A Death at Rosings: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Renata McMann & Summer Hanford

Author:Renata McMann & Summer Hanford [McMann, Renata]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2015-11-25T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Darcy strode into the library, leaving the door open to safeguard Elizabeth’s reputation, though he couldn’t say the thought of closeting them in didn’t pass through his mind. She looked up at him and smiled and he reminded himself that her smile meant nothing, weary with the reiteration of that internal mantra. She sat before a table, surprising him with the copious looking notes arranged in front of her. No wonder she proceeded with such efficiency.

“I see you have come prepared,” he said, bowing before taking a seat across from her.

“Preparedness, I believe, leads to more fruitful results.”

“Undoubtedly,” he said. “What conclusions have your preparations led you to?” Aside from that you would be the perfect mistress of Pemberly? He frowned, trying to push that thought from his mind.

“We have several issues to discuss,” Elizabeth said, looking down at her notes. “First, there is the disparity between the higher wage we’re paying the new servants and the lower one being given those who loyally remained.”

“Paying all of the servants the new wage would be costly,” Darcy said, though he could see the fairness of it.

“I believe Miss de Bourgh can afford it,” Elizabeth said, raising amused eyes from her pages.

Darcy nodded. “She can.”

“I also believe it would be only fair to make the raise in pay we’d be giving those who didn’t leave effective as of the day Miss de Bourgh took over the estate.”

Darcy nodded again.

“Good,” Elizabeth said. She set aside several sheets. He could see they contained the names of various servants. “Then there is the issue of those who have returned, seeking their old positions.”

“Returned?” Darcy asked.

“A few of those who left have returned, looking quite sheepish, I might add.”

“And you believe we should hire them back?”

“I do,” Elizabeth said.

Darcy frowned. He wasn’t sure. They’d shown disloyalty.

“Everyone was leaving,” she said. “For many, handing them a large sum of money is nearly like plying them with drink. It obviously went to their heads and they followed along with the rest. I wouldn’t punish them for a momentary lapse in judgement.”

“I may.”

“Then you and I differ on that,” she said, a challenging spark in her eyes. “We need experienced staff who know how to conduct themselves at Rosings. Those who wish to return represent the surest source of such men and women.”

She was correct there. He noted that she’d left out that salient point until she’d engaged him in an argument. Had she done it in order to win? As much as he enjoyed debating her, there was little point in drawing out the issue now that he was in agreement with her. Still, the defectors should suffer some penalty. “They shall be under a year’s probation in which they can be let go without reason.”

“Isn’t that the life of every servant?” she asked, amusement leaving her.

“I suppose that depends on the household,” he said.

“I take it, then, that is not how you conduct your estate?”

“I would never cast someone out without reason, or without some means of ready currency to help them find their way.

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