Master Under Good Regulation

by Kara Louise

  With her on his arm, he attended balls and dinners without grumbling, eager to acquaint her with his friends and take her to places she had never been.

  I am sad to say that as their attachment grew, I found my participation with my two favourite people diminishing. I was no longer able to accompany them on their journeys to Town as the foul air made breathing more difficult. Walking was an effort that took far too much concentration. I began eating less and less, having very little appetite anymore. Upon returning, however, they would share with me all that they thought would be of interest to me and I hungrily devoured every word.

  Despite my condition, I was content and at peace that my master was happy.

  *~*~*

  It was in the heavy heat of summer that I found my strength and energy waning. I slept more often than not and frequently had to be reminded even to eat.

  One hot afternoon, the scent of some delectably odorous food tickled my nose and I slowly opened my eyes to see my master crouched down beside me holding out a plate of tantalizing meat that I would have in earlier years inhaled in a moment’s notice. I know not how long it had been since I had eaten and to own the truth, I had absolutely no desire to do so. It was strange that I felt no hunger pangs, no stomach growls, nothing that would indicate that I had not eaten in several days.

  “Come on, Reggie. Eat this little bit. It is the very best portion of the goose. You used to love it.”

  I recognized the proffered treat as something I enjoyed in the past. But not only was I not hungry, I was tired. Too tired to even open my mouth and chew. I looked up mournfully at my master, hoping he would understand.

  The effort to stay awake was more than I could bear. I fell asleep again and at some point awoke to whispering voices. I opened my eyes slowly to see Georgiana and Mrs. Reynolds hovering over me.

  “Look!” Georgiana whispered. “His eyes are open!” She turned to Mrs. Reynolds and asked that she fetch Mr. and Mrs. Darcy.

  She leaned down to me. “We are here, Reggie. We are here.” Her hand felt warm against me as she stroked my head and back.

  My vision being mostly obscured, I sensed rather than saw Georgiana’s eyes glisten as they filled with tears. This was troubling to me and I tried to lift my paw to her to reassure her, but found I had not the strength. I was barely even able to move my head, and when I heard the sound of footsteps, it took a concerted effort for me to turn in that direction.

  Mistress Elizabeth and my master entered the room and made their way directly to me.

  “Reggie has finally opened his eyes. I had about given up hope as it has been two days.” Georgiana’s voice quivered as she spoke those words that took me by surprise. I had no idea I had been asleep that long.

  I rested my head back down and closed my eyes. It felt so good to keep them closed, but an ominous feeling counselled me that I should make every attempt to keep them open and remain awake. But yet, I cannot deny at the same time, the thought of sleep beckoned me.

  I heard Georgiana say in hushed tones, “His breathing is very slow and shallow. Fitzwilliam, is there anything we can do for him?”

  Straining my eyes to see Georgiana, I could see that she was worried. I felt powerless to do anything to ease her distress.

  “We have to let him know that he can let go.” My master’s voice reassured me.

  Hearing a faint weeping, I turned to Mistress Elizabeth and saw that her head was buried against my master’s shoulder and she was dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.

  I then glanced at my master and he looked down at me. He nodded his head, saying, “You have been a loyal and good friend, Reggie, and I shall forever be thankful for our time together. But, it is time, my friend, to let go.”

  His words gave me a sense of freedom and assurance that all things were as they should be. I looked one last time at each of my loved ones. Quite unexpectedly and suddenly, I was granted a burst of strength, clarity of mind, and clarity of sight to acknowledge my master, Georgiana, and Mistress Elizabeth. I breathed in deeply the scents of those I held most dear, looking at each in turn. I wanted their faces to be imprinted in my mind.

  I then turned back to look at my master. The scared and unsure boy that brought me home so many years ago had grown to a man that any dog would be proud to call his master -- a man of honour, of principle, and of unyielding loyalty. I nuzzled the hand stroking my head gently and even dared to give him a little lick to display my steadfast affection. The last thing I remember was seeing a lone tear trickle down his cheek. Then I closed my eyes, embracing the seduction of the peaceful rest.

  Epilogue

  That heartrending day happened ten years ago.

  While I do not remember the particulars of that day, I do recollect the gravity of his loss. It affected the Darcys, the whole staff, and my mother, as well.

  My name is Sir Reginald Ascott Hamilton Darcy II. I am called Scotty by my master and mistress and the staff at Pemberley. I am named after my father and have heard many wonderful stories of his great wisdom and devotion. I am rather in awe of him as I hear of his excellent behaviour, remarkable intelligence and acuity, and his heroic actions.

  I know I can never live up to his legacy. I have heard over and over about how he came to Pemberley and what a great support he was for my master when, as a lad, he was broken-hearted at the loss of his mother; how he stood by my master as a young man grieving the loss of his father; and how he knew Mistress Elizabeth was the perfect choice of wife for my master and did everything in his power to bring them together. The stories amaze me even still.

  While I am fully over ten years old, I am constantly reprimanded for my unregulated playfulness and rambunctious bursts, much like I was as a puppy. But fortunately, I am kindly tolerated. I am most grateful that I am quickly forgiven when I do not behave as I should.

  But there is a material difference between myself and my father. To this day, no matter how patiently my master or his groomsmen work with me, I still struggle to remember the difference between “sit” and “stay.” I confess, usually it is a matter of me not wishing to stay when I am told to sit. Nevertheless, I hold out hope that I will be as highly revered as my father was.

  Much has transpired in these ten years. The Master and Mistress of Pemberley have three children. They were blessed with two sons, Fitzwilliam and Edmund, and finally a daughter, Jane. I suspect the reason that I am indulged despite my lapses in discipline is due to my own excellent rapport with the Darcy children. Fitzwilliam and Edmund are rarely without my companionship. We enjoy excellent schemes and adventures throughout the woods of Pemberley and I have exercised my office on occasion to alert the boys to some unforeseen danger or to the presence of their little sister hoping to join us on our escapades.

  Mistress Elizabeth’s sister, Mrs. Bingley, and her husband have two girls and two boys. They moved within an easy distance from Pemberley that allows for the families to visit often and allow the cousins to be very close.

  Georgiana took my sister, Molly, as her companion. Molly accompanied her everywhere and is now living with her and her husband, Lord Breighton, at their home at Leddenwood. Molly has had several litters of puppies. Unquestionably, she has been an excellent mother, but her most prized role is that of companion to Georgiana. She helps her a great deal entertaining her young son, Frederick. Sometimes I wonder whether Molly has more of my father’s traits than I do.

  My master’s cousin, Miss Anne de Bourgh, was married soon after her mother -- a woman who reminded me the first time I saw her of the hens in the chicken coop, always clucking and fussing, the feathers of her hat shaking furiously -- died unexpectedly a few years back. Though I do not pretend to understand the restrictions that humans place on society, it was said that Miss

  de Bourgh married beneath her, a man of little fortune whom she had known for several years. From the discussions I have overheard between my master and his wife, apparently the devotion he showed her through years of disdain from Miss Anne’s
mother proved his worth. His love has daily given her back the strength and comfort, which had for so long been lacking.

  Frequent guests at Pemberley include Mr. Bennet, though I rarely see him outside of the library; the Bingleys; Colonel Fitzwilliam, who has remained unmarried -- a fact about which my master appears to take great delight in teasing him; and the Gardiners, who are particular favourites of my master and mistress. Another sister of my mistress, Miss Kitty, is a welcomed guest and enjoyed the company of the Darcys and the Bingleys until she married and moved a considerable distance from Pemberley. Mrs. Bennet visits rarely -- it appears that travel does not sit well with her nerves. Neither does Mistress Elizabeth’s sister, Mrs. Lydia Wickham, visit. When she does, she arrives alone, unannounced, and with the request of financial assistance.

  Mistress Elizabeth’s remaining sister, Mary, continues at Longbourn; her primary responsibility being to care for Mrs. Bennet and to moralize about every occurrence, whether good or bad, that she encounters in a day.

  My life here is far different than my father’s was. He was allowed greater liberties than I shall ever enjoy -- I have never been allowed upstairs, let alone sleep upon anyone’s bed. There are times when I feel as though I suffer in comparison to my father and shall never meet their expectations.

  But I remind myself that when my father came, things were very different. He had the full devotion of his master, who trained him well. I am exceedingly proud of him and have come to love to hear the stories about him. I only hope that one day, a fine offspring of mine might happen along when one of the Darcy children is old enough to choose him as his particular companion and he will be just as excellent as my good father was -- Sir Reginald Ascott Hamilton Darcy.

  The End

  Kara Louise lives in Kansas with her husband.

  They share their 10 acres with

  an ever changing menagerie of animals.

  They have one married son who also likes to write.

  Other published books by Kara Louise

  “Drive and Determination”

  ”Pemberley’s Promise”

  “Assumed Engagement”

  and

  “Assumed Obligation”

  Visit her website, www.ahhhs.net, where you will find a variety of stories written by her and Australian author, Sharni.