Elizabeth was quite astonished with Mrs Reynolds having an opinion on London folk, and she supposed the good lady to be a little prejudiced against them. But thinking of the beplumed visitors to the theatre and Miss Bingley's superior attitude, she could imagine the housekeeper being at least partly right. There was just one thing.
'Why would I care what a bunch of total strangers thinks of me, Mrs Reynolds? And how could Fitzwilliam set them to rights, he has no influence over other people, does he?'
The good lady looked positively grave.
'I'm afraid I wasn't totally clear, mistress, I'm not talking about total strangers here, but of the staff in your London house. You have proven you care about the servants and I suppose that means you care about how they treat you. Though you are nominally their mistress, they will test you and try to gain the upper hand over you. Miss Georgiana had a world of problems with them until the master offered the instigators a choice: treat
her with respect or find another position. Miss Georgiana didn't tell the master at first, until she confided her troubles to me and I advised her that her brother would not find her childish or a whiner, they had told her she would not be taken seriously. But of course he listened to her, he's such a good brother. You seem rather strong-willed, so you will not come to fear them, but they will try to lay their will upon you in all kinds of matters.
Don't let them, show them who's mistress.'
Frankly, Elizabeth couldn't believe this. Servants trying to run the household? Of course she was not going to wait until they snubbed her, then run to Fitzwilliam complaining. She wanted to know straight away, she'd ask Fitzwilliam as soon as there was time, there was no way in which she would live in a household where she was treated disrespectfully by anyone.
'Thank you for the warning, Mrs Reynolds, I will certainly keep it in mind.
Are we done here?'
'My pleasure, Mrs Darcy, I want you to feel at home in town as much as here. There is nothing left to be done here, I just want to know, do you want to wear one of these dresses already? To get used to the splendour?'
That last was said with true humour, Elizabeth knew the dresses, though rich for her, were very sober compared to what fashionable London ladies wore.
'Yes, please,' she replied, 'and one of the blouses, I think I'll wear it with the new riding skirt when we go out tomorrow. Last time, and then it's off to London. I'll miss all of you, Mrs Reynolds, you have made me feel very welcome here, very much at home.'
The lady was pleased to hear that.
'And we will all miss you, Mrs Darcy, as much as we will miss the master.
He is so lively, and so happy, it has been a real pleasure to have the two of you over for your honeymoon. In spring there will be duties, not just for the master but for the both of you, apparently. Mr Darcy said you and I are going to change the tour through the house together, he mentioned you proposed including the old dining-room in it, and told me we may include any rich room you feel is appropriate. I approve of that, a tour is supposed to show off some riches, though the visitors always like to see Miss Georgiana's rooms as well and they make people aware that the master is a loving man. I'd so love old Mrs Darcy's room to become part of the tour, I love to tell people about her though we never met. The lady who was housekeeper before me told me so much about her, before she retired and I got her position. I started as cook, you know, when the master was still a
child and the late Mr Darcy and Lady Anne Darcy were a happy family.'
She was looking forward to having a family in the house again, that much was clear. But Elizabeth secretly hoped that might still take a while to happen, seeing Mrs Norman had shown Elizabeth that being with child was very intense, and she still wanted to enjoy her life with her beloved unburdened.
But now she had better find Fitzwilliam soon and get to the bottom of this matter with the London staff. Elizabeth supposed him to be in the library, and that was exactly where she found him, reading a new play, a very serious work. He looked up as she came in, and immediately his expression softened and he put away the book.
'There you are, I've missed you!'
He invited her in his lap, and they snuggled and kissed a little.
'How were the dresses and other clothes, any good?'
'They were fabulous, love,' she replied, 'a perfect fit and very fashionable.
Mrs Reynolds tells me they are indeed the height of fashion, taken from a magazine straight out of London, like your newspaper.'
'An express, for a magazine? Maybe the fellow delivering my paper deals in fashion as well,' Fitzwilliam said, smiling. 'And why not? Fashion can be important, especially in London. I'm glad you'll be totally up to date.'
'Mrs Reynolds told me the London staff may try to snub me or rule me. Do you think that is true?'
Her beloved looked a little serious, then smiled again.
'They did try that with my sister, but she was so young, and so docile. And I gave them a distinct warning then. No, you will be fine, everyone is always polite and very friendly.'
And he became positively affectionate, kissing, fondling, but Elizabeth was not so easily convinced, Mrs Reynolds had been very clear on this and she wanted to know.
'According to Mrs Reynolds they look down on country people. Do you think she's exaggerating then?'
Still nuzzling her, he said lightly, 'Mrs Reynolds has been to my town house altogether maybe twice. And you can imagine she would have felt inferior there, here she rules the roost, and there she is a rustic old lady with no influence. So yes, I'd dare say she makes more of that incident than it deserves, I'm sure everything will be fine, she's just projecting the displacement she felt being in town on the London servants.'
Somehow Elizabeth was not so sure, there had to be things going on in her beloved's house that were kept from him by the servants, and Mrs Reynolds would know about them from talking to Bob and Simon whenever the latter accompanied Fitzwilliam to Pemberley. But his attentions were getting very distracting, and soon every thought of discordance in the household was driven out of her mind by love and desire for her perfect husband. She was just as smitten as Lydia was with her 'dear Wickham'.
The next day Elizabeth took leave reluctantly of the whole staff and of Daisy. Hugo would bring both riding horses to London, riding the one and leading the other in turns, the sidesaddle in the carriage as luggage. Horses safely delivered to London, the stablemaster was then to return to Pemberley in the carriage with Bob. Taking the riding horses to London was a job that should be Peter's, but Darcy wouldn't hear of his leaving his missus, who might deliver their baby any day now. And since the other stable boys could not be trusted with two horses, yet, Hugo would have to accomplish the three-day ride himself.
When Darcy told Bob he was to return to Pemberley with the fast carriage horses since he and Mrs Darcy were planning to stay in London for the duration of the winter, he seemed rather relieved, which somehow felt wrong to Darcy, for why would a young carriage driver prefer to spend a winter in the country? There was not much going on at Pemberley when the family was away and there would be a lot more work for Bob, since Darcy had promised Peter a three-weeks' leave when the baby was born. Hugo would have no problem ordering Bob to do Peter's work on top of Bob's own.
The old Fitzwilliam Darcy would have let such a subtle sign pass, but the new Darcy experienced a buzz of misgiving and lightly inquired, 'Do you prefer the country to the city, Bob? I'd have thought you were the kind of man to enjoy the amusements of London, especially in winter.'
Bob didn't answer, he looked caught instead, and when Darcy let a few moments of silence fall the poor man didn't know how to act anymore. This was the master speaking, he couldn't just stand there saying nothing, that was disrespectful, even rude.
'I beg your pardon Mr Darcy,' he said, 'they told me if I let anything slip I'd be sorry, but I suppose if I lied to the master I'd be even sorrier. So here goes: I've never liked being in London because they always pi
cked on me. I
used to just stay in the stables most of the time, but since Bruce started to notice the ladies there is no safe place left.'
'Who are they, and why didn't you tell me?'
So Mrs Reynolds had been right.
'I didn't think you'd believe me and they said they'd get me fired. Theo and Janine are the ones who started it, Bruce and the hired help merely follow their lead. Simon is not involved, he's their worst victim. He doesn't dare tell you either. Cook and Mrs Annesley don't even know, they've been very subtle.'
Darcy wanted to shake him for being foolish but the poor man had suffered enough. This was Georgiana all over again, only worse, for Bob couldn't defend himself at all, his position carried great responsibility but was unfortunately also quite humble. But Simon, Darcy had always treated his valet with great familiarity, how could he be forced into silence? They had spent weeks on the road together, talking like brothers rather than master and servant! Putting a hand on his driver's shoulder, Darcy tried to look as understanding as possible, to encourage his servant to speak freely.
'Bob, I trust you with my life every time we go out together. You are valuable to me, and I want you to be happy in my service. I believe you, and I will act, but first I want to see them at it with my own eyes, I need to see exactly what they are doing. It will be difficult enough to dismiss someone who has served my father before me. Can you bear with them for a few more days to enable me to witness their misdeeds?'
Bob nodded, obviously relieved, and he even managed a smile, for clearly the master did realise how many decisions his driver made when sitting on the box of the carriage, handling four spirited thoroughbred horses. But to dismiss his long-time butler on Bob's word...
'They've done it before, Bob, and I warned them against it. If I witness them bullying anyone they will face the consequences. I will not be trifled with!'
Darcy could see the effect of his anger on Bob, even though the young man knew he was not the target he still blanched. Another reason for Darcy to be glad he had won Elizabeth, she would never hesitate to face him and tell him the truth, and apparently even Simon didn't trust him with it. It felt lonely, to have everyone around him perform some kind of show, leaving him out of everything that mattered.
'Choose the carriage you trust best in this snow, Bob, and don't hesitate to call for a break for yourself or the horses if it gets too cold.'
Darcy's friendly tone and caring message calmed Bob down, and he replied daringly, 'I love driving Mrs Darcy's carriage, master, it's very light, but still steady and the box has a little windscreen to protect the driver from the elements.'
He bowed his head and admitted, 'They were not respectful about the mistress either, Mr Darcy, and I secretly hoped she'd teach them a lesson.
She has more will than all of them put together.'
'You're not alone in this anymore, Bob, I am with you, and the mistress will support you, she is indeed not an easy prey. I'd almost let them try and watch what happens. But I want her to like London. I will speak to Simon and ask him the same favour I just asked of you, to help me catch them at it.
It will end, Bob, and I hope if anything happens in the future you will tell me, or the mistress, straight away.'
'Yes, sir, master, may I go now? I'll go put on some extra layers. I feel much better, sir, thank you sir.'
Just after lunch the carriage was ready and Elizabeth and himself were on their way to London. Darcy told her what Bob had confessed and she was very concerned.
'I'm glad you asked him, or he might have suffered even more those few days until Hugo arrived. I'll be alert as well, they may indeed try for me, and though Bob and Simon are as human as myself, to the rest of the world I suppose disrespecting me would be counted the worst offence and therefore the best reason possible to dismiss them instantly. Will they be difficult to replace?'
It clearly distressed Fitzwilliam to even consider that, he had shared his life with these people for years, he needed to see them at it to really believe.
Elizabeth noticed.
'Never mind, don't answer that, let's first see how things work out.'
And as they drove away through the park she kissed him and caressed him to make him feel a little better, those kisses inexorably leading to other tokens of affection.
Despite the snow they reached London in the usual three days, and as Bruce took the horses to guide the carriage to the stables, Fitzwilliam caught Bob's eye and sent him a heartening look. Then he took Elizabeth to the front door, which Theo was holding for them, looking at his master with what to Elizabeth seemed true affection. But the butler knew his etiquette and
greeted Elizabeth first, very formally and very respectfully. Elizabeth didn't know him well enough to see what he felt, whether he was set to dislike her.
Trying to be fair, Elizabeth made an effort to draw him out as she had done with the staff at Pemberley, but that didn't work, she could not get any story out of him, only polite phrases and short replies. It was difficult not to take that personally, but Elizabeth steeled herself as if she was with Miss Bingley, if these Londoners wanted to test the country folk, she would be ready for them and not care. She could feel her emotions detach and her courage rise.
As a true lady she now entered the house on her doting husband's arm, to be welcomed by Janine, the resident maid, several hired girls and the cook, a fierce-looking man of middle age, strangely enough rather thin. He had two helpers as well. And there was Simon, the valet. He was supremely handsome, she knew he was a bit older than herself but he looked about her own age, small of stature and slim and elegant. Dressed in a livery, he wore it as if it was a king's regalia, just the crown lacking.
After greeting the cook, his helpers and the hired maids, most of the staff went back to work, leaving only the butler, the maid, and Simon. The latter also greeted his new mistress first, bowing and kissing her hand, and he did make some conversation with her, about how he had missed the master and how he was looking forward to introducing the new mistress to London culture and manners.
'Mrs Reynolds has set you up with the latest fashion, I see. Your coat is just marvellous, I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your collection.'
He was so friendly and elegant, and very well-mannered, Elizabeth could see why Fitzwilliam liked him, though she didn't see any sign at all of his not liking women. He was very nice, actually.
Georgiana and Mrs Reynolds seemed to be absent, and the butler told them Miss Darcy was off to her lesson but would return in an hour and a half, in time for a late lunch.
Fitzwilliam now invited Simon to come with them to the drawing-room, and ordered tea and coffee to be served there, while Theo took their coats. The contrast between Fitzwilliam treating the one as a friend and the other as a servant didn't seem as obvious to her beloved as to Elizabeth herself, and she quickly watched Theo's reaction. His dignified expression showed a flash of feeling, then returned to normal. The feeling was not so much
unfriendly or angry, but rather envious and hurt. Theo seemed to love Fitzwilliam very much, his eyes followed his master for quite a long time as Fitzwilliam walked in the direction of the drawing-room with Simon, arm over the smaller man's shoulders, talking away freely.
Elizabeth couldn't observe Theo any longer without being rude, so she switched objects and took a look at Janine, who did not look dignified at all, but openly hostile. And not at Simon's back, but straight at Elizabeth.
Whatever did that woman think she was doing? She behaved as if she was the mistress here and her new mistress an unruly servant. This was not the time to challenge her, though, so Elizabeth did not return the stare but pretended to study the hall itself, which was not a peculiar thing to do since it was very beautiful, with wooden panelling, a marble floor, and a magnificent chandelier high above her head. A chandelier in the hall!
Though Elizabeth was not used to the number of servants Fitzwilliam employed, she had always had servants about, had seen how her
parents dealt with staff and had, from a certain age, found her own way to associate with them. She was always less familiar than her mother, not complaining to servants or telling them any private concerns, but more informal than her father, preferring to be liked rather than just obeyed. And it had always worked for her, she never had reason to suspect their maids of gossiping about her or of being polite to her face then venting their dislike behind her back.
This was the first time that Elizabeth had ever had a servant disrespect her, and she found she had no tolerance for such a lack of manners. If Janine truly hated Elizabeth just for the fact that the latter married Janine's master, she could not be won, and she would have to go. Elizabeth looked at the décor of the hall a little longer, waiting to see if the maid would take her dislike further with her master absent, but before anyone could do anything, Fitzwilliam returned to the hall. He must have missed her already, for he had a very soft expression and a question in his eyes. He took Elizabeth in his arms, but instead of relishing his affection she stole another look at Janine, then at Theo. It was unmistakeable, both were very jealous of the attention she got from the master of the house. It was just incredible how much love he inspired in them, for Elizabeth was quite certain he didn't care half as much for them, nor could she imagine that Fitzwilliam had ever encouraged them to get attached to him personally. He took good care of his staff and liked to be appreciated for that, but all in all serving him was just a
job like many others. Of course Fitzwilliam noticed she was not entirely with him, and he looked at her questioningly again. Now she leaned into his embrace as she always did, and whispered, 'I'll tell you later.'
Revelations Page 24
