Page 6 of Till Death Us Do Part: Book 2
Jennings’ thoughts tended along the same direction, but he would never discuss such ideas even with the steward, let alone anyone else. Mrs Darcy had decided how she wished to comport herself, and he would do whatever was necessary to make sure the household responded accordingly.
Elizabeth said, “I would ask one more boon of you.”
“Anything you ask.”
Elizabeth thought that asking for a fast horse and enough money to disappear might be too much, regardless of how tempting the idea was.
“I would like to salvagesomehope of eventually being a proper mistress for this house. I will not interfere with the smooth running of the house, but if you would join me for tea once a week and explain how things are done, I would appreciate it.”
Mrs Reynolds thought the request meant that things weremuchworse than she had surmised, since the mistress of the house felt the need to ask the housekeeper’s permission to perform the very most basic duty of the job; but such it was.
“Of course.”
Elizabeth gave a small smirk. “If there are changes you wanted to make for some time but did not want to ask, feel free to make them and blame me. Nobody will ever know.”
Jennings looked scandalised, but Mrs Reynolds just laughed and nodded.
Feeling like their business for the day was complete, Elizabeth said, “Shall we look at my suite? If there are changes necessary, I imagine we should get on with it.”
“Of course, madam. Right this way,” Mrs Reynolds replied.
Jennings added, “If you’ve no objections, I will bring a few footmen, just in case you want some small changes for the evening—moving furniture around and the like.”
“Thank you. That would be lovely. If you could show me the library on the way, I would be entirely content.”
With that, the three got up from what was probably the oddest conversation in history, all still quite uncomfortable with the situation, but at least believing it was manageable.
3.Introductions
Jennings and Mrs Reynolds preceded Elizabeth up a flight of stairs and through a long corridor. The housekeeper pointed out all the rooms they passed along the way and suggested she would be happy to arrange a more thorough tour at Mrs Darcy’s convenience.
When they arrived at the library, Elizabeth made a cursory survey. With the utter lack of alternative entertainment, aside from having a great deal of time to practise the pianoforte without arguing with Mary, she expected to be reading and walking a great deal.
The library was large, well appointed, comfortable, and entirely adequate to her needs (or anybody’s). She could not imagine spending her limited pin money on books, since she could easily see at least a couple dozen interesting specimens at the first glance. The room was enormous and well stocked, as one would expect for thework of many generations.
She even took a surreptitious look at the infamous black shelf and grew angry and bitter all over again. She saw any number of wonderful tomes that might have consumed days, yet she was not to read them, because her husband wished to regulate her reading like a child.
When she finished a short inspection, she found Molly waiting, looking pensive. The younger girl curtseyed, and Elizabeth gave her a grin and a wink, which only they could see.
“It is nice to see you again, Mrs Darcy.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I could say the same, Molly. Has Mrs Reynolds explained what I would like you to do?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And you have no objections?”
“Of course not.”
“Are you a good walker? I may be outdoors more than in much of the time and am not intimidated by bad weather.”
Molly grinned a bit. “I happened to come into some unexpected coin a month ago. I bought new boots and a new coat. I can keep up with anybody.”
Elizabeth laughed at the boast, thinking her new maid sounded a good deal like a better incarnation of Lydia. “We shall get along fine.”
Elizabeth then turned to her butler and housekeeper. “Shall we see the mistress’ suite?”
The group gained three footmen, who were waiting outside the library. Elizabeth wondered exactly how many servants Pemberley boasted, and what they did when the master was not about. Mrs Reynolds would tell her, and she would have to learn their names and duties if she wanted any slight hope of succeeding as mistress of this monstrosity—eventually.
