Chapter 19
The rest of their honeymoon passes way too quickly, reading, talking, making love, riding, fishing, shooting at targets, trying out the lady's saddle. It is much easier now Elizabeth has a lot more experience riding, and a better horse. Also, Peter is as good in instructing her to ride sidesaddle as he is teaching riding astride. After two days Elizabeth dares to leave the paddock and go out, though trotting is still a bit much to ask, she prefers to go to a canter straight away.
There are a lot of clothes coming in, riding skirts, blouses and gorgeous dresses, and the two winter coats, which is just in time, for the weather turns to freezing temperatures and even snow.
'How can one seamstress make so many items in so little time?' Elizabeth asks Mrs Reynolds, as she tries on the coats, over one of the dresses.
The good lady answers: 'I let her know everything needed to be finished within the week, she probably hired a lot of help. That coat is perfectly fitted, she is very skilled, she probably sewed those little tucks herself and let someone else do the simpler jobs, like hemming. Can you do any sewing at all, Mrs Darcy?'
Elizabeth admits: 'I'd probably be ridiculed, censured and despised for it if Mr Darcy's connections found out, but actually I'm very good at it. We couldn't afford a really good seamstress, and I've always been fond of needlework, and when my youngest sister tore her best gown and there was no servant who could repair it credibly, I tried, and I did such a neat job and I felt so good about it, that I've stuck to the habit. Also, we used to improve the fit of the dresses we had made, my eldest sister Jane and I. But I'm very impressed by your seamstress' skills, I couldn't do it that well.'
Again, Elizabeth seems to have made a good impression on Mrs Reynolds by admitting to having mended and fitted her own dresses, something Miss Bingley would undoubtedly find disgraceful.
The housekeeper comments: 'So you know good fitting from bad, and how much work is involved. Good.
The riding skirts look very well-made, too, Peter's missus has a deft hand with fabric. And they look much better than the one you borrowed, the fabric you chose makes the skirts flow much more naturally and they look very feminine on you, Mrs Darcy, especially combined with the new blouses. I saw you ride out on old Mrs Darcy's saddle, when your riding dress is finished you will look just like the old lady's portrait, the master will be so proud!'
Such warmth cannot but make Elizabeth feel really at home here, and in a way she regrets leaving again so soon, and for such a long time. Mrs Reynolds is still admiring the quality of the new dresses, and remarks: 'These dresses, Mrs Darcy, it may seem as if we live in a backwater here, but the master's newspaper is delivered within a day, and the magazines with the latest fashions are also eagerly received. A good seamstress can draw a pattern from a picture, within three days she is ready to make the first try-out dress.
No, your clothes will be fine, but there are some city-folk who will try to look down on you, not even for your lineage, but for being from the country. They will snub you and make you feel naive and unsophisticated. Don't hesitate to tell the master, he will set them to rights. And in matters of style and manners, trust to Simon, he is forthright and always aware of the latest affectations.'
Elizabeth is quite astonished with Mrs Reynolds having an opinion on London folk, and she supposes the good lady must be a little prejudiced against them. But thinking of the beplumed visitors to the theatre, and Miss Bingley's superior attitude, she can imagine the housekeeper being at least partly right. There is 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 replies: '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.
Even 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 put their will upon you in all kinds of matters. Don't let them, show them who's mistress.'
Frankly, Elizabeth cannot believe this. Servants trying to run the household? Of course she is not going to wait until they snub her then run to Fitzwilliam complaining. She wants to know straight away, she'll ask Fitzwilliam as soon as there is time, there is no way in which she will live in a household where she is treated disrespectfully by anyone.
'Thank you for the warning, Mrs Reynolds, I will certainly keep your 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 do here, I just want to know, do you want to wear some one of these dresses already? To get used to the splendour?' That last is said with true humour, Elizabeth knows the dresses, though rich for her, are very sober compared to what fashionable London ladies wear.
'Yes, please,' she replies, '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 is pleased to hear that, and observes: 'And we will all miss you, 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 me are going to change the tour through the house together, he mentioned you proposed including the 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 see 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 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 is looking forward to having a family in the house again, that much is clear. But Elizabeth secretly hopes that may still take a while to happen, seeing Mrs Norman has shown Elizabeth that being with child is very intense, and she still wants to enjoy her life here unburdened.
Better find Fitzwilliam soon and get to the bottom of this matter with the London staff. Elizabeth supposes him to be in the library, and that is exactly where she finds him, reading a new play, a very serious work. He looks up as she comes in, and immediately his expression softens and he puts away the book.
'There you are, I've missed you,' he invites her in his lap, and they snuggle and kiss a little. 'How were the dresses and other clothes, any good?'
'They were fabulous, love,' she replies, '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 says, 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 looks a little serious, then smiles again and replies: '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 becomes positively affectionate, kissing, fondling, but Elizabeth is not so easily convinced, Mrs Reynolds was very clear on this and she wants to know.
'According to Mrs Reynolds, they look down on country people. Do you think she's exaggerating then?'
Still nuzzling her, he says 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 is not so sure, there must be things going on in his house that is kept from him by the servants, and Mrs Reynolds would know about if from talking to Bob and Simon, whenever the latter accompanied Fitzwilliam to Pemberley. But her beloved's attentions are getting very distracting, and soon every thought of discordance in the household is driven out of her mind by love and desire for her perfect husband. She is just as smitten as Lydia was with her 'dear Wickham'.
The next day Elizabeth takes leave reluctantly of the whole staff and of Daisy. Hugo will 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 in London, the stable-master is then to return to Pemberley in the carriage with Bob. Taking the riding horses to London is a job that should be Peter's, but Darcy won't hear of him leaving his missus who may deliver their baby any day now. And since the other stable-boys cannot be trusted with two horses, yet, Hugo will have to accomplish the three day ride.
When Darcy tells Bob he is to return to Pemberley with the fast carriage horses, since they are planning to stay for the duration of the winter, he seems rather relieved, which somehow seems weird to Darcy, for why would a young carriage driver prefer to spend a winter in the country? There is not much going on at Pemberley when the family is away, and there will be a lot more work for Bob, since Darcy has given Peter a three week leave when the baby is born. Hugo will 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 experiences a buzz of misgiving and lightly asks: 'Do you prefer the country to the city, Bob? I had thought you the kind of man to enjoy the amusements of London, especially in winter.'
Bob doesn't answer, he looks caught instead, and when Darcy lets a few moments of silence fall the poor man doesn't know how to act anymore. This is the master speaking, he cannot just stand there saying nothing, that would be disrespectful, even rude.
'I beg your pardon Mr Darcy,' he says, '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 there goes: I've never liked being in London because they always picked 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 was 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 wants to shake him for being foolish, but the poor man has suffered enough. This is Georgiana all over again, only worse, for Bob cannot defend himself at all, his position carries great responsibility, but is unfortunately also quite humble. But Simon, Darcy has always treated his valet with the utmost consideration, how can he be forced to silence? They have spent weeks on the road together!
Putting a hand on his driver's shoulder, Darcy says: '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 nods, obviously relieved, and he even manages a smile, for the master does realise how many decisions his driver makes when sitting on the box of the carriage handling four spirited 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 can see the effect of his anger on Bob, even though the young man knows he's not the target, he still blanches. Another reason Darcy is glad to have won Elizabeth: she will never hesitate to face him and tell him the truth, and apparently even Simon didn't trust him with it. It feels lonely, to have everyone around him perform some kind of show, leaving him out of everything that matters.
'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 calm Bob down, and he observes: '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 bows his head and admits: '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, and 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 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 is ready and Elizabeth and himself are on their way to London. Darcy tells her what Bob confessed, and she is very concerned: 'I'm glad you asked him, or he might have suffered even more those few days until Hugo arrives. 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 distresses Fitzwilliam to even consider that, he has shared his life with these people for years, he needs to see them at it to really believe. So Elizabeth says: 'Never mind, don't answer that, let's first see how things work out.'
And as they drive away through the park she kisses him and caresses him to make him feel a little better, of course those kisses leading to other tokens of affection.
Despite the snow they reach London in the usual three days, and as Bruce takes the horses to guide the carriage to the stables, Fitzwilliam catches Bob's eye and sends him a heartening look. Then he takes Elizabeth to the front door, which Theo is holding for them, looking at his master with what to Elizabeth seems true affection.
But the butler knows his manners and greets Elizabeth first, very formally and very respectfully. Elizabeth doesn't know him well enough to see what he feels, whether he is set to dislike her.
Trying to be fair, Elizabeth makes an effort to draw him out as she did the staff at Pemberley, but that doesn't work, she cannot get any story out of him, only polite phrases and short replies.
It is difficult not to take that personally, but Elizabeth steels herself as if she is with Miss Bingley, if these Londoners want to test the country folk, she will be ready for them and not care. She can feel her emotions detach and her courage rise.
As a true lady she now enters the house on her doting husband's arm, to be welcomed by Janine, the resident maid, several hired girls and the cook, a gentle man of middle age, strangely enough rather thin. He has two helpers as well. And Simon, the valet. He is supremely handsome, about her own age, small of stature and slim and elegant. Dressed in a livery, he wears them as if they are a king's regalia, just the crown lacking.
After greeting the cook, his helpers and the hired maids, most of the staff goes back to work, leaving only the butler, the maid, and Simon.
Simon greets the lady first, too, bowing and kissing her hand, and he does make some conversation with her, about how he has missed the master, and how he is 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 the rest of your collection.'
He is so friendly and elegant, and very well-mannered, Elizabeth can see why Fitzwilliam likes him, though she doesn't see any sign of him not liking ladies at all. He's very nice, actually.
Georgiana and Mrs Reynolds seem to be absent, and the butler tells them Miss Darcy is off to her lesson, but will return in an hour and a half, in time for a late lunch.
Fitzwilliam now invites Simon to come with them to the sitting-room, and orders tea and coffee as Theo takes their coats. The contrast between Fitzwilliam treating the one as a friend, and the other as a servant doesn't seem as obvious to her beloved as to Elizabeth herself, and she quickly watches Theo's reaction. His dignified expression shows a flash of feeling, then returns to normal. The feeling is not so much unfriendly or angry, but rather envious and hurt. Theo seems to love Fitzwilliam very much, his eyes follow his master for quite a long time as Fitzwilliam walks in the direction of the sitting-room with Simon, arm over the smaller man's shoulders, talking away freely.
Elizabeth cannot observe Theo any longer without being rude, so she switches objects and takes a look at Janine, who does not look dignified at all, but openly hostile. And not at Simon's back, but straight at Elizabeth. Whatever does that woman think she is doing? She behaves as if she is the mistress here, and her new mistress the servant.
This is not the time to challenge her, though, so Elizabeth does not return the stare but pretends to study the hall itself, which is not a peculiar thing to do since it is very beautiful, with wooden panelling, a marble floor, and a magnificent chandelier high above her head. A chandelier in the hall!
Though Elizabeth is not used to the number of servants Fitzwilliam employs, she has always had servants about, has seen how her parents dealt with staff and, from a certain age, found her own way to associate with them. She has always been 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 has always worked for her, she has never had reason to suspect their maids gossiped about her or were polite to her face then vented their dislike behind her back.
This is the first time that Elizabeth has ever had a servant disrespect her, and she finds she has no tolerance for such a lack of manners. If Janine truly hates Elizabeth just for the fact that the latter married Janine's master, she cannot be won, and she will have to go. Elizabeth looks at the décor of the hall a little longer, waiting to see if the maid will take her dislike further with her master absent, but before anyone can do anything, Fitzwilliam returns to the hall.
He must have missed her already, for he has a very soft expression and a question in his eyes. He takes Elizabeth in his arms, but instead of relishing his affection she steals another look at Janine, then at Theo. It is unmistakeable, both are very jealous of the attention she gets from the master of the house. It's just incredible how much love he inspires in them, for Elizabeth is quite certain he doesn't care half as much for them, nor can she imagine that Fitzwilliam has ever encouraged them to get attached to him personally. He takes good care of his staff and likes to be appreciated for that, but all in all serving him is just a job like many others.
Of course Fitzwilliam notices she is not entirely with him, and he looks at her, again with that question. Now she leans into his embrace as she always does, and whispers: 'I'll tell you later.'
'Come, beloved,' he observes, 'let's make ourselves comfortable in the sitting-room. It has been a long trip.' Then he kisses her for good measure, as if they haven't already been very intimate in the carriage that morning.
Elizabeth follows him to the sitting-room but looks back for a second, seeing the two main servants of this house look after their master and his new wife with undisguised envy.
Once in the sitting-room, Elizabeth sees Simon sprawled over a chair, he truly feels at home here. The two of them sit down as well, Fitzwilliam clearly eager for Elizabeth to join him on a sofa, holding out his arms to her again. Though that is not entirely decent in company, this is actually a servant, so she indulges her husband and sits quite close to him, his arm around her once more.
'Master, you are smitten!' Simon comments cheekily, 'I remember you being down, but I have never seen you this exuberant, it is a feast to my eyes.'
He is pretty forward, and Fitzwilliam doesn't seem to mind at all, this young man has a lot of goodwill from her beloved, and he knows it. 'I am totally lost, Simon, don't expect even a smatter of sense out of me, I'm not back to earth yet after two weeks of heaven.'
After five more minutes of easy chat, not without some bantering between the two men, Janine enters with coffee and a few treats, presenting a totally different figure, all affability, obviously glad the master is back, even rather attentive to the new Mrs Darcy. What a minx!
But once the coffee is served she has to leave the room, and no sooner has she closed the door behind her, or Fitzwilliam's expression and tone change to kind concern as he asks: 'Now tell me, Simon, what is going on here? All seems well around me, but I'm hearing reports of bullying going on behind my back. I want to know what has been done to you, and why you haven't told me anything.'
