MR. DARCY'S FIRST ELIZABETH

by John Edwards

  “Miss Watkins, I am interested in having you meet my children. Shall we all go inside?”

  They walked into the home after retracing their steps to the front. The home was formal and the grand foyer well appointed and ornate. Mrs. Kimble showed the house to both women and then she asked Elizabeth if she would visit with the children some while she discussed things with Mr. Watson.

  Elizabeth went into the nursery and found the two children playing together.

  The girl, a fair child with blond hair and blue eyes was playing with a child’s tea set and her younger brother was acting the part of a butler serving her imaginary tea. “Hello children, do you mind my observing you play?”

  “No, Miss. Would you like some tea, for I will ask my butler to serve you?

  Mr. Peters, please serve the lady her tea.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Peters, and you Miss for asking me to join you.” Elizabeth’s face lit up as she saw the delight of these young people acting out their game. She was so captured by the children’s merriment that she did not notice the man watching from the hall at these happenings.

  At the same time Mrs. Kimble was visiting with Mrs. Watson and was grieved to learn of Elizabeth’s problems. She knew Mr. Emerson from church and knew he had mentioned that he had family in Brandywine but she felt great pain in learning that Miss Watkins had been robbed and mugged while walking to the church to visit her uncle’s grave. “No, she said, this cannot be. Mrs. Watson, from my brief meeting with Miss Watkins, I feel confident she would make a very good governess for Lucy and Richard, but first let me go talk to Mr. Kimble. Would you excuse me for a few minutes?”

  Mrs. Watson nodded her approval and smiled as Mrs. Kimble left to visit with her husband, who was now in his study. “Come in my dear and tell me about your new governess.”

  “And why do you suppose that is the reason for my visit?”

  “I walked by the nursery and saw a young woman visiting with another very young lady and her butler. The younger lady was having tea and then invited the new woman to join her.”

  “Not tea again. Why do they not drink coffee?” Both Louisa and Frank Kimble looked at one another and laughed at the same time. “Mr. Kimble, I fear that she will not be the governess for very long for the same reason as before; why she is quite lovely and will have her hands full of suitors. Also, she plays the pianoforte and speaks French. How good for our children.”

  “Mrs. Kimble, let us listen to Miss Watkins play.” She nodded and they left to visit with Miss Watkins and the children. Louisa Kimble introduced her husband to Elizabeth and asked her if she would play some on the pianoforte.” Elizabeth blushed but kept her countenance and said that she would play, but said she had not practiced lately and that she would probably play ill. Nevertheless, all went to the music room and Elizabeth sat at the pianoforte and played some children’s songs that had both Lucy and Richard quite excited. Then she followed with another song that Mr. Kimble had requested and she played it without sheet music. All applauded Elizabeth’s performance.

  “Children, do you know why Miss Watkins is here today?”

  “Of course mama,” said Lucy, as Richard clapped his hands and jumped about. She will be our new governess. The children then ran to Elizabeth’s side and clung to her. Looking up at her face, Lucy and Richard asked her to be their governess. Elizabeth’s response was that the decision was not her own, but proclaimed she would like that position. On that, Mrs. Kimble and Frank met with Elizabeth in private another half hour and soon Elizabeth and Mrs. Watson took their leave as the Kimble’s waved goodbye and thanked them for coming.

  “Then, I assume they want you?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Watson. You have made me so happy. Thank you so much for all your help. They have asked if I can come to Kimblehouse in three days and I said I would. Do you suppose.. could I, ...do you think?”

  Elizabeth, I shall insist that you stay with me until you start your new position. We are to be good friends. Now, let us plan some things to do until you go to Kimblehouse.

  The two kept busy during those few days remaining. Elizabeth could not have chosen a better mentor to understand the people and the history of the area she now called home. She would see Mrs. Watson on Sundays at church and in the village and at the Assembly Hall functions that occurred often. Rascal had become her companion during her stay and she had grown to be attached to him. Like the late Mr. Watson before her, Rascal followed her throughout the house and would run to jump on her lap once she sat. The affection that Rascal had for Elizabeth was returned by Elizabeth and this did not go unnoticed by Mrs. Watson. Mrs. Watson knew that she would see much of her new friend and she was happy for that.

  The next day they took a carriage around the village and then ventured beyond. They went by Mr. Brightsome’s grand estate which included nearly ten thousand acres. Never had Elizabeth seen anything such as that grand home with such a great stone edifice, though they did not apply to go into the mansion but instead perused the grounds. Mrs. Watson told Elizabeth the sad story of her master losing his wife and only child during childbirth and that for many months he was a lost soul but his spirits were lifted and he overcame his morass when his young nephew, William, a lad of eleven years, came from Virginia, in the colonies, to live with him. Her stories of the young lad, who now she judged to be near eight and twenty, were interesting and prompted many more questions. Mrs. Watson told Elizabeth that many young women were interested in the nephew, but that his uncle had grounded in him the importance of marrying for true love only after ensuring the woman is not a fortune seeker. As they left the grounds of that grand estate, Mrs. Watson said that the nephew had inherited all of his own father’s estate in Virginia as well as the whole of his uncle’s estate. She said she had seen him just a few weeks ago, when William Brightsome came back to England to settle his uncle’s estate, and upon learning she was now settled in Wakefield, he visited with her. “Oh Elizabeth, he is as fine and handsome a young man as I have seen, but I believe he has met a young woman in Philadelphia that has caught his eye. He told me that he owned a carriage business in Philadelphia and had rented out Thayer Manor and other properties that he inherited and these were being managed for him. Mr. Reynolds is now his attorney for these matters.”

  “He does sound like a very interesting gentleman, and yes, you can be assured he will attract many women.”

  “That is so. I asked him if he remembered his uncle’s advice on courting women, and he replied he did. When I asked what this woman and her family thought of his owning his own business, he told me they consider him a tradesman and not a gentleman, though they had been civil to him and were all good people.” Mrs. Watson then said that Mr. Brightsome likely might return to England one day but she did not know when. Elizabeth thought this Brightsome gentleman seemed very interesting.

  The next day they made another outing to Hampshire where Mrs. Watson introduced Elizabeth to some more of her friends. After lunch they rode out into the country and Mrs. Watson pointed out the Hunting Hills estate, but they did not apply to the housekeeper to see the home, instead, preferring to stay outside. Except for the Brightsome estate, Elizabeth believed Hunting Hills to be the most grand of what she had seen so far, and told Mrs. Watson so.

  “Elizabeth, we do not speak of these things much, but the owner of Hunting Hills lost his own father but three months ago and just a month earlier his older brother died. Now, he has a younger sister, about sixteen years I believe, but either due to his grief or the heavy burden of running such an estate, he has drawn inward.”

  “Perhaps it is just an adjustment period for him and he will come around?”

  “That may be, Elizabeth, but he also lost his mother a year ago.”

  “My, that certainly explains his troubles, these are indeed heavy burdens. Still, there may be other things at work.”

  “We do not know, for the man is very private, but his father was quite rich and owned several other properties and had other investm
ents. There is speculation that someone is working to steal his fortune or has already done so, but the gentleman is dealing with it as best he can. I understand he has hired an investigator and some well respected attorneys, and he is constantly away from Hunting Hills doing this business.”

  “Then I feel sorry for the gentleman. So much bad has happened to him and now this. It is too much.”

  The women made their way back to Wakefield and took a rest. Elizabeth went in her room and was soon asleep but before that, she felt the thump of Rascal’s little feet joining her on her coverlet and soon felt Rascal nudge against her hip. This brought a contentment to her and she settled for a good nap. She had a dream of Hunting Hills and in that dream a figure, more a thief, was fleeing in the night with a large sack of possessions, and she heard the person shout to another man as she was knocked down and her own bag taken as well. She awoke, fretting, for she knew she had revisited her own mugging as well as the poor situation at Hunting Hills.

  Still, she soon recovered and Mrs. Watson and her left to attend a dinner that Mrs. Watson’s friend had invited them to, this being her last evening in the village. “Well, Miss Watkins, we shall expect to see you at the assembly this Saturday, and then at church on Sunday.”

  “Yes, I shall see you all at church, but what is happening at the assembly?”

  “Why you mean to say my friend has not told you? There will be a dance there of course, and you shall be with the Kimbles my dear and will meet many people.”

  “Oh, I suppose that is good. I look forward to attending.”

  CHAPTER 3

  MANY THINGS HAPPENING

  Mrs. Kimble had left word that a carriage would arrive at ten to take Elizabeth to Kimblehouse. Before she left she hugged her friend and petted Rascal. Then she climbed into the carriage and along with her meager possessions she soon arrived. Mrs. Kimble was shocked to see how little Elizabeth brought with her. Elizabeth said that she had more clothes and other things that would be sent to her but because her uncle was dead she waited to write to have these things sent because she could provide no address until the present job offer.

  “Elizabeth, Mrs. Kimble said, you should write soon and have your things sent here. Now, do you have a fancy dress for the dance this Saturday?”

  “I have some things, Mrs. Kimble, but they are not that fine. The best dress I had was stolen when I was attacked. I can wear what I have on, but until my other clothes arrive, this is the best I can do. I apologize.”

  “Elizabeth, I was your size before the children came and I do not fit into those clothes now. Let us go look at them and see if they are to your liking.”

  They went to a large dressing room next to Mrs. Kimble’s room and walked into a large closet where Elizabeth beheld an extensive collection of very fine formal dresses and some casual ones as well. “Look these over, Elizabeth, and try them on if you like. You may keep any of these that you wish. Then we shall see about some other things.”

  After some minutes Elizabeth came out with a beautiful blue dress with fine lace and fancy pleats. It would look good on her, but still it was simple enough to be attractive and it would not compete with the finery that other women would wear. In short, it was perfect for a governess. When Mrs. Kimble came back into the room she asked if Elizabeth had made her choices and Elizabeth told her she had, and showed her the blue dress and two other informal everyday dresses.

  “You have made a good choice, and I am pleased that you will have these clothes. You may choose other dresses from the ones I have shown you, just tell me first, when you want to look at them.”

  “I shall, Mrs. Kimble, and may I again thank you so much.”

  “You are most welcome, Elizabeth. We probably need to get you some other things for it will be some time before your letter can be received and acted upon and the rest of your things arrive. Come, we shall take a carriage to town and take care of these incidentals.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Kimble.”

  They were not gone long but had shopped at three stores and bought the small things Elizabeth was in need of. When they arrived back at Kimblehouse, Elizabeth went to her room to freshen up and was asked to come down with the children in an hour for lunch. The time was appreciated and Elizabeth slowly took in the beauty of her own room with such a beautiful view of the village below. Her room was next to Lucy’s and across the hall from Richard’s room which was but two doors away from his mother’s room with the father’s room being located next to his wife but at the corner of the home in the back.

  Elizabeth rested a bit and then changed into a casual dress that Mrs. Kimble had given to her. Once she was pleased, she went to the nursery and met the children and they all went downstairs for the lunch meal. Mrs. Kimble asked Elizabeth to sit between her children. This was a splendid start to her new position as governess to Lucy and Richard and Mrs. Kimble had already discussed what she expected Elizabeth to do with the children. Mostly her role involved watching out for the children’s safety, and teaching correct manners, spelling and reading, music and playing with them. Elizabeth also said she would like to teach geography and history, and she thought to make the lessons fun for the children.

  Soon it was Saturday and Elizabeth had been practicing dances with Lucy, for other children would be at the dance, and they had their own dance area reserved for them in a corner of the ballroom. Elizabeth thought this a wonderful idea, as it kept her out of the limelight, and this was good because she wanted to take her time in meeting new people. Richard did not attend the dance but was kept at a woman’s house two doors down from the assembly hall and he was one of several young children being watched while the parents enjoyed their evening out.

  The Kimbles arrived after most guests and were greeted by their friends and others they knew. The subject of finding a new governess was discussed often and Elizabeth noticed she was receiving looks from many people.

  Elizabeth was working with another governess and a third woman to teach the children to dance when the room suddenly went silent as a lady and gentleman entered. Elizabeth did not see the man and wondered the reason for the sudden quiet. Soon Mrs. Kimble and her husband came over to her along with another couple and Elizabeth, noticing the man, was immediately startled. She immediately tensed up and felt her heart quicken as the man was John Winstead, her fellow passenger just mere days ago when she set off to visit her uncle. Elizabeth thought his wife very young but then she saw him staring at herself and she felt her face color as he did this. She was embarrassed that Mr. Winstead’s spouse would have to endure her husband staring at another woman and she thought he was hateful for doing this. Elizabeth felt for the young woman but knew not what to do. She thought of her ride with this man, who she believed was a single gentleman, but now she scolded herself for thinking good of him. Soon Mrs. Kimble spoke. “Mr. Winstead, this is Elizabeth Watkins, our new governess. Mr. Winstead attended Cambridge with Mr. Kimble and they have been good friends for many years. Elizabeth, the young lady with him is his sister, Charlotte. They will stay over a few days with us before heading home to Hunting Hills.”

  Elizabeth thought hard, He is the owner of Hunting Hills? I do not understand this at all. I expected him to be a man of significance but he is quite wealthy, yet he was friendly to me.

  Elizabeth expressed her pleasure mixed with surprise at seeing the gentleman again and she greeted Charlotte warmly. “Miss Winstead, I must tell you that I had the pleasure to ride with your brother from Brandywine to Hampshire just days ago. I was happy to make his acquaintance then and I am pleased to see him again and to meet you. For a second I believed you to be his wife.” Yes, but why did I get so upset on seeing him again?

  “His wife, ha ha to that. John Winstead scares off any unattached female over sixteen and less than forty-five, do you not, John?” Frank Kimble laughed and slapped John’s back as he waited for John Winstead’s response.

  “Miss Watkins, did you find me disagreeable during our journey? I thought I was a
cting as a gentleman most of the time.”

  Elizabeth’s blush had faded now as she turned her bright smiling eyes onto him and laughed playfully and said, “Yes sir, in the coach you were a gentleman and you were very kind and I enjoyed having you as my fellow passenger; however, outside the coach, and with others, some may find fault with your behavior.”

  John Winstead just could not take his eyes from her and her affable flirtation warmed his cheeks. He recognized the liveliness of her eyes when she laughed and he had earlier noticed her blush but mostly he was happy to see her again, but he did not wish to attract too much attention between Miss Watkins and himself. There were others that he needed to visit in the assembly hall but before he left to do that he asked Miss Watkins how she enjoyed her visit with her uncle. Mrs. Kimble then said, “Elizabeth had a sad experience as she arrived at her uncle’s house. She found another lived there as her uncle had passed away some months ago. Then, on walking back to Wakefield Church, she was attacked and robbed of her valuables and left to bleed. See her forehead. She was cut badly and had a big egg on her head from being knocked senseless.”