Page 23 of A Maid of No Consequence (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

A HUMBLE ABODE OF ONE’S OWN

T hey were soon within his carriage, bound for the Dorset farm, Sarah seated beside Elizabeth, serving as both companion and chaperon.

The Dorsets farmed the far end of Pemberley’s boundaries, so the ride was long.

Darcy kept the conversation light between them.

They spoke of the weather and the wildflowers, and Elizabeth enquired about the families within the estate’s borders.

It did them both good, he could see, to get out in the fresh air, away from the heaviness of Pemberley’s heated conversations, and unwanted visitors.

As they drew near the Murdoch cottage, the carriage slowed. “Has Mrs Reynolds explained your new accommodations to you?”

“She has. I apologise for not thanking you earlier. I did not know where I would be situated, but a cottage of my own exceeds all expectations.”

“Well, that is it, over there.” He nodded his head towards his right, and watched as Elizabeth turned her eyes in that direction. Her hand flew up to her mouth as she gasped.

“Oh!”

Her reaction made Darcy’s stomach do a strange flutter. “Will it suit you?”

“It is perfect!” The humble white cottage had been on the land for at least a century. It was plain and unadorned, save for its cheerful blue shutters. Darcy wondered at how many families had come and gone from it. He barely remembered the Murdochs, his grandfather’s former steward and his wife.

He was relieved to see the cottage appeared well maintained, with a fenced garden in the front that extended to the side, and a small table and two chairs near the cobbled pathway to the door.

“You may wish to see the interior before you deem it perfect. I have not been in this cottage for many years, so we may need to assess its condition, although Mrs Reynolds assures me it has been well taken care of.”

He alighted the carriage and came to hand her down, and Sarah behind her. They walked through a small gate, which creaked slightly. Darcy frowned. “That will be seen to.”

Elizabeth laughed. “A squeaky gate is surely nothing to worry about, not with this lovely garden!”

There were late summer wildflowers swaying in the breeze as they passed through the garden. Darcy was pleased that this small piece of earth caused her joy. It was too long since Elizabeth had a cause for happiness, and if he could provide it for her, then he would, gladly.

They entered the cottage, finding a small parlour, complete with stone fireplace, two matching chairs, their fabric worn lightly from use, and a small window-seat facing out to the wild cottage garden.

Yes, he could imagine Elizabeth sitting there, book in hand.

If left up to him, he would see her stay at Pemberley, but propriety would not allow it.

There was consolation in knowing she would be situated here in relative comfort, and in near proximity to his home.

They continued on to view the kitchen, and then Sarah asked to see the upstairs.

“There are three bedchambers up there,” Darcy told them.

“You may choose your bedchamber, Sarah. Just leave me the one with the most windows.” Elizabeth laughed easily as the girl hurriedly, and with a bit less decorum than a maid should express, ran up the stairs.

“It is a true gift, Mr Darcy, to be given a place to reside such as this, after years of–”

“Please, there is no need for thanks. It is the least we can do, particularly for someone with quite a large assignment ahead.” He saw Elizabeth pale slightly, and added quickly, “One I know you will accomplish well.”

Sarah returned, full of effusions about closets and windows, and then they slowly made their way outside. As they were evaluating the garden, the groundskeeper’s son and Reggie approached, driving a wagon filled with items for the cottage and its new inhabitants.

“It appears we may remove to our new lodgings tonight,” said Elizabeth happily, as Sarah walked out the door, smiling at Reggie as she did so.

Darcy bit his lip, a bit frustrated by his housekeeper’s efficiency. While another late-night accidental meeting in the kitchens would certainly not happen again, he could not help a feeling of loss in his chest. If only…

He forced himself to focus on the task at hand, and before they returned to the carriage, he turned to the stone chapel that Mrs Reynolds had mentioned.

It would be a short walk for Elizabeth, if a pathway could be cleared through the meadow behind the cottage.

“Mrs Reynolds and I thought the chapel would be an excellent place for the school.”

Elizabeth turned to see the building, a look of excitement on her face. “Do you think the children will come?”

“I believe if you were their teacher, they all would.” He gave her a warm smile, and could see Elizabeth blush.

“The building has been in disuse for some years, used mostly for storage. We will need to assess its floors, roof, and chimney, and give it a thorough cleaning. I will speak with Campbell, my steward. He will come tomorrow to determine what modifications and improvements it may need for our purposes.”

They returned to the carriage, and Darcy turned to look at the notebook that Elizabeth had been holding.

“Have you made many notes already?” There was no response, as Elizabeth had been staring at the stone building as they passed by, obviously thinking over all the information thrust at her today.

He waited for her to respond, and then cleared his throat, which roused her from her imaginings.

“Oh, pardon me. I was wool-gathering, a constant habit, I am afraid. What were you saying?”

He chuckled at Elizabeth’s embarrassed expression, and gestured at the book in her lap. “I was just enquiring as to your notebook.”

“Ah yes, the book.” She picked it up and leafed through the first few pages filled with hastily scrawled ink markings that he supposed to be words.

“This kept me awake for most of the night, I will confess, writing lessons and ideas for the school. My head was full of ideas, and they were coming faster than I could write, to be honest! ”

He smiled; seeing Elizabeth excited about her endeavours made him happy.

“I do have a question, and I hope you do not think me too forward.”

He raised his brow, and looking at him warily, she continued. “My curriculum is for both boys and girls.”

“I would see that nothing less be done. Did you not expect that I would agree with you?”

“I thought perhaps I would have to dig in my heels just a bit.” She arched one of her perfect brows.

They seemed to have an unspoken language forming between them, and Darcy hoped that any awkwardness between them would be eased by the time they would spend together, now that she was residing near Pemberley.

“When will you realise that you and I are not so very different? You can trust me.”

“It is not about trust,” she said quickly. “Well, perhaps it is, a little. You cannot understand the difficulty that comes from trusting in someone and seeing them let you down.”

“Oh, I believe I do.”

She nodded. “Of course. I did not mean… It is particularly difficult to admit this, but recent years have taught me to trust no one.”

“I understand, more than you may know. I also know that perhaps, there was a time when you felt that I had betrayed your trust. But I hope you know that I am trying my best to reassure you that you may rely on me. I will always see to your best interests.”

They rode in silence for most of the way to the Dorset farm.

Darcy was enjoying the simple joy of having Elizabeth in his company.

It was clear from her expression, as she stared out the window, that she was enjoying her view of Pemberley land.

She had been quiet, and he wondered if she was feeling the pressure of her new position.

So much had changed for her in the last week, all of it for the better.

For him as well. Having Elizabeth in his presence every day for almost a se’nnight made it clear to his heart: he wished that she would stay near him forever.

At Dorset farm, Darcy could see how well Elizabeth related to the children; though she was a new acquaintance and they were a variety of ages, she made sure to interact with each one, making all of them feel at ease.

He noticed the look of happiness on Mrs Dorset’s face, knowing her children were getting attention, with a promise of a wider education for them, and he could not help a feeling of pride.

At moments like this, he would hear his father’s voice in his memory, sharing wisdom to a young Master Darcy: ‘When the tenant families are thriving, Pemberley will thrive. Remember to be a good steward of the land, but also to the people. They are the heart of Pemberley.’

There was no one else he wanted by his side to care for Pemberley.

Seeing Elizabeth with the Dorset children caused his heart to hope.

If she came to care for him, as he did for her, would they be able to have their own children, all with fine eyes and bubbling laughter to fill the quiet of Pemberley’s halls?

On their ride back to Pemberley, he observed, “You have a wonderful ease with children.”

She took a moment to respond. “As an elder sister, I suppose I had training. I cannot tell you the trouble that Lydia would get herself into as a child, and Kitty would follow her. They kept Jane and I quite busy,” she said, laughing.

“But also, my young Gardiner cousins…I spent much time with them in London.” Her voice dropped to a near whisper.

“I have not seen them since their parents’ demise.

They live in Hampshire now, with their aunt. I do miss them.”

Darcy desperately looked for a way to continue the conversation, steering it away from any sadness that may impose on Elizabeth’s memories.

“I am to be an uncle, and yet I cannot fathom that my sister will be a mother soon. I still find myself prone to worry.”

“It is your job, is it not? As brother and protector?”

“Indeed,” he said with a sigh. “It is just that there are so many things that can go wrong.”

“And yet, so many things that can go splendidly.”

“You are right, of course. I have always considered things pragmatically, thinking one step ahead to avoid uncertainty and mistakes. If somehow, I could have a guarantee...” He shook his head. “But I know there are none.”

“I regret I was not with my youngest sister, Lydia, when she had her first child. I had worries similar to yours, but she wrote to me afterwards, telling me far too many details for my comfort.” She laughed.

“All was well, and one day, I hope I will see my beautiful niece. She is named Agnes, after my mother, and I hear she has the colour of my mother’s hair, even a shrill voice to match.

And there is her younger brother, Thomas–” Her voice wavered, and Darcy turned to see Elizabeth wipe a tear from her eye.

He reached toward his pocket. “Shall I–”

She stayed him with her hand. “I am well, Mr Darcy. I need no more of your fine starched cloths to add to my collection.” That made Darcy smile. “But I thank you. I miss my sisters, much as I believe you miss yours.”

The conversation continued in a comfortable manner.

It was an enjoyable ride back, Elizabeth gesturing emphatically with her hands, explaining all the lessons she was concocting in her head of how to get the children engaged with learning, wondering if perhaps alphabet blocks could be made for the younger children, as she had seen the concept in a book in her father’s library, and where chalk and slates might be obtained.

“Mr Darcy, you are staring at me. I know I speak at a rapid pace, and I am nearly breathless. I must admit, this is all very exciting.” She stopped and returned his stare.

“I also admit that this feels very much where I need to be. It feels good to be needed, not as a maid, but as a teacher. I have only met the one family, but I am hopeful that this new position you have so generously provided will make a difference in these children’s lives. And in my own as well.”

How could he tell her that she was already making a difference in his own life? “Of that, I have no doubt.”