The next day, Elizabeth and Charlotte inspected the progress that the staff had made the previous day. They were pleased at what they saw as several of the main rooms were much cleaner than they had been. Elizabeth noticed that Mrs. Humm seemed to defer to Mrs. Greeley in everything they discussed after telling her about the history of each room or piece of furniture. The younger woman appeared to have earned the respect of the older housekeeper already. Elizabeth showed them what they had purchased and once again gave directions on what they should do next.
That afternoon, they dressed and went to the Collingwoods' estate for dinner. They saw that the estate was not as large as Hinckston, nor was the manor house. They were greeted very politely and Lady Elizabeth introduced her father and Mr. Darcy. She noticed that they appeared to recognize the name Darcy and were suitably impressed by him.
The dinner went well and the conversation was intelligent and lively. The visitors were pleased to learn that their neighbours were worth knowing. Sir Donald was obviously curious about how Hinckston Abbey was given to Lady Elizabeth, but she did not want to go into too many details. As it had been a royal estate, he knew that he did not dare ask questions that the Prince might not appreciate.
Lady Elizabeth noticed his curiosity and thought that she should tell him something. "I was lucky in that I met Prince Augustus Frederick in Ramsgate this past summer and helped him get out of a serious problem. I am not sure that he wants to make public the nature of the problem, so I will not go into any details. He was quite appreciative and made me a baroness and gave me the estate. I was surprised at his largesse, but you know that one does not refuse a prince." She thought about the problems the prince had with his marriage and children.
"It must have been quite a service! Those are important gifts."
"Yes, but Hinckston Abbey needs a lot of work as it has been neglected for so long. I am very fortunate that my father and my friends are all well acquainted with running estates, so they are a great help. Father's estate is in Hertfordshire, as is Charlotte's father's. Mr. Darcy's is in Derbyshire and so he knows this part of England and what does well here. He has been of great assistance to us." She smiled at him when she said this. He noticed that she referred to him as a friend, which pleased him.
While the Collingwoods were curious to know what Mr. Darcy's relationship to Lady Elizabeth was, they could not ask. They had heard of his great estate, Pemberley, so they assumed they would soon hear news about the two of them. They could see how he looked at her when he thought that no one was watching.
"Pardon me for being curious, but if your father's estate is in Hertfordshire and yours is here, what are you plans for where you will live?"
"First, we are trying to get the house livable, which I hope it will be accomplished some time this winter. It needs a lot of work as it has not been lived in for some time. We have not yet decided on the details, but as I am not yet of age, Father will decide how much time I will spend here. We need to return to Hertfordshire very shortly, but I will return after the new year to keep working on the house. Then I will need to be here for the spring planting. However, we have not yet worked out all the details."
After dinner, Lady Collingwood and Lady Elizabeth entertained everyone on the piano, then the visitors left to return to the Abbey.
The next day, the ladies continued working with the housekeepers and were pleased with the improvements they were already seeing. The two gentlemen rode off to see more of the estate until they returned for dinner. Elizabeth and her father talked about their future plans over dinner. They all noticed that the quality of the food had improved again, as had the service. The housekeepers and the cook must have sent someone into Hinckley for supplies.
They did not separate after the meal, but all went into the sitting room. Lady Elizabeth led off the discussion. "We will be leaving in just a couple of days to make sure we make it home in time for Mr. Bingley's ball. Mr. Darcy, may I ask what your plans are after that?"
"I have to return to town right after the ball as I have some business I need to sort out with my solicitor. Then my sister and I will be going to Pemberley for Christmas. We always do that as we have customs with the staff and tenants that we are continuing from our parents' time. We normally go back to town not long after New Year's Day so we can enjoy some of the entertainments. We stay there until Easter when I go to Kent with my cousin to help our Aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh with her estate. Then my sister and I return to Pemberley for the summer.
"You can see we have established an annual routine that we have followed for several years.
"I am certainly willing to come back here whenever I am needed. However, your steward knows what needs to be done to get the tenants and the home farm ready for spring planting. He will be assessing the supplies of seed they all have to see what additional stocks may be needed. I talked to him about what crops should do best in the different fields. I may be able to assist during the planting and could come back then. My Lady, I am at your disposal." He did not voice his thoughts that the reason he would continue to assist her was not because of the Prince's request.
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I do appreciate your assistance and your willingness to continue to help. You have been a big help already." She again gave him a warm smile.
"My Lady, what are your plans?"
"As I mentioned at the Collingwoods, I want to come back right after the new year so I can see what further improvements will need to be done in the house. I would like more time here then, perhaps a month, if Father approves. I want to get to know the estate and the area.
"Charlotte, would you be willing to come back with me then? Would your parents allow you to return so soon?" She thought of Mr. Carlyle, but did not mention him.
They all noticed that Charlotte blushed, but did not comment on it. They knew why she was blushing. "I have enjoyed my stay here; it is interesting figuring out what needs to be done in the house. If my parents agree, I would like to come back with you." She was also thinking of Mr. Carlyle. In her mind, he was the best chance she had had for some years to acquire her own establishment. Besides, she liked him and his children. This was just an added bonus to her hopes as she knew that she could not be choosy at her age and situation. She certainly did not want to end up being a burden to her parents or to her brother when he inherited their estate.
Elizabeth was thinking how she might help her friend. "Assuming that we can leave here when we had planned, we have only two more days before we go. What all do we need to get done while we are still here?"
She continued and hoped that she sounded innocent, "I think we should invite Mr. Carlyle and his children over for tea. I like them. What do you think?" She did not dare look at Charlotte when she suggested this.
Her father seconded her suggestion. He was well aware of the reason why his daughter wanted to invite him over again. "I agree. He seemed to be a good person and is the closest neighbour."
'I will send him a note in the morning asking him over."
The next morning, Elizabeth rose early and went out to the garden. She saw that Mr. Darcy was already there and was speaking to the gardener, named Woods, who had come from Pemberley to assess the condition of the gardens.
"Good morning, My Lady," they both said. She returned their greetings.
Darcy continued, "We were discussing what needs to be done to get the gardens back in shape."
The gardener took over, "My Lady, these roses have been neglected badly, but with quite a lot of pruning, they should come back. The pruning has to be done before it warms up and they begin to grow again." He turned and waved at the shrubs. "The shrubs all need pruning and shaping, which will require quite a bit of detailed work. I saw that the kitchen garden has not been used much and the soil needs fertilizing to make sure the vegetables will grow their best. All this will need the care of someone who knows what he is doing, plus a worker or two."
Elizabeth looked at Darcy and smiled. "Mr. Darcy, does Pemberley just happen to have an extra gardener or two you could spare who might want to come here?"
He looked at Woods. "As a matter of fact, Woods here has two sons that he has been training and have been working with him for several years. His older son will replace him when he decides to retire, but the younger might be ready. What do you think, Woods, might he be ready to take on this responsibility?"
"Young Jamie is ready and would like a place of his own to look after. You might try him out, My Lady. I can vouch for him; he is a good worker and I have taught both boys all that I know. However, he would not need to be here until later in the winter."
Elizabeth nodded. "All right. Have him come then. What about the supply of tools and equipment? Did you check to see what is here?"
"I did, My Lady. The supply is not bad; he will only need some small tools. I did not find much seed for the kitchen garden, but he can likely find that in Hinckley. "He will need a helper, but some young lad from one of the farms or around the area would be suitable."
"Good. When he comes, I will talk to him about what I would like to see done in the gardens. I have not had time to think about them yet, but I will do that when I come back.
"Now, Mr. Darcy, are you ready to break your fast?" She turned to the gardener. "Thank you for your assistance, Woods."
After they had eaten, they returned to their work, with Lady Elizabeth writing a note to Mr. Carlyle inviting him to come that afternoon. By the time they got ready for their visitors, they were pleased with the progress they were making with the estate, both inside and out.
Mr. Carlyle arrived with his children when they were expected. The children obviously remembered Charlotte as Oliver ran to her. Charlotte immediately hugged them both, then picked up Alice. Elizabeth thought that they would be shy on their arrival, but did not seem to be. Charlotte must have made a good impression on them after just one visit.
She led everyone into the drawing room and they all sat. Charlotte sat with Alice in her lap and Oliver went to sit beside her. Elizabeth noticed that Mr. Carlyle was watching them with a wistful expression in his eyes. Even though they had met only twice before, she knew that she would do whatever she could to help her friend find happiness.
Tea was soon brought in and Charlotte helped the children get theirs ready. She made sure that each child had a biscuit, so they were happy and quiet.
Mr. Carlyle had to tear his eyes away from them to ask Lady Elizabeth, "My Lady, might I ask what your plans are? Will you be leaving soon?"
"Yes, we will. We have a commitment to be in Hertfordshire for a neighbour's ball, then we will stay there for Christmas. I hope to return here after the new year to see how the staff is doing getting the house ready."
"Miss Lucas, will you be returning then?" They were all pleased when he asked this question. Charlotte blushed when he asked this.
"I hope to, but it depends on my parents. I expect that as long as I am home for the Christmas celebrations, they will allow me to return. I am finding it quite interesting helping Lady Elizabeth getting the house ready for occupancy." Everyone noticed that little Alice was getting crumbs all over the both of them, but Charlotte was not complaining about her dress. Elizabeth could not help but think what Miss Bingley would have said and done if she had been in this situation. After her words, Charlotte helped both children drink their tea. Elizabeth was watching Mr. Carlyle and thought that Charlotte was doing everything perfectly. He obviously loved his children.
The conversation for the rest of the visit was interesting as their guest told them more about the neighbourhood and the local residents. He did not tell them anything scandalous, but he made them all sound worth knowing. The Carlyles did not stay long but he said upon leaving that he hoped to see them as soon as they returned. He looked at Charlotte when he said that.
After dinner, they spoke about what needed to be done before they left for Hertfordshire. They were all pleased at how much they had accomplished in just a few days.