Just raised from the common mass,
They feel themselves another class.
But let them in the sunshine play
For every dog must have his day.
He placed the poem down and finished his cup of tea. Just raised from the common mass. Hmm this speaks of Kent or even the men of science. For every dog must have his day. He mulled over the words until a knock interrupted his thoughts.
“Enter.” Darcy looked up as Mrs. Geoffries and another woman came into his study.
“Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Annesley has arrived for your interview.”
Darcy rose and moved towards the neatly dressed and poised woman. “Mrs. Annesley, how good of you to come this morning. I was most impressed with your experience, and Lady Cheswick has recommended you highly.”
“Mr. Darcy.” She curtseyed and sat in the chair he indicated. Mrs. Geoffries left the room, closing the door behind her.
“I understand you are seeking a governess or lady’s companion for your young sister.”
“Yes. She is sixteen. Her mother died when she was an infant, and by the time she was ten, her father passed away. She has been in my charge for almost five years now, along with my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. She spends her time studying languages, art, history, and music. She plays the pianoforte with great skill. I secured masters for her in each subject and she has excelled in them all. Help with her accomplishments is not what she needs. I am seeking a woman’s guidance for this time of her life. Neither my cousin nor I are best able to address her concerns.”
“Sixteen. I understand. I suspect you have witnessed an emotional outburst or two.”
“Yes, precisely. But how did…”
“I was that age at one time myself.” Mrs. Annesley chuckled. “In the teen years, excessive sensitivity is not uncommon nor is it unusual, and in one respect, a right of passage into adulthood. Has she acted in any way that was not proper?”
“No, but… almost a year ago there was an experience that left her a little insecure.”
“Should I be aware about the particulars?”
“I choose not to divulge the incident for now. If after working with my sister you find the need for information, then we could talk again. I would prefer Georgiana determine if she wishes to reveal the story.”
“Very well, sir. Is there any other situation of concern I should know before I accept this position?”
“She is a sweet girl, but easily upset, and unfortunately she can be swayed by others who use their charm on her. I expect you to keep a close eye on anyone befriending her. I would like you to help her understand how to judge people and their attentions to her. But mostly, she requires someone to guide her through this period in her life.”
“What are her habits?”
“She is inclined to practice on the pianoforte for several hours daily. I would not like to see a change in her routine.”
“I studied intensively when I was young. I look forward to being around music again. My last charge was not so inclined. Her talents leaned towards drawing and painting. With the information you have provided, I have no reason not to accept the position as lady’s companion. I would like to begin immediately if possible. My prior commitment is now complete, and with that young lady’s recent marriage, my companionship is no longer required.”
“Excellent. I will expect regular reports on her progress.” Darcy rose. “I will direct Mrs. Geoffries to provide you with a tour of the house and your private chambers.” Darcy rang for the housekeeper. The two ladies departed with his secretary standing in the doorway.
Darcy waved him in and invited him to take sit. “It was good you came, Mr. Rogers. I wanted to talk to you about a pressing matter. Have you discovered any new information regarding Mr. Cuffage?”
“No, sir. All the talk around town has died out. I doubt if I can uncover anything that we do not already know. Shall I hire an investigator?”
“Yes, but a more pressing issue requires attention. A man digging into my affairs has approached many local tradesmen recently. His goal is twofold. First, he wants information about the alliance, and second, he has warned them not to do business with me.”
Mr. Rogers jerked upright. “Yes, sir, right away. Do you have any particulars on what the man seeks?”
“A little, but I prefer to tell the specifics directly to the investigator. Have him see me in the morning.”
“Yes, sir. Is there anything else?”
“Nothing else, except to address what brought you here.”
“Your shipping business. I came to report that the latest ships arrived in Nova Scotia safely. I received this message from the captain.”
After dispensing with the note, they spent the next hour discussing his business. They had just finished when Mrs. Geoffries knocked. Mr. Rogers departed.
The housekeeper approached her master, her hands wringing. “Mr. Darcy, I need to speak to you about the upstairs maid. She is with child, and will not be able to continue.
“Is someone available to take her place? If not, hire a new girl.”
“It is just… ”
“Just what?” Darcy asked, impatience creeping into his tone.
“I fear what will happen to the young girl. Her husband died in a carriage accident in late summer, only a month after they wed. He had worked for Lord Dembry. She returned to her old position as a chambermaid shortly after his death. She is a hard worker, and presented no trouble now or during the three years previously. And apparently she did not know her condition at the time she returned.”
“Does she have any family to assist her?”
“None, sir. She is so frightened about her future that she has stopped eating in an attempt to hide her situation.”
“I will have none of that. Is she willing to move to Pemberley? I know an older tenant, a widow, who would welcome companionship, and I am positive she would be delighted with an infant in the house. It is a small cottage, but there will be enough room. I will pay a small fee while she lives there; but, I will expect her to take up her duties at Pemberley when the time comes.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you. I know she will accept willingly. May I tell her now?”
“Yes, and please feed the girl. Tell her I insist. And send in fresh tea.”
Darcy picked up the poems again and headed for the chair next to the window. The late afternoon sun offered a bright light for reading. He selected the poem titled, The Vine and Oak, A Fable.
A vine from noblest lineage sprung
And with the choicest clusters hung,
In purple rob'd, reclining lay,
And catch'd the noontide's fervid ray;
The num'rous plants that deck the field
Did all the palm of beauty yield;
Pronounc'd her fairest of their train
And hail'd her empress of the plain.
A neighb'ring oak whose spiry height
In low-hung clouds was hid from sight,
Who dar'd a thousand howling storms;
Conscious of worth, sublimely stood,
The pride and glory of the wood.
Darcy caressed the paper. Elizabeth, are you are the empress of the plain; am I the neighb’ring oak? I do hide from you and yet, I do not know why. Pride and glory of the wood. Am I so prideful? Am I so conscious of my own worth? He put the poem away when the servant arrived with the tea, promising to finish reading the rest later.
***
“I am afraid you must share.” Mrs. Gardiner opened the door to her largest guest room. Having had her fourth child, the available rooms for her visiting nieces had dwindled. “Rest for a while. Dinner will be early. The children wish to see you again.”
Elizabeth assisted the maid with unpacking her trunk and waited to speak to her sister until the servant left.
“Jane, did you bring your heavy cloak? Town is colder than I remember. I feel a chill.”
“I believe it is downstairs.” Jane touched Lizzy’s head. “You are warm. Lie down
before it gets worse.”
“I am fine. I am only tired from the trip. But are you well? Your complexion seems pale, even for you.”
Jane sighed. “I am more anxious than ill. Do you… do you think…?”
“Yes, I think Mr. Bingley will be pleased to learn you are in London.”
“And Lord Blake? Perhaps he will be calling on Mr. Bingley when I visit Miss Bingley. Shall I mention your being in town?”
Elizabeth remained silent as she twirled a curl around her finger. Jane folded her arms across her chest and tapped her foot. Elizabeth sighed. “I only wish to discover why he left without taking his leave, but I fear the answer.”
“You said his father had called him home. Perhaps he could not wait another day, and you must admit when you did not appear, he had no reason to delay his return to London. He must have thought you did not wish to hear what he wanted to say. You must see the reason in what I say.”
“I agreed to travel with you to London because I want you to have the chance to speak to Mr. Bingley. I have no hope of seeing Lord Blake.”
“And I wanted you to have a chance to find out why Lord Blake left. I have less confidence in Mr. Bingley than you do.”
“I suppose we came for each other… as well as for ourselves.” Elizabeth climbed in the bed as Jane covered her with a blanket. “Such wretched irony.”
“What will you say if you have the opportunity to see Lord Blake and he offers you marriage?”
Elizabeth sighed. “I do not know. I have not let myself imagine being married to him.”
“Why not?”
“I have no fortune and the only connections I have are so beneath him. And the way our family behaves, I am almost ashamed to be called a Bennet. Did you not see Lydia and Kitty running about at the ball? Did father not embarrass Mary, who should not have exhibited herself in such a way? And mama! You did not hear her remarks. I could not look at Lord Blake. I could not look anywhere except my plate.”
“I do not believe it was as horrible as you make it out. You have many charms.”
“I have no fortune, and our connections are a tradesman and a lawyer for uncles. How could any man of his position connect himself to me? I have nothing to offer.”
Jane patted her sister’s hand. “Perhaps he did not mind. He did request a private meeting.”
“At first I assumed he wanted to propose, but Jane, why did he not come to the house? Why did he not take his leave properly?”
“You do not believe he would make a dishonorable offer? I do not believe that of him.”
“But he gave up so easily and if he wanted marriage, he would have never left without speaking to me. Hand me the handkerchief in my personal box. Yes, that one.”
Jane brought the item to her sister. She had often caught her fingering the cloth, and once had nearly caught her opening it, but Lizzy had never shared the contents.
“This is what I found that morning.” Lizzy unwrapped her keepsake and studied her sister as Jane tried to make out the contents. “A broken chess piece, a white knight. He had my initial etched on it and his family coat of arms. I assumed it was a wedding present because he had said a white knight is honorable and good and protects his queen. But surely you can see he was angry enough at my absence that he smashed it to pieces.”
“He must have been hurt deeply, Lizzy. Imaging what his emotions were when you did not appear. I do not think he acted only in anger. He is an important man, and your absence must have surprised him and made him believe he was unimportant. Perhaps our family’s behavior did give him worry, especially our youngest sisters.”
“I can only imagine his opinion of the entire Bennet family, and I can hear the words he might think. I know he must believe any connection would be a degradation, and I cannot conceive what his family would say or do. His father is a duke! His uncles are earls. Surely, they would object to his connecting with someone without titles, connections, or fortune, and to a woman with a family that acts in total want of propriety and acts as if it is the correct behavior. I cannot bear to recall the ball at Netherfield Park. They confirmed every suspicion he may have had.
“Well, if he is that squeamish, and cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity, he is not worth your regret.” Jane patted her sister’s arm.
Pulling the blanket up to her chin, Lizzy settled into the pillows. “He would never say so directly. Lord Blake is a gentleman, but he would think it, and although we would never discuss his true feelings, the disgust would fester with every reunion with the Bennets.” Lizzy patted the bed until Jane sat beside her. “Now the question is why did Mr. Bingley not return? Unlike Lord Blake, there can be no mistaking Mr. Bingley’s opinion of you, dear sister, or that of yours for him.”
“Oh, dear. Have I behaved in an improper manner when I was near him?”
“Not at all. Charlotte believed you did not show your feelings except we know you well, that is why your admiration for the man was obvious to us. I thought it was obvious to him too. He did stay close to you every opportunity. Now, admit your feelings for Mr. Bingley?”
“I like him; that is true, but… ”
A knock on the door interrupted Jane. Mrs. Gardiner peered inside and informed the girls that dinner would be at six, but if they so desired, they could have trays sent up. Both agreed they were not too tired.
The two girls’ discussions turned to clothes, fashion, and weather, but before they left the room for dinner, Jane and Elizabeth made a pact not to tell everything to Mrs. Gardiner.
***
Blake trotted towards Bingley’s house. The two men had spent several evenings together under the pretense of work. They, however, met to commiserate their lost loves. Although they shared no words on the subject, each man understood the other’s sadness. They would discuss anything other than the Bennet women or Netherfield Park. Just like their time in Cambridge, they leaned on each other when flirtations failed. Today Blake needed Bingley’s companionship. He had spent another fitful night imagining what his life could have been. A vision of a queen wearing a cloak marked by his coat of arms appeared. She was holding a chess piece, a knight, and it switched from white to black and then back to white again. Oh, Elizabeth! Why did you trifle with me? Why did you flirt, tease, and cast those bewitching eyes on me. Was I not rich enough?
Turning into the street, he was startled when he spotted Miss Bennet leaving Bingley’s house. He carefully examined her countenance. She was definitely sad. Her shoulders slumped, she kept her head low, and every so often, she dabbed at her eye. I suppose Bingley made his decision. I wonder if he is aware how dreadful she feels. Is it the loss of money or my friend that causes her such grief?
The recognition hit him that he did not know where the Bennet girls stayed in London. He decided to follow behind and discover the whereabouts of their uncle’s home. He had only known it was somewhere in Cheapside as Miss Bingley had pointed out many times. He could not remember her uncle’s name or never knew what he looked like and without either he had no way of searching for him. He had frequented the warehouses in Cheapside hopeful he might find Elizabeth there but to no avail. Miss Bennet’s appearance gave him hope.
Blake patted his horses’ neck. “We are fortunate today. Perhaps we can find out where Miss Elizabeth is staying.”
Twenty minutes later, and with the rumors he had heard concerning her uncle’s dishonesty were filling his thoughts, he watched Miss Bennet climb the stairs of a modest, but relatively new townhouse. He noted how the property was well cared for by its owner. When a properly attired doorman opened the door, he did not identify any common signs of financial distress. Usually, these particular servants were the first to go, and yet this person was opening the door as another servant left the house on an obvious errand. This puzzled him. He stopped a young lad running down the street and asked who lived there and when indicated it was the Gardiners he recalled it was the name of the uncle. Yet, the family did not seem downtrodden.
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A World of Expectations_Book 2_The Confrontation Page 21