“Lady Catherine wishes for you to join her in the Gold Room.”
* * *
Business had keptFitzwilliam Darcy in London an extra day but he had not expected the weather to further delay his travel back to Netherfield and he sent his carriage ahead, choosing to ride his newest mount, Ulysses.
“You with a wandering spirit,” he said, stroking the stallion’s mane, “do not go astray for twenty years.”
He wanted to stretch his legs and escape the thought of the enchanting Miss Elizabeth Bennet. The best way should have been by visiting his betrothed, Anne, and his aunt Catherine—the aforementioned business. With that unpleasantness behind him, he had planned to leave early in the morning, but business with his attorney had delayed him until the afternoon, placing him in the path of a most violent rainstorm. “She had been in a rare mood, even for her,” he said to Ulysses, “demanding I post the announcement in the paper and immediately prepare to remove myself from Netherfield to Darcy House. Lady Catherine forgets I am my own master and will not be led around through the nose.”
And I might have done her bidding had Anne not seemed resistant to marry. He dropped his shoulder to allow the water which had pooled in a small pocket of his coat to run off.I am sure I have ridden nearly two hours, but who can tell in this driving rain.He lowered his head, knowing he would be chilled to the bone when he arrived at Netherfield.
I must be but a few miles from Ashby Park. Even if Hamilton is still in London, surely his servants will not turn me away.
* * *
“Mrs. Wallings, I am sure Mr. Hamilton will approve of either the wine-colored or the blue curtains. Both complement the new sofa and chairs nicely. The richness of the wood is shown to its greater advantage by both.” Lizzy smiled hopefully, uncertain how the housekeeper’s opinion of her, being there in the home of an unmarried man, could be any worse. “Mr. Hamilton should decide. It is his house.”
“Yes, miss, but he insisted you come and make the final selection, so I must abide by my master’s instructions.”
Lizzy looked at this woman who had served Mr. Hamilton’s aunt for years. She took a breath and picked up the swatch of fabric before holding it up to the wood work on the wall.
“If he insists, then let’s go with the wine-colored. The fabric is of a much stronger material and therefore will last longer and not fade. That will be economical in the long run for him as well.
“Exactly right, miss,” said Mrs. Wallings. “Tea will be served in the parlor if that is to your liking?”
“Oh, Mrs. Wallings, you do not need to trouble yourself. I would much prefer a basket with Cook’s delightful tea cakes for the carriage.” Lizzy looked up as the clock struck two. “It is much later than anticipated, and I must be home to welcome my cousin.”
The housekeeper shook her head and pointed out the window to the rain still pelting the glass. “Miss Bennet, I think that unlikely. Mr. Hamilton instructed me to take prodigious care of you, and as the rain has not let up these four hours—nay, it has only increased, and I am afraid the roads will be treacherous. The master could never forgive me if you were to come to any harm.”
“But…”
“Miss Elizabeth, you are most welcome here. Mr. Hamilton would insist. I’ve already shown Sarah to the servants’ quarters, your room’s fire is already lit, and your bag is unpacked—”
“My bag is unpacked? What bag?”
“Why the bag your man brought in shortly after you arrived. He said your mother sent it in case the weather turned and you were stuck here for a few days. Very clever of your mother, I say.”
Mother!
“…you will find the accommodations much to your liking...”
“Of that, Mrs. Wallings, I can be sure. It is only that I am…I am…surprised at the foresight of my mother and hope it does not paint me in a peculiar light…”
“Miss Elizabeth, your mother has lived in this county for many years. And your character is above reproach.” She grasped the keys swinging from her hip as she ascended the stairs. “I will show you to your room.”
Lizzy followed her into what she understood to be the family wing. It was a beautiful house—not overly grand but she discerned the owner paid attention to all the finest money could afford him. And yet, there seemed a lack ofhomein the stiff, elegant furniture. There was of the pretense of formality, and she felt slightly ill at ease in the family wing.
Mrs. Wallings continued down the hall to one of the last remaining rooms. She opened the large mahogany door to reveal a lovely, feminine apartment. The walls were papered with a rose pattern, and a cream silk was draped atop the four-post bed. Fresh lavender permeated the air, while an impressive window, revealing a terrace over the back gardens and whose stormy view stretched to the surrounding woods.
“This will be your room, Miss Bennet. I am sure you will find everything to your liking. This is the last of the summer’s lavender. The master instructed me to make sure it was in your room, as it’s one of your favorites.” The housekeeper walked into the room and across to the window, before turning to find Lizzy had not followed. “Miss Bennet, is something wrong?”
“Mrs. Wallings, I fear there has been some mistake. It appears you have brought me to the mistress’s chambers, and as I am not the mistress, nor is there an understanding between Mr. Hamilton and myself, I feel most presumptuous. Please do not take offense but is there not another room in the guest wing?”
* * *
Twenty minutes later, as Miss Elizabeth was soaking in the hot bath, she was unaware of the conversation down in the kitchen between Mrs. Wallings and Mrs. Hines, the cook. “Eloise, I worked in this house forty years as a scullery maid, a lady’s maid, and now the housekeeper, and I can say in all those years, I have never met a young woman less affected by the possibility of wealth. Mr. Hamilton has found himself a real treasure. What a genteel, well-bred young girl.”
“You can say that after knowing who her mother is?”
