Page 1 of Chivalry & Chauvinism (The Victorian Vagaries #2)
Pemberley
August 1848
The Darcy’s carriage stopped at the overlook just before the entrance to Pemberley. The new Mrs Darcy gasped as her husband handed her down for her first glimpse of her new home. “What an enchanting prospect! I cannot imagine any place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste.”
“I am glad it meets with your approval,” said Darcy, who never before believed the view could have ever been improved upon, now saw how wrong he was as he saw the same view from beyond his wife’s lovely profile. He wondered if his father felt the same upon bringing his bride home to Pemberley, and wished for a moment that his parents could have met his bride and that he could ask him.
“Let us not dally, and make haste for our home directly, husband!” Elizabeth said smiling, clasping his hands and drawing him back to the carriage in excitement. They had travelled directly and with great speed to come to Darcy’s sister Georgiana, who was terribly ill, making the journey in two and a half days, rather than the expected three and a half.
Elizabeth sent a message ahead by rider that morning, notifying Mrs Reynolds of their expected arrival time, and included a list of instructions and of ingredients she would like on hand in the kitchens when they arrived. The sun was just beginning to set when the carriage and four reached the house; they were exactly on time.
Ten minutes later, Darcy handed Elizabeth down from the carriage to find the entire household assembled, aside from the companion who was sitting with his sister and a few hall boys and scullery maids who were minding fires. He led her first to his paternal grandmother, Lady Rose Darcy, eldest daughter of the fourth Earl of Rochester.
“Lady Rose, it brings me great honour to meet you again and join your excellent family. I bring the regards and correspondence of our friends from London with me.” Elizabeth curtsied deeply in respect. Lady Rose retained her title by right of her birth as the daughter of an earl. Elizabeth had temporarily given hers up to marry Will. Her Majesty had already replied to Elizabeth’s note announcing her intention to wed Mr Darcy. A Royal Messenger found them at the inn the morning after their wedding, congratulating them on their nuptials and expressing Her Majesty’s anticipation of meeting Elizabeth’s new husband when they returned to town and he was elevated as the new Earl Darcy. Darcy and Elizabeth decided during their long carriage ride that they would wait to inform everyone for at least a day or two, until Georgiana’s condition was assessed and hopefully even improved.
Lady Rose greeted her proudly and properly, as Elizabeth knew she would, and invited them to take tea and refreshment in the drawing room. The woman was well known for her excessively dignified and graceful ways. Elizabeth admired her regal bearing and address, which was everything elegant, without being patronising or rude, although the lady’s tongue was known to be razor sharp when offended. Additionally, she had a firm grasp of sarcasm when the occasion called for it. Will led Pemberley’s new mistress down the line, introducing her to each servant, all the way down to the kitchen maid, Hazel. The girl looked terrified as she curtsied, so Elizabeth gave her a mischievous smile and a wink to put her at ease.
Elizabeth spoke to the assembled servants. “Thank you all for your kind welcome. I will eventually remember all of your names, but if it seems that I may have forgotten yours, please remind me. I like to get to know about each person who works in my homes, and I try to meet in my office for tea with each of my staff at least annually, if not more often. I look forward to getting to know each of you, when Miss Darcy is well again, and the household has time for such activities.”
Mrs Reynolds eyebrows were raised and her expression appeared disapproving as the servants followed Darcy, Elizabeth, and Lady Rose into the house. Elizabeth turned to Mrs Reynolds in the great hall and spoke, “Mrs Reynolds, I will go upstairs to change in a half hour. Please have hot water sent up and my maid Sarah will manage everything else that I require for the time being. Please inform the cook — Mrs Pottinger, was it? — that I will be visiting the kitchens in just over one hour.”
“Mrs Darcy, the staff have worked very hard on a special meal tonight. Perhaps another time would be better to visit the kitchens,” replied Mrs Reynolds.
“I hope Mrs Pottinger has not gone to much trouble,” Elizabeth said. “Were the messages I sent this morning and yesterday received? Mr Darcy and I requested very light meals on trays for late this evening.”
“I did receive your messages, ma’am. However, things are done differently in a house like Pemberley,” Mrs Reynolds answered. “Since it is your first night, you must not offend the staff by refusing to allow them to wait upon you on such a momentous occasion.”
“Is that so? Thank you for telling me what I must do . Contrary to what you may believe, I am familiar with the running of great houses, Mrs Reynolds. As of this time, Pemberley’s main concern must be Miss Darcy’s recovery. There will be time for pride of presentation later. I am all eagerness to see the skill of Pemberley’s talented staff on display on a more appropriate occasion. Please plan to have our meals served on trays in our sitting room late this evening at suppertime,” Elizabeth said. “I am sure you will want to meet with me very soon to go over the management of the house, and I am looking forward to it. Let us see how Miss Darcy fares tonight and tomorrow morning before we arrange a time to do so.”
“As you wish, Mrs Darcy,” the housekeeper responded stiffly.
“Mrs Reynolds, please send hot water to my room as well, and please meet me in my study in one half hour,” Darcy said as he accompanied his wife into the drawing room behind his grandmother.
“Lady Rose, please forgive me if my instructions to Mrs Reynolds contradicted any of your plans for this evening,” began Elizabeth as they seated themselves in the drawing room. “Will and I are terribly concerned about Miss Darcy, and discussed it at length on our journey to Derbyshire. He told me every detail he knows of her illness, and everything Mr Gibson has said about it. I believe with strict supervision over Miss Darcy’s care that we can bring her back to health. We intend to devote all our energies into this endeavour with all haste. Something about all of this is not adding up, and I am determined to get to the bottom of it. I fear Miss Darcy has been ill for too long. No time must be wasted before her care is taken firmly in hand. After we have refreshed ourselves, I intend to begin directly. Indeed, if Will’s previous information had not indicated her to be on the mend, I would have recommended asking a nurse to come from the new school some time ago. They are still getting everything ready to open, but they would have been glad to send one of the sisters.”
“I am so relieved to hear you say that, Lady Astley… oh forgive me, Mrs Darcy,” replied Lady Rose as she poured the tea for what would likely be her last time as the hostess at Pemberley unless she was entertaining her own guests. “Georgiana’s condition is concerning indeed. I blessed the day I received my grandson’s letter to say that he was bringing you to Pemberley as his wife. Your late husband was well regarded in London, and our friends in society never fail to speak of the good reputation of your advice. I have been taking my meals on a tray in my apartment, or with Georgiana for some time now, so I am not at all disappointed. At my age it is much easier, especially with Georgiana being ill. I had no idea you sent Mrs Reynolds instructions, or I would have made certain they were followed. I cannot imagine what she means by such rudeness.”
“We are concerned indeed by Mrs Reynolds’ recent behaviour,” Darcy spoke up. “Not only must we address the matter of Georgiana being bled against my strict instructions, but I cannot imagine what she means by ignoring Elizabeth’s letter to her three weeks ago, and disregarding the instructions in her most recent messages.”
“I had no idea you received no letter from Mrs Reynolds upon your engagement, Mrs Darcy.” said Lady Rose, “When my son’s wife died, I returned from the dower house and took over many of the duties of the mistress but my grandson has not wished me to tax myself in recent years. I stepped back from many of those duties when Georgiana turned thirteen, and began to learn the household herself. Timid as the sweet girl is, Mrs Reynolds mostly leads her to do things her way. It may take some time for Mrs Reynolds to become used to not being in charge of Pemberley again. She ought to retire entirely. I hired her as a maid at one of our other estates during my time as mistress here, and she has worked for the Darcys for over forty years.”
“While I have no desire to force anyone into a retirement that they do not wish for, and indeed I have no wish to start as a new mistress with a new housekeeper, we must be able to work together. Every bride hopes to encounter an efficient and welcoming housekeeper when she arrives at her new home, and I am no exception. Will is going to speak privately to Mrs Reynolds and Mrs Bower regarding the incident with Georgiana, since it predates my arrival here. After that, she must take her instructions from me,” Elizabeth said firmly.
“Might we go up and wash and then see Georgiana? After our travels, I am eager for a bowl of your excellent pastina and egg,” Darcy said.
Elizabeth explained to Lady Rose that immediately after travelling she was always too weary to desire much food, and that she never wanted more than a warm bowl of a simple soup taught her by her Italian grandmother. Darcy had tried it a number of times; Elizabeth fed it to Diane or anyone who was unwell frequently, and her new husband had taken a fancy to the simple dish. “I make it also when someone is ill, for it is exceedingly easy to digest, and when a member of my family is ill, I like to see to their meals myself.”
“You mean you go down to the kitchens and cook it yourself?” asked Lady Rose, shocked.
“Indeed I do. Mrs Pottinger will have to make allowances for me in her kitchen.” Elizabeth smiled. “I dearly hope to make friends with that lady. My enjoyment of my usual activities will be dependent upon her goodwill. At Astley House, I went through three cooks before I found one that would allow me into their domain. They were actually willing to lose their positions rather than adjust their idea of propriety.”
“Luckily Mrs Pottinger might be a bit of a general, but she has a soft spot under all her bluster. I am confident that she would never wish to leave Pemberley,” said Darcy.
Lady Rose expressed an interest in tasting Elizabeth’s soup, then acquainted them with the newest information regarding Georgiana’s condition. The girl was terrifyingly weak. Elizabeth was determined to waste no more time, and rose to go to her apartments. Darcy needed to consult with Mrs Reynolds, so they agreed to meet in their sitting room when they were both ready, leaving Lady Rose to escort Elizabeth upstairs.
*****
Sarah was not waiting in her rooms as she expected. When Lady Rose led Elizabeth to the Mistress’s apartments, she was greeted by a new maid. The woman greeted Elizabeth in a heavy and exceedingly false French accent and introduced herself as Mademoiselle Angeline, Elizabeth’s new ladies maid. “I beg your pardon, Mademoiselle, but I am afraid I have already had a lady’s maid for a number of years. Do you know where Sarah is?”
“Oh, non, Madame D’Arcy! A lady of your rank must ‘ave a proper French ladieees maid! You could never manage properly eeen London with thees Sarah! Onleee a French maid weel do! Do not worry, madame. Mrs Reynolds ‘ired me so that I weel asseest you in ze ton. You weel be so incomparable that all ze nobility weel be desperate for your acquaintance!” exclaimed the silly woman.
Lady Rose exchanged looks of disbelief with Elizabeth and responded sternly, “I beg your pardon Miss, but I must insist that you abandon this ridiculous false accent and return to the servants’ hall immediately. Find Mrs Darcy’s maid and send her here at once.”
Lady Rose apologised as the maid flounced dramatically out of the room. “I apologise, Mrs Darcy, I do not know what Mrs Reynolds means by this,” Lady Rose excused herself and Elizabeth found a basin of water in the dressing room and freshened up. She knew precisely what Mrs Reynolds meant. By reassigning Elizabeth’s maid and installing a Pemberley maid, her own creature, in her new mistress’s bedroom, Mrs Reynolds was attempting to display her dominance of the household and ensure her source of private information from Elizabeth’s bedchamber. Then, by subtly demeaning or outright ignoring Elizabeth’s decisions, wishes, or questions, she would discourage Elizabeth from making inquiries into the household management, or interfering in the running of the house. Such tactics often worked upon naive or timid young brides who were unsure of their abilities, particularly when there was a mother-in-law present, but Elizabeth was not a deb fresh from her first season. She had already dealt with one such self important housekeeper upon her first marriage who insisted that a twenty-year-old girl could not possibly understand the needs of a renowned physician such as Sir Christopher Astley. The senior servant ignored every order and question about the household Elizabeth made for over a week before she was shown the door, and left with a tepid reference. Elizabeth could easily manage it again, although she had hoped her installation at Pemberley would be easier.
Elizabeth found a comfortable and appropriate gown for a sickroom in the dressing room from the trunks that had been sent ahead of them. A short time later Elizabeth sat patiently when Sarah arrived in high dudgeon and pulled her hair up into a simple twist as she ranted about the idiotic fake French maid. Mrs Reynolds had attempted to reassign her to the laundry, and Sarah had rightfully taken offence. At length, Elizabeth found Will in their sitting room. They met Lady Rose in the hall and went to visit Georgiana.
Mrs Bower was hovering over the girl as they entered. “Mrs Bower, would you be so kind as to account to myself and Mrs Darcy of Miss Darcy’s welfare this evening?” asked Darcy after making the introductions.
Mrs Bower spoke and explained that Miss Darcy had woken but little that day, and taken no nourishment. “Thank you Mrs Bower. Please send for Miss Darcy’s ladies maid, immediately,” Elizabeth said. “Please also have the kitchens immediately send up a pot of strong, stimulating tea, very heavily honeyed, and an invalid feeder.”
The woman looked to Darcy for confirmation and he barked, “What are you staring at, madam! Your mistress has given you your instructions. Please be quick about it!” As the companion turned away, Darcy continued, “Mrs Bower, you are completely off duty for tonight and until Miss Darcy is able to leave her rooms again. Please see me in my study tomorrow afternoon after luncheon.”
Mrs Bower pulled a face and left the room. “What happy and pleasant staff you have, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth teased. She sat on the edge of Georgiana’s bed and felt the girl’s forehead, which was clammy. She felt the girl’s wrist and found her pulse to be dangerously slow. The young girl was painfully thin and ash coloured.
“We must stimulate her a bit, and she must take some nourishment, or I fear she may not make it through the night,” Elizabeth said briskly. Then in a loud, sharp voice, “Georgiana? Miss Darcy, please wake up.”
“Georgie, you must wake. I have brought Elizabeth to be your sister as you instructed. You must awaken to greet her,” said Darcy loudly, as Elizabeth rubbed the girl’s icy hands briskly.
The young girl moaned weakly, and opened her eyes. “Brother? Brother, you are home. Did you marry Lady Astley? Is she here?”
“She is, and you must welcome her, Georgie,” Darcy said, moving aside for Elizabeth.
“Good evening, Miss Darcy. I am all excitement at meeting you and becoming part of your lovely family,” Elizabeth said.
“Please, call me Georgiana or Georgie, as my brother does, Mrs Darcy,” Georgiana croaked. “I am so happy that you have married my brother. I am so grateful that he will be happy and have a good wife now, as I know you must be. I have heard so much of you and I am certain you are perfect for my brother.”
“I thank you, Georgie; that is high praise indeed. I will call you Georgie if you agree to call me Lizzy, which is a name only my aunt and sisters use,” replied Elizabeth as the ladies maid entered along with a footman and a tea service. “Thank you, Timothy. Will you wait for me in the hall? I will need someone to show me to the kitchens in a moment.”
“Certainly, ma’am,” Timothy smiled widely. He was flattered that the new mistress had learned his name already, just from greeting him in the servants’ line among four other footmen. The two new footmen the new Mrs Darcy brought with her seemed like good-natured chaps. They claimed that Mrs Darcy would retain them all and likely hire more servants as well. Their new mistress was, according to her existing staff, kind and easy to work for, if rather strict about gossip, security, and cleanliness.
“Georgiana, there is some well honeyed tea in this feeder, you need some nourishment desperately. I am going to go downstairs to the kitchens myself at this very moment to make you a fortifying broth. While I am gone, I need you to take as much of this tea as you can. Your brother will help you. Can you show me the journal you have been keeping track of your meals in?”