Page 3 of Chivalry & Chauvinism (The Victorian Vagaries #2)
Elizabeth went into the kitchens and made a quick bowl of Pastina and Egg for Georgiana and headed upstairs. The footman William would follow shortly with breakfast on trays for Elizabeth, Darcy, and Lady Rose. Georgiana was just waking when Elizabeth entered her rooms. Elizabeth sat and poured them some tea as Mrs Hopkins and Maud assisted Miss Darcy to her dressing room to take care of her personal business. She returned just as Darcy entered the room.
Elizabeth thought Georgiana’s colour did not yet look much better, still very grey, and she was dreadfully weak and pale. Mrs Hopkins was able to get Georgiana to take a little less than half of the bowl of soup and a cup of heavily honeyed tea, before she could not manage any more, but Elizabeth was satisfied. The family chatted as the others ate their meal, and Elizabeth informed them that she spent much of the previous night looking through the meal journals. Try as she might, she could not find any indication that the instances of Georgiana’s recurring stomach ailments were caused by any one specific meal or ingredient.
“The one constant that Mrs Pottinger noted is that the problem seems only to happen when you take your meals in your rooms. She made a curious note that it never has happened when you dine in the dining room, although she does admit that you have not been well enough to dine downstairs often since you became ill. I think it would be best, Georgiana, if for now, you did not consume any meal that is not prepared by myself so that I may be certain of what you are eating. We simply must determine the cause of your troubles.”
Georgiana and Darcy agreed on the plan, and when they all finished their meals, Darcy carried his sister to her new suite in the guest wing. Mrs Hopkins and Maud assisted Georgiana into the dressing room so she could have a long hot soak in the bath, and finally wash her hair. Darcy had business to attend to with his steward, and Lady Rose withdrew to instruct her maid in the removal of her possessions to her temporary suite. A footman brought her some correspondence, and Elizabeth sat down to attend to it while Georgiana was in the bath.
When Georgiana returned from her bath she could barely keep her eyes open. The maids plaited her towel dried hair and assisted her to bed, and she fell asleep quickly. Lady Rose returned after a half hour and took Elizabeth’s place by the bed. Elizabeth explained that Georgiana’s care would mostly consist of nourishing meals and healthy, productive sleep over the next few days and that hopefully Georgiana would begin to build strength and stay awake for longer periods and resume more activity each day.
There were many maids and footmen in the hall, going to and from as they worked to open the rooms and move belongings when she left Georgiana’s apartment, but William was on duty in the hall outside the door. He led Elizabeth to Darcy’s study, where she again met Pemberley’s steward, Mr Ripley. He and Darcy concluded their business and Darcy greeted her warmly, grateful to have his beautiful wife visit him in his study. “What can I do for you, my dear?” he asked.
“I was hoping you would have time to give me a tour of the family wing. Mrs Reynolds is busy overseeing the opening of the rooms in the guest wing, and it would be good for you and I to agree to the renovations before they happen. I only have a week to make the plans before the workers arrive,” Elizabeth requested.
“It shall be my pleasure,” said Darcy. “I have been aching to get you alone since we arrived yesterday.”
“I am sad to disappoint you but you must ache a little longer, sir. There are servants everywhere, opening rooms and moving possessions. We do not wish to give anyone the wrong impression of their mistress so soon after my arrival,” Elizabeth teased, but Darcy knew she was correct. If a servant walked into a room and found them being intimate this early in their marriage, they would forever view Elizabeth as a wanton, and she would never have the respect of the staff. Eventually, the household would get to know her and settle in, but for a number of months the servants would be watching her every move until she earned their loyalty. Every misstep would be noted and remarked upon. Elizabeth must be seen to be above reproach in every way, as well as walk a thin line between sternness and compassion toward the staff and tenants. Any sign of weakness, cruelty, or immorality on her part this early in her marriage, and she could permanently lose the respect of all the staff.
Elizabeth procured some paper and a pencil from his desk, and they made their way upstairs to the family wing, and then eventually the guest wing. They ended up going over a great deal of the house. Elizabeth took many notes, which she would formulate into plans later that night while she sat with Georgiana. She still needed to see the servants’ quarters, but that could wait a few weeks, for the work crew had much to do already. Every apartment in the family wing would have a bathing chamber, most of which was the original dressing rooms.
Elizabeth explained that large wardrobes and vanity tables and mirrors would be moved into the suites as well as a portion of the dressing rooms would be made into closet space. Henceforth, the family would dress in their bedrooms. It would be worth it to have such luxurious bathing accommodations. There would be four bathing chambers in the guest wing, and four on the second floor guest wing above that was used but rarely. There would also be several water closets on the ground floor. Elizabeth was intrigued by several large, unfinished spaces at the back of the house on the ground floor, consisting of several enormously large, empty rooms in a quiet location of the house.
“What would you think of turning some of these rooms into large guest apartments, Will?” asked Elizabeth.
“I hardly think we need more guest rooms, Elizabeth,” Darcy laughed. “There are dozens upstairs.”
“I am thinking of more accessible rooms for older or infirm guests,” Elizabeth replied. “Apartments here, on the ground floor, so certain guests or relatives can get to them without climbing the stairs, that have wider doors, or French style doors, so a bath chair can be wheeled easily through. And the bathing chambers would also be specially designed for use by someone infirm or injured.”
“I never thought of that, but it is a good idea. It might even be easier for Georgiana to be on the ground floor of the house for now. Perhaps the new apartments might even persuade my grandmother from moving back to the dower house. You must go ahead and design them. Be sure to charge the expenses not related to the bathing chambers to the estate,” reminded Darcy.
“Is your grandmother planning to move? I hope she is not doing so on my account. I am very happy for her to remain, and I hope she will do so. Heaven knows, there will be enough of my relations here with us; yours must be welcome too.” Elizabeth said.
“She has spoken of it several times, and I believe part of the appeal is that the mistress’s suite at the dower house is on the ground floor. She complains quite a bit of the never-ending staircases at Pemberley, “ Darcy replied.
“We should install a lift at Pemberley as well someday. I am sure there is a location somewhere in the house that would be convenient,” Elizabeth said in return.
It was soon time for luncheon, and Darcy followed Elizabeth to the kitchens, shocking the staff as he watched her make Georgiana’s meal, and chatted easily with Mrs Pottinger, who was quick to offer a plate of his favourite biscuits. The servants marvelled at how happy and relaxed their usually reserved and stern master was with his new wife. They then made their way upstairs to Georgiana’s rooms, followed by two footmen, who conveyed the family’s meals upstairs.
Georgiana had just woken shortly before they came into the room and she was emerging from her dressing room, mostly carried between the two maids. Elizabeth had her placed in a comfortable chair in the sitting room. “Georgiana, I fear you will become dreadfully sick of this pastina and egg over the next few days. I plan to feed it to you three or even four times a day for the next few days, until I feel that your stomach has gained some strength. Then we will slowly begin adding variety to your diet.”
“I do not mind. This is terribly soothing to my digestion,” responded Georgiana. “I am willing to follow all of your instructions. I am keen to get well again, especially now that so much is happening at Pemberley. My brother tells me that your sister is very musically inclined, Lizzy. Does she play duets?”
The family ate, Darcy assisting his sister, and they discussed their morning with Georgiana and Lady Rose. Lady Rose was interested in the new suites Elizabeth planned for the ground floor. “There are a number of reasons why a family member or guest might be more comfortable avoiding the stairs when possible. I know that we both have a number of friends who would be much more happy to visit if they do not have an upstairs apartment. I believe I will design six such apartments, with bathing chambers and sitting rooms. There will still be much empty space left available downstairs for future projects and expansions.”
Darcy informed Georgiana that he was meeting with Mrs Bower immediately after luncheon, but that he would return when he finished, to take his turn sitting with her and would read to her if she wished. Georgiana expressed such joy at spending some time alone with her brother that Elizabeth smiled, knowing she had selected a most wonderful husband and that he would be loving and kind to all of his family. When they finished eating, Lady Rose excused herself to go to her new apartment and rest as she did each day after luncheon.
Elizabeth and Georgiana sat together and enjoyed one another’s company until Darcy returned. The ladies spoke of the new nursing academy, Elizabeth’s relatives that were visiting there, and her family who would arrive two days hence. Georgiana was excited to meet Mary and Diane in particular. There had not been a child at Pemberley since herself and she looked forward to the happy times the family would share with a young child in the house.
*****
Darcy eventually returned, and Elizabeth looked in on the rooms that were being prepared. The work was mostly completed. There were still a few maids seeing to small details, but the rooms were opened and dusted, the beds were made, rugs rolled out, and the windows had been opened to allow the rooms to air. Elizabeth went to her apartment and wrote a note to her aunt and sister, informing them that she had arrived in Derbyshire, and explaining Miss Darcy’s condition, asking if they could visit in four days, which would be two days after the rest of Elizabeth’s family arrived. They would of course bring the children, and Elizabeth would serve luncheon in the garden for her young cousins, if the weather was fair. She wrote another letter to the Mother Superior, telling her that she would like to have the sisters visit Pemberley for tea and to visit. She would wait to tour the school until her new sister could accompany her. Georgiana expressed such enthusiasm that Elizabeth could not bear to go without the girl.
She went downstairs and gave the notes to a footman to deliver, and a rider came with an express from Mr Banks. The party had left Hertfordshire and was travelling according to schedule. Elizabeth then found Mrs Reynolds and informed her about the invitation she had extended to her relatives and gave her a list of foods for Mrs Pottinger to prepare for the luncheon. She could have informed Mrs Pottinger herself while she was downstairs, but Elizabeth was making an effort to show Mrs Reynolds the respect she was entitled to. She then informed Mrs Reynolds that she had some time available, and they sat down in Mrs Reynolds’ office to have tea as the older woman began to familiarise Elizabeth with the many systems in place at Pemberley. The housekeeper was almost cordial as she explained her many methods of running the household. Elizabeth found it mostly efficient and effective and said so. They spent nearly an hour before they stopped so Elizabeth could make soup for Georgie and return upstairs.
Elizabeth returned to Georgiana’s rooms and Darcy was sitting and reading some papers quietly. They left Georgie with her maid for a few moments and went into the sitting room to talk for a while. “We talked for nearly an hour and then I read to her for a half hour before she fell asleep. She is very happy that you are here.”
“She will likely sleep a great deal the next few days as her body recovers its strength. We must keep waking her every few hours to eat and take some well honeyed tea whether she wants to or not, for nourishment is what will bring her strength back. Later, resuming activity and exercise will help build her strength as well,” said Elizabeth. She told Darcy about her time with Mrs Reynolds this afternoon and early that morning. “I must say, I found the entire scene with the nursery quite insulting and made sure she understood that. She was better this afternoon.”
“I simply cannot believe she has behaved in this way. I would never have expected it.” Darcy recounted his conversation with Mrs Bower that day. The woman had been indignant, insisting that she had no choice but to do everything she could for Miss Darcy when she took a turn. Darcy remarked, “We likely do not even need a companion for Georgiana any longer. She will have you, and also your cousin and sister.”
“Do not speak too soon. When we bring Mary out in London this season and later on Georgiana herself, we will need every pair of eyes in the ballrooms that we can get. And do not forget, Charlotte is still in mourning, and with child. It will be some time before she is able to help in that regard,” Elizabeth observed. They sat and talked near the door to Georgiana’s bedroom until a tap on the door signalled the arrival of their tea, which she ordered while she was in the kitchens. The cart held tea and sandwiches, as well as lovely cakes, scones, and clotted cream.
Lady Rose arrived, and Georgiana was woken. She was slightly irritable from being disturbed, but Elizabeth saw that as a good sign. She would rather have the girl eating and grumbling than sleeping. The rest of the night was similar to the day before. Elizabeth worked on the plans for the refreshing chambers while she sat up into the night with Georgiana.
The next day and night also passed much the same. Then finally the day came for Elizabeth’s family to arrive. Elizabeth missed her daughter terribly, and could not wait to have her family with her again. Unfortunately, the morning did not go well at all. Elizabeth and Darcy had left Georgiana alone with her maids to refresh herself after sleeping well throughout the night. Elizabeth sent up the pastina and egg with a footman so Georgiana could begin eating with the help of her maid. She spent another ten minutes in the kitchen speaking to Mrs Pottinger regarding the meal plans for that evening, and then returned to Georgiana’s rooms to take her breakfast with the family.
She met Darcy in the hall, and they heard voices coming from Georgiana’s bedroom as they entered the sitting room. “What is this! Slop I tell you, they’re feeding you slop! All you need is the good broth from Mrs Pottinger, you cannot eat this slop!” Mrs Bower’s voice faded away as she went into the dressing room.
“Please bring it back! I ate it four times yesterday and did not become ill at all!” cried Georgiana weakly. Darcy made as if to enter the room in outrage but Elizabeth stilled him with her hand and continued to listen.
“Miss Darcy, I have told you many times, your brother’s heart is in the right place, but he knows nothing about nursing! You must follow Mr Wilkes’ orders if you are to get well! I do not like your looks, you ought to be bled again, but apparently the new mistress considers herself a physician” Mrs Bower said, her voice getting louder as she returned to the room.
They listened to Mrs Bower rant and rave for a few more minutes of the poor care that was going to be the death of her poor young mistress, and Elizabeth motioned to Darcy and entered the room ahead of him.
“Mrs Bower, did not Mr Darcy explicitly inform you that if you were to ignore our instructions again for any reason, that you would be dismissed?” Elizabeth asked as they entered to see Mrs Bower’s shocked expression.
“Where are Hopkins and Maud, Georgiana?” asked Darcy gently.
“Mrs Bower sent them away,” Georgiana replied, looking guilty.
“Do not feel guilty for getting Mrs Bower into trouble, Georgie. She has been given very specific instructions and if she has not followed them repeatedly, she has only herself to blame. Mrs Bower, you have been told that your position is to chaperone Miss Darcy when she is away from the house or not in the company of her family. You have also been instructed that since you are not a nurse, that you would play no further part in Miss Darcy’s recovery and you were off duty with pay until Mr Darcy or I inform you otherwise. Likewise, you were told that the maids assigned to her will assist in all of her personal needs. What do you mean by such blatant disregard for Mr Darcy’s instructions?”
“I have a duty to my young mistress, ma’am. I cannot allow her to go uncared for,” said Mrs Bower rigidly.
“Mrs Bower, while I appreciate your dedication to your principles, we simply cannot entrust the safety of Miss Darcy to someone we cannot trust to follow our instructions. You are dismissed, madam, and since we cannot recommend a servant who will not obey, and that we cannot trust, you must go without a reference,” said Elizabeth sternly.
“You cannot do that! I have served Miss Darcy for nearly a year!” gasped Mrs Bower.
Darcy spoke, “Mrs Bower, please understand that we are not attempting to be cruel, but Mrs Darcy is correct. I could never recommend someone whom I cannot trust with my sister’s health and safety to take care of someone else’s sister or daughters.”
Elizabeth opened the door and spoke to the footman in the hall. “Timothy, please escort Mrs Bower upstairs and remain with her while she packs her belongings. Then conduct her to Mrs Reynolds’ office and see to a cart to take her to the inn at Lambton.” She then rang for another servant as Mrs Bower followed Timothy from the room.
Several minutes later, Hopkins entered, with Maud following behind. “Maud, could you please ask Mrs Reynolds to come here immediately, and to send another footman to take Timothy’s place in the hall,” asked Darcy.
Georgiana tearfully told Hopkins of the scene, while Elizabeth and Darcy stepped into the sitting room to explain the situation to Mrs Reynolds, and instruct her regarding Mrs Bower’s severance pay. Elizabeth was unhappy with the servant, and did not trust her, but she would throw out no one into the streets. Mrs Bower would receive six months pay in addition to whatever she was owed. Pemberley would pay her bill at the inn at Lambton for up to two nights, and would provide mail coach fare to the destination specified by Mrs Bower.
When Lady Rose entered, they explained the scenario again before returning to Georgiana’s bedroom for breakfast. When Elizabeth entered, Georgiana was sitting up in bed and feeding herself. “I wondered what she did with your meal. You are looking much better today, Georgiana.”
“I am feeling stronger today, Lizzy. I would like to put on a real gown this morning, nothing special, perhaps a loose and comfortable muslin, so I am dressed to greet your family,” replied Georgiana. Elizabeth had no objection, if Georgiana was feeling well enough.
“The tray was just on the shelf in the dressing room, ma’am,” said Hopkins.
The family talked and ate, and Elizabeth and Darcy rose to go take care of some business. As they left through the sitting room, Hopkins cried out, “Oh! Miss Darcy, it will be alright! Mrs Darcy! Please come help!” Elizabeth and Darcy ran back into the room to find Georgiana purging violently as Maud ran to her with a basin, and Hopkins and Lady Rose attempted to support her.
Elizabeth took Lady Rose’s place and rubbed Georgie’s back. “All right Georgie, do not be frightened, it will be alright.”
“I am sorry!” Georgiana sobbed in between heaving into the basin “I thought the soup tasted different, but I did not wish to be impolite!”
Elizabeth held the girl’s hair back as she looked at Darcy. “That woman must have put something in the soup in case she did not throw it away in time and Georgie ate it. Darcy, where did you find this woman? Who was her previous employer?”
Darcy’s face drained of colour. “She worked for a family here in Derbyshire for a number of years. She came to us when their daughter died after a long illness. Mrs Bower was with her for many years.”
Elizabeth sprang from the bed, and she and Darcy made all haste for the door. They raced across the house to Mrs Reynolds’ office, where she was just paying Mrs Bower. “Will, please ask Mrs Pottinger to step in and close the door,” When the cook joined them and Darcy placed himself in front of the door wearing a forbidding expression, Elizabeth spoke, “Mrs Reynolds, please forgive me, but I must ask you to search Mrs Bower’s person. Mrs Pottinger, I must ask you to bear witness.”
“I beg your pardon!” exclaimed Mrs Bower.
“Mrs Reynolds, that is an order,” said Darcy forbiddingly as he opened the woman’s trunk and began rummaging inside. Mrs Reynolds began searching Mrs Bower’s skirt pockets and said, “Here is a small bottle. A tonic or some such thing, looks like.”
“And there are six more here, four of which are empty,” said Darcy darkly.
Elizabeth took the bottle from Mrs Reynolds and smelled and tasted the contents with the tip of her finger. “Ipecac,” she declared.
“The purging tonic?” asked Darcy.
“It can also be used as an expectorant. Yes, it seems Mrs Bower has been purposely keeping her charges sick,” said Elizabeth. “Mrs Bower, do you have anything to say?”
“You rich folk are all the same. Taking on a companion for a year or two and then throwing us out again when we’re no longer needed. What is a woman to do, how is she to earn a proper living, or comfortably retire?” answered Mrs Bower indignantly.
Mrs Reynolds and Mrs Pottinger gasped in shock and horror. Mrs Pottinger was outraged that her dishes, prepared with such care for the beloved Miss Darcy, had been tampered with without her knowledge. Darcy looked like he might assault the woman, so Elizabeth stepped in.
“Mr Darcy, please find two of your most trusted footmen to stand watch over Mrs Bower and also send someone for the magistrate. I can only imagine an investigation will be opened into the death of her previous charge. We must hope the magistrate takes charge of her before the colonel arrives, or I cannot vouch for her safety. I must return to Miss Darcy immediately. Mr Darcy, you must manage here while I go back upstairs.”
“Is there anything we can send up for Miss Darcy’s comfort?” asked Mrs Pottinger.
“Thank you Mrs Pottinger, but I believe Miss Darcy’s stomach will be very sensitive for several hours, at least,” responded Elizabeth. “She might be able to hold down some tea in two or three hours, and perhaps a ginger biscuit or two or some broth at tea time. She may not eat very much at all today.”