by Ola Wegner
It was not hard to guess that he was completely besotted with her; but who was she? Was she a lady of the ton, like that Mr. Bingley’s sister, whose eyes crawled all over Pemberley, as if hungrily screaming this would soon be all mine? If so, Mrs. Reynolds knew there was no place for her here anymore. She could not stand by calmly, watching some manipulating woman using the poor boy, ordering Miss Georgiana around, and changing Pemberley into some overly decorated palace.
The carriage stopped, and Mr. Darcy emerged first, handing down Miss Darcy.
Then a young girl appeared on the carriage steps. She smiled at Master William and descended lightly, barely supporting herself on his hand. She was not at all what the housekeeper had expected.
She was small, barely reaching his shoulder. Her dress was finely made, but certainly more for comfort than anything else. She looked young, more like Miss Georgiana’s peer, though Mrs. Reynolds had been informed that she was twenty years of age. Her face was quite pretty, fresh and innocent looking, but she could by no means be considered a reputed beauty. She looked more like a country lass, lively, full of energy, but not very sophisticated. Her posture was slight, but still with some curves, which was little surprising for Mrs. Reynolds as Master William’s eye had always wandered after the girls with some flesh on their bones.
Master motioned the girl forward. “My dear, let me introduce you. This is Mrs. Reynolds, our housekeeper.”
The new Mrs. Darcy approached her with a smile and spoke in warm voice. “I am glad to meet you at last, Mrs. Reynolds. I have heard so much about you from my husband and my sister.”
Mrs. Reynolds curtseyed and smiled back. It did not escape her attention that when the girl said ‘my husband,’ Master William presented a toothy grin, which she had not had the opportunity to see on his face since… well, perhaps, never.
“Welcome to Pemberley, Mrs. Darcy. We are all happy to welcome a new Mistress. Would you like to be introduced to the staff now or, perhaps, later”
“Now, certainly,” the girl answered spoke with energy, her eyes sparkling; and Mrs. Reynolds thought that her first impression was quite wrong. She was very pretty, especially those dark eyes.
Mrs. Reynolds began introducing the servants, observing keenly her behaviour at the same time. The girl, or rather Mrs. Darcy, had a warm smile for everyone, and she seemed to listen carefully to their names and positions. She exchanged a few words with some of them, asking questions about their work and responsibilities.
Mrs. Reynolds glanced back at the Master, who stood a few steps behind them, watching his wife with pride and warmth in his eyes.
***
For the first few weeks, Mrs. Reynolds discretely observed the new Mrs. Darcy, and she soon discovered that the girl was much more complex than it could be seen at a first sight.
She went for long walks every day. Mrs. Reynolds was a tad surprised when, on only the first day, Master invited her to his study. He asked her to arrange one of the footmen to follow his wife, very discretely, so heaven forbid she would notice it, when she took her walks. In a matter of a week, Mrs. Reynolds understood these concerns, for Mistress’ walks were truly very long ones. She could disappear easily for a few hours. Moreover, quite often her muddy half boots and petticoats were sent downstairs for cleaning. For certain, she walked far out of the gravelled park paths, not to mention that the man who was designated to follow her often returned from such walk on his last legs and just as untidy as Mrs. Darcy.
She was quite accomplished (however, not so accomplished as Miss Georgiana, for certain), but undoubtedly well versed and well read. She played pianoforte (but not nearly so well as Miss Georgiana), though her voice, when she sang was a very pleasant and rich one, full of emotions.
She read French books and poetry, together with thick the historical books from the library. She spent many hours with Master in his study. While he was working, she was curled on the sofa reading books, letters or scribbling something in a thick leather cachet, which had to be a journal or a diary of a kind she kept.
She wrote and received many letters. Correspondence from the south came nearly every day. Most of the letters were from Miss Bennet, or Miss Kitty Bennet, sometimes from Miss Mary Bennet and Mrs. Bennet. There were frequent letters from Kent, from Mrs. Collins as well.
On only the second day of her arrival, she asked to be acquainted with the household affairs. After just a few conversations on the subject of running the house, Mrs. Reynolds found her intelligent, sensible, level headed, and very knowledgeable in the matters at hand.
Mrs. Darcy did not demand any instant changes in the house, but everything seemed to change and for better. Miss Georgiana was merrier and laughed more, her playing became more cheerful. Master William seemed to be a different man all-together. He was happy.
***
Pemberley, Derbyshire
17 August 1812
Dearest Mama,
Your wild child at last comes to fulfil her promise, writing to you on the subject of her new life as Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy. I know it has already been three weeks since I left Hertfordshire, but truly, Mama, so much has happened during this time. There have been so many changes in my life, that only now do I feel ready to share some intelligence about my situation. However, first I would wish to enquire about your health and wellbeing. I trust you are well and the same with my dear sisters, Mary and Jane.
In the first words I want to ease your fears and assure you I am well, both in spirits and in health. I truly do not know where to start, so many thoughts are crossing my mind at the very moment. I am so happy, Mama -this may perhaps summarize my feelings the best . I am aware that I have been married for only a couple of weeks, but Mama, I simply cannot imagine that my happiness can ever diminish in the course of time.
When I was entering the engagement to Mr. Darcy, I was in despair, both from Papa’s death and from the awareness that I had condemned myself to a life with the most disagreeable man in England. Now, I can only laugh at myself and how silly I was.
You were right that my husband is strong willed, but so am I, and I must admit we have already had several misunderstandings on certain aspects of our new life together. However, I must assure you they ended very quickly, and each time, the making up was very satisfying to both of us. But, Mama, he is so good to me. I feel truly loved and cherished. He guesses my every wish and showers me with gifts, though I have tried to explain to him that I truly do not need so many things. He has many duties running such a vast estate, and he spends long hours in his study or on horseback supervising the works. Nevertheless, he always finds time for me and Georgiana, whom I am coming to love as my own sister.
My new home is very grand, the estate is very large indeed, and Derbyshire is the most beautiful county. The nature here is so different from in the south, much more wild and unrestrained. I cannot wait until you and my sisters will come to visit us and see everything with your own eyes. I walk every day, and I know the immediate surroundings of the manor quite well already, I dare say.
Every time I leave the house, my husband sends a servant, who walks some half a mile after me, hiding himself in the bushes when I turn my head. I pity the man, who is rather worn out after such excursions with me. I plan to acknowledge to Mr. Darcy soon that I have been aware of his brilliant plan to look after me during my walks from the very beginning.
As I have mentioned, Pemberley is a grand estate, and I devote a few hours every day to learning all the household affairs. I must thank you here, Mama, and at the same time apologize to you. I know that in past years I tried every imaginable (and unimaginable, as well) excuse not to take part in the lessons you insisted upon giving us all concerning running the household. Nowadays, I find all your teachings most useful. Although Pemberley is much bigger than Longbourn, the basic ways of how everything functions is the same. Even Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, who remembers the times when the Mistress here was Mr. Darcy’s mother, Lady Anne, praises my knowledge of household
matters.
I must admit as well (blush covering my cheeks when I am writing these words, I can assure you) that you were quite right about Mr. Darcy in another aspect, with concern to our intimate relations. I do agree with you that admitting him into my bedroom once a month will not do. I want to stress, however, that he is nothing but very gentle with me, and caring and… well, perhaps, I will stop here. All that Aunt Gardiner told me about the wedding night turned out to be true for me as well. I can assure you that due to my husband’s care, my discomfort was very little the first night. I want you to know as well that he never imposes himself on me. He always first makes certain whether I am ready and willing to be with him.
There are many other matters I wish to tell you about, but I am afraid that I have to finish for now, as I see my husband is already waiting for me. He wants to show me more of the countryside in the phaeton he has recently purchased. I will await your answer most impatiently; and please write to me in detail how things stand between Jane and Mr. Bingley. You know how secretive my elder sister can be on this. I could not figure out anything binding on the subject from her last letter.
I hope God will keep you in good health and spirits, Mama.
Your daughter,
Elizabeth Darcy
PS: I have forgotten to tell you that we expect the Gardiners tomorrow. I am very excited about their visit.
Chapter Fifteen
Ben Connor was pacing in front of the Pemberley stables courtyard, glancing nervously from time to time in the direction of the manor. He wore his best shirt and his usually dishevelled hair was neatly plastered to his head. Ben knew that the guests from London had arrived a week before; Mr and Mrs Gardiner with their children, the Mistress’ family. The guests were of special interest for Ben. He could not help it, but his heart began to thud loudly in his chest every time he saw her sweet face and the long blond her fluttering around her. He had managed to see Julia Gardiner three times already since her coming to Derbyshire, but only from far away. He hoped to see her today face to face. Master had talked with him yesterday, asking him to prepare Miss Darcy’s pony for this afternoon, as the Gardiner boy wished to ride it. Perhaps she would accompany her brother.
Ben had been just eight years old when his parents and younger siblings died in the fire at their cottage. That year, the summer had been uncommonly dry and hot in Derbyshire. The fire had spread in a matter of minutes, and all his family had died in their beds. He had survived only because he had slept in the barn that night to look after a newborn calf. He still could remember waking up, hearing the cries, seeing people running, smoke and bright flames around him. He had been pulled out of the barn seconds before its roof collapsed. When he regained his senses, there was nothing left. Their cottage had been burned to the ground, and he had no family anymore. They had not let him look at the bodies of his parents and siblings. He was taken to the manor and slept near the kitchens for a few weeks. Then one day the Master asked him whether he would like to help with the horses.
For the next five years, Ben had travelled everywhere with the Master. He had seen more of England than anyone from Pemberley. He had been to London, Kent, Hertfordshire, Oxford, Ramsgate and Bath. The Master had become like a father to him. Ben was always somewhere near him, and he knew that the Master trusted him. The Master talked with him often, let him go with him into many interesting places, like his fencing club for example, or Mr. Gardiner’s warehouses. It was he, as well, that the Master asked to accompany Miss Georgiana and the Mistress when they took the phaeton while visiting tenants or going to Lambton.
Ben glanced once again in the direction of the manor. At last he noticed the familiar tall figure of the Master and two smaller ones walking beside him towards the stables. She was here. The sensation of being cold suddenly hit him, and his stomach clenched. He felt dazed, not even sure whether he greeted the Master properly. She looked beautiful, like the picture of an angel in his prayer book.
“Ben, bring the pony.” He was barely aware of the Master’s voice.
“Ben!” He felt the Master’s hand at his shoulder. He looked up. The Master was smiling at him. “Ben, is the pony ready?”
Ben composed himself at last and bowed. “Aye, Master. At once,” he cried and ran towards the stables.
When he brought the pony, the Master turned to the girl first.
“Julia, do you want to try it first?”
The girl looked at the pony with interest, but shook her head. “No, I thank you, sir. Perhaps some other time. I do not wish to ruin my dress.” She smoothed her pale blue dress with a wide ribbon tied in the middle.
Then the Master sat the boy on the pony and began instructing him how to keep himself properly on horseback.
Ben tried not to, but he could not help himself and kept staring at the girl. He was sure she glanced at him from behind her long dark eyelashes a couple of times, as well. At one point, she lifted her eyes directly at him and gave him a small smile. Ben blushed furiously and looked to the side in embarrassment. From the corner of his eye he noticed the Mistress running rapidly towards them with a paper in her hand. Pleased to be distracted with something, Ben walked to the Master and spoke loudly.
“Master, the Mistress is coming.” He pointed with his head in the direction of the running woman.
As he expected, the Master at once lost all his interest in the pony and the Gardiner boy while hurriedly passing the reins to him and crying, “Ben, keep an eye on him.”
“He will be all right, Master. The pony is very calm,” Ben assured the already hastily retreating Darcy.
Soon Ben observed the Master reaching the Mistress and placing his hands on her arms. She started to explain something to him, gesturing animatedly, trying to catch her breath and laughing at the same time.
“Your name is Ben?” He turned around abruptly and looked down at the girl. She was quite tall for her age, though he could have guessed that she was no more than ten.
“Aye, Miss,” Ben answered, pretending to concentrate all his attention on the pony.
“I am Julia.”
He glanced at her. Such dark blues eyes she had; he had never seen anyone with eyes of such a colour. “I know.”
“You were looking at me.”
Ben felt his face going hot. “I was not,” he denied heatedly.
The girl gave him an understanding smile, speaking with all the confidence of a ten year-old beauty. “Yes, you were. Once when you came with Mr. Darcy to my Papa’s warehouses, I was there with my brother, and you stared at me the whole time. You were staring a moment ago as well.”
“I have better things to do than that, Miss,” Ben murmured brusquely.
The girl raised her brow. “Truly?”
Ben lifted his head, speaking confidently. “I am in charge of the Master’s horses, and I travel with him everywhere.”
“What places have you been?” She sounded interested.
“Wherever the Master goes: London, Kent, Ramsgate…”
Her eyes widened and she enquired softy. “You have been to the seaside?”
Ben liked the way she looked at him, listening attentively to what he was telling her. “Aye. More than once. With the Master and Miss Darcy.”
“I would like to see the sea one day.” There was a wistfulness in her voice that he easily detected.
“I want down,” Peter squeaked. Ben pulled the boy down from the saddle.
Julia stepped towards the animal. “It is a beautiful pony.”
“Aye, it was once bought for Miss Darcy, but she is a grown up lady now, she has her own mare.”
“It has to be very difficult to ride a real horse.” Julia followed with her eyes one of Darcy’s stallions eating grass on the nearby pasture.
Ben smiled at her. “There’s nothing hard about it, Miss.”
“You can ride, I presume.”
Ben straightened himself. “Sure, I can. My father had taught me when I was younger than your brother.”
&nbs
p; Julia stroked the pony’s mane. “Your father works with horses too?”
Ben looked down. “My parents are dead, Miss. I have no family.”
He glanced at her; she looked sad. “I am sorry. It was not my intention to bring such sad memories to you,” she said.
“It is right, Miss.” Ben replied a bit brusquely, avoiding her eyes, only to hide how much he was touched with her kindness. “If you would like to try, I am sure you could learn how to ride a real horse.”
Julia looked hesitantly at the nearby pasture. “I am not sure…. I do not want to ask Mr. Darcy. He is very kind, but very busy as well.”
“Aye, he has the whole of Pemberley on his head,” Ben agreed, observing the Master and Mistress turning to walk in their direction.
On seeing Elizabeth approaching, Peter ran towards her and caught her skirts.
Elizabeth bent down over the boy. “How was your first ride, Peter? Did you enjoy it?”
The boy gave her a thoughtful expression and answered after a moment of hesitation. “I do not know.”
Taking the boy’s hand Elizabeth started walking towards Julia and Peter. “But you will like to try riding once again, will you not?”
After another moment of hesitation the boy spoke cautiously. “Yeeees.”
Darcy crouched in front of the boy. “Peter, perhaps first you would like to look at the horses which we keep in the stables?”
The boy nodded and took Darcy’s hand trustingly when the man was raising himself up. Darcy smiled at the boy and ruffled his hair when he felt Elizabeth’s hand on his arm.
Shading her eyes with the other hand, she looked in the direction of the manor. “William, something must have happened. One of the footmen is running to us.”
On reaching the Darcys, the servant bowed in front of Darcy but turned towards Elizabeth. “Mistress, Mrs. Reynolds asks to tell you that Sir John Edwards has called with his wife and a son.”
“Oh, good gracious!” Elizabeth cried, agitatedly turning to her husband. “What will they think of me? They are left all alone there. I asked Georgiana to stay upstairs with Emma to see that she would take her nap.”
