Chapter 11

...

Elizabeth made her way to the study at Pemberley on the arm of Mr Darcy. She had joked about being able to find it herself, but after so many turns she could not say for certain that she spoke with veracity. The study was decorated in a traditional way, dark oak panelling, dark green furnishings and lacquered bookshelves, so many bookshelves. One would think this was the main library, but she knew it was not so.

The room was dominated by a large desk and the fire in the grate was burning merrily, but the room was still rather chilled, a sure sign the fire had not been lit long. She noted that the room was clean and well kept and Elizabeth thought that it was likely well taken care of in the master's absence.

Elizabeth let go of Darcy's arm as they entered. He moved to the desk and the pile of correspondence already awaiting him and she moved to the window, noting a rather pleasant view of the side of the house sloping to the fishing lake. She smiled to herself as she realised that Darcy would not be disturbed by carriages in this room, but might admire a lovely view. If guests became common he might even be tempted to join fishing parties, as he would see them clearly.

There was a knock and Mr Reynolds indicated that Mr Crane had returned. Darcy was ready to receive him and so he was summoned. When all were assembled in the study, Darcy began.

"Mrs Reynolds, shall we start with the concerns of the house and the household staff? Not the most important issues I am sure, but then you can return to your duties."

She nodded and began listing the issues.

"The flooding did affect the kitchen and some of the ground floor rooms. One of the flash floods caught us unprepared. But 'tis only cosmetic attention and can be dealt with later. One of the basements flooded and some of the winter food stores were affected. We've been moving them to higher rooms but have lost some of the grains and flour. It should not affect the house too badly but it puts us in a bad position of the wider community needs support with food supplies."

Darcy nodded, making a quick note, and indicating she should continue.

"Three of the maids were out when the floods hit worst and one has injured her leg. The doctor set the broken bone but she is off her feet for at least two months. The others were not injured but they may have all swallowed some flood water."

Elizabeth winced, the resulting illnesses could be severe.

"They have been kept to their beds, they are fed with broth regularly and are being tended but one girl is struggling to recover. The other two are well enough."

"Ensure that the doctor is seeing them as regularly as he can, who is tending them?"

"We have turned the dower house in to a sort of sick house." She turned to Elizabeth "If that pleases you ma'am?" Elizabeth nodded. "There wasn't too much flooding as it was on higher ground. It's not been used for a while but we are managing. The footmen and maids are rotating duties with the doctor's help. It is also housing some of the household staff families that are in need."

"Excellent, a good idea"

Mrs Reynolds nodded at the praise.

"Any other issues I need to be aware of?"

She shook her head

"You will need to sit down with Mrs Darcy once things are more normal."

Both ladies nodded at each other and Mrs Reynolds curtseyed and turned to Mr Reynolds.

"The grounds?" Darcy prompted

"The stables are in a poor state. The horses are well, although we did lose the new colt and his mother has been in a bad way. Mr Tanner"

Darcy turned to Elizabeth, noting her frown of confusion, "he's the heads groomsmen."

She nodded and smiled gratefully whilst Mr Reynolds continued his summary.

"Mr Tanner has been working hard to help her, all the grooms men are working to ensure the horses are safe. They've been moved to the high paddock and we are monitoring things. Two of the under gardeners were injured in the flood and two others have serious situations at home. But given that there is not much that can be done in the gardens it was not hard to grant them leave."

He explained what he had the outdoor staff doing and which of the outer buildings had been damaged and which had yet to be checked.

Darcy took it all in, occasionally making a note on a piece of paper. Elizabeth just listened to the vastness of all the problems, thinking of all the families connected to each person mentioned and how much need there was out there. When he had finished Darcy looked grave and nodded his dismissal.

"Mr Crane. Let us talk about the tenant farmers first, then we will discuss each of the houses which are currently occupied and any families in particular distress. I will save the unoccupied properties for a later discussion if that suits you.?"

Elizabeth moved to stand next to her husband, he looked weary after listening to all the issues that would need addressing. He smiled at her, a wan thin smile but one none the less.

Mr Crane started with the families who had lost members due to the flooding or the subsequent illnesses that were now causing issues. One household lost both parents and two of the four children. Only the two middle children remained having been placed on the roof by the older sibling before he was swept away.

A tear leaked out of Elizabeth's eye at the narrative. The two children were currently staying with the parson and his wife but she had two young children of her own and could not afford more. Elizabeth vowed to herself to find somewhere for them.

So many families had lost a member or two and Elizabeth's heart went out to them all. Once Mr Crane had finished; Darcy stood.

"It sounds like we need to address the issues of the bridge to the west farms, they cannot get to town any other way and I would not wish to see people attempting to ford through the stream with the water levels being so variable."

Mr Crane nodded and made a note.

"The two households with damage to the foundation stones will need a new place to stay until they can be fixed. Which of our empty houses are in good repair?"

"I have not had a chance to check, but the old smith place is on high ground and should still be reasonable. It is big enough for both of the displaced families, if they are willing to share."

Darcy nodded "see that they are moved as soon as able, I will send some of the household staff to check it over and take up some basic supplies. I will need to ride out and assess the damage to the other farms and we can look at the dam to see what will need fixing. Shall we head out in thirty minutes?"

Mr Crane nodded and made to leave but Elizabeth spoke up.

"Mr Reynolds mentioned gardeners are working about the grounds?"

Mr Crane looked to Darcy, who nodded his consent for her to continue.

"Have any water or earth magic?"

Mr Crane frowned "I am not certain ma'am, why do you ask?"

Elizabeth turned to Darcy "when we had severe flooding at Longborn some years ago I discovered that ... the groundsmen used the combination of the two magics to dry the ground and ensure no earth shifted in the foundation. They would have to work together but it would likely save some of the flooded properties from issues later."

Darcy raised his eyebrows then turned to Mr Crane "see if there are any groundsmen or farmers that might be strong enough to do as Mrs Darcy suggests. Start with the houses worst affected. Myself or Mrs Darcy could oversee the first attempt at magic on this level."

Mr Crane did nothing to hide his look of surprise, but he made a note and left to write some instructions for the village smithy and send for some timber and stone from nearby merchants.

Darcy turned to Elizabeth and sighed.

"So many people affected" she whispered, he looked so dejected that she stepped towards him and snaked her arms around his waist. His arms came around her and they held each other for a moment. He buried his face in her hair and breathed her scent. After a moment she drew back and looked up at him, his scent was intoxicating her and she could feel her heart racing. She smiled and stepped out of his arms, or wishing to give in to temptation.

"We should get to work."

He nodded and they parted ways. She to Mrs Reynolds, he to find someone to fetch a horse from the upper paddocks for him.

...

The next week was exhausting for all. Elizabeth filled her days with visiting the sick and the tenant families who had suffered loss, she brought baskets of necessities and any relief that was in her power to offer. She managed to find a childless couple to take in the two children and was pleased that all seemed content with the arrangement.

Mr Darcy spent most of his time on his horse, touring the estate and the buildings, making notes of damage and repairs needed. The magic to save and support the flooded foundations had worked remarkably well and many houses were suitable for people to move back in, and far quicker that would usually be expected.

For Elizabeth, as the new mistress, this was truly an interesting start. She threw herself at any challenge with determination and compassion and found herself well received. The affairs of Pemberley were soon in good order, repairs were underway and the flood waters had subsided or been diverted. Elizabeth had helped with the latter managing to redirect a few of the paths of water back to the rivers they were supposed to be part of.

Their time at Pemberley was both intimate and not. Elizabeth could see the strain on Darcy and sought to relieve it where possible. Their dinners were spent alone, she often speaking of town or their time before their marriage and he often silent. They both retired early as the weariness of days spent on their feet and visiting people would cause a lethargy neither had experienced before.

When Darcy would return from visits to families she would often find him staring blankly at the vista. When she did so she would wind her arms around him and hold him to her, seeking as much as giving comfort.

On the fourth night he came to her, both weary and exhausted but she could see he needed the release.

The knock on her door had been unexpected, but not unwelcome.

"Elizabeth" he had whispered as he had gathered her in to his arms. She had almost felt at peace, although the tensions of their previous intimacies and uncertainties intruded upon her reflections.

When he began kissing her neck she held herself still, knowing that previous overtures on her behalf had been rebuffed. They were stood near the bed and his breathing became ragged as his hands explored her back and his lips her neck.

She managed to contain the gasps that had threatened and when he made movements towards the bed she complied as she felt she should.

She could feel a kind of frantic need within him as he laid her down and freed himself from his breeches. His movements were swift and he tugged at her gown until it was ruched up around her waist. She concentrated on remaining silent as he took her with a desperation she had not witnessed before. It might have even been pleasurable had she allowed herself to feel such a thing. His movements were frantic and desperate and his cries inarticulate but displayed his exigency. It was not long before he was shuddering his release and he then rolled to the side, pulling her with him. She felt conflicted, laid in his arms. He clearly required the comfort of her bed, and yet so rarely sought her out. How vexing and yet how insurmountable the void between them seemed to be.

...

When they were both sat in the coach on their way to Matlock she could reflect on the last two weeks with satisfaction. She looked up to her husband sat across from her and could not help but allow the smile to play across her face. The last two weeks had been busy but they had spent time together and he had petitioned for her opinion on many occasions. He had sought her out when things had been tough, and they had held each other. He had not visited her room after that one, desperate, encounter. But, they had both been busy from rising until dinner and she was tired, she hoped he was too and that was why he had not been after that night, not that he was displeased.

He caught her looking at him and gave her a quizzical look, she took a moment to speak.

"These last few weeks have been tiring."

"I am sorry, I had hoped your introduction as Pemberley's mistress would be under better circumstances."

"Do not be sorry, you could not control the weather. It was not how I would have liked to have been introduced but I doubt I would have met such diverse people or been of service in any other circumstance. I am grateful we could work together to ease the suffering of so many."

A look of admiration came across Mr Darcy's face "do you always see the best in a situation?"

Elizabeth laughed "no Indeed! That distinction would be for my sister Jane. I do however always look on the past as it gives me pleasure. I am choosing to see the best in the last two weeks!"

Darcy smiled "I love you, Mrs Darcy!"

Elizabeth blushed and ducked her head, the rush of emotion taking her by surprise. Darcy coughed and looked out of the window.

"We should be turning on to Shoreham house any time now, if you look out of this window you should see the great oak that Richard and I used to climb to look out for visitors."

Elizabeth chuckled and turned her attention to the window, asking after their reasons for the need for such a lookout.

The answer "Lady Catherine!" Accompanied by a raised brow was enough to cause a full laugh and they both enjoyed the amusement as they traversed Shoreham House's vast drive.