“That would be excellent, thank you, Matlock,” de Bourgh responded gratefully.
“My steward is teaching a new man to be under-steward, but he does not have the experience to take on the role alone yet,” Darcy revealed.
“Between the Wickhams’ contacts and the man Father will send, I am confident you will find the right man for your needs,” Richard told de Bourgh. “I will speak to Biggs and Johns as well. As former sergeants, they will know where to find good men who have left the military and are looking for good, honest work.”
“As far as the rest of your needs go, write a list of positions you need filled and we will put the word out in our houses,” Matlock suggested. “Also, consider that you now have a house in Town. What the quality of the staff and servants there are, I know not. All I can tell you is that Catherine hardly, if ever, spent any time in that house. You may find some worthy servants there.” He turned to his niece. “Anne, I know you have a place to live here, but please know that you are welcome to come spend time with us. If you want to return with me, I am sure your aunt and cousin would love to see you. That is of course if you feel strong enough for such a journey.”
“I am stronger than my former tormentor wanted to believe. Now that I will not be subjected to fortnightly bleedings and the tonics she had her quacks cook up for me, I am confident I will be far healthier,” Anne asserted. “In the few days since Richard and Albert arrived and neither myformer mother nor Mrs Jenkinson have forced me to drink the vile concoctions, I already feel somewhat better. So yes, Uncle Reggie, I would love to travel with you. I will have my maid with me so all will be well.”
“Anne came close to dancing a jig when her former companion was ejected from the estate,” Richard reported.
“What of that clergyman you ran off?” Matlock queried. “He needs to be defrocked, but how will he be discovered to be given thegoodnews?”
“Mayhap we should have locked him in the cellar at the parsonage,” de Bourgh mused.
“My men reported he was mumbling about an estate his family was cheated out of when he was evicted from the parsonage. He dragged his trunk into Hunsford so I am confident we can trace his movements if need be,” Richard suggested.
“Richard and I can be of assistance to you here at Rosings Park until mid-September when we are committed to assist a friend who is leasing a Hertfordshire estate in order to dip his toes into land ownership. Richard is close enough to Rivington if he is needed there, and my steward is more than competent enough to supervise the harvest. He will write to me if he needs to do so,” Darcy volunteered.
“I say, reminding me of our commitment to Bingley has given me an inspired idea. Why not have Bingley invite de Bourgh as well? He will be able to continue his lessons with us, that is if there is a steward he can trust in place here by that time, and it will be one more body to deflect Miss Bingley’s cloying attentions from you,” Richard suggested. “You know if you suggest it, Bingley will issue an invitation to de Bourgh in a trice.” He turned to the new master of Rosings Park. “What say you de Bourgh? If an invitation is forthcoming, will you join us?”
“Yes, I believe I will, but only if I have a steward wellbefore then. It will be a good opportunity for me to continue my education with you both,” de Bourgh accepted. “From what I know, the agricultural concerns in Kent and Hertfordshire are similar, so what I learn there will apply to my estate.”
“When you make a final decision, I will write to Bingley. It is a formality, but I am positive an invitation will be forthcoming,” Darcy opined.
The Earl of Matlock did not mention that he, his wife and Anna would be resident in the area for a while too. Now that group would include Anne de Bourgh. He would write to Bennet from London to report the goings on with his sister, after all, Bennet had had the displeasure of meeting her. He was sure Bennet would welcome one more in their party.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Lizzy, I need to ask your advice,” Eleanor, called Elli by her parents and her younger Taylor siblings, asked one morning when the cousins, both of whom had risen early and ridden to Oakham Mount to watch the sun rise.
They were sitting on a flattened boulder on the eastern side of the summit of the hill, their bonnets—the Taylor daughters had only recently consented to wear them—on the rock next to each of them. Elizabeth loved all her Taylor cousins, but she and Elli who were only two months apart in age— Elli’s birthday was on the first day of May—had become very close. It was not quite the same as her closeness to Mary, but very similar to what Elizabeth shared with Jane.
“Elli, you know that you may ask me anything,” Elizabeth said as she gently nudged Elli’s shoulder with her own.
“I was debating askin’ you this because I know how close you and Charlotte are,” Lilli explained. “I would hate to be the cause of a rift between you two.”
Elizabeth knew exactly what Elli was about to say. Franklin Lucas displayed interest in Elli, and anyone who knewher could see she did not welcome his attentions. It was not like he was forcing his company on her, but Elizabeth and Charlotte had both noticed the way Elli would tense up when Franklin was near and how her body language would change.
“Charlotte and I have both observed that you are not interested in Franklin in the romantic sense. Even though Charlotte has said she does not seek romance, she is aware you do and has no illusions that you are open to her brother’s suit,” Elizabeth related.
There was no missing the way Elli relaxed. “And Charlotte will not hold this against me, and by extension you?”
“No, she will not. In fact, if you prefer, she will warn her brother off in as gentle a way as possible. Remember, at least he was not after you for your fortune because other than a few family members, no one is aware you have a dowry.”
“You remember I told you about Hank from the Territory of Mississippi, do you not?”
Elizabeth nodded.
“I now realise that was infatuation, not love. Even had he sworn off owning slaves, I am sure we would not have been a good match. It is the same with Franklin, I do not believe I will ever see him as more than a friend’s brother.”
“Would you like me to request that Charlotte speak to Franklin? It will be better for both of you if he does not waste more of his time.”
“Thank you, Lizzy. I hope I do find the one I truly love one day.”
“It will happen according to His will. Just you wait and see. When you least expect it, it will be your turn.”
“And I hope the same for you.” Elli squeezed her cousin’s hand.
