“You are doing very well,” he said, firmly. “I know this has been quite difficult. I wish I could alter my mother’s behaviour, but you see what she is like. It is evidently impossible for her to understand that life at Pemberley must go on.”
“William, might she not move to her estate?” Elizabeth asked in a desperate rush. “You told me that she had been given one as part of her marriage settlement. I am doing my very best, but she is in the way at every turn. I heard her speaking with you just before I came in to breakfast; certainly it was not all love and sunshine at Longbourn, but I have never before had to deal with such – such animosity!”
Mr. Darcy sat in silence for a minute, his anger at his mother warring with his sense of filial responsibility. “Elizabeth, I can well understand your feelings. But she is my mother, and I owe her the respect and duty to which such a position entitles her. I believe – I truly believe! – that she will come around once she sees that you are a capable mistress. The estate to which you refer is in Cumberland, quite some distance away. And now –“ he stood up and placed his napkin on the table – “I must return to my stack of correspondence.”
“William, wait.” She put out a hand to detain him. Surely he could be made to see how much easier everything would be if Lady Anne were to move out!
He stopped, his expression unhappy and stubborn. This was the wrong moment to insist, Elizabeth realised. “William, I would like to change the décor in my rooms. Have you any objection?”
His face relaxed. “Oh, none at all. I thought this would be the case. The mistress’ rooms have not been redecorated since my mother was a bride. Our shared sitting room should also be updated.”
Elizabeth thanked her husband with a smile before making her way back to her rooms to write letters. She owed letters to Aunt Gardiner, her mother, and Jane. She would write to Charlotte, but not yet, as she was not entirely sanguine about Mr. Collins’ disinclination to read Charlotte’s letters. For Charlotte to become the victim of Lady Catherine’s wrath – heaven forfend!
Dear Aunt Gardiner,
To begin, I must thank you and Uncle most sincerely and with all my heart for the many gowns you gifted me. They are, each of them, perfect in fit, colour and style. You were quite right; for me to have arrived at Pemberley with my few old dresses would have been dreadful!
And it was dreadful enough, I must confess. Lady Anne pretended to have never received my husband’s messages, and acted as if his marriage and our arrival at Pemberley was a complete – and quite unwelcome - surprise. However, my sister by marriage – who I must call Miss Darcy, as I have not been given permission to use her Christian name – confirmed, all unwittingly, that the messages were indeed received.
I am slowly, bit by bit, asserting myself as mistress of the estate, though Lady Anne has made it clear that she will fight against me at every turn. She had never moved out of the mistress’ suite, despite her husband having passed on three years ago, and so Mr. Darcy had never moved into the masters’ suite! Thus there had to be a big to-do upon my arrival to have her moved into a different room, and Mr. Darcy and myself were only then able to move into our proper quarters.
My poor husband is caught between his duty to me as his wife and his duty to his mother. He is doing his best, but it has been difficult. At our first dinner at Pemberley, Lady Anne refused to allow me to take my seat across from Mr. Darcy and actually has refused to eat dinner with us ever since. Evidently, if she is not in the mistress’ seat, she will not dine at the table. Frankly, we are all happier if she is absent!
And when I say “we,” I include my new sister, Miss Darcy. She is fifteen years of age, and is quite shy, though occasionally I see her mother’s temper in her. She has not had the benefit of a governess since she was thirteen, and that governess taught her neither French nor Italian. She must come out in a year or two, and is woefully unprepared for that experience.
To that end, I wonder if you might recommend a companion for her. I think her rather too advanced in years for a governess, but a companion who might teach her at least French, as well as etiquette, would be most welcome.
In addition, Miss Darcy has been made unhappy because her brother’s time in courting me in Meryton interrupted her plans to have music lessons with a Master Bianchi in London. I do not exaggerate when I say that Miss Darcy is a musical prodigy, and to have missed out on such an opportunity sits hard with her. I have it in mind to give her a surprise and have the Master come to Pemberley. As I am certain you understand, the cost of such a venture is not an obstacle. Might you find me his direction?
In closing, I trust that you and your entire family are well. If you were ever able to come to visit us, you know you would be most welcome. I need not tell you how very, very beautiful the house and grounds are! The children could go boating on the lake, Uncle Gardiner could fish to his heart’s content, and you and I could explore the house and grounds together. Please do think on it!
Your Most Loving and Grateful Niece,
Elizabeth Darcy
To Jane and her mother, she wrote a good deal in praise of the estate and very little about her difficulties with Lady Anne. She knew Jane would worry if she knew how Elizabeth was truly faring; Mrs. Bennet wanted only enough information to be able to boast to her neighbours about her two wealthy daughters.
***
Elizabeth made it a point to be at the green drawing room before the appointed hour, and she was glad to have done so, as the room was lovely. She indulged herself by examining the wall hangings, the carpets, the mahogany tables, and the various pieces of art before her meeting.
Mrs. Reynolds poked her hand in, just as Elizabeth had settled herself on a soft green sofa, hands clasped neatly in her lap. “Are you ready, Mrs. Darcy?”
“Quite ready, Mrs. Reynolds.”
Fifteen women filed in; Elizabeth rose and smiled. Mrs. Reynolds presented each one, citing the woman’s name and length of service. Often she added that this was the second or third generation that the woman’s family had served the Darcys. Each woman curtsied to Elizabeth, murmuring, “Mrs. Darcy,” and Elizabeth repeated each name twice, hoping to commit the name to memory, and then thanked the woman for her service. To those whose families had been with the Darcys for generations, Elizabeth spoke of the gratitude of the Darcy family.
Elizabeth carefully noted which of the women seemed open and friendly and which were reserved. It was about half and half, she thought, but that was a good place to start.
Once the introductions were done, she addressed them all. “I know full well that Lady Anne has done well for you these many years, and that I am a new face here at Pemberley.”
There was a murmur of agreement.
Elizabeth continued, “Things change, as you all know. People come and people go. But Pemberley continues on. You and I, while we are here, are as much part of Pemberley as the bricks and the roof, the fields and the trees. It is my intention to be the best custodian of this estate and her people as I can possibly be, for as long as God grants me that privilege. I thank you, each one of you, for your service, but please know that I serve Pemberley as well, working beside you.”
There was a good deal of head-nodding and smiling now, and they curtsied respectfully before being ushered out by Mrs. Reynolds. That worthy lady turned and nodded at Elizabeth before leaving.
Whew! Elizabeth sank to the sofa, trembling, her nerves finally getting the better of her. Growing up at Longbourn, with just a handful of servants, had certainly not prepared her for an experience such as this!
