Page 16 of A Maid of No Consequence (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

RELATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

S hortly after their arrival, Elizabeth found herself standing in Pemberley’s magnificent library.

Mr Darcy had not been exaggerating: it was in itself a work of art, from the intricately carved hearth to the teeming wooden shelves organised with thousands of books.

Elegantly upholstered furniture was arranged in a manner that would elicit conversations or allow quiet contemplation in each corner of this room.

Elizabeth did not know whether she should stand or sit, but since she was in a library full of temptation, she chose to peruse the shelves instead. She was reaching for a particularly handsome copy of Hamlet when she heard the door open.

“Miss Bennet.”

Mr Darcy’s voice sounded different to her ears, and she turned to see him walking towards her, a mildly apologetic look on his face. It confused her until she saw Colonel Fitzwilliam and two strangers walking behind him into the room.

His cousin made a show of a deep bow to her. “Lovely to see you again, Miss Bennet. I trust your journey was pleasant enough.”

“Yes, though it is wonderful to no longer be in a carriage.” She heard herself laugh nervously, and hoped that they could not discern the discomfort she was feeling inside.

Darcy stepped forwards and gestured to his left, “Lord and Lady Landon, may I present to you Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Miss Bennet, my cousins Lord and Lady Landon.”

The woman, blonde and elegant, smiled and stepped towards her. Elizabeth’s stomach did a strange flip. She had not anticipated a greeting party.

“Miss Bennet, it is delightful to meet you. I apologise that we have descended upon you so quickly. You must be tired from your journey.” Lady Landon, perhaps one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen, took a seat on a settee and patted the upholstery next to her, inviting Elizabeth to join her.

“We have just learnt that your sister is presently not in Lambton. I do hope you can be reunited soon.”

Elizabeth joined her on the settee, wondering how—and why—they had come to be at Pemberley. Did Mr Darcy summon them?

“Indeed. I hope she returns very soon. As you can imagine, I was quite disappointed. Mr Darcy has graciously come to the aid of myself and my companion.” She turned slightly to smile at him.

She was not feeling quite as gracious at the moment; she felt she was under a magnifying glass of sorts, inspected by Mr Darcy’s family.

Especially by Colonel Fitzwilliam’s brother, who was presently across the room sipping from a glass while staring at her.

“It is the least I can do,” said Mr Darcy.

“My family knows of my longstanding history with your family, and my obligation to help in any way that I can. It has been an honour to assist you.” He cleared his throat, and Elizabeth wondered just how much of this ‘longstanding history’ had been discussed with the people in this room.

He continued, “I hope that your rooms and refreshment have been satisfactory.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Thank you. The accommodations are quite satisfactory, Mr Darcy. In fact, sir, your home is very beautiful. And your library,” she looked around to the shelves surrounding her, “is indeed a work of art.”

“Thank you, Miss Bennet.” It was clear that Mr Darcy wished to say more, but not while in company.

An awkward silence ensued; Elizabeth cleared her throat and sallied forth. “With my sister absent for an unspecified length of time, I confess I find myself at ends. Mr Darcy has kindly agreed to be my host this evening?—”

“And I your hostess,” Lady Landon interjected with a smile. “For the sake of propriety. We have a longstanding friendship, you and I.”

Elizabeth comprehended her, and their presence, immediately. “Thank you,” she said. “I hope to find a position?—”

“We do not have to discuss this now, as I know it has been a very long day,” Mr Darcy interrupted.

Those words did not have the desired effect, as Elizabeth preferred knowing sooner rather than later what her fate would be.

Lady Landon must have seen her anxiety; she leant towards her and put a calming hand on Elizabeth’s sleeve.

“Please set your mind at ease, Miss Bennet. While the particulars are being considered, we believe we have found a solution. You were a governess, yes?”

“Indeed. Before I was at the Pollards’ home, I was governess to two small boys. It was an honour to teach them their letters. I was with the Richmonds for four years, until their sons went away to school.” She swallowed. “After that I secured another similar position, but unhappily?—”

“There is no need to go into that now. We believe there will be a role for you here.” Elizabeth noticed Lady Landon had paused.

She looked to Darcy and then continued, “How fortunate that Pemberley has a need for a schoolteacher! Darcy, you said that establishing a school had long been your mother’s wish, I think? ”

“Yes,” said Mr Darcy. “All will be explained tomorrow, as the particulars are still being worked out.”

“The children of the estate will be happy to know something is afoot,” the colonel offered. “For some years, Georgiana and her companion would go and read to the tenant children, sometimes weekly—that is until her marriage. But in the last two years, there has been no one to fill that role.”

“I would teach the tenant children?”

“Rudimentary sums and reading,” Mr Darcy said. “Pemberley has a large number of children in need of some education.”

Elizabeth straightened her shoulders. “I would imagine so, and shall certainly try to do my best for them. I am here to serve, Mr Darcy, in whatever capacity I can be useful. If you think I can accomplish this, sir, then I shall endeavour to do so. You have my word. And my gratitude.”

“I have no doubt that you will be of help to these families.” He offered her a small smile, which eased a little of her nervousness.

“Wherever do I even start?” She smiled outwardly, a pretence of calm to hide the blossoming trepidation she was feeling at the surprising offer being made.

“I supposed I should first get an idea of what the children might be able to understand. There are a variety of ages?” Elizabeth looked up for confirmation from Mr Darcy.

At his nod, she concluded, “A range of lessons might be in order.”

Mr Darcy walked over to the table near the bookcase, where a notebook, pen, ink well, and satchel were arrayed.

“Here are some supplies you may need to get you started, Miss Bennet. As well as paper, in case you need to write letters to your sisters. Marcus will see that they are put in your rooms.”

“You have thought of everything.” Elizabeth tried keeping her voice composed, devoid of the nervousness she still felt.

“I wish to provide you with anything you need.” He cleared his throat, “For your new position, of course.”

“I thank you, sir. Perhaps meeting the children and their mothers might be a good first step.”

“An excellent idea!” Relief was clear on Mr Darcy’s face. “Perhaps tomorrow or the day after, once you have rested from the journey, we can ride out together?—”

“With a companion, of course,” Lady Landon interjected.

“Of course…to introduce you to some of the families,” Mr Darcy concluded.

“I will be ready tomorrow, sir.”

Lady Landon chimed in, “Now, the next thing we need to know is whether you feel up to joining us for a light supper, or if you would prefer to dine quietly in your rooms. ”

Feeling that dining with Mr Darcy and his exalted relations would be even more awkward than the past few minutes had been, Elizabeth made her excuses. “Thank you. I am quite fatigued, as you can imagine. If it is no trouble to have a tray brought up?—”

“Not at all,” Mr Darcy assured her.

As they all began to quit the room, Mr Darcy took her aside to speak more privately. “I take it you have met Mrs Reynolds?”

“I have.”

“She will see that you are provided whatever you need.”

“Thank you, sir. And may I ask after Sarah and Reggie?”

“Sarah will continue as your companion. Reggie has been given duties in the stable.”

“He will like that very much. Thank you, Mr Darcy, on behalf of myself and my friends.”