It might be a little while before my next chapter, as I am working on getting Such Happy Manners ready for publication. I know everyone wants to know what will happen at the trial and I hope it shall not take too long, but the final editing has to come first for now. Thank you for reading, reviewing, and all of your help.


Elizabeth was awakened by the sound of a maid making up the fire in her bedchamber. Elizabeth blushed scarlet and pulled the bedcovers up to cover her nakedness, even though the bedcurtains were closed and the maid could not see her anyhow. It was embarrassing to have the servant see the clothing strewn about the room. No doubt the maid could infer the cause of such disarray. After making up the fire, the maid gathered up the discarded clothing and placed it all neatly on a chair for Polly and Mr. Witting to tend to later. Then she placed something on the bedside table before quitting the room.

Elizabeth rose and donned her nightgown and wrapper. She went to the bedside table and picked up the note that the maid had left. It read,

My dearest Elizabeth,

I have gone out with my steward this morning, so we might see how the tenants get on with their planting. I did not wish to disturb your slumber by saying good morning to you. I shall be back before noontime. Mrs. Reynolds has set aside her morning for you, so you shall not suffer for my absence.

I remain,

Your loving husband,

William

Elizabeth smiled at the note, although she was slightly disappointed that she would not see her husband that morning. She called for Polly to assist her. The call was answered in mere moments, and curiously Polly entered from the door connecting the Mistress's chambers to the sitting room. Polly seemed in remarkably fine spirits as she went about assisting Elizabeth.

"Are you adjusting well to Pemberley?" Elizabeth asked Polly as the maid did up her hair.

Polly blushed and answered in the affirmative. Elizabeth thought the maid's embarrassment curious.

"The other servants are kind to you?" asked Elizabeth.

"I think a few of the maids that sometimes helped with tending to visitors were disappointed that you brought your own maid and don't seem to like me well because of it," said Polly. "But Mrs. Reynolds spoke to them and said there was to be no unkindness and that it wasn't my fault you preferred your own maid. Both Mrs. Reynolds and Mr. Witting have been ever so kind to me and help to make sure I don't lose my way in this big house."

"I am glad of it," said Elizabeth. "But I am concerned that some of the maids blame you for their lack of promotion. You will tell me or Mrs. Reynolds if they are unkind to you, will you not?"

"Yes, Mrs. Darcy, certainly," said Polly. "Although I don't think I shall have any trouble. Mr. Witting reminded one maid that I am often in the company of the master and mistress so they would do well to treat me right."

"You have quite a defender in Mr. Witting," observed Elizabeth with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh Madam, don't be thinking that, please," said Polly. "He just thinks upper staff needs to stick together, as he has been in other houses where they were treated rudely by everyone else, caught between upstairs and downstairs as we are. He's often been treated bad, too, because of his skin."

"I had wondered if there had ever been issues because of that."

"Only from visiting staff," said Polly. "At least recently. Now everyone knows Mr. Darcy will sack anyone who says anything of the sort."

"Good. From what I understand Mr. Witting has served Mr. Darcy a long time and it would be horrid if his loyalty was repaid in such a way."

Polly finished dressing Elizabeth's hair, then Elizabeth went downstairs to the breakfast room. A feast fit for a company of twenty was laid out. Elizabeth rarely ate much in the morning, but with such a spread laid before her, she could not but eat. She took bread and butter, an apple, a bit of ham and a poached egg. A footman poured her tea. She ate most of what she had taken, which surprised her. She blushed scarlet again when she supposed the reason for her appetite, for she always did eat more after taking exercise.

As Mrs. Reynolds has set aside the morning for Elizabeth, Elizabeth supposed she should seek the housekeeper out, even if she did not have any particular needs. The offer may have been a veiled request. No doubt the housekeeper wished to come to know her new mistress.

Elizabeth learned the direction of the housekeeper from the footman and was led tither by the same. Mrs. Reynolds was in the library darning a hole in a small child's sock when Elizabeth found her. Mrs. Reynolds put aside her mending when Elizabeth came in. The women greeted each other in turn and the footman left them. Mrs. Reynolds explained that she liked to do her mending in the library as the light was best.

"You need not explain yourself to me. I am sure you cleared the location of your mending with Mr. Darcy long ago," said Elizabeth in reassurance.

Mrs. Renolds thanked her and asked if there was anything in particular Elizabeth wished to discuss.

"I did wish to thank you for your kindness to my maid. I would only ask that you continue to watch out for her, as she is so very far from home, and this all is new to her as well."

"Of course, Madam," said Mrs. Reynolds with a smile. "Polly is a sweet girl. I think she shall do well. If you don't mind my mentioning it, she might do with some additional training, however."

"What do you mean, Mrs. Reynolds?" asked Elizabeth.

"She has been diligent in seeing to her work and nothing is amiss, but she admits herself that she cannot style hair nearly as well as Lady Matlock's maid or Miss Darcy's maid. I think, perhaps, some time spent with Miss Darcy's maid, Lucy, might do Polly well. This especially if you mean to bring Miss Catherine Bennet out soon. You will go out much more there than here."

"You may see to whatever training you think needed, so long as Polly does not object," said Elizabeth.

"Very good, Madam," said Mrs. Reynolds.

"Did you have anything in particular that you wished to discuss? I cannot help but think the offer of your service this morning perhaps might be a way of requesting an audience," said Elizabeth. "Not that I mind, at all. I would have wished to seek you out anyhow."

"I thank you, Mrs. Darcy," said Mrs. Renolds. "I wished to know of your likes and your dislikes. Mr. Darcy has told me a little, dear that he is, how you take your tea and such, but I would wish to ensure to please you while we get to know each other better."

"Ah," said Elizabeth, sitting back and attempting to think of what she liked and disliked. It was difficult to remember on a moment's notice. "I am rather fond of fruit and sweets. I don't like berry or citrus pies. I am not fond of beets or cabbage. What all do you wish to know? What would make your job easier?"

"Do you typically wake at the same time each morning, madam?" asked Mrs. Reynolds.

"I do. Usually a little earlier than this morning. I can only suppose travelling tired me. Perhaps between seven and eight, typically, although I do not know if my habits should change now."

"Of course, Madam," said Mrs. Reynolds.

"Of course, on mornings after a ball or party, I would also sleep a little later. I typically do not eat much when I first awaken. Then if the weather is fine, I often walk or ride out for a while. Mr. Darcy has said that I ought to take a maid or groom even if I do not plan to go a long ways, as the trails on the estate wind through the hills and it is easy to get lost. Therefore, I suppose I would need a servant who is able to walk and ride available. I know Polly does not ride, and I do not think she would be much use in that area, as she is also new to the area."

"Certainly. Do you plan to walk or ride this morning?"

"I may later, but I supposed it would be more effective to spend the morning with you."

"Very good, Madam, but if you wish to walk, I might accompany you today. Then both purposes might be accomplished."

"Would you? You would not mind?"

"Not at all. I am supposed to take plenty of exercise according to my doctor. You may have to proceed at a slower pace, as I am not so spry as the young maids."

"Of course," said Elizabeth.

As the morning was still cool, Elizabeth and the housekeeper both donned their outerwear and went out into the gardens. As Elizabeth was a great walker and had no wish to overly tax the elderly housekeeper, she proposed that Mrs. Renolds show her the formal gardens.

"There is not much to look at yet, I fear," said Mrs. Reynolds. "The last frost was only a short time ago, so there are but few flowers out."

"I do not mind," said Elizabeth. After they walked together for some time, Elizabeth asked if the housekeeper wished to know anything else. The housekeeper asked if Mrs. Darcy wished to share any more about her daily routine.

"I do read a great deal, so I likely will join you in the library many mornings, or perhaps I might spend some time in my study. I have never had a study, so that shall be very odd for me. I play the pianoforte and often have enjoyed playing duets with Miss Darcy. If my sister Mary visits, you will likely rarely find her elsewhere besides the music room. I do like to go visiting, but as I know but few in the area, I do not imagine that shall be happening for a little while, besides perhaps to the tenants."

"Madam, if you do not mind my asking, do you take nuncheon?"

"I do. As I do not eat much at breakfast, I am often hungry before anyone else is ready for tea. It need not be elaborate. some sandwiches and tea, perhaps."

"Very good. I will instruct the cook."

Elizabeth stopped then to admire some primroses that were grouped charmingly in a flower bed under the shade of a large tree. When they began walking again, Elizabeth went on.

"If I do eat luncheon, I do not typically take much for tea, as otherwise I cannot have much dinner. I prefer simple dishes to elaborate ones, and Cook does not need to make anything elaborate when it is just me and Darcy, unless Mr. Darcy requests it, of course. What was served last night was very good and much to my liking."

They did not walk much further, as Elizabeth noticed Mrs. Reynolds looking longingly towards the manor and suggested they go back inside. Mrs. Reynolds said she would relay her wishes to cook, and would have the menus for the next week available for her perusal before the day was through. Elizabeth thanked Mrs. Reynolds and asked to be led back to the library, as she undoubtedly would become lost if she was not shown the way.

Once returned to the large haven of books, Elizabeth settled in by the fire and waited for her husband's return.


"I did think I would find you here," said Darcy.

Elizabeth rose and kissed her husband, noting that his hair was wet.

"Yes. I ended up helping with some work on the home farm, and I fear you would not have liked to smell me if I had come directly to you," said Darcy.

They each then proceeded to tell the other about their morning, as they took nuncheon together in the library. Tea, fruit, sandwiches, and biscuits were sent, leaving no doubt that Mrs. Reynolds had already spoken to the cook.

"You have won Mrs. Reynold's affection already," said Darcy. "For I spoke with her briefly and she could not speak well enough of you."

"I cannot imagine why. I spent all morning telling her of my likes and dislikes at her request. I quite feared she would think me inelegant for my simple tastes."

"As they much mirror my own, I daresay she is used to it."

"Then I am glad she shall not think me any more singular than she does you," said Elizabeth, "I did miss you this morn. Was there much of note occurring in the fields?"

"I missed you as well. How I longed to stay abed with you, but my steward was waiting. Planting is going well. Most of the farms only have a bit of wheat, hay, and barley, as we primarily farm livestock, but last year was difficult. Much of the crop failed and we had to buy feed for the animals from elsewhere. This new barley should be heartier and less prone to rot. Some of the farmers do not trust the new grain, but I assured them that I would compensate them if they took the risk and it failed."

"You will?" asked Elizabeth, "What if it does?"

"I do not think it shall fail, dearest, and I should have to help buy feed anyhow if it fails, so it does not matter. The assurance simply allowed me to give the people peace of mind."

"And they all are cooperating?" asked Elizabeth.

"All but two. The others were determined to use their seed from previous years, and I did not order them to do otherwise. It is their loss if the crop fails, I told them."

"I sincerely hope we have a drier year for their sake, then," said Elizabeth.

"As do I but let us speak no more of this. Come here, my love. Come sit with me and allow me to adore you," said Darcy.

Elizabeth acquiesced and went to sit with her husband. He immediately wrapped her in his arms and began to kiss her. All other thoughts left them both for some time afterward.


Longsdale, near Axminster, Devonshire,

Fourth of April,

Dearest Elizabeth,

I do hope you are as happy as I am, but I think such a thing may be impossible, as I believe myself the happiest woman alive. We arrived the day before last at Longsdale. The weather is much finer here than it was in Hertfordshire. Although you are so much further north, I do hope you had good weather on your journey as well. Have you yet been able to see much of Pemberley's grounds? I am quite certain you shall be all about them at the earliest opportunity. How well you did marrying a man with such an estate as that! I know you care nothing for money, except to keep one in some basic comforts, but the grounds must be a great boon.

I do so adore Longsdale. It is very like Longbourn in size, which causes me great amusement with the names so similar as well. I have already had one caller. The nearest neighbours, Mr. and Mrs. St. Clare, have stopped by. They are delightful people, and they send their greetings to Mr. Darcy and his sister. I am sure they would send them to you, but cannot as they have not yet been introduced. They have three daughters and three sons. The youngest is nine and the eldest three and twenty. The eldest is already wed, a Mrs. Bamfield. The Bamfields live but ten miles away, so it is quite an easy distance. The St. Clares hope to introduce us soon, perhaps at the dinner they have invited us to next week.

As for the tenants and estate, there is very little amiss. The steward and Richard plan to meet together tomorrow to go over some trifling matters, but Darcy has been so diligent a master that very little needs to be done. Do thank him again for letting this estate to us. It is very lovely and up-to-date. Thank Darcy as well for having a piano tuner come for the pianoforte here. I expected a little-used estate to have an instrument that was largely unplayable for some time and to have to commission someone to come in and tune it. It is a very fine thing to be able to play immediately.

I have already received a letter from Mama. It is dated the day after the wedding. She says she is lonely, so I wrote back to her immediately. I think she is becoming uncomfortable now that she is becoming close to her confinement. She says she does not think clothing can hide her form much longer, and I quite agree. I do not envy Papa, alone with her for several months until the babe comes. July must seem quite far off indeed. I do hope she should be able to yet go to Netherfield and Lucas Lodge, for I do not think that so improper.

I will write again soon, as I feel that I shall have much more to tell you as soon as I begin coming to know more people in the neighbourhood.

With much love,

Your sister,

Mary Fitzwilliam