Chapter 17

Elizabeth left Rosalyn and walked to Emily’s room, her feelings whirling within her. She shook her head as she considered how much she now treasured and appreciated any notice Mr. Darcy paid to her. How unlike their acquaintance in Hertfordshire when she surmised that the notice he gave her was solely to find fault with her.

When Elizabeth came to Emily’s room, she found her awake and quietly drawing with crayons. Elizabeth allowed her to entertain herself in this manner until it was time to prepare Emily for dinner.

When they walked down for dinner, Emily squealed with delight when she noticed her parents waiting at the bottom of the staircase. With a hearty greeting, Mr. Willstone picked up his daughter and swung her around. He then carried her toward the dining room. Elizabeth started to follow, but Mrs. Willstone put up a hand to halt her.

“If you please, Miss Bennet, I wish to have a word with you.”

“Certainly,” Elizabeth replied, noting the look of displeasure on Mrs. Willstone’s face. “Is anything wrong?”

“Well, yes and no.” She reached for Elizabeth’s hand and took her aside. In a whisper, she said, “Miss Bennet, I regret having to bring up this matter, but I fear I must. There have been far too many occasions recently when you have shown a little too much familiarity with Mr. Darcy and his sister. I suggest you remember your position.”

Elizabeth’s eyebrows arched high at Mrs. Willstone’s words. Never before had she ever referred to her as being in a lower station.

“If you recall, Mrs. Willstone, I was acquainted with Mr. Darcy before I ever took the position of governess. At the time of our acquaintance, I do believe he considered me his equal.”

“Tsk, tsk.” She patted Elizabeth’s hand. “Perhaps it appeared that way. You must remember who he is, my dear. Certainly you understand that he cannot afford to have associations that might tarnish the Darcy name!” She gave her a condescending smile. “I am sure you will understand when I beseech you to refrain from speaking to him… or his sister… in such a familiar manner.” Her lips pursed tightly. “And we must insist that you do not come to the drawing room in the evenings ever again.”

Elizabeth bit her lower lip as she fought an increasing sense of insult and personal disappointment. “Earlier, Mr. Darcy himself invited me to join the others in the drawing room this evening for another game of chess.”

Mrs. Willstone shook her head abruptly. “He is only being polite to you and does not truly expect you to do such a thing. No doubt you have noticed that Miss Bartley does not come to the drawing room. She knows her place. And consider Miss Darcy. The poor girl is so very young and unsure of herself, attempting to learn her duties as Mistress. Do not tempt her with associations that are unsuitable.”

Elizabeth felt her chest tighten so much that she could barely breathe. Certainly Rosalyn was instrumental in prompting this discourse. Elizabeth had readily noticed that Rosalyn had seemed perturbed during the conversation earlier between herself and Mr. Darcy. Moreover, when Rosalyn came upon Miss Darcy with Elizabeth in the music room, there were traces of jealousy in her demeanour.

A myriad of thoughts assaulted Elizabeth, especially when Mrs. Willstone gently patted her hand and continued, “We would not want Mr. Darcy to think ill of Rosalyn because of unbefitting behaviour tolerated by her family.”

“You think my behaviour unbefitting?” Elizabeth asked incredulously.

Mrs. Willstone’s eyes cast briefly toward the ground in an unwitting gesture of discomfiture. “Unbefitting a governess, yes. Miss Bennet, you must know we grieve with you over your change of circumstances. It must be terribly difficult, but Mr. Darcy may be watching Rosalyn carefully for any signs of improper behaviour from her or her family…” Her eyes slowly looked up. “…or the family’s governess.”

Elizabeth wished to defend her actions with everything inside of her, but she knew her only defence was that Mr. Darcy had once made her an offer of marriage, and he was treating her with kindness and courtesy… much more than she ever deserved. “Yes, Mrs. Willstone,” she replied softly.

Elizabeth was grateful, at least, that Mrs. Willstone had not banished her from eating with the others in the dining room. She could easily have requested that she eat with Emily elsewhere. Perhaps if it were not for the presence of the Goldsmiths’ governess, she would have been. She entered the dining room behind the Willstones, uttered a short and succinct greeting to Mr. and Miss Darcy, walked around to the far side of the table, and took the seat next to Emily. As much as she would have liked to converse with the others, she resisted and kept her attention on her ward for the duration of the meal. She did not think she could feel the disparity between her and the others more than at this moment.

***

After finishing the meal, Elizabeth and Miss Bartley took the young girls to the children’s nursery and allowed them to play until almost nine o’clock.

She watched Miss Bartley throughout their time with the children, admiring her ability to teach the girls in the midst of play. She gave every appearance of loving what she did, and she did it well.

At length, Elizabeth turned to her. “Miss Bartley, you have been a governess for quite a long time. May I ask you a question?”

“Is there something about which you need advice? I would be more than happy to share from my years in this position.”

Elizabeth breathed in deeply. “Yes, as a matter of fact, there is.” She wrung her hands together as she formulated her question.

“Do you think… have you seen… any inappropriate behaviour on my part… that is, behaviour unbefitting a governess… in regards to Mr. Darcy or his sister?”

“Heavens, no!” she exclaimed. “What has brought this on?”

“I was informed that I have spoken with too much familiarity to them. It began, I believe, when I took Emily into the drawing room one evening to say good night. I soon found myself in a chess match with Mr. Darcy.”

Miss Bartley’s eyes widened. “Truly?” Her eyes crinkled as she leaned in. “Who won?”

Elizabeth laughed. “Needless to say, I have been strongly warned.”

Miss Bartley narrowed her eyes. “It is an unfortunate position we are in, Miss Bennet. Oftentimes the servants will look down on us for being their superior, and those in upper classes look down on us as being their inferior.” She looked at Elizabeth with understanding eyes. “It is an even greater misfortune when you once had the standing of society.”

“I suppose it is something I have had a difficult time getting used to.”

“May I say, Miss Bennet, that a governess must behave cautiously, for there have been far too many a naïve young lady who has gone into a household as governess and allowed herself to be disgraced due to the prodigious attentions of a master.”

“I hardly think Mr. Darcy would…”

Miss Bartley shook her head in denial. “No, I have never heard anything even remotely improper concerning the man. The Goldsmiths have been close acquaintances with him as long as I have been with them, and they always speak of him in the highest regard.”

Elizabeth remained thoughtfully silent.

“I understand you knew him before…”

Elizabeth looked up with an arched brow. A wry smile appeared. “Yes, but I fear our acquaintance was a rather contrary one. I believed him to be rather proud and unfriendly. I was not afraid to let him know how affronted I was by some of his behaviour… which, I now comprehend, was due more to reserve than pride.”

“Oh, the lessons we sometimes learn too late.”

“Far too late,” Elizabeth added softly.

***

The rains persisted throughout the night, occasionally interspersed with a flash of lightning and boom of distant thunder. Sleep came sparingly for Elizabeth as her turbulent thoughts vied with the fierce rain to keep her from the sleep she so desired.

She found herself wondering what took place in the drawing room that evening. What conversations took place? What did Mr. Darcy talk about… and with whom did he speak? Did he even notice her absence?

The downpour also brought to her recollections of occasions at Longbourn when the rains pelted the roof so violently that it eventually worked its way in. Mary had been the unfortunate one who needed to sleep with buckets on the floor in her room to catch the water until the roof could be repaired. Other times there had been leaks in the kitchen and sitting room. While she felt safe and secure within the walls of Pemberley, her heart still ached for Longbourn and the life she had had there.

That morning, after having slept very little, she awoke to the increasingly familiar sound of rain hitting the windows. She and Emily dressed and went downstairs. As they entered the dining room, Mr. Darcy greeted them, a raised eyebrow to Elizabeth the only indication that he may have wondered why she did not join them in the drawing room the night before.

During the meal, as everyone enjoyed the bountiful repast, there was much talk about the rains. Several commented on the growing rivulets of water they noticed cascading down the incline away from the house. Small ravines in the landscape were now pooled with water, creeks were now rivers, and the lake in front was continually increasing in length and width.

Elizabeth could see the strain of uncertainty on Miss Darcy’s face as she was again faced with another day of entertaining everyone indoors. The men, who had hoped to spend the morning fishing, agreed that conditions were just not suitable.

As they were finishing up the meal, Mr. Darcy’s steward, Mr. Barstow, came in and whispered something to him. He immediately stood up, his eyes narrowed in concern. He turned to his guests at the table, begging to be excused for a moment. He followed Mr. Barstow, walking out in haste.

Everyone turned to each other, wondering what may have occurred. Without bothering to make his own conjecture or ask to be excused, Mr. Hamilton promptly stood up and followed his cousin. Miss Darcy watched him leave and then looked back at her guests, uncertainty etched on her face. Mr. Goldsmith stood up and was also soon out of the room.

No one seemed to notice Miss Darcy’s distress save Elizabeth, who finally said to the young girl, “Miss Darcy, we will understand if you wish to join your brother.”

A small smile appeared. “Thank you, Miss Bennet. I believe I shall.” She looked to the others. “Please excuse me.”

For several minutes they could hear hushed but intense voices outside in the hall. At length, they returned.

Miss Darcy and Mr. Goldsmith took their seats while her brother and cousin remained standing. Miss Darcy looked noticeably troubled and the three men sombre. Everyone waited to hear what Mr. Darcy had to say.

“With all the rains we have had, in addition to heavier rains up north, the rivers have swollen considerably and are now overflowing their banks, threatening some of my tenants’ homes. Those who were able to leave have fled and are taking refuge with family members or at inns in neighbouring villages. Unfortunately, a few of my tenants are stranded; a bridge that crossed the river is now submerged. Several have attempted to cross it, but travel is treacherous. It is even thought that someone may have been swept away in the waters, and there are people searching for him. These families are unable to make it safely anywhere… but here.”

Elizabeth noticed several eyebrows rise at this announcement. “Hamilton, Goldsmith, and I will be setting out shortly with a few of my men to facilitate their move to Pemberley while Georgiana works with the staff to prepare for them.”

“You are to bring your tenants here?” asked Rosalyn in disbelief.

Darcy slowly turned to her, taking in a deep breath before answering. “Yes, there is no other alternative. It is only until the rains cease and the threat of flooding is over.”

“But surely there is something else that can be done,” Mrs. Willstone lamented. “These are merely common folk, are they not? Can you trust them walking these halls?” She gave a nervous laugh.

Mr. Darcy’s jaw tightened, and he spoke with more than a little agitation. “These are my tenants, Mrs. Willstone, and I cannot and will not allow them to risk their lives because I fear some menace from them. They will be in the north wing, and you will likely not even see them. There is no reason for concern.”

He reached down and picked up his cup, quickly downing its contents. “We will likely be gone for most of the day. As my sister will be otherwise occupied assisting Mrs. Reynolds and the servants in readying the wing and welcoming these guests, I invite you to spend today at your leisure. You may enjoy everything that Pemberley has to offer.”

He looked down at his sister. “You will do fine, Georgie,” he said reassuringly. “Mrs. Reynolds has done this on more than one occasion.” He turned to his friend and cousin. “Come. There is much to do before we leave.”

Everyone slowly rose from the table, and the three men briskly stepped from the room. Miss Darcy left immediately to find Mrs. Reynolds. The Willstones and Rosalyn huddled together, conversing in hushed tones about this unfortunate arrangement. Elizabeth and Miss Bartley decided that for the duration of the morning, they would allow the three girls to play together.

Once in the playroom, Emily and her friends cheerfully found all kinds of amusements with which to entertain themselves. Elizabeth inquired of Miss Bartley if she would mind keeping watch on Emily while she retrieved something from her room. Elizabeth wanted to get the book of Cowper’s poems and do some further reading. Miss Bartley told her she would gladly watch Emily as long as she needed.

When Elizabeth walked out, she heard voices coming from the entry hall. She stopped suddenly when she recognized Rosalyn’s agonized voice.

“Mr. Darcy, you said yourself that travel is treacherous. Heavens! An accident may have already befallen someone! It is far too great a risk for you to go yourself! You are Master of this place and surely have more than enough servants who ought to be the ones to take care of something like this.”

“I appreciate your concern, Miss Matthews, but it is I who must go.”

“But, sir, there is flooding everywhere.” Rosalyn’s brow furrowed in concern. “Your tenants will be just as grateful and appreciative if you send someone else; you could easily send several servants to give them the assistance they require.”

Elizabeth quietly stepped into the hall. Darcy looked up at her, exasperation and exhaustion etched in his features.

Looking back down at Rosalyn, he said, “While that may be true, my presence will speak more to them of my concern and give them more reassurance than any of my servants would give.”

“But certainly…”

Elizabeth came alongside her and gently placed her hand on Miss Matthews’s arm, giving it a soft squeeze. “We understand your concern for your tenants. Please be careful out there, Mr. Darcy.”

His eyes met hers, and he let out a soft sigh. “Thank you, Miss Bennet. I shall make every endeavour to keep life and limb—my own and those of my tenants—safe.” With a quick bow, he quickly turned to the door and stepped out.

Rosalyn let out a soft huff, but before she could express her frustration to Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy’s cousin and friend approached. Noticing the two young ladies, Mr. Hamilton looked at them with a playful smile. “Has old man Noah come this way yet?”

Rosalyn narrowed her eyes at him. “Who?”

Elizabeth chuckled. “He means Mr. Darcy, I believe, who is going to lead his tenants two by two into the ark—Pemberley—to save them from the flood!”

Mr. Hamilton acknowledged her with a nod of his head. “You know your Bible stories, Miss Bennet.”

“Yes,” she replied. “Noah—Mr. Darcy—just stepped out.”

With the briefest of bows, the two men then left.

“I know the story of Noah’s Ark,” Rosalyn protested, her arms folded tightly in front of her. “I just did not know what he was talking about.”

Elizabeth sighed softly. “Mr. Hamilton is one who enjoys making light of even a difficult situation.”

“Whereas Mr. Darcy can be so very serious.” Rosalyn let out a mournful sigh. “And so very stubborn!”

“About certain things I am sure he is.”

“I do not understand what is taking him so long to give me assurances of his affection. He has certainly had sufficient opportunity. Goodness, we only have two weeks here. What is he waiting for? Certainly he cannot doubt my regard for him and my devotion to his sister.”

“Roslyn, he is his own master as well as Pemberley’s Master. If that is his design, he will do it in his own time.”

“Well, I am getting quite impatient with the man.”

Elizabeth suddenly had an image in her mind of Caroline Bingley and wondered if this was what always happened to a woman who pursued a man like Mr. Darcy. She could only hope it would not happen to her!

The two ladies each went their own separate ways. Elizabeth retrieved her book of Cowper’s poems, bringing it back to the playroom. She looked forward to reading more of this great poet’s verse.

Throughout the morning, Elizabeth stepped out from the playroom and looked down the hall. They were just down from the north wing, where the tenants were going to be housed. On several occasions she saw servants going through the large door that cordoned off that wing, carrying linens and supplies for the tenants who would be coming.

Elizabeth wondered how Miss Darcy was faring in the midst of this. On one of those occasions when she stepped out, she encountered the young girl herself, dissolved in a pool of tears.

“Miss Darcy!” Elizabeth rushed over to her and put her arm about her. “What has happened? What is wrong?”

Miss Darcy shook her head, unable to say anything.

“May I help you with something?” Elizabeth asked.

Miss Darcy took several deep breaths and finally, in a whimpering voice, said, “I am trying to do my best, and I am making every attempt to like her for my brother’s sake, but she is questioning everything I do.”

“Who is?” asked Elizabeth.

Miss Darcy wiped her eyes. “I know she is only trying to help me, but I think I know what is best!”

Elizabeth shook her head in confusion. “Are you speaking of Mrs. Willstone?”

Miss Darcy waved her hand in the air. “No, no. It is Miss Matthews. I just came from the sitting room upstairs, telling her all that I… we… have done.” A look of pained distress filled her eyes. “I am sorry. I should not have said anything.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes in compassion at what the young girl must have experienced. Not only had Rosalyn challenged Mr. Darcy’s decision to go himself to assist his tenants, she now had distressed his sister. “Miss Darcy, you know Pemberley and you know your tenants. Miss Matthews may be trying to be of assistance, but you must do what you believe is right.”

After a few shaky breaths, Miss Darcy said, “I confess that I have a difficult time saying no to people. When Miss Matthews tells me what she thinks I ought to do, even though I know it is not prudent, I still cannot say no to her.”

“Perhaps,” Elizabeth gently suggested, “you can merely thank Miss Matthews for any advice she offers and tell her that you will consider it. Then you may proceed in any manner you deem best. That way you do not have to actually say no to her.”

Miss Darcy looked up at Elizabeth and said very softly, “That is very sound advice. Thank you.” She wiped her eyes with her handkerchief. “Many times I feel as though I will hurt someone’s feelings if I say no. I once found myself in a very… perilous situation because I could not say no.”

Elizabeth’s heart lurched in understanding, more than the young girl could even comprehend. She knew Miss Darcy likely was referring to the time she came so very close to eloping with George Wickham.

Elizabeth wrapped an arm about Miss Darcy’s shoulders with tender affection. “We all learn from our mistakes, do we not? And hopefully our weaknesses will develop into positive strengths.”

That prompted an appreciative smile from Miss Darcy.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Elizabeth asked. She then laughed as she added, “And I promise not to give you any unwanted advice.”

“You are very kind, Miss Bennet. I know that Mrs. Reynolds is working with our staff to address their physical needs, but many of these tenants are emotionally weary. Mrs. Goldsmith is down there now, but would you…” She paused and nervously fingered the handkerchief she held, casting her eyes down. She then looked up and continued, “Would you be able to visit with some of our tenants later this afternoon?”

Elizabeth’s eyes lit up. “I would be most happy to. I will come down when Emily is napping later today.”

“Thank you. I think you would be a good listener,” Miss Darcy replied.

“I will do what I can,” Elizabeth assured her.

Elizabeth began to walk away, but she stopped and turned to the girl. “To own the truth, Miss Darcy, I suffer from something very similar to what you have shared with me, although it is actually quite the opposite. You see, I have a tendency to say no to people far too readily, even when a yes would have been much more sensible and in my best interest.” With a smile she added, “Perhaps we can learn from each other and find the perfect balance!”

Miss Darcy nodded with appreciation. “I think I would like that very much.”