Page 9 of Mr. Darcy's Folly
Darcy found himself, not for the first time that evening, studying the delicate line of Miss Elizabeth’s neck as she turned to speak with Fitz. The first remove had been cleared, and now footmen circulated with the second course. For the sake of self-preservation, he ought to feign interest in his aunt’s discourse on the proper organisation of cupboards, but his attention kept wandering.
“Of course, Mrs. Collins,” his aunt was saying as a footman served her from a silver tureen, “one must number the preserve jars. It is the only sensible approach. I have always said so. Have I not, Anne?”
His cousin merely inclined her head, while Mrs. Jenkinson murmured something affirmative.
“Indeed, your ladyship.” Mr. Collins bobbed his head. “Such wisdom in household matters is truly remarkable. Mrs. Collins shall implement your suggestions directly.”
The parson’s new wife bore this with admirable composure, though Darcy noted Miss Elizabeth’s fingers tightening almost imperceptibly on her fork.
“And the linens,” Lady Catherine continued. “I trust Mrs. Collins is using the inventory I recommended?”
His lips curled down. He was not treated as a man grown when here, but neither was he spoken of as though he was not in the room. The parson’s wife could not be pleased when his aunt and her husband were making plans for what her days would entail, but Mrs. Collins remained placid. No doubt she had her own ways of resisting her husband’s more foolish edicts.
“I have found Mrs. Collins’s methods quite ingenious, actually,” Miss Elizabeth replied, her voice perfectly modulated to indicate a proper interest in the topic. “She has devised a system of organisation that allows her to track the condition of each piece while accounting for seasonal rotation. Most clever.”
Lady Catherine’s eyebrows rose. “Indeed?”
“Oh yes,” Miss Elizabeth continued cheerfully. “Why, just yesterday she was explaining to me how she has improved upon the traditional method. But perhaps I should not speak of it, as I am sure your ladyship’s experience far exceeds such modest attempts at innovation.”
Darcy nearly choked on the wine he had just sipped, and Fitz pressed his lips together and glanced between the women.
To his amazement, his aunt appeared more intrigued than offended. “No, no, pray continue, Miss Bennet.”
“Your ladyship is quite right about the importance of regular inspection,” Miss Elizabeth said. “Though I wonder if you have ever found, as Mrs. Collins has, that examining linens while they are being aired provides an excellent opportunity to note which pieces might require attention before they are returned to storage?”
Lady Catherine paused, fork halfway to her mouth. “Airing linens?”
“Oh, yes. On a fine day, with a gentle breeze.” She glanced at her hostess with exactly the right mixture of deference and enthusiasm. “When the linens are hung to dry? But of course, your ladyship has likely developed more sophisticated methods at Rosings.”
“Naturally,” Lady Catherine said, though Darcy noted she had not actually confirmed this. He would be surprised if she had ever thought of the laundry at all. “Though there is some merit in what you say about the opportunity for inspection during airing. I have often said so myself.”
“Have you indeed?” Miss Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled. “Then you must share your opinion on the best time of day for such an undertaking. Charlotte—Mrs. Collins, that is—has found that the morning air is particularly beneficial.”
“The morning air at Rosings is exceptionally fine,” Lady Catherine pronounced. “It is the elevation, you see. My gardener arranges all his tasks according to my understanding of the air at various times of day.”
“How fascinating,” Miss Elizabeth murmured in such a way that Darcy almost believed her. She leaned forward slightly as though thoroughly engaged in the conversation. “And do you find the morning air affects the freshness of the linens differently in each season? For example, in spring versus autumn?”
“Most certainly. I have made a particular study of it.” Lady Catherine sat straighter, warming to her subject. “The spring air at Rosings possesses uniquely healthful properties. I have often advised Mrs. Collins that she would do well to take advantage of our superior breezes.”
Mrs. Collins caught her friend’s eye briefly before replying. “Indeed, your ladyship’s advice about the morning air has been most illuminating. I have adjusted my household schedule accordingly.”
“Of course she has,” Mr. Collins began, but before he could launch into a lecture on gratitude, Lady Catherine interrupted him.
“Very sensible.” She nodded approvingly. “You see, Miss Bennet, this is precisely what I have been explaining about the proper management of a household. One must consider everything, down to the smallest of details. The air, the timing, the rotation of linens. I have developed quite a system over the years, and my housekeeper ensures it is carried out with the utmost efficiency.”
“Such experience is invaluable,” the impish woman agreed. “Given that, your ladyship must have many thoughts about the maintenance of beehives. Mr. Collins has several very healthy hives, and I am sure it is due to your sage advice.”
The parson’s vigorous nodding caused one end of his neckcloth to work itself loose, though in his eagerness to endorse his cousin’s pronouncement, he appeared to be oblivious to it.
“Precisely!” his aunt exclaimed. “The success of those hives is entirely due to my guidance. Bees require a firm hand and an understanding of their particular duties.”
“How very interesting,” Miss Elizabeth said, her expression one of perfect, earnest curiosity, as though nothing would give her greater pleasure than to learn about Lady Catherine’s knowledge of apiaries and how to command bees.
No doubt his aunt thought herself the queen.
Miss Elizabeth’s dark eyes were wide with such artless enthusiasm that only someone watching as closely as Darcy might catch the subtle quirk at the corner of her mouth. “And do you oversee the hives yourself?”
Lady Catherine drew back slightly. “Well, naturally one must delegate such matters to those better suited to such work. I merely direct the broader principles of their care.”
