Page 6 of A Maid of No Consequence (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

A RATIONAL CREATURE SPEAKING TRUTH FROM HER HEART

E lizabeth sat in the kitchen at Pollard House, holding a warm cup of tea between her palms. Cook had given her meat pies for her supper, yet they sat in front of her growing colder by the minute.

Her mind was on one thing only, and not even the aroma of the freshly made pies could distract her from it.

The butterflies in her stomach had not lessened since the previous day’s encounter with Mr Darcy.

She was frustrated and sad, and yet when she thought of his face and recalled that rare smile he gave her, it eased a bit of dread she had at being back in this house.

Oh, how I miss Jane. Her beloved elder sister had married and moved away to Lambton, the distance making it all but impossible for them to see one another.

Jane’s letters were a godsend, making Elizabeth feel that all was not lost, but she had not received one for many weeks.

If only she could visit her, talk to her!

Yet even if she could afford the journey, Elizabeth knew she could not impose on her sister, as Jane already had so many mouths to feed.

No, she would do what she always did, she would make the best of a difficult situation.

She sighed deeply, just as Reggie entered the kitchen and handed her a note. She looked up inquisitively.

“From that gentleman friend of yours.”

“What?” She looked around, hoping no one else had heard.

“He asked when we leave for the country, and said he would give me a coin or two if I would give this note to you without nobody looking. Don’t worry, I told no one.” Reggie grinned. “I believe he’s sweet on you.”

“No, he is only an acquaintance from long ago.” She looked down at the note, still folded in her hand. “I thank you. And please, tell no one.” He nodded and turned to leave, and she carefully unfolded the page, heart pounding.

Miss Bennet, please do me the honour of seeing me on your next half day, same bench, under the same tree.

Yours,

FD

She smiled despite herself, folded it, and tucked it into her pocket. “Oh Lizzy, you really are in over your head,” she whispered to herself. With a groan, she grabbed her meat pies and went to her bedchamber.

While Elizabeth dressed herself the following Sunday, Sarah, a housemaid, made the bed they shared. “Where will you be going for your half day, Eliza? ”

As the girl smoothed the coverlet, her sleeve came up a little and Elizabeth saw she had a fresh bruise on her arm, by her wrist. She frowned. “Sarah!”

Sarah looked down quickly. “It is nothing! Don’t let it worry you. It doesn’t hurt, it just looks bad. I always pull my sleeves down.”

At just seventeen years of age, Sarah was a girl who had had to grow up quickly. She had been in service since she was a young girl and was sadly accustomed to the ever-changing tempers and whims of the wealthy families she served.

“Why did she do it? What could possibly have irritated her now?”

Sarah’s ears went pink, along with her cheeks. “It wasn’t the lady who did it.”

“ Lord Pollard?”

“Nothing happened, Eliza. Don’t worry so! Reggie looks out for me.”

Lord Pollard was not known for his temper, but he was known to be quite the flirt. Yet none of the maids had complained of an assault on their persons, not until now. Elizabeth could feel the heat in her face and tried to calm herself. “Sarah, please explain to me what happened.”

In a reluctant voice, the girl said, “I was cleaning in the sitting room. He was in his cups and pulled me to him. I must have bruised myself trying to get away. Then Reggie made a big noise from the hall, and his lordship let go of me. That was all.”

“He bruised you!” Elizabeth picked up Sarah’s arm gently and examined the wrist. “This ought not to be!”

“I’ve no choice. Where am I to find decent work if not here? And it’d be worse in other places, I know that. My mama needs the money. My sisters need food. I would do worse for them!”

“Well, you should not have to!” The injustice of it stuck in Elizabeth’s throat.

She bristled at the blatant unfairness for the poor who worked hard and endured such nonsense, all for the bare necessities of life.

And yet, what could she do? What could any of them do?

“Let us hope for a change, Sarah. Someday things may improve.”

“Forget about me, Eliza. I’ll be well. I always am.” Sarah eyed Elizabeth with a slight grin. “You are dressed a bit fancy for a half day.”

Elizabeth looked down at the day dress given to her by her previous employer.

“It is only one of Lady Richmond’s old dresses.

I have merely changed out the old collar, with some lace scraps Mrs Harrison gave me.

” The housekeeper had shown extraordinary kindness to Elizabeth by providing her some older ribbons and trimmings from Lady Pollard’s discards.

“’Tis not just the dress. You’ve been dreamy-eyed this week like you have a secret or maybe a new beau?” She winked at Elizabeth and she could feel her face start to warm.

“No admirer. Only many memories coming to me this week of my previous life, before all of this.” Elizabeth looked down and smoothed her skirts. It felt good to be dressed this way, the way she once was, even if only for a half day.

Sarah made a shooing motion. “Well, it’s your day, go enjoy it then. Do your walking, and your letter posting, and maybe, just maybe, you will find a handsome man who begs to take you away to his castle.”

“That is a fairy tale, and I do not believe in those.”

“Well, I do! So don’t you be spoiling it for me, I can dream for both of us.” Sarah sighed dramatically as Elizabeth went out the door, to take her walk to the park bench.

The Pollard residence had the advantage of being very near Hyde Park, and yet when she arrived Elizabeth saw that Mr Darcy had preceded her. Seeing him made her heart feel odd—or was that her stomach? Either way, she knew this feeling could only bring her grief.

As she walked closer to the bench, she examined Mr Darcy’s faultless appearance, his clothes expertly made, with not a speck of dust, dirt, or a wrinkle to be seen.

She knew he would have a pristine, beautifully embroidered handkerchief somewhere on his person.

That thought brought a small smile to her face.

Must each visit with Mr Darcy bring tears?

It recalled his need to soothe her tears, and his kindness affected her.

It had been so long since there had been any kindness at all in her life.

He caught sight of her and rose, bowing as she approached.

As demurely as she could, Elizabeth nodded. “Good day, Mr Darcy.”

He gestured to the bench and they both sat, stiffly and awkwardly. Neither spoke at first and then they both spoke at the same time.

“Pardon me,” he said. “Please do go ahead.”

Thinking him always the gentleman, she forged ahead. “I wondered what it is that you wished to speak to me about?”

Mr Darcy took a moment to look at her, and although it appeared he might speak, he seemed to search for a way to begin. “I have been thinking about our last conversation and realised that I needed to say?—”

He paused, and Elizabeth could see he was truly having difficulty choosing his words. She should pity him, but stronger still was her curiosity about his struggle over whatever he wished to say to her. Before he had the chance to continue, a voice sliced into their lagging conversation.