Page 4 of Chivalry & Chauvinism (The Victorian Vagaries #2)

Elizabeth returned upstairs to find that Georgiana had finished being ill and was cleaned up and changed into a fresh nightgown. She was sitting up on the daybed in the sitting room while her bed linens were changed. “How are you feeling, dearest?” Elizabeth asked, taking the girl’s hands in her own.

“I feel very weak and ill,” said the girl miserably.

“You will likely feel that way most of today, Georgie, and it may take a day or two to regain what little strength we have achieved these two days, but we have sorted out what was wrong and you shall get well again, and quickly now,” said Elizabeth. “You are not ill. Mrs Bower took exception to rich people who hire companions for a year or two and then dismiss them when young ladies marry, so her objective was to keep you ill for many years so she could remain in your service. But we know what she was putting in your food, and I believe it has not been happening long enough to cause you permanent harm, as long as you are diligent in your recovery.”

“How could she wish to harm me? I could never make another person ill!” cried Georgiana in distress. Elizabeth recommended that she take some rest and calm her nerves. The girl had difficulty calming herself and cried herself to sleep in Elizabeth’s arms. Lady Rose encouraged Elizabeth to let her take over and sit with the girl, for she knew that Elizabeth would be busy preparing for her family’s arrival.

Elizabeth checked the rooms and all was in readiness. There were fresh flowers in the rooms and outriders were sent to watch for the travelling party. She went back downstairs to see what was happening with Mrs Bower. The magistrate took a statement from each witness and would have the local apothecary confirm that the tonic was indeed ipecac. Mrs Bower was removed from the house in irons. “I expect someone will need to go speak to Mr and Mrs Pellham. Not a nice subject, I am not looking forward to it.”

“Darling, perhaps you should go tomorrow morning. Let them not be blindsided by such news by the magistrate without warning,” Elizabeth urged.

“I shall send them a note for Pellham to expect me tomorrow morning,” answered Darcy. “It is the kind thing to do.”

“I will wait to call on them until the day after then, give them some time to regain their composure after such news,” said the magistrate as he left. “It was an honour to make your acquaintance Mrs Darcy, although I am sorry it is due to such circumstances and I hope Miss Darcy gets well quickly. Congratulations upon your marriage.”

Once the magistrate left them, Elizabeth could see the stress and worry in Darcy’s brow. “Do not worry, she will get well now,” she said.

“But I should have known something was not right. This is the second time I have chosen an unacceptable companion.” Darcy had already shared with Elizabeth the story of Wickham and the previous companion’s treachery in Ramsgate.

“But it cannot be your fault! This woman served a family well known to you for several years, and presented a dedicated and trustworthy, although false character. There was no way anyone could have known she was hiding such an evil disposition,” Elizabeth comforted him.

Elizabeth led Darcy upstairs to their apartment and locked the door. It was days since they had been alone together. It would get easier when their family arrived later that day. The last few days had been long, and they had not shared a bed since they were travelling. They shut out the household and the world for a short time, shedding their clothes, and finding comfort in each other’s embrace.

They emerged two hours later, spirits lifted slightly and looking forward to welcoming their family. They looked in on Georgiana, who had slept and was now awake and taking some tea with honey.

Georgiana managed a few sips of tea well, and Elizabeth said she could try a few more and a bit of egg drop broth at tea time if she felt well enough. As was usual for Georgie, she fell asleep quickly after luncheon, even after only drinking tea. The morning had sapped much of her strength, but Elizabeth was sure now that they had found the cause and were no longer complicating the matter with bleedings, that Georgie would recover quickly.

*****

The staff informed them later that the carriages were approaching. Elizabeth and Darcy welcomed their family home, and Elizabeth was overjoyed to have Diane with her again. Beau ran around the great hall in circles, barking with joy. Darcy took Richard immediately into the study with a dark expression upon his handsome face. Elizabeth hoped he would not be too hard on himself regarding Mrs Bower.

Elizabeth sent the nurse upstairs to begin arranging Diane’s possessions in the temporary nursery, and she took Diane and Beau into the drawing room with Mary and Charlotte as they took refreshment. She did not notice Sarah Smith whispering animatedly to Mr Banks as he came into the hall. As she served tea, she quietly told them the appalling account of the last few days. Charlotte and Mary were scandalised and outraged. They both vowed to assist Miss Darcy in any way they could in her recovery. Elizabeth sent a message to Georgiana’s apartment, asking to be notified when she awoke and was ready for visitors.

Darcy and Richard returned, with dark expressions over their countenances. Elizabeth poured tea for them and they helped themselves from the selection of sandwiches and cakes Elizabeth had provided. They talked of the events of the morning for a quarter hour after which Elizabeth rang for Mrs Reynolds, and they began leading everyone upstairs to their apartments. Each of the family had a lovely suite, with a sitting room and spacious dressing room. Mrs Reynolds, unused to small children or dogs at Pemberley in recent years, looked very disapproving as Elizabeth led her child and dog up the stairs.

Darcy followed Elizabeth into the temporary nursery, smiling. “It has been too many years since there were children at Pemberley. I have been looking forward to Diane’s arrival. She will bring new life into the house.”

“I have missed her dreadfully, and I worry about her routine. I will be very busy for the next several weeks, I am certain. There will not be as much time to spend with her as we are used to for a while,” Elizabeth worried.

“I will endeavour to ensure that you still have your mornings and Sundays together. It should be easier for all of us, now that Richard and your family are here. I know Richard will spend much time with Georgie, and she is looking forward to getting to know Mary and Charlotte as well. She wants very badly to be friends with them,” reassured Darcy.

“And she certainly will be, for they are both looking forward to the same,” said Elizabeth. “Speaking of spending time with Georgie, I did not have time today to tell you I have changed the dining arrangements. It has been good for Georgie to have us join her in her apartment for meals when there were just the four of us, with your grandmother. Now, with three more adults and a child, her rooms would be too crowded and she would be overwhelmed. So I have reinstated meals in the dining room. We shall take turns dining with Georgie, perhaps two or three of us at a time, which will make it easier for her to converse and get to know Mary and Charlotte. But I thought that since tonight was Richard’s first night here, perhaps Georgiana would like to dine and visit just with her two guardians, since it has been some time since you have all spent time together and I know you are all very close.”

“Georgiana would love that I am sure,” replied Darcy. “She dearly loves Richard. You are correct, it has been some time since we were all together. It was thoughtful of you to think of it.”

“Nonsense. She shall meet everyone before dinner. In any case, we shall visit her and introduce Mary and Charlotte when she wakes and is ready to receive visitors. And it will give me more opportunity at dinner to speak with Mary and Charlotte and help them become acquainted with your grandmother,” said Elizabeth.

“Do you know, it just occurred to me that we still have not shared our news from The Queen,” smiled Darcy.

Elizabeth laughed, “Leave it to us, such momentous news, and we forget it entirely. I wish she would let us forgo it, but I know she will not. I am only grateful she did not insist on an estate, and only made you Earl Darcy. I know we shall be happy here, and I do not wish to worry about some giant estate at the other end of the country.”

“Was that a possibility?” Darcy asked in horror.

“There was apparently a marquessate available with a massive pile in some ghastly place. I hope you do not mind that I begged her not to confer it upon you,” Elizabeth admitted.

“My love, I am all gratitude! I cannot think of anything worse than being a duke or a marquess. I do not even wish to show my face in London when the earldom is announced,” said Darcy. “Indeed, I am so grateful, I shall concede to you our battle regarding our London houses.”

This was a triumph indeed. Elizabeth and Darcy were debating during the journey north on which of their London houses they would use while in town. While it seemed obvious to Darcy that Elizabeth’s family would come to Darcy House, Elizabeth pointed out that Astley House was much larger, much more modern and comfortably appointed, and located at a much better address, while also giving the convenience of being but a few houses away from all of her dearest friends.

Darcy argued that the house should go to Diane, and that they had no right to change the name, though he was uncomfortable living in a house named for Elizabeth’s late husband. Elizabeth rebutted that it would likely eventually have been renamed anyway, considering that Diane was a girl and would marry and change her name eventually. She insisted that Sir Christopher left Windmere for Diane, and that Astley House and Netherfield were Elizabeth’s to do with as she pleased, although it was only right that Diane or her heirs receive the house upon Elizabeth’s death.

Indeed, Elizabeth bought and paid for the cost of the house herself when she became successful in investing, little more than a year after her marriage to Sir Christopher. The original Astley townhouse was sold. Elizabeth and Darcy agreed that they would change the name, but agreed that it could not be named Darcy House, since there already was one. They would agree upon a new name later. Elizabeth was very happy with her triumph. Their plan was to use Elizabeth’s London house for their lifetime. When their oldest son was married, Darcy House would become his town residence, thereby returning the Darcys to Darcy House for future generations, and Diane would inherit Astley House upon Elizabeth’s death.

The existing Darcy House would keep its name. Elizabeth had fought hard for Darcy to agree to allow her to pay for the plumbing renovations to the place, and Darcy was considering offering it to Richard once he married, to use until the Darcy’s progeny took it over. Anne wished to keep de Bourgh House for her own use when in town later on. Darcy did not like the idea of leasing his family home for he had no need of the funds, and his cousin would benefit from a fashionable house in town once he wed.

“Yet show our face we shall, in the spring when Mary makes her debut,” said Elizabeth. “My aunt is to visit with Kitty and the children the day after tomorrow for our little garden party. I believe Georgiana may be well enough by the day after tomorrow to be carried downstairs for an hour or two. Why do not we plan to assemble the entire household in the great hall, and make the announcement then?” Darcy agreed, and the plan was approved by both as they parted to see to their duties to their guests.

That evening, Elizabeth looked in on the nursery, as was her habit before dinner. She was prepared to tuck Diane in. She was not, however, prepared to find the small girl sobbing into her pillow. “Whatever is wrong?” Elizabeth asked the nurse sharply.

“The housekeeper put the dog in the stables, ma’am,” the nurse said sourly.

Elizabeth had not immediately noticed the dog was missing, and was instantly filled with anger. How dare the housekeeper do such a thing without consulting her or Darcy? She comforted Diane for a moment, then went downstairs quickly, and slipped out a back door and went to the stables. She could hear Beau crying pitifully.

She entered and found the spaniel jumping up and down in a stall frantically. “Mrs Reynolds said to put the dog up in here, Mrs Darcy, since the master does not keep a kennel. He doesn’t appear to be a hunter though, ma’am,” spoke the stablemaster from behind her as she comforted the dog.

“He is certainly not. He is a nursery pet, and not meant to be housed outdoors. He belongs upstairs with my daughter. I will admit I am fiercely protective of him. If you see anyone who seems to be taking him anywhere they ought not, please intervene and send for me immediately… Mr?”

“Crofton, ma’am. I shall certainly bear that in mind, and inform the outdoor staff.”

“I appreciate that, Mr Crofton. I thank you, sir.” Elizabeth herded the dog back into the house through the kitchens and inquired of the cook if she knew whether the dog had been fed.

The cook answered in the negative as Mrs Reynolds entered the kitchens and shouted, “What is that dog doing back in here? Get it back to the stables. Now , if you please!”

“Mrs Reynolds! Your office, immediately!” said Elizabeth forcefully from the other side of the kitchen, where she had not yet been observed. “Make sure Beau gets properly fed and returned to Miss Astley as quickly as possible,” she instructed Sarah, who came in from the servants’ hall after hearing the raised voices.

She followed Mrs Reynolds into her office, and the housekeeper immediately began to lecture her. “Mrs Darcy, animals do not belong in a house like Pemb–”

“Mrs Reynolds, you are one shenanigan shy of sleeping in the stables yourself!” snapped Elizabeth angrily. “Let me be perfectly clear. I wished this would not be necessary, but it appears that I must. My child has her own staff, and the dog is under the care of the nurse. Do not interfere with my child, my dog, or my relatives in any way without discussing it with me first, or you will answer to me, and I will be more severe than you can possibly imagine. Have I made myself perfectly clear ?”

“Mrs Darcy, I-”

“There are only two words I wish to hear right now, Mrs Reynolds, a yes, or a no. Have I made myself perfectly clear ?” Elizabeth ground out.

“Yes, Mrs Darcy.”

“Good.” Elizabeth snapped and stalked out of the room. She made her way back upstairs, still shaking with outrage. She spent ten minutes in the nursery comforting Diane, promising her that Beau had been rescued, was safe with Sarah, and would return when he finished his dinner.

*****

She joined the ladies in the drawing room and apologised for her lateness, but the ladies were not concerned, and were discussing Georgiana. Mary and Charlotte had met Elizabeth’s new sister briefly, and each promised to take their turns sitting with her. The ladies made their way into the small family dining room.

“I would have preferred the entire family to be together for my first dinner in the dining room here at Pemberley, but we do not wish to overwhelm Georgiana. I am sure she will greatly enjoy dining with Will and Richard tonight. When Georgiana is ready to dine downstairs, I think we shall plan a celebratory family dinner.” Georgie had tolerated the broth well at tea time, so Elizabeth had made her another bowl.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam has insisted on sitting up with her tonight, to give you all a rest. I have promised to sit with her until midnight, when he will take over. She and I discussed poetry, and she directed me to a book in the library, which I shall read to her tonight until she is ready to sleep,” said Mary.

“That is kind of you, Mary, but do not be surprised if she falls asleep quickly. It will take some time to rebuild her strength,” Elizabeth replied. “I do not believe it will be necessary for us to sit with her at night for too much longer. A night or two, perhaps? It will take some months for Miss Darcy’s strength to return completely, but within a day or so, I believe she will be fine with just her maids sleeping in her dressing room in case she needs any help. There should be no expectation of a recurrence of her illness now that Mrs Bower has left us. Miss Darcy will soon need a great variety of foods to help build her back up. I am only feeding her lightly for a few days until I am sure her stomach is stronger, and can manage at least light, bland fare. Lady Rose, what sort of foods does Miss Darcy usually prefer? I hope she likes beef, for she will be eating a great deal of it soon.”

Lady Rose said that Miss Darcy did indeed enjoy beef, and recited a number of the girl’s favourite foods. Elizabeth had instructed Mrs Pottinger this morning to prepare a hearty chicken soup with vegetables and greens for Georgiana’s dinner the next day and a hearty beef and vegetable stew for her dinner the day after. Now that the source of Georgie’s malady had been identified, Elizabeth would still prepare some of her meals, but the urgency to be so strict with the preparation of every meal had passed. She had spent enough time in the kitchens already to know that Mrs Pottinger’s kitchen practices were sanitary and healthy and she trusted her with Georgiana’s health. After the poor woman’s shock of her meals being poisoned, Elizabeth felt it was appropriate to demonstrate her confidence in the cook, because Elizabeth liked her a great deal.

The ladies went to the music room after dinner and Richard joined them shortly after. He bent down and whispered, “Darcy is meeting with Mrs Reynolds in his study; he wishes you to join them.”

Elizabeth raised her eyes to the heavens as she excused herself from the group. She went to the study and greeted her husband. “How is Georgiana, dear?”

“She is well, and we all enjoyed each other’s company immensely. She asks that we wait a half hour before sending Mary upstairs, for she is preparing for bed. I have been speaking with Mrs Reynolds and I am certain there must be a misunderstanding. Mrs Reynolds believes that you do not wish her to manage your servants, and that you would prefer to keep your own staff separate from Pemberley’s,” Darcy said, rubbing his forehead and looking weary.

“First, and I cannot make this clear enough, I sincerely hope this will be the last time I am summoned to the rug to account to my husband and housekeeper for my decisions, because I will not respond to any such demands in the future. Second, I said nothing of the kind. Mrs Reynolds is welcome to coordinate the activities of my staff, once we have settled in and she understands my ways. But she will not now, nor ever, manage my child, my animals, or my relatives. If she cannot consult me before making changes to their care or housing, then I must insist she refrain from interfering with them entirely. After finding that she took Beau from the nursery and locked him in the stables for the night without even bothering to feed the animal, what am I to expect next? I assure you that if I find my child has been moved to the attics, or my relatives relegated to the servants’ quarters, there will be consequences, sir.”

“Indeed, and given everything we have experienced with my staff since your arrival, I do not believe that you have been unreasonable to feel this way. Mrs Reynolds, why would you remove the dog to the stables?” Darcy asked.

“We’ve never kept pets indoors at Pemberley, sir. And it is not my place to feed the dog.”

“That is not true,” Darcy objected. “For my own mother kept her beloved spaniel in the house, and my father never objected. It was not your place to remove the dog, since it is not your dog, nor is this your house. You removed the dog from the care of the staff responsible for it. So yes, that would make the dog’s feeding and welfare your responsibility.”

“I still think that with all of Mrs Darcy’s strange methods, that it would be better to keep her staff separate from ours. Her people are filling the maids' heads with the most outlandish ideas.” Mrs Reynolds insisted.

“Mrs Reynolds, we will not be running two separate households at Pemberley just so you might continue your way undisturbed.” Elizabeth did her very best not to laugh. “I intend for Pemberley to be ahead of its time, but that is rather unheard of, even for me.”

“Mrs Reynolds, there is no hers and ours . All of the staff answers to Mrs Darcy, through you. You will follow all of her instructions to the letter. You must accept, Mrs Reynolds, that this is now Mrs Darcy’s house. She will welcome any animals or people that she desires, and if you have questions or concerns you must address them with her before you take any actions, is that understood?”

“But sir, she is making so many changes! She has even ordered the small library to be completely redecorated as her own study! Right next to yours, as if she was the master! That was the late master’s favourite room!” Mrs Reynolds objected strenuously.

“Mrs Reynolds, how can I make it any more clear to you! This is Mrs Darcy’s house! She has just as much right to an office as I do, and she will make as many changes to Pemberley as she desires.”

"But sir, the mistress's study ought to be at the back of the house, not right next to the master's! Mrs Darcy is presumptuous in the extreme!"

“Mrs Reynolds, unless Mrs Darcy is dragging Pemberley’s prized bull into the drawing room or setting the library afire, you are not to object or interfere in any way!” Darcy thundered ominously.

Mrs Reynolds, sensing that her master had lost his patience entirely, and having never in her life seen him do so before, curtsied and said in a bit of shock, “I beg your pardon, Mrs Darcy, Mr Darcy.” He had never once raised his voice to her before. This was just more proof to Mrs Reynolds that the influence of this new Mrs Darcy could not be good for Pemberley.

“Thank you Mrs Reynolds. Please leave us,” said Darcy, sounding resigned. Mrs Reynolds curtsied again and left the room.

“What are we to do about her?” said Darcy.

“I am still hoping she will come around. She is loyal to Pemberley, and the old ways. Let us hope that she will eventually see that the changes are all for the good of Pemberley, and that she was silly to object to a harmless dog,” said Elizabeth.

“You have yet to even change very much. An office and some water closets. A proper nursery for your child. It is the absolute very least any new mistress might expect, let alone a new bride at an estate of such privilege as Pemberley. It seems silly of her to be so difficult about it. A lady like Miss Bingley would have immediately begun to decorate the entire house from top to bottom in the Egyptian style, or something equally ghastly. Perhaps we should encourage Mrs Reynolds to retire,” mused Darcy. “Did you truly threaten to make her sleep in the stables?”

“Mrs Reynolds seems to have a tendency to take a person’s words out of order. She was attempting to lecture me about the dog and in my frustration, I snapped that she was one shenanigan shy of sleeping in the stables herself. I should not have lost my temper,” Elizabeth said.

“I am quite amazed that you have not lost your composure many times over, as I know this has been one of the most trying periods I have endured since I became master. It has been intensely difficult not to have lost my temper myself, several times. I never dreamed Mrs Reynolds would ever test my patience in such a way,” reassured Darcy.

“Should I select another room for my study? I purposely avoided Lady Anne’s office, for I did not wish to be insensitive, but I did not know it was your father’s favourite room.. I thought it would be nice for us to work close by one another. I admit the adjoining door to your study was part of what I liked about it, and there is a small reading nook in that room which will be a convenient play space for Diane, but Mrs Reynolds is correct, there is no shortage of unused parlours and sitting rooms in the back of the house that can be refurnished. Will Georgiana mind?” Elizabeth worried.

“Indeed not, I do not believe Georgiana is even aware that it was the last room my mother did over, and indeed, I had forgotten myself. It was kind of you, and shows your respect to have been so considerate as to leave our mother’s office untouched, but this house is our home, and not a shrine to my mother. There are many elegant and graceful marks she left upon this house, and my father had many favourite places, and we shall treasure them, but you must be allowed to make your mark as well. My mother would have been the first to agree, and encourage you to redecorate wherever you chuse. I quite like the idea of us working close by each other as well. We can open the doors between our offices when we are working alone, and it will be quite charming and comfortable. This is our home and our life, darling. It is not for others to decide how much time is appropriate for us to spend together, or what we do with the rooms in our house,” Darcy said as they made their way to rejoin the others.

They joined the party in the music room, although they did not remain above a half hour. Charlotte was tired from travelling. She and Lady Rose both excused themselves. Mary went to the library to locate the book of poetry and then to her rooms to change into a dressing gown and sit with Georgiana until midnight. Georgiana’s maids would be sleeping in her dressing room and there would be a footman outside her door in case anything was needed in the night. When Mary left Georgiana’s chamber, the footman would wait for Mary to enter her rooms, then go to Richard’s room and wake him for his turn. Lady Rose always rose much earlier than she wished to, and would relieve Richard in the early hours.

Elizabeth and Darcy looked in on the nursery as they headed to their apartment. “I must admit I am quite chuffed to be a father so suddenly. I am looking forward to spending time with her,” Darcy said as they watched Diane sleeping with her arm curled around Beau.

“They do not usually sleep like that. I am certain it will be impossible to persuade Diane to let Beau out of her sight for weeks now,” Elizabeth said as she tucked the girl in and caressed the dog’s head. Beau’s tail thumped heavily and the dog sighed loudly. Elizabeth and Darcy, amused, took this as a sign that they were disturbing the peace of the nursery, and left the room. Finally, for the first time since arriving at Pemberley, they retired to their apartments together for the night.