“Pray pardon Mrs. Darcy,” said the housekeeper as she led the Wrensfords upstairs to their apartments. “She’s so busy, being the midwife to the regiment, the matron of the orphanage, and the wife of the judge-advocate who administers the law for the entire colony. Many women ask her advice on legal matters, for they find Mr. Darcy too intimidating, though I’ve never found him such. But Mrs. Darcy isn’t one for being high in the instep and so easy to talk to.”
***
The company at the governor’s dinner proved to be very amiable, at least for the most part. All of the highest-ranking officers in the colony were there, including the lieutenantgovernor, Colonel O’Connell, the Commissary General, Mr. Palmer, and their ladies. Mr. Andrew Thompson, the founder of the school, was introduced, together with Mr. Simeon Lord, a magistrate and wealthy Sydney merchant. The Wrensfords were becoming accustomed to the unusual society of the colony but were still surprised to learn these two gentlemen were emancipated convicts, here dining with the governor. Only one incident soured the evening, when, after dinner, they were approached by Mrs. O’Connell.
“Mrs. Wrensford, you are Danish, from Copenhagen?”
“Yes, ma’am. We left after the bombardment and are not able to return, for Denmark is at war with Britain.”
“The Danes were foolish not to accede to the demands of Lord Castlereagh. They brought on the bombardment themselves, for Britain had little choice otherwise.”
“But, ma’am, some two thousand civilians died, and Vor Frue Kirk,the Church of our Lady, was destroyed. So much fire and destruction. Surely, that cannot be justified—all those innocent people…”
“You reside in a British colony, by invitation,” replied Mrs. O’Connell haughtily. “Some may doubt your allegiance with comments such as those.”
“On the contrary, Mrs. O’Connell,” interrupted Governor Macquarie, “both your husband and I agreed with His Majesty, the King, who tried to prevent the campaign, saying that the bombardment wasa very immoral act! But, as Lord Palmerston says,the situation of Europe, offered, most unfortunately, too ready and solid a reason for the adoption of such a measure. Did the invasion prevent greater bloodshed? I know not. Napoleon’s army was on the border with Denmark, and, if the Danish fleet were under his control, England would have lost access to the Baltic. Conflict was inevitable.
“It’s not sedition to question the methods employed by the military during war, but the duty of honourable people toensure there’s no lasting stain on our national character—just as I rely on Mr. Darcy, as judge-advocate, to prevent my becoming an autocrat, as my commission could lead me to stray towards tyranny. Heaven forbid thatIshould be accused of such. Let us leave the topic.”
Elizabeth led Mrs. Wrensford away from Mrs. O’Connell, who stood with pursed lips and an angry demeanour, embarrassed by the rebuke from Macquarie. She glared at Elizabeth before rudely taking her husband’s arm, making the barest of curtseys to Mrs. Macquarie, and exiting the house.
“There are tensions in the colony, Mrs. Wrensford,” said Elizabeth. “Mrs. O’Connell is the daughter of the former Governor Bligh, who was deposed by soldiers of the 102nd, claiming he was a tyrant. The lady still feels this dishonour immensely, as a personal slight not only to her father but to herself. Because you are recent arrivals, it would be best not to become embroiled in the dispute, which creates much disharmony.”
***
Time moved on. For Elizabeth and Darcy, their days were full, if not with their duties, then overseeing the property at Minto or relaxing at Boondi. The anniversary of Governor Macquarie’s first year in office came around, and for Elizabeth and Darcy, their first year in the colony. To celebrate the official birthday of Queen Charlotte on the 18th of January, in the evening, a Ball was given by Mrs. Macquarie. Government House was brilliantly lit, and the apartments were decorated in an exquisite style of taste and novelty. In the centre of the ballroom were the Royal Initials in crystal, beautifully worked, suspended between festoons of leaves and flowers extending across the room.
Elizabeth was perplexed. As she moved about the room,many ladies with whom she was acquainted turned away as she approached. Such action was not a cut, for her rank as third to the governor precluded such, but the circumstances amounted to the same. Mrs. Susannah Palmer came up to her.
“Mrs. Darcy, I find the ballroom rather hot. Could we take some air?”
“Certainly, it seems quietest if we walk towards the park.”
The air was indeed refreshing, and, being January, warm enough that the ladies were comfortably attired in their muslin gowns. On securing some privacy, Mrs. Palmer turned to her companion.
“You have seen, my dear, that many of the women are ignoring you—I would call it a snub.”
“But why?” responded Elizabeth. “I know no reason for their behaviour.”
“Ah, I wondered at the truth of it. There are several rumours, of which the least is that you embezzled funds from the orphanage.”
“But that is preposterous. ‘Tis certain, for I’ve examined the accounts most thoroughly, that the previous matron took some five and thirty pounds when she absconded from the colony. But thereafter, there is no deficit—each month the accounts are given to the Commissary’s office, where his clerk enters them into the government ledger; there can be no mistake, for he thoroughly checks the arithmetic.”
“I understand. You’re being tasked with the former matron’s delinquency. How would such be known, I wonder?”
“The governor and Colonel O’Connell were aware of the problem. For it’s they who appointed me matron when I first came here, some twelve months ago. There’s also Mrs. Paterson, but she has left the colony with her husband.” Elizabeth paused, becoming acutely distressed as to this intelligence. “But you said that is the least! Mrs. Palmer, please tell me about the other rumours. I can assure you: je suis prêt àaffronter n'importe quoi, même si c'est très pénible —I will face anything no matter how painful.”
“I admire your spirit, Mrs. Darcy. Yes, I must tell you.” Mrs. Palmer reached out and gently took Elizabeth’s hands. “Firstly, that you were already married when you came to the colony; that you were fleeing an angry husband for he believed he had been cuckolded. Secondly, that your appointment as Warden of the female school was because of your intimacy with Andrew Thompson.”
Elizabeth stared at the lady, uncomprehending as to how such pernicious lies could be told of her. Her face crumpled; tears, unable to be suppressed, flowed freely down her cheeks. “Please, let me sit; your intelligence is painful indeed. Perhaps I’m not as brave as I thought.”
Mrs. Palmer led her to a bench, hidden from the main house by a low hedge. She sat with Elizabeth, maintaining her hold on Elizabeth’s hands. The lady, at fifty years, saw she was thirty years senior to Mrs. Darcy, most likely older than the girl’s own mother. For shewasa girl swept into the world of scheming women, envy, and thwarted ambition. The rumours were being spread by those who envied Mrs. Darcy’s rank and position; for being a gentlewoman, the only other in the colony besides Mrs. Macquarie; for her accomplishments; for her good humour and kindness to all she came to know. And this is how she was repaid!
“Mrs. Palmer, please find my husband. I have developed a dire megrim.”
The lady did as she was tasked, and went to find Mr. Darcy. As they made their way back to his wife, she told him of the rumours circulating in the ballroom. She had never seen a man grow so angry; she could feel the hot fury emanating from him.
“Oh, William,” cried Elizabeth, collapsing into his arms. “I must retire; never have I been so abominablytreated. And you, how I have demeaned your position—can you ever forgive me?”
