“’Tis nothing; it is only while I am at Pemberley, with William away. In fact, I am glad she is here, for her family in Bakewell had a previous acquaintance with old Mr. Wickham, the Pemberley steward. Through him, she knew Mr. Wickham as a young man and met him quite by chance some three weeks ago in Lambton. Mr. Wickham is ever so kind, telling me stories of my father and Lady Anne.”
Elizabeth paused; there was nothing more to be said until she had more intelligence on the man from the bank’s agent in Derby. Possibly it was mere coincidence that he arrived in Lambton when Mr. Darcy was gone away. If Mr. Adkins had come to Pemberley, then, as a guest of the house, Mr. Wickham’s presence would have breached no rule of propriety, there being a married man in the house. Quite convenient.
“Let us meet with Mrs. Reynolds and Baxter, and then write our letters,” she said, her thoughts lightening. “And afterwards, if the weather holds, perhaps a walk in the gardens? I would dearly love to see the roses in bloom.”
Georgiana smiled, folding Darcy’s letter. “Yes, I should like that very much.”
Together, they quietly walked the gravelled pathways of Pemberley’s well-laid-out gardens. Elizabeth was delighted. She had never seen a place so carefully designed, where natural beauty was so artfully joined with harmonious and elegant taste.
“Miss Darcy, these gardens are the loveliest I have ever seen. Oh, they lift my spirits—what a wonderful place, and to see it with the blossoms on the trees and the flowers just now coming into bloom.”
“The gardens were laid out by my mother. William and I try to keep them as she would have liked—it is the only living memory I have of her.” Georgiana paused, wistfully looking to Elizabeth. “Would you very much mind, Miss Elizabeth, calling meGeorgiana? I feel we have become good friends. And here, especially—Miss Darcyis far too formal in such a place as this.”
“I will, if you call meElizabeth—but only on one condition.”
“Oh, what is that?”
“That you accept my apology for my overbearing behaviour last evening. I had no right to request your guest, Mr. Wickham, to leave. I fear I have become too much like Lady Jersey, who takes her sovereignty for granted; I have no such consequence.”
“Oh, Miss… Elizabeth. Please, indeed I was upset, but only because you had the right of it. I had forgotten that you were a stranger to Mr. Wickham, that it would have been improper to have him stay overnight. Please, it is of no import. Your being at Pemberley is all I could have wished for with William away.”
Elizabeth relaxed. Perhaps, with time, she could restore the easy relationship she had with Georgiana in London. Yet, she was more than a guest; her obligation was to Child & Co., to Lady Jersey’s trust in her. Would it be possible to enjoy true friendship with Georgiana without compromising her very reason for being at Pemberley? She scarcely knew.
* * *
Chapter 11
Ireland, May 1813
From: E. Bennet, Child & Co.
To: F. Darcy, Royal Canal Co.
Darcy,
My apologies that you were under the misapprehension that Mr. Adkins (with his wife) was to attend Pemberley as the representative of Child & Co. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the bank regrets that he was unable to take up the position. Lady Jersey wishes to assure you that there is no need for concern regarding the propriety of my appointment as his replacement—she and I are both aware of Miss Darcy’s sensibility with respect to this, she being a young lady of exemplary reputation.
Since coming to Pemberley just yesterday, I have had the pleasure of meeting with your senior staff and have explained that my role is not to interfere with the running of the house, the offices, or the farms. I am solely here to provide oversight as to the expenses and receipts of the estate, in order to assure Child’s that no advantage is being taken of your absence. If you or your staff believe I have overstepped my remit in any way, please advise me immediately, for it is not my intention to interfere in the normal activities of the estate. To my advantage, I possess extensive experience in reviewing estate accounts, though I must admit that Pemberley is certainly a grand enterprise and is best left to those who have experiencein managing it—Baxter with respect to the tenants, and Mrs. Reynolds the household.
Please forward to me, as the bank’s agent, your regular reports on the progress of the Royal Canal and the expenses incurred thereon. To this end, I anticipate with pleasure our regular correspondence.
It is my honour to be a servant of Child & Co. and yourself,
With respect,
Bennet.
Darcy looked at the note with some satisfaction, its formal address commendable. That Adkins was unable to attend Pemberley was unfortunate, but his replacement, Bennet, appeared to have everything in hand. He had feared that the bank’s representative might be overly officious or intrude into Pemberley’s affairs, but the agent seemed sensible enough and clearly had resolved to remain unobtrusive, letting Mrs. Reynolds and Baxter perform their jobs without hindrance. If any problems arose with the arrangement, he had instructed his senior staff to write to him immediately. It was reassuring that Bennet had experience in estate accounts. While Baxter was a diligent steward, he was not fullyau faitwith the details of all the Darcy holdings and investments—a full disclosure of which had been made to Child & Co. as a condition of the loan.
* * *
From: Miss G. Darcy, Pemberley
To: F. Darcy, Esq.
Sweetest brother, dearest William,
I received your letter with the greatest felicity—it is so marvellous that you are arrived safely in Ireland. Your description of Dublin and its architecture has set me towondering why its beauties are so little known outside that country. Perhaps it is the long history of acrimony between the English and Irish peoples (because of that loathsome tyrant Cromwell) that has led many in this country to dismiss Irish achievements as unworthy when set against those of the English. But I am sure you will come to a greater understanding of its people and history than I could ever achieve through my reading alone—I applaud your idea that we tour the country once you have returned safely to Pemberley.
