Chapter Twelve
The Macy Residence – Newport.
Later that evening…
Elizabeth sat the pianoforte as she played a lively tune.
Decorated in her the most fancied dress, along with a pearl necklace and earrings, she found herself playing for the guests of Abby's party. It wasn't uncommon for such gatherings to take place and Elizabeth knew the routine: she would appear and all her friends' would gather around and ask how she was doing and so on and so forth. But as she played, she couldn't help but remember how Olivia acted when she mentioned she'd "run out on the beast" of Diamond Springs and Elizabeth was a bit disappointed in herself for having done that. But she didn't voice this as she continued play the melody.
"It seems that you're playing a little fast there, Miss Beauty," a voice said after some time.
Elizabeth, paused in her playing when she glanced over and looked at Lillian Macy. Unlike her older sister, Elizabeth liked Lillian more. She was gentle and soft spoken and when Elizabeth looked at her, she answered.
"As you can see, I'm not in the mood for fast songs right now."
The young lady, who enjoyed Elizabeth as much as any lady, frowned as she asked.
"Miss Beauty? It doesn't seem to look like it either. You're not happy right now, are you?"
"No, Lillian," Elizabeth responded as she resumed playing.
"I'm not."
"Would the queen of beauty mind playing again?" Elizabeth heard Abby request.
"A much little more for the feet to dance!"
"She's more enamored with her escort than she is with dancing," Lillian whispered and Elizabeth nodded.
As she started another song, which was a fast paced melody from Mozart, Elizabeth wasn't the center of attention this evening. She, for once, was actually thankful Abby was taking the spotlight. And thankful Lillian was there, she peered over towards the younger sister as she whispered.
"Lillian? Could I confide in you something?"
"Sure, Miss Bennet. As long as we don't have servants' bothering us while we talk." Lillian answered.
As she continued playing, Elizabeth bounced her eyes back and forth; she wanted to make sure no one would notice she and the younger Macy sister were going to lower their voices and once she believed the cost was clear, she softly asked.
"What do you know about 'the Beast' of Diamond Springs?"
"The one who spilled all that wine on your dress?" Lillian answered but she kept her voice down.
"Yes."
The youngest Macy sister placed her drink on the instrument. Taking a step forward, she folded her arms as she frowned. From what Elizabeth was observing, seemed to her Lillian knew something about Fitzwilliam than from what she was letting out. As she waited, Elizabeth peered at the goblet as a mirror for her eyes. She still didn't wish any of the party to hear what she was talking about with Lillian.
"Well… the Darcys have always been a peculiar family, Miss Beauty." Lillian replied after a moment's pause.
"How so?"
"Recall how Phillip and Henry never seemed to be enamored with any other woman? Except you?"
Elizabeth nodded.
"Well… there's been speculation that they are finically one of the unfortunate families who lost their money and are struggling to find a means to keep their taxes up."
"What does that have to do with the 'Beast?'?"
"Phillip and Henry are the older, Elizabeth… the 'Beast' is the youngest… out of the three of them…" she peered over and kept her voice low when one of the ladies, who was seated one of the card tables, narrowed her eyes on the two and Elizabeth inwardly pressed her lips together when Lillian finished.
"I can't say, Miss Beauty. If I do… I may as well get in trouble myself!"
"Then you do know something about the 'Beast'!" Elizabeth whispered as Lillian resumed her poise.
Lillian Macy slightly nodded and in her low voice answered.
"Yes, Miss Beauty. I do. I've been listening to the servants' and they're quite a source of information when it concerns Diamond Springs."
"Whatever are you two speaking about?" One of the ladies asked and Elizabeth knew her opportunity to know more about "the Beast" was momentarily put on hold. As she replied, she simply answered.
"Discussing how servants are a source of information."
That was part of the truth… Elizabeth moved her attention away as the older woman complimented Lillian on her newest dress and for once – Elizabeth was thankful she wasn't the center of attention. Though accustomed to it, this evening, she found it strange she wasn't "as esteemed" as she normally would have been. When she entered, thought the footman held her hand, Elizabeth was met with a strange air of attitude from those friends' she'd known to be some of her best associates. Even Abby was behaving in a different manner. Elizabeth continued to play as the floor seemed to shake with the dancers. It was a small gathering but enough for local gossip and news to be spread about. Instead of lamenting over the loss of being the center of attention, Elizabeth decided to ponder what she'd learned so far from Lillian.
"The economic fall of the banks was harsh," she thought to herself as her fingers glided across the keys, "And the banks weren't supportive when they went down. I heard that Pennsylvania took a harsh shape and there's been non-stop reports of unemployment. Especially with women such as Oliva and Sophie – we've been graced to not be one of those families who are struggling."
Here, Elizabeth realized she wasn't one of them and silently… for the first time… she thanked God for it…
She paused when another voice interrupted her train of thoughts.
"Miss Beauty? May I compliment you on that lovely pearl necklace? It fits you perfectly!"
Plastering on her all too good smile, Elizabeth answered.
"Thank you, Mildred. It was one of late mother's."
"As you are the queen of beauty," another one of her friends', Mildred Upchurch answered, "you deserve to be with one of the gentlemen here. I was a bit perplexed when they asked you to play rather than sit and join us in our conversation."
"Remember I too enjoy a free chance to play?" Elizabeth replied and she placed her foot on the pedal where the echo for the instrument was.
"Yes, that I know," Mildred's response was.
Elizabeth knew plenty of the women friends' of her circle. Not only were Abby and Lillian Macy, but Mildred Upchurch, a woman who was a few years older than herself, and others which never left Elizabeth's side whenever she would enter the room. Or if she was one of the invited guests: they would be right beside her and at times… Elizabeth found this to be annoying. She loved her title, "Queen of Beauty," but at times… Elizabeth wished she could have a moment alone! Remembering that Mildred mentioned how she should be with one of the gentlemen, Elizabeth answered.
"Mildred? The gentlemen all know how I shall be the one to choose which one of them I want to be with. As you can see," she used her head to gesture towards the men who were dancing or standing beside the hearth, "they are otherwise occupied with other things."
"Not from what we've heard," Mildred responded.
Hearing this, Elizabeth felt her heart beat and she nearly paused in playing when Mildred raised a brow as she added.
"Seems that one of the many admirers of "the queen" is going to be swooned soon!"
"A secret admirer?" Elizabeth asked and Mildred nodded.
"Yes, Miss Beauty. We've been hearing that there's an anonymous admirer of you. And he seems to be charmed with how you've captured his heart and he wants to be with you!"
"Where in goodness sakes did you hear of this?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh… simply put it… servants are a good source of information." Mildred replied.
"You eavesdropped, didn't you?" Elizabeth hissed and Mildred smiled.
"Yes, Miss Beauty. I couldn't help but overhear what you were discussing with Miss Lillian here about 'the Beast' of Diamond Springs."
"Lillian!" Elizabeth hissed but Lillian turned and shrugged her shoulders.
"That doesn't help," Elizabeth's mind thought and she started to sense that her 'reputation' as 'the queen of beauty' was starting to lose its hold on her. Instead of trying to reveal she'd seen Mr. Darcy… she instead did the one thing she was great at…
"Let's not speak about such matters again, shall we? Enjoying each other's company is better than gossip…"
"And if Miss Beauty is seen with the 'Beast?'" Mildred added but Elizabeth kept her composure.
"We may as well witness a story titled: Beauty and the Beast!"
And laughing along with her friends… Elizabeth disliked how she was lying to herself when they all laughed together… the same laugh which she'd heard when Mr. Darcy spilled the wine on her dress…
Diamond Springs Manor.
"Yes! And I mean it: Francis is fired!" Fitzwilliam barked.
Friday of that week, he was more than unhappy to know he'd done a slight hurt to himself after he'd last seen Miss Bennet. Angered that Francis called Doctor Sterling, Fitzwilliam was more than anxious to have that butler out of his sight! More of he was following his older brothers' every rule to bend at their will when Fitzwilliam was seated, after some time to recover, in his older brother's office when he stared hard at Anne.
"You mean it, sir?" She asked and Fitzwilliam nodded.
He ignored how the probably looked as he replied.
"Yes. What I said is what I plan happing. Francis is no longer a part of the Darcy staff and I'm writing up a reference for him now."
He reached into the drawer where Phillip kept most of his writing papers. He was angered and he was acting on it but Fitzwilliam didn't push away the fact that Francis had done him more harm than good as he heard Anne reply.
"Whatever you wish, Master Fitzwilliam. Though I know-"
"Yes, I know! Phillip and Henry won't like hearing he's gone!"
Fitzwilliam ignored how Anne shrugged her shoulders as he began to compose a reference for Francis. Out of the course of the week, since Doctor Sterling informed him he was traveling out of Newport to visit with another doctor to talk about Fitzwilliam's "increasing condition." As he wrote the reference for Francis down, Fitzwilliam felt energy enter into him as he thought.
"And no thanks to Francis, I'm now inclined to obey! And for that… as well as his annoying attitude towards me… he's no longer a part of my household anymore!"
"Shall it be sent to Newport quickly?" Anne asked.
"Haven't you left me alone, too?!" Fitzwilliam bellowed.
When he looked into the woman's eyes, she was taken aback at his retort. He didn't feel bad when she stuttered.
"Well… no, sir…"
"Then care to!"
He made sure Anne, another one of those irritating women, departed and knew that his feelings towards Francis were clear: Fitzwilliam wanted no more with him! Knowing Francis normally would send the mail out, Fitzwilliam Lizzy and ignoring any pain in his back, announced.
"After Francis leaves, I will personally write another job opening for a new butler. Diamond Springs needs one who's loyal and trustworthy. I've known too what Francis is doing with my brothers, Anne. And if you have any idea to how I want this to succeeded… I suggest you leave me to my own work as head of the household."
"Yes, Master Fitzwilliam," Anne answered and she curtsied.
When the maid vanished, Fitzwilliam glanced at his handwriting and nodded. He knew Francis wouldn't like receiving a work reference to leave Diamond Springs but Fitzwilliam was no longer willing to be under the power of his brothers' thumb… even at a distance… he knew too that he needed to inform Miss Bennet… Elizabeth… that there was another urgent matter he wished to talk with her about. Returning to his desk, he sat down and against the ache… he wrote another write… this time… he made sure it was sent to the correct address…
When he was finished, he rang and instead of Anne… the newest maid appeared as she asked.
"Yes, Master Fitzwilliam?"
"Would you care to drive into town and have these delivered? I want them out as soon as possible!"
"Yes, sir." The young woman replied as she rushed over and took the papers. When Fitzwilliam thanked her, he ignored how she shuddered before she left. Fitzwilliam offered a prayer as the day continued on. When he glanced over towards a Crucifix, he prayed.
"Dear Jesus – please let your Divine Will be done!"
And making the Sign of the Cross, Fitzwilliam prayed for peace and his prayer was answered.
Saturday, May 23rd, 1896.
Elizabeth placed her hands on her hips and narrowing her eyes, expressed.
"And what may I ask: brings you to the Bennet Residence, Caroline?"
The young woman, who stood before Elizabeth, trembled under her as Elizabeth drew herself back. It was the morning of May 23rd, and as her usual routine moved along: she'd risen and after dressing: made herself ready for breakfast. Thankful Sophie helped her, Elizabeth declined any fancy gown for she wanted to relax this morning. And most of her social gatherings were for the following week and Elizabeth yearned to have as much energy for them as possible! But when Norman interrupted her, she was informed a "visitor" was waiting to talk with her at the front.
Part of her hoped it was Mr. Darcy but when Elizabeth appeared, she felt her being groan when she realized it wasn't him… but a cousin of hers. And it was one of her "unfortunate relations" who lost their ability to pay taxes and Elizabeth knew this. She was indeed one of the few who weren't hit by the crash which occurred in 1893. Her cousin, still standing in the doorway, shook as she asked.
"Elizabeth? Please… this isn't because I'm here to chat about how we're doing… it's about Mr. Darcy."
Hearing this, Elizabeth blinked but she kept her guard up. Her cousin, a young girl in her teens, by name of Caroline, looked at Elizabeth as she replied.
"Yes, Elizabeth. It's about the very 'beast' you've been rumored about seeing I'm talking about."
"Best keep your voice low," Elizabeth replied.
She gestured for the young woman to step inside and she did so. After Norman left, he nodded to Elizabeth before she turned and placing her hands on her hips, she asked.
"Caroline? I thought my aunt and uncle sent you elsewhere to find employment."
"Yes, mama and papa did. And Diamond Springs had an opening."
"And you took it? As if it were given to you on a silver platter?"
"Yes! And the pay is relatively good!"
Elizabeth's cousin, Caroline, wore the dress Elizabeth seen when the Darcy Brothers' hosted their ball and she wondered how in the world her cousin managed to find employment there? Recalling how that was a topic of discussion with the Macy sisters as well as Mildred and others, Elizabeth narrowed her eyes as she returned to the original subject.
"What do you have to tell me about Mr. Darcy? I see you've already discovered his nickname."
"And I can't push away the stingy attitude the "queen of beauty" of my cousin possess!"
"Seems more to me you wish to argue about him rather than tell me what's happening with him."
"Oh my gracious!" Caroline answered and Elizabeth kept her hands on her hips.
As anyone would recall: she wasn't in perfect contact with her relations and some were in town but most of them were out of state. It was here when Elizabeth remembered most of her relations didn't have the best of communications with their relations so Elizabeth's family were usually shunned. It was all she could have done not to have passed away or moved off to another part of Rhode Island due to loneliness. That was another reason why Elizabeth used her beauty to keep herself from such seclusion… something she'd seen in Mr. Darcy… but she shook this out when she asked.
"Caroline? What do you have to tell me about Mr. Darcy?"
"He's fired Francis." Was the reply.
