“I have had Mrs. McGraw change the feathers in the mattresses in the master and mistress suite. The other mattresses will also need changing at some point, but that did not seem as important.”
Richard nodded again.
“There is but a skeleton staff here; you will need more servants. I considered hiring them myself, but thought MissBennet would want to take on that task, as they will answer to her, not to me. I believe all the Bennet ladies share a maid, so she will need to hire one of her own. Mrs. McGraw can assist her in hiring servants, as she knows everyone in these parts.” Mr. Darcy turned around and peered at his cousin. “Are you quite well, Richard? You look rather – well, alarmed.”
“I had no idea.” Richard spread his arms out.
“I do not understand you,”
“I thought this would just be a simple farmhouse.”
“Thisisa simple farmhouse.”
“Well, I suppose next to Pemberley pretty much anything is a simple farmhouse.”
Mr. Darcy chuckled. “That is likely the case, yes. Richard, truly, I just want you to be happy here. Knowing that you will not be fighting any longer – well, I would be willing to part with a good deal more than a small satellite estate to keep you safe. Come now, Mrs. McGraw will think we have forgotten her.”
The two made their way back to the drawing room just as a large tray with sandwiches, small cakes and tea was being placed upon a table.
“Will you be needing anything else, Mr. Darcy? Oh, I beg your pardon, Colonel; I should be addressingyounow!” The housekeeper’s red face testified to her distress.
The Colonel laughed. “I can scarce credit it myself, Mrs. McGraw; I beg you to think no more of it.”
As refreshments were consumed, Mr. Darcy suggested that the Colonel and Miss Bennet might want to raid Pemberley’s attics for additional furnishings. “Heavens only knows what is up there,” he mused. “But likely you could furnish several houses with the contents.”
“I do not imagine even heaven knows, but most likely Mrs. Reynolds does,” the Colonel replied. “I will, of course, leave such decisions up to Miss Bennet.”
“Doubtless a wise course of action.”
Mr. Darcy suggested that they spend the next few hours introducing the Colonel to Chestnut Creek’s tenants in the company of the steward, Mr. Frobisher. “He is a good man and gets on well with the tenants, but you will want to learn all that you can so that you are able to weigh in on estate decisions. It is never a good idea to leave everything in the hands of the steward.”
The Colonel agreed, and then asked, “How far are we from Pemberley?”
“Pemberley is a two-hour ride from here, due north. Would you prefer that we spend the night here at Chestnut Creek or ride on to Pemberley?”
“If it is all the same to you, cousin, I would like to stay here.” My own estate! The Colonel could scarce believe it.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Mr. Wickham had now been at Mrs. Harvester’s house for three days. He spent most of the day lying on his straw pallet, though he was allowed out for meals. Not that the meals were anything much – usually a thin stew of some sort, accompanied by dry bread. He had complained about the food, and had been told that better food was certainly available, but it had to be paid for.
Today he managed to persuade Mrs. Harvester to allow him to send a message to Evelina. “How am I to pay off my debts or pay for better food when I am not able to communicate with my wife?” he asked.
Mrs. Harvester nodded, smiled, and allowed him to write out a small message.
***
Evelina Younge Wickham was in despair. Her George was gone, and she knew not where. Finally, a messenger arrived. He handed her a note, turned and started out the door. It had to be from George!
“Hold! Please, wait!” she cried out.
The messenger paused.
“Where is he?”
The man shrugged and started walking away.
“No, wait; here is tuppence for your trouble.”
