"Who's the new footman?" Darcy asked Mrs. Reynolds the Pemberley housekeeper.
"Edward Smythe. We hired him on for the ball, and thought to give him a run through tonight. He started not five hours ago. Was there a problem?"
"I got the feeling he was laughing at Miss Bennet."
The old woman kept a straight face. Darcy had known her his whole life and wasn't fooled. He could see she was holding something back. "What is it Mrs. Reynolds?" He prompted her.
"Well, it's somewhat delicate Mr. Darcy."
"Go on."
"Well it really doesn't matter Mr. Darcy. It's all taken care of now."
"The servants are laughing at my wife's sister Mrs. Reynolds! I insist you tell me what you know."
She took a deep breath before speaking, "Well I suspect he was figuring out who's who. You see there has been some talk among the servants. It seems a milkmaid saw Miss Bennet and Lord Matlock in a… ah, compromising position this morning. She had dropped off the milk and came back for her shawl." Before he could interject she continued, "But you see its all taken care of! They are engaged, and every engaged couple is entitled to a little indiscretion."
Darcy's face was grave. That was it. Lord Matlock's fate was completely sealed.
"Thank you Mrs. Reynolds." She nodded in response and he continued, "As for the footman. I don't want him serving at the ball. He obviously has no respect for propriety. I don't want my guests exposed to his poor decorum. Find him a job below stairs."
"Yes Mr. Darcy." She replied.
He told her goodnight and headed to the billiards room.