she teased.
After this conversation, Elizabeth frequently was in the study when the steward arrived to speak to her husband. Mr. Fraser was at first surprised at how active an interest the new mistress took in the estate business. The second time she entered without knocking, Darcy merely smiled, so Fraser did not comment upon her entrance. That lasted only a few moments until Elizabeth made a comment showing she was following the discussion. Once again, Darcy marvelled at the extent and depth of his wife’s knowledge while his steward was caught off guard.
“Dearest, does Longbourn use the crop rotation system we are discussing? We had moderate success with it on the home farm last year and have encouraged the tenants to follow suit. As many of these people have been on the land for decades, it has been difficult to persuade some of them.”
Elizabeth explained that they had a similar problem at Longbourn. However, with fewer tenants, they quickly saw how it improved yields. “Nearly all of our tenants have implementedat least some of what we have proposed this coming year,” she told them.
The trio deliberated on this matter and various other affairs related to the estate for the next few hours. When Fraser was excused from the study, he departed with the assurance that his new mistress was knowledgeable in these matters and that the master had confidence in her understanding.
Many others reached similar conclusions in the time they rusticated at Pemberley. To their mutual displeasure, they began to receive visitors. There were not many neighbours in Derbyshire, but as they returned from London following the season, those ladies felt it a duty to pay a call on the new mistress.
Most were well-meaning and only came to see the lady who had captured Darcy’s heart. Since he had been on the marriage mart, he had avoided the grasping women and their mothers, even in his native Derbyshire. Of course, after his father died, those attempts to capture him had only increased.
Some of the matriarchs who had watched him over the years—particularly those without daughters—wondered what he had searched for and if he had found it in this apparent country miss. Rumours abounded in Derbyshire that it was a love match; the couple had been seen holding hands, even in church, and were almost inseparable whenever they were out.
Darcy consistently made himself available whenever these women visited and accompanied Elizabeth to introduce her to their neighbours. While some may have speculated that Mr. Darcy monitored his wife to prevent her from causing him any embarrassment, it became clear that this was not the case.During these visits, Darcy would recline and merely observe his wife, the corners of his lips subtly quirked up in evident delight.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The harvest arrived long before they were ready. In their last week at the estate, the couple retired earlier each night, trying to capture the last moments of their time together.
Too soon, however, they were on their way to London. Lady Matlock had written to them informing them of her plans for introducing the new Mrs. Darcy to society, and they had written back telling their aunt the limitations they had decided while traversing Elizabeth’s first season in the ton.
When they presented themselves at Matlock House, after exchanging a few words of greeting with the lady of the house, they were welcomed by two excited sisters and a cousin.
Anne, Georgiana, and Mary all appeared in the doorway. “We heard what you said about Mary and me joining you at Darcy House, but we have already decided to go to Rosings to visit Anne,” Georgiana cried. Then, remembering herself, she dropped her eyes and spoke in a subdued tone. “That is, if you agree, brother.”
Darcy smiled at his once shy sister’s exuberance. “If you and Mary wish to go with Anne to Rosings, I will approve it. You know that we will be very occupied with attending events and unable to spend as much time with you as we like, so if you prefer the country to town, I cannot fault you. Have you already decided when to depart?”
“Uncle has nearly finished helping me transfer Rosings into my control. Both you and he will remain trustees, and I will rely upon your advice, but I am ready to return home. I believe another fortnight should be enough to ensure that all is prepared, although we will wait until after the ball,” Anne offered. “Mrs. Annesley is in favour of this, as is my new companion, Mrs. Whitman. Mrs. Jenkinson accepted the pension we offered after Mother was sent to Wales and has gone to live with her daughter. Richard has offered to escort us when we go to assist with any staff issues, and stay at Rosings for a sennight. I intend to invite the entire family to join us for Christmas.”
With a glance at Elizabeth, Darcy nodded his agreement to the plans. Before he could speak, Lady Matlock indicated they should all be seated. Darcy and Elizabeth sat next to each other on a settee while the others scattered around the room. Finally, Darcy replied, “Yes, he mentioned in his last letter that he intended to accompany you to Rosings. Is there anything that I can do to assist at this time?”
