However, her position in society will require her to have a Season in another few years – three, at the most – and she is not at all prepared to do so. She has not a governess for two years, and it seems her education stopped as a result. She must learn to speak French, she must know polite etiquette, and perhaps most importantly, she must acquire self-confidence. I believe she will work hard to gain your approval if you are kind to her.
We are prepared to offer one hundred pounds per annum, which I hope will be sufficient inducement to bring you this far north.
If this sounds agreeable, I beg you to tell me what date would best suit you to travel; I will have the Darcy coach sent to bring you to us. There will be a maid to attend you, of course, and the coachman will have directions and funds for inns and meals along the way.
Very Sincerely,
Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy
Elizabeth hoped that offering twice a companion’s usual salary would encourage Mrs. Annesley to accept the position of Georgiana’s companion. As she put her letter with the other outgoing messages, she had the satisfaction of seeing one in her husband’s hand addressed to Master Bianchi.
She was pleased, then, to give her attention to the letter from Jane, who thought she might be with child, and to the letter from Mrs. Bennet, who was quite certain Jane was with child and recounted the advice she had given her eldest daughter to ensure said child being a boy.
***
A reply came from Mrs. Annesley a week later, indicating her satisfaction with the position and naming a date on which she would be ready to travel. Since that date was just five days hence, Elizabeth hurried to her husband’s office and presented him with Mrs. Annesley’s letter.
“Will we be able to send the coach in time?”
“Indeed; it will only take the coach three days to get to London.”
Surprised, she said, “I recall it took us four days to get here.”
“I saw no reason to push the horses, nor to cut short what little time we had alone,” he said. His tone was rueful.
“So you were quite aware that we would have little time together once we arrived at Pemberley.”
“Sadly, yes, though I did not expect it to be quite so…” He trailed off.
“Tense? Difficult? Challenging? Trying? Grim?” She tried for a teasing tone, but it fell flat.
“Any and all of those. I am so sorry, Elizabeth.”
His tone was sorrowful indeed, so she hastened to reassure him. “It is not your fault, William, and I do think things are getting better. Your sister, at least, has accepted the situation. And I do believe she and Mrs. Annesley will do well together. My Aunt Gardiner is an excellent judge of character.”
“I am glad you thought to write to her. By the way, I had a letter from your Uncle Gardiner, inviting me to invest with him.”
“I am glad my few connections are useful! Have you heard back from Master Bianchi?”
“I have, just today.” He handed her a small message.
Mr. Darcy,
Your offer is acceptable. You may expect me by the fifteenth of July, and I will stay for a full week.
Alessio Bianchi
Elizabeth laughed, giving the paper back to Mr. Darcy. “Not long-winded, is he?”
“No; let us hope he is rather better at instruction than correspondence.”
“Hmmm; so Mrs. Annesley will be here just before midsummer, and Master Bianchi three weeks later.”
“A busy summer, then.”
“One with many changes, certainly. William, I plan to hand out the servants’ wage packets at midsummer; I trust you do not object?”
“Not at all; it is within the mistress’ purview, though I believe Mrs. Reynolds has managed it alone for the past few years.”
