“So, you do not know about managing an estate? What is it youdoknow, if you do not mind my asking?”
“I was a parson’s wife for twenty-four years, with two grown children to our credit.I know who to trust, and I trust you.”
Elizabeth coloured at the compliment.
“Is there any possible skill more valuable? The rest is mostly manners, mechanics, and common sense.”
“Well said, young lady.”
They approached a large set of double doors Elizabeth assumed led to the ballroom. “Your charge will do fine, madam. She had two enormous surprises within a few hours and is not a blubbering mess. What is she—sixteen? My sixteen-year-old sister goes to pieces if she cannot find the ribbon colour she wants at the haberdashery.”
Mrs Annesley chuckled along with Elizabeth. “Yes, yes… definitely impertinent.”
“Your charge need not learneverythingtoday, but what say you to a lesson or two? It shall be much to her benefit and shall not harm the guests. To be honest, I could use her intimate knowledge.”
“I agree.”
When they entered the ballroom, the visitors gazed about in awe, though their capacity for wonder had been diminished by their ride in the rain. “This will do! This will do very nicely!”
Mrs Annesley stepped beside them. “Miss Darcy, Miss Elizabeth, pray, stand back-to-back for a moment.”
Both ladies looked perplexed but did as instructed.
“Now you, Miss Wythe.”
Margaret did as Lizzy had, then Mrs Annesley turned to a maid.
“Martha, I believe this job is for you. Remove an inch and a half from Miss Darcy’s green walking dress, and two from the yellow. Speed matters more than quality; simply pin the hems. That will allow our young ladies to wash, it is to be hoped before the villagers arrive.”
She turned to a footman. “Request warm water for them to wash. They lack time to wash and change in their rooms—especially as Miss Darcy has not assigned them—so bring everything to the west retiring room. At the same time, have someone begin heating a quantity of water. You can store it in tubs if necessary. The villagers will be freezing and filthy. Heating takes time; best to get on with it.”
She turned to Miss Darcy, who said. “Excellent suggestions, Mrs Annesley. I applaud your thinking.”
Mr Breton said, “I shall have the stable hands make a fire outside and do the same. We have troughs for livestock that are clean and equal to the task.”
Elizabeth assented. The remaining instructions given, the staff departed to begin.
Miss Darcy said, “Mrs Annesley, thank you for reminding me that I neglected to assign rooms for our guests. Martha, pray prepare the yellow suite for Miss Bennet and—”
“We are happy to share a suite,” Elizabeth interrupted. “We have done so many times.”
Miss Darcy brightened at the idea and nodded. “Their parents should go next door in the green suite.”
“Miss Bennet, what is next?”
Mrs Annesley arched an eyebrow. She had done all she planned, chiefly because she had not the faintest idea what followed; but she was happy to be reminded of her basic duty. She nodded to Elizabeth, who was pondering that very question.
She was startled to have a vision of her mother standing before her once again, speaking perfect sense.
The mistress of an estate must understand time and place. I know you think I am excessively silly, which is all fine and good, so you should be able to learn the lesson in a trice. I set a good table because I know what I have on hand, what I can get easily, what I need, where everyone is in my home, and how long everyone takes to get things done. We are rarely late to engagements because I deem it important to arrive on time, despite six ladies in the house. When you are mistress, remember this and try to do even better than I do.
Since heeding her mother’s advice had started this journey, which she had to admit surpassed all expectation, there was no reason not to at least hear her ghost out. Little as she liked listening to her mother, she had to admit that she was right in this case.
When Mrs Bennet offered this sage counsel, Elizabeth was fifteen and wondering why she was denied a favourite dish for a dinner party including the Lucases and Longs; she was frankly being rather unpleasant about the whole affair. She had onlydecided her preference that day and was vexed her mother could not conjure it. Another half-hour’s discussion proved that, even were it possible, the dish would not suit the evening’s scheme—a fact she had not considered.
Elizabeth wondered where all that good sense had gone, and whether she should attend more to her own memories of her mother, and less to her father’s endless teasing.
It was certain her mother overspent their allowance, probably did not help with their dowries, and embarrassed them frequently; but she was more sensible than people gave her credit for, at least much of the time, if one could overlook the times she was not.
