Page 33 of Sketching Mr. Darcy

“Mrs Thomason, I understand it is difficult for everyone to adjust to the recent changes in our family. I am pleased with the way this house has run for more than ten years, and I am sure Mrs Darcy was honest when she congratulated you. I know things were done in a certain way for the last decade, but Mrs Darcy has her particular way of doing things that might be beneficial for all of us. We—and I include myself—will all have to adjust to that. I assure you that one could not find a better or kinder mistress than Mrs Darcy.”

“Yes, sir…” The housekeeper’s distress was obvious, and she was unwilling to move.

Darcy felt his patience waning. He had always appreciated Mrs Thomason and never had reason to complain about her, but she had suddenly become irritating.

“Is there still more, Mrs Thomason,” he inquired, forcing himself to be calm .

“I just wanted to let you know that Mrs Darcy suggested the cook add some ingredients to the steak for dinner. I hope you will like it. She also asked that the cheesecake be replaced with an apple pie. Mrs Darcy insisted on a recipe she said she had from her aunt. I hope you and Miss Darcy will enjoy it. The cook obeyed Mrs Darcy’s request.”

Darcy did not hide either his surprise or his smile.

“I see—you are afraid that we might not like the new dishes and wish to be certain that I will not blame you or the cook,” Darcy said lightly, and the housekeeper’s distress grew as she attempted to defend herself.

“Please do not worry, Mrs Thomason. Anything that Mrs Darcy suggests I shall accept gracefully. I believe that is one of the main duties of a married man. Now you will excuse me. I have some work to finish.” His obvious good humour barely managed to dissipate the housekeeper’s distress.

Darcy relaxed in the armchair, and a wide smile lit his face.

Surely, the servants were shocked to see the mistress asking for tea in the kitchen.

No one except Elizabeth would have done that!

And poor Mrs Thomason—after being in complete charge of the household for ten years, she must find it hard to accept such novelty in a few days.

He found himself exceedingly pleased by all the trouble Elizabeth had taken—and most of all for her suggesting a change in the meat course and a specially made apple pie.

He was eager to taste it, and dinnertime seemed far away.

She truly took to heart the commitment to her new position, and she seemed to adapt quite well to the family.

Half an hour later, breakfast was ready. The ladies were already at the table, chatting in a friendly manner. He enjoyed Elizabeth’s happy countenance and warm greeting.

“We were talking about the weather, Brother. It is so cold and windy.”

“Well, it should be cold and windy in December.” He smiled and felt Elizabeth’s gaze. Their eyes held for a moment, but neither spoke. The conversation turned to Lady Matlock’s visit—expected in about two hours—and again to the weather.

After breakfast, Elizabeth went to change for the visit. Shortly after she entered her room, a knock on the door announced her husband, and she invited him in with an open smile.

He approached, took her right hand, then kissed it briefly. She blushed and thought it rather warm in the room.

“Did you have a restful night?” he asked, and she held his gaze while replying.

“Yes, very restful, thank you. I woke up quite early, and I thought you were still sleeping, but I found that you went to your study even earlier.” She attempted to smile and speak lightly while she barely moved her fingers in his.

“It is true: I did not sleep much and thought I may as well work.”

“I am sorry to hear that. You are well, I hope?”

“Yes, very well, thank you. I heard you had tea in special company today.”

“Yes—very pleasant company. I imagine Mrs Thomason informed you?”

“She did. She was a bit worried since it was something she had never seen before.”

“Do you disapprove of it?” His smiling gaze was answer enough, but she had to inquire.

“I cannot disapprove of anything you wish to do. As I told Mrs Thomason, you are the mistress and may do whatever you please. You may even come and have tea with me in the study before breakfast.” He took her other hand in his. She blushed and returned the smile.

“I shall remember that. I have also done something else. I hope you will enjoy it at dinner.”

“I am sure I will.”

They remained standing in the middle of the room, holding hands, and Elizabeth briefly noticed that his eyes seemed even darker at such an intimate distance.

Her hands in his seemed suddenly very warm—too warm—while she felt cold shivers along her arms. The feeling was so new and strange that it embarrassed her, but she did not withdraw her hands until he finally released them.

“You look lovely,” he said. “This dress is very becoming to you.”

“Thank you. I hope to make a favourable first impression on your aunt.” She was slightly uneasy and wondered why she felt nervous receiving a compliment from her husband.

“I am sure you will. And I hope that you will approve of my aunt. Besides Georgiana, the Matlocks are my closest family, and I am very fond of them.”

“You know I approve of Lord Matlock and Colonel Fitzwilliam, so I eagerly look forward with pleasure to meeting Lady Matlock and Lady Maryanne.”

“Excellent,” he concluded, and shortly thereafter, they returned to the drawing room where they met with Georgiana. Elizabeth had but a little time to compose herself before she was to face the long-awaited call of Lady Matlock and her daughter-in-law.

***

The introduction to their ladyships proceeded smoothly.

Both visitors congratulated them on their wedding and expressed their hope that Elizabeth would adjust to her new position.

The ladies also said that their husbands had been pleased with their stay in Hertfordshire and asked Elizabeth whether she missed her family.

“Elizabeth, I am very pleased to meet you prior to the private ball on New Year’s Eve. Your presence is eagerly anticipated as everyone is wondering about you.” Elizabeth blushed, Georgiana looked frightened, and Darcy had a disapproving countenance.

“Aunt, you said this would be a small family dinner. You said the same thing last year, and there were thirty people. How many will there be this year? ”

“Darcy, you are always opposed to these gatherings! And I am afraid Georgiana has taken her cue from you. I was happy to hear from Robert that you are more desirous of society, Elizabeth. I have heard you are an excellent dancer too.”

“Oh, I would not want to disappoint your ladyship. But I do like to dance.” Elizabeth smiled.

“Speaking of the party, I hope you approve of your gown’s fabric,” said Lady Maryanne.

“I most certainly do. It is wonderful. I thank you, Lady Maryanne.”

“Please call me by my given name. Your husband made most of the choices. He specifically asked that two dresses be delivered before the party, and I doubt anyone would dare disobey him.” The lady laughed, and Elizabeth thought she was equally beautiful and friendly.

And she was teasing Darcy, which Elizabeth found especially amusing.

“I shall thank my husband too.” Elizabeth smiled, her cheeks suddenly crimson.

The conversation continued in a pleasant way as Lady Matlock asked about Elizabeth’s younger sisters and her relatives in Town.

“My uncle and aunt have a lovely house in Gracechurch Street. My sister Jane will come to stay with them for a month. My uncle is in trade.” Elizabeth waited to see an expression of contempt on the ladies’ faces and was determined to stand up for her relatives.

“And very successful, from what I hear,” came Lady Matlock’s surprising answer, which left Elizabeth speechless for a moment.

“Yes, he is, thank you…” she finally managed to reply.

“Lord Matlock enjoyed your uncle and father’s company very much,” her ladyship said.

“Lord Matlock is very kind.” Elizabeth smiled.

“No, he is not!” Lady Matlock laughed. “He never says anything out of pure kindness—very much like Darcy—except that he likes to dance more. ”

Drinks and refreshments were served, and the visit lasted another hour in animated conversation. The ladies left in good humour, expressing their wish to see them all soon.

Elizabeth could not have been more pleased or more surprised by their first meeting.

The ladies did not for a second make her feel unwanted or unwelcome in their family.

She was content and relieved that her aunt and uncle, as well as her sisters, would be in no danger of impolite treatment by her husband’s relatives.

So, when Darcy asked her opinion of the visit, she honestly and warmly declared that she had a delightful time.

During the afternoon, Mr Darcy returned to his study, and Elizabeth joined Georgiana in the music room.

In a corner, lying on a thick carpet, Lucky rested near the fire.

After a while, Darcy entered to inform them that he was going out and would return in an hour or so.

Elizabeth was curious about his departure, but she dared not inquire about it.

An hour later, they were surprised and pleased to receive Colonel Fitzwilliam’s visit. When he heard that Darcy was out, declared he was fortunate to enjoy the ladies’ company alone.

Inside the music room, the colonel was offered drinks and refreshments. He implored Georgiana to play certain music for him, and she readily agreed. While he enjoyed her performance, the colonel engaged Elizabeth in conversation. He approached the subject of the private dinner and ball.

“I believe these situations to be very stressful for Darcy, but he bears them graciously, and fortunately, they seldom occur—compared to the occasions when he succeeds in having his own way. He has great pleasure in the power of choice and always chooses as he pleases.” The colonel laughed.