Page 5 of Till Death Us Do Part: Book 2
Elizabeth frowned a bit, but tried to moderate the expression, assuming it was a skill she might have to perfect over the years and decades.
“I cannot really respond to that. I take you at your word onyourexperience, butminedoes not match your observations.”
Mrs Reynolds saw the set of her mistress’ jaw, suggesting her master had been far from the mark but wisely surmised that the topic should be closed for the moment. The master could dig himself out of his own hole or not, and there seemed little point in trying to fight his battles for him.
Jennings, feeling most uncomfortable himself, asked, “How shall we proceed?”
Elizabeth looked down at the hateful letter once again. “If you do not mind, pray make me a clean copy of this. Then, Isuppose we will settle down and wait for the master to return. Did he tell you where he was going or what he was doing?”
Neither the butler nor housekeeper could guess whether the mistress did not know, or knew and wanted to find out if they did. Either way, the answer was the same.
Jennings said, “He did not say, madam. He suggested lives and fortunes were on the line, and the mission was one of utmost secrecy.”
Elizabeth managed not to snort at his high-handedness. “I suppose his steward knows more?”
“Yes, madam. He is expected to handle the master’s affairs without instruction in the interim, so he knows more. He of course will not share it with anybody.”
“Of course.”
At an impasse, Elizabeth prepared to get on with doingsomethingwhen Mrs Reynolds interrupted her politely. “Begging your pardon, but the master did not arrange for a lady’s maid. I do not know if I should engage one or not.”
Elizabeth sighed at one more sign of either disrespect or thoughtlessness on her husband’s part. “No, during my period of mourning I do not expect I need all that much help. I will not be entertaining, I will be dressed simply, and—”
She thought for a moment. “I suppose I can make use of other servants as necessary.”
“Of course.”
Elizabeth thought a minute. “Have you engaged a young girl named Molly Hatcher?”
Surprised by the question, the housekeeper replied, “Yes, she is a scullery maid, but she is the lowest ranked servant in the house, so you are unlikely to meet her unless you inspect the kitchens.”
“Why would I inspect the kitchens?”
“It is what mistresses usually do, and I am certain you must consult with me on menus and other matters.”
Elizabeth had not even thought about meals, but the idea of eating alone, in a big private dining room, surrounded by servants in full livery, all painfully aware of her humiliation—gave her chills. At best it would be tedious beyond belief. At worst, it would be a constant source of gossip.
“Mrs Reynolds, may I presume the staff eats well?”
The housekeeper looked affronted at the very question. “Of course. You will not find anyone at Pemberley who would not give the master a good reference.”
Elizabeth thought that statement optimistic, since she could name one off the top of her head, but judged it best not to dwell on that.
“I will not be following the usual customs during my mourning. I leave it to the two of you to offer suitable explanations to the staff to keep gossip to a minimum. People will ask how I married while in mourning, and you should simply say the wedding preceded my knowledge. You may put it about that I am not calling or taking callers because of my mourning, but I am a very private person and do not wish to expand on that. I also do not wish to dine formally while mourning, so I will take my meals in my sitting room—presuming I have one?”
“Of course!” Mrs Reynolds stated emphatically.
“Let us do this. Assign Molly to my own use, but do not promote her to lady’s maid, as I do not want to foment rebellion in the ranks. I know her from before my marriage, and you should use that as explanation. It is common for a new mistress to bring some staff from her home. Molly will bring me whatever you are serving below stairs, and I will be content with it.”
Jennings said, “That will seemverypeculiar.”
“I know,” she sighed. “The only thing I ask is for the two of you to mitigate that as much as you can. Suggest my mourning was for someone vague but important. It might be best to tell people I did not share the information. People act peculiarly when grieving. As long as nothing any odder occurs, I believe we will survive it more or less intact.”
Both servants looked dubious, but since shewasthe mistress of the estate, and her ideas did not directly contradict the master’s orders, they had little choice but to go along.
Mrs Reynolds privately looked forward to a long association with Mrs Darcy. She thought that, once the master returned, and the difficulties between the two were resolved—which they obviously would be since nobody could remain angry with the master forever—she would quite enjoy the new mistress. She thought the vague but important dead relative was a bald-faced lie, but it was exceedingly clever. You could explain almost any odd behaviour with mourning. If they told the right gossip to the right people, they justmightpull it off with an intact reputation. If she were not explicit about whom she was mourning, she could mourn as hard or as easily as she chose and go into half-mourning or stop altogether whenever she was ready.
The housekeeper naturally said none of this to the mistress—there were limits to that odd conversation.
