Page 51 of Obligation and Redemption

“Forgive me; I must have fallen asleep.” She then looked out of the window to see imposing homes pass by the carriage.

Her stomach filled with knots as she saw the reality of her plight.

Within a few moments she would enter her new home as Mrs. Darcy.

How she disliked that name! She would ask him to call her Elizabeth.

They were married; surely that would be appropriate.

Darcy noticed her unease and said, “When we arrive you will have time to freshen up and to change into something more comfortable. I know that riding in your wedding gown was not your wish; I hope it has not been too disagreeable.” She shook her head in the negative and continued to look out the window as they made their way past Hyde Park.

The dreary scene outside the window mirrored the trepidation within her breast.

The carriage came to an abrupt stop, and the door was opened by a footman who had been awaiting their arrival.

Elizabeth, with distraction, wondered if he had been waiting out in the rain, for he was punctual in his services.

After Darcy’s departure from the carriage, another footman reached up to hand down the new Mrs. Darcy; her husband’s relinquishing that honour was not lost on Elizabeth.

Two footmen held umbrellas over the Darcys and delivered them into the dry entrance of Darcy House.

The butler stood just inside of the doorway to greet Mr. Darcy and his new wife as the footmen removed their damp outer garments.

As Darcy was about to make the introductions, the housekeeper joined them.

“Mrs. Darcy, allow me to present the butler of Darcy House, Mr. Horace Franklin, and the housekeeper, Mrs. Edna Johnson.” Then turning to his staff, he continued, “Franklin, Mrs. Johnson, this is Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy.”

Franklin had been the butler since Darcy was about ten, having moved up the ranks quickly due to his efficiency and ease at leadership.

His height nearly matched Mr. Darcy’s and his hair was thick, but greying above his ears.

He had a severe look upon his face that seemed to display his natural state.

Mrs. Johnson’s head was covered in a cap, but her hair that was visible held its brown colouring from her youth.

As such, despite her wrinkle lines, it was difficult for Elizabeth to determine the housekeeper’s age.

Elizabeth provided the appropriate greeting to each of them, then said with sincerity, “Mrs. Johnson, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and I look forward to time in your company during which I hope to take advantage of the wisdom you have earned while in your position.” Elizabeth had been thinking of Mrs. Hill and hoped with her heart to have a housekeeper at Darcy House with whom she and her children would one day think upon as nearly family.

“Of course, madam.” Disappointed thus far, Elizabeth looked to Mr. Darcy who requested that Mrs. Darcy be escorted to her chamber.

Then turning to Elizabeth, he stated, “Mrs. Darcy, Mrs. Johnson will take you to your chamber. She has assigned a temporary lady’s maid to assist you in your toilette and also to unpack your trunk, thus seeing to your needs.

If you still feel fatigued, I suggest you take a nap.

I will come to your room to escort you to dinner at seven-thirty.

” He bowed and turned towards his study.

He desired a brandy to give him needed warmth while perusing the recent mail before heading to his room.

As Elizabeth ascended the steps to the family quarters, she attempted to engage the housekeeper in light conversation but gave up trying when she only received curt answers in the affirmative or negative.

The house was much quieter than that to which Elizabeth was accustomed.

She felt a chill both from not having worn her travelling clothes and from the cool welcome she had thus received.

Elizabeth hoped that the lady’s maid would be more promising in her reception.

Elizabeth’s room held potential, with its greens and champagne on the walls and counterpane and touches of rose hues throughout the chamber, reminding her of a scene from the countryside displaying flowers along the paths.

She saw a fireplace to her right, from which a small blaze glowed, with a settée upon a soft rug and a door to the left of the hearth.

A large canopied bed filled the space to her left against the wall.

On the right side of the bed was a closed door, and on the wall directly opposite to her current position there were two large double windows that would bring in plenty of daylight; however, the dreary, rainy day currently brought in little to cheer her.

Between the windows was situated a writing desk supplied with parchment, ink and quill pen. She smiled in heartfelt pleasure.

The housekeeper had watched her inspection of the room with attentiveness.

She had heard the rumours being bandied about town, just like everyone else.

Mrs. Johnson could not feel any level of joy about this new mistress who had risen above her station in marrying Mr. Darcy, but she would have to show her the obligatory deference that was due her.

She was determined to meet all of the new mistress’s expectations but would go no further.

Walking to the door beside the bed and opening the latch, the housekeeper indicated the entrance to her dressing room.

Elizabeth walked over and was surprised to see a servant inside already unloading her trunk. She entered saying, “Hello, I am Miss, um, rather Mrs. Darcy. Will you be serving as my maid this evening?”

The woman curtseyed and said, “Yes Ma’am, I am Laura Carpenter, and I will be helping you until you decide upon a new lady’s maid.”

“I am pleased to meet you, Laura, and happy to have someone handy to help me out of this dress! I have never been so ready to remove a gown in my life,” Elizabeth said hoping to break the ice somewhat.

She suspected this lady’s maid would witness Elizabeth’s own personal shortcomings and would be privy to her secrets, thus she hoped to gain a friend before anything noteworthy occurred.

Elizabeth had only lived or stayed in comparatively smaller homes with not more than six servants, so she was unfamiliar with the types of relationships that might develop between the domestics and the master and mistress.

She would have to navigate these new waters with discernment, without sacrificing her own self to the altar of privilege.

Elizabeth thanked the housekeeper for the tour and dismissed her with a smile.

Then turning to Laura said, “Now, if you could get me out of this dress and corset, I would be obliged.” Laura got to work and in no time, Elizabeth was able to retire to her room and crawl under the counterpane while Laura closed the window coverings.

“Could you wake me at seven to prepare for dinner? Mr. Darcy is to escort me down at seven-thirty.” Laura assented and left the room to finish her task of settling in the new mistress until she was next needed.

Laura had worked at Pemberley and Darcy House for the past eight years, ever since she was widowed after the death of a local merchant from Lambton.

Having the distinction of serving Mrs. Darcy on her first night was a true honour.

Mrs. Johnson had picked her due to her strong loyalty to Mr. Darcy and her hard work ethic, but Laura’s previous marriage was particularly advantageous.

Of course all of the staff was loyal, but this attribute was especially important for a newly married couple when the master held his privacy in high regard.

There was speculation that Mrs. Darcy might not be a maiden, and if the rumours were true, any evidence to this possibility had to be concealed.

Laura could be counted on to perform her duties with discretion.

As soon as Elizabeth’s head had touched the pillow, she was asleep.

When Laura returned to awaken her, Elizabeth was confused as to her surroundings, but when seeing her maid’s kind face, she remembered she was to get ready for dinner.

She had left little time to prepare because she was so tired and wanted to sleep for as long as she could.

If it were possible to skip dinner and stay abed, she would certainly have chosen that course.

Her appetite had left her this morning and had not yet returned.

Just as Laura was putting the finishing touches on her hair, she heard a knock upon a door in her chamber.

She stood and walked into her room as her maid left out of the servant’s entrance.

Elizabeth called to enter, and it was at this moment that she realised that the door next to the fireplace was Mr. Darcy’s private entrance.

She blushed scarlet when he entered. A man had never been in her room before, and this left her feeling exposed.

She instinctively lifted her hand to her bosom and to cover the look of surprise said, “I am not yet familiar enough with my room. I did not imagine that door led to your room.”

“Well, in actuality, it leads to our shared sitting room, but my chamber is on the opposite side.” He looked around her chamber, not having seen it since the new window and bed coverings had arrived.

Elizabeth noticed his perusal and said, “This was your mother’s room.”

“Yes, but it has been some time since I have been in here. Are you pleased with the colours? I told Mrs. Johnson that you enjoyed nature.”

She smiled at his thoughtfulness, “Yes, I like them very well.”