Page 47 of Sketching Mr. Darcy
As soon as Elizabeth departed after breakfast, Darcy retired to his library and emptied a glass of brandy.
He then threw the glass into the fire. Anger took complete control, and he still could not believe that Annabelle dared to follow him, to approach him when he was with Elizabeth, and to speak to her so impertinently.
He could see Elizabeth was surprised, troubled, and even angry—only minutes after she gratified him with her smiles, her teasing, and her compassion during their walk.
The day had been perfect, and everything changed acutely with the appearance of Annabelle.
He felt a strong urge to go to her house and confront her, but he restrained the temptation.
Surely, Annabelle would take that as a personal triumph, and he had no patience to argue with her unreasonable demands.
Darcy went to talk to Robert, but his cousin was out, so he stayed only a few minutes to have a drink with his uncle then returned home.
He was eager to speak to Elizabeth, and he thought to go to her several times, but he was afraid he might disturb her rest, so he waited impatiently and considered what was to be done.
While in the library, he received the mail.
Among the papers, he spotted Lady Catherine’s handwriting and reluctantly opened her letter.
After reading a couple of lines, he put it aside.
He expected strong opposition to his marriage from his aunt, but the words she wrote about Elizabeth were difficult to read.
His first impulse was to write her back and demand she temper her behaviour; otherwise, he would end all interactions with her.
However, as in Annabelle’s case, he allowed a little time to calm himself before taking action.
It was surely one of the most disturbing and infuriating days he could remember.
A knock on the door and the unexpected appearance of Elizabeth brought him equal relief and curiosity. She declared she needed to speak to him about a matter of great importance.
“I wish to talk to you about something very delicate regarding Janey. Do you remember her?” He stared at her, completely disconcerted, wondering whether he heard her correctly.
“Janey? I know she has three small children. Mrs Thomason was in some doubt when she hired her, but I know she has no reason to complain about her work.”
“I am glad you remember. The thing is…I feel I must do something for her. Janey’s husband left them a month ago, and the children are all alone at home.
Her younger daughter is only four and seems to be very ill.
You can imagine that poor Janey does not sleep at all at night, and she must be terribly worried all day… ”
“But Elizabeth, I do not understand—what is precisely the matter? Does she need some extra money to pay for the doctor, or…?”
“I asked the same, but I think it is more than that. Can you imagine a mother knowing her three small children are alone all day long, one of them being ill? How do the children manage by themselves? It is winter and cold and their father left them…I am sorry for being so incoherent. I do not know why this affects me so. I feel I should do something.”
“How did this situation come to your attention?”
She paused and looked at him. He was preoccupied, but he seemed interested and willing to listen. She wondered how he would react, so she carefully chose her words.
“Because she is so troubled, Janey broke a vase—an expensive one. She and Molly and Mrs Thomason are deeply distressed, and I believe they are worried that you will dismiss her. She promised to pay for the vase, but I do not see how she can do that.”
His expression darkened. He searched her eyes for some time, and she held her breath. He was the master, and any decision was his. He suddenly rose and moved to the window, looking outside a few minutes, then returned and resumed his seat in front of her.
“And what do you intend to do, Elizabeth?”
“I am not certain. I would like to allow Janey to stay home with her daughter until she is better. If you agree, I will pay her salary from my pin money during that time. And I would also pay for the vase.”
“If you wish…”
She felt his gaze warming her face. She could not read his expression nor guess whether he approved her suggestion.
Elizabeth became troubled by the long silence before her husband finally spoke.
“And how long do you plan to keep Janey at home?” he inquired calmly.
“I cannot decide now…until her daughter is better.”
“Very well…but what if her daughter—or one of her other ch ildren—becomes ill again?”
The question took Elizabeth by surprise, and she stared at him, not knowing how to reply. She suspected he spoke in jest, but he seemed serious and his calm began to trouble her.
“I did not think that far ahead. Let us hope it will not happen.”
“Well, it is very likely to happen. Three small children alone in the middle of the winter will surely risk at least a dangerous cold. Now about the vase—I understand your wish to pay for Janey. However, here is my question: what if one of the other servants—or four of them—break more objects and they excuse themselves for being tired because of problems at home? Who will pay for those items? And what if half of the servants ask to be allowed to stay home to take care of someone in their family?”
Elizabeth went from crimson to pale in an instant, her distress quickly turning to anger.
“You mock me, sir, and I dare say this is hardly the proper time!”
Darcy smiled at her and gently touched her hands, tightly clasped in her lap.
“Not at all, Elizabeth. But we have more than two and twenty servants, and I imagine most of them have difficulties; perhaps not as urgent as Janey’s, but for each of us, our own problems assume great importance.
I have said before and I repeat: you are the mistress of the house, and you are entitled to do whatever you want.
You may dismiss the entire staff tonight and hire a new one tomorrow, and nobody may question your decision.
But if you wish to be a fair mistress—as I am certain you will be—you must have the same rules, good or bad, for everybody.
Otherwise, there will be gossip about your favouring some of them, and—even worse—they will sabotage those who are suspected of being your favourites. ”
With every word, Elizabeth’s spirits flagged.
She let her eyes get lost in his gaze while she clenched her hands to stop their trembling. She bit her lip and barely managed to speak.
“So you say I should do nothing for Janey?”
“No, not at all. I say you should find a way to help her for the long term, not just for a few days, and in a way that is fair to the other servants.”
She glanced at the fire, then to the window, then turned to meet his eyes again.
“Would you please tell me how to do that? It seems I cannot find the proper solution by myself…”
Darcy took her hands in his and quickly pressed his lips to her fingers.
“You cannot find the solution because there are some particular things about the household you do not know yet. I am sorry for not taking the time to explain all the details to you. Some of the servants live in the house, but I am quite certain there are rooms below stairs that are not occupied. I was thinking—if this is acceptable to you—to suggest that Janey move here with her children. That way she will be able to perform her duties without wondering whether her children are safe. Further, she will save the expense of food and firewood, and she will be able to pay a few pennies a month for the vase. It is not about the price but the fact that we have many valuable objects in this house, and I expect all servants to be careful with them and to take responsibility if something is broken. What would you say?”
Elizabeth watched him, unable to conceal her surprise, each of his words a revelation.
He seemed to take each detail into consideration and to think about all the implications of every decision.
She could not say whether she was more astonished and admiring of his wisdom, or embarrassed at her own emotional and irrational suggestions.
“I believe that would be a perfect solution—if Janey agrees. It seems fair and just and also very convenient. I do not know what to say. I am… You seem to be always right, William. And no, this time I am not speaking in jest. You al ways think of everything,”
“I am not always right, as you well know. I have made a lot of mistakes over the years, and I have had to learn to think of everything because it takes more time and effort to solve a problem than to prevent it. So I try to take everything into consideration before I make a decision—and I still miss some.”
“I find it difficult to believe that you miss anything, Mr Darcy. Now if you will excuse me, I shall fetch Mrs Thomason, and we will talk to Janey together.”
“Very well—let me know the result. I suggest they move as soon as possible—even today. We shall send for Dr. Taylor to check on the girl, and ask him to stay for dinner.”
“Move in today—and Dr. Taylor. Excellent indeed… See? You always think of everything.”
He laughed, and to his utter surprise, she raised herself on her toes and placed a quick kiss on his cheek, whispering, “Thank you,” as she ran out of the library.