Each morning she woke up fresh in spirit and vigour; all things again felt uncomplicated and that reassured her thateverything had been properly settled, no detail left to chance, proving that Mr. Darcy was a considerate master and that Elizabeth’s help was truly needed—and expected.
During the long ride, the maid, Sarah—who had been part of the Darcy household for more than five years—offered Elizabeth more details about the distressing circumstances that had affected the estate, as well as the villages around it, and the significant lack of potential help that remained in the neighbourhood.
“But I hope those who left will return soon. One cannot just leave such a beautiful estate and such a good living. Most of the tenants and servants have been at Pemberley for a long, long time. My mother worked there, too. I would not leave Pemberley for anything. One cannot find a better place to work,” Sarah concluded.
“Mr. Darcy must be a good master, if you speak so highly of him,” Elizabeth said.
“He is, ma’am. The best and the fairest. His father was the same. Everyone cried and mourned for weeks when Lady Anne and then the late Mr. Darcy passed away. Such good and kind people, they deserved to live much, much longer.”
“How sad… I can imagine how difficult it must have been for everyone, especially for Mr. Darcy and his sister. She is much younger, I understand. To lose both your parents at such a tender age is a tragedy, I believe.”
“Indeed, Miss. You know, Miss Darcy is the sweetest and prettiest girl one could find. And she is so gentle and kind; when she speaks to you it is like palliation. We all love her.”
“Are the master and Miss Darcy often at Pemberley?” Elizabeth asked. “Is Miss Darcy there now?”
“No, Miss. They stay at Pemberley for several months every year, but not as much as we would like them to. The master was at home when we left, but he might well leave anytime.I understand Miss Darcy will first go to the seaside for the summer and will come home in a few months. Mrs. Reynolds knows more details.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth replied, worried that she might have asked too much before she had the chance to speak to her employer. “I was told Pemberley is a beautiful estate,” she continued on a more neutral subject.
“Oh yes, Miss. The finest. Everybody says so. I am sure you will like it very much. I mean—if you enjoy life outside town.”
“I am sure I will…”
Elizabeth quickly noticed that the maid was very curious about her and more than once attempted to find out more, without daring to enquire directly. She hoped that Mrs. Reynolds had provided the necessary information about her to avoid any rumours that might affect her relationship with the staff. She avoided any details except what her travelling companions already knew until she could first discuss it with Mrs. Reynolds. She wondered if the master was still at home and she found herself somehow nervous about meeting him. From what her uncle and aunt had discovered about him, he was a young man in his late twenties, well educated, and adequately experienced in the management of his impressive fortune. It was said he was rather severe and proud, sometimes haughty, and rarely seen at events in town such as balls or parties.
Not that she would expect any parties at Pemberley, Elizabeth mused to herself. She was there for business only; her job would surely be difficult and challenging and many responsibilities would lie on her shoulders. Furthermore, if there were to be balls or parties at Pemberley during her stay, she would surely not be invited, as she would hold the same position as Mrs. Reynolds. There, she would not be the daughter of a gentleman, but the assistant of the housekeeper. A servant.
“Look, Miss, we are entering Pemberley Park!” Sarah exclaimed. It was noon on the third day since she had left London and her heart skipped a beat as she looked outside, realising she had reached her destination. She felt nervous and for a moment, she wondered if she had made the right decision.
Then the view unfolded before her eyes and excitement overcame any doubts at the first appearance of Pemberley Park.
They drove through a beautiful wood, while Elizabeth was completely silent, admiring every remarkable spot. They ascended for less than a mile, until they were at the top of a considerable eminence, from where her eyes were instantly caught by Pemberley House. The impressive and handsome stone building was situated on the opposite side of a valley, into which the road wound with some abruptness. The manor stood well on rising ground, backed by a ridge of woody hills, with a stream in front of it. There was no artificial appearance; nothing was formal or falsely adorned.
Elizabeth had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little altered. She was exceedingly delighted, as the carriage descended the hill, crossed the bridge, and drove to the main entrance, where it stopped. Sarah jumped down, while the coachmen unloaded the luggage.
Elizabeth stepped down, her apprehension returned, and looked at the house with great interest.
“Miss Elizabeth, welcome to Pemberley!” Another maid coming out of the house greeted her with formal courtesy. “I am Jenny. Please allow me to show you to Mrs. Reynolds first.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth replied, glancing back at Sarah, then to her own luggage.
Sarah went inside through another door, while Jenny led Elizabeth in. As if guessing her concern, the maid continued. “Your luggage will be taken to your room, Miss. It is on the same hall as Mrs. Reynolds’ room.”
“Very well; thank you,” Elizabeth answered with a strange shyness, very much unlike herself. With every step, the elegance and greatness of Pemberley was further revealed to her eyes and she began to better understand why finding help for Mrs. Reynolds had been such a daunting task.
They stopped in front of a door. A male servant and Sarah passed by with her luggage and entered the third room along, which Elizabeth assumed must be her own chamber.
Jenny knocked and a friendly, yet weak voice invited them in.
In an armchair, near the window, sat a respectable-looking woman in her sixties, Elizabeth estimated. At their entrance, she stood up energetically and approached them with a restrained but warm smile on her face. The woman discretely held a handkerchief that she used from time to time when coughing.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet, I am so pleased to meet you! I am Mrs. Reynolds, which surely you guessed. How lovely to have you here! Oh dear, you are so young and pretty!”
“I am very pleased to meet you too, Mrs. Reynolds. Not quite so young, I am twenty already,” Elizabeth said.
The housekeeper laughed. “And does twenty mean not so young? Oh dear, I feel so old! Come, sit here. Jenny, please bring us some refreshments while I speak to Miss Bennet. How was your journey? We should write to your uncle immediately and inform him you have arrived safely. We will send an express.”
“Thank you, I would like that very much,” Elizabeth answered.
