Mr. Darcy's Proposal (23 page)

After Georgiana joined them at Pemberley, the household fell into a pleasant routine. Most mornings, Darcy rose early to take exercise on his horse and several times a week, he would join Elizabeth for a long walk. After his morning exercise, he worked on estate business while Elizabeth met with Mrs. Reynolds to review menus, balance the accounts, or deal with other matters related to the house. Georgiana devoted her time to practicing her music, her needlework, or her studies.

One morning as they finished breakfast, Georgiana and Elizabeth lingered quietly reading their books and sipping coffee. Darcy, who had been looking through the paper, pushed away from the table and leaned back in his chair.

“I have to ride out with Adams today to check on some tenants, and then I will be going into Lambton on business.” After taking a last sip from his coffee, Darcy rose and kissed Elizabeth on the cheek. “I will see you both late this afternoon, then.” He started to leave but then stopped by the door. “I had almost forgotten. I had asked Mrs. Reynolds to find some suitable applicants to fill the post of your lady’s maid. She now has several for you to consider.”

This was a complete surprise to Elizabeth who was quite happy with Margaret, the young woman who had been acting as her maid since she had arrived. The idea of finding someone new seemed unnecessary. In addition, she felt uncomfortable he had taken it upon himself to speak to Mrs. Reynolds since making decisions about the household staff was her responsibility.

“Thank you, sir, but I will let Mrs. Reynolds know she does not need to bother. I am very happy with Margaret.”

“I am sure that Margaret is very pleasant, but she is young and inexperienced. You should have someone more suitable for your position as mistress of the house.”

Elizabeth looked down at her hands folded tightly in her lap. “I think Margaret suits me quite well. After all, the mistress of the house is also young and inexperienced.” Elizabeth glanced up at Georgiana who was keeping her eyes glued firmly on her book.

“My dear, I do not think you realize the advantages of having someone with more experience attending you. Lady Matlock’s maid is a most excellent woman, is she not, Georgiana?”

Georgiana nodded slightly but did not look up. Elizabeth was furious that he would try to draw Georgiana into something that was between the two of them. Most of all, she did not like being told what to do.

“I think it is more important that the person with whom I will be spending so much time is someone I like. Margaret has worked very hard, and I think she deserves this opportunity to prove herself.”

“I have already asked Mrs. Reynolds to find other candidates. Please speak with her about this.”

Elizabeth’s cheeks were warm from the embarrassment that Georgiana should have heard their exchange. She knew she should probably acquiesce and deal with this matter later in private, but her stubbornness would not allow her to leave it alone.

“Of course, I will speak to Mrs. Reynolds if that is what you wish, but I thought we had agreed that I would make all decisions about the household staff,” she challenged.

Darcy took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“I really must be off now. We shall discuss the matter when I return this afternoon if you wish,” he said, putting an end to the conversation. Then he kissed her on the cheek again before he left the room.

Although Georgiana did not speak, Elizabeth was certain she had been ill at ease to hear them disagree in front of her. Elizabeth’s first instinct was to rush from the room and go off by herself, either to her room or out for a walk, but she did not want Georgiana to know how upset she was at being dictated to in this manner. Although she was fuming, she tried to sip her coffee calmly and act as if nothing was amiss. Finally, she placed her napkin on the table and stood to leave.

“If you will excuse me, I have to see Mrs. Reynolds about the menus for the week. May I come listen when you practice later today?”

“He only wants what is best for you.” Georgiana’s voice was barely audible.

“I realize that, but I believe in this matter I am the one who is in the best position to decide what I need.”

“You have to understand that my brother is accustomed to making decisions without consulting anyone else. It is just a habit he developed from having so much responsibility for the estate thrust on him when he was so young.” Georgiana’s eyes were pleading for understanding as she looked at Elizabeth.

“I am sure you are correct. There is much for me to learn.” She tried to give the girl a reassuring look and then left the room quickly while she still had control over her emotions. Walking back to her room, she wondered what was wrong with her lately. She had never been one to cry so easily. She had cried frequently when her father was ill, but that was understandable. Perhaps the loss was affecting her equilibrium more than she realized. She desperately missed Jane and her calming influence. Contemplating her low mood, she realized that nearly every aspect of her life had changed in the past few months. Maybe it was not so surprising that she was feeling a little fragile.

As she settled in as mistress of the house, it seemed to her like an important time to make her own choices. After all, she was the one most affected by the selection of her maid. To keep the peace, Elizabeth resolved to follow through and consider whomever Mrs. Reynolds recommended. Having complied with her husband’s request, then she would tell him that she still wanted Margaret.

***

The next morning as Margaret was fixing Elizabeth’s hair, she seemed to be fumbling a little more than usual with the pins as if she were anxious about something. Looking into the mirror, Elizabeth could see the girl’s unhappy face reflected there.

“What is wrong this morning? Are you feeling ill?” asked Elizabeth.

“No, Mrs. Darcy, I am fine.” The strained smile on Margaret’s face said she was anything
but
fine.

“I know you well enough by now to be certain there is something on your mind. Please tell me.”

“It is nothing, ma’am.”

Elizabeth reached up and put her hand on Margaret’s arm to stop her work. “I will not allow you to continue until you have told me what this is all about. Please, Margaret, you may speak to me freely.”

Margaret kept her eyes down on the floor. “Have I done something to displease you, Mrs. Darcy?” Her voice was so soft Elizabeth could barely hear her.

“Displease me? Whatever made you think that?”

“The gossip below stairs, ma’am. I heard from some of the other servants you are going to hire someone to replace me. I know this has been only a temporary position, but I was hoping you might keep me on permanent-like. I thought we were getting on well.”

“I see. You are worried I will be replacing you because you have displeased me?”

“Yes, ma’am,” she whispered, keeping her eyes on the floor. “I am so sorry. I should never have mentioned this to you.”

“Rest assured that I think you are taking very good care of me. Mr. Darcy has asked me to consider some other more experienced candidates, but I have made my decision. I would like to make this a permanent situation for you. Would that meet with your approval?”

Margaret’s face glowed. “Oh, yes, Mrs. Darcy. I am very happy working for you. I do not know how to thank you.”

Elizabeth smiled at her. She knew that this was a big moment for a young girl in service. This was a significant promotion to being lady’s maid to the mistress of the house. Pleased with her decision, she resolved find a way to deal with Mr. Darcy’s disapproval. After all, choosing a lady’s maid was very personal matter—a decision only she should make.

***

A few days later, while Elizabeth was sitting alone with her husband after dinner, she considered how best to bring up her decision about Margaret. She spent some time trying to assess his mood and possible receptivity. When he talked about the success he had experienced that day in settling a dispute between tenants, it seemed a good time to share what was on her mind.

“I have done as you requested and reviewed the letters of recommendation from several ladies for the position of my maid.”

“And did you find someone to your liking?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. After considering all the candidates, I have offered the position to Margaret.”

His face darkened. “Elizabeth, I thought I had made it clear you must choose someone more fitting your position. Margaret is a nice girl, but she just will not do for the mistress of this house.”

“I realize she is lacking in experience, but she seems to be coming along very well, and even more importantly, I have come to trust her.”

“I do not want to insist, but I feel very strongly about this. You must choose someone else,” he said, continuing to look disapproving.

She smiled sweetly back at him. “I am quite resolved. Is there a reason other than her inexperience that has you so decided against her?” She could not understand his continued insistence about the matter. Now she felt backed into a corner. She had told Margaret she was going to stay, and nothing was going to make her go back on her word. Darcy stood and started pacing restlessly.

“I have nothing against her. I just want you to choose someone more appropriate, not some untested young girl.”

Elizabeth bit her lip as she struggled to keep her temper in check. “You told me I would be making decisions about the house and the staff, but when I do something that you do not agree with, you want to overrule me. If you do not trust my judgment, you should tell me now.”

He stopped pacing and seemed to be giving close examination to the picture hanging above the fireplace. Elizabeth wondered if possibly there was something he was not telling her. Turning, he fixed her with one of those serious, intent looks she was coming to know so well.

“I do trust your judgment, but I want you to choose someone else. I have given you my reasons, and I expect you to do as I say,” he replied.

“Oh, so I may make decisions as long as you approve of them!” Elizabeth was so irritated that she nearly jumped to her feet.

“That is not what I said!”

“I believe that is the essence of it,” she replied, unable to keep the edge from her voice.

“I am still master of this house. I am accustomed to having people follow my wishes.”

“And I am your wife, not one of your servants. You should not give me leave to make decisions about these matters and then overrule me.”

His look went straight through her, but she held her ground. Finally taking a deep breath, he exhaled what seemed a sigh of resignation. “Very well. She may stay on temporarily, but you must choose someone else by the end of the year.”

Elizabeth stood. In spite of his disapproval, she did not plan to back down. She walked over to her husband and took his hand. Looking up into his eyes, she said as sweetly she could, “I am sorry to disagree with you, but I have already told her she is staying, and I cannot go back on my word. Now come sit down, and I will read to you.”

Darcy looked confused. Although he still seemed reluctant to give up the discussion, she could feel his resistance decreasing a little as she stood there tracing the back of his hand with her finger. “Are you trying to distract me?” he asked.

“Do you object to my holding your hand? I seem to remember a time when you very much wanted to hold mine.”

“Yes, I remember it quite well,” he said. His face softened. Gently, she led him to the settee. Picking up the book of essays he had left on the table, she opened it at his bookmark and began to read aloud. Elizabeth was not sure if he had decided to allow her to make the decision, or if he was just planning to wait until another time to bring it up again. For the moment at least, she had won the argument quite effectively.

***

Darcy sat listening to Elizabeth read to him. It was very enjoyable being the sole focus of her attentions. At the same time, he was not sure exactly what had just happened. They had been arguing, and he had told her that he expected her to accede to his wishes, but the moment she had touched his hand, he had lost the will to continue the disagreement. He wasn’t certain but he had the vague recollection that he had given in and Margaret would be staying on as her maid.

Elizabeth continued to hold his hand while she balanced the book in her other. Her face was intense as she read, as if she was completely absorbed in the words, and they had somehow carried her away from this place and time. He continued to watch with complete fascination.

After a few minutes, she released his hand and reached up to brush back a stray lock of hair and then to massage the back of her neck while still continuing to read. Darcy felt as if he were viewing something very private. It was that intimate and sensuous. He had always found everything about her slender, graceful neck erotic. As much as he liked her hair down, he also appreciated the advantages of seeing it pinned up. Sometimes, when she was reading or sewing, she would stop to stretch or rub the tired muscles, and he was always mesmerized.

If she only knew the affect this simple gesture had on him. As he watched, he wished it were his hand in place of hers. He thought back to the evening at Netherfield after her father’s funeral when she had allowed him to sooth her by massaging her shoulders. It had given him so much pleasure to touch her that way. At the time, he had been hopeful their relationship would become closer, but in spite of his resolve to win her affections, he was unsure if he had made much progress in reaching her.