Page 78 of Compromise & Consequence
“Ashton.”
“You would not dare!”
“One misstep in your courtship and your brother will descend upon this house like the plague.”
“I do not want the viscount anywhere near Jane. If he so much as catches a glimpse of her beauty he will envision the family jewels around her throat and the Viscountess Ashton’s tiara pinned atop her golden curls.”
“You must admit, the tiara is much coveted and would look good on my sister by marriage.”
“Do not even voice that suggestion in case it takes root and begins to grow,” Richard said and glowered in his direction. “Let us ride before anyone else interrupts us.”
Chapter Nineteen
Elizabeth handed her outerwear to a waiting footman.
“Has my sister risen from her bed?” she asked Burke when the footman retreated with her belongings.
“I understand her maid went upstairs to assist her twenty minutes ago, ma’am,” he said, after closing the front door.
“Excellent, that gives me some time to freshen up before I meet her in the breakfast room.” Burke gave her a polite half-bow. She called him before he had a chance to leave. “Burke, might I have a word with you, in my private study?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He followed her up the stairs to the second floor and down the hall to the previous Mrs. Darcy’s inner sanctum. Elizabeth walked over to the desk but did not sit down, instead, she turned and faced the silent butler.
“I am well aware my husband has passed down word that I am to be respected as mistress of the house and this has ruffled the feathers of some senior servants. I wish to speak with you privately and assure you I have the highest regard for you as a person and as our butler.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy.”
“I am not one to sing my praises, but it behooves me to advise you that I am the owner of a substantial estate and have run it successfully for over eight years on my own.”
At the raised brows of the butler, she smiled.
“I was but twelve when I took over the reins of Netherfield Park, however, my uncle felt it was important I understand how an estate is run and how to deal with servants. I had to firemy first steward at the age of fifteen. The experience was quite traumatic, but taught me a lot in the way of being responsible not only to my family but also to my tenants.”
“I have no complaints with how you run this house, Mrs. Darcy.”
“I chose to speak with you in private because I am well aware Mrs. Whittaker is more than a little upset over changes I have initiated, and sometimes a word from a trusted co-worker and friend goes further than me explaining my background as I have done with you.”
“I do believe I could put a subtle word in her ear, ma’am.”
“Then we are done here. I do not wish to embarrass her and cannot change the way I was introduced to this household. I can only move forward.”
“I have known Mr. Darcy from the time he was a lad in short pants and I can tell you, with the utmost confidence, he has the highest regard for you. It was not evident at the beginning of your marriage, but it is now. He has found joy in your union.”
“Thank you, Burke. We are a work in progress.”
With that, the butler gave her a low bow and left the room. She stood silent for a few minutes, thinking about what he had said about Mr. Darcy. Even the servants noticed his change of behavior. Was this the sign she was looking for? Could she trust that his change of heart was not a whim, but something of long duration, as in a lifetime?
The chiming of the clock let her know it was coming up to ten o’clock and surely Jane would have come down to break her fast by now. She moved toward the breakfast room and met her cousin as she descended the main stairs. Arm in arm they walked together and were soon seated in the sunny room, talking over the events of last evening.
“I am so sorry you were subjected to the company of Mr. Bingley and his sisters.”
“Now that this first meeting is over, I feel perfectly at ease. I know my strength, and I shall never be embarrassed again by his coming. It was publicly seen that, on both sides, we can meet as common and indifferent acquaintances.”
“Of that, I have been assured and I know you will have the ready assistance of the colonel to aid you in that endeavor.”
“Tease me not, Lizzy. I like him very much.”
