The Resolute Suitor: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Don Miller

Author:Don Miller
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Don H. Miller
Published: 2014-07-21T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18: Another Ball

When Darcy was admitted into the Gardiner’s house shortly before 8 o’clock, he was met by a smiling Mr. Gardiner. “Good evening, Mr. Darcy. As you can imagine, your fiancée is not quite ready yet. Will you join me for a glass of port while you wait?”

Darcy agreed and as they entered Mr. Gardiner’s study, Mr. Gardiner said, “Your sister is a very clever young lady, Mr. Darcy. You can well imagine how surprised Lizzie was when Ellie turned up with your engagement gift to her. Leila seems like a delightful young lady and Lizzie likes her very much. As a matter of fact, I think Leila is working on Lizzie’s hair as we speak. And in case you are concerned, my wife did give your sister permission while she was writing her list to you to have both Ellie and Leila stay here tonight and for Leila to stay on here as Lizzie’s maid. May I ask Leila’s background?”

“She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Reynolds, who has been the housekeeper at Pemberley as long as I can remember. She started as a young girl as a maid at Pemberley, but showed great talent in several of the capabilities needed by a good lady’s maid and started training for such a position at an early age. Mrs. Reynolds, of course, was grooming her to be the lady’s maid of my wife, whoever that may be. Last year Mrs. Reynolds asked if Leila could come to Darcy House to be the resident lady’s maid for female guests who did not bring their own maid, believing she would have more opportunity at Darcy House to meet the future Mrs. Darcy there than at Pemberley. I approved, but she has had little chance to undertake the duties for which she is trained and has been working as an upstairs maid. However, Ellie has been working with her to increase her abilities as a lady’s maid, and now that we know who Mrs. Darcy will be, it seems sensible that she should start her duties immediately. I assume you know I will pay for all expenses related to her staying with Elizabeth.”

“I was not worried about it, Mr. Darcy. But is it not usual for the new mistress to choose her own lady’s maid through a series of interviews with prospects?”

“It is and I told Leila that she was a probationary lady’s maid for Elizabeth—that Elizabeth could, if she decided she wanted a more experienced lady’s maid, interview other candidates. However, I think Elizabeth will quickly find Leila a very capable and pleasant maid. At least, Mrs. McGregor, my housekeeper at Darcy House, and Ellie think she is a wonderful and talented maid and that Elizabeth will be happy to have her. I trust their judgment.”

There was a knock on the door and then Mrs. Gardiner stuck her head in the door. “I think you should come out into the foyer, Mr. Darcy. Your intended is about to come down and you will not want to miss it.

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