Mary sank beside her. “You know how to manage servants, to keep the household ledgers, and prepare menus. You were forced to perform many of those duties for years when Mamma meant to punish you. Instead, she did you a service, for you learned how to manage a household. I… I am not so capable. I have spent a little time with Mamma, but she could be reserved with those she did not favor. At my insistence, she taught me a little, yet Heathwood is far larger than Longbourn. And I have never visited tenants. Mamma did not allow me to go with you and Jane.”
Elizabeth took her sister’s hand. “Never mind, Mary. It is true that Heathwood Park is larger, but the work will not be more difficult, only more of it. You will learn in time. Mrs. Lewis is still living; ask her to instruct you. It would please her, and she will respect you for your humility. As for the grandeur of the house, it is no greater than Pemberley, and you have comported yourself elegantly here. Behave as though you were still at Pemberley, and before long, you will feel quite at home.”
Mary’s lips trembled. Elizabeth continued softly, “If Mr. Lewis believes you good enough to be his wife, then you must also believe yourself worthy. There is no hurry, my dear. Take all the time you need to know him better. His estate is not far; perhaps he will invite us again. Each visit will make you more comfortable, unless, of course, his mother should turn against you. In that case, the sooner you learn it, the better. You will then see whether Mr. Lewis will stand by you, and if he does not, you may refuse his hand without regret.”
Mary nodded slowly. “Yes, I will take my time before I give him an answer. I shall ask for another visit to his home. His mother seemed very strained with me, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth thought back over the afternoon. “I did not notice any particular reserve on her part. When next we visit, I will pay closer attention. In the meantime, you will accompany me when I meet with Reynolds and Cook. I will review the ledgers with you, and we can visit the tenants together. It is not difficult work, Mary. You will learn quickly because you are Papa’s daughter. Remember what I said before. He is very intelligent, and we are his daughters. And, as for his mother’s arthritis, let us spend some time in the stillroom. We can make a blend of powders for her to ease her pain. You shall take it, prettily dressed in a jar, and present it yourself.”
Mary rose, her face brightening. “Thank you, Lizzy. Will learning how to run a household take longer than one summer?”
Elizabeth pressed her sister’s hand. “Not at all. You will take notes of all you learn. It will be very similar to writing the extracts of the books you read. I believe that if you spend every day for a month with me, and if your notes are complete, you will have a guide to follow when you have your own home to run. My little sister shall not enter the married state in ignorance ofhousehold matters. We shall begin tomorrow morning. You shall accompany me when I confer with Mrs. Reynolds.”
Before returning his mount to the stables, Mr. Lewis stopped to speak with the butler.
“Walters, has the American visitor arrived?”
“Yes, sir,” the butler replied. “The gentlemen are out on the shooting range, testing the rifles.”
“Thank you. I will join them there.”
Lewis mounted once more and rode toward the range. When he arrived, the men were still engaged in target practice. He dismounted and handed the reins to a waiting footman.
“See that he is watered,” he said.
“Yes, sir.”
Lewis walked across the field to join the others. Hurst turned as he approached.
“Lewis! Allow me to introduce Mr. John Dudley, of Massachusetts. He brings these remarkable rifles for our inspection.”
Lewis bowed slightly. “A pleasure, sir.”
Hurst handed over the firearm he had been using. “Would you care to try it?”
Lewis examined the polished weapon and accepted it with a nod, but his attention was soon drawn to Richard, who stood a little distance away, loading another of the Americans’ rifles. The colonel’s easy manner, the casual strength of his stance, and the self-assurance with which he handled the weapon, all of it grated.
Lewis’s expression hardened. Matters with his mother and the woman he hoped to marry had gone smoothly enough; if only he could keep the colonel at a distance from his sister, he might yet be at peace. He resolved to keep a watchful eye upon the pair. At least for today, the man was not living in Isabella’s pocket.
Richard, meanwhile, had caught the direction of Lewis’s glare. He grunted softly and muttered to himself, “It will not be long now before you have no power over Isabella. When she bears my name, perhaps you will learn civility at last.”
Richard turned away, set his jaw, and loaded the weapon once more. The next shot rang clean and true, echoing across the Derbyshire hills.
Chapter 41: Miss Ashbrook
Sunday morning found all the Pemberley guests traveling in three carriages to church. Darcy handed Elizabeth down and led her inside, guiding her up the nave to the very front, where he assisted her into the Darcy pew. Bingley followed with Jane, then the Hursts. Mr. Lewis escorted Isabella and Mary. Colonel Fitzwilliam entered last with Georgiana on his arm and closed the small door behind them. All the members of the congregation watched as the large party entered and seated themselves, including Christiana Ashbrook.
The box’s high walls offered a measure of privacy, yet not enough to shield them entirely. Both Darcy and Richard happened to glance toward the opposite aisle at the exact moment, and there, seated in radiant splendor, was Miss Christiana Ashbrook staring at them. Their gazes met hers, and then each man turned sharply away.
Elizabeth, unaware of the exchange, listened attentively to the service. The rector’s sermon was engaging, and all passed quietly enough until the final hymn concluded and the congregation began to disperse.
At the door, the rector stood to bid farewell to each parishioner. As he bowed over Elizabeth’s hand, she heard behind her a sudden shriek of delight.
“Fitzwilliam! Oh, how good it is to see you again, it has been an age, my dear friend!”
Elizabeth turned, astonished, just in time to see a tall, elegant woman throw herself against her husband’s neck. “You look very well,” Miss Ashbrook declared, her voice carrying across theentire vestibule. “And how strong and manly you have become! You are no longer the slender boy I once knew.”
A hush fell over the crowd. Parishioners stared, aghast, as the woman kept her hand upon Darcy’s arm with a freedom no wife could have sanctioned.
