Page 14 of The Colonel's Ungovernable Governess
Mrs. Darcy declared, “As you well know, our mother never bothered to employ such a woman. Truthfully, I doubt one woman could have met the needs of five such boisterous girls. I guess I am saying, all of the Bennet sisters could have benefitted from a governess’s guidance, but we could also have benefitted from a bit of individual attention. Much of our upbringing, until we were older, was performed as a group. Usually, we did what either Jane or Lydia suggested, because those two were my mother’s favorites.”
Jocelyn took a moment to think upon Mrs. Darcy’s unspoken suggestion. By silent assent, she again permitted the woman “gently” to have her way. “If I am also to meet some of Lady Victoria’s needs as a young lady of English society, I thought to assist her with her needlework, something she mentioned while she watched me soak Vincent’s hand in warm soapy water before Mrs. Ross bandaged it. I was thinking we might begin with creating letters or simple leaves. However, I have no idea where to find cloth or thread in this household and neither does the child.”
“We may ask Mrs. Ross. I would imagine there is some cloth and thread about for patching clothing and the like. If necessary, we will send someone in the village for the necessary items. You will require multiple needles and thread.”
“That would be lovely. Might I also impose upon you to use a pencil and sketch a drawing for Lady Victoria’s practice?”
“Gladly done.”
* * *
“We should be at William’s Wood by midday tomorrow,” Darcy told his cousin as they dined together at an inn marking their journey.
“I imagine you are eager to reunite with Mrs. Darcy,” Edward teased.
“I have not tired of the woman, as you well know,” Darcy remarked around a bite of ham. “Are you worried on the lack of marital felicity with Miss Romfield?”
“I would be concerned for felicity in any marriage I choose to undertake. I am a man set in my ways. I do not believe I could tolerate a woman who is not capable of adjusting to constant changes in her life. After all, most of my adult life, I have been a soldier. My time is never my own. Between the War Office and my parents, I have no life of which I can honestly say bears my stamp upon it. Now, I am to oversee my brother’s stepchildren, while wooing a bride chosen for me without my knowledge. No one considered I have duties to the King I must perform.”
Darcy paused to look upon Edward seriously, and Edward was suddenly aware how his complaining must sound. “I am your ally in this matter. Whatever you require, I will not fail you. I will stand against both Matlock and our Aunt Catherine, if such is your decision.”
Edward shrugged to release the tension always present between his shoulders. “I do not doubt your loyalty, Cousin, nor your resolve, but I am in foreign waters, and you know how I worry about a leaking boat.”
“You were never much of a sailor,” Darcy remarked offhandedly. “But this next venture is on dry land, and who is to say Miss Romfield will not capture your disinterested heart with an enticing glance and a smile.”
* * *
“Mrs. Darcy, look!” Elizabeth and Jocelyn turned together at the bidding of the maid.
Jocelyn thought the woman would know delight, for her son took three lunging steps forward before dropping to his knees.
Instead, the woman rushed to scoop the child up in her embrace. “No, no, my love!” She kissed the boy’s cheek and ran her fingers through the child’s thick, dark hair to straighten it. “Not until your papa arrives.”
“Must he wait for Mr. Darcy’s approval?” Jocelyn asked. “Should not Mr. Darcy simply be happy for the news?”
Unexpectedly, Mrs. Darcy chuckled. “Explain something of Mr. Darcy’s nature to Miss Lambert, Hannah.”
The lady’s maid smiled as well. “As my husband Mr. Sheffield has served Mr. Darcy as both his tutor and later his valet, I likely know more of the true nature of the master of Pemberley than most. No detail at the estate or regarding his family is beyond the master’s notice. Mr. Darcy would be heartsick to think his son took his first steps without his presence at that exact moment in time. There are so few firsts in this world. I know Mr. Sheffield would be devastated if he does not witness our Marshall’s first steps.”
Jocelyn still was not convinced it would make a difference, but she kept her opinions to herself.
“Then, we three must pretend we have not viewed Bennet’s progress these last two days. My son will walk into his father’s arms later this afternoon,” Mrs. Darcy declared. “Are we placing a bet on whether there will be happy tears in Mr. Darcy’s eyes?” she asked the maid.
“If we were at Pemberley House,” the maid stated, “Mrs. Reynolds, Mr. Nathan, and my Alfred would know tears of joy, as well, so a bet is not necessary. They are guaranteed.”
* * *
Darcy sighed with contentment when his carriage entered the gates of William’s Wood. “Have you considered where you and Miss Romfield will reside once you are married?”
“I suppose much will be determined by when my brother claims his last breath and what arrangements will be necessary for Lady Lindale’s children,” Edward mused. “I assume when Lindale passes, if there are still minor children, Lady Lindale and her children will reside in either the dower house at William’s Wood or at Maitland Manor. For my purposes, it would be best if Miss Romfield and I could claim the Oxfordshire estate promised me through my mother’s family, but Lady Matlock’s youngest brother is still alive. Until my maternal uncle passes, Oxfordshire is not an option.”
“I am assured Mrs. Darcy would not object if you and Miss Romfield, or any wife of your choosing, would wish to make use of Pemberley’s dower house, especially now it has known appropriate repairs and refurbishing. The dower house would provide you more privacy than either the Wood or Maitland. Moreover, you could join me regularly and learn more of land management and estate expenses than if you were being thrust into the position after Roland’s death. At Pemberley, you would know less arguments than under the earl’s tutelage.”
Edward chuckled. “I revere my father and am quite proud to be the son of such a prominent statesman, but he will know great umbrage to hear me say I am not built in the same manner as is he.”
“Perfectly acceptable,” Darcy declared. “My father would not have understood some of the changes I have made in regards to how Pemberley is run nor would he have considered Elizabeth Bennet a suitable wife for me. His pride would have stood in his way in both matters. Yet, I continually receive praise for how efficiently Pemberley has moved forward and few who know my wife could think of any better suited for me and for Pemberley’s future. You and your wife must carve out your own path in a world Matlock would not recognize as England.” They were crossing the bridge leading to the drive and the front door of the manor. “By the way, how long before a brigadier or major general appointment becomes available? I know such was always your goal before you left the service.”
“There is a brigadier one available now that could lead to a major general appointment in six to nine months, and a full out major general one also, but I do not have the funds to purchase either, and, as you are aware, a brigadier general position is always meant to be temporary. If I claimed that position, I must be prepared immediately to claim the other, but the major general one, currently available, is more expensive by itself than the two placed together.”
