The servant made no reply, only rested her hand on her mistress’s shoulder and guided her to the fire. Elizabeth let herself be settled into a comfortable chair. The fire was promptly prodded into a blaze, a lap blanket expertly draped over her legs, and a hot cup of tea produced from seemingly nowhere.
Mrs. Reynolds managed to be both motherly and efficient. Between producing endless handkerchiefs and unlacing Lizzie’s boots, she calmly chatted on about banal, cheerful matters. Then, when she was sure that her mistress was quite collected, she sent for the boxes and directed the footmen to place them about the room. Elizabeth began to cheer up at the sight. The footmen were surly and peered at her in a way she disliked, but they acted more professionally than any other servant she had ever seen. Mrs. Reynolds sent the men scurrying about so quickly that it was like a dance, and at the end of it everything was in a perfect place to be unpacked without tiring her out.
“Shall we begin?” Mrs. Reynolds asked, looking around the room approvingly.
“Begin?”
“Yes, madam. I shall help you unpack. Which box would you like me to open first?”
“Oh! But you are the housekeeper. You do not have to… that is to say, surely a ladies’ maid…?”
Mrs. Reynolds thought of her staff and the sour smirks on their faces. She had not missed the coldness in the air when the carriage arrived and knew she would need to be firm with them. Whatever they thought about their new mistress was clearly unfair, but they had not had the chance to speak to Mrs. Darcy, as she had. It would take them time to warm up to her, and in the meantime, she couldn’t risk sending them to attend upon their new mistress alone. They would be professional, of course, but aloof and uncomforting. That was not what Mrs. Darcy needed. She had never seen a lady more in need of a hug.
Saving her mistress’s pride, she said, “I have yet to select one, Mrs. Darcy. I had no notion of your preference and would not even advertise for such a post without you.”
Elizabeth realised that her jaw had dropped. It seemed rather strange to be deferred to by such a composed woman. She suspected that Mrs. Reynolds could have found the best maid in England by herself. Possibly even the best maid inEurope.
“Thank you, you are very considerate. I am glad of your guidance, Mrs. Reynolds. I just did not want to interfere with the running of the house.”
“Pish.” the woman muttered, spreading her hands to signify the whole house. “Mrs. Darcy, you may interfere as much as you wish. Indeed, I would prefer it if you did! We have been without a mistress for a long time, and I dare say we could use a little shaking up. But we can speak of that tomorrow. Now, I think, you would like to have a hot bath while I unpack your boxes. Then I imagine you would like a nourishing meal brought up on a tray. Is that right, Mrs. Darcy?”
Elizabeth had not considered either of those things, but she dared not argue with this formidable woman. She nodded like a puppet dangling from clumsy fingers. Mrs. Reynolds looked serenely back at her, hands folded in front of her apron. By the expectant look on the housekeeper’s face, Lizzie realised that she was awaiting the order.
“Oh. Um, Mrs. Reynolds, please have a bath made up for me at once. I prefer lavender, if you have any.”
“Very good, ma’am. I am sure we can find some. What would you like for your supper?”
“I don’t want to be a bother. What are the servants eating? I can have some of that.”
“Bother, madam! Mrs. Pompey is waiting with bated breath for your first meal. She will make you anything you require, and gladly.”
Elizabeth wilted. “I will be sorry to disappoint her. I would be content with a few slices of toast. Carriage journeys make me lose my appetite. Please apologise to Mrs. Pompey for me. Tell her I shall meet with her tomorrow to discuss menus for the week.”
Mrs. Reynolds raised an approving eyebrow. “Very good, ma’am.”
“And please send my apologies to my husband. Tell him I have retired early. I… I…” excuses failed her, and she looked wretchedly back at the mirror. “I do not want him to see me like this.”
“No apology will be necessary, madam. Mr. Darcy has already given orders that he is not to be disturbed. I dare say we will not see him until morning.”
Lizzie bit her lip, “Yes, I should have… have guessed. He was very eager to see his sister.”
“What has he told you about Miss Darcy, madam?” Mrs. Reynold’s voice was suddenly blunt. Elizabeth looked at her in surprise, but for the first time the servant let etiquette go hang. “I have known the master since he was a boy, ma’am. I helped raise him and his sister from when they were knee-high. I respect them both greatly, Mrs. Darcy - but I know that the master can be quite reserved.”
“Reserved? Is that what you call it?” Lizzie could not disguise the bitterness in her own voice. “I know nothing of this house at all. Just… platitudes. Do not think I missed the way the servants stared at me! I do not know you, and you do not know me. All Iknow is Mr. Darcy, and it seems he has kept many secrets from both of us.”
The housekeeper planted her hands on her hips like a disgruntled governess and spoke boldly.
“Mrs. Darcy, may I speak plainly to you? Until a year ago, the master was a gentleman in every respect. He was a generous employer, an intelligent manager, and a loving brother. He was never harsh without cause, nor cruel to anyone who had not wronged him. I do not think he had any duplicity in his soul.”
“Until a year ago.” Elizabeth reminded her, “Mrs. Reynolds, surely you must know about his behaviour in Meryton?”
The older woman nodded. “Mind you, he never brought any of it home with him. Twice, he came home to see Miss Darcy, and there wasn’t a smell of liquor on him. But his hands had the shakes, and he was dreadfully sallow.”
“What of his mood?”
“Much altered. I hoped it was mostly concern for his sister, but I knew it wasn’t true. It wouldn’t account for the impatience, the temper…”
“Yes, I have seen his temper.” Elizabeth shuddered, “He has ceased drinking, Mrs. Reynolds, but the urges are still as strong as the day he stopped. He confided that in me. He was so vulnerable that it made me weep… and an hour later he was so angry that I was afraid. He changes like the wind, and I do not know how to help him.”
