Chapter 11 - If Gossip Were Pennies you would be Rich
Elizabeth was very astonished. She lay upon her bed, gazing silently toward the closed door which he had just exited through. Her expectations in relation to Mr Darcy had changed dramatically when he had taken her as his wife. Elizabeth had been encouraged to believe that he was promised to his cousin, Anne de Burgh who he had later denied after the disaster at Rosings. He had offered her marriage despite her family's social circumstances, Elizabeth knew that her family did not always act with decorum. Especially her three younger sisters! Yet, he had set those feelings aside and saved her from the injustice of scrutiny. But why? Surely his character should have deterred him from entering into such a marriage? And if he did enter the marriage, he would surely have thought of the production of an heir to his vast estate rather than his wife's composure?
She had initially thought that he was giving great insult, claiming that he was coming to her despite his conscience. Yet, she had misunderstood. He had thought of nothing but her, even as she had given him further insult! He was correct in his assumptions, he was more the gentleman than she had first determined. Yet she still held his character with reserve and without trust. Therefore, she was pleased when he had offered a courtship. It would allow an opportunity for her to further understand his illusive character. He was her husband after all, the least she could do would be to allow him a period of time in which to alter her perspective.
Elizabeth had awoken very early the next morning, determined in her resolve. She had determined that she was to spend the day looking upon her husband with greater likeness. She was determined to discover his true character, and as soon as possible. Perhaps this was a foolish attempt at assessment, yet she felt it most appropriate in the circumstances.
She was however, to be very surprised upon entering the breakfast room to find her husband already seated there, sipping his coffee and examining the daily newspaper. She was determined to be civil.
"Good morning, Mr Darcy." She noted emphatically as she took her chair and nodded the acceptance of tea. He lowered his newspaper quickly and nodded.
"Good morning, Mrs Darcy. I hope that you found your rooms acceptable and slept well."
"Indeed." She claimed softly as she stirred her tea. His brown eyes watched her intensively, with a certain interest which Elizabeth did not find uncomfortable. "I hope that your plans have not altered in relation to our journey plans today."
"Not at all, I have already instructed our belongings to be sent on to Pemberley with my valet." He noted her smile.
"My Aunt Gardiner lived not far from Pemberley as a child." She claimed boldly as she watched.
"Yes, I am aware of such. It would be a pleasure to see Mr and Mrs Gardiner again. Perhaps we should invite them to join us in the summer?" Elizabeth was rather taken aback at his request.
"I believe that my Aunt and Uncle have arrangements to tour the Lake Country in the summer."
"But they will find themselves not far from Pemberley. I would not like them to be so close without calling upon us! I will write to your Uncle and insist upon it!" He took his newspaper up again at this, flicking the pages in mock concentration. Elizabeth, understanding that the conversation was now ended took to sipping her tea silently. She watched him with fascination. His dress was immaculate in comparison to her fine but not exquisite dress, purchased for this occasion yet not quite fitting. His eyebrows knitted together in the most enticing way as he read an interesting article, yet his overall composure remained stern. Her assessment was advantageous!
Mr Darcy could not concentrate! The newspaper remained open in front of him but he had not fully read a word for a full five minutes. She was distracting him, her appearance so fine in a very simple dress. Her hair was pulled back yet stray curls were escaping and softly grazing her neck. He noted a soft blush to her countenance before his eyes found her rounded breasts, heaving with her rapid inhalations. He determined from this that she remained nervous in his company, despite his assurances the previous night that her emotions were his highest priority.
Even as she situated herself in the carriage she seemed apprehensive. She examined the expensive furnishings and lavish seats before crossing one hand over the other and sighing.
"When should we arrive in Derbyshire?" She did not look at him as he sat opposite her in the carriage. Instead she continued her intense glare out of the window.
"We shall interrupt our journey but once for a change of horses. We should reach Pemberley in time for dinner." She nodded silently but did not respond. There was something amiss. She had been so open and enthusiastic during breakfast. Now she sat silently, only conversing when necessary.
They had taken a drink during the stop where they were to change horses. Elizabeth sipped her warming tea silently gazing around the room. She did everything possible to divert his attentions. How could everything have changed since they had concluded breakfast? Darcy had retired to his study to finalise some issues, leaving Elizabeth to independently tour the house. He had done nothing to further offend her.
They had resituated themselves in the carriage before she spoke. Her voice was hesitant and uneasy.
"I imagine that your servants in London shall have much gossip to circulate." She said calmly as she continued her examination of the countryside.
"My servants are paid above the average wage for their discretion in relation to my affairs."
"Although you cannot prevent them from gossiping between themselves."
"My housekeeper is very attentive toward preventing gossip! May I inquire as to where your concerns lie in relation to your staff, Mrs Darcy." She looked him at this, managing to smile softly.
"Perhaps I misheard, Mr Darcy. I have no concerns regarding your staff."
"Misheard what, Madam?" Elizabeth blushed slightly.
"Two upstairs maids discussing the cleanliness of my bed linen, Sir."
"The cleanliness of your linen! Why would two maids take an interest in such a matter?" Darcy said with confusion before realisation struck him. He was not embarrassed, but he could determine that she was. "Forgive me, I never wished for you to be subjected to such scrutiny! Least of all from my own staff!"
"Please do not blame yourself. Your kindness toward me in relation to your marital rights is to be commended. I shall not be intimidated by gossip."
"Yet I have found you so since we left Town! I would hope that you would find me approachable if you are in need of council. I would hope that you would never keep anything from me. It has injured me, watching you suffer from Town with some issue you deemed me inappropriate to be made aware of!"
"I apologise, Mr Darcy. I would not wish for you to be burdened by my concerns!" He smiled softly.
"You shall never be a burden to me. Yet, when the issue relates to our staff then you should be able to approach me without fear of reproach."
"No, you are mistaken. I did not fear your response, I rather did not wish to bring unnecessary trouble to those staff involved."
"Such an issue can hardly be ignored, Elizabeth. Our privacy is an important aspect which my staff are encouraged to maintain."
"All servants gossip!" Elizabeth said with a laugh, not realising his use of her Christian name.
"Not my servants." He stated boldly. "You need not worry about your bed linen, the issue shall not be discussed again. My steward shall relay further instructions to the housekeeper in Grosvenor Square emphasising our need for privacy and the servants terms of contract."
"That shall not be necessary, Sir."
"I would not wish you to believe that I am behaving badly. I only wish to prevent any scandal ensuing about our past dealings due to the gossip of servants."
"I would not desire that. You have aided me greatly, which I have much to be thankful for. I would not wish for any slander to be placed against your good name." He was surprised by her reply but he nodded silently. He was pleased that she had openly revealed her problems to him.
Damn those servants! Darcy screamed in his head at his own foolishness. He had never contemplated that his own servants would inspect his wife's bed linen for evidence of consummation. If he had, he would have encouraged his own valet, a very private and respectable man, to dispose of it. Yet, he had not thought! He had introduced his wife to more slander, this time from his own servants! Oh, the shame! His steward would hear of this!
"Mr Darcy!" Her voice pulled him from his urgent thoughts.
"Forgive me." He said as he focused his attention on her again as she smiled widely.
"I was asking if Georgiana would be at Pemberley?"
"Unfortunately Georgiana is with the Matlocks. She will stay there for a short time before joining us at Pemberley."
"That is a shame. I would like to know her better!" That was a happy thought indeed, Darcy noted to himself.
Elizabeth was delighted by Pemberley. Although they arrived in the dark, the housekeeper, Mrs Reynolds had done anything possible to make the large house appealing to it's new Mistress. Lanterns had been lit, casting a dull illumination on the large house. Yet inside many candles burnt brightly allowing the Mistress to see everything clearly. From the fashionably designed wallpapers to the comfortable seating, Elizabeth liked everything.
"This is to be my home." She said to herself as she gazed around the music room, a grand and recently purchased pianoforte claiming most of the south facing wall. Darcy, who was touring his wife around the ground floor rooms smiled in contentment.
"You approve of Pemberley?" She nodded as she swept her hand across the fire surround.
"Very much! I fear that there are few who would not approve." He pointed softly to the window.
"There is a great prospect from that window down toward the lake. Yet I feel the light does not do it justice. I feel that it may be more to your advantage tomorrow morning."
"I can hardly contain my excitement. If your grounds are as beautiful as your home then I am indeed very contented!" She smiled widely, turning back into the room.
"You are at liberty to decorate any rooms you feel necessary. You are Mistress of Pemberley."
"I would never think it is necessary. Your taste is immaculate, I cannot fault it."
"If you will not decorate any of the public rooms then perhaps you would enjoy doing so to your private ones?" Elizabeth laughed slightly. "Would you like me to show them to you?"
"Very much, Sir."
Elizabeth could hardly contain her delight as she climbed the grand staircase. To find herself Mistress of such an estate! Oh, how her Mother would praise her indeed! His voice distracted her thoughts.
"The entirety of the third floor remains family quarters. You shall never be disrupted by guests here."
"Why the third floor, Mr Darcy?" He guided her along the third floor corridor before answering.
"The third floor has the best views of the grounds and remain not too far from the commonly used rooms. You shall find Georgiana's quarters in the West while ours are in the East. They are primarily the best rooms for capturing the morning sun."
"I am quite excited for morning, you have given high hopes for it being very beautiful. To look upon the house and grounds in a different light will be most invigorating." He laughed at her enthusiasm.
"I will not be surprised by your retiring early this evening!" She claimed confirmation before he pushed open a door into a beautifully decorated and spacious sitting room.
"These shall be our private rooms. You will find a sitting room, your chambers and dressing area along with my own." She nodded silently. "Your maid awaits your arrival in your rooms in order to ready you for dinner. Perhaps you may wish to rest for a while before we dine?"
"I would like that very much." He directed her to rooms before heading toward his own to contemplate the day and demand the urgent meeting with his steward.
"I will not have it, Roberts!" Darcy said as he stared across his desk at his steward. Darcy had eaten dinner and allowed Elizabeth to retire before calling his steward to his study.
"I do apologise, Mr Darcy."
"I would like you to write to our housekeeper and encourage discretion between her staff."
"Does Mrs Darcy identify the particular staff involved in this act of distrust?"
"No, my wife does not. I would not wish for my wife to scrutinised, especially by my staff."
"If Mrs Darcy felt scrutinised then I must apologise sincerely. The housekeeper shall be reprimanded." Darcy nodded silently. "Will there be anything else you require of me, Mr Darcy?" His steward had served him well over the past eight years and new exactly when his Master required solitude.
"Yes, you will ensure that Mrs Darcy is in receipt of her personal monthly allowance?"
"Of course, Mr Darcy. The sum we agreed?" Darcy nodded softly. "Would you like me to inform Mrs Darcy of her allowance, Sir?"
"No, there will be no need. Mrs Darcy shall not spend over that allowance, you may rest assured." His steward did not question further. He bid his Master good evening before departing. Mr Darcy had always been good to him since his arrival in Derbyshire. He was indeed a gentleman to be respected. Roberts did respect his Master, he was the best Master he had ever encountered.
Elizabeth had easily found sleep but rose a while before dawn. She examined her room silently from the exquisite decorations to the luxurious furniture. How she had never imagined being attracted to Pemberley! It was now to be her home.
The thought of further examining Pemberley drew Elizabeth from her bed. She found herself soon dressed in a new and expensive dress and descending the staircase. She had of course questioned the dress. Her maid had anxiously answered that Mr Darcy had taken it upon himself to have some items of clothing delivered to be used at her leisure. Her maid had directed her to the dressing room where Elizabeth found an assortment of dresses, stockings, gloves, coats and bonnets. All new and exquisite! She did not find it an offence. She did however, feel very indebted to Mr Darcy for he had again considered her comfort. He had of course, been correct in his assumption that her wardrobe was not sufficiently filled. Her Father had given her a modest budget but nothing that would have afforded such luxuries as what she now looked upon. She was very pleased with her husband's taste too!
Elizabeth found herself making short turns around the gardens of Pemberley as the sun rose. Following the path between trees she soon found herself at an open field. How she desired to walk a path across it. Yet concerns for her new dress drew her back down the path toward the house. She continued this path until she was distracted at the open field by the approach of a horse.
The white and muscular horse pounded across the field toward her, tearing earth from the ground with it's hooves. It was not until the horse stopped aside her that she contemplated the rider.
"Good morning, Mr Darcy." Elizabeth greeted him warmly. He touched his hat slightly before responding.
"Good morning. I find you walking very early this morning. You could not resist the pleasures of a Derbyshire sunrise?"
"It was indeed very beautiful."
"I am surprised that you did not walk further." Elizabeth laughed loudly.
"I am afraid that my maid insisted on my wearing a new dress which I did not wish to see ruined." Darcy dropped quickly from his horse and examined her appearance.
She stood silently in a soft blue fashionable yet, reasonably modest dress. He noted that he had indeed chose well!
"The colour suits you well indeed! Can I inquire as to who chose such a perfect design an colour?"
"Indeed, Sir! I fear that your choice however, may have been greatly influenced by your sister!" He sighed heavily.
"You are correct in your assumption. Although I will ascertain that I did indeed select the colour."
"Then you do have good taste, Sir!" There was silence for a short time before she spoke. "Have you just begun your ride? If so, please do not allow me to disturb you."
"You do not disturb me. I am only now returning from the ride. You will also find me an early riser!"
"I am pleased to hear it! What arrangements do you have for today?"
"I am at your disposal. Although I have a great need for good coffee."
"If you are in agreement I would very much like to walk toward Lambton. I have heard it to be a very beautiful village."
"Indeed it is! Although you may not find it to be an easy walk."
"I am very fond of walking, Mr Darcy." Darcy could not prevent a laugh escaping him as he pulled his horse in the direction of the house.
"Yes, I know!"