Decisions

by Ola Wegner

  As she walked upstairs to wake Mrs Darcy, she thought how lucky she was to get her current position. After the death of her husband, she served as a maid at Matlock Castle. However, when the message had come from Pemberley that Mr Darcy was in want of a maid for his young wife, she had not hesitated even for one minute. She had seen Mr Darcy at Matlock many times, knowing him as a fair and generous master. Moreover, her little boy lived with her sister in Lambton only five miles away from Pemberley.

  Mary found her place at Pemberley much better than her previous one. Not that she had been mistreated at Matlock, but here she was the maid to the lady of the house. No one could tell her what to do, even Mrs Reynolds. She listened only to Mrs Darcy. Her young lady was kind to her and to her boy, always welcoming Tommy with little treats, even suggesting that he should come to live with her at Pemberley. Mary considered that, but in the end she decided against it. In her sister’s house he was watched over constantly and he could play with his cousins as well as with other children. In a year he would be able to go to school in Lambton. Mary had high hopes for her son. He would be an educated man. He was such a bright boy. She was saving every penny to be able to pay for his schooling in the future. He would not work in the mine like his father had.

  Mary guessed right away that young Mrs Darcy had not come from a very wealthy home, or at least her family was not as rich as the Darcys or the Earl of Matlock. Her bearing, though, her white delicate hands and the French and German books which she read testified to the fact that she was a gentleman’s daughter. At the same time, she was also unspoiled and undemanding. Moreover, Mrs Darcy was handsome enough to make her look very pretty with a few simple tricks, which made Mary’s job much easier.

  Mary as well as every other servant at Pemberley starting from Mrs Reynolds and ending on the lowest kitchen maid knew well that master was head over heels in love with his young wife. Everyone whispered that it was a love match. Only Drew knew that Mrs Darcy kept her husband at a distance. Drew was very curious about what had happened between them to make her so reserved with him. She knew that Mrs Darcy’s father had died recently and that she had been very attached to him. Sometimes she mentioned her elder sister, Jane. She rarely spoke of her mother or younger sisters.

  Although many would like to hear some details concerning the new Mrs Darcy, Drew kept her mouth tight. Perhaps the most important part of her job was to be discreet. Apart from that, she liked her new lady and wished to protect her from malicious gossip.

  Mary was perfectly aware that although Mr and Mrs Darcy put on a pretence, with master coming to mistress’s room regularly at nights, mistress was still very much an innocent. Mary was certain that this state would not last for a long time. They were both young and attractive, thus it was only a matter of time before the situation needed to change.

  Mary entered her mistress’s bedchamber like any other morning. What she saw stopped her in her tracks. Mr Darcy was spread across the bed, face down, tangled sheets barely covering the lower half of him.

  The next moment mistress walked out of the dressing room with a sheet wrapped around her form. Her hair was a mess, tumbling wildly around her shoulders and back. She was pale as a ghost but her eyes were shining with newly found maturity and her lips were red as blood.

  On seeing her, Mrs Darcy’s cheeks turned the colour of her lips.

  “I will wait until you need me, mistress,” Mary said, and turned on her heels. She left the room with a wide smile on her face. She thought that it was a long time overdue. Poor mistress did not have to be embarrassed. There was nothing more natural than lovemaking between husband and wife.

  ***

  Elizabeth waited for the maid to leave. Then she ran to the bed and shook her husband’s arm.

  “Fitzwilliam, wake up, wake up. Wake up this instant!”

  “What?” he murmured, shifting lazily on his back.

  He was sleeping.

  Elizabeth ran to the window and opened the curtains wide.

  The sudden surge of the light woke him up.

  “What the…?” he murmured, using an undignified word.

  “You have to go to your room,” she said when she was certain that she had his attention.

  “Why?”

  “Drew was here.”

  “And?”

  “She saw you.”

  He dropped back on the pillows. “I assure you that she has not seen anything new to her. She is a mother and was married.”

  “What will she think?”

  “Nothing. She is paid to be silent and she will be. Now, call her back and tell her to prepare a bath and bring our breakfast here.”

  “Fitzwilliam…”

  “If you do not go now, you shall deserve more of the treatment you received throughout the night.”

  Elizabeth pulled back instantly. Her body was too tired for more.

  She found his shirt on the floor and put it next to him. “Put it on at the very least.”

  Darcy sighed, put on the shirt, and then dropped back on the bed.

  Elizabeth rang for Drew, who appeared right back. Elizabeth wondered if she was not waiting on the other side of the door.

  She raised her chin high. “We would like to take our breakfast here as well as the bath.”

  The maid smiled politely. “Of course, my lady.”

  Drew left and Elizabeth walked to the bed to see that Darcy was sleeping soundly. She had some time to wake him up properly.

  ***

  Later that morning, Elizabeth sat in the bathtub while Darcy was washing her back. He kissed her shoulder blade. She leaned back into his embrace.

  He ran the washcloth over her belly and arms.

  “Elizabeth,” he said, putting the washcloth away and bringing her closer to him, his arm settling underneath her bosom.

  “Yes?” she asked, placing her head on his shoulder, her eyelids dropping. She was tired. She had barely slept four hours.

  He kissed her arm. “May I ask what caused this sudden change in your attitude towards me?” he asked.

  She turned her head to look at him. “Are you complaining?”

  “You know very well how elated I am that we are truly husband and wife now. Particularly that you came to me of your own will as I always wanted you to. I am only wondering what is the reason behind it.”

  Elizabeth shook her head, hiding her eyes from him. “I cannot tell you.”

  “Why?”

  “I cannot,” she insisted. “You would think me simpleminded and shallow.”

  He was watching her carefully. “I can assure you that I would not,” he said.

  “You will hear nothing from me about it,” she vowed.

  “We shall see,” he said, the tips of his fingers running down her ribs.

  “Fitzwilliam, no,” she said, attempting to free herself from his hold.

  He ignored her protests, continuing to tickle her.

  “No!” she protested, pushing against him with all her might.

  “Tell me,” he demanded, keeping her steadily in his embrace.

  “Let me go!” she exclaimed, giggling despite herself.

  They were laughing and splashing water all over the dressing room when Elizabeth shushed him, hearing the decided knock on the door.

  “Yes, Drew, what is the matter?” she asked, putting her hand over Darcy’s mouth to stop him from biting her shoulder.

  “Mr Clayton is here,” the maid said. “He says that Mr Darcy is urgently needed in the stables.”

  Elizabeth looked over at Darcy. He removed her hand from his mouth and asked, “What happened, Drew?”

  “I believe that there was some accident there. A few horses have escaped.”

  “Damn it,” Darcy murmured quietly, then added in a louder voice, “tell Clayton to wait for me in my dressing room with my riding clothes.”

  Elizabeth watched him as he climbed out of the tub. He towelled himself dry and reached for the velvet robe which belonged to her.

 
She burst in laughter as she saw him tying the blue sash around his waist. The robe barely reached his knees.

  “What?” he questioned her in all seriousness. “It is better than appearing naked in front of Clayton. He might not survive it.”

  He leaned down, kissing her lips tenderly. “Have your rest today, Mrs Darcy,” he said.

  “Shall we have tea together later?” she asked.

  “We shall,” he promised. “I love you. Do not sit too long here. The water is turning cold.”

  Darcy left and Elizabeth leaned back, submerging herself into the water which was indeed lukewarm.

  She realized that only now could she truly call herself Mrs Darcy of Pemberley.

  ***

  Elizabeth stepped out of the music room. She had devoted the last two hours to a practise session with Georgiana. Her new sister was an excellent musician and she was most eager to take Elizabeth as her student. She was also quite a strict teacher. Elizabeth had not played since last spring, but she wanted to improve her skills.

  It was past four in the afternoon and she thought that Darcy should have completed his work for today.

  She knocked at the library door. When she heard “enter,” she walked in. He was not alone but accompanied by the steward, Mr Pierson, and the equerry, Mr Dixon.

  “Excuse me, gentlemen, I did not know that I was interrupting.” She was about to step back, but Darcy’s words stopped her.

  “Please stay, Mrs Darcy. Gentlemen, we shall finish tomorrow.”

  The man walked past her, greeting her with respect.

  Darcy sat behind his large, dark desk. She looked at his face. He appeared tired.

  “We were to have tea together,” she reminded him.

  “I remember,” he said, his eyes settling on her. He extended his hand to her. “Come here to me.”

  Elizabeth walked around the desk. He pulled her onto his lap.

  “I missed you,” he murmured into her neck, kissing her there.

  They sat silently for a while, enjoying each other’s presence and their newfound intimacy.

  “Fitzwilliam,” she spoke first.

  “Yes, my love?”

  She drew away from him enough to look into his face.

  “What happened in the stables?”

  His expression sobered. “Someone stole three horses.”

  “How could this happen?”

  “It must have been someone from the staff who helped the thieves. I fear that there is no other possibility.”

  “Can you guess who can this be?”

  “No, but I shall find out.”

  “What is the loss?”

  “Two stallions and the breeding mare. Around five hundred pounds.”

  “Five hundred!” she exclaimed. “It is a fortune.”

  Darcy frowned. “What bothers me the most is that someone betrayed my trust. It is disappointing because I like to think that I treat my people well.”

  “You certainly do,” she assured him.

  “Let us put it to rest, darling,” he said. “You are here with me. I am able to talk to you about my worries. It is of the most importance now.”

  “I would like to help you in some way.”

  “You are helping, believe me that you are.” He kissed her on the lips.

  They stared at one another for a long while, not speaking a single word.

  “How are you, Mrs Darcy?” he asked in a low voice.

  “I am well.”

  “Well? How well are you?”

  She giggled. “Quite well, sir.”

  “‘Quite’ is not quite enough, I am afraid.” He kissed her on the lips.

  Elizabeth slowly pulled away from his embrace, standing to her feet beside his armchair. “Georgiana is awaiting us in the sitting room. I promised her that we shall take tea together.”

  “Let us go then, Mrs Darcy.”

  ***

  The Darcys spent a pleasant evening in the family circle. Elizabeth and Georgiana attempted to cheer Darcy up with their chatter, piano playing and singing.

  As they departed upstairs, Elizabeth was mostly silent. Darcy sat in front of the fireplace in her bedroom, dressed in his night clothes. He did not ask whether they would spend another night together. He took it for granted. She did not blame him for that.

  He looked up at her as she left the dressing room. He waited until Drew left, then he said, “Where are those highly indecent nightgowns you tortured me with in the early days of our marriage?”

  “Hidden away.”

  “It is a shame. I quite liked them.”

  Still a bit shy, she perched himself on his lap. He pulled her closer.

  “I think that I should inform you about something I witnessed yesterday,” she said.

  “I am listening.”

  “I was returning from the parsonage when I saw something happening in the stables, although I am not certain if this may be of any help to you.”

  Her words alerted him. “You were in the stables yesterday afternoon?”

  She nodded. “I stepped by there thinking I may find you or Georgiana.”

  “Did you see something strange or unfamiliar?”

  “In one of the empty stalls there was a young couple.”

  “Did you hear what they were talking about?”

  “They were not talking but they were otherwise engaged.”

  Darcy twisted his lips in a small smile. “I think that I should rather thank them before I accuse them of anything.”

  Elizabeth felt the warmth spreading on her cheeks.

  “It was not my intention to embarrass you.” He put his finger under her chin, gazing into her eyes. “Would you be able to recognize them?”

  “I do believe I could recognize him but not her. He was much taller than she, thus I could not see her face. And her cap was covering her hair. She was wearing the maids’ attire, though. Of that I am certain of. I asked Drew if she’d heard if one of the maids had a sweetheart among the stable hands.”

  “What did Drew answer?”

  “She’s heard nothing of this. She offered to make enquiries, but I told her that it was not necessary for the time being.”

  Darcy was thoughtful for a while, staring at the fire.

  “Do you think that there is a connection between those two and the stolen horses?” Elizabeth asked.

  “We should definitely learn who they were. Please ask Drew to make discreet enquiries among the servants.”

  “Of course.”

  “Also I will ask you to come to the stables tomorrow to look around there.”

  “I will.”

  His arms around her tightened. “Do you realize that you have just given me the answer to the question which I asked you in the morning?”

  “You must think me a true simpleton,” she said.

  “I do not care. I am most pleased that you witnessed this little rendezvous in the stable.”

  She hit him lightly with her small fist. “You are unkind.”

  “No, Mrs Darcy. I am most kind.”

  They kissed. Elizabeth did not protest when he carried her to the bed.

  Chapter Ten

  Elizabeth was dressed warmly in a long velvet cape finished with fur around the hood. Her hands were hidden in a matching fur muff, and tall boots protected her feet.

  She was walking to the stables admiring the thick snowflakes falling from the sky. Had it been her choice, she would have stopped right where she was in the middle of the great lawn to look at the snow, but she knew that Darcy awaited her in the stables. She hastened her pace.

  There were several horses on the paddock, enjoying their morning run. Elizabeth watched them shortly before she heard her husband’s voice calling her name.

  “Mrs Darcy!” Turning on her heel, she saw Darcy coming in her direction. She felt herself blushing. How could she not notice earlier how handsome he was?

  Next to Darcy there was Mr Dixon, the equerry. The older man had an enormous moustache and a thick Scot
tish accent. It was impossible not to like him. Elizabeth greeted him with a polite smile.

  “Mr Dixon.” Darcy turned to the equerry. “Mrs Darcy is considering taking riding lessons. She would like to look at the horses to pick one for her personal use.”

  “I will be more than happy to find a mare for Mrs Darcy,” Mr Dixon assured.

  “Thank you, Mr Dixon,” Elizabeth said. “I would be more than happy to look at horses you find suitable for me.”

  She walked closer to the paddock. “What about those?” she asked, pointing to the animals.

  “Oh no, Mrs Darcy,” Mr Dixon protested. “With all due respect, but they are not for you. They are stallions. Only Mr Darcy rides them. Even Miss Georgiana is afraid to put her saddle on them.”

  Elizabeth looked closely at the men who stood around the paddock.

  “There are two smaller mares in the stables,” the equerry attempted to draw her attention elsewhere. “If you can follow me there?” He invited her with a gesture of his hand.

  Darcy nodded at her to go with him.

  Inside the building, Elizabeth insisted on looking into every stall, asking about all the horses. Mr Dixon was more than happy to share his knowledge.

  When Elizabeth returned to Darcy’s side a while later, Mr Dixon was all smiles.

  “I daresay that Mrs Darcy shall be an excellent Amazon,” the equerry praised her. “She is keenly interested in horses.”

  Darcy looked at the foreman. “I thank you, Mr Dixon, for showing Mrs Darcy the stables in such detail. Have you found anything suitable for her?”

  “There is one mare which mistress liked very much. It is Ginevra. Rather old but very calm. Mrs Darcy can begin lessons any day. I shall personally instruct her.”

  As Mr Dixon walked away to his duties, Elizabeth and Darcy remained by the paddock, watching the horses.

  “I do believe that you put old Dixon under your spell,” he noted.