Page 2 of Chivalry & Chauvinism (The Victorian Vagaries #2)
After Elizabeth collected the journal the girl indicated by the bed, she rose and left the room. In the hall, she found Timothy speaking to another footman, whom Elizabeth thought was named William. Elizabeth followed the footman downstairs and into a very pleasant and well appointed kitchen. The cook and her staff were waiting to greet her, each in her best apron.
“I am very touched by your kind welcome to your kitchen, Mrs Pottinger.” she smiled, and Mrs Pottinger blushed. “My husband has told me much about your talent in your craft and of your kind nature. He also told me of your lemon biscuits. I dearly love anything flavoured with lemon. By any chance did Mrs Reynolds give you a list of ingredients I wished to be prepared for our arrival?” Elizabeth asked.
Mrs Pottinger looked panicked. “No matter, Mrs Pottinger. Those instructions must have gone astray, but not to worry. The list is quite simple.”
“There was a great deal of dried macaroni delivered last week, Mrs Reynolds suggested you must have ordered it,” spoke the cook nervously.
“Indeed, I use great quantities of it when someone is unwell, and I find it makes excellent nursery food as well. Please ensure it becomes part of your regular orders,” Elizabeth said as she wrote down the list on a pad on the workspace. She turned to the kitchen maid. “Hazel, is it?” The maid smiled and nodded. “Would you gather these items for me?”
Hazel looked at the list. “We always have good bouillon on hand for Miss Darcy. This will only be a moment, ma’am.” Hazel curtsied and made her way to the pantry to retrieve the items.
Elizabeth spoke to the cook and explained that she usually ate lightly after travelling. Sometimes she suffered from a sensitive stomach, and this soup was a marvellous comfort. She asked if the excellent dinner that Mrs Pottinger had prepared could be sent upstairs late that evening on covered trays for a late supper. They would be tending to Miss Darcy quite late, and would be hungry much later.
“Wouldn’t you prefer it if we made the soup for you, ma’am? It sounds like a very simple soup.”
“Indeed it is, and I will certainly have you prepare it for me many times. I will allow, however, that I always believe that love and care add something vital to a dish. That is why when someone I care for is ill, I try to see to their meals myself. I must admit, I enjoy working in the kitchen, and I hope you will not mind my occasional presence. Perhaps there is a small corner where I can work on my little culinary projects where I will not disturb anyone.”
“There’s always the old kitchens,” said Hazel as she returned and assembled the requested ingredients before Elizabeth, along with a cup of tea and a plate of lemon biscuits. When Elizabeth inquired, she was shown around the corner to another complete set of kitchens, much older in design, but still functional, with perfectly acceptable stoves and ovens. The kitchen was left over from when Mr Darcy had the kitchens updated. He selected an unused area of the downstairs and began from scratch to build an entirely new kitchen so that Mrs Pottinger could cook unhindered during the renovation. Mrs Pottinger had persuaded Mr Darcy that when he married and began to entertain, that it would be a great help downstairs to have the older, extra kitchen still available for times when more oven and workspace was needed. As a result, the old kitchens were never stripped out, and the stove and chimney were maintained in good working condition.
“This is perfect!” Elizabeth clapped her hands. “Now I can do what I like on Saturdays and Sundays, and not disturb you at all!”
“Is it true that you are going to give all the servants Sundays off, Mrs Darcy?” asked Hazel curiously.
“No Hazel, it is not true, and I have already had words with Mrs Darcy’s servants for spreading such a silly tale,” said Mrs Reynolds as she entered the kitchens.
Elizabeth smiled as she tasted a superior lemon biscuit, and then began to assemble ingredients in the saucepan Hazel had provided. “It is true Hazel, that it is a tradition I follow in my other households, although it may be some time before we implement the practice here. Miss Darcy’s condition must be the first priority of the entire household for now. We will need the support of all the staff each day as everyone works together toward her recovery,” she said, ignoring Mrs Reynolds entirely. She explained the recipe for pastina and egg to Hazel, who took efficient notes as Mrs Pottinger watched closely. Mrs Reynolds, disliking the friendly camaraderie and finding it unseemly, left the kitchens.
In a separate bowl, Elizabeth cracked two eggs, beat them, and whisked the mixture into a pan of plain simmering bouillon for Miss Darcy. After a few moments, she grated a small amount of cheese into it from a small wheel that Elizabeth had ordered from London. Elizabeth would try it with a bit of shredded chicken and macaroni for Georgiana tomorrow. Tonight, she just wished to get something light but nourishing into her without upsetting her stomach. Then she prepared another, heartier pan of soup for herself and the others.
Elizabeth informed Mrs Pottinger and Hazel what time she would return to prepare Georgiana’s breakfast. She also gave them a list of what she would need for that as well as the meals she would like planned for the next few days if Georgiana showed improvement, as they all hoped. They made a quick menu of simple and easy meals for the family for the upcoming week. The understanding was confirmed that all meals should be simply served on trays in Georgiana’s room since the family would take all of their meals with her each day. Last, she requested hot water for a hip bath be sent to Miss Darcy’s rooms, and maids to change the bedding. The entire encounter took less than thirty minutes. Elizabeth followed Timothy back up the stairs with the footman carrying the tray. Elizabeth carried Georgiana’s meal journal along with the one Mrs Pottinger had kept.
When she returned to Georgiana’s apartment, she took Georgiana’s maid aside and instructed her that water was being heated, and to prepare a hip bath for Miss Darcy. Once the family was done visiting, she told her to find some maids to change all of her bedding. Elizabeth detested society’s belief that bathing while ill was dangerous, for Georgiana’s hair was stringy and greasy from not being washed. They would wait until morning to wash it, but she must have at least a hip bath tonight. Then her hair would be scrubbed vigorously with a damp towel, and brushed to remove some of the oil from it for now. The girl’s bedding smelled, likely because her caretakers believed that her sweat and ill hygiene protected her. Darcy informed her that his sister had drunk an entire cup and a half of tea. Elizabeth could not yet see any of the girl’s pallor receding. Because Elizabeth and Georgiana were still getting to know one another, Elizabeth allowed Darcy to assist his sister with the broth so the girl would not feel uncomfortable. They all sat together companionably and ate their pastina and egg, Darcy’s with thick crusty bread slathered liberally with butter.
Lady Rose was particularly intrigued with the soup. “This soup does not look like much, but it is certainly satisfying. I can see why you like it.”
“My Uncle Hexham always says it may look like peasant food, but it’s the only meal he wishes for when he’s indisposed, and I agree. I make it for my daughter quite often, for it makes good nursery food. Georgiana will have some tomorrow. Tonight, I brought her something similar but lighter because we do not wish to overwhelm her digestion when it has recently been so sensitive. But do not feel that you must be polite. If you prefer the more substantial dinner that Mrs Pottinger prepared, by all means you must send for it.”
Elizabeth explained to Darcy, Georgiana, and Lady Rose her plan to help Georgiana recover. “First and foremost, Will, the family must take complete charge of Georgie’s care. One of the family simply must stay with her at all times. We can allow the maids to assist us, but we cannot be sure what is happening if we are not always here with her. It can no longer be given over to a companion. It will be a bit challenging for the first few days, but when Richard arrives with my sister and Charlotte, it will be easier. They will be happy to help us. You and I can take turns sitting with her for the next two nights until they arrive. If she does not get well soon, I might ask one of the sisters to come and help us. But first I would like to determine what we are managing here.
“Next, Georgie, I have two questions. Is there an apartment in the guest wing that you like best of all the others? And also, is there a housemaid here at Pemberley that you are particularly comfortable with besides your own ladies maid?”
“I have always been very fond of the blue apartment,” answered Georgiana weakly. “And I have always gotten along well with Maud. She takes over for my maid when Hopkins is unwell or visiting her mother.”
“Excellent,” said Elizabeth. “Your brother and I are reinstating Mrs Hopkins for your personal care. Since you are so very weak, she will need help, but since you and I are still getting to know one another, let us ask Maud to take up that task. I do not wish you to feel at a disadvantage by having me assist you with your more personal needs. Like I stated before, if we require further help we can request one of the sisters to come from the school, but I am hoping that you are going to get better quickly, not worse, so let us begin as we hope to go on.
“After you have finished your broth, we will have your maid and Maud assist you in the hip bath for now, to help you freshen up, and get you into a clean nightgown. A pair of maids will change your bed clothes while you are doing that, so that you can rest more comfortably tonight. Tomorrow, we will move you to the blue room in the guest wing. Your apartment has become a sick room, and must be completely stripped, aired, and repapered. Your brother tells me it has not been done since you were twelve, so I hope you will enjoy doing it over again and selecting it yourself. Indeed, all of us will move into the guest wing temporarily, for my renovators will arrive to install the new plumbing shortly after my family and personal steward arrive. All we need do is have our maids and valet move our belongings into the guest wing. The guest wing was actually already supposed to have been prepared, but it seems that is another instruction Mrs Reynolds disregarded. My steward will manage the project with the workers, and we should not even hear much noise from the guest wing or the more public parts of the house, which is one convenient aspect of having such a large home.”
Lady Rose spoke. “My grandson told me of these most convenient new bathing chambers at your properties. They sound almost decadent.”
“Indeed they are a bit, but mostly they are very sanitary and promote cleanliness and good health among the entire household, including the servants. And it will relieve the servants of much of their burden of heating and carrying water. And this is the impolite part but still very important: all of the waste empties from a pipe into a covered pit a distance from the house, where the groundskeepers will apply ash regularly to help with decomposition.
“Containing the household waste to one area of the property, and the wells and water supply to another will also improve the health of the household. It will be strictly against the rules at Pemberley to dispose of any personal waste in any location besides the designated drains,” answered Elizabeth. “We will have water pumps and boilers in every family apartment, and the water closets, and all of the tubs and basins will have proper drains. It will make life so much easier and more pleasant for us and the servants. Do you have a favourite apartment in the guest wing, Lady Rose?” Lady Rose replied that she had always admired the Lavender Room, and Elizabeth promised it would be prepared for her use during the renovations, and recommended she ask her maid to be prepared to remove her possessions there on the morrow.
The maids arrived with the bathwater, and Elizabeth asked Maud to remain until further notice. The family withdrew, Lady Rose to retire for the night altogether, Elizabeth and Will to sit and talk in Georgie’s sitting room. “It looks like Georgie’s sitting room will be our point of command while we are helping her for the next few days. Once the family arrives, we shall have more assistance. How was your meeting with Mrs Reynolds?”
“I cannot put my finger on it, but Mrs Reynolds’ behaviour does not seem right. She was everything apologetic regarding the bleeding, which is my main outrage at this moment. I did ask her why she never responded to you or followed the instructions in your messages, but she claims that while managing with Georgiana being ill and preparing the house for us there was no time. I find it a rather feeble excuse, for I know her abilities better than anyone, and I did say so. However, I did as you suggested and gave her the benefit of the doubt, in light of her long standing service. We will have to see how we all get on from here,” answered Darcy.
Elizabeth informed him of Mrs Reynolds’ behaviour in the kitchens as well as the French maid. Darcy exclaimed, “She just reassigned your maid and proclaimed to all that your staff are liars? Why did she not discuss it with you privately?”
“I cannot be sure, but we will have to see over the coming days if she and I can find a middle ground. I do not wish to start as a brand new mistress in a house like Pemberley with no proper housekeeper, especially when one of the family is ill.”
“That would make everything much more difficult, and would grieve both my sister and I in the extreme,” Darcy agreed. “I have to say, I was shocked at her reaction to the news that no one aside from your maid and my valet are henceforth permitted in our chambers unless invited. For a moment, I actually thought she would quarrel with me about it.”
Elizabeth, who valued her privacy above all else, never allowed any servant other than her maid into her rooms. It necessitated that Sarah made the bed and did the day to day dusting and scrubbing, including making the fires and cleaning the grate. This would usually be considered beneath the dignity of a ladies maid, but Sarah laughed at this thought, because she was paid four times as much as a typical ladies maid. It was well worth the extra work, particularly since her mistress was so undemanding in many other ways. The only other servant permitted in the rooms was the maid who attended the fires early while the family were still asleep, and the Darcys would be in the room and enclosed by their bed curtains at that time.
More often than not, Sarah’s mistress did not even usually require her services at night. Elizabeth now had her husband to assist her with her buttons, or when she was widowed, she had worn more simply designed gowns that she required little or no assistance in removing. She never wished for help in the bath like so many spoiled ladies and gentlewomen, and other than maintaining Elizabeth’s wardrobe, setting out her clothes, and doing buttons and simple hair twists, Sarah’s work was not onerous or difficult unless Elizabeth was participating in the London season. Then, it could be exhausting, but Elizabeth rarely participated in the whole of the season.
Elizabeth recommended that Darcy give his valet Mr Mason a substantial raise, as her maid earned significantly more than he. She did not wish the man to find out and have it cause unpleasantness. His increase in salary made the valet extremely helpful to both Elizabeth and Sarah. The two servants discussed the duties they would take over from the maids, and were happy with the arrangement.
During the long journey into Derbyshire, Elizabeth and Darcy discussed many topics and came to agreements on several points of marital interest, though not without difficulty in some instances. They were both stubborn, and Darcy had been hard put to allow Elizabeth to use her own funds for much of anything regarding Pemberley or their lives in general. Elizabeth argued there were certain things on which she significantly overspent because she found the expenses worth it, such as overpaying the servants, as it prevented them from seeking perks, gossiping in the village, or among the servants of others.
In addition, she planned to be very decadent and lavish in the renovations for the bathing chambers and drainage. Elizabeth reasoned that since she planned to spend an obscene amount of money, that it would be better for Darcy to allow her to pay for the expense herself, for then she could spend as much as she wished without guilt, and obtain everything she wanted in the renovations without worrying that she was exceeding what the estate could manage. She could manage the expense easily, and never notice the missing funds. It took two days to convince Darcy, and he did not give way until Elizabeth asked him if he meant it when he agreed to a true partnership, or if he had only said it to gain her consent to the marriage.
Darcy did not like that, but after brooding in the carriage for a number of hours while Elizabeth studiously read and ignored his peevishness, he gave in, and they came to an agreement. Darcy still would not accept Elizabeth’s dowry. Elizabeth had designated it as her wedding gift to the tenants and estate. Darcy had agreed not to interfere. She would not consent to use it on the bathing chambers, as that would be for herself. She would, over the next year, make improvements to all of the tenant farms and the pensioners’ cottages, and the estate in general until the funds were spent.
Darcy would consent to Elizabeth paying for all renovations related to the new plumbing from her private funds. Elizabeth agreed that if she were to do any other renovations to the house such as redecorating, including her own apartments, the estate would absorb the cost. Elizabeth reasoned to Darcy that even if he did not think the farms and tenant cottages needed improvement, it was a good idea to take the opportunity to make everything as modern as possible, so that it would be many years before the cottages must be modernised again. Such measures would make the estate very desirable to prospective tenants, and would help to discourage families from moving to the cities.
It was difficult, but Darcy also agreed that he would make no objection when she settled funds on his sister and any of their children on their marriages, in addition to whatever dowries he provided. Elizabeth stated that it would not be fair for Georgiana to only receive thirty thousand pounds when Elizabeth’s sisters would receive fifty upon their marriages. When the time came, there would be no reason to draw attention to where the funds came from, so Darcy’s pride was unnecessary.
After their conversation in Georgie’s sitting room, Elizabeth suggested to Darcy that since he was able to fall asleep at any moment without even trying, he should go to the daybed in the sitting room and get some rest. She would wake him in several hours to take over watching Miss Darcy. She taught him how to use his pocket watch and take her pulse on her wrist and informed him at what point Georgie’s heartbeat would have dropped low enough for alarm, when he should wake her. Darcy gallantly argued that she should be the first to rest, to which she replied that she did not fall asleep as easily as he did, and was not yet ready to do so. She preferred to see Georgiana safely back to bed, and perhaps attempt to get the girl to drink another cup of tea. She would also want to rest later, for she would have much to oversee on the morrow, and would want to be freshly rested in the morning. It was seven in the evening, and Elizabeth promised to wake him by midnight.
She poked her head into the hallway and asked the footman William to send for Mrs Reynolds, and to return with a tea cart and a kettle to be placed over the fire from the kitchens, and a large pitcher of fresh water.
Mrs Reynolds entered Georgiana’s room through the hallway, since William had informed her that Mr Darcy was resting in the sitting room. “Where on earth is Miss Darcy?”
“Miss Darcy is being attended in her dressing room by her maids. She will return to her bed shortly. Please relieve Maud from her duties until further notice, she will be assisting Miss Darcy’s ladies maid at Miss Darcy’s request.”
“Mrs Darcy, as the housekeeper in a house where you do not know the staff, do you not think it would be better if I made the assignments?” said Mrs Reynolds rudely.
“No, Mrs Reynolds, I do not think it would be best. Georgiana was given an offer to choose the housemaid she wishes to aid in her care. The choice to grant her request is mine, and the responsibility of reassigning the maid in question’s tasks without argument is yours.” Elizabeth said, with a great deal more civility than the housekeeper, but in a stern tone that brooked no argument.
“Mrs Reynolds, we should not have to have this conversation now, but I see that we must. I have sent you a number of instructions over the last few weeks and my steward has sent you instructions as well, regarding the preparations for our arrival. Have any of those instructions been fulfilled?” asked Elizabeth.
“I received no confirmation of those instructions from Mr Darcy,” sniffed Mrs Reynolds.
“I see. And will you be requiring permission from Mr Darcy to follow my instructions in the future, or will you be able to accept that I am here now, and you must do as I ask?” said Elizabeth.
“It is not my intention to offend you, Mrs Darcy. But things are done a certain way at Pemberley, and I think a new bride ought to learn that way before changing anything,” insisted Mrs Reynolds. “It is an insult to the house, the staff, and the master to arrive and begin making changes, when you do not even know the house or its ways.”
“I understand that to a certain degree, in the absence of a proper mistress, you have become accustomed to deciding what is best for much of the household. That is no longer your place. From here on, I will decide what is best. That does not mean I will not welcome your knowledgeable advice, for I value your experience highly. Mrs Reynolds, you are putting Mr Darcy in a difficult position. He wishes to honour and respect your long service to this house and this family, but if you are hoping he will disrespect his wife in order to avoid treading upon your toes, I believe you will be disappointed. I am here now, and am not planning on going anywhere. You must accept that there will be many changes to Pemberley, as indeed, there always must be in any house when a new mistress has been installed. I wish to be a successful mistress here, and for that I need your help. It is my plan to help Mr Darcy to make all of the modern changes that will benefit everyone at Pemberley, and improve life for all who live and work on the estate. I am willing to be understanding that it may take some time for you to accept the new management of the house, but you must be willing to accept it if we are to move forward.”
“Begging your pardon, ma’am but there are many of us who do not believe Pemberley needs to be changed,” said Mrs Reynolds stiffly.
“You must understand, Mrs Reynolds, that I have no interest in making changes that will destroy the beauty or fine traditions of Pemberley. Mr Darcy and I only seek to make those improvements that will make everyday life better for everyone here. But regardless of how many believe or do not believe that Pemberley needs to be changed, the final choice must lay with Mr Darcy and myself, since this property belongs to us. It is our home, and we alone will make the decisions on what must be done here. I am certain you are not used to Mr Darcy taking a staff vote before making decisions in his house, so I am confused as to why you would think that it matters what many of you might think about what we do with our home. Now, I asked that rooms be prepared in the guest wing for myself, Mr Darcy, and my family, who will be arriving in a few days. Since I was shown to the mistress’s apartment when I arrived, I can only conclude that these arrangements have not been made?”
“The family never stay in the guest wing, madam,” sniffed Mrs Reynolds.
“Oh, Mrs Reynolds. This is going to make life quite difficult for ourselves and the staff tonight and tomorrow. It was made clear to you that work crews will be arriving next week to add bathing chambers to the family wing. The family cannot stay there while the work is being done. The Blue Suite must be opened tonight, for we will move Miss Darcy there first thing tomorrow morning. Please send two maids and a footman there now to open the windows, air the room, and make up the bed. Please ensure that there is a daybed made up in the sitting room, and ask the maid that goes about in the early hours to make up the fires to go in there very early to close all the windows, and start a large fire to warm the room. I want the room ready to receive Miss Darcy by eight-thirty tomorrow morning. You will have the slipper tub filled with hot water by that time so that Miss Darcy may have a proper bath. The rest of the rooms will have to be opened tomorrow morning, for I will not force the staff to work all night to address what you have disregarded. Has the nursery been prepared?”
“Yes, ma’am. It is up on the second floor,” said Mrs Reynolds irritably.
“Did I not state in my letters that I wished for rooms to be prepared close to the family for now? Please be aware in the future, Mrs Reynolds, that when I give an order, I do not wish to hear later that it was disregarded because of how others did it before me. I do not care where previous generations kept their children. Such information has no bearing whatsoever on my decisions, do you understand?”
“Yes, Mrs Darcy,” muttered Mrs Reynolds.
“I hope that you do. Please meet me outside Miss Darcy’s sitting room tomorrow morning at six so that you may show me the apartments in the guest wing and I can select rooms for my family.”
“Six in the morning, ma’am?” gasped Mrs Reynolds.
“Indeed, Mrs Reynolds. Quite unpleasant is it not? I would rather have gained another hour’s rest, myself, but that will not be possible now, for I must see to the selection and opening of the rooms myself if I am to be sure my instructions are followed. I do not have time to address this tomorrow morning, Mrs Reynolds, when I should be attending to Miss Darcy’s care, but there is no help for it now. I shall see you tomorrow morning at six. Please ask Sarah to have hot water in my rooms by five. I am sure Sarah and the rest of the staff will not be happy to be up so early to heat and carry water, but there is nothing to be done about it.”
“You call your maid by her first name?” noted Mrs Reynolds snidely.
“I have known Sarah all of my life, for she grew up on a farm on my father’s estate and has been my maid since I left my father’s household. I have always been informal in her address, but you are correct, it is time she was addressed properly, so that she receives the appropriate respect in this house. You may address her as Mrs Smith,” Elizabeth replied.
She dismissed the housekeeper while Mrs Hopkins and Maud assisted Georgiana back to her freshly made bed. “You are correct, Lizzy. I do feel much refreshed, and I am sure I will rest very comfortably tonight. Mrs Bower has scarcely let me out of bed, and insisted that bathing would make me more ill.”
“I assure you that neglecting your hygiene and grooming will only worsen your condition, not help it. You shall bathe every morning henceforth, and have clean nightclothes and bedding each day. Your rooms shall be aired every day, for the fresh August air is good for you. Do you believe you could manage another cup of tea?”
“I am feeling very tired indeed after so much excitement; I am not used to it. But I can see you think it is important, so I will try,” said the girl as she settled back against the pillows propping her up.
They spoke little as Elizabeth helped the girl with her tea, since Elizabeth could see that she was indeed exhausted. Her colour was still quite grey, though Elizabeth thought that waking and stimulating her with a hot bath and some small nourishment had done her some good. It had been clear for centuries that large quantities of sugar could be helpful for shock, fatigue, and weakness, although doctors were still debating why. Elizabeth only hoped the heavily honeyed tea, good bouillon, and egg would give her body the strength to make it through the night. Her pulse was still very slow, and between the bleedings and the girl’s inability to take much nourishment, she had become dangerously weak. It would be crucial that the girl eat on the morrow, and every day after.
Georgiana quickly fell asleep after her tea, and Elizabeth watched over her and checked her pulse every half hour. It did not dip lower than it was while she was awake, for which Elizabeth was grateful. At a quarter to midnight, Elizabeth woke Darcy and bid him eat from the tray of dinner Mrs Pottinger sent up. When he finished, he took her place by Georgiana’s bed, and promised to wake Elizabeth at five in the morning. Elizabeth had a few bites from her own tray, but she was more exhausted than hungry and her stomach was still weak from travelling. She loosened her gown, pulled her hair from its pins and plaited it, and then fell fast asleep on the day bed.
*****
Darcy watched Georgiana for the next four hours, checking her pulse every half hour until his grandmother came in and announced she was there to take her turn. He attempted to send her back to her bed, but she shushed him. She informed him that she never found much sleep at her age, and would be able to sleep no more that night, then bade him get a few more hours rest. He showed her how to check Georgiana’s pulse, and when he made for the sitting room, his grandmother redirected him. “Do not go in there and disturb your bride, grandson. That day bed is too small for the pair of you, and she needs to rest undisturbed. Go to your own rooms, and I will send someone to wake you at seven.”
Darcy informed her that Elizabeth wished to be woken at five, to which Lady Rose agreed to ensure she woke at that time and sent him on his way. She woke Elizabeth an hour later as promised. Elizabeth went to her own apartment where Sarah was waiting, looking very tired, with the hot water for washing and a pot of tea. “Sarah, I am sorry you had to be down here so early. Unfortunately Mrs Reynolds did not fulfil any of the instructions I gave her before we arrived. The guest wing has not been prepared for the family to move there before the renovations and now I must see to it. Did you sleep well? You look pale.”
Sarah replied that it was just the weariness of sleeping in an unfamiliar place, and assisted Elizabeth with her morning preparations. Elizabeth informed her that to ensure that she received the respect due to her station, that she must go by her surname from then on. She then went to meet Mrs Reynolds in the hall as planned, and the two of them, rather grumpily, went to the guest wing to select apartments for the family. This took just under one hour and Elizabeth checked on and approved the preparations in the Blue Suite, which was ready for Miss Darcy.
Mrs Reynolds insisted on showing her the preparations that were undertaken on the floor above to prepare the nursery. Elizabeth assessed it patiently, and then returned with Mrs Reynolds to the guest wing and insisted the instructions she had made for a nursery on that floor be followed. She was rather vexed about the state of the upstairs nursery. Mrs Reynolds was aware for nearly four weeks that a new nursery must be prepared, but did not open the correct rooms and did not even think it necessary that the old rooms should have a new coat of paint or a proper scrubbing. The dust cloths were removed, and a bed was made and that was it. There were even still cobwebs in the upper corners of the room. It was hard not to take this as an insult, that she should house her child in such a room and she said so.
“Mrs Reynolds, I am sorry if you have taken it personally that your employer has taken a wife, but this sort of insulting behaviour will not be tolerated in the future. I am nearing the end of my patience.”
She had a half hour before she was expected in the kitchens, so she returned to her apartment and took a cup of tea on the balcony to enjoy a few moments of the morning before her labours began. It was going to be a long day.
At seven-thirty, she went to the kitchens and Hazel and Mrs Pottinger were in friendly spirits and had everything ready for Elizabeth to prepare Georgiana’s breakfast. Most of the servants were present in the servants hall, getting ready to sit down to a rushed breakfast, so Elizabeth took a moment to address them. “I am aware that some of you had to awaken earlier than is your usual this morning, and that after a week of preparing rooms for us in the family wing, now your labours shall be doubled for you must do it again in the guest wing. Please accept my apologies for this. It appears that in the excitement of our wedding, some of our instructions to prepare the house went astray. There will be work crews arriving next week to install bathing chambers in the family wing and the servants’ quarters. The family will need to be moved out of the way for this. My sister, cousin, and daughter will arrive in two days, escorted by Colonel Fitzwilliam and the house must be ready. We are all going to be putting in a lot of work over the next week. It is my belief that with strict management of her care, Miss Darcy can be brought back to health, but the family and the staff must all work together. Does anyone have any questions?”
Hazel raised her hand. “She did not mean you, Hazel!” Mrs Reynolds snapped.
“Mrs Reynolds, I do believe Hazel does indeed fall under the specification of anyone. Hazel, what is your question?” Elizabeth said kindly.
“The servants are getting new bathing chambers? With pumps and drains and boilers and the like? And real modern chamber pots?”
“That is correct, Hazel. There will be bathing chambers with modern chamber pots on the men’s and women’s side of the servants’ quarters. There will also be two water closets downstairs for the servants’ use. One thing you shall notice is that in the hall outside each of the servants’ water closets will be a basin and water pump. Once they are ready to use, the new rule will be that every time a servant is seen leaving the water closet, they must also be seen washing their hands with soap immediately after. There will be no compromises on this rule. If anyone, and I do mean anyone, is seen breaking it, they will be immediately dismissed. I will be reviewing all of the staff’s uniforms and attire. Each of you will be provided with soap and everything you require to see to your personal hygiene. All of the staff must bathe regularly and turn themselves out well groomed and attired in order to maintain their place at Pemberley. I hold a high regard for cleanliness and personal grooming, and am very unforgiving when these rules are not followed, because they uphold not only the dignity but also the health of all who live and work here,” answered Elizabeth. “Now, it is not my intention to delay your morning meal. Please enjoy your breakfast, and I pray your labours are not too arduous today.”