Page 11 of The Duke of Derby (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

Jane, Elizabeth, and Miss Darcy spent the day on various small projects as well as exploring the house and gardens. By the end of the day, Jane had requested Miss Darcy call both her and Elizabeth by their first names, and they returned the favor by calling her Georgiana.

Elizabeth was simply grateful to have a friend who lived relatively near her new home, though she couldn’t help but wonder if her friendship with Georgiana would have any effect on how Mr. Darcy saw her or what he would do in the future.

When Mrs. Rigby arrived, she was shown directly to His Grace. After only fifteen minutes, the duke escorted the lady into the parlor where the ladies of the house were chatting away.

“Jane, Elizabeth, I have decided to hire Mrs. Rigby. I will be performing a complete investigation into her references to verify them, but she will begin her work immediately,” said Papa.

“Welcome to Lockwood,” said Jane.

“Thank you, my Lady,” said Mrs. Rigby as she curtseyed far more gracefully than Elizabeth ever had.

Elizabeth glanced back and forth between Mrs. Annesley and Mrs. Rigby. It was clear they were sisters. They were so similar, in fact, that Elizabeth wouldn’t have been surprised to find that they were twins, though Mrs. Rigby’s hair had a few streaks of gray that Mrs. Annesley lacked.

As she watched, Mrs. Annesley came forward and embraced the new lady. “It is good to see you, sister,” she said.

~~~~~

A week passed. The sheets were completed, and the maids were set to work on the gowns for Jane and Elizabeth.

Based on their first few days’ work, it seemed as though Jane would be able to recommend them wholeheartedly.

The sisters’ days were full of activity within the house as well as plenty of conversation with Georgiana.

Their evenings were spent with Papa and Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth found in that week that Mr. Darcy was a very interesting person to speak with. Many times, after dinner, they sat together talking while the other members of the household amused themselves in other ways.

No matter the subject, Mr. Darcy always had something to say, even fashion. When Elizabeth questioned him teasingly as to why he had any knowledge of ladies’ fashion, he chuckled and reminded her that he had a younger sister who quite adored finery.

Their conversations reminded her of the pleasant time she spent with Colonel Fitzwilliam in Kent, but somehow, now that Mr. Darcy was more relaxed around her, this man was even easier to speak with than the colonel had been, though he was perhaps not quite as lighthearted.

His well-informed mind and straightforward manner inspired respect and interest in Elizabeth.

Mrs. Rigby spent most of her days with the ladies of the house. Though she didn’t give any defined lessons, she gave the sisters bits of information here and there.

Much of what she taught them were behaviors that they already knew but that were exaggerated a bit to make them more formal, such as adding extra grace to their curtseys or emphasizing the calmness in their speech.

There was also quite a bit of advice on how to wear their status so that others would respect them.

There was one conversation, however, that stuck with Elizabeth, and she was certain that Jane pondered it a great deal, as well.

“I know you girls are somewhat removed from society at the moment,” said Mrs. Rigby one morning, “but at some point you will be going to London to mingle among others of your rank, possibly looking for a husband.”

“We have no need to look for a husband,” said Elizabeth, “at least not for any mercenary motives.”

“No, of course not,” said the lady. “You and your family will be well taken care of whether you marry or not. You are among the few ladies who can say that. However, I know from experience that being married is far superior to remaining single if you can find the right man. Besides, in your case, Lady Northdale, you will need to secure the succession of the title. You must marry, and everyone around you will breathe more easily if it is sooner rather than later.”

“I am aware,” said Jane. Elizabeth thought she detected the barest hint of asperity in her tone. “This is all so new to me, however, that I have not even thought about what kind of man will make a suitable husband.”

“Personally, I would recommend a second or third son of a peer, though preferably not lower than an earl,” said Mrs. Rigby.

“Such a man should have been raised with appropriate manners, but they will not have a title of their own to compete with yours. If possible, find one who does not resent his placement as the younger son, for that makes it less likely that he will resent you for your power.”

Jane shook her head. “I cannot imagine such a man,” she said. “Any gentleman who must make his own way in the world while his older brother is handed everything would have to resent such a situation. It is only natural.”

“There are some men, though they are rare, who don’t wish for a great deal of responsibility,” said Mrs. Rigby. “Perhaps, you can find someone like that.”

“Papa is like that,” said Elizabeth. “I have always suspected that if he had an older brother, Papa would have been perfectly happy to live his life as a scholar or tutor at Oxford, even though doing so would have him living with a much lower income.”

“Perhaps I shall get lucky, then,” said Jane, though she sounded doubtful.

“One thing to keep in mind is that it is entirely possible you will have to be the one to propose when you do find a man you might like to marry,” said Mrs. Rigby.

“That cannot be,” said Jane. “Men are always the ones to propose. That is standard.”

“Not exactly,” said Mrs. Rigby. “It only seems that way, because it is rare for anything else to be necessary. However, because of your title and your status as future duchess suo jure, any man lower than a marquess or perhaps an earl will not feel that they can approach you. It is the same concept that prevents the wife of a baronet from inviting a duchess to dinner unless the two are already well acquainted.”

“I suppose that makes sense,” said Jane, “though I think it may take some time to get used to the idea.”

“Does that mean that I will have to propose as well?” asked Elizabeth.

“It is unlikely, unless the man you wish to marry is completely untitled,” said Mrs. Rigby.

An image of Mr. Darcy as he declared his love and affection to her in Charlotte’s parlor swam to the surface of Elizabeth’s mind. He was untitled. Perhaps Mrs. Rigby was correct. If she was, Mr. Darcy would never renew his addresses.

A wave of sadness passed through her, shocking her as it left. Had her opinion of the man changed so dramatically? Did she secretly want his attention and affection? Did she want him to propose?

The idea was shocking, since she had spent the last seven months disliking the man intensely.

Still, she couldn’t dismiss it completely.

Here at Lockwood, where they were separated from society, where they were on much more equal and familiar footing, he was so very different from the man she had known before.

“Thank you, Mrs. Rigby,” said Elizabeth. “Though we are unlikely to mingle amongst society much before the autumn, this is definitely something to be aware of.”