Page 56 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)

T he snow fell softly onto the frozen gardens at Pemberley. Darcy stood by the library window watching the mesmerising view, and shivered. The end of the year was nigh, and he was aware of the change in his thoughts and mood from the same day of eighteen ten.

Eighteen eleven had been a difficult year for the Darcys; not the first season, that had passed much as usual in the quiet routine of Pemberley and town.

It was the summer that had first changed Darcy’s world for ever. Ramsgate. He could never think of that town without abhorrence at what had so nearly happened there.

At least leaving Wickham to Richard meant that he had been encouraged to seek a new life in the Americas, — with Mrs. Younge accompanying him.

But what if he had not called there a few days early? He shuddered. But he had been in time, he must remember that.

Georgiana was here with him at Pemberley this season. She seems content and a little more confident. Aunt has been good for her. She is still quieter than she used to be. Miss Elizabeth would be good for her.

Darcy shook away the thought. That was the other part of this year that had so discombobulated him.

Why had he been so overwhelmed by meeting a country miss of no importance? She intrigued him, had puzzling connections, and varied accounts of her fortune. He was remarkably confounded by Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and his reaction to her. He shook his head. How can she possibly not intend to marry?

Is that what had attracted him, that she did not treat him as a possible husband, did not make any attempt to pursue him?

But she was not suitable, whatever his aunt and Richard implied. Darcy might not agree with his uncle in the way he would choose a wife, but he would not wish the disapprobation of society to harm Miss Elizabeth.

He walked away from the window. Such introspection would cost him sleep. Georgiana had already retired, and Darcy should follow, allowing Mr. Maunder to do his job, and then retire, on this Christmas Day.

Tomorrow was an early start; he and Georgiana would deliver the boxes to the tenants, always a cheerful task. And before that, give the gifts to the servants before they took their day of liberty. He enjoyed the routine, and the settled high points of the year.

If Miss Elizabeth became Mrs. Darcy, she would probably completely upend his life. He had been content before meeting her, certainly he could be again.

He and Georgiana bundled up warmly, and the cart, piled high with the boxes for the tenants, was followed by the sleigh, which was loaded with hot bricks for their feet. They were both smiling, despite the cold.

The Jenkins cottage was first, and he climbed down and turned to assist Georgiana.

Mr. Reed jumped down from the cart, and lifted a large box from the cart.

The family spilled from the cottage and the children jumped around them with excitement.

Georgiana bent to speak to them, and they responded shyly.

Darcy nodded at Mrs. Jenkins’ curtsy and addressed her husband. “We wish you all a Happy Christmas and New Year, Jenkins. Is all well?”

The man touched his cap. “Aye, sir. Me and the missus thank you for all you have done for us this year. I couldna wish for a better master.”

His eyes went to his children, who were clustered round the open box with shrill cries of excitement that they could not contain at the sight of the food and preserves, folded garments sewn by the staff, and a small toy each.

A few moments later, they were on their way to the cottage where the Beggs family lived, where the scene was repeated. Mrs. Beggs struggled under the weight of her five-year-old daughter on her hip, who was looking on with wonder at the box which was surrounded by her siblings.

Darcy touched the child’s head. “And how are you, young Lucy? How is your walking coming along?”

“She is balancing a bit better now, sir,” her mother said. “She can stand up and hold onto the table. And Mr. Reed has been very good. He has made her a crutch that she can use even with her poorly arm. We hope she will walk a little with it soon.”

“I am glad of it,” Darcy said gravely. When they had discovered the child had a wasted arm and leg, he had built a small room on the side of the cottage, so the child could sleep there and not have to be carried up and downstairs by her mother.

“I am grateful for your care of us, sir,” Mr. Beggs added. “Not many masters would’ve done what you have.”

“Then they ought to do so. It is our duty to provide all we can so you may have a decent life on your land.” Darcy wondered that he sounded so pompous; Miss Elizabeth would laugh at him, he thought.

He must not think of her! He turned to Georgiana. “Shall we move on, my dear?” They had many tenants to visit, this was the one day in the year when all must be visited on the same day, and darkness fell so early in winter.

Miss Elizabeth and her sister were kind and conscientious ladies; he was sure they provided for the tenants at Longbourn, no matter that it was their mother’s duty.

Darcy was hard at work the next morning, dealing with a large post, when there was a knock at the door. “Enter.”

The butler carefully opened the door. “Mr. Reed has called, sir. Do you wish him to wait in the estate office?”

Darcy straightened in his chair and stretched. “Not this morning, thank you. Please show him in and send for coffee, please.”

He rose to his feet, and crossed to the two chairs by the fire. It was the festive season after all, and he had two days before they must examine the ledgers for the end of year tallying.

Mr. Reed bowed from the doorway. “Mr. Darcy.”

Darcy nodded him to the nearest chair. “Thank you, Mr. Reed. We will have to examine the ledgers soon enough, we can discuss matters in here this morning.”

Reed smiled at the pile of correspondence on the desk. “I will endeavour not to keep you from the post too long, sir.” He waited until Darcy had taken his seat before sitting down himself.

“Were you able to take time for your family, Mr. Reed, without getting called to too many domestic disputes?”

“It was very peaceful for the time of year, sir. And, talking of family, my nephew was up from town for the holiday. You know, I think, that he is employed to search out unique items and materials for making them, and he had interested his employer in the dark doeskins?”

Miss Elizabeth’s uncle was in that sort of trade. Darcy pushed the thought away. “I remember.”

He frowned slightly. “I also recall we had great difficulty in interesting anyone else in the skins. If he has offered a very low price, it may not be worthwhile paying the tanner.”

Reed nodded. “It may have been helpful that he is my nephew, or they may routinely offer a good price. They were in fact, very impressed with the quality of the tanning, and have requested that I speak to the tanner and ask if he is able to do bespoke and complex designs on the leather once the products are made up for further payment. Nephew is also authorised to commission exclusivity on the skins and if that can be offered, then the price per skin will be improved on.”

“How much?” Darcy was a little suspicious. “And will we be left with a barn full of skins that have neither been collected or paid for, but that we cannot sell even at cost?”

Mr. Reed unfolded a sheet of paper and consulted it.

“The price of an ordinary dressed doeskin is around three shillings and fourpence currently, for fully-tanned skins like our samples were, three and six, up to four shillings for the larger ones. As we have discovered, the darker ones don’t sell so well as that, but this year, the buyer will top that by threepence per skin, and may negotiate next year up to an extra shilling if the trade takes off as he thinks it will.

“The buyer will make payment upfront, sir, and, while they would prefer storage with us until delivery can be scheduled, they are willing to take all the skins as soon as they are tanned.”

Darcy’s eyebrows went up. “So what do they want in return?”

“As I said, exclusivity. The buyer wants confidentiality that we have the darker skins as far as possible, and the contract will be voided if you decide to sell more widely.”

Darcy smiled slightly. “I suppose that is why he wants to take them all, so that we are not tempted.”

Mr. Reed shook his head. “Joseph — that’s my nephew, says that the buyer knows of the Darcy name and is confident that you will keep your word.”

Pride swelled in Darcy’s heart. He had managed to keep the family’s good name, even as far as tradesmen in London. He sipped his coffee. “I suppose the supplier is based in London?”

Mr. Reed nodded. “I understand the principal lives in Hertfordshire, but the handling is all done in London.”

Hertfordshire again? And the Gardiners are relations. Then he shook his head. He was becoming fanciful. How could a young lady be involved in this?

He put down his cup and rose to his feet, Reed rising with him. “Well, that’s all very interesting. Will Mr. Walters be interested in the detailed tooling on the finished items, or is he too busy?”

“He would be very interested, sir.” Mr. Reed sounded enthusiastic. “If there is enough work for his son not to have to seek employment elsewhere, the family would be delighted.”

“I am glad to hear it.” He thought for a moment. “It is a clever scheme, efficient sourcing, exclusivity and selective release to limit access.” The Gardiners do just that, and Miss Elizabeth explained it to me.

Reed nodded. “Whoever manages it knows how to preserve value.”

Well, I am pleased with the offer, and that your nephew was able to procure the sale. I am sorry I didn’t hear that he was up for Christmas; I would have liked to be introduced.”

Reed looked discomposed. “He is still staying with us, sir. His employer gave him from the twenty-second and told him not to return until after Twelfth Night.”

Darcy was shocked. “That seems extraordinarily generous.” His suspicions were raised.

“Apparently, my nephew says they do not wish him to be tempted elsewhere.” Reed grinned. “He got a Christmas bonus that matched mine, as well.”

“One wonders why,” Darcy mused.

“I do not think there is anything untoward,” Reed looked thoughtful. “He is incredibly loyal and discreet, and he knows to keep himself at a suitable distance.” He hesitated. “Would you like to meet him while he is staying here?”

“I would.” Darcy nodded. “If you will arrange it for me?”