"Mrs Darcy, you be lookin' ever so much better. Mistress will be pleased, oh and the master of course, and Jenny who works in the kitchen and you haven't met, but we've all been ever so..." She blushed as she set the tray down. "Sorry, ma'am, Mrs Goose is always sayin' that my tongue is running away with me."
"It's quite alright, Martha," Elizabeth said. "I am feeling much better." Well, at least physically, she thought. "Is that porridgewith honey?" she asked more brightly than she felt. And Martha once again fell into steady chatter that required little response from her.
???
After breaking her fast, Martha helped her into a comfortable day gown and dressed her hair simply. Elizabeth submitted to the brushing and pinning quietly, though she could not help glancing occasionally towards the window. The rain had dwindled to little more than a fine drizzle and, through breaks in the low cloud, she could just make out pale strips of blue sky.
"It'll be fair by dinner," Martha announced confidently, following her gaze. "My father watches the birds, and he always says the swallows know better than any weather vane."
"I hope your father is correct."
"So do we all, ma'am. Everyone's wanting to be off home." She paused thoughtfully. "Though Mrs Goose says she'll miss the custom."
Elizabeth laughed. "I imagine she shall." She thanked the girl and made her way downstairs, determined that she would find something useful to occupy herself.
The taproom was already crowded despite the early hour. Several gentlemen sat over newspapers and coffee discussing thestate of the roads with great confidence, although none of them appeared to have left the comfort of the hearth that morning. A few families clustered near the fire keeping children occupied with games of cards and carved wooden toys. Mrs Goose moved briskly amongst them carrying a teapot in one hand and directing the servants with the other.
The moment she caught sight of Elizabeth she planted both hands upon her hips. "And where do you think you're going?"
Elizabeth stopped obediently. "Good morning to you too, Mrs Goose."
Mrs Goose came close enough to inspect her properly, turning Elizabeth's face first one way and then the other as though examining a horse she was considering purchasing.
"I have improved."
"Hm."
Elizabeth smiled. "I feel entirely myself again."
"Hm."
Elizabeth folded her hands together and took a step back. "I should like to help. The inn is overflowing. Your poor servants have scarcely sat down in days. I cannot in good conscience remain idle while everyone else works."
Mrs Goose looked gravely offended. "A lady of quality helping in my establishment. I think not, madam. And only justrecovered! No, another day of rest for you. That is what your husband said this morning, and I quite agree with him!"
Elizabeth huffed in exacerbation. Then quickly covered her mouth to disguise the unladylike sound.
Mrs Goose put down the teapot on a nearby table and folded her arms across her chest.
She tried her most conciliatory tone. The one she used to placate her mother, and occasionally her father. "I promise I shall attempt nothing heroic. I merely wish to make myself useful."
Mrs Goose considered her for several moments before her expression softened. "You don't much care for sitting still, do you?"
"No."
Mrs Goose tucked her apron more firmly about her waist. "Very well. I won't have you carrying coal or hauling buckets, but there are plenty of gentler tasks needing done."
"I shall be delighted."
"You may not be when you've finished."
Within a quarter of an hour Elizabeth found herself seated in the little parlour with two enormous baskets of freshly laundered linen before her.
The task proved unexpectedly soothing. The great household sheets smelt faintly of lavender and woodsmoke and there was something quietly satisfying in turning the untidy piles into neat orderly stacks. Every so often Martha appeared to carry one basket away and replace it with another, while Mrs Goose drifted in and out, pausing only long enough to inspect Elizabeth's progress before disappearing again to settle some fresh difficulty elsewhere in the inn.
By the time the second basket was finished, Mrs Goose seemed satisfied that Elizabeth was unlikely to collapse if trusted with something rather more adventurous.
"You may carry those across the courtyard to Meg who is refreshing the smaller rooms," she said, nodding towards the neatly folded pile. "Only mind you don't try taking all of them at once. You are still recovering and your husband shall have my hide if you overtax yourself."
