The Goodness of Men by Anngela Schroeder

Author:Anngela Schroeder [Schroeder, Anngela]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2017-09-28T22:00:00+00:00

Elizabeth had wandered the house in search of Mrs. Green. Her young abigail, Sarah, had mentioned the housekeeper had the day off but would return after dinner. Elizabeth had found the others in the music room save Mrs. Wickham, who had retired early to rest. She then confided her concerns of Mr. Wickham to Mr. Turner, who immediately rose to write to Mr. Darcy. But curiosity to Mrs. Green’s reaction to Mr. Wickham’s name led Elizabeth to find her way below stairs, passing more than one shocked footman and maid.

“Miss?” Sarah asked when she discovered Elizabeth wandering in the kitchen. “What do you do here? How may I help you?”

“I am searching for Mrs. Green.”

“For me, Miss Bennet? How might I be of assistance?”

Elizabeth looked from Mrs. Green to the young maid, who must have realized she was no longer needed. When they were alone, Elizabeth turned to the older woman and asked, “Might there be somewhere we could talk?”

“Yes, of course. Please follow me to my office.”

Elizabeth moved down the hallway. The corridor was dark with little light filtering in and she realized she had never, in all her years, had a private meeting with Longbourn’s housekeeper, Mrs. Hill.

Elizabeth did not know how to begin. “Well, I am afraid you will find me impertinent….”

They entered the office, and Mrs. Green closed the door behind her. “How can I help you, Miss Bennet?”

“I noticed when Mrs. Wickham was introduced you were as shocked as I was. Might I ask if you knew her husband, and how?”

Mrs. Green shifted in her seat and folded her hands in her lap. “I began service while working as a laundry maid for Pemberley shortly before Mr. Darcy brought Lady Anne home as his bride. My cousin left the employ of Lord and Lady Matlock, the young Mr. Darcy’s aunt and uncle, and a position as a housemaid came available, and I was able to move there. I have known Mr. Wickham since he was a young boy.”

“You have?”

“I was very…surprised… to meet a young woman claiming to be his wife. However, I am certain, it cannot be the same Mr. Wickham.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I have not had the history that you have had with Mr. Wickham but according to Mrs. Wickham herself, it is.”

“Oh.”

“May I ask what made you surprised that a young woman would claim to be his wife?”

She could see Mrs. Green battling with her thoughts. “Miss Bennet, there are things that I have been privy to as a member of the households that others would not know—that would not be suitable for the ears of a young lady.” Elizabeth attempted to keep her face passive so the older woman would continue. “Lord Matlock’s second son, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, has been almost like a brother to young Mr. Darcy. The boys would often come to me when they were young and tell me their troubles. I learned many a story about young Mr. Wickham…but there now. It is not good to speak ill of the dead.

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