Page 67 of Compromise & Consequence
“I do not believe my sister would be comfortable with the Bingleys, however, Richard is quite adept in social situations and he most assuredly holds you in high regard. As does my aunt and uncle Matlock.”
“I believe that would be just the thing,” she said amidst aheartfelt sigh.
As it was, they managed to finish breaking their fast without further rancor and she then wandered down to Mrs. Whittaker’s office to see if there was anything she could do to make Jane’s time with them more comfortable.
“I don’t think so, Mrs. Darcy. We have things well in hand,” the housekeeper soothed, her tone more reminiscent of placating a difficult child than addressing the mistress of the house. Elizabeth’s not-so-dormant ire raised its ugly head again.
“I do not doubt your ability, Mrs. Whittaker,” she said with a forced smile. “Mr. Darcy does not employ fools or servants who lollygag about. I brought the subject up to advise you of my cousin’s preferences concerning food and drink as she is allergic to certain foods.”
She clasped her hands in front of her body for two reasons. The first to stem her angry trembling, the second to keep her fingers from clenching as she thought about wrapping them around her haughty husband’s neck.
“Tomorrow morning at nine o’clock, meet me in my private study to go over the week’s menu.” It seemed she would make use of the late Mrs. Darcy’s room after all. “Bring with you a record of every servant, male and female, and what duties they perform.” She turned to exit the room, then paused. “And I will look over all receipts of kitchen purchases. I have noticed a lot of fish on the menu and would like to know why I have not been served hardly any beef, mutton, or fowl this past month.”
Mrs. Whittaker stood, mouth slightly agape. Internally, Elizabeth practically purred in satisfaction.
“That will be all,” Elizabeth said to end their conversation and with a regal nod of her head, stepped out into the hall, feeling as though a huge burden had just rolled off her shoulders.
A few hours later, the Gardiner carriage rolled to a stop in front of Darcy House and Elizabeth barely kept her heels on the floor as she waited near the front foyer. Even though she and Jane had been separated for long periods in the past – always voluntarily – this last separation had seemed interminable.
The fact her husband had experienced a change of heart still surprised her. From the very beginning, his arrogance and conceit had planted seeds of disapprobation, watered by his behavior following the compromise, and left to fester in fast-growing weeds by the knowledge he had intentionally hurt a beloved member of her family for no valid reason other than pride. Yet, he sought to make changes to please her and this had her mind in turmoil.
Finally, Burke opened the door and Jane stood before her, a picture of genteel femininity and beauty. She stepped over the threshold, bestowing a pleasant smile on Burke who blinked twice in quick succession. Elizabeth held back a snicker at the hint of wonder that crossed the butler’s usual staid features. Her cousin had that effect on mere mortals.
“I am so glad you have come!”
Now, she did bounce on her toes and surged forward to envelop Jane in a tight hug, having it returned in equal measure by her cousin.
“Let us enjoy tea while your trunks are unloaded and unpacked.”
“Lizzy, I was only in the carriage for a half hour. It is not like I traveled from Hertfordshire.”
“It feels like you have been on the moon, not thirty miles of good road.” She looped her arm through Jane’s and led her to the family drawing room. Her cousin looked well, and once they were settled, she said, in a conspiratorial tone, “Now, tell meeverything about the colonel.”
Chapter Seventeen
Her cousin blushed a delicious shade of light pink and stared down at her clasped hands.
“There is not much to tell at this juncture.”
“You have been in town nearly a week and he has not called on you?”
“He has…” Jane kept her gaze lowered. “He has been a most proper gentleman.”
“And I am sure under the watchful eye of Aunt Madeline he has been most solicitous in that regard.”
“I will not have you tease me about him. I truly like him.”
“I have only met the man twice myself, so I cannot judge his true character – yet, but I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a stupider person.”
“Lizzy!”
“Oh! you are a great deal too apt, you know, to like people in general. You never see a fault in anybody. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in my life. Not even the supercilious sisters.”
“I would wish not to be hasty in censuring anyone, but I always speak what I think.”
“I know you do and it is what makes you so uniquely Jane. You find the good in everything and willfully disregard the bad. Anyone who cannot see the value of loving you is the world’s worst fool.”
“I have missed you so, Lizzy.”
