Chpater 2

While dinner was starting there was a maid in Pemberley that was not certain how to proceed. She was the most recent hire in Pemberley, the only recent hire to be precise. Most of the staff had been in Pemberley for many years. Many had even gotten their jobs from other friends and family that had previously worked there. The staff knew each other well and were loyal to the Darcy's. Alice was new and young, and while she knew how to do her duties very well, scheming ladies were not what she knew. She liked Mr. Darcy, and the entire house was humming with interest about the Miss Bennet that had come to visit, that, the master was so interested in, and she had been thoroughly warned about Miss Bingley. Miss Bingley wanted to marry the master but the master had no desires to marry her and only tolerated her because of his friend. And now she, off all his servants knew of the plans that would work against him. She realized that she was in over her head and needed help, so she decided to go to someone that she trusted and that would know what to do, Sally, Miss Georgiana's maid.

Sally had befriended her when she had arrived at Pemberley, and had been the one to warn her of Miss Bingley. She was also fiercely loyal to Miss Georgiana and knew better how the upper circles moved, she would know what to do. She would know what to do with what she had overheard.

Down in the dinning room Miss Bingley was enjoying herself, although, the same could not be said about Mr Darcy, that was suffering her attentions. Miss Bingley was originally meant to be sitting farther away from him but Miss Bingley had shamelessly ignored the place cards and had sat just next to him to be able to get his attention much to his distaste. Then the subject of the Miss Bennet came up.

"I have to say Mr Darcy how surprised I was to hear that miss Eliza had been touring Pemberley, I mean what must she think coming here?" she exclaimed quite loudly.

"I understand from what Mrs Reynolds told me, that it was her aunts wish to tour Pemberley, after all she grew up in Lambton." Darcy tried not to show his annoyance with the question. Mr. Bingley hearing the name Bennet soon joined the conversation.

"Well I think it's wonderful that we might see Miss Elizabeth again, I always found her quite pleasant"

"Honestly Charles, you always find everyone quite pleasant, but I never saw anything worth admiring in Miss Eliza, yes, she might have some pretty eyes but nothing really out of the ordinary. She is not particularly pretty nor elegant, she is too impertinent and outspoken and truly, the most that can be said in her favor is that she is a great walker. And I am not certain that is very ladylike, quite the contrary I find it quite unladylike. Don't you agree Mr Darcy?"

"Not at all, I myself enjoy walking, and I believe that when one has an estate in the country one should learn to love walking to truly enjoy one's lands. But I guess someone who does not come from landed gentry and was raised on the city might not understand." His not so subtle jab at the fact that she had come from trade silenced her for a moment. How was she to respond to that? Could she never erase the fact that her family fortune had been made by trade? She had been educated like a Lady, Charles had gone to University, they gave all the appearance of a family of landed gentry, why could they not just forget about their unfortunate beginnings? That was why marrying Mr Darcy was perfect. He was rich, had a great and old estate, was family to nobility; she would finally be who she had always meant to be, a great lady. She would be part of the highest circles, she would no longer be the sister of Mr Darcy's friend, she would be Mrs. Darcy and all her dreams would come true. Tonight, tonight was when her future would start.

While Miss Bingley was dreaming about her future joy, Alice had finally found Sally, Miss Georgiana's maid. She was unsure about how to tell her what she had overheard, and her distressed must have been clear in her face because Sally, seeing her deathly white and shaking, lead her to sit down and asked her what was wrong.

"I am unsure about what to do, I have overheard something dreadful but I am so new here I have no idea how to proceed. I thought that you might guide me, you know the Darcy's and the staff well. I truly do not wish for anything bad to happen to anyone."

"Good Lord Alice what have you overheard that is so dreadful? And from whom did you overhear it?"

"Miss Bingley" she managed to whisper.

"That dreadful Miss Bingley what is she scheming now?"

"She wants to compromise Mr Darcy so that he will have to marry her."

"Are you certain? Did she say so in those words?"

"Yes, she asked her maid to find out at what time his valet retires so she might have no interruptions when she attempts to sneak into his rooms to sleep in his bed so they can be discovered."

"That woman has no shame! She has come year after year imposing on the Master and the Mistress, looking down at all the good people working here and calculating the worth of every piece of furniture and now, she is going to attempt to force our good Master Darcy to marry her! That hateful woman!" She knew that Sally would not take the information she had well. She cared vary much about Miss Georgiana and that made her care a great deal about Miss Georgiana's beloved brother.

"What should I do Sally?" Sally looked pensive for a moment.

"I will talk with Miss Georgiana. Do you have any more duties tonight?"

"No"

"Then you will stay with me. After dinner they will entertain for a bit, when they retire, I will immediately talk to Georgiana and you will tell her what you told me. Mr. Darcy always goes to his office for an hour or two before retiring to bed and his valet normally does not retire until an hour later so we have about three hours to talk and plan. Do not worry Alice you did well coming to me, we will make certain that nothing happens to Mr Darcy." Alice suddenly felt as if a weight had been lifted from her chest. She had done the right thing coming to Sally, and all would be well.